San Francisco Zen Center

Like Clouds and Water: Dogen Instructs His Monks

With Shundo David Haye
Saturdays, October 12–November 2, 8:30–10:30 am PT
Online

Learn more: rb.gy/1bj319

Eihei Dogen, the Japanese founder of Soto Zen, was one of the world's greatest philosophers, as well as the creator of Eiheiji temple in Japan. This class will look at selected monastic writings by Dogen and explore what is still relevant in their timeless wisdom.

(Photo credit: Shundo David Haye)

Joyful Ease: Your Own True Body

With Patricia Sullivan and Eijun Linda Cutts
Thursday, October 10–Sunday, October 13
Green Gulch Farm

Learn more: rb.gy/2dngld

Linda's and Patricia's combined teaching, a seamless interweaving of Zen and yoga, guides us in growing down and into the roots of ourselves. In this class, the Dharma is brought forth within the practices of posture, zazen meditation, and yoga, with this very body-mind.

(Photo credit: R-Shundo David Haye)

Love and Power in Relationships: Practice Day

With David Richo and Shosan Victoria Austin
Saturday, October 5, 2:00–5:00 pm
City Center Conference Center at 308 Page Street and Online

Learn more: rb.gy/qomb6q

Anger can act as an internal feedback system that signals our unmet needs. This practice day will bring teachings of the Genjokoan and the Paramitas to life, focusing on skillful expression of and response to anger.

Building a Personal Spiritual Practice (Part 1)

With Michael McCord
Friday, September 13, 6:00–8:00 pm
The Commons at 540 Laguna St.

Learn more: rb.gy/a6obhv

A spiritual practice is anything we engage with that rejuvenates our spirit and connects us to something larger than ourselves. In this first event in a four-part series at The Commons, we will look at how to choose a spiritual path and set practices that can take root in our lives.

Image: Clare Hollander

Buddhist Chaplaincy Training

The Sati Center for Buddhist Studies is accepting applications for its yearlong Buddhist Chaplaincy Training programs. Co-led by SFZC Senior Dharma Teacher Ryushin Paul Haller, this yearlong training serves as an introduction to the foundational skills of chaplaincy/spiritual care that incorporates Buddhist teachings. Programs are offered in-person in Redwood City, CA, and online. To apply, visit this website, or contact Vanessa at [email protected] for more information.

Learn more: t.ly/DEUoQ

(Photo credit: Margo Mortiz)

Introduction to Buddhism with Dhammadīpā

Mondays, October 7–November 4, 5:30–6:30 pm PT
Online

Learn more: rb.gy/8uiwml

Join Dhammadīpā for a whirlwind tour of the Buddhist world! In this five-week online course we will survey early Buddhism, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, with an emphasis on key people in Buddhist history. We will also explore what Buddhist art can teach us about expression of the Path.

Contemplative Tending: Soji in Creative Practice

With Genine Lentine and guest teachers
Sundays, October 6–January 12, 10:00 am–12:30 pm PT
Online

Learn more: rb.gy/pytto7

In this monthly workshop, inspired by Soji (the Zen practice of temple cleaning), we’ll explore how a shift in mindset can bring fresh perspective to creative practice. We will give attention to whatever may benefit from care in your practice, especially to those tasks that can sometimes feel in the way of creative work.

(Photo credit: R-Shundo David Haye)

Zen Foundations: The Revolutionary Art of Loving Kindness

With Ando Jaune Evans and Wendy Johnson
Saturday, October 5, 2:00–5:00 pm PT
Online

Learn more: rb.gy/zhrj90

Practicing Loving Kindness (Metta) is a revolutionary way to live and to love. In this workshop, we will explore each of the Four Abidings of Metta—Loving Kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity—through intimate conversations, guided meditations, reading aloud, and listening deeply to ourselves and each other.

(Photo credit: R-Alison Bank)

Introductory Half-Day Sitting

Saturday, October 5, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Green Gulch Farm

Learn more: rb.gy/6apur9

A gentle introduction for beginning sitters. The morning will include instruction in sitting meditation (zazen) and walking meditation (kinhin), with variations if needed. This will be followed by alternating brief periods of zazen and kinhin, and discussion with the leader.

Please register by Thursday, October 3.

(Photo credit: Shundo David Haye)

Socks for Our Neighbors

Saturday, September 28, 2:00–3:30 pm
City Center (Conference Center at 308 Page St.)

Learn more: t.ly/I2gb6

Join the Outreach team in distributing socks and other helpful items to SFZC's unhoused neighbors. Donations of new adult-size socks may be brought to this event. You may also donate socks by ordering them directly from Amazon or dropping them off at SFZC.

This is a free public event. Register here.

