Sejiki is a popular Buddhist festival that highlights the connection between our world and the worlds of spirits. At BZC, we offer it as a sort of Buddhist Halloween. The ceremony is a mixture of spooky and solemn—there will be costumes and noisemakers, but we will also recite the names of departed friends and family and make offerings to appease our own hungry ghosts. This year’s Sejiki ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 31. To allow preparation time for the ceremony, we will not be having early morning zazen or breakfast. Instead, we will begin with a work period at 8:30 am to prepare our temple for the ceremony. The formal program will start with zazen at 9:40, followed by a short lecture and the ceremony at 10:15. We will also be offering a special children’s program beginning with a kids’ activity at 9:30 am at 1933 Russell. Everyone is encouraged to come in costume and bring noisemakers for the ceremony. For more information about the program, please contact Sue at soehser@earthlink.net . You can also give Sue names of departed ones to be recited during the ceremony if you will not be able to attend. If you are planning to attend the 9:30 kids’ activity, please RSVP to Laurie at lauries@kushiki.org or Ryk at ryk@groetchen.com.
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8:00 am – 8:30 am, Mon, May 19, 2025 - Lotus Sutra Class
7:15 pm – 8:30 pm, Thu, May 22, 2025 - Shuso Dharma Talk: Mark Copithorne
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Fri, May 23, 2025 - Dharma Talk: Greg Fain
10:15 am – 11:15 am, Sat, May 24, 2025 - Lotus Sutra Chanting
8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Mon, May 26, 2025 - Practice Period Bansan - "Tea" - and Discussion
5:40 pm – 6:30 pm, Fri, May 30, 2025 - Dharma Talk: Shuso Mark Copithorne
10:15 am – 11:15 am, Sat, May 31, 2025 - Sangha Work Day
8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sun, Jun 1, 2025 - Way Seeking Mind Talk: Joe Buckner
8:00 am – 8:30 am, Mon, Jun 2, 2025 - In Person Shosan Ceremony with Linda and/or Greg
5:40 pm – 6:30 pm, Fri, Jun 6, 2025 - Dharma Talk: Linda Galijan
10:15 am – 11:15 am, Sat, Jun 7, 2025 - Priest Ordination
11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Sun, Jun 8, 2025
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A Soto Zen practice place founded by Shunryu Suzuki and Sojun Mel Weitsman
Affirmation of Welcome
Walking the path of liberation, we express our intimate connection with all beings. Berkeley Zen Center is a sangha of Buddhist practitioners drawing from the Bay Area’s many spiritual and cultural communities. Just as Shakyamuni Buddha welcomed people of all backgrounds to practice, here at BZC our activities embrace diversity, and are available to people of every color, every way of life and ethnic background, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and ability. May all beings practice in safety and equality, realizing our true nature.