Suzuki Roshi often said we shouldn’t have “a gaining idea” or any idea of attainment. A student once asked him why anybody would do zazen if they didn’t have a gaining idea. He said, “You still have one gaining idea.” “What is that?” the student wanted to know. He replied, “That’s a secret.” Recently we … Continue reading No Gaining Idea
The library has recently acquired the following books: Robert Wright, Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment Taisen Deshimaru, Mushotoku Mind: The Heart of the Heart Sutra Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, The Way of Tenderness: Awakening through Race, Sexuality, and Gender Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Sanctuary: A Meditation on Home, Homelessness, and … Continue reading Library News
Join us on Sunday evening, December 31, for the chance to ring in the New Year with the quiet and reflection of zazen, punctuated by 108 soundings of the bell to mark the last 108 minutes of 2017 and a bonfire after midnight. Everyone is welcome to attend any portion of the program, entering the … Continue reading New Year’s Eve Sitting and Celebration
Join us on Thursday evening, December 31 for the chance to ring in the New Year with the quiet and reflection of zazen, punctuated by 108 soundings of the bell to mark the last 108 minutes of 2015 and a bonfire after midnight. Everyone is welcome to attend any portion of the program, entering the … Continue reading New Year’s Eve Sitting and Celebration
After serving as BZC librarian for more than two years I have become familiar with the collection we house in the community room and have come to truly appreciate it. I frequently stumble across unknown (to me) gems on the bookshelves. Also, the library regularly acquires new books and subscribes to several periodicals (Tricycle, Shambala … Continue reading Note from the Librarian
BZC on Bookshop.org We now have a storefront on Bookshop.org; shop there and support BZC! https://bookshop.org/shop/berkeleyzencenter History of Buddhism and Buddhist Doctrine What the Buddha Taught , Rahula Buddhist Thought in India, Conze Dharmapada, various translations Essentials of Buddhist Philosophy, Takakusu The Life of the Buddha, Nanamoli History of Zen The Golden Age of Zen, Wu Zen Buddhism: … Continue reading Recommended Reading
We are eagerly awaiting the chance to hold our next backpacking sesshin. BZC offers two separate backpacking sesshins, the first in April called “Hills & Streams,” which is run by and offered to our young (under 45’ish) practitioners. The second typically takes place the last weekend of July, is called “Mountains & Rivers,” and is … Continue reading Backpacking Sesshins
Chant Book for Morning Service Service is now hybrid – in the zendo and online – Monday – Friday at 7:00 am. If you are joining in the online zendo, we encourage you to print this chant book and have it on hand. Chants may not be posted online. PDF of Chant Book Chants for … Continue reading Chants
Ring the bells, beat the drum, clang the cymbals, chant the Ten Names of Buddha and to them add the name Hakuryo Sojun Mel Weitsman Daisoho—White Dragon/Essence of Purity. At last, eighteen months after Sojun’s death on January 7, 2021, we have performed the appropriate Zen rites to honor his passing into the realm of … Continue reading Again, Farewell to the White Dragon