Calendar

2025 BZC Calendar of Events

Weekly Schedule

Events in May 2025

  • Teacher Entering Ceremony

    Teacher Entering Ceremony


    Fri, May 2, 2025

    Details to follow.

  • Open PP One-Day Sitting

    Open PP One-Day Sitting


    Sat, May 3, 2025

    Registration is live for our May 3rd one-day sitting to open the spring practice period. Abiding teacher Linda Galijan and Greg Fain will lead. The day includes a ceremony to install our Shuso, Mark Copithorne, Genzan Seishi (Dark Mysterious Mountain/Sincere Aspiration).

    For this one-day sit, we'll experiment with a more fully developed and discrete online program. The online zendo will have its own director and doan. Zazen periods will not be hybrid, but online attendees will stream into the zendo for service, lecture, and the opening ceremony.

    The link is the same for both online and in-person registration:

    Register here by Monday April 28th.

    You still need to register for the sit, even if you’ve signed up for practice period. Practice period participants will be given priority through Wednesday April 16th, as we have an in-person capacity limit. If you aren’t in practice period, you can still register, and your name will go on a waiting list.

    The suggested donation is $35/day ($15/day for online), or whatever you can afford.

    Contact Director Colleen Busch with questions about the in-person sit. For more information about the online option, please contact Laurie Senauke or Mary Beth Lamb.
    Dharma Talk: Linda Galijan

    Dharma Talk: Linda Galijan


    Sat, May 3, 2025

    Full Saturday Program Schedule
    • 6:00-6:40 Zazen
    • 6:40-6:50 Kinhin
    • 6:50-7:20 Zazen
    • 7:20-7:40 Service
    • 7:40-8:30 Breakfast
    • 8:30-8:50 Break
    • 8:50-9:30 Work Practice
    • 9:30-10:05 Zazen
    • 10:05-10:15 Kinhin
    • 10:15-11:15 Dharma Talk
    • Followed By Informal Tea
  • Shuso's WSM Talk: Mark Copithorne

    Shuso's WSM Talk: Mark Copithorne


    Mon, May 5, 2025

    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.

  • Lotus Sutra Class

    Lotus Sutra Class


    Thu, May 8, 2025

    Practice Period Class on The Lotus Sutra
    Linda and Greg will be co-teaching a 5-week class on the Lotus Sutra during  practice period. This will be an introduction to the Sutra, emphasizing why it is important in the Dogen Zen tradition, and touching on some of the more important teachings and stories to be found therein. Their aim is to have it be lively, engaging, and enjoyable for all!
    Classes will be on  Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 8:45 beginning May 8  and ending on June 5.The class will be hybrid. Class fee is $50.
    To register, please complete this brief form, which allows us to share updates. Here's the link:
    You do not need to participate in practice period in order to attend.
    If you have questions, please contact the Class Coordinator Ryushin at andrea.thach@gmail.com
  • Zazen Refresher

    Zazen Refresher


    Fri, May 9, 2025

    Linda and Greg will offer some tips on our basic practice of zazen, as we dive into our Spring Practice Period.

  • Dharma Talk: Rev. Ryuei Michael McCormick

    Dharma Talk: Rev. Ryuei Michael McCormick


    Sat, May 10, 2025

    Full Saturday Program Schedule
    • 6:00-6:40 Zazen
    • 6:40-6:50 Kinhin
    • 6:50-7:20 Zazen
    • 7:20-7:40 Service
    • 7:40-8:30 Breakfast
    • 8:30-8:50 Break
    • 8:50-9:30 Work Practice
    • 9:30-10:05 Zazen
    • 10:05-10:15 Kinhin
    • 10:15-11:15 Dharma Talk
    • Followed By Informal Tea
  • Way Seeking Mind Talk: Clay Taylor

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Clay Taylor


    Mon, May 12, 2025

    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.

  • Lotus Sutra Class

    Lotus Sutra Class


    Thu, May 15, 2025

    Practice Period Class on The Lotus Sutra
    Linda and Greg will be co-teaching a 5-week class on the Lotus Sutra during  practice period. This will be an introduction to the Sutra, emphasizing why it is important in the Dogen Zen tradition, and touching on some of the more important teachings and stories to be found therein. Their aim is to have it be lively, engaging, and enjoyable for all!
    Classes will be on  Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 8:45 beginning May 8  and ending on June 5.The class will be hybrid. Class fee is $50.
    To register, please complete this brief form, which allows us to share updates. Here's the link:
    You do not need to participate in practice period in order to attend.
    If you have questions, please contact the Class Coordinator Ryushin at andrea.thach@gmail.com
  • Dharma Talk: Shuso Mark Copithorne

    Dharma Talk: Shuso Mark Copithorne


    Sat, May 17, 2025

    Full Saturday Program Schedule
    • 6:00-6:40 Zazen
    • 6:40-6:50 Kinhin
    • 6:50-7:20 Zazen
    • 7:20-7:40 Service
    • 7:40-8:30 Breakfast
    • 8:30-8:50 Break
    • 8:50-9:30 Work Practice
    • 9:30-10:05 Zazen
    • 10:05-10:15 Kinhin
    • 10:15-11:15 Dharma Talk
    • Followed By Informal Tea
    Early Sangha Dinner & Skit Night

    Early Sangha Dinner & Skit Night


    Sat, May 17, 2025

    Sign-up on the bulletin board in the courtyard.

