Category Archives: News

Being What’s Happening

In our Zen practice life, we try to create the opportunity to experience something “different” from our usual life. What is that difference? Something like “no gaining idea.” We want to allow an experience that is not limited at the outset by our ideas about what might happen or what it means. We resume our true nature, which is always flowing underneath or within our everyday lives.
For the families who come to Family Practice, we also want to offer something different. As parents, so much of our day is taken up with getting our kids to do the various things we expect of them. Getting them to get up, to eat breakfast, to go to school; to learn specific things, to get along with others, and in general to act in accord with the way others are acting, in accord with expectations coming from the adult world. We expect a lot, actually.
When children come into the circle at BZC, we don’t want this to be just another thing we are trying to get them to do — to get them to sing the songs, to get them to prepare the snack, to get them to sit quietly, and so on. Even getting them to come in the first place! How can we create for all of us, children and adults together, a “place to turn around” in the midst of our busy lives? How can we offer something different?
The natural state between parents and children, between caregivers and children, is one of love flowing between us. You might call it the “true nature” of families. When families join our program, we want to help them resume this true nature, which is always there, flowing underneath all the expectations and challenges.
Just as it’s not always easy to sit in the zendo with no gaining idea, it’s not easy for us adults to allow this opportunity to unfold — for children to simply be together with their parents, in love and fun. When it happens it feels amazing.
Our Family Practice program is led by BZC member and music teacher Ryk Groetchen. It happens most Saturdays from 9:30-11:15 a.m. (check the calendar for exact dates). We share songs, dances, stories, poems, social-emotional learning tools, preparing, serving, and eating a snack, discussion, and laughter. We welcome any BZC members to take a taste; we think you’ll be glad you did.

One-Room Schoolhouse Turns 50!

Next year, Berkeley Zen Center will be celebrating 50 years since the old zendo on Dwight Way opened its doors. Plans are already under way for a party to be held on the evening of September 30 at the Jack London Aquatic Center in Oakland. Details will be coming early next year from the event committee, headed by Jake Van Akkeren.
For now, we want to get a head start on gathering recollections from you — current members and friends, alumni, and everyone else who has been touched by practice inside BZC’s gate this last half century. These items will become part of an anthology of BZC’s first 50 years. We will also edit this into a smaller booklet for distribution at the 50th anniversary party.
We welcome everyone to contribute stories, favorite anecdotes, poems, photographs, drawings, memories — anything that we can make copies of and print. Please also share our invitation to participate with anyone you know who was once connected to BZC but who may no longer be in touch.
We ask that written pieces be no more than 250 words. All printed materials will be returned. Please submit them by March 15, 2017, to andrea.thach@gmail.com or to Andrea Thach, 800 Northshore Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226. Please send her your questions or suggestions for the anthology. Thank you.

Position Changes

Greg Denny and Peter Overton have passed their co-leadership of our half-day sittings to Alexandra Frappier and Laurie Senauke. Thanks to all four of you for handling the recent upsurge in attendance for these monthly events.

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

If you are interested in preparing for lay ordination next year, sewing classes start in January. Classes are open to those who have asked their teacher if they may participate.
Before the winter break (mid-December), please speak with Sojun Mel Weitsman or Hozan Alan Senauke.
After you speak with your teacher, promptly contact the sewing teacher, Jean Selkirk. Check the bulletin board for further announcements.

Cold and Flu Season Is Among Us

At this time of year we encourage all sangha members to get an annual flu shot at either your doctor’s office or local CVS or Walgreen’s pharmacy.  If cost is a barrier, contact your local health department for information on when and where they provide low-cost or free vaccinations.
In an effort to support each other’s health, we are asking that sangha members stay home if they are ill. We recommend following the Centers for Disease Control’s guidelines: Please don’t come to the zendo if you have fever, cough, runny nose, muscle aches, gastro-intestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea, or anything you equate with viral illness. Please stay home and take care of yourself. You should wait to return until you have not had any of the following symptoms: sneezing, coughing, nose blowing, sore throat, or fever, for 48 hours.
If you realize you are ill after you have arrived on a Saturday or sesshin day, please let the director know and go home. Some of us are not only older, but also have medical conditions which are immune-compromising, so your awareness and self-care is important to us all. Of course, some coughs and sneezes result from allergies. If you are at all uncertain, speak with the Saturday Director or Sesshin Director or contact the Coordinator, who can refer you to a health consultant.
A copy of the BZC Wellness Policy will be posted on the bulletin board. If you have questions, please contact Gerry Oliva at gryoliva@gmail.com.

