Events in September 2020
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Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study
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Wed, Sep 2, 2020Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!
7:00: Zazen
7:30: Reading and discussionThe group is currently led by BZC Practice Leader Gerry Oliva; join us!
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc -
Young East Bay Zen Meet Up Young East Bay Zen Meet Up
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Thu, Sep 3, 2020"YEBZ" at Berkeley Zen Center invites younger practitioners and beginners to join us in open discussion groups about Zen Buddhism, meditation, and developing a personal practice. Our aim is to cultivate “Kalyana Mitta,” spiritual friendship, to provide members with the opportunity to meet others in their age group and similar situations to support each other in bringing Zen practice more fully into our daily lives.
The group meets on in the Online Zendo on Thursdays when there isn't Group Dokusan, from 6:30 to 7:30 (right after evening zazen).
For more information, check out our YEBZ page.
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Zazen Refresher: Sojun Roshi Zazen Refresher: Sojun Roshi
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Fri, Sep 4, 2020There will be a talk in the online zendo at the time of the usual Friday afternoon zazen:
5:40 pm: zazen
5:45: talk by Sojun Roshi -
Lecture: Sojun Roshi Lecture: Sojun Roshi
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Sat, Sep 5, 2020Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
- 9:45 am: zazen
- 10:15 am: lecture and discussion
- We’ll end around 11:15 am
Dial-in (audio only): call 408 638 0968; enter Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
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Zendo Holiday - Informal Zazen Zendo Holiday - Informal Zazen
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Mon, Sep 7, 2020The zendo will be open during the usual times for zazen; there will be no way-seeking mind talk. Safe and enjoyable holiday, everyone!
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Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study
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Wed, Sep 9, 2020Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!
7:00: Zazen
7:30: Reading and discussionThe group is currently led by BZC Practice Leader Gerry Oliva; join us!
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc -
Group Dokusan with Sojun Roshi Group Dokusan with Sojun Roshi
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Thu, Sep 10, 2020Sojun-Roshi is offering this open Group Dokusan, with 8-9 students. He will be setting the tone with a short introductory talk, and then invite the questioners. All are welcome to listen in on these Dharma exchanges.
To join, please enter BZC’s Online Zendo
Dial-in (audio only): call 408 638 0968
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914More info, email Gary: gartim@gmail.com
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Lecture: Penelope Thompson Lecture: Penelope Thompson
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Sat, Sep 12, 2020Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
- 9:45 am: zazen
- 10:15 am: lecture and discussion
- We’ll end around 11:15 am
Dial-in (audio only): call 408 638 0968; enter Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
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Young East Bay Zen Meet Up Young East Bay Zen Meet Up
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Sun, Sep 13, 2020"YEBZ" at Berkeley Zen Center invites younger practitioners and beginners to join us in open discussion groups about Zen Buddhism, meditation, and developing a personal practice. Our aim is to cultivate “Kalyana Mitta,” spiritual friendship, to provide members with the opportunity to meet others in their age group and similar situations to support each other in bringing Zen practice more fully into our daily lives.
The group meets on in the Online Zendo on some Sundays.
For more information, check out our YEBZ page.
All-Sangha Meeting with the BZC Board All-Sangha Meeting with the BZC Board
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Sun, Sep 13, 2020Nominations for the BZC Board
This special all-sangha meeting (in the Online Zendo) will include nominations for the BZC Board. Each year the sangha affirms three of its six members-at-large for two-year terms to the BZC Board. Board members may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. Elections take place in October and the new term starts in January 2021. This year, all three of the at-large Board members who will finish their first terms at the end of 2020 are willing to serve another term: Sue Oehser, Linda Hess, and Dean Bradley. BZC members will have the opportunity to affirm them in an online ballot process in October. (The at-large members who are in the middle of their terms are Tom Painter, Gary Artim, and Rondi Saslow. See Board of Directors for all bios.)
On that ballot, the members will also have the opportunity to affirm the three salaried positions at BZC: abbot, vice abbot, and office manager.
In the foreseeable future, BZC will have a new abbot. On behalf of the Board, the sangha is invited to affirm Hozan Alan Senauke as the new abbot. This too will be on the ballot.
If you would like to nominate someone to serve on the Board, please pass their name on to Ed Herzog, Rondi Saslow, or Carol Paul (BZC Nominations and Elections Committee members). We are always interested in potential Board members!
A great deal of care, time, and commitment has been put into the nominating process to make it as fair and unbiased as possible.
All BZC members and friends are invited to attend the sangha meeting. Please join us for this important conversation.
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New Members Entering Ceremony New Members Entering Ceremony
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Mon, Sep 14, 2020Join us for our annual Entering Ceremony for new members. If you are a new BZC member, or if you are a member who has never participated in this ceremony and would now like to, please contact Carol Paul (caroljpaul@yahoo.com).
Although during this time the sangha cannot meet new members with an in-person bow, BZC wholeheartedly welcomes and looks forward to greeting them in our virtual online zendo at the ceremony.
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Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study
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Wed, Sep 16, 2020Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!
7:00: Zazen
7:30: Reading and discussionThe group is currently led by BZC Practice Leader Gerry Oliva; join us!
