Shakyamuni Buddha's Enlightenment Sesshin • Rohatsu – December 3 - 8 | Sunrise Ceremony - Memorial for Shunryu Suzuki-roshi

December 03, 2018
Shakyamuni Buddha's Enlightenment Sesshin
A special sesshin to commemorate the anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha's Enlightenment.  The last night of the retreat we will sit from midnight to 4:00 a.m. and conclude with a memorial procession to Shunryu Suzuki-roshi's stupa.
​
For those who cannot make Rohatsu during the week, join us Friday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. for tetsuya, “the all night sitting.” Following the all night sit, at 6 a.m., we will walk in procession down to Suzuki-roshi’s stupa for the founder’s ceremony. We will close Rohatsu with breakfast in the Sangha House. All members are encouraged to attend tetsuya and/or the founder’s ceremony.
​
December 08, 2018
Sunrise Ceremony - Memorial for Shunryu Suzuki-roshi
On Saturday December 8th at 6:00 a.m. we will begin a memorial procession to Suzuki-roshi’s Memorial Stupa from the zendo.  We express our gratitude, offer incense, ladle water, and recite the Great Compassionate Dharani as we witness the sunrise over the Valley of the Moon. Open to the public.  Informal breakfast follows at 7:30 a.m. $10 donation appreciated.

Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

1-Day Sitting on Nov 10th | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

A day of sitting in silence dedicated to those that have lost their lives, firefighters, first responders, police and all beings that have been affected by the devastation of the Northern California wildfires.  An opportunity for beginners and experienced sitters to plunge into the heart of Zen practice.


Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

Sangha Potluck Saturday October 27

Sangha Potluck: Gathering Practitioners and Community
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Members as well as the public are invited 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 a brief update on current news and the Mandala project.  Also an opportunity for new members and anyone wishing to renew their vows to offer incense in the Zendo.

Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

Bodhidharma Sesshin • Oct. 18-21, 2018

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. A silent meditation intensive for experienced sitters to still the mind from moment to moment manifesting the realization of the Way. A rigorous schedule begins at 5:00 a.m. with meditation and includes chanting, mindful work, and a Dharma Talk. Days end at 9pm. Retreat begins Thursday, Oct. 18, 7:30 pm, and ends Sunday, Oct. 21, 5 pm.

To register, call (707) 545-8105 or e-mail: office@smzc.org

Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

Temple Stay • October 5 - 6, 2018

October 5 - 6, 2018

Come rest in the calm, restorative environment of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. A stay at our center is a unique retreat into a spiritual sanctuary surrounded by natural beauty. We are located in the heart of Sonoma County, overlooking the Valley of the Moon on the northern slope of Sonoma Mountain. This rural setting is filled with redwood forests, oak groves, and sweeping vistas. During your stay, you can join in the meditation periods, services, and communal meals of our daily temple life or spend time alone reading, writing, or hiking. 

Visit our website for additional details: smzc.org/temple-stay

Temple stay is an opportunity to experience authentic Soto Zen Buddhism, its lifestyle, rituals and spirituality.  Take the backward step, sit down and illuminate the jewel within yourself.

more: smzc.org | temple stay

Temple Benefit 2018 | "Coming Alive" – Building for Future Generations

Benefit For Sonoma Mountain Zen Center's 

New Meditation Hall and Community Building

SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER 8th  11:00am - 3:00pm

​

Coming alive! Celebrate and support the 2nd phase or the Mandala Temple Project. Join us for an elegant, intimate afternoon of Zen on the tranquil mountainside. The event features the highly anticipated live musical performance by Alam Khan playing Indian classical raga on the Sarode accompanied by Manik Khan and Nilan Chaudhuri on Tabla. Treat yourself to an authentic traditional Omotesenke tea ceremony and a bento box lunch with dessert and refreshments under the ancient oak trees. Support our raffle featuring original calligraphy by Jakusho Kwong-roshi and be a winner! - All proceeds go towards our new meditation hall and community building.  Support our Raffle and Be a Winner! - All proceeds go to the construction of our new meditation hall and community building.  Temple Benefit flier.

