Calendar

2024 BZC Calendar of Events

Weekly Schedule

Events in August 2020

  • Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke

    Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke


    Sat, Aug 1, 2020

    Saturday 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

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Kabir Nabi

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Kabir Nabi


    Mon, Aug 3, 2020

    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.

  • Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study

    Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study


    Wed, Aug 5, 2020

    Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!

    7:00: Zazen
    7:30: Reading and discussion

    The 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


    Thu, Aug 6, 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 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.

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Diane Ritchey

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Diane Ritchey


    Fri, Aug 7, 2020

    There will be a Zoom student talk in the online zendo at the time of the usual Friday afternoon zazen:

    5:40 pm: zazen

    5:45: 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.

  • Lecture: Sojun Roshi

    Lecture: Sojun Roshi


    Sat, Aug 8, 2020

    Saturday 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

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Juliayn Coleman

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Juliayn Coleman


    Mon, Aug 10, 2020

    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.

  • Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study

    Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study


    Wed, Aug 12, 2020

    Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!

    7:00: Zazen
    7:30: Reading and discussion

    The 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


    Thu, Aug 13, 2020

    Sojun-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 2914

    More info, email Gary: gartim@gmail.com

  • Half Day Sesshin on Zoom

    Half Day Sesshin on Zoom


    Sat, Aug 15, 2020

    Our virtual half-day sesshin includes zazen, kinhin, service and lecture.

    To sign up for the August sesshin, fill out this form:  August Sesshin Sign Up

    For more information, email the sesshin director at sesshindirectorbzc@gmail.com. (Kika Hellein will direct the August sesshin.) The last day to sign-up will be Wednesday, August 12. Once you sign up, but closer to the actual day, the director will send you a schedule for the day, guide­lines for preparing a space in your home, the Zoom link, and the chants that will be used during service.

    The suggested sesshin donation is $15, or whatever you can afford. Mail a check to the BZC Office Manager at 1931 Russell St., Berkeley 94703, or pay through the website by using the “Sits/Classes” tab on the Donate page. Please consider a donation to Berkeley Zen Center above the suggested fee to help us maintain our practice through the current crisis.

    Lecture: Sojun Roshi

    Lecture: Sojun Roshi


    Sat, Aug 15, 2020

    Saturday 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

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Joel Feigin

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Joel Feigin


    Mon, Aug 17, 2020

    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.

  • Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study

    Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study


    Wed, Aug 19, 2020

    Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!

    7:00: Zazen
    7:30: Reading and discussion

    The 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


    Thu, Aug 20, 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.

  • Lecture: Karen Sundheim

    Lecture: Karen Sundheim


    Sat, Aug 22, 2020

    Saturday 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


    Sat, Aug 22, 2020

    This monthly gathering meets on in the Online Zendo for study and discussion.

  • All-sangha Meeting (via Zoom)

    All-sangha Meeting (via Zoom)


    Sun, Aug 23, 2020

    All-Sangha Meeting - (in Zendo)

    Dial-in (audio only): call 408 638 0968; enter Meeting ID: 657 798 2914

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Heather Sarantis

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Heather Sarantis


    Mon, Aug 24, 2020

    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: The Subtle & Poetic Teaching of Tung-shan

    Class: The Subtle & Poetic Teaching of Tung-shan


    Mon, Aug 24, 2020

    Ross Blum will present a two-session class on this 9th century Chinese Zen teacher from whom our Soto School derives its name. At our first meeting we'll study a selection of stories compiled in The Record of Tung-shan translated by William Powell. In our second class we’ll explore the “Five Positions,” his description of the unfolding of a Zen student’s practice within the world of form and emptiness as it relates to our life today.

    For details and class materials, click here.

    The class will be held in BZC’s Online Zendo and is open to all; no need to register.

    Class offering by donation supports BZC’s programs. Your discretionary amount is greatly appreciated.  Donations by check to BZC or with PayPal using the Classes tab on our Donation Page.

  • Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study

    Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study


    Wed, Aug 26, 2020

    Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!

    7:00: Zazen
    7:30: Reading and discussion

    The 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


    Thu, Aug 27, 2020

    Sojun-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 2914

    More info, email Gary: gartim@gmail.com

  • Lecture: Gerry Oliva

    Lecture: Gerry Oliva


    Sat, Aug 29, 2020

    Saturday 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 Meet Up

    Young East Bay Zen Meet Up


    Sun, Aug 30, 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.

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Ron Nestor

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Ron Nestor


    Mon, Aug 31, 2020

    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: The Subtle & Poetic Teaching of Tung-shan

    Class: The Subtle & Poetic Teaching of Tung-shan


    Mon, Aug 31, 2020

    Ross Blum will present a two-session class on this 9th century Chinese Zen teacher from whom our Soto School derives its name. At our first meeting we'll study a selection of stories compiled in The Record of Tung-shan translated by William Powell. In our second class we’ll explore the “Five Positions,” his description of the unfolding of a Zen student’s practice within the world of form and emptiness as it relates to our life today.

    For details and class materials, click here.

    The class will be held in BZC’s Online Zendo and is open to all; no need to register.

    Class offering by donation supports BZC’s programs. Your discretionary amount is greatly appreciated.  Donations by check to BZC or with PayPal using the Classes tab on our Donation Page.