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc -
Young East Bay Zen Meet Up Young East Bay Zen Meet Up
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Thu, Sep 17, 2020"YEBZ" at Berkeley Zen Center invites younger practitioners and beginners to join us in open discussion groups about Zen Buddhism, meditation, and developing a personal practice. Our aim is to cultivate “Kalyana Mitta,” spiritual friendship, to provide members with the opportunity to meet others in their age group and similar situations to support each other in bringing Zen practice more fully into our daily lives.
The group meets on in the Online Zendo on Thursdays when there isn't Group Dokusan, from 6:30 to 7:30 (right after evening zazen).
For more information, check out our YEBZ page.
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Sesshin on Zoom Sesshin on Zoom
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Sat, Sep 19, 2020BZC will be offering virtual half-day sesshins from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm (note ending time change) on Saturday, September 19, and on Saturday, October 24. These sesshins will include zazen, kinhin, service, and a dharma talk. Lunch will be on your own.
Hozan Sensei will lead the September sesshin. Here is the link to sign up:
If this will be your first sesshin or if you have questions please contact the co-sesshin director Mary Beth Lamb at sesshindirectorbzc@gmail.com.
The suggested sesshin donation is $15, or whatever you can afford. Mail a check to the BZC Office Manager at 1931 Russell St., Berkeley, CA 94703, or pay through the BZC website by going to the Generosity page and clicking the “Sits/Classes” tab. Please consider a donation to Berkeley Zen Center above the suggested fee to help us maintain our practice through the current crisis.
Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke
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Sat, Sep 19, 2020Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
- 9:45 am: zazen
- 10:15 am: lecture and discussion
- We’ll end around 11:15 am
Dial-in (audio only): call 408 638 0968; enter Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
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Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Emily Fenster Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Emily Fenster
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Mon, Sep 21, 2020There will be a Zoom student talk in the online zendo right after a shorter period of zazen:
7:30 am: zazen
8:00 am: way-seeking mind talk
What is a "way-seeking mind" talk? See below.
Way-Seeking Mind at Berkeley Zen Center
“Way-Seeking Mind” talks by practitioners at Berkeley Zen Center have been a regular event on Monday mornings for more than thirty years. Each of us came to Zen practice as a seeker, with a spirit of inquiry. Each of us arrives at BZC from our own diverse backgrounds—social, familial, educational, religious, and so on. The idea of our way-seeking mind talks is for students to share how it is that they came to practice. Each person tells his or her own story in a unique way that often blends autobiography, spiritual biography, and the practice questions that each of us is engaged with.
The talks are by invitation, and last about twenty-five minutes, including time for presentation and short question & answer period. For newer students, this is a chance to meet and hear those we are sitting with. Those invited to talk have been sitting steadily at BZC; for them it is an opportunity to tell their story and be seen and heard. One of the teachers or senior students is available for advice in shaping one's talk, should that be useful.
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Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study
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Wed, Sep 23, 2020Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!
7:00: Zazen
7:30: Reading and discussionThe group is currently led by BZC Practice Leader Gerry Oliva; join us!
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc -
Group Dokusan with Sojun Roshi Group Dokusan with Sojun Roshi
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Thu, Sep 24, 2020Sojun-Roshi is offering this open Group Dokusan, with 8-9 students. He will be setting the tone with a short introductory talk, and then invite the questioners. All are welcome to listen in on these Dharma exchanges.
To join, please enter BZC’s Online Zendo
Dial-in (audio only): call 408 638 0968
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914More info, email Gary: gartim@gmail.com
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Lecture: Ellen Webb Lecture: Ellen Webb
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Sat, Sep 26, 2020Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
- 9:45 am: zazen
- 10:15 am: lecture and discussion
- We’ll end around 11:15 am
Dial-in (audio only): call 408 638 0968; enter Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Young East Bay Zen Dharma Study Young East Bay Zen Dharma Study
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Sat, Sep 26, 2020This monthly gathering meets on in the Online Zendo for study and discussion.
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Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Taryn Elliot Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Taryn Elliot
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Mon, Sep 28, 2020There will be a Zoom student talk in the online zendo right after a shorter period of zazen:
7:30 am: zazen
8:00 am: way-seeking mind talk
What is a "way-seeking mind" talk? See below.
Way-Seeking Mind at Berkeley Zen Center
“Way-Seeking Mind” talks by practitioners at Berkeley Zen Center have been a regular event on Monday mornings for more than thirty years. Each of us came to Zen practice as a seeker, with a spirit of inquiry. Each of us arrives at BZC from our own diverse backgrounds—social, familial, educational, religious, and so on. The idea of our way-seeking mind talks is for students to share how it is that they came to practice. Each person tells his or her own story in a unique way that often blends autobiography, spiritual biography, and the practice questions that each of us is engaged with.
The talks are by invitation, and last about twenty-five minutes, including time for presentation and short question & answer period. For newer students, this is a chance to meet and hear those we are sitting with. Those invited to talk have been sitting steadily at BZC; for them it is an opportunity to tell their story and be seen and heard. One of the teachers or senior students is available for advice in shaping one's talk, should that be useful.
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Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study
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Wed, Sep 30, 2020Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!
7:00: Zazen
7:30: Reading and discussionThe group is currently led by BZC Practice Leader Gerry Oliva; join us!
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc