Valley Streams Zen Sangha

"Perfection of Wisdom Sutras" talk by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2017-10-02 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
The theme for our Fall Study Period is the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, or Prajñāpāramitā, mother of all Buddhas. Prajñāpāramitā refers to the perfected way of seeing the nature of reality, as well as to a particular body of sutras and to the personification of the concept in the Bodhisattva known as the “Great Mother”.
Doralee’s Handouts: Suggestions for Practicing with the Prajnaparamita Sutra
The Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines & Its Verse Summary
translated by Edward Conze (complete text)

Retreat Night
2017-09-25 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Retreat night consists of three 25-minute sitting periods with walking meditation in between. All are welcome.

Practice Circle: Appreciative Inquiry
2017-09-11 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Led by sangha members who learned this method of sharing at the 2017 Branching Streams Network conference in Chicago.

CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY
2017-09-04 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Please enjoy the holiday with family and friends! We will start up again on Monday, September 11.

CLOSED - NO SATURDAY SITTING
2017-09-02 09:00 - 13:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Enjoy Labor Day weekend with family and friends.

Zazen, Tea & Treats
2017-08-28 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
After meditation & service, join us for tea and conversation. Taking care of the Sangha is a treasure to appreciate along with Buddha and Dharma.

A Glimpse of Buddhism in China
2017-08-19 19:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
In April 2017, Jim Hare traveled with a group of Western pilgrims to visit (and stay in) Buddhist monasteries in Zhejiang Province, south of Shanghai. Jim will present a thematic slide show and narrative, touching on devotional practices, the Bodhisattva Guanyin, T’ien T’ung Ssu (the monastery where Eihei Dogen met his teacher), and the T’ang era poet Han Shan.

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Raphael Calix
2017-08-14 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States

What We Can Trust: a One-day Zen Sitting
2017-08-05 09:00 - 17:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Zazen surfaces our “mind of clover,” a pliant mind, a flexibile mind, a mind like clouds and water. This mind that is not “our” mind, but rather one that comes to us as a gift of practice. Informed by that mind we are inspired to be kind, to be flexible with others, to bend like bamboo in the wind. This is a mind we can really trust and it’s not ours and it’s not not ours. Together we will spend a day entrusting ourselves to the mind of clover, the awakening spirit of buddha. The sitting will be lead by Rev. So On Jim Hare, Practice Leader of Valley Streams Zen Sangha. Please bring a bag lunch. If this is your first time practicing with us or your first one-day sitting, please call Jim at 916-456-7752 so you can learn more about the day. $20 Register at Eventbrite.com.

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Patti Mitchell
2017-07-31 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
The ‘way-seeking-mind talk’, gives a sangha member the opportunity to tell dharma friends the story of how we came to Zen practice. It usually emphasizes two aspects – the suffering and the fortuitous circumstances that brought us here.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Kyosho Valorie Beer
2017-07-17 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Rev. Kyosho Valorie Beer is an itinerant teacher for SF Zen Center’s Branching Streams sanghas. She received dharma transmission from Edward Brown in 2013. In addition to leading retreats, Valorie is a teacher for sewing Buddha’s Robe, sutra copying, practicing with aging, and writing as a spiritual practice.

Buddha's Teachings on Social & Communal Harmony
2017-07-10 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Several sangha practice leaders will present Buddha’s Teachings on Social & Communal Harmony after studying with Hozan Alan Senauke, of Berkeley Zen Center.

SDC Interdependence Day Ice Cream Social
2017-07-08 14:00 - 16:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Join SDC for its Second Annual Interdependence Day party, Saturday, July 8, 2017, from 2 to 4 p.m. A celebration of our donors, volunteers, and the greater Sangha that makes our existence possible! Enjoy some ice cream and shaved ice, take part in our raffle, and listen to some far out music as we mark the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love!
Register

Haiku Poetry Night
2017-07-03 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Sangha member, Linda Dekker, will lead us in an evening of reading and writing haiku poetry.

Half-day Sitting
2017-07-01 08:30 - 12:30 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Please join us for our bi-monthly half-day sitting. At the conclusion of the sitting, we will enjoy a social lunch together, so please bring a bag lunch.

Retreat Night
2017-06-12 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Retreat night consists of three 25-minute sitting periods with walking meditation in between – a time to sit quietly with no interruptions.

