Summer Sesshin
Aug
28
to Aug 30

Summer Sesshin

  • Santa Cruz Zen Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

“Sesshin” means to gather the heart/mind. Over the three days of extended sitting, participants have the opportunity to quiet the habitual chatter of the ego, and settle deeply into the True Self. Sesshin practice is a challenge to both body and mind and it is recommended that participants have done at least one day-sit or other extended meditation in the past.

Sign up below, and indicate what days you will attend, if you need oryoki bowls and/or need oryoki instruction, any food allergies.

There will be a Dharma talk each day, a daily work period, and formal oryoki meals. Those in attendance should plan on practicing the whole schedule, from 5:40am until 8:30pm each day (Sesshin ends at 3:15pm on Sunday). If unable to attend all 3 days, please sign up for at least two consecutive days.

The sesshin schedule is here.

The suggested donation for both Zoom and zendo participants is $35/day for contributing member, $40/day all others.  But your participation is what we value the most, so please contribute only what your budget will allow.

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Sangha Work Day
Sep
5
9:30 AM09:30

Sangha Work Day

@ 9:30 am to 12:00 pm

Work practice, samu, is naturally a part of community life, giving us the chance to interact informally. Come to School Street and enjoy the company of dharma companions as we care for the grounds and the zendo.

There will be a pot luck after the work.

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Foundations of Buddhism
Sep
10
6:40 PM18:40

Foundations of Buddhism

@ 6:40 pm In person at SCZC or on Zoom.

We usually meet one evening a month, 6:40 in-person and on Zoom to study some of the foundational teachings of our Buddhist lineage.

The new book that we are reading for this foundations class is :"The Wholehearted Way, a translation of Eihei Dogen's Bendowa with commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi."

Translated by Shohaku Okumura and Teigen Daniel Leighton

The Sutra is divided into 32 short chapters, some of the chapters are just a few sentences long.








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Robe Sewing
Sep
17
6:45 PM18:45

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 6:45 to 8:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →
Introduction to Zen
Sep
19
1:00 PM13:00

Introduction to Zen

All are welcome to join us for this introductory class which is usually held on the third Saturday of each month. Feel free to join and invite your friends to learn about the world of Zen Buddhism.

You will receive an introduction to the body and mind of Zen meditation and the forms of practice at Santa Cruz Zen Center. This includes instruction in sitting and walking meditation forms as well as an open discussion.

There is no charge for this class.

Please join us in person at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Illustration by Tomi Um.

View Event →
Robe Sewing
Sep
20
1:00 PM13:00

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 1:00-3:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →
Aging Openly, Honestly, and Wisely
Sep
20
4:30 PM16:30

Aging Openly, Honestly, and Wisely

The Aging Group will meet 4:30pm-5:30pm on the third Sunday of each month, starting February 16.

For those who are practicing with aging. In this group we will talk about how we are practicing with our aging bodies and minds.

We will use the book “this is getting old,” by Susan Moon, as our template for discussion. Click on the book image below for a link to the publisher’s info.

View Event →
Zen in Art
Sep
26
1:30 PM13:30

Zen in Art

Meet fellow Zendo creatives and art lovers once a month to explore the intersection of Art & Zen. Let’s support our creative practices in art and life via prompts and exercises offered by Valéria (“Val”) Miranda, inspired by John Daido Loori’s book The Zen of Creativity and Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way.

Val is a long term SCZC practitioner who is an arts administrator and practices dance and visual arts. Please bring a journal with unruled pages or a sketchbook, pencil, and/or pen, and, as an option, art materials such as colored pencils/watercolors/, and images and words cut out from magazines. 

Monthly on Saturdays - 1:30-3 pm in the Sangha Home

View Event →
Foundations of Buddhism
Oct
1
6:40 PM18:40

Foundations of Buddhism


@ 6:40 pm In person at SCZC or on Zoom.

We usually meet one evening a month, 6:40 in-person and on Zoom to study some of the foundational teachings of our Buddhist lineage.

The new book that we are reading for this foundations class is :"The Wholehearted Way, a translation of Eihei Dogen's Bendowa with commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi."

Translated by Shohaku Okumura and Teigen Daniel Leighton








View Event →
Introduction to Zen
Oct
10
1:00 PM13:00

Introduction to Zen

All are welcome to join us for this introductory class which is usually held on the third Saturday of each month. Feel free to join and invite your friends to learn about the world of Zen Buddhism.

You will receive an introduction to the body and mind of Zen meditation and the forms of practice at Santa Cruz Zen Center. This includes instruction in sitting and walking meditation forms as well as an open discussion.

There is no charge for this class.

Please join us in person at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Illustration by Tomi Um.

View Event →
Robe Sewing
Oct
11
6:45 PM18:45

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 6:45 to 8:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →
Robe Sewing
Oct
15
1:00 PM13:00

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 1:00-3:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →
Introduction to Zen
Oct
17
1:00 PM13:00

Introduction to Zen

All are welcome to join us for this introductory class which is usually held on the third Saturday of each month. Feel free to join and invite your friends to learn about the world of Zen Buddhism.

You will receive an introduction to the body and mind of Zen meditation and the forms of practice at Santa Cruz Zen Center. This includes instruction in sitting and walking meditation forms as well as an open discussion.

