January 25, 2020
Family Program: Saturday Kids Community
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. 10:30am-12:30pm
January 27, 2020
Winter Ango Practice Period - Jan. 27 - Feb. 22
SMZC's Winter Practice Period begins. Michal 'Kuten' Czernuszczyk (Empty Sky) takes position as Shuso (headstudent). Opening ceremony begins Monday evening at 7:30p.m. Ango January 27 - February 22...schedule details.
February 01, 2020
Tokudo Priest Ordination: 2:00 - 4:00pm
Please, join us for the Tokudo (Leaving Home) Priest Ordination Ceremony as Peter "Shoto" Pocock, Ed "Daiki" Cadman, Jessie "Shogen" Brunett and Michał "Kuten"Czernuszczyk formalize their vows. All are welcome.
February 08, 2020
Winter Practice Period Shuso Talk: 11:00 a.m. zendo
Winter Practice Period Shuso(Head student) Michal 'Kuten' Czernuszczyk will give the talk at 11:00 a.m. following 10:30 a.m. zazen in the zendo. Kuten is a longtime student of Kwong-roshi from Kannon Zen Center affiliate of SMZC. Ango Jan. 27 - Feb. 22 (Detailed schedule...)
February 08, 2020
Board of Trustee Meeting: 1:00 - 3:00pm
February 15, 2020
Winter Practice Period Shuso Talk: 11:00 a.m. zendo
Winter Practice Period Shuso(Head student) Michal 'Kuten' Czernuszczyk will give the talk at 11:00 a.m. following 10:30 a.m. zazen in the zendo. Kuten is a longtime student of Kwong-roshi from Kannon Zen Center affiliate of SMZC. Ango Jan. 27 - Feb. 22 (Detailed schedule...)
February 09, 2020
"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.
February 22, 2020
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 Michal 'Kuten' Czernuszczyk (Empty Sky) dharma questions to reveal the truth of practice. A Shuso celebration dinner will follow at 6:00 p.m. We encourage all members to close the practice period with us. Open to the public.
February 25, 2019
Closed February 24 - 26
The Zen Center is closed from February 24 - 26 and reopens Thursday, February 27.
February 26, 2019
Wednesday Special Guest Dharma Talk Rev. Yuko Yamada: 7:30pm
Yuko Wakayama Yamada, Osho, is a senior student of Shundo Aoyama-roshi, a Dogen scholar, and the vice-abbess of Shogakuji Temple in Tokyo. Visits Sonoma Mountain Zen Center with her Master Senshu Yamada-roshi. She is the first Soto Zen nun to be invited to teach at Eiheiji Monastery. Kashin Kwong met Yamada-sensei at Aichisenmon Nisodo during her training in 2017.
February 28, 2020
University San Francisco Religious Studies Overnight
Professor John Nelson of University of San Francisco's Department of Theology and Religious Studies annual group visit to SMZC. A group of undergraduate students from USF dive into SMZC's practice program to experience Zen firsthand.
February 29, 2020
Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo
Talk will be given by Zen student and sangha member Jesse "Shogen" Brunette following zazen.
March 03, 2020
Spring Study Group: Tuesdays 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
An opportunity to explore the fundamental teachings of Buddhism and build a foundation for daily practice through discussions on a book. March 3 - April 14. This Spring, we will be studying the second half of "Deepest Practice, Deepest Wisdom. Three Fascicles from Shobogenzo with Commentaries", by Kosho Uchiyama. FLYER
March 07, 2020
Introduction to Zen Workshop: Returning to Forms and Rituals of Everyday Life
An introduction to the basics of Zen with instructore.MORE DETAILS HERE
March 07, 2020
Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo
Talk will be given by Jakusho Kwong- roshi our founding abbot following zazen.
March 14, 2020
"Just this Moment" One Day Sitting 5:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This one day sitting provides an opportunity for beginners as well as experienced sitters to plunge into the heart of Zen practice with eight periods of meditation, formal meals, chanting and work practice. Includes Friday 6 pm dinner and overnight stay.
Non-Members: $65 General: $55 Practicing: $45
March 21, 2020
Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo
Talk will be given by Zen student David "Koten" Price following zazen.
March 28, 2020
Spring Workfest: Clean-up
On Saturday we will come together to work, fund and manifest the Dharma.
Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Buddha's Birthday Three-Day Sesshin
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 in the spirit of Shakyamuni’s Birth. April 1 - 4.
April 05, 2020
Buddha's Birthday Ceremony and Potluck: 1:00 p.m.
Bring your entire family to SMZC to commemorate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. We hold a flower festival in the zendo and pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha. An outdoor reception and potluck to follow. Bring a dish to share - $10 donation appreciated.
April 11, 2020
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.
April 11, 2020
Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo
Talk will be given by Jakusho Kwong-roshi founding Abbot of SMZC following zazen.
April 18, 2020
Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo
Talk will be given by Zen student Kashin Julie Kwong following zazen.
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.
April 25, 2020
Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo
Talk will be given by Zen student Liz Hamlin following zazen.
"Moment to Moment" One-Day Sitting
An introductory retreat for both beginners and experienced sitters to plunge into the heart of Zen practice.
May 04, 2020
Closed