Calendar

2024 BZC Calendar of Events

Weekly Schedule

Week of Dec 2nd

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Nancy Suib

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Nancy Suib


    Mon, Nov 30, 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.

    Buddhist Women Ancestors Guiding the Way

    Buddhist Women Ancestors Guiding the Way


    Mon, Nov 30, 2020

    Please join Karen DeCotis, Laurie Senauke, and Susan Marvin for a
    4 week class on the women ancestors, with a focus on how they
    encourage us to continue to practice and awaken together in these
    challenging times. We will read and discuss stories that offer the
    inspiration of their presence in our very own lives.
  • Tuesday Evenings With Hozan Alan

    Tuesday Evenings With Hozan Alan


    Tue, Dec 1, 2020

    A safe and informal setting where up to 8 people at a time can meet — to express their interests, questions, and concerns, and talk among ourselves about things that concern us all: the continuity and shape of Suzuki Roshi and Sojun’s practice, our sense and needs from the BZC community, and the state of our ever-changing world.

    Click here for more information

    To sign up:
    Contact Hannah Meara for a place in the room: hmeara@gmail.com

  • Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study

    Wednesday Night Drop In - Zazen and Study


    Wed, Dec 2, 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 - Birth and Death

    Group Dokusan with Sojun Roshi - Birth and Death


    Thu, Dec 3, 2020

    We will be focusing on a single subject this evening, Birth and Death. Please come with question(s) for Sojun-Roshi on that subject, no signing up is required, just raise your hand. Repeat questions are welcomed.

    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

  • Suzuki Roshi Annual Memorial Ceremony

    Suzuki Roshi Annual Memorial Ceremony


    Fri, Dec 4, 2020

    Each year, usually during Rohatsu sesshin, we commemorate Shunryu Suzuki Roshi’s passing (December 4, 1971). It is an opportunity for sangha members to remember and appreciate our root teacher. Our ceremony this year will take place in BZC’s online zendo at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, December 4.

  • Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke

    Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke


    Sat, Dec 5, 2020

    Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
    • 9:45 am: zazen
    • 10:15 am: lecture and discussion
    • We’ll end around 11:15 am

    Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
    Passcode: bzc

  • Young East Bay Zen Meet Up

    Young East Bay Zen Meet Up


    Sun, Dec 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 in the Online Zendo on some Sundays.

    For more information, check out our YEBZ page.