Calendar

2024 BZC Calendar of Events

Weekly Schedule

Events in September 2022

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Juliayn Coleman

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Juliayn Coleman


    Fri, Sep 2, 2022

    There will be a Zoom student talk in the online zendo right after a shorter period of zazen.

    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.

  • Lecture: Marie Duryee

    Lecture: Marie Duryee


    Sat, Sep 3, 2022

    Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
        • 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

    Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
    Passcode: bzc

  • 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


    Tue, Sep 6, 2022

    There will be no talk or discussion this morning.  Informal zazen online only at 7:30 am and 5:40 pm.

  • Sesshin Open Aspects of Practice

    Sesshin Open Aspects of Practice


    Sat, Sep 10, 2022

    We invite you to join us for a one-day sesshin at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, September 10, from 7:50 AM to 5:30 PM.  This sesshin will open the Aspects of Practice study period.
    1.  Deadline to sign up is Noon on Thursday, September 8.  In-person attendance will be limited to 30 people.   Slots will be given on a first-come-first-served basis.
    SIGN UP BY CLICKING HERE:
    2. The sesshin will also be offered online:  sign up with the same form as above.  In addition our regular online Saturday program will be open to the public, and will include several periods of zazen and a dharma talk.
    3. For in-person sesshin attendees, proof of vaccination and booster shots are required to participate.  Lunch will be served buffet style outside in the courtyard. For work period, please bring suitable clothes to change into.
    4. Gerry Oliva will serve as doshi and give the dharma talk.  Dokusan will be offered by Gerry Oliva.
    5. The sesshin fee is $15.  You may pay online, or you can send a check to BZC at:
    Berkeley Zen Center
    1931 Russell Street
    Berkeley, CA 94703
    Attention:  Office Manager, Helen Cheng
    Additional donations may be made at https://berkeleyzencenter.org/support-bzc/.
    If you have questions, please contact the Sesshin Director, Rob Lyons at robertlyons2305@gmail.com
    Lecture: Gerry Oliva

    Lecture: Gerry Oliva


    Sat, Sep 10, 2022

    Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
        • 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

    Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
    Passcode: bzc

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Hannah Meara

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Hannah Meara


    Mon, Sep 12, 2022

    There 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.

  • Class: Buddha's Eight-fold Path

    Class: Buddha's Eight-fold Path


    Thu, Sep 15, 2022

    Susan Marvin and Carol Paul will lead this session, focusing on two limbs of the Eight-fold Path.

    While anyone can attend the classes, we ask that you register so you can be notified about reading materials. The class fee is $40, or whatever you can afford. Register here: Class Registration Form.  

    If you have questions about the classes, please contact our Class Coordinator, Ryushin Andrea Thach: andrea.thach@gmail.com

  • Lecture: Greg Denny

    Lecture: Greg Denny


    Sat, Sep 17, 2022

    Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
        • 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

    Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
    Passcode: bzc

  • Half-day Sitting

    Half-day Sitting


    Sun, Sep 18, 2022

    On Sunday September 18 we will have an in-person half-day sitting from 8:00 a.m. to noon. For further information, or to sign up, please contact Mark Copithorne (510-703-5465 or copithorne@hotmail.com).

    All Sangha Potluck and Board Nominations

    All Sangha Potluck and Board Nominations


    Sun, Sep 18, 2022

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Hozan

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Hozan


    Mon, Sep 19, 2022

    There 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.

  • Class: Buddha's Eight-fold Path

    Class: Buddha's Eight-fold Path


    Thu, Sep 22, 2022

    Ron Nestor and Luminous Heart will lead this session, focusing on two limbs of the Eight-fold Path.

    While anyone can attend the classes, we ask that you register so you can be notified about reading materials. Note that the class registration fee is, or whatever you can afford. Register here: Class Registration Form.  

    If you have questions about the classes, please contact our Class Coordinator, Ryushin Andrea Thach: andrea.thach@gmail.com

  • Lecture: Karen Sundheim

    Lecture: Karen Sundheim


    Sat, Sep 24, 2022

    Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
        • 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

    Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
    Passcode: bzc

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Leslie Bartholic

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Leslie Bartholic


    Mon, Sep 26, 2022

    There 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.

  • Class: Buddha's Eight-fold Path

    Class: Buddha's Eight-fold Path


    Thu, Sep 29, 2022

    Mary Duryee and Hannah Meara will lead this session, focusing on two limbs of the Eight-fold Path.

    While anyone can attend the classes, we ask that you register so you can be notified about reading materials. Note that the class registration fee is $40 or whatever you can afford. Register here: Class Registration Form.  

    If you have questions about the classes, please contact our Class Coordinator, Ryushin Andrea Thach: andrea.thach@gmail.com