All posts by BZC News

Half-Day Sitting

Half-day sittings include five periods of zazen, kinhin (walking meditation) and an informal tea. We ask participants to commit to the entire four-hour schedule. A $10 donation is requested. If you have questions or if you cannot sign up on the bulletin board, contact the director Alexandra Frappier at afrappier1@gmail.com.

Read more about half-day sittings  in general here.

New Year’s Eve Sitting and Celebration

Join us on Sunday evening, December 31, for the chance to ring in the New Year with the quiet and reflection of zazen, punctuated by 108 soundings of the bell to mark the last 108 minutes of 2017 and a bonfire after midnight. Everyone is welcome to attend any portion of the program, entering the zendo during kinhin or the beginning of a period of zazen.     The schedule is:

8:00 Zazen
8:35 Kinhin
8:45 Zazen
9:20 Kinhin
9:30 Zazen
10:05 Tea
10:14 108 Bells Begin
10:30 Kinhin
10:40 Zazen
11:20 Kinhin
11:35 Zazen
12:05 Slow Heart Sutra

A celebration will follow that included refreshments in the community room and a bonfire in the courtyard.

Please enter the zendo only during kinhin (periods of walking meditation). If you arrive during a period of zazen, you may sit in the community room or join in the preparations.

Welcoming New Members to BZC

Every Saturday someone from our New Member Committee is available to meet with people considering membership at BZC. Our committee includes Sue O., Ed H., Penelope T., and Leslie B. Please feel free to talk to one of us on Saturday after lecture or contact us to set up a meeting at another time. Our contact information will be posted on the patio bulletin board. We’d be happy to speak with you.

We are also offering a new activity for anyone who is new to BZC and has questions about our practice. Once a month we will host an informal meeting in the zendo after Satur­day lecture. This is an opportunity to ask any­thing you want to know about BZC but were hesitant to ask. Everyone is welcome. Bring your after-lecture tea and cookies and come join us in the zendo at 11:30 am. Our next meeting will be on January 20.

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

If you are interested in preparing for Lay Ordination in 2018, sewing class starts on January 14. Classes are open to those who have asked their teacher if they may participate. Please speak with Sojun Mel Weitsman or Hozan Alan Senauke by the first week in January, and then promptly contact the sewing teacher, Jean Selkirk. Check the bulletin board for further announcements.

Position Changes

Greg Smith has woken up to his dream position as our Librarian by taking over the responsibilities from Gaila Allen.

Head Server Carol Paul’s attention to detail and service will now be held by Ben Clausen.

Jed Appelman will carry on the co‒zendo manager role from Leslie Bartholic.

Gary Artim will assume the role of co‒sesshin direction from Ken Powelson. This will be Gary’s second time fulfilling this role in his BZC noncareer. He will share the position with Peter Overton, who is in his second year of a two-year term.

Thanks to you all for your dedication! 🙏

January Caregiving Meeting

Sangha Support is offering a gathering for helpers and caregivers on Sunday, January 28, at 4:00‒5:30 pm. in the Senauke home (1933 Russell St. at BZC). There will be the usual (unusual!) guided meditation by Laurie Senauke, time for checking in, and space to share ideas for how this caregiving practice can be met with kindness for all, including oneself.

Thank you for helping another person to do things that they used to do for them­selves; we recognize your courage in navigat­ing this challenging practice.

For more information, please contact Debbie at DebbieResearcher@gmail.com or (503) 505-4282.

Oryoki Training

Are you ready to deepen your formal meal practice in the zendo? Would you like to learn how to use oryoki bowls with cloths? Our next trainings will be January 27 (after Saturday program, from 11:30 to noon) and February 2 (Friday afternoon, 4:30 to 5:00 pm). Check the courtyard bulletin board for the signup sheet or just drop in. Call or email Sue Oehser at (510) 339-0243 or soehser@earthlink.net if you have questions or want to arrange another date.

Sojun Roshi’s February Koan Class

Sojun will continue with his series from The Book of Serenity on all four Monday evenings in February. The Book of Serenity is a collection of 100 koans, first published in the early 1200s, that is most identified with the Soto sect. Commentaries by contemporary Zen teacher Koun Yamada will accompany copies of the text. Along with each relatively short case is a verse by Hongzhi (1091‒1157), commentary by Wansong (1166‒1246), and voices of other prominent  Zen teachers of that era as they weigh in from their own perspectives. The result is a lively and earthy collective approach to each case. We’ll meet from 7:15‒8:45 pm. in the community room. Fee for the series is $40, with discounts available if needed. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the patio bulletin board in the first week of January. Those not at BZC on a weekly basis may register with class coordinator Ron Nestor: rnestor1@yahoo.com.

Beginners’ Sesshin

Sesshins are an essential part of our practice at BZC. This Beginner’s Sesshin, led by Vice Abbot Hozan Alan Senauke, is organized as an introduction to sesshin and Zen forms and will take place Sunday, January 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We will offer instruction in the basics—zazen, kinhin, service—while main­tain­ing our ground in meditation throughout the day. Newer members are particularly encouraged to take part, but we also welcome older students to enjoy the sitting and model our practice. Bring a bag lunch, which we will eat informally in silence at midday.

  • Fee for the day is $20. Please pay in advance. Leave checks marked “sesshin fee” in the donation slot in the laundry room door.
  • Deadline for signup is Thursday, January 25. Sign up on the bulletin board or email Hozan.
  • Please do not wear perfumes, scents, or scented body-care products in the zendo.
  • If you’ve never been to a sesshin at BZC, or have further questions, contact Hozan at asenauke@gmail.com or 510-845-2215.
  • There will be no refund for last-minute cancellations or no-shows.