CALENDAR

SATURDAY: ZAZEN INSTRUCTION (9-10 am godo)
Meditation instructions: May - Demian Jun - David
FRIDAY: ORYOKI INSTRUCTION (6:40-7:15pm) David
*Friday-7:30-8:30pm Zazen/Kinhin & 8:30-9pm-Chant Kan Ro Mon “Gate of Sweet Nectar”

May 10 Sat.   SANGHA DAY POTLUCK, 10:30 am- 1:30 pm Members as well as the public are invited to come to the Zen Center for a day of sharing Dharma and food together as a sangha. Please bring your favorite dish to share. There will be a short period of zazen followed by an opportunity for new members, and anyone wishing to renew their vows, to offer incense in the zendo. Come and hear the latest news of the Zen Center and the Sonoma Mandala Project!

May 14-18   KYUDO RETREAT: Wednesday 5 pm – Sunday 1 pm. Kyudo: “the Way of the Bow.” Archery meditation practice led by Don Symanski, student of Kanjuro Shibata XX. Kyudo is moving meditation practice, which strengthens the synchronization of mind and body. Beginners as well advanced students are welcome to attend the retreat.
$225 for beginners
$300 for advanced

May 19 Mon   CLOSED

May 24 Sat.   STUDENT TALK Mark Adams, 11 am, Zendo.

May 26 Mon   MEMORIAL DAY - CLOSED

May 31 Sat.   STUDENT TALK Chuck Ramey, 11 am, Zendo.

June 5-8   NO BEGINNING, NO END SESSHIN    Sesshin literally “to touch the Mind” is a period of time set aside for an intensive meditation retreat to let go of the conditioned self in order to resume our original nature.  Begins Thurs, 7:30pm, ends Sun 5pm.  10 periods of zazen daily meditation, 2 hours work, 3 oryoki meals in zendo, dharma talks, interviews with Kwong-roshi.       
Non-members: $60 per day/overnight  G member: $50   P member: $40

June 9, 10           CLOSED

June 14 Sat.      DHARMA TALK Jakusho Kwong-roshi, 11 am, Zendo      

June 21 Sat.      STUDENT TALK Fern Alex-Larocca , 11 am, Zendo. 

June 21 Sat.   INTRODUCTION TO ZEN WORKSHOP, 9-3 pm. An introduction to Zen teachings, Zendo form, rituals, instruction on zazen, and also main concepts as basic foundation for Zen practice. For beginners and intermediate people who would like to gain more insight into the philosophy of Zen and how to actualize those principles in everyday life.   Includes vegetarian lunch. Instructor: Chris King
$50

June 28 Sat.   STUDENT TALK Joseph O'Neill.  11 am.  Zendo.

June 30-July 25     ROSHI AND SHINKO IN POLAND Kwong-Roshi will make his annual trip to Poland to give public talks, meet with Polish Sangha, and lead sesshin. Shinko will join him this year until July 10.

July 4-6 Fri-Sun.   CLOSED FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

July 11-18   HOSTING GROUP RETREAT Vipassana Hawaii group, led by Grahame Petchey.  15-20 participants for 7 days.

July 19 Sat.   “MOMENT-TO-MOMENT” ONE DAY SITTING 4:45 am to 5pm. An opportunity for beginners as well as experienced sitters to plunge into the heart of Zen practice.  8 periods of meditation, bowing, formal meals, chanting and work.   Includes Friday 6 pm dinner and overnight stay.
Non-members: $60      G member: $50       P member: $40

July 21 Mon.   CLOSED

July 25 Fri.   ROSHI RETURNS FROM POLAND

July 26 Sat.   CHILDREN’S PROGRAM 12noon-2pm  An orientation for children to the Zen Center, accompanied by their parents. Lunch for Sangha and families will be served at noon followed by 12:45-2 pm structured time in the Zendo.  A tour of different statues and deities, a chance to offer incense and an introduction to simple Zen forms will be provided. 5 min. meditation. The children will be able to strike bells and gongs and hit the drum, giving them sense of the zendo as a quiet space, but positive and fun.  Ages from 4 years to 8 years old. Led by Shinko.  
$10 per adult; $5 per child. Advance registration necessary.

July 26 Sat.  STUDENT TALK John Jennings .  11 am.  Zendo.

Jul. 28 – Aug. 23 SUMMER PRACTICE PERIOD: Summer Ango begins Mon, July 28 at 7:30pm, and ends Saturday, Aug. 23 at 12 pm, followed by a Celebration Dinner at 6:30pm. This 27-day practice period includes six daily sittings, prostrations, oryoki meals, study, chanting, and work practice to enhance mindfulness. Members and visitors are welcome to join us for zazen meditation anytime Monday through Sunday. Please pick up the Ango schedule for the meditation periods. This is a wonderful time for the entire Sangha to participate in this practice--whether in the Zendo, at your work, or as a householder. Direct your focus to extend your meditation into all your activities and be wholeheartedly present moment after moment. Be sure to come July 28 Monday 7:30pm, for the opening ceremony, as the Shuso (Head Student) will present the theme for Ango. We will have a unique format this Ango with a different former Shuso returning to serve as head student each week. First week will be Mark "Kuten" Empty Sky, second week is Chris "Getsu-un" Moon Cloud, third (sesshin week) will be led by John "Suikyo" Water Way, and Demian "Santen" Mountain Sky.
Non-members: $60 per day/overnight G member: $50 P member: $40

Aug. 2 Sat. SHUSO TALK Mark "Kuten" Adams. 11 am. Zendo.

Aug. 9 Sat. SHUSO TALK Chris "Sekiun" King. 11 am. Zendo.

Aug. 10-17 ACTUALIZING THE WAY 7-DAY SESSHIN Sesshin, literally “to touch the Mind” is a period of time set aside for an intensive meditation retreat to let go of the conditioned self in order to resume our original nature. Begins Sun, 7:30pm, ends Sun 5pm. 10 periods of zazen daily meditation, 2 hours work, 3 oryoki meals in zendo, dharma talks, interviews with Kwong-roshi. Non-members: $60 per day/overnight G member: $50 P member: $40

Aug. 23 Sat. ANGO CLOSING CEREMONY “REVEALING THE SELF”, 10:30 am zazen, 11 am Ceremony. All members should come for closing of Practice Period. Participants will ask the Shuso, dharma questions to reveal the truth of practice. Please join us for the Shuso celebration dinner following the ceremony at 1:30 OR 6:30 p.m. CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC