(Temple Benefit)
Coming alive! Celebrate and support the 2nd phase or the Mandala Temple Project. Join us for an elegant, intimate afternoon of Zen on the tranquil mountainside. The event features the highly anticipated live musical performance by Alam Khan playing Indian classical raga on the Sarode accompanied by Manik Khan and Nilan Chaudhuri on Tabla. Treat yourself to an authentic traditional Omotesenke tea ceremony and a bento box lunch with dessert and refreshments under the ancient oak trees. Support our raffle featuring original calligraphy by Jakusho Kwong-roshi and be a winner! - All proceeds go towards our new meditation hall and community building.
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Limited tickets are available. $100 To purchase tickets and more details...
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Saturday, September 8th, 2018 from 11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.
Twice a year Sonoma Mountain Zen Center invites all members, old and new, to bring their favorite potluck dish for a delightful informal day on Sonoma Mountain. At 10:00 a.m. thee will be a short period of zazen in the zendo, followed by offering of incense, and renewal of vows for members sho have received jukai. Following this service, new members are intoduced to the sangha. There will be updates on SMZC's Mandala Project, and other current news. A potluck lunch follows outdoors on the lawn at noon. This is a delectable spread - and a chance to break bread together and catch up with friends and families of the sangha.
Sunday, April 23, October 8, 2017
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Bring your entire family to SMZC to commemorate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. We hold a flower festival in the zendo, with the traditional ceremony of pouring sweet tea over the baby Buddha. Following the ceremony will be a lively outdoor reception with delicious food contributed by participants.
Sunday, April 9th, 2017 1:00 p.m.
$10 donation appreciated
Start the new year with a clean slate and peaceful mind at our traditional New Year’s celebration. An informal meal of traditional longevity noodles and mochi will be served in the Sangha house symbolizing cleaning oneself and letting go of the old. A period of zazen will follow at 11p.m. Then, in a short ceremony starting at midnight, participants will each take turns striking the bonsho (great bell) 108 to welcome The Year of Boar 2019 and to burn away old Karma. Refreshments follow the ceremony. More details...
Monday, December 31st 2018 10:30 p.m. - January 1st 2019 12:30 a.m.
$20 donation appreciated
Breathe new energy into the center with friends and family of the Sonoma Mountain Sangha. This semi-annual event is a chance to work on the zendo and temple grounds in the spirit of together-action. A casual atmosphere, with lunch, snacks, and beverages provided. (No meditation or lecture schedule.)
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Saturday, March 24, May 19 2018 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
ROHATSU & SUNRISE SERVICE FOR SUZUKI ROSHI
Settle in on an all night sitting to commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment on December 8th, and Shunryu Suzuki-roshi’s death on December 4th, 1971. We sit continuously from midnight to 4:00 a.m, ending with Atonement vow. At 6 a.m. we gather for a memorial procession to Suzuki-roshi’s stupa. We express our gratitude, offer incense, ladle water and chant the Dharani as we watch the sun rise through the trees. Breakfast follows at 7:30 a.m.
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Friday, December 7th midnight to December 8th 6:00 a.m.
$10 donation appreciated
