Calendar

2024 BZC Calendar of Events

Weekly Schedule

Week of Mar 8th

  • Open Discussion

    Open Discussion


    Mon, Mar 4, 2024

    7:30 am: zazen
    8:00 am: open discussion

  • Drop-in Sitting and Study

    Drop-in Sitting and Study


    Wed, Mar 6, 2024

    The Wednesday Drop-in group is a weekly event, now in person, that goes from 7:10 to 9:00 PM. It includes a 30-minute period of Zazen meditation and a brief service in the zendo, followed by tea and refreshments and an hour of reading and discussion in the Community Room. The group particularly welcomes newcomers to Zen Buddhist practice and/or new to Berkeley Zen Center. It also provides an opportunity for practitioners to sit and study together on an ongoing basis. We meet every Wednesday except for the five-day Spring Practice Period sesshin(retreat) in June, the annual seven-day Buddha’s Enlightenment sesshin in December and during the two-week interim period during the December holidays. We also maintain a google group to share reading materials we are studying, announce other BZC events and issues related to logistics. The groups is facilitated by a BZC Priest, Ikushin Gerry Oliva. Gerry can be contacted at gryoliva@gmail.com for further information.

  • Dharma Talk: Ryushin Andrea Thach

    Dharma Talk: Ryushin Andrea Thach


    Sat, Mar 9, 2024

    Saturday Morning Schedule

    • Temple cleaning:  7:35 – 8:10 (in person)
    • Zazen:                        8:30 – 9:10
    • Service:                      9:10 – 9:30
    • Kinhin:                       9:30  – 9:40
    • Zazen:                        9:40 – 10:05
    • Kinhin/break         10:05 – 10:15
    • Lecture:                   10:15 – 11:15
  • Jizo Ceremony

    Jizo Ceremony


    Sun, Mar 10, 2024

    BZC’s annual Jizo Ceremony for Those Who Have Died is Sunday, March 10, 1:00‒3:00 p.m.

    The loss of a loved one often opens a well of profound grief. No matter how the loved one dies, whether suddenly or slowly, whether through illness, accident, violence, miscarriage, abortion, or suicide, our sorrow is deep and may be long-lasting. To help families and friends in their process of grief, we will honor our lost loved ones in a ceremony in our Jizo garden.

    Jizo, the Earth Store Bodhisattva, one of the four great bodhisattvas in the Mahayana school, is viewed as a wise and compassionate guide and protector for those who are enduring the loss of a loved one, particularly the loss of a child. Jizo’s vow is to remain in the world until all beings are free from suffering. Jizo also accompanies the dead when they pass out of this world.

    Before the ceremony we will spend time in the community room making a personal memorial token for a lost one, by writing a message or by making a simple necklace, a robe for our garden Jizo statue, or some other offering. Attendees are also invited to bring a picture of their loved one or other personal tokens of remembrance for our altar.

    The ceremony will be led by two BZC priests, Judy Fleischman and Gerry Oliva. There will not be a sign-up sheet. Everyone is welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Judy Fleischman at judy@sensingwonder.com.