Calendar

2024 BZC Calendar of Events

Weekly Schedule

Events in June 2023

  • Practice Period Class: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind

    Practice Period Class: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind


    Thu, Jun 1, 2023

    This spring our practice period class will draw upon the riches of Suzuki Roshi’s Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. Beneath the warm and inviting tone of Suzuki Roshi’s words are boundless depths that appear anew with each reading. Over nearly fifty years of teaching, Sojun Roshi never reached the limits of this book’s Zen wisdom. So, we begin again.
    We will share a selection of chapters, which will be announced. Practice period members, in fact all BZC practitioners ought to have a copy of this book. And a pdf of the whole text can be found at this link. https://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/Zen-Mind.pdf
    Classes will be held in the zendo and online at 7:15pm, for five Thursday evenings from May 18 to June 15. Suggested class fee is $50 or whatever you can afford. See you in class.
    Please register for the class by clicking this ink: Class – Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind – Sign up
     COVID restrictions will apply. If you have questions, you could reach out to the Class Coordinator Ryushin Andrea Thach at  andrea.thach@gmil.com.
  • Way Seeking Mind Talk: Shuso Sue Oehser

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Shuso Sue Oehser


    Fri, Jun 2, 2023

    BZC schedules a Way-Seeking Mind Talk on the First Friday afternoon of each month. The talk, followed by Q&A, begins at 5:45pm after five minutes of zazen and runs until 6:25pm. Please note, our First Friday afternoon WSM Talks are online only. The zendo is closed for Zazen on the First Friday of the month.

     

  • Bodhisattva Ceremony

    Bodhisattva Ceremony


    Sat, Jun 3, 2023

    Lecture: Abbot Hozan

    Lecture: Abbot Hozan


    Sat, Jun 3, 2023

    Saturday Morning Schedule

    • Zendo opens:       8:30 am
    • Zazen:                      8:40 – 9:20
    • Service:                   9:20 – 9:30
    • Kinhin/break       9:30  – 9:40
    • Zazen:                      9:40 – 10:10
    • Lecture:                  10:15 – 11:15
  • Open Discussion

    Open Discussion


    Mon, Jun 5, 2023

    There will be an open discussion in the online zendo right after a shorter period of zazen:

    7:30 am: zazen

    8:00 am: open discussion

  • Founders’ Ceremony

    Founders’ Ceremony


    Wed, Jun 7, 2023

  • Practice Period Class: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind

    Practice Period Class: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind


    Thu, Jun 8, 2023

    This spring our practice period class will draw upon the riches of Suzuki Roshi’s Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. Beneath the warm and inviting tone of Suzuki Roshi’s words are boundless depths that appear anew with each reading. Over nearly fifty years of teaching, Sojun Roshi never reached the limits of this book’s Zen wisdom. So, we begin again.
    We will share a selection of chapters, which will be announced. Practice period members, in fact all BZC practitioners ought to have a copy of this book. And a pdf of the whole text can be found at this link. https://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/Zen-Mind.pdf
    Classes will be held in the zendo and online at 7:15pm, for five Thursday evenings from May 18 to June 15. Suggested class fee is $50 or whatever you can afford. See you in class.
    Please register for the class by clicking this ink: Class – Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind – Sign up
     COVID restrictions will apply. If you have questions, you could reach out to the Class Coordinator Ryushin Andrea Thach at  andrea.thach@gmil.com.
  • Practice Period Bansan - "Tea" - and Discussion

    Practice Period Bansan - "Tea" - and Discussion


    Fri, Jun 9, 2023

    A traditional practice period event.

  • Lecture: Shuso Sue Oehser

    Lecture: Shuso Sue Oehser


    Sat, Jun 10, 2023

    Saturday Morning Schedule

    • Zendo opens:       8:20 am
    • Zazen:                      8:30 – 9:10
    • Service:                   9:10 – 9:30
    • Kinhin/break       9:30  – 9:40
    • Zazen:                      9:40 – 10:10
    • Lecture:                  10:15 – 11:15
    Doanryo Training

    Doanryo Training


    Sat, Jun 10, 2023

    Hozan will lead a Doanryo Training in the Zendo on Saturday, June 10th at 11:45am.

  • All-Sangha Work Day

    All-Sangha Work Day

    All day
    Sun, Jun 11, 2023

    Please save the date and join us for our All-
    Sangha Work Day on Sunday, June 11. The day will open with tea and pastries at 8:00 a.m.,
    then zazen from 8:15 to 8:40, work circle at
    8:45, with work starting at 9:00. Lunch will be
    provided by our tenzos from noon until work
    circle at 12:45 p.m., and we’ll wind up with
    informal zazen at 3:45‒4:00. Mary Duryee will
    be the work leader for the day.
    Please come and join the festivities of caring
    for our temple property. Whether you are here
    for part or the entire work day, all who enter
    through our gates reap the benefits of our
    efforts!

  • Way Seeking Mind Talk: Ron Nestor

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Ron Nestor


    Mon, Jun 12, 2023

    There will be a 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.

