THIS SATURDAY: Saturday Community Dharma Talk - Join Us On Site or Online

 

THIS SATURDAY: Join Us for Saturday Community

Dharma talk will be given by Katsuzen (活禅) King, Founding Teacher of Windsor Zen Sitting Group in Windsor, California, following 10:30-11:00 am zazen.   For those who are new to Zen, please register for meditation instruction at 9:00 am. Open to the public: If you live within driving distance, please attend on site! Informal vegetarian lunch will be provided at noon. Zen Dust Store will be open from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.   About Speaker

Katsuzen began studying Zen in Oregon in 1976 and has been practicing at SMZC since 1979. He is the long-time Editor-in-Chief for Mountain Wind, the Zen Center's quarterly newsletter. In 2019 he received Dharma Transmission from Kwong-roshi and currently leads the Windsor Zen Group (WZG) in his hometown, Windsor, California. Katsuzen first began studying with Kwong-roshi while he was preparing to become a bilingual elementary school teacher. Now retired, he works part time as a Spanish teacher. Additionally, Katsuzen has trained many years in martial arts and holds a 2nd-degree black belt in two schools of Aikido. He teaches Aikido and self-defense in Healdsburg, California and travels several times a year to offer classes and workshops in Mexico. (Photos: WZG Winter Ango)

ON SITE or ONLINE | $15 Admission*

*10-20% Member Discount (Please log in first to receive the discount.)

THIS SUNDAY: Join Us for Spring Workfest

Please Come Help at the Spring Workfest with Together Action!   It's time for spring cleaning the zendo (zafu & zabuton cleaning) and temple grounds (mowing, weed whacking, and cleaning the workshop) with together-action as one body. Bring family and friends: Any amount of help you can offer will be greatly appreciated!   In the spirit of together-action, come help breathe new energy into the center with friends and families of the Sonoma Mountain Sangha. Bring a pair of work gloves if you have them. Light vegetarian lunch will be provided afterwards.   Yes, I will come help!

NEXT TUESDAY: Join Us for Spring Study Group

Week 4: Facilitated by Tensan (天山) Chuck Ramey, Senior Student of Kwong-roshi & Ordained Priest. A rare opportunity to explore the fundamental teachings of Buddhism and build a foundation for daily practice through discussions on the book Lankavatara Sutra by Red Pine. Pick up your copy at Zen Dust for $19.95 (plus tax). Register weekly.

Attend Week 4 ON SITE or ONLINE ($12 admission)

*10-20% Member Discount (Please log in first to receive the discount.)

NEXT SESSHIN: Join Us for Buddha's Birthday 3-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 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. A silent meditation intensive for beginners, as well as experienced practitioners, to still the mind from moment to moment, manifesting the realization of the Way. A rigorous schedule that begins at 5:00 am includes 10 periods of meditation, chanting, mindful work, and a Dharma Talk. Days end at 9pm.   Retreat begins Wednesday, March 29 at 6pm and ends Saturday, April 1 at 3:30 pm (View Sesshin Schedule). Following the retreat, on Sunday, April 2, we will celebrate Buddha’s birth by showering the Baby Buddha with sweet rain. Everyone is invited by RSVP (attend on site or online)!

ON SITE $85-160/night* | ONLINE $120 or $40/day*

*10-20% Member Discount (Please log in first to receive the discount.)

RSVP for Buddha's Birth Ceremony ON SITE

Sunday, April 2, 1–4:00pm Ceremony 1–2 pm (on site & online) / Reception 2–4pm (on site only)   Families, friends and children, join us for this special and joyous day! We will gather in the zendo to commemorate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha in a Flower Festival and the traditional pouring of sweet rain over the baby Buddha. Please bring flowers for the altar to adorn the Baby Buddha and ready-to-serve finger foods for the reception immediately following the ceremony to share with the community!

Open to the Public | RVSP to attend ON SITE or ONLINE

Join SMZC Wisteria Wind Sangha Today SMZC is a lay residential training practice center, relying on membership dues, income from our programs, and your contributions to support and maintain the Dharma on this ancient mountain. Please consider joining SMZC Wisteria Wind Sangha today. Your generosity makes it possible for us to survive and serve. Visit our website for a detailed list of membership benefits.

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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