My Calendar

Events in February 2021

  • Open Discussion

    Open Discussion


    Mon, Feb 1, 2021

    Young East Bay Zen Meet Up

    Young East Bay Zen Meet Up


    Mon, Feb 1, 2021

    "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.

    Please note that this event uses a different Zoom link than the online zendo. You can join by clicking here (password: bzc).

    For more information, check out our YEBZ page.

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Simba Meki

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Simba Meki


    Fri, Feb 5, 2021

    There will be a way-seeking mind talk in the online zendo at the time of the usual Friday afternoon zazen:

    5:40 pm: zazen
    5:45: talk

    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: Karen DeCotis

    Lecture: Karen DeCotis


    Sat, Feb 6, 2021

    Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)

    NOTE NEW(ish) SCHEDULE:

          • Zendo opens:       8:30 am
          • Zazen:                      8:40 – 9:20
          • Service:                   9:20 – 9:30
          • Kinhin/break       9:30  – 9:40
          • Zazen:                      9:40 – 10:10
          • Lecture:                  10:15 – 11:15

    Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
    Passcode: bzc

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Helen Cheng

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Helen Cheng


    Mon, Feb 8, 2021

    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.

  • Remembering Sojun Roshi

    Remembering Sojun Roshi


    Thu, Feb 11, 2021

    Reflections from His Long-Time Students 

    Our series of gatherings tonight, February 11, and continues on February 25.

    Begins at 7 pm in BZC’s ONLINE ZENDO

    Presenters will be announced.  There will be some time for Q & A following the presentations.

  • One-Day Sesshin

    One-Day Sesshin


    Sat, Feb 13, 2021

    BZC will offer a virtual sesshin on Saturday, Feb. 13. This virtual sesshin will begin at 7:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. and will include zazen, kinhin, service, a dharma talk, dokusan, and a work period. Lunch will be on your own. Ryushin Andrea Thach will be leading the sesshin. If this will be your first sesshin or if you have questions, please contact the sesshin director, at sesshin@berkeleyzencenter.org.

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

    Here is the link to the signup form: Sign up for Feb. 13 Sesshin.

    Lecture: Ryushin Andrea Thach

    Lecture: Ryushin Andrea Thach


    Sat, Feb 13, 2021

    Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
          • Zendo opens:       8:30 am
          • Zazen:                      8:40 – 9:20
          • Service:                   9:20 – 9:30
          • Kinhin/break       9:30  – 9:40
          • Zazen:                      9:40 – 10:10
          • Lecture:                  10:15 – 11:15

    Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
    Passcode: bzc

    Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
    Passcode: bzc

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Carol Paul

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Carol Paul


    Mon, Feb 15, 2021

    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.

  • Young East Bay Zen Meet Up

    Young East Bay Zen Meet Up


    Thu, Feb 18, 2021

    "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.

    Please note that this event uses a different Zoom link than the online zendo. You can join by clicking here (password: bzc).

    For more information, check out our YEBZ page.

  • Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke

    Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke


    Sat, Feb 20, 2021

    Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
          • Zendo opens:       8:30 am
          • Zazen:                      8:40 – 9:20
          • Service:                   9:20 – 9:30
          • Kinhin/break       9:30  – 9:40
          • Zazen:                      9:40 – 10:10
          • Lecture:                  10:15 – 11:15

    Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
    Passcode: bzc

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Peter Enyeart

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Peter Enyeart


    Mon, Feb 22, 2021

    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.

  • Special 49-Day Memorial Service for Sojun Roshi

    Special 49-Day Memorial Service for Sojun Roshi


    Wed, Feb 24, 2021

    In the Japanese tradition, we commemorate the 49th day after a person's passing.  This will happen at the time of our usual well-being memorial service.  All are welcome, in the online zendo.

  • 49-Day Memorial and Remembering Sojun Roshi

    49-Day Memorial and Remembering Sojun Roshi


    Thu, Feb 25, 2021

    Reflections from His Long-Time Students 

    Our series of gatherings continues tonight,  February 25.

    We will begin at 7 pm with a traditional 49-day memorial service, and then continue with long time students' presentations.  All in BZC’s ONLINE ZENDO

    Presenters will be announced.  There will be some time for Q & A following the presentations.

  • Lecture: Hannah Meara

    Lecture: Hannah Meara


    Sat, Feb 27, 2021

    Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
          • Zendo opens:       8:30 am
          • Zazen:                      8:40 – 9:20
          • Service:                   9:20 – 9:30
          • Kinhin/break       9:30  – 9:40
          • Zazen:                      9:40 – 10:10
          • Lecture:                  10:15 – 11:15

    Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
    Passcode: bzc

    Young East Bay Zen Meet Up

    Young East Bay Zen Meet Up


    Sat, Feb 27, 2021

    "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.

    Additionally, we will have "facilitated" discussions with a senior student or longtime practitioner every 4th Saturday, and those will be on various Koans from The Hidden Lamp. The facilitator and chapter for this session is TBD.

    Please note that this event uses a different Zoom link than the online zendo. You can join by clicking here (password: bzc).

    For more information, check out our YEBZ page.