There will be a two-day sesshin on February 11 – 12. The doshi and reading will be announced; please check the bulletin board for details. On Saturday, February 11, we will sit from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a lecture in the morning and a study period in the afternoon. On Sunday, February 12, we will sit from 5:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and have two study periods. We encourage old and new sangha members to participate. Please sign up on the patio bulletin board by Wednesday, February 8, after morning zazen. If this is your first sesshin at BZC, we recommend that you first participate in a full Saturday program and also speak with the sesshin director. The fee is $35 per day and should be paid in advance (a discounted fee is possible for those in need; please speak to the director). Leave checks marked “Study Sesshin” in the mail slot in the courtyard laundry room door or mail them to the BZC Office Manager, 1931 Russell St., Berkeley, CA 94703. If you have any questions, contact the sesshin director, Ken Powelson, at SesshinDirectorBZC@gmail.com.
- All-Sangha Budget Meeting
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Sun, Apr 27, 2025 - Way Seeking Mind Talk: Kurt Kowalski
8:00 am – 8:30 am, Mon, Apr 28, 2025 - Teacher Entering Ceremony
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Fri, May 2, 2025 - Open PP One-Day Sitting
5:00 am – 5:30 pm, Sat, May 3, 2025 - Dharma Talk: Linda Galijan
10:15 am – 11:15 am, Sat, May 3, 2025 - Shuso's WSM Talk: Mark Copithorne
8:00 am – 8:30 am, Mon, May 5, 2025 - Lotus Sutra Class
7:15 pm – 8:30 pm, Thu, May 8, 2025 - Zazen Refresher
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Fri, May 9, 2025 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Ryuei Michael McCormick
10:15 am – 11:15 am, Sat, May 10, 2025 - Way Seeking Mind Talk: Clay Taylor
8:00 am – 8:30 am, Mon, May 12, 2025 - Dharma Talk: Shuso Mark Copithorne
10:15 am – 11:15 am, Sat, May 17, 2025 - Way Seeking Mind Talk: Gensan Kristopher Thomson
8:00 am – 8:30 am, Mon, May 19, 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.