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Stephen Streed
2017-06-05 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States

One-day Sitting with Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
2017-06-03 09:00 - 17:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Visiting teacher, Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, of Still Breathing Zen Meditation Center in Oakland, will lead our meditation and offer dharma talks during this special one-day sitting. Rev. Zenju was ordained by Zenkei Blanche Hartman Roshi and received dharma transmission in January 2016. As an author and ordained Soto Zen Buddhist priest, she combines Zen meditation, intuitive knowing, and indigenous wisdom in a path of liberation.
Her teaching theme for the day will be Shinzo: Ever Intimate. The term Shinzo refers to the practice of not rejecting either delusion or enlightenment; being “ever intimate” with the experience that comes our way. Register here.

CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY
2017-05-29 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States

Zen's Chinese Ancestors: Rujing
2017-05-22 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Our guiding teacher, Rev. Myo Lahey, will discuss our zen ancestor, Rujing, Dogen’s teacher in China.

Dharma Center Envisioning
2017-05-21 09:00 - 13:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
This time is set aside for all of us in the community to have the opportunity to discuss together how we want to use our new space – both inside and outside the building. We encourage as many Sustaining Sangha members as possible to come and share their ideas. Please come to one or both meetings, the envisioning process will build on itself over the two days, but individual ideas and input will be welcome on both days.
Envisioning schedule:
Sunday, May 21 ~ 9 am – 1 pm
Sunday, June 18 ~ 9 am – 3 pm

Zen's Chinese Ancestors: Hanshan
2017-05-15 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Hanshan (9th century) was a legendary figure associated with a collection of poems from the Chinese Tang Dynasty in the Taoist and Chan traditions. Jim Hare will present stories about this famous ancestor.

Zen's Chinese Ancestors: Kuan-Yin
2017-05-08 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Introduced by tanto Jim Hare.

Dharma Art Day 2017
2017-05-06 09:00 - 16:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Rediscover beginner’s mind while creating a collage or assemblage out of bits and pieces; paint and glue. No art experience needed – in fact, the less you know, the better! Led by Barbara Baccei, Karen Hamilton and Doralee Grindler Katonah.
Fee: $25 for materials (scholarships available)
Register at Eventbrite.com or in person on a Monday night.

For the Love of Koans
2017-05-01 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Led by Doralee Grindler Katonah.

PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH SACRAMENTO
2017-04-29 10:30 - 14:00 | CA
On the 100th day of this administration, marches across the world will take place to send a unified and urgent message: Our communities demand responsible climate action for our families, our workers and our planet.
This interfaith march will surround the State Capitol Building. We’ll rally together as we learn about existing climate solutions and local actions that we can all do to stabilize climate change. There will be lively music, interactive workshops, inspiring speakers and more! Sacramento Dharma Center’s Climate Sangha will be meeting and marching together as a group.

Meet: West corner of Rose Garden in Capitol Park, near Vietnam War Memorial
Schedule: 10:30 Meet; sit together
11:00 Rally at East steps of the Capitol; speeches and music
1:30 March to circle the Capitol
2:00 Ending pledge; short closing sit for those who want.
Bathrooms: Inside the Capitol, and small building at 13th Street
Bring: (Suggested items): Water, snack, sun hat, a small ground cloth, something to sit on. Signs or other expressions are welcome; sign handles should technically not be longer than 18”
Sitting: Pre-rally sit, location TBD. The Aloka Vihara Nuns will meet with us; look for their red brown robes. During the rally, the nuns will support the assembly by sitting nearby in peaceful meditation. SDC members are invited to join them whenever, and for as long as, they like. There will also be a short post-March sit.
Contact: Oscar Balaguer oscarbal@hotmail.com

Practice Talk by Oscar Balaguer
2017-04-24 19:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Oscar was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Edward Espe Brown
2017-04-17 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Edward Espe Brown is a Soto Zen Buddhist teacher as well as a chef, photographer and author of several books. 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.

Introduction to Zen Meditation
2017-04-10 18:00 - 18:40 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
For those who are new to Zen meditation, we offer this 40-minute introduction to our forms of practice on the second Monday every month.

Buddha's Birthday Sitting and Ceremony
2017-04-10 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
