Morning Zazen
2019-03-21 06:00 - 07:30, 2019-07-04 06:00 - 07:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Every Thursday we offer two early morning sittings (6-6:30 & 6:40-7:10) followed by a brief service (7:10-7:20). Following service, you are invited to share a cup of tea or coffee before continuing with the rest of your day. Early morning zazen is the practice of Zen students everywhere. Before engaging in life’s busy activity, we relax and wake up on the cushion. Come for all or part of the schedule.
6:00 Zazen
6:30 Kinhin (walking meditation)
6:40 Zazen
7:10 Service
7:20 Tea, Coffee & Conversation

Study Group
2019-03-21 08:00 - 09:00
Study is one of the pillars of Zen practice. Please join us every Thursday morning for our ongoing study group to discuss ancient and contemporary texts.

Facilitated by Rev. So On Jim Hare.
Current text: Dogen’s Genjokoan, using Shohaku Okamura’s book Realizing Genjo Koan as our study guide.
Contact Rollin Ives (twl4148@gmail.com) for details.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2019-03-25 19:00 - 21:00
Rev. Myo Lahey is Abbot at Hartford Street Zen Centerin San Francisco and our guiding teacher. He has previously served as Practice Leader at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson. Rev. Myo is available for individual practice discussion by appointment prior to our evening program.

Dharma Talk by Rev. So On Jim Hare
2019-04-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-06-03 19:00 - 21:00
So On Jim Hare serves as Tanto, or head of practice. He lived in the San Francisco Zen Center community from 1980 to 1984, and was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson in 1985. He served as Head Student at Green Gulch Farm during the spring 2002 practice period. He was priest ordained by Myo Lahey in 2016.

Every Day Brand New - A One-day Retreat, led by Rev. Mary Mocine
2019-04-06 09:00 - 17:00
Reverend Mary Mocine, Abbess of Vallejo Zen Center aka Clear Water Zendo, will lead this one-day sitting. She trained at San Francisco and Berkeley Zen Centers, and at Tassajara Zen Monastery. She received dharma transmission from Sojun Mel Weitsman in May 2005.
The theme for this sitting is “Buddha’s birthday, renewing our practice.” The day will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, a Dharma talk and a ceremony to celebrate the birth of the Buddha (traditionally celebrated on April 8th in Japan).
Registration is on a sliding scale, from $20 to $50, in $10 increments. There is the option to register and pay online, or register and pay at the door. A teacher donation will be requested on the day of the retreat. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If you would like a scholarship, or if this will be your first one-day sitting with us, please call Jim Hare at (916) 456-7752 before April 3rd and prior to registering.
Please bring a bag lunch to enjoy during this day of quiet, calm and attentive renewal.

Practice Talk by Michael Simpson and David Angstead
2019-04-08 19:00 - 21:00

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2019-04-15 19:00 - 21:00
Rev. Myo Lahey is Abbot at Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco and our guiding teacher. He has previously served as Practice Leader at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson. Rev. Myo is available for individual practice discussion by appointment prior to our evening program. Please call ‭(916) 393-3961‬ to schedule an appointment.

Dharma talk by Rev. Edward Espe Brown
2019-04-22 19:00 - 21:00
Edward Espe Brown is a well-known Soto Zen Buddhist teacher, author, and chef. He was ordained in 1971 by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, who gave him the Dharma name Jusan Kainei , “Longevity Mountain, Peaceful Sea.” He leads sitting groups and meditation retreats in Northern California and internationally. His latest book is The Most Important Point: Zen Teachings, published by Sounds True. Edward will also lead a one-day retreat for SBMG on Saturday, April 20. He will be reading and signing his book on Friday, April 19th at Time Tested Books, 1114 21st Street (between L & K streets).

Way-seeking Mind Talk by Larry Smith
2019-04-29 19:00 - 21:00

Accomplishing the Work of Great Peace - a one-day retreat with Rev. Myo
2019-05-04 09:00 - 17:00
“Accomplishing the work of great peace is without sign” – Tiantong. Since this is so, we can find it everywhere. But some say, “It still eludes my heart/mind.” If so, then we are invited to return to the meditation hall. Please join us for a day of stillness and peace, supported by the deeply practiced wisdom of our guiding teacher, Rev. Myo Lahey, Abbot of Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco.
Register at Eventbrite.com is on a sliding scale, $20-$50, or you may pay at the door. A teacher donation will be requested on the day of the retreat. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If you would like a scholarship, or If this will be your first one-day sitting with us, please call Michael Simpson at ‭(860) 922-7796 prior to registering.
**Please bring a bag lunch to enjoy during this day of quiet, calm and attentive renewal. Rev. Myo will available for individual practice discussion during the sitting.

Pilgrimage to Japan, presented by So On Jim Hare & Un Jo Karen Hamilton
2019-05-06 19:00 - 21:00
Jim and Karen will relate their impressions of temple life and traditional Japanese arts encountered during their recent trip to Japan.

