BZC Sangha Study Weeks at Tassajara

BZC Sangha Study Weeks at Tassajara
BZC was fortunate to be able to send two groups for two different weeks to Tassajara. Sangha members joined Tassajara residents for morning and evening zazen periods, meals, and the morning work period. Afternoons were open for studying together and exploring Tassajara. These were rare opportunities to experience the monastery since it was closed to guests as the result of the pandemic.

One group, led by Ryushin Thach and Susan Marvin, attended June 27–July 2 and studied Sojun Roshi’s forthcoming book, Seeing One Thing Through. Also at Tassajara that week were sangha members from Ancient Dragon Zen Gate (Chicago) and Queer Dharma, led by Tova Green and Lisa Hoffman.

The second group, attending September 5‒10, was led by Ikushin Gerry Oliva and Josu Mary Duryee, and studied Hongzhi’s Cultivating the Empty Field, translated by Taigen Dan Leighton. Sangha members from A Single Blade of Grass (Brooklyn) were also at Tassajara during that week. This was also the last week study groups were able to be at Tassajara, as the monastery transitioned into a two-week work period in preparation for the fall practice period.