Join Us @ SMZC | Saturday, October 16 | Saturday Community

 

Join Us @ SMZC | Saturday, October 16 | Saturday Community

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.   Zazen   |   11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.   Talk       Senior Student talk will be given be Koten (孤天) David Price, senior student of Kwong-roshi and ordained priest. Koten began formally practicing Zen at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center where he has lived as a student since 2006. During his residency he has served on the SMZC advisory board as Resident Representative, held the position of Tenzo (Head Cook) and Shissui (Work Leader). Koten received Jukai from Jakusho Kwong-roshi in 2007 and was ordained as a Buddhist Priest in 2012. He has also served as Shuso (Head Student) leading the 30 day intensive practice period in the winter of 2013, giving talks, providing interviews and guiding students through the daily schedule. Before coming to Genjo-ji, he spent 20 years as a professional cook and chef working in resorts and restaurants from Hawaii to Philadelphia. Koten is a sportsman and enjoys hiking all throughout the Sonoma County and the North Bay.

Free pre-registration required to attend Saturday Community online or on-site.   On-Site Attendance Limited to 14 Registrations: We are open to the fully-vaccinated public with limited Zendo capacity. Sign our covid waiver (first time only) and pre-register for each Saturday Community you plan to attend.   Donate to Saturday Community. To sustain SMZC and its program offerings, please donate for the Saturday Community program ($10 suggested minimum).   Photo by David Kaiun (開雲) Busch   Register Now

Fall Study Group (Week 7 of 12) Tuesday, October 19, 7:30-9:00 pm Eighth Talk: Within Light There is Utter Darkness (Page 109–120)   An opportunity to explore the fundamental teachings of Buddhism and build a foundation for daily practice through discussions on the book "Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness: Zen Talks on the Sandokai" by Shunryu Suzuki-roshi. This 12-week course occurs every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:00 pm PST.   $12/week. Register to attend each week online or on-site. On-site attendance limited to 10 registrations.   View Syllabus   Register Now

Daily Meditation Schedule You are welcome to sit one period of zazen as your schedule permits.Participate in the daily schedule as much as you are able. Continuous daily practice helps strengthen your resolve. If attending partially, please leave or enter during kinhin (walking meditation). Download daily sutras to partake in the service.   Practice Online

5:15 a.m. Morning Zazen 5:50 a.m. Kinhin 6:00 a.m. Zazen 6:35 a.m. Sutra Chanting & Service 7:30 p.m. Evening Zazen 8:10 p.m. Kinhin 8:20 p.m. Zazen 8:55 p.m. Recite Bodhisattva Vows

Reflection on Guest Practice Stay

Before my stay at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center, I had been practicing meditation on my own for about two years. I felt I had taken my practice as far as I could by myself and needed to have an immersive experience, practicing with others, and speaking with a teacher. After extensively researching different centers, I settled upon SMZC. The rich history and renowned lineage is what drew me in, but it was the truly intimate experience with the teachers and residents which kept me there. Having the ability to speak with, sit with, and simply observe the grace of the long-term practitioners and teachers offered me the resolve to continue my practice through any difficulties.

I wanted an experience in which every aspect of my stay could be considered practice, and I was given exactly that. Zazen did not stop once I left the zendo, but only changed in its appearance. Though skeptical at first, I realized the value of the rituals and traditions which are set in place to do just that, keeping one alert to the present moment. My two and a half weeks were filled with greater insights than I accumulated from years of personal practice. With the number of meditation centers out there, I am so lucky and grateful that upon my first experience I found a place so truly devoted to the authentic practice of zen.   —Ethan Grove, Fort Lauderdale, FL SMZC Guest Resident in September

SMZC Sangha Treasure Thank you, Tim Zenun (禅雲) Metzger in Glen Ellen, CA

for donating several video equipment purchases to make SMZC online programs happen this year as well as donating his countless hours to film Beyond A Dream: Father & Son Conversations. Zenun has been alongtime student of Kwong-roshi and a member since 2002.

Join SMZC Sangha Today   SMZC is a lay residential training practice center. We rely on membership dues, income from our programs, and contributions to support and maintain the Dharma on this ancient mountain. Please consider joining SMZC Wisteria Sangha. Your generosity makes it possible for us to survive and serve.    Become A SMZC Member

In order to continue to offer these programs and ensure the future of SMZC, we are asking for your support. Your donation is tax deductible. Sonoma Mountain Zen Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax ID #23-7304793

6367 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, CA, 95404 (707) 545-8105 Share on social www.smzc.org