Jan. 30 - Feb. 25 WINTER PRACTICE PERIOD Winter Ango begins Mon., Jan 30 at 7:30 pm, and ends Saturday, Feb. 25 at 12 pm, followed by a celebration dinner at 6:30 pm. 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 February schedule for the meditation period times. This is a wonderful time for the entire Sangha to participate in this practice - whether in the Zendo, at 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 Monday, January 30 at 7:30 pm for the opening ceremony, as the Shuso (Head Student) will present the theme for Ango.
Non-Members: $60 per day/overnight General M: $50 Practicing M: $40

Feb. 4 Sat.    SHUSO TALK Chuck Tensan Ramey 11 am Zendo

Feb. 11 Sat.    SHUSO TALK Ray Eko Estabrook 11 am Zendo

Feb 12 - 19     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 Sunday at 7:30 pm and ends the following Sunday at 5 pm.  10 periods of zazen daily, 2 hours work practice, 3 oryoki meals, dharma talks, interviews with Kwong-roshi.
Non-Members: $60 per day/overnight  General M: $50   Practicing M: $40

Feb. 25 Sat.    ANGO CLOSING CEREMONY - "REVEALING THE SELF"  10:30 am zazen; 11 am Ceremony.  All members should come for the closing of our 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 pm or 6:30 pm.  CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

March 2-3 USF OVERNIGHT 20 USF students with Professor John Nelson.

March 3 Sat.  DHARMA TALK  Jakusho Kwong-roshi.  11 am.  Zendo.
                               
March 3 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.  $50.  Instructor: To Be Announced.

March 6 Tue.    SPRING STUDY GROUP  Every Tuesday, 7:30 - 9 pm.  Investigating and "turning our radiance inward" through Zen practice, we begin to discover the intimate nature of Mind.  Jakusho Kwong-roshi and Shinko Kwong will be lecturing and leading discussions on a book to be assigned.  This will be a six-week course.
Non-Members:  $60/$12 per class    General M: $55   Practicing M: $50

March 10 Sat.    "ACTUALIZING NOW-MOMENT" ONE DAY SITTING 4:45 am to 5 pm 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 practice.  Includes Friday 6 pm dinner and overnight stay. 
Non-Members: $60  General M: $50   Practicing M: $40

March 12 Mon.    CLOSED

March 17 Sat.    DHARMA TALK  To Be Announced.  11 am.  Zendo.

March 24 Sat.    SPRING WORKFEST 8:30 am-4 pm   All Sangha members, families, and friends are invited to come for a day of fun and work in the spirit of traditional "barn-raising" effort and together action.  Snacks, delicious lunch provided.

March 28 Mon.    CLOSED

March 30-April 1    HOSTING THICH NHAT HANH RETREAT   Closed to the public.

April 2 Mon.    CLOSED

April 4 - 7  BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY SESSHIN A silent retreat to commemorate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha.  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 Wednesday, 7:30 pm, and ends Saturday, 3:30 pm.  10 periods of zazen daily, 2 hours work practice, 3 oryoki meals, dharma talks, and interviews with Kwong-roshi. 
Non-Members: $60 per day/overnight  General M: $50   Practicing M: $40

April 8 Sun.  BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 1 - 4 pm All Sangha, friends, and family are invited to come and join us.  Ceremony: 1 - 1:45 pm.  Outdoor reception: 2 - 4 pm.  Bring prepared food ready to serve and flowers for offering.

April 9 -10    CLOSED

April 14 Sat. DHARMA TALK  To Be Announced. 11 am. Zendo.

April 20 – 22  HOSTING SHAMBHALA DRALA Closed to the public.

April 28 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!