Monday Morning Open Discussion
8:00 am – 8:30 am
Mon, Nov 2, 2020
We are resuming our monthly open discussion program:
7:30 am: zazen
8:00 am: anyone can raise a topic for discussion
8:30: end
8:00 am – 8:30 am
Mon, Nov 2, 2020
We are resuming our monthly open discussion program:
7:30 am: zazen
8:00 am: anyone can raise a topic for discussion
8:30: end
5:40 am – 9:00 pm
Tue, Nov 3, 2020
You are invited to come to BZC’s online zendo throughout Election day. People can join as they are able and come and go as they wish. When possible, join during kinhin or the start of a zazen period. During breaks, the zendo will remain open.
There are periods of zazen, walking meditation, open discussion, and breaks.
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Wed, Nov 4, 2020
Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!
7:00: Zazen
7:30: Reading and discussion
The group is currently led by BZC Practice Leader Gerry Oliva; join us!
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc
6:55 pm – 8:00 pm
Thu, Nov 5, 2020
Sojun-Roshi is offering this open Group Dokusan, with 8-9 students. He will be setting the tone with a short introductory talk, and then invite the questioners. All are welcome to listen in on these Dharma exchanges.
To join, please enter BZC’s Online Zendo
Dial-in (audio only): call 408 638 0968
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
More info, email Gary: gartim@gmail.com
10:15 am – 11:30 am
Sat, Nov 7, 2020
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Sun, Nov 8, 2020
"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.
The group meets on in the Online Zendo on some Sundays.
For more information, check out our YEBZ page.
8:00 am – 8:30 am
Mon, Nov 9, 2020
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.
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Wed, Nov 11, 2020
Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!
7:00: Zazen
7:30: Reading and discussion
The group is currently led by BZC Practice Leader Gerry Oliva; join us!
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Thu, Nov 12, 2020
"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.
The group meets on in the Online Zendo on Thursdays when there isn't Group Dokusan, from 6:30 to 7:30 (right after evening zazen).
For more information, check out our YEBZ page.
10:15 am – 11:30 am
Sat, Nov 14, 2020
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Sat, Nov 14, 2020
"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.
This meeting will be a Dharma group with guest teacher Hozan Alan Senauke on "We should not stick to Rules or Words too much."
You can join using this link.
For more information, check out our YEBZ page.
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Sun, Nov 15, 2020
In this simple ceremony, we quietly work together to make a small garment or token to dress Jizo on his journey, and write our wishes for our loved one or the circumstance. We will offer these in a simple ceremony we create together.
This year, the ceremony will be conducted by BZC priests Ryushin Andrea Thach and Hannah Meara. For more information, please click here.
8:00 am – 8:30 am
Mon, Nov 16, 2020
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.
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Mon, Nov 16, 2020
7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Tue, Nov 17, 2020
A safe and informal setting where up to 8 people at a time can meet — to express their interests, questions, and concerns, and talk among ourselves about things that concern us all: the continuity and shape of Suzuki Roshi and Sojun’s practice, our sense and needs from the BZC community, and the state of our ever-changing world.
Click here for more information
To sign up:
Contact Hannah Meara for a place in the room: hmeara@gmail.com
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Wed, Nov 18, 2020
Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!
7:00: Zazen
7:30: Reading and discussion
The group is currently led by BZC Practice Leader Gerry Oliva; join us!
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc
6:55 pm – 8:00 pm
Thu, Nov 19, 2020
Sojun-Roshi is offering this open Group Dokusan, with 8-9 students. He will be setting the tone with a short introductory talk, and then invite the questioners. All are welcome to listen in on these Dharma exchanges.
To join, please enter BZC’s Online Zendo
Dial-in (audio only): call 408 638 0968
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
More info, email Gary: gartim@gmail.com
7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat, Nov 21, 2020
BZC will offer a virtual sesshin on Saturday, Nov. 21. 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. Gerry Oliva will lead and Mary Beth Lamb will direct this sesshin. If this will be your first sesshin or if you have questions, please contact the sesshin director at sesshindirectorbzc@gmail.com. To sign up, please fill out the Sesshin Sign Up Form by Wednesday, Nov. 18.
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.
10:15 am – 11:30 am
Sat, Nov 21, 2020
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Sun, Nov 22, 2020
This monthly gathering meets on in the Online Zendo for study and discussion.
8:00 am – 8:30 am
Mon, Nov 23, 2020
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.
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Mon, Nov 23, 2020
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Wed, Nov 25, 2020
Our longstanding Wednesday night drop in group continues in the Online Zendo!
7:00: Zazen
7:30: Reading and discussion
The group is currently led by BZC Practice Leader Gerry Oliva; join us!
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc
All day
Thu, Nov 26, 2020
The zendo will be open for zazen on Thanksgiving at the usual times: 5:40 am, 7:30 am, and 5:40 pm.
10:15 am – 11:30 am
Sat, Nov 28, 2020
Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
Passcode: bzc
8:00 am – 8:30 am
Mon, Nov 30, 2020
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.
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Mon, Nov 30, 2020