Note from the Coordinator

When I asked Sojun Roshi what the role of the Coordinator was he responded, “You’re the eyes and ears of the temple.” In this role and in weekly consultation with our abbots, I intend to help maintain the harmony and vitality of our practice place. Please share your comments and concerns with me either by email (rossblum@icloud.com) or by telephone ((510) 306-1964) and together we will.

Sangha Work Day

Come and enjoy the fun and satisfaction of working together to maintain and beautify our temple and gardens during Work Day on Sunday, September 18. The day will begin with a half hour of zazen at 8:30 am, include a delicious lunch made by Kika and friends, and end with 20 minutes of zazen at 4:10-4:30 pm. We have a diverse set of indoor and outdoor tasks, including gardening, house painting, sanding, wood oiling (the community room back porch and stairs), carpentry projects, and more. You can come for the whole day, or just the morning or afternoon, and still have lunch! If you arrive between 8:00 and 8:30 am, you will be warmly greeted by Kika with coffee and breakfast snacks.
This will be the last time this year that we spend the day working together rather than just 1½ hours during sesshin work periods, so don’t miss it!
To plan the work for the day, we need to know you are coming, so please sign up on the courtyard bulletin board. The sign-up list will be posted on September 4.

Jizo Ceremony for Children Who Have Died

The loss of a loved one often opens a well of profound grief. No matter how the loved one dies, suddenly or slowly, whether through illness, accident, miscarriage, abortion, or suicide, our sorrow is deep and may be long-lasting. To help families and friends in their process of grief, we will honor our lost loved ones in a ceremony in our Jizo garden on October 8. Jizo, the Earth Store Bodhisattva, is viewed as a guide and protector for those who are enduring the loss of a loved one, particularly a child lost in miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion, or in early life. Jizo’s vow is to remain in the world until all beings are free from suffering, and he accompanies children when they pass out of this world.

Before the ceremony we will spend time making a personal memorial for a lost one, by writing a message or by making a simple necklace, a robe for our Jizo statue, or other offering. Attendees are also invited to bring a picture of their loved one or other personal token of remembrance for our altar.

The ceremony will be led by two BZC priests, Gerry Oliva and Judy Fleischman. All BZC members, members of other Zen groups, and neighborhood residents are invited to attend. A more detailed description will be posted on the BZC courtyard bulletin board. There is no fee but offerings of dana are welcome. We will not have a sign-up sheet but request that those attending let us know in advance so that we can have adequate supplies and refreshments. For more information or to let us know that you’re coming, contact Gerry Oliva at gryoliva@gmail.com or call (520) 652-7217.

Sangha Support Is for Helpers, Too

Are you helping a loved one to do things that they used to do for themselves? Many in our Sangha are doing so. Sangha Support is sponsoring a gathering to share experiences, tips, and resources to support your efforts, facilitated by Laurie Senauke and Debbie Schley. All are welcome to come on October 2, 4:00-5:30 pm, at the Senauke house, 1933 Russell. Please let Debbie know if you hope to attend (there won’t be a sign-up sheet for this). Also contact us if you’d like more information:  debbieresearcher@gmail.com, (503) 505-4282.

FUNdraiser Party

Please join us for Berkeley Zen Center’s annual fundraising party on Saturday, September 24, starting about 11:00 am, and enjoy:

  • Music — BZC’s own Rob Lyons and the Blue Cliff Ensemble.
  • Raffle drawing — including gift certificates to Chez Panisse, REI, Indra’s Net Theater, Peet’s, Diesel Books, Piedmont Movie Theater, and more!
  • Guided tours of 1929 Russell — see your donation dollars at work in the newly remodeled kitchen.
  • Food — yum!
  • Community fundraising events — sign up to attend a teach-in from Sojun Roshi on BZC’s Buddhist art, or a tea tasting with Ross Blum (details below).
  • Getting to know your dharma friends.

Bring your family and friends to join this FUNdraising party after lecture. All funds raised during the event, and in preceding weeks via raffle sales, will go toward supporting this year’s goal of $20,000 for the BZC building improvement fund. If you have any questions about the fundraising event, please contact Development Committee Chair Laurie Senauke at lauriesenauke@gmail.com. We hope to see you at the party!