​

Tickets Limited (tea ceremony, concert, bento box): $100 (kids free)

Purchase in person, online or call (707) 545-8105.

Temple Benefit 2018 | www.smzc.org

Facebook | Facebook Event Page

"Moment to Moment" One-Day Sitting – July 7

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), samu (work practice), oryoki (formal meals) and sutra chanting.

July 7, 5 a.m. - 5 p.m.


Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

Introduction to Zen Workshop: Fundamentals of Practice and Procedures – June 2

Returning to Forms and Rituals of Everyday Life

An introduction to the basics of Zen  

Instructor: Chris Katsuzen King.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

"No Beginning No End" Three-Day Sesshin – June 7-10

"No Beginning No End" Three-Day Sesshin

Sesshin, literally “to touch the Mind,” is an intensive meditation retreat to let go of the conditioned self and resume our original nature. This three-day practice period will allow us to still the mind from moment to moment and manifest realization of the Way. Begins Thursday June 7 and ends Sunday June 10.

Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

Kids Community: May 25 & 26

Kids Overnight - Campout Under the Stars Together!

An opportunity for Sangha Families and Friends to introduce their children to the Zen Center grounds. Pitch a tent and enjoy the Summer's evening sky.  Participate in morning and evening light meditation periods.  Outdoor marsh-mellow roast and S'mores under the Oaks.  Chant a short morning service.  Friday May 25 @ 3p.m. - Saturday May 26 @ 9a.m..

May 26, 2018
Saturday Community Student Talk: 11:00 a.m. Zendo
Talk will be given by Erik Schaerer, a long time student of Kwong-roshi (following zazen at 10:30).


Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

2018 Spring Workfest: May 19, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Breathe new energy into the center with friends and family of the Sonoma Mountain Sangha.  Come and join us in maintaining temple grounds in the spirit of together-action.

A casual fun atmosphere with a delicious lunch, snacks, and beverages provided.  (No meditation or lecture schedule.)

Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

Angie Boissevain Dharma Talk - May 12

May 12, 2018
Saturday Community Dharma Talk: 11:00 a.m. (following Zazen at 10:30)
Zendo

Talk will be given by Enji Boissevain-roshi, a Sōtō Zen roshi currently leading the Floating Zendo in San Jose, California. Angie was undergoing transmission with Kobun Ottogawa-roshi, but in 2002 Ottogawa-roshi died in Switzerland while trying to save his drowning daughter. In 2004, Angie received Dharma transmission at Jikoji from Vanja Palmers, Kobun’s Dharma heir. For many years Enji played a vital role at Jikoji Zen Center and was director and then teacher.



Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

One-Day Sitting on May 5

"Entering the Gate" One-Day Sitting

Deepen your practice in a full day retreat at the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center.

Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

Buddha's Birthday Ceremony & Potluck • April 8, 1 pm

Bring your entire family to SMZC to commemorate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. We hold a flower festival in the zendo and pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha.  An outdoor reception and potluck to follow.  Bring a dish to share - $10 donation appreciated.


Calendar | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

Birth of the Buddha Sesshin • April 4 - 7

"The way to live depends upon our strength of vow, and our awareness of it. This will determine how we receive suffering. Buddha is very generous. He will give you lots of suffering until your capacity is filled, which makes you come to know what you must do." Jakusho Kwong

Sesshin, literally “to touch the Mind,” is a period of intensive meditation retreat to let go of the conditioned self and resume our original nature. This special time of practice will allow us to dive into the core of Zen training in the spirit of Shakyamuni’s Birth.  April 4 - 7.

Sonoma Mountain Zen Center - Soto Zen Practice in Northern California | CALENDAR

Workfest on March 24

Come and work with us as "one body"

Sonoma Mountain Zen Center - Soto Zen Practice in Northern California | CALENDAR

Intro to Zen Workshop on March 3

You are very welcome to join an introduction to Zen given by Jundo on Saturday March 3rd from 9am - 3pm

Sonoma Mountain Zen Center - Soto Zen Practice in Northern California | CALENDAR