Retreat Night
2019-05-13 19:00 - 21:00
On Retreat Night you have an opportunity to settle into your meditation practice with three 25-minute periods of zazen, interspersed with walking meditation (called kinhin). Turning the light inward we explore the causes of suffering and what can end it. This invitation is extended to everyone.

Way-Seeking Mind Talk, by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2019-05-20 19:00 - 21:00

CLOSED for Memorial Day Holiday
2019-05-27 19:00 - 21:00

Dharma Calligraphy: Create Your Own Scroll, with Rev. Val Szymanski
2019-06-01 09:30 - 16:30
Please join us for our 4th annual Dharma Art Day for an opportunity to create your own calligraphy scroll! The retreat will be led by Rev. Val Szymanski, founding teacher of Bamboo in the Wind Zen sangha, and esteemed calligrapher.
No previous experience is necessary, and all supplies will be provided. Class size is limited to 20.
Register at Eventbrite.com

Jukai Ceremony
2019-06-09 14:00 - 16:00

Zen Poetry Night, led by Linda Dekker
2019-06-10 19:00 - 21:00
Sangha member, Linda Dekker, will lead us in an evening of reading and writing poetry.

SDC Yard Sale - Volunteers needed!
2019-06-15 09:00 - 14:00
Clean out your closets and garage – then donate your lightly used items to the
Dharma Center Yard Sale.
Email Linda Dekker to volunteer and to arrange for dropping off donations at the Dharma Center. zendekker@gmail.com

Full Moon Ceremony
2019-06-17 19:00 - 21:00
This ceremony reminds us that enlightenment is enacted with Bodhisattva precepts, which are recited in a call and response format during the ceremony. We enter the ceremony following two periods of zazen interspersed with walking meditation. Whole-heartedly we celebrate the whole moon. Everyone is invited to participate.

Reading & Discussion Circle, led by Rev. So'on Jim Hare
2019-06-24 19:00 - 21:00
Reading “A Field Far Beyond Form & Emptiness”, by Tenshin Reb Anderson. (in Warm Smiles from Cold Mountains, SFZC, 1995)

SDC Volunteer Work Day
2019-06-30 09:00 - 12:00
On the last Sunday of every month volunteers are invited to help with outdoor maintenance, indoor cleaning, and other tasks around the Sacramento Dharma Center. It is a great way to show your gratitude, with the added benefit of making new friends!

Sacramento Dharma Center Work Day

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Berry Crawford
2019-07-01 19:00 - 21:00
Our Monday night programs begin with zazen (sitting meditation) followed by a devotional service and dharma talk, group discussion, practice circle or retreat night. There are no membership requirements to participate. We invite donations to support the room rental, visits by teachers, and other sangha activities. Valley Streams Zen Sangha is dedicated to the study of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.Mon

Study Group
2019-07-04 08:00 - 09:00
Study is one of the pillars of Zen practice. Please join us every Thursday morning for our ongoing study group to discuss ancient and contemporary texts.

Facilitated by Rev. So-On Jim Hare.
Reading Mahayana Buddhism & Soto Zen texts and commentaries
Contact Rollin Ives (twl4148@gmail.com) for current text details.

Half-day Sitting - CANCELLED
2019-07-06 09:00 - 13:00
Our usual half-day sitting is cancelled due to conflicting events and July 4th holiday.

Tea & Conversation led by Linda Dekker
2019-07-08 19:00 - 21:00

Morning Zazen - CANCELLED
2019-07-11 06:00 - 07:30
Please join us next week.
Every Thursday we offer two early morning sittings (6-6:30 & 6:40-7:10) followed by a brief service (7:10-7:20). Following service, you are invited to share a cup of tea or coffee before continuing with the rest of your day. Early morning zazen is the practice of Zen students everywhere. Before engaging in life’s busy activity, we relax and wake up on the cushion. Come for all or part of the schedule.
6:00 Zazen
6:30 Kinhin (walking meditation)
6:40 Zazen
7:10 Service
7:20 Tea, Coffee & Conversation

Study Group - CANCELLED
2019-07-11 08:00 - 09:00
This week’s meeting is cancelled due to other activities. Please join us next Thursday morning for our ongoing study group to discuss ancient and contemporary texts.

Facilitated by Rev. So-On Jim Hare.
Readings from Mahayana Buddhism & Soto Zen texts and commentaries.
Contact Rollin Ives (twl4148@gmail.com) for current readings.

Dharma Talk by Rev. So'on Jim Hare
2019-07-15 19:00 - 21:00
Our Monday night programs begin with zazen (sitting meditation) followed by a devotional service and dharma talk, group discussion, practice circle or retreat night. There are no membership requirements to participate. We invite donations to support the room rental, visits by teachers, and other sangha activities. Valley Streams Zen Sangha is dedicated to the study of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.