  • Half-Day Sitting

    Half-Day Sitting


    Sun, May 18, 2025

    There will also be a half-day sitting on Sunday, May 18, 8:00 a.m. to noon.

    The fee is $10 or whatever amount you can give. To sign
    up or to ask any questions, please contact the director, Gary Artim (gartim@gmail.com).

    Board Meeting

    Board Meeting


    Sun, May 18, 2025

  • Way Seeking Mind Talk: Gensan Kristopher Thomson

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Gensan Kristopher Thomson


    Mon, May 19, 2025

    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.

  • Lotus Sutra Class

    Lotus Sutra Class


    Thu, May 22, 2025

    Practice Period Class on The Lotus Sutra
    Linda and Greg will be co-teaching a 5-week class on the Lotus Sutra during  practice period. This will be an introduction to the Sutra, emphasizing why it is important in the Dogen Zen tradition, and touching on some of the more important teachings and stories to be found therein. Their aim is to have it be lively, engaging, and enjoyable for all!
    Classes will be on  Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 8:45 beginning May 8  and ending on June 5.The class will be hybrid. Class fee is $50.
    To register, please complete this brief form, which allows us to share updates. Here's the link:
    You do not need to participate in practice period in order to attend.
    If you have questions, please contact the Class Coordinator Ryushin at andrea.thach@gmail.com
  • Shuso Dharma Talk: Mark Copithorne

    Shuso Dharma Talk: Mark Copithorne


    Fri, May 23, 2025

    Join us and hear from our Shuso.  This even takes the place of evening zazen.

  • Dharma Talk: Greg Fain

    Dharma Talk: Greg Fain


    Sat, May 24, 2025

    Full Saturday Program Schedule
    • 6:00-6:40 Zazen
    • 6:40-6:50 Kinhin
    • 6:50-7:20 Zazen
    • 7:20-7:40 Service
    • 7:40-8:30 Breakfast
    • 8:30-8:50 Break
    • 8:50-9:30 Work Practice
    • 9:30-10:05 Zazen
    • 10:05-10:15 Kinhin
    • 10:15-11:15 Dharma Talk
    • Followed By Informal Tea
  • Lotus Sutra Chanting

    Lotus Sutra Chanting


    Mon, May 26, 2025

    This  Memorial Day, join our Abiding Teacher Greg Fain and the Berkeley Zen Center community in the traditional practice of chanting the entire Lotus Sutra.  Come for any part of the day.

    In Person or Online

    We will be using a contemporary Lotus Sutra translation by Shinozaki, Ziporyn, and Earhart. At the end of the day, we will dedicate the merit of our collective chanting to peace in the world and the end of war.

  • Lotus Sutra Class

    Lotus Sutra Class


    Thu, May 29, 2025

    Practice Period Class on The Lotus Sutra
    Linda and Greg will be co-teaching a 5-week class on the Lotus Sutra during  practice period. This will be an introduction to the Sutra, emphasizing why it is important in the Dogen Zen tradition, and touching on some of the more important teachings and stories to be found therein. Their aim is to have it be lively, engaging, and enjoyable for all!
    Classes will be on  Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 8:45 beginning May 8  and ending on June 5.The class will be hybrid. Class fee is $50.
    To register, please complete this brief form, which allows us to share updates. Here's the link:
    You do not need to participate in practice period in order to attend.
    If you have questions, please contact the Class Coordinator Ryushin at andrea.thach@gmail.com
  • Practice Period Bansan - "Tea" - and Discussion

    Practice Period Bansan - "Tea" - and Discussion


    Fri, May 30, 2025

    A traditional practice period event. Details to follow.

  • Dharma Talk: Shuso Mark Copithorne

    Dharma Talk: Shuso Mark Copithorne


    Sat, May 31, 2025

    Full Saturday Program Schedule
    • 6:00-6:40 Zazen
    • 6:40-6:50 Kinhin
    • 6:50-7:20 Zazen
    • 7:20-7:40 Service
    • 7:40-8:30 Breakfast
    • 8:30-8:50 Break
    • 8:50-9:30 Work Practice
    • 9:30-10:05 Zazen
    • 10:05-10:15 Kinhin
    • 10:15-11:15 Dharma Talk
    • Followed By Informal Tea