Meet Kōgetsu Jenny Mok, SFZC’s New Chief Financial Officer​​​​​

“I enjoy building relationships and helping people understand what keeps the lights on,” says Kōgetsu Jenny Mok, who became San Francisco Zen Center’s new Chief Financial Officer in July 2024. “I like the idea that I’m helping take care of SFZC, including our wider sangha. It’s one way to save all beings.”

Read more: rb.gy/3qtdps

Saturday One-Day Sitting​​​​​​

With Eijun Linda Cutts
Saturday, September 28, 5:00 am–6:00 pm
Green Gulch Farm

Learn more: t.ly/05eGD

One-Day Sittings at Green Gulch are open to those who have completed at least an Introductory Half-Day Sitting at Green Gulch, or have comparable background in formal Zen practice.

Please register by Tuesday, September 24.

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Image: Travis Stansel

Beginners' Half-Day Sitting​​​​​​

Sunday, September 22, 9:00 am–1:00 pm
City Center

Learn more: rb.gy/m9n7pc

This sitting is for new students and those who wish to participate in a gentler schedule. It includes instruction in sitting and walking meditation, short lecture with Q&A, and an opportunity for individual instruction, with variations if needed.

Please register by Friday, September 20.

Finding Ease: A Zen and Mindfulness Approach to Anxiety​​​​​​

With Paul Irving and Jisho Lisa Beth Hoffman
Thursday, September 26–Sunday, September 29
Green Gulch Farm

Learn more: rb.gy/jrwyjy

Anxiety is often accompanied by reactivity and actions that worsen how we feel. In this three-day retreat, we will practice slowing down and being with what is happening when we describe ourselves as anxious, so that we can respond with consciousness, ease, and new choices.

(Photo credit: L-David Del Francia)

ZenLit: An intimate conversation with actor, writer, and Zen priest, Peter Coyote​​​​​​

With Peter Coyote and Josan Janis Cooke Newman
Sunday, September 29, 3:00–5:00 pm
City Center (At Page Street)

Learn more: rb.gy/poec07

The ZenLit series, produced in collaboration with Page Street, presents a conversation about writing at the intersection of Buddhist practice and literature. Come join Peter Coyote, an accomplished actor, writer, and Zen priest in conversation with author and Zen practitioner Janis Cooke Newman.

(Photo credit: Stephanie Mohan)

Meditation in Recovery Daylong Retreat: Zen and Recovery and Joy

Sunday, September 15, 9:00 am–5:00 pm
City Center Conference Center at 308 Page Street

Learn more: rb.gy/zgqrp0

In this daylong retreat, we will practice with the tools of Soto Zen and of 12-Step recovery in order to enhance our capacity for joy. Practices will include sitting and walking meditation, joyful movement, improvisation, intentional breathing, and more.

All Day Sitting with Everyday Zen

With Zoketsu Norman Fischer and Senior Everyday Zen Dharma teachers
Saturday, September 21, 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Green Gulch Farm

Register: rb.gy/8l4alw

These traditional yet relaxed all-day sittings include meditation, a silent lunch, Dharma talk/discussion, and dokusan (private meeting with Norman or other teachers), with variations if needed.

Registration will open at 10:00 am PT on September 1st. Please register by 12:00 pm PT on September 30. Fee includes lunch.

Photo: Clare Hollander

Attuning to Dao: An Exploration of "Dao De Jing" and "Zhuangzi"

With Gendo Lucy Xiao 玄道
Sunday, August 25, 10:00 am–4:00 pm
Green Gulch Farm

Learn more: rb.gy/v3ega6

Through an immersive blend of teachings, storytelling, meditation, and outdoor walking, this day-long workshop invites you to explore the timeless wisdom of "Dao De Jing" and "Zhuangzi," two revered Daoist texts with profound influence in Chinese culture, Zen, and beyond.

Enso Village Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On Wednesday, July 31, Enso Village welcomed residents, families, employees, and the community to campus for an opening ceremonies event. The event highlighted the partnership between San Francisco Zen Center and The Kendal Corporation, and included an opening ribbon ceremony, a live painting of an enso by Kaz Tanahashi, and tours of the campus.

Learn more: enso.kendal.org

(Photo credit: Nick Flores)

Zen Foundations: Great Compassion, Great Strength—Transformation of Body, Feelings, and Purpose in Two Short Chants

With Shosan Victoria Austin
Saturdays, September 21–October 5, 8:30 am–10:00 am PT
Online

Learn more: rb.gy/otjjpt

This three-session study group explores the history and meaning of two important chants: the Sutra of Hearing the Cries of the World (Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo) and the Flame of Great Strength Teaching (Shosai Myo Kichijo Dharani).

