Evening Zazen shared online, Wednesday- Friday 7:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Morning Zoom Link Here.

Evening Zoom link Here.

For more info visit the online Zendo Here.

Saturday Community Dharma Talk: 11:00 a.m. Online Zendo

Online Dharma talk will be given by Jakusho Kwong- roshi SMZC Abbot, following zazen.

Online Introduction to Zen Workshop: Returning to Forms and Rituals of Everyday Life 12:30- 2:30 pm

An introduction to the basics of Zen with instruction. This workshop will be taught by Zen student "JinBun" Jessie Brunette 

Saturday Community Dharma Talk: 11:00 a.m. Online Zendo

Online Dharma talk will be given by "Uji" Mikolaj Markiewicz. Leading teacher of Kannon Zen Center, an SMZC affiliate, in Warsaw, Poland., following zazen.

"Returning to the Ground of Being" Three-Day Online Sesshin

Join us for a special time of practice to let go of the conditioned self in order to resume our original nature. June 11 - 14. Online. It will be open to everyone. Donation on a sliding scale. Any amount is valued.  For more info and to sign up

Saturday Community Dharma Talk: 11:00 a.m. Online Zendo

Online Student Talk will be given by David "Koten" of SMZC, following zazen.

Saturday Community Dharma Talk: 11:00 a.m. Online Zendo

​Online Dharma Talk will be given by Nyoze Kwong, Vice Abbot of SMZC following zazen. 

"Moment to Moment" One-Day Sitting July 4th Online

This retreat is an introduction to Zen training and an opportunity for beginners and experienced sitters to plunge into the heart of Zen practice.  Retreatants will experience a moderate schedule of zazen (eight periods of sitting meditation), samu (work practice), oryoki (formal meals) and sutra chanting.  

Temple stay is an opportunity to experience the rituals and spiritual practice of authentic Soto Zen Buddhism.  Take the backward step and illuminate the jewel within yourself.  Friday July 10 - Saturday Julyl 11.  

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Non-member: $90

Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Online Zendo

Online Student Talk given by Erik "Zenjin" Shearer

Saturday Community Student Talk

​Online Student Talk given by John "Kaian" Jennings

Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo

​Talk will be given by Zen student  "Genzen" Ed Cadman, following zazen. 

Summer Ango Practice Period July 27-August 22, 2020

SMZC's Summer Practice Period begins. Gosia Sieradzka will take the position as Shuso (head student). She is a student of Kwong Roshi and a sangha member of  Kannon Zen Center, SMZC's affiliate in Poland. Opening ceremony begins Monday evening at 7:30 p.m.. (More schedule details to follow...)Online 

Practice Period Shuso Talk: 11:00 a.m. zendo

Head student Gosia Sieradzka will give the talk online at 11:00 a.m. following 10:30 a.m. zazen in the zendo.  Gosia is a student of Kwong-roshi. Ango July 27 - August 22 (Detailed schedule to follow...)

Practice Period Shuso Talk: 11:00 a.m. zendo

Head student Gosia Sieradzka will give the talk onlineat 11:00 a.m. following 10:30 a.m. zazen in the zendo.  Gosia is a student of Kwong-roshi. Ango July 27 - August 22 (Detailed schedule to follow...)

"Actualizing the Way" Seven-Day Sesshin

​A multi-day retreat for experienced sitters. Manifest Zazen mind in an intensive schedule that includes prostrations, ten daily periods of meditation, chanting, mindful work practice, Dharma talks, and private interviews with Kwong-roshi.  Days begin at 4:45 a.m. and end at 9:00 p.m.  Begins with Sunday 6:00 p.m. oryoki dinner.

Ango Closing Ceremony - Revealing the Self: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

​"REVEALING THE SELF" 10:30 a.m. zazen; 11:00 a.m. ceremony.  Participants will ask Shuso -Gosia Sieradzka (head student) dharma questions to reveal the truth of practice.   We encourage all members to close the practice period with us.  Open to the public. Online

Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo

​Talk will be given by Zen student Mike Persinger, following zazen.

Late Summer Workfest:

On Saturday we will come together to work, fund and manifest the Dharma.

This Workfest we will be taking down four resident buildings and attend to general groundskeeping.

All skillsets will be helpful.

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Sunday  8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

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Friends of Zen-Hollow Bones Three-Day Retreat 9/10/2020- 9/13/2020

Our Friends for Friends of Zen- Hollow Bones will hold their annual Retreat lead by the female teachers of their order.

Saturday Community Dharma Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo

Talk will be given by Jakusho Kwong-roshi founding Abbot of SMZC following zazen.

SMZC's Temple Benefit 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (9/19/2020)

Benefit for Sonoma Mountain Zen Center.

Celebrate and support our new Sonoma Mandala with an elegant, intimate afternoon of Zen on the tranquil mountainside. 

Don’t miss this event! Bring family, friends, kids, and neighbors!  Mark your calendars and spread the word! 

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Saturday 11 - 4pm

Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo

​Talk will be given by Zen student  "Katsuzen" Chris King, following zazen. 

This program is an opportunity for Sangha members and friends to introduce their children to the Zen Center in a fun and creative way.  Supervised, age-appropriate activities introduce children to the Zen Center as a fun, safe, nurturing environment. Children can join their parents for an informal vegetarian lunch following activities. Parents are welcome to join in the fun along with their children or participate in Saturday community practice.

