Calendar

2024 BZC Calendar of Events

Weekly Schedule

Week of Mar 13th

  • Way Seeking Mind Talk: Margaux Winter

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Margaux Winter


    Mon, Mar 13, 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.

  • Class on Dogen’s “Eight Awakenings”

    Class on Dogen’s “Eight Awakenings”


    Thu, Mar 16, 2023

    Class on Dogen’s “Eight Awakenings”

    Please join Susan Marvin in a study of Eihei Dogen’s “Eight Awakenings of Great Beings” (Hachi Dainin Gaku), the last fascicle in the Shobogenzo, written in 1253, just before his death. This fascicle is as relevant today as it was in Dogen’s time, since it points all of us to important, accessible points of practice in our life right now.
    The classes will focus on how we Zen lay practitioners relate and wake up to these Awakenings in our lives today. Translations will be sent out in advance of the first class.
    The class will be held online only on three Thursdays: March 9, 16, and 23, 7:15‒ 8:45 p.m. The fee for the class is $30, or whatever you can afford. You may leave a check in the donation slot at BZC or use the “Generosity” tab on the website and click the “classes and sesshins” link. Please make a note that your payment is for Susan’s class on the “Eight Awakenings.”
    Please register for the class by clicking this link in order to receive class material: https://forms.gle/e3XstiEFVp98YWvc80
    For more information, contact Susan Marvin (lai_hang@yahoo.com) or Ryushin Andrea Thach (andrea.thach@gmail.com).

  • Lecture: Marie Hopper

    Lecture: Marie Hopper


    Sat, Mar 18, 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
  • Board Meeting

    Board Meeting


    Sun, Mar 19, 2023

    Jizo Ceremony

    Jizo Ceremony


    Sun, Mar 19, 2023

    BZC priests Hondo Dave Rutschman and Ryushin Andrea Thach will lead this simple ceremony to invoke, honor, and ask for help from Jizo Bodhisattva, one of the most important figures in East Asian Buddhism. Traditionally, Jizo is understood to be the embodiment of fearless compassion, a protector of children and travelers, of all those who are vulnerable, and of those who find themselves grieving or in hell-realms. Jizo is especially associated with abortion, mis­carriage, and stillbirth.

    One ancient story about Jizo is that in a former life he was a Brahmin maiden named Sacred Girl. Sacred Girl’s mother died and went to hell, and out of love and devotion, Sacred Girl sold all her belongings and made offerings to the Buddha of her age. Eventually, because of her good works, she was able to see into hell and learn that her mother had been saved. But as she witnessed the sorrow and pain of all the other beings still there, Sacred Girl’s heart broke and opened, and she made a great vow to work for the benefit of suffering beings until all the hells were emptied.

    So whenever and in whatever way we find ourselves in hell, we know that Jizo has vowed to be there with us.

    The ceremony will take place in person at BZC. During the afternoon, we will draw, write, or sew—creating actual tangible objects as expressions of our prayers. Often those objects are red caps or rakusus, which are then draped onto Jizo statues; but they can also be drawings, written messages, or anything else that feels right. There will be time for sitting in silence, and for sharing and discussion.

    All are welcome to attend, especially those experiencing heartbreak and grief. The registration form can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/oxitq3wEiLqSRpkp6. A suggested donation of $15 (or whatever you can afford) will cover the cost of materials. For answers to any questions, please email andrea.thach@gmail.com or hondodave@gmail.com.