My Calendar

Events in May 2021

  • Lecture: Zenju Earthlyn Manuel

    Lecture: Zenju Earthlyn Manuel


    Sat, May 1, 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

  • Open Discussion

    Open Discussion


    Mon, May 3, 2021

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Judy Bertelsen

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Judy Bertelsen


    Fri, May 7, 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.

  • One-Day Sesshin/Open Practice Period

    One-Day Sesshin/Open Practice Period


    Sat, May 8, 2021

    BZC will offer this sesshin as the opening of our spring practice period. 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, and a work period. Lunch will be on your own. If this will be your first sesshin or if you have questions, please contact the sesshin director at sesshindirectorbzc@gmail.com.

    Sign up link will be posted closer to the date.

    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.

    Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke

    Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke


    Sat, May 8, 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

    Practice Period Opening Ceremony

    Practice Period Opening Ceremony


    Sat, May 8, 2021

    Details to follow.

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Hozan Sensei

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Hozan Sensei


    Mon, May 10, 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.

  • Three Refuges - Hozan Sensei

    Three Refuges - Hozan Sensei


    Thu, May 13, 2021

    During this Spring 2021 Practice Period, we are diving into basic Buddhist teachings, using Thich Nhat Hanh's The Heart of Buddha's Teaching.  Tonight's class will focus on The Three Refuges, or Three Treasures: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

  • Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke

    Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke


    Sat, May 15, 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: Karen Sundheim

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Karen Sundheim


    Mon, May 17, 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.

  • Practice Period Council

    Practice Period Council


    Thu, May 20, 2021

    Council practice, which has become a valuable tool in Buddhist centers around the country, will be offered during the spring 2021 practice period on two Thursday class evenings—May 20 and June 10.

    Council is a process developed by the Quakers, resonant with many indigenous communities, where members gather in a ceremonial circle to speak and be heard deeply. The process is intended to be democratic and confidential. By creating a safe container for all, and by not turning away from pain and conflict, council promotes participation and equality. Council can be used simply to share on the basis of equality, and where there are strong feelings and opinions about controver­sial issues within intentional communities.

    Each participant has an opportunity to speak without interruption or cross talk. The point is to listen completely and to speak honestly of our thoughts and feelings.

    Over the last few years we have used council as a method of community discourse at BZC. A number of us at BZC have had extensive experience of council in other communities, and see how this can serve the intimacy of sangha and the development of beloved community. We will share more details and materials when the practice period begins, and there will be an opportunity to have some basic training in advance of the class sessions.

  • Lecture: Laurie Senauke

    Lecture: Laurie Senauke


    Sat, May 22, 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: Susan Marvin

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Susan Marvin


    Mon, May 24, 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.

  • Noble Eight-Fold Path - Hozan Sensei

    Noble Eight-Fold Path - Hozan Sensei


    Thu, May 27, 2021

    During this Spring 2021 Practice Period, we are diving into basic Buddhist teachings, using Thich Nhat Hanh's The Heart of Buddha's Teaching.  Tonight's class will focus on The Noble Eight-Fold Path:  Right View, Right Effort, Right Speech, Right Livelihood, Right Action, Right Mindfulness, Right Meditation.

     

  • Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke

    Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke


    Sat, May 29, 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

  • Zendo Holiday

    Zendo Holiday

    All day
    Mon, May 31, 2021

    Informal zazen only at 7:30 am and 5:40 pm.