Saturday Community Dharma Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo

Talk will be given by Jakusho Kwong-roshi founding Abbot of SMZC following zazen.

Spirit of Tea - Purifying the Mind: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Soei Mouri-Sensei and Kashin Julie Kwong will be leading this workshop on the study of tea in the Omote Senke tradition.  

Fall Study Group: Tuesdays 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. (10/6/2020)

Explore the fundamental teachings of Soto Zen and Buddhism as a foundation and inspiration for daily practice in a six week study course with questions, answers and dialogue.  

Temple stay is an opportunity to experience the rituals and spiritual practice of authentic Soto Zen Buddhism.  Take the backward step and illuminate the jewel within yourself.  Friday April 24 - Saturday April 25.  

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Non-member: $90

Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo

Talk will be given by Zen Student an SMZC Board President "Tensan" Chuck Ramey following zazen.

Bodhidarma Three-Day Sesshin 10/15/2020- 10/18/2020

Sesshin, literally “to touch the Mind,” is a period of intensive meditation retreat to let go of the conditioned self and resume our original nature. This special time of practice will allow us to dive into the core of Zen training. October 15- 18, 2020

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Non-Member: $90/night    General:$80/night    Practicing: $75/night

Kaiseki Ceremony Benefit

Kaiseki (懐石) or kaiseki-ryōri (懐石料理) is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. This dinner will be held as a fundraising dinner for The Sonoma Mandala Project.  To purchase these limited availability tickets contact the office@smzc.org

Taste of Zen Workshop : Meditation and Temple Cooking(Shojin Ryori) 10/21/2020- 10/24/2020

The Heart of Zen is in everyday action.  It permeates our waking life in simple acts.  The title of Tenzo (head temple cook) is one of the most venerated in the Soto Zen practice. It is through the conscious practice of adhering to the forms of Shojin Ryori (temple Cooking), that we can practice being fully awake in our practice.  This workshop will explore the practice of “just sitting” and how that informs the basic act of cooking.  The instructions on this subtle form of cooking will demonstrate how to offer a meal with the “six flavors and the three qualities” with a harmony that serves community.

Saturday Community Talk: 11:00 a.m. zendo

Vice abbot Nyoze Kwong will give the talk at 11:00 a.m. following 10:30 a.m. zazen in the zendo.

Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. zendo

​​Talk will be given by Zen student Margaret Tighe, following zazen.

Saturday Community Dharma Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo

Talk will be given by Jakusho Kwong-roshi founding Abbot of SMZC following zazen.

Introduction to Zen Workshop: Returning to Forms and Rituals of Everyday Life

An introduction to the basics of Zen with instruction. This workshop will be taught by Zen student "Koten"  David Price MORE DETAILS HERE

"Peacefully Settling Down" One-Day Sitting

This retreat is an introduction to Zen training and an opportunity for beginners and experienced sitters to plunge into the heart of Zen practice.  Retreatants will experience a moderate schedule of zazen (eight periods of sitting meditation), samu (work practice), oryoki (formal meals) and sutra chanting.  

Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. zendo

​​Talk will be given by Zen student Susan "Geshin" Frey , following zazen.

Saturday Community Talk: 11:00 a.m. zendo

​​Talk will be given by Zen student Shinko Kwong , following zazen.

Jukai Ceremony: Receiving the Precepts (11/28/2020)

Jukai literally means "to receive the precepts."  Jakusho Kwong-roshi will offer the precepts to this years students.  Jukai is the ceremony of formally becoming a Buddhist and of taking the 16 Bodhisattva precepts as guidelines for life.  2:00 p.m..  Reception 2:45p.m.

Rohastsu Five-Day Sesshin 11/31/2020- 12/5/20

Sesshin, literally “to touch the Mind,” is a period of time set aside for an intensive meditation retreat to let go of the conditioned self in order to resume our original nature. This sesshin is a special time of practice that will allow us to dive into the core of Zen training. A silent meditation intensive for experienced sitters to still the mind from moment to moment manifesting the realization of the Way. Each day, the schedule begins at 5:00 a.m. and includes 10 periods of meditation,

chanting, mindful work, Dharma talks, and private interviews, and ends at 9 p.m. The retreat begins at 7:30 p.m. Monday and ends at 8 a.m. Saturday. Special arrangements can be made for those unable to come for the entire retreat due to work commitments. In the spirit of Buddha’s enlightenment, on Friday night we will be in tetsuya, which means we will “sit through the whole night,” from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Tetsuya- Founder's Ceremony All Night Sitting

In the spirit of Buddha’s enlightenment, Friday night we will be in Tetsuya, which means we will “sit through the whole night,” from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Saturday Community Dharma Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo

Talk will be given by Jakusho Kwong-roshi founding Abbot of SMZC following zazen.

This program is an opportunity for Sangha members and friends to introduce their children to the Zen Center in a fun and creative way.  Supervised, age-appropriate activities introduce children to the Zen Center as a fun, safe, nurturing environment. Children can join their parents for an informal vegetarian lunch following activities. Parents are welcome to join in the fun along with their children or participate in Saturday community practice.