Dancing in the Dark Fields of Illness & Pain

With Zenshin Florence Caplow
Saturdays, September 21–November 2, 2:00 pm–3:30 pm PT
Online

Join Zenshin Florence Caplow for an online introductory class for people who are working with the fierce teachers of chronic illness or chronic pain. In this six-part interactive class we will share our stories and explore practices that may be useful on the journey.

Learn more: rb.gy/bg325j

Fall 2024 Green Gulch Residential Practice Period

With Jiryu Rutschman-Byler
Wednesday, October 16–Tuesday, December 17
Green Gulch Farm

Learn more: rb.gy/uygt2y

The Fall 2024 Practice Period at Green Gulch Farm is an opportunity for beginning and experienced students to participate in an intense period of residential practice that centers around daily zazen, work practice, study, and regular one-on-one meetings with the teacher. This practice period will include a five-day sesshin led by visiting teacher Zenju Earthlyn Manuel.

Application Deadline: August 20, 2024
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(Photo credit: L-Robert Erdmann, R-Sara Tashker)

Awakening with The Blue Cliff Record: A Dialogue with David Hinton and Rinso Ed Sattizahn

Saturday, August 17, 2:00–3:30 pm PT
Online

Learn more: rb.gy/24qwqf

This event celebrates David Hinton’s once-in-a-generation translation of The Blue Cliff Record, a seminal collection of Ch’an (Zen) koans from the eleventh century. We will explore how The Blue Cliff Record is not just a masterwork of classical Chinese literature, but also a philosophical text and an active practice guide.

(Photo credits: L-Phil Dera, R-Marcia Lieberman)

Fall 2024 Practice Period at City Center

With Eli Brown-Stevenson, Jisan Tova Green and Gengyoko Tim Wicks
Wednesday, October 16–Saturday, December 7
Online or Visitor
The registration deadline is Monday, October 14.

Learn more: rb.gy/pbw7xi

Join us for the Fall 2024 Practice Period at City Center, focusing on Gaylon Ferguson’s insightful commentary on the Zen Oxherding Pictures. This practice period, themed "Welcoming Beginner’s Mind", invites beginning and experienced practitioners to explore the stages of the spiritual journey and the paradox of embracing our true nature at each step.

Due to the renovations at City Center, this practice period is only offered in the Online/Visitor format.

(Photo Credit: L-Florian Brody, R-Jaime Braun Costa)

Kevin Starbard Brings Butoh to San Francisco Zen Center

Kevin Starbard, currently the Ino (Head of the Meditation Hall) at City Center, began introducing Butoh performances to the SFZC community in 2022. Since then, he has produced ten Butoh events at SFZC. “At one time, Butoh was practiced only in Japan. Now it has expanded and is much more international.”

Read more: rb.gy/xett26

Mary Stares Receives Dharma Transmission

Congratulations to Mary Stares, who received Dharma Transmission from Rinso Ed Sattizahn at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center on July 19.

Read more: rb.gy/43kzze

On August 6, 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and 3 days later, on Nagasaki. On Tuesday, August 6, there will be a ceremony at City Center commemorating those who died or were injured by this blast. There will be a special service in the morning after zazen. After service ends, the sangha will be invited to go up to the altar and offer flower petals.

Learn more: rb.gy/eixq3n

Introductory Half-Day Sitting

Saturday, September 14, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Green Gulch Farm

Learn more: rb.gy/gbnned

A gentle introduction for beginning sitters. The morning will include instruction in sitting meditation (zazen) and walking meditation (kinhin), with variations if needed. This will be followed by alternating brief periods of zazen and kinhin, and discussion with the leader.

Please register by Thursday, September 12.

Zen in the Vernacular: Things As It Is

With Peter Coyote
Thursday, August 22, 5:30–7:00 pm PT
Online

Learn more: rb.gy/5sf941

Join us for an engaging session with Peter Coyote, an award-winning actor, narrator, author and Zen Buddhist priest, as he delves into his latest book, Zen in the Vernacular: Things As It Is. This event promises an insightful exploration of Zen Buddhism's practices as tools to understand and navigate modern life.

Red Pine: Dancing with the Dead

California Premiere & Special Event
Sunday, August 11 at 12:00 and 3:15 pm
Roxie Theater ~ two shows only!

Learn more: rb.gy/2702pb

San Francisco Zen Center, City Lights Books, and Buddhist Film Foundation co-present the California premiere of the new Red Pine film, Dancing with the Dead, featuring a Q&A with Director Ward Serrill, a performance by singer Spring Cheng, and a conversation and book signing with Red Pine. Moderated by American Book Award Winner, May-lee Chai.

(Photo credit: Adam Loften)