Thursday, May 30, 2024

🌟 Join Us This Saturday for Dharma Talk by Abbot Nyoze Kwong - On Site or Online

 


 

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.

 

  • 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.

  • Zen Dust store will be open from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.

 

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, has trained with well-respected teachers in Japan and United States, and has over 30 years of meditation experience. Nyoze received jukai (lay precepts) in 1987 at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. In 2009 he was ordained as a novice monk by Jakusho Kwong-roshi. In 2012 he finished his formal Zen training at Eiheiji, oldest monastery and head temple of the Soto Zen School in Japan. He received Dharma transmission in 2014 and completed zuisse at both Eiheiji and Sojiji Head Temples of Sotoshu (the Soto School of Zen) in 2015. He is recognized by Sotoshu as a Kokusaifukyoshi (international zen teacher) in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi. Nyoze serves as Jushoku (Abbot) and is the Head of Practice and Executive Director of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. He lives at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center with Kashin, his wife, and Ejo, their son.

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

NEXT WEEK: "Returning to the Ground of Being" 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. A silent meditation intensive to still the mind from moment to moment, manifesting the realization of the Way; for beginners as well as experienced practitioners. A rigorous schedule that begins at 5:00 am includes 11 periods of meditation, chanting, and mindful work practice. Days end at 9pm.

 

View Sesshin Schedule: Retreat begins Thur, June 6 at 6pm for informal vegetarian dinner and ends Sunday, June 9 at 4pm, followed by tea and cookies.

 

Partial Attendance: Day practice without overnight is also available for $85 for any length of time. For those who join partially, check-in time is between 5:00 and 6:00 pm. If checking in early or late, please let us know your estimated time of arrival.

$85-160/night (10-20% Member Discount: Please log in first to receive the discount.)

NEXT MONTH: June Fusatsu Ceremony

Be present for & experience the Fusatsu At-one-ment Ceremony

 

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

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

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

🌟 Don't Miss Out: Kids Community Overnight - Join Us On Site This Friday

 

 

THIS FRIDAY: Kids Community Overnight

Join us for a delightful campout under the stars starting on Friday afternoon. We'll begin with setting up tents and informal vegetarian dinner. After an orientation in the zendo, we'll have a short zazen and service, ending the night with s'mores roast out under the stars. Saturday morning includes kids friendly program: another short zazen and service, followed by buffet breakfast. Then head out and hike together to the stupas.

Register by the end of Wednesday, May 29:

$40 admission/person (Please book per family—parent(s) and kids together. For example, enter 2 qty for 1 parent and 1 child.)

 

  • What to Bring: Tent, pillows, sleeping bags, and blankets

  • Attire: Dress in layers; bring plenty of warm clothes for warmth and comfort.

Trungpa Rinpoche's Stupa

Suzuki-roshi's Stupa

$40/person* | View Schedule | Open to the Public

*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

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Experience Zen Tradition at Fusatsu Ceremony & Saturday Community This Week

 

 

COMING UP: Saturday Community Talk - On Site or Online

Student talk will be given by Kashin (花真) Julie Kwong, senior student of Kwong-roshi, following 10:30-11:00 am zazen. 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.

  • Zen Dust store will be open from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.

 

About Speaker

Kashin has been a student of Jakusho Kwong-roshi since 2001. She was born in Korea and adopted at the age of 7 to Denmark, where she grew up, and worked in the fashion industry in New York and London. She served as Shuso (head student) for the Winter Ango in 2007. Kashin has been a tea student of Mouri-sensei in the Omotesenke tradition for more than 17 years. Kashin trained for five months under Shundo Aoyama-roshi at Aichi Senmon Nisodo Training Nunnery in Nagoya, Japan in 2018 and was formally recognized by Soto School of Zen in Japan the following year. Currently Kashin serves as Geido (arts & aesthetics) of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. She lives at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center with her husband Nyoze, her son Ejo, and their cat Myoji.

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

TOMORROW: May Fusatsu Ceremony

Be present for & experience the Fusatsu At-one-ment Ceremony

 

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

NEXT WEEK: Kids Community Overnight

Join us for a delightful campout under the stars starting on Friday afternoon. We'll begin with setting up tents and informal vegetarian dinner. After an orientation in the zendo, we'll have a short zazen and service, ending the night with s'mores roast out under the stars. Saturday morning includes kids friendly program: another short zazen and service, followed by buffet breakfast. Then head out and hike together to the stupas.

Register by the end of Wednesday, May 29:

$40 admission/person (Please book per family—parent(s) and kids together. For example, enter 2 qty for 1 parent and 1 child.)

 

  • What to Bring: Tent, pillows, sleeping bags, and blankets

  • Attire: Dress in layers; bring plenty of warm clothes for warmth and comfort.

Trungpa Rinpoche's Stupa

Suzuki-roshi's Stupa

$40/person* | View Schedule | Open to the Public

*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