My Calendar

Events in June 2021

  • Bodhisattva Precepts - Ryushin Andrea Thach

    Bodhisattva Precepts - Ryushin Andrea Thach


    Thu, Jun 3, 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 Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts.

  • Bansan - Afternoon "Tea"

    Bansan - Afternoon "Tea"


    Fri, Jun 4, 2021

    Traditionally during practice periods, we gather for tea and discussion; join us for our zoom version, in place of our usual First Friday Way Seeking Mind talk.

  • Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke

    Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke


    Sat, Jun 5, 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

  • Beginners' Sesshin

    Beginners' Sesshin


    Sun, Jun 6, 2021

    ONLINE BEGINNERS’ SESSHIN

    With Hozan Sensei

    Sunday, June 6, 2021
    8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Though Zen practice has no beginning or end, new people sometimes find the forms daunting, and more experienced students can value refreshment and learn about forms in greater detail. This sitting is an opportunity for new and old practitioners to invigorate our beginners’ mind. The focus will be on the basics of Suzuki Roshi’s practice: zazen, kinhin, and bowing.

    The sesshin will run from 8:30 a.m .to 4:30 p.m. Though shorter than usual, the rhythm of sitting will be similar to our regular schedules, with lecture, kinhin, light work period and discussion. Plan to attend the entire day.

    Please fill out the Sign Up Form in order to register for the day. The suggested sesshin donation is $15, or whatever you can afford. Mail a check to the BZC Office Manager at 1931 Russell St., Berkeley 94703, or pay through the website using the "Sits/Classes" tab on the Donate page. When paying for sesshin, please indicate on your check or in the PayPal note field that your donation is related to the Beginners' Sesshin.

    For further information, please contact:
    Sesshin Director Mary Beth Lamb — sesshin@berkeleyzencenter.org, 925-674-9251

    BZC Board Meeting

    BZC Board Meeting


    Sun, Jun 6, 2021

    NOTE: this was changed from June 13, as published elsewhere on this website.

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Ross Blum

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Ross Blum


    Mon, Jun 7, 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, Jun 10, 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: Peter Overton

    Lecture: Peter Overton


    Sat, Jun 12, 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: Ron Nestor

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Ron Nestor


    Mon, Jun 14, 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.

  • Six Paramitas - Hozan Sensei

    Six Paramitas - Hozan Sensei


    Thu, Jun 17, 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 Six Paramitas or Transcendent Practices of a Bodhisattva - Giving, Ethics, Patience, Joyous Effort, Concentration, and Wisdom.

  • Three-Day Sesshin Practice Period Closing

    Three-Day Sesshin Practice Period Closing


    Fri, Jun 18, 2021

    If you indicated that you would attend this sesshin on the Practice Period Sign up, then you are already signed up. But if you did not and would like to attend, please sign up now. Please sign up for at least two full days, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. PDT.
    If you would like to have dokusan during sesshin with either Gerry Oliva or Hozan Sensei, please email sesshin@berkeleyzencenter.org.
    If you haven't already paid for sesshin, please do so at the Generosity tab on the bzc website, or send a check to the Office Manager at 1931 Russell Street. When paying for sesshin, please indicate on your check or in the PayPal note field that your donation is related to the June 18-20 Sesshin (send a note to bzcofficemanager@gmail.com if you are unable to do this). The suggested donation is $15 per day, but you can give more or less, depending on your circumstances.
    Here is the June Three Day Sesshin Sign Up Form. Be sure to submit it by Tuesday, June 15 so we can send you materials you need for sesshin on Wednesday, June 16.
  • Three-Day Sesshin Practice Period Closing

    Three-Day Sesshin Practice Period Closing


    Sat, Jun 19, 2021

    Details to follow.

    Three-Day Sesshin Practice Period Closing

    Three-Day Sesshin Practice Period Closing


    Sat, Jun 19, 2021

    If you indicated that you would attend this sesshin on the Practice Period Sign up, then you are already signed up. But if you did not and would like to attend, please sign up now. Please sign up for at least two full days, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. PDT.
    If you would like to have dokusan during sesshin with either Gerry Oliva or Hozan Sensei, please email sesshin@berkeleyzencenter.org.
    If you haven't already paid for sesshin, please do so at the Generosity tab on the bzc website, or send a check to the Office Manager at 1931 Russell Street. When paying for sesshin, please indicate on your check or in the PayPal note field that your donation is related to the June 18-20 Sesshin (send a note to bzcofficemanager@gmail.com if you are unable to do this). The suggested donation is $15 per day, but you can give more or less, depending on your circumstances.
    Here is the June Three Day Sesshin Sign Up Form. Be sure to submit it by Tuesday, June 15 so we can send you materials you need for sesshin on Wednesday, June 16.
  • Three-Day Sesshin Practice Period Closing

    Three-Day Sesshin Practice Period Closing


    Sun, Jun 20, 2021

    Details to follow.

  • No morning program

    No morning program


    Mon, Jun 21, 2021

    Afternoon zazen only

  • Lecture: Ellen Webb

    Lecture: Ellen Webb


    Sat, Jun 26, 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: Rondi Saslow

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Rondi Saslow


    Mon, Jun 28, 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.