Calendar

2025 BZC Calendar of Events

Weekly Schedule

Events in June 2025

  • Sangha Work Day

    Sangha Work Day


    Sun, Jun 1, 2025

    Please sign up for morning, afternoon or all day-to work alongside your sangha sisters and brothers and care for our temple and grounds.
    The day will begin with tea//coffee and pastries, followed by a short period of zazen and then work until lunch provided by our Tenzos!
    After Lunch there will be another period of work.
    Come for morning work and Lunch!  (8AM - 12:30PM)
    Come for Lunch and Afternoon work!(12PM-4PM )
    Come all Day! (8AM-4PM)
    Please sign up here by May 27th, so that we may plan for meals and appropriate projects.
  • Way Seeking Mind Talk: Joe Buckner

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Joe Buckner


    Mon, Jun 2, 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, Jun 5, 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
  • In Person Shosan Ceremony with Linda and/or Greg

    In Person Shosan Ceremony with Linda and/or Greg


    Fri, Jun 6, 2025

    Traditional practice period event - formal question and answer ceremony - in person only.

  • Dharma Talk: Linda Galijan

    Dharma Talk: Linda Galijan


    Sat, Jun 7, 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
  • Priest Ordination

    Priest Ordination


    Sun, Jun 8, 2025

    Priest Ordination

    On Sunday, June 8, at 11:00 a.m., a priest
    ordination (Shukke Tokudo) will be held for two
    sangha members, Clay Taylor and Joe
    Buckner. Clay’s ordination will be given by
    Peter Overton and Joe’s will be given by Laurie
    Senauke. It is a joyous occasion when a

    practitioner chooses this way to deepen their
    commitment to the precepts and to Suzuki
    Roshi’s way. Clay and Joe will both be giving
    way-seeking mind talks in the next few weeks
    to share some part of what this means to them.
    We look forward to years of practice together
    as they make their way with us on this
    unknowable path.

  • Online Shosan Ceremony with Linda and/or Greg

    Online Shosan Ceremony with Linda and/or Greg


    Mon, Jun 9, 2025

    Traditional practice period event - formal question and answer ceremony - online only.

  • Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)

    Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)


    Wed, Jun 11, 2025

    Registration is now open for our June 11-15 five-day sesshin to close the spring practice period. Abiding Teachers Linda Galijan and Greg Fain will lead. Colleen Busch is the Director. The final day will include a Shuso Hossen ceremony with our Head Student Genzan Seishi Mark Copithorne.

    REGISTER HERE by Monday, June 2.

    You must register for sesshin even if you’ve signed up for practice period. If you aren’t in practice period, you can still register, but practice period participants will be given priority through Monday May 19th, as we have an in-person capacity limit. Participants need to attend a minimum of three days, with two days being consecutive.

    If there is sufficient interest and support, we'll offer sesshin in hybrid format. We need online hosts – no prior experience required. Please contact Mary Beth Lamb with questions about online sitting or hosting.

    The fee is $35/day ($15/day for online), or whatever amount you can give.

    Feel free to get in touch with any questions or concerns.

    Colleen Busch
    sesshindirectorcolleen@gmail.com

    .

  • Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)

    Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)


    Thu, Jun 12, 2025

    Registration is now open for our June 11-15 five-day sesshin to close the spring practice period. Abiding Teachers Linda Galijan and Greg Fain will lead. Colleen Busch is the Director. The final day will include a Shuso Hossen ceremony with our Head Student Genzan Seishi Mark Copithorne.

    REGISTER HERE by Monday, June 2.

    You must register for sesshin even if you’ve signed up for practice period. If you aren’t in practice period, you can still register, but practice period participants will be given priority through Monday May 19th, as we have an in-person capacity limit. Participants need to attend a minimum of three days, with two days being consecutive.

    If there is sufficient interest and support, we'll offer sesshin in hybrid format. We need online hosts – no prior experience required. Please contact Mary Beth Lamb with questions about online sitting or hosting.

    The fee is $35/day ($15/day for online), or whatever amount you can give.

    Feel free to get in touch with any questions or concerns.

    Colleen Busch
    sesshindirectorcolleen@gmail.com

    .

  • Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)

    Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)


    Fri, Jun 13, 2025

    Registration is now open for our June 11-15 five-day sesshin to close the spring practice period. Abiding Teachers Linda Galijan and Greg Fain will lead. Colleen Busch is the Director. The final day will include a Shuso Hossen ceremony with our Head Student Genzan Seishi Mark Copithorne.

    REGISTER HERE by Monday, June 2.

    You must register for sesshin even if you’ve signed up for practice period. If you aren’t in practice period, you can still register, but practice period participants will be given priority through Monday May 19th, as we have an in-person capacity limit. Participants need to attend a minimum of three days, with two days being consecutive.

    If there is sufficient interest and support, we'll offer sesshin in hybrid format. We need online hosts – no prior experience required. Please contact Mary Beth Lamb with questions about online sitting or hosting.

    The fee is $35/day ($15/day for online), or whatever amount you can give.

    Feel free to get in touch with any questions or concerns.

    Colleen Busch
    sesshindirectorcolleen@gmail.com

    .

  • Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)

    Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)


    Sat, Jun 14, 2025

    Registration is now open for our June 11-15 five-day sesshin to close the spring practice period. Abiding Teachers Linda Galijan and Greg Fain will lead. Colleen Busch is the Director. The final day will include a Shuso Hossen ceremony with our Head Student Genzan Seishi Mark Copithorne.

    REGISTER HERE by Monday, June 2.

    You must register for sesshin even if you’ve signed up for practice period. If you aren’t in practice period, you can still register, but practice period participants will be given priority through Monday May 19th, as we have an in-person capacity limit. Participants need to attend a minimum of three days, with two days being consecutive.

    If there is sufficient interest and support, we'll offer sesshin in hybrid format. We need online hosts – no prior experience required. Please contact Mary Beth Lamb with questions about online sitting or hosting.

    The fee is $35/day ($15/day for online), or whatever amount you can give.

    Feel free to get in touch with any questions or concerns.

    Colleen Busch
    sesshindirectorcolleen@gmail.com

    .

    Dharma Talk: TBA

    Dharma Talk: TBA


    Sat, Jun 14, 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 Hosen

    Shuso Hosen


    Sun, Jun 15, 2025

    Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)

    Five-Day Sesshin (End Practice Period)


    Sun, Jun 15, 2025

    Registration is now open for our June 11-15 five-day sesshin to close the spring practice period. Abiding Teachers Linda Galijan and Greg Fain will lead. Colleen Busch is the Director. The final day will include a Shuso Hossen ceremony with our Head Student Genzan Seishi Mark Copithorne.

    REGISTER HERE by Monday, June 2.

    You must register for sesshin even if you’ve signed up for practice period. If you aren’t in practice period, you can still register, but practice period participants will be given priority through Monday May 19th, as we have an in-person capacity limit. Participants need to attend a minimum of three days, with two days being consecutive.

    If there is sufficient interest and support, we'll offer sesshin in hybrid format. We need online hosts – no prior experience required. Please contact Mary Beth Lamb with questions about online sitting or hosting.

    The fee is $35/day ($15/day for online), or whatever amount you can give.

    Feel free to get in touch with any questions or concerns.

    Colleen Busch
    sesshindirectorcolleen@gmail.com

    .

    Board Meeting

    Board Meeting


    Sun, Jun 15, 2025

  • Zendo Holiday - Informal Zazen Only

    Zendo Holiday - Informal Zazen Only


    Mon, Jun 16, 2025

    To enable rest for those who attended the recent 5-day sesshin, we will have informal zazen only, times to be announced.

  • Juneteenth - Zendo Holiday

    Juneteenth - Zendo Holiday


    Thu, Jun 19, 2025

    No program today in honor of Juneteenth.

  • Dharma Talk: Kogen Czarnik (Online only)

    Dharma Talk: Kogen Czarnik (Online only)


    Sat, Jun 21, 2025

    Full Saturday Program Schedule
    • 9:30-10:05 Zazen
    • 10:05-10:15 Kinhin
    • 10:15-11:15 Dharma Talk
    • Followed By Informal Tea
  • Way Seeking Mind Talk: Michael Donnoe

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Michael Donnoe


    Mon, Jun 23, 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.

  • Dharma Talk: Mary Duryee

    Dharma Talk: Mary Duryee


    Sat, Jun 28, 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: Yoni Ackerman

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Yoni Ackerman


    Mon, Jun 30, 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.