Thursday, October 26, 2023

COMIMG UP: Saturday Community Talk - Join Us On Site or Online | Study Group | 1-day Sitting

 

 

COMING UP: Join Us for Saturday Community Talk

Dharma talk will be given by Zenki (全機) Traustason, Leading Teacher of Natthagi Zen Center in Reykjavik, Iceland, following 10:30 am zazen. (The talk will be given on Zoom from Iceland.) Open to the public.

 

  • For those who are new to Zen or need a refresher, please register for meditation instruction from 9:00 to 10:00 am (8:50 am check-in at the Sangha House).

  • If you live within driving distance, please register to attend on site.

  • Informal vegetarian lunch will be provided afterwards in the Sangha House.

  • ZenDust store will be open from 12 noon to 1:30pm.

 

About Speaker

Zenki (全機) Traustasson has been a student of Jakusho Kwong-roshi for more than 20 years. In 2009, Zenki received Tokudo ordination from Kwong-roshi. In 2011, he was entrusted with the title of Hoshi as Dharma Holder. In April 2016, Zenki participated in 3-month intensive training at Toshoji International Training Center in Japan. In July 2017, He received lineage transmission from Jakusho Kwong-roshi at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. He is also a jazz pianist and composer and live with his wife Myoji (明慈) Gyða who is also a long-time student of Kwong-roshi.

$15 admission (10-20% Member Discount: Please log in first to receive the discount.)

NEXT TUESDAY, OCT 31: Fall Study Group (Week 7)

Pure Standards for the Temple Administrators (Chiji Shingi) Director [Kan’in] (page 152–166)

Available both in person and on zoom. Explore the fundamental teachings of Buddhism and build a foundation for daily practice through discussions on the book “Dogen’s Pure Standards for the Zen Community: A Translation of Eihei Shingi.” Register for by the week for $12/week. View Study Group Syllabus

 

Dogen Zenji said, “The buddha way is right under your feet.” The buddha way is not some special kind of way. It is simply the way in which you live completely. With everything you encounter, without separating self and others, become one with that thing with your whole body and mind, dealing with it most thoroughly.—from Rev. Narasaki-roshi’s foreword

 

Books are available for purchase at Zen Dust for $29.95 plus tax (sorry, mail order service not available).

$12/week (10-20% Member Discount: Please log in first to receive the discount.)

NEXT WEEKEND: Join Us for 1-Day Sitting

This retreat is an introduction to Zen training and an opportunity for beginners and experienced sitters to plunge into the heart of Zen practice. Retreatants will experience a moderate schedule of zazen (eight periods of sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), samu (work practice), oryoki (formal meals) and sutra chanting - good for both beginners and experienced sitters. Please wear warm, loose, and subdued clothing for zazen. 

 

Check-in at 5:00pm (or later) on Friday, November 3, 2023. This one-day retreat includes a 6pm Friday evening dinner and an overnight stay.

 

View 1-day Sitting Schedule

10-20% Member Discount: Please log in first to receive the discount.

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

Friday, October 20, 2023

COMIMG UP: Saturday Community Talk - Join Us On Site or Online | Study Group | Fusatsu Ceremony

 

 

COMING UP: Saturday Community Talk - On Site or Online

Dharma talk will be given by Nyoze Kwong, abbot of SMZC, following 10:30-11:00 am zazen. Open to the public.

 

 

About Speaker

Nyoze received a degree in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz. He worked as a fundraiser in Stanford University’s Engineering Department. Nyoze has a background in Socially Engaged Buddhism and has trained with well-respected teachers in Japan and United States and has over 30 years of meditation experience. In 2012 he finished his formal Zen training at Eiheiji, oldest monastery and head temple of the Soto Zen School in Japan. In 2015 he was certified and recognized by Sotoshu as a Zen teacher in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi. Currently Nyoze serves as Abbot (the head of meditation practice) and Executive Director of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. He lives at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center with his wife Kashin and his son Ejo.

Below: Shinsanshiki (Mountain Seat Ceremony) on September 2, 2023. Read more.

$15 admission (10-20% Member Discount: Please log in first to receive the discount.)

NEXT TUESDAY, OCT 24: Join Us for Fall Study Group (Week 6)

Pure Standards for the Temple Administrators (Chiji Shingi) (page 127–152)

Available both in person and on zoom. Explore the fundamental teachings of Buddhism and build a foundation for daily practice through discussions on the book “Dogen’s Pure Standards for the Zen Community: A Translation of Eihei Shingi.” Register for by the week for $12/week. View Study Group Syllabus

 

Dogen Zenji said, “The buddha way is right under your feet.” The buddha way is not some special kind of way. It is simply the way in which you live completely. With everything you encounter, without separating self and others, become one with that thing with your whole body and mind, dealing with it most thoroughly.—from Rev. Narasaki-roshi’s foreword

 

Books are available for purchase at Zen Dust for $29.95 plus tax (sorry, mail order service not available).

$12/week (10-20% Member Discount: Please log in first to receive the discount.)

NEXT FRIDAY, OCT 27: October Fusatsu Ceremony

Traditional Monthly Renewal of Vows

Atonement Ceremony is a Buddhadharma training—blessing from the teacher and a ritual of chanting, bowing, purification, and renewal of vows/direction. Traditionally practiced on the full moon, Fusatsu is one of the most beautiful and profound ceremonies in the Zen tradition. Together, we acknowledge our karmic entanglements and hindrances, at-one for the beginningless greed, anger, and ignorance—restoring harmony and happiness.

 

7:30–8:00pm Zazen / 8:00–9:00pm Ceremony

Hunter's Moon: The farmers had traditionally finished reaping their fields under the light of the Harvest Moon. By the time of the next Full Moon, the fields were clean, so the hunters could easily see the animals prowling in search of food before the winter. Moreover, at this time of the month, the Moon rises at around dusk and sets at around dawn. The moonlight allowed the hunters to track down the prey into the late evening.

—excerpt from an article "October Full Moon 2023: When To See the Hunter’s Moon?"

By Donation (Please support SMZC to sustain our practice on the mountain.)

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