  • Practice Period Class: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind

    Practice Period Class: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind


    Thu, Jun 15, 2023

    This spring our practice period class will draw upon the riches of Suzuki Roshi’s Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. Beneath the warm and inviting tone of Suzuki Roshi’s words are boundless depths that appear anew with each reading. Over nearly fifty years of teaching, Sojun Roshi never reached the limits of this book’s Zen wisdom. So, we begin again.
    We will share a selection of chapters, which will be announced. Practice period members, in fact all BZC practitioners ought to have a copy of this book. And a pdf of the whole text can be found at this link. https://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/Zen-Mind.pdf
    Classes will be held in the zendo and online at 7:15pm, for five Thursday evenings from May 18 to June 15. Suggested class fee is $50 or whatever you can afford. See you in class.
    Please register for the class by clicking this ink: Class – Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind – Sign up
     COVID restrictions will apply. If you have questions, you could reach out to the Class Coordinator Ryushin Andrea Thach at  andrea.thach@gmil.com.
  • In Person Shosan Ceremony with Abbot Hozan

    In Person Shosan Ceremony with Abbot Hozan


    Fri, Jun 16, 2023

    Traditional practice period event - formal question and answer ceremony - in person only.

  • Lecture: Abbot Hozan

    Lecture: Abbot Hozan


    Sat, Jun 17, 2023

    Saturday Morning Schedule

    • Zendo opens:       8:30 am
    • Zazen:                      8:40 – 9:20
    • Service:                   9:20 – 9:30
    • Kinhin/break       9:30  – 9:40
    • Zazen:                      9:40 – 10:10
    • Lecture:                  10:15 – 11:15
    Practice Period Dinner

    Practice Period Dinner


    Sat, Jun 17, 2023

    The Practice Period dinner is on Saturday, June 17 at 4:00. Seating will be mostly outside, so dress warmly if cool. There will be limited seating in the community room for those who are comfortable eating indoors with others.

    Due to the popularity of this event, we have reached capacity; regrettably, we are not able to add more folks. If you did not sign up for the dinner and wish to be on a waiting list in the event of cancellations, contact Susan Marvin (lai_hang@yahoo.com). If you cannot remember if you signed up for the dinner, you can also check with Susan.

  • Board Meeting

    Board Meeting


    Sun, Jun 18, 2023

  • Online Shosan Ceremony with Abbot Hozan (begins at 7:30)

    Online Shosan Ceremony with Abbot Hozan (begins at 7:30)


    Mon, Jun 19, 2023

    Traditional practice period event - formal question and answer ceremony.  Instructions will given at the beginning of the ceremony.

  • Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)

    Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)


    Wed, Jun 21, 2023

    These sesshins will generally follow our
    winter format, with three periods of zazen in
    the morning followed by a dharma talk, then a
    midday break for lunch, rest, and work period,
    then three periods of zazen in the afternoon.
    A modified oryoki lunch will be served at tables
    in the courtyard. To purchase a set of oryoki
    bowls and/or to sign up for an oryoki training
    class, click here:
    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSei
    9bsUsz0ewOBbO9by2oR-
    Xj5Q3X6bUnTzY1n69saxxhrxaA/viewform
    For all in-person participants, Covid
    protocols will apply. You must be fully
    vaccinated and boostered, and must wear a
    KN94, N95, or KN95 mask indoors. We also
    ask that you get tested within 48 hours of the
    start of sesshin (an antigen rapid test will
    suffice), and also that if you have any Covid
    symptoms such as fever, cough, etc., that you
    shift to online participation.
    When paying for sesshin, please indicate
    on your check or in the PayPal note field that
    your donation is related to the May 13 or June
    21‒25 sesshin. The suggested donation is $25
    per day for in-person attendees, and $15 for
    online participants (or whatever you can
    afford). Mail a check to the BZC Office
    Manager at 1931 Russell St., Berkeley 94703,

  • Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)

    Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)


    Thu, Jun 22, 2023

    These sesshins will generally follow our
    winter format, with three periods of zazen in
    the morning followed by a dharma talk, then a
    midday break for lunch, rest, and work period,
    then three periods of zazen in the afternoon.
    A modified oryoki lunch will be served at tables
    in the courtyard. To purchase a set of oryoki
    bowls and/or to sign up for an oryoki training
    class, click here:
    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSei
    9bsUsz0ewOBbO9by2oR-
    Xj5Q3X6bUnTzY1n69saxxhrxaA/viewform
    For all in-person participants, Covid
    protocols will apply. You must be fully
    vaccinated and boostered, and must wear a
    KN94, N95, or KN95 mask indoors. We also
    ask that you get tested within 48 hours of the
    start of sesshin (an antigen rapid test will
    suffice), and also that if you have any Covid
    symptoms such as fever, cough, etc., that you
    shift to online participation.
    When paying for sesshin, please indicate
    on your check or in the PayPal note field that
    your donation is related to the May 13 or June
    21‒25 sesshin. The suggested donation is $25
    per day for in-person attendees, and $15 for
    online participants (or whatever you can
    afford). Mail a check to the BZC Office
    Manager at 1931 Russell St., Berkeley 94703,

  • Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)

    Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)


    Fri, Jun 23, 2023

    These sesshins will generally follow our
    winter format, with three periods of zazen in
    the morning followed by a dharma talk, then a
    midday break for lunch, rest, and work period,
    then three periods of zazen in the afternoon.
    A modified oryoki lunch will be served at tables
    in the courtyard. To purchase a set of oryoki
    bowls and/or to sign up for an oryoki training
    class, click here:
    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSei
    9bsUsz0ewOBbO9by2oR-
    Xj5Q3X6bUnTzY1n69saxxhrxaA/viewform
    For all in-person participants, Covid
    protocols will apply. You must be fully
    vaccinated and boostered, and must wear a
    KN94, N95, or KN95 mask indoors. We also
    ask that you get tested within 48 hours of the
    start of sesshin (an antigen rapid test will
    suffice), and also that if you have any Covid
    symptoms such as fever, cough, etc., that you
    shift to online participation.
    When paying for sesshin, please indicate
    on your check or in the PayPal note field that
    your donation is related to the May 13 or June
    21‒25 sesshin. The suggested donation is $25
    per day for in-person attendees, and $15 for
    online participants (or whatever you can
    afford). Mail a check to the BZC Office
    Manager at 1931 Russell St., Berkeley 94703,

  • Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)

    Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)


    Sat, Jun 24, 2023

    These sesshins will generally follow our
    winter format, with three periods of zazen in
    the morning followed by a dharma talk, then a
    midday break for lunch, rest, and work period,
    then three periods of zazen in the afternoon.
    A modified oryoki lunch will be served at tables
    in the courtyard. To purchase a set of oryoki
    bowls and/or to sign up for an oryoki training
    class, click here:
    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSei
    9bsUsz0ewOBbO9by2oR-
    Xj5Q3X6bUnTzY1n69saxxhrxaA/viewform
    For all in-person participants, Covid
    protocols will apply. You must be fully
    vaccinated and boostered, and must wear a
    KN94, N95, or KN95 mask indoors. We also
    ask that you get tested within 48 hours of the
    start of sesshin (an antigen rapid test will
    suffice), and also that if you have any Covid
    symptoms such as fever, cough, etc., that you
    shift to online participation.
    When paying for sesshin, please indicate
    on your check or in the PayPal note field that
    your donation is related to the May 13 or June
    21‒25 sesshin. The suggested donation is $25
    per day for in-person attendees, and $15 for
    online participants (or whatever you can
    afford). Mail a check to the BZC Office
    Manager at 1931 Russell St., Berkeley 94703,

    Lecture: Abbot Hozan

    Lecture: Abbot Hozan


    Sat, Jun 24, 2023

    Saturday Morning Schedule

    • Zendo opens:       8:30 am
    • Zazen:                      8:40 – 9:20
    • Service:                   9:20 – 9:30
    • Kinhin/break       9:30  – 9:40
    • Zazen:                      9:40 – 10:10
    • Lecture:                  10:15 – 11:15
  • Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)

    Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)


    Sun, Jun 25, 2023

    These sesshins will generally follow our
    winter format, with three periods of zazen in
    the morning followed by a dharma talk, then a
    midday break for lunch, rest, and work period,
    then three periods of zazen in the afternoon.
    A modified oryoki lunch will be served at tables
    in the courtyard. To purchase a set of oryoki
    bowls and/or to sign up for an oryoki training
    class, click here:
    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSei
    9bsUsz0ewOBbO9by2oR-
    Xj5Q3X6bUnTzY1n69saxxhrxaA/viewform
    For all in-person participants, Covid
    protocols will apply. You must be fully
    vaccinated and boostered, and must wear a
    KN94, N95, or KN95 mask indoors. We also
    ask that you get tested within 48 hours of the
    start of sesshin (an antigen rapid test will
    suffice), and also that if you have any Covid
    symptoms such as fever, cough, etc., that you
    shift to online participation.
    When paying for sesshin, please indicate
    on your check or in the PayPal note field that
    your donation is related to the May 13 or June
    21‒25 sesshin. The suggested donation is $25
    per day for in-person attendees, and $15 for
    online participants (or whatever you can
    afford). Mail a check to the BZC Office
    Manager at 1931 Russell St., Berkeley 94703,

    Shuso Hossen

    Shuso Hossen


    Sun, Jun 25, 2023

    This traditional question and answer ceremony is the culmination of the Shuso's (Head Students) training period.

  • Zendo Holiday - Informal Zazen Online Only at 7:30 am and 5:40 pm

    Zendo Holiday - Informal Zazen Online Only at 7:30 am and 5:40 pm


    Mon, Jun 26, 2023

    There will be no formal program this morning, as it is the day after our 5-day Sesshin.