Our Sejiki, or food-offering, ceremony is an opportunity to call forth the spirits of those who have passed this way before, offering them solace and acknowledging our ongoing connection to them. If you would like the name of a loved one who has died during the past year, recited in the ceremony, please send the full name of […]
On hiatus until November 10th The Zen Study Group is now meeting at the Dharma Center AND online. The study group is facilitated by Rev. So'on Jim Hare, with readings from ancient and contemporary Mahayana Buddhist & Soto Zen texts and commentaries. To join the Thursday morning study group, email the coordinator, Rollin Ives, twl4148@gmail.com
Sitting still in the company of others is the heart of Zen practice. Please join us for this day of inner work, being "just this person." Just before leaving a practice period, a student asked his teacher, "If, after many years, someone should ask me what you were like, how should I respond?" After remaining […]
Rev. Parāvṛtti Doralee Grindler Katonah will present a dharma talk in person at the Dharma Center. She serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She studied in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin, founder and guiding teacher of Udumbara Zen Center in Illinois and Rev. Val Szymanski, Head Priest of Bamboo […]
Join us for two periods of zazen (seated meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation), or just the first or second second meditation periods, as your schedule allows. 6:00 am - Zazen (sitting meditation) 6:30 am - Kinhin (walking meditation) 6:40 am - Zazen 7:10 am - Morning Service Please arrive a few minutes before the beginning […]
Join Valley Streams Sangha Board of Directors for a Sunday potluck brunch to celebrate Valley Streams' 20th Anniversary. Spouses, partners, friends and family---are all invited. Gather at 10 am to share a meal and each others' company. After a fun social mixer, President Doralee Grindler Katonah will introduce the 2022-2023 Board and give a report […]
On the second Monday of each month, we offer a 40-minute introduction to Zen practice. We focus on the art of sitting meditation, with emphasis on posture, breath and mental focus. This is for new meditators and those wishing to refresh their practice of meditative immersion. * Meets in the Library at the Sacramento Dharma […]
Rev. Myō Lahey, Valley Streams' guiding teacher, joins us online via Zoom from Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco, where he is Abbot. He previously served as Practice Leader at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson. Our Monday night programs begin with zazen (sitting meditation) followed by […]
Shi Shin Brendan O'Brien has been a member of the Valley Streams community for the past three years. He is also a member of the Hartford Street Zen Sangha in San Francisco. Recently, in October, he received the Bodhisattva precepts from Rev. Myō Lahey and Rev. So'On Jim Hare. Brendan is a student of history […]
Rohatsu means the 8th day of the 12th month, which is the traditional day for celebrating Buddha's enlightenment. Sesshin means 'to gather the mind.' As the darkest days of the year approach, we sit together with the principle of awakening, fully opening to the 'wisdom beyond wisdom' that is revealed in sitting meditation. The initial […]
Morning Rohatsu schedule, Monday - Wednesday - ONLINE 6:00 Zazen 6:30 Kinhin 6:40 Zazen 7:10 Service Register for week-long program on Eventbrite. Full Rohatsu schedule This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of […]
Rev. 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, and was priest ordained by Rev. Myo Lahey […]
Online Evening schedule for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 5:00 pm Zazen 5:30 pm Service Break/Dinner 7:30 pm Zazen 8:00 pm Kinhin 8:10 pm Zazen 8:40 pm Refuges This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time […]
Morning Rohatsu schedule, Thursday hybrid event. 6:00 Zazen 6:30 Kinhin 6:40 Zazen 7:10 Service Register for week-long program on Eventbrite. See full Rohatsu schedule here. This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of […]
Full-Day Sitting - in person - 8:30 am - 8:45 pm This sitting will be in person at the Dharma Center and will not be offered on Zoom. Traditional oryoki meals will be served at noon and for the "medicine meal" in the evening. This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our […]
Half-day Sitting - in person - 8:30 am - 12 noon. Today concludes the seven days of intensive practice with a half-day sitting and the Buddha's Enlightenment Ceremony. We will gather after the ceremony to share a buffet lunch. Register for the week-long program on Eventbrite.