There is no charge for this class.

Please join us in person at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Illustration by Tomi Um.

View Event →
Zen in Art
Oct
24
1:30 PM13:30

Zen in Art

Meet fellow Zendo creatives and art lovers once a month to explore the intersection of Art & Zen. Let’s support our creative practices in art and life via prompts and exercises offered by Valéria (“Val”) Miranda, inspired by John Daido Loori’s book The Zen of Creativity and Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way.

Val is a long term SCZC practitioner who is an arts administrator and practices dance and visual arts. Please bring a journal with unruled pages or a sketchbook, pencil, and/or pen, and, as an option, art materials such as colored pencils/watercolors/, and images and words cut out from magazines. 

Monthly on Saturdays - 1:30-3 pm in the Sangha Home

View Event →
Aging Openly, Honestly, and Wisely
Oct
25
4:30 PM16:30

Aging Openly, Honestly, and Wisely

The Aging Group will meet 4:30pm-5:30pm on the third Sunday of each month, starting February 16.

For those who are practicing with aging. In this group we will talk about how we are practicing with our aging bodies and minds.

We will use the book “this is getting old,” by Susan Moon, as our template for discussion. Click on the book image below for a link to the publisher’s info.

View Event →
Moon Viewing Party
Oct
26
6:40 PM18:40

Moon Viewing Party

Moon Viewing Party

When: Monday, October 26, ~6:40 p.m. (after the full moon ceremony) onward.  End time could be around 8 p.m.

Location: In person at SCZC

On the evening of the autumn full harvest moon, Dogen Zenji and his assembly spent the night gazing at the moon, writing poems, delivering "moon sermons" and having a special snack or tea. Join us in the SCZC courtyard for a moon viewing party of our own! No signup needed and no cost. Bring poetry, a story, a moon, or... ?  

More on moon viewing from The Dogen Institute.

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Foundations of Buddhism
Nov
12
6:40 PM18:40

Foundations of Buddhism

@ 6:40 pm In person at SCZC or on Zoom.

We usually meet one evening a month, 6:40 in-person and on Zoom to study some of the foundational teachings of our Buddhist lineage.

We are studying the Diamond Sutra this year. We'll examine Thich Nhat Hanh's commentary, the Diamond that Cuts Through Delusion. Katherine Roshi used this book in a class she taught in the mid '90s. I still have my underlined copy! On the internet I see many used book sites that sell it for less than $10 and here is a pdf version online as well.

The Sutra is divided into 32 short chapters, some of the chapters are just a few sentences long.








View Event →
Aging Openly, Honestly, and Wisely
Nov
15
4:30 PM16:30

Aging Openly, Honestly, and Wisely

The Aging Group will meet 4:30pm-5:30pm on the third Sunday of each month, starting February 16.

For those who are practicing with aging. In this group we will talk about how we are practicing with our aging bodies and minds.

We will use the book “this is getting old,” by Susan Moon, as our template for discussion. Click on the book image below for a link to the publisher’s info.

View Event →
Robe Sewing
Nov
19
6:45 PM18:45

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 6:45 to 8:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →
Introduction to Zen
Nov
21
1:00 PM13:00

Introduction to Zen

All are welcome to join us for this introductory class which is usually held on the third Saturday of each month. Feel free to join and invite your friends to learn about the world of Zen Buddhism.

You will receive an introduction to the body and mind of Zen meditation and the forms of practice at Santa Cruz Zen Center. This includes instruction in sitting and walking meditation forms as well as an open discussion.

There is no charge for this class.

Please join us in person at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Illustration by Tomi Um.

View Event →
Robe Sewing
Nov
22
1:00 PM13:00

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 1:00-3:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →
Zen in Art
Nov
28
1:30 PM13:30

Zen in Art

Meet fellow Zendo creatives and art lovers once a month to explore the intersection of Art & Zen. Let’s support our creative practices in art and life via prompts and exercises offered by Valéria (“Val”) Miranda, inspired by John Daido Loori’s book The Zen of Creativity and Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way.

Val is a long term SCZC practitioner who is an arts administrator and practices dance and visual arts. Please bring a journal with unruled pages or a sketchbook, pencil, and/or pen, and, as an option, art materials such as colored pencils/watercolors/, and images and words cut out from magazines. 

Monthly on Saturdays - 1:30-3 pm in the Sangha Home

View Event →
Foundations of Buddhism
Dec
10
6:40 PM18:40

Foundations of Buddhism


@ 6:40 pm In person at SCZC or on Zoom.

We usually meet one evening a month, 6:40 in-person and on Zoom to study some of the foundational teachings of our Buddhist lineage.

The new book that we are reading for this foundations class is :"The Wholehearted Way, a translation of Eihei Dogen's Bendowa with commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi."

Translated by Shohaku Okumura and Teigen Daniel Leighton








View Event →
Robe Sewing
Dec
17
6:45 PM18:45

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 6:45 to 8:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →
Introduction to Zen
Dec
19
1:00 PM13:00

Introduction to Zen

All are welcome to join us for this introductory class which is usually held on the third Saturday of each month. Feel free to join and invite your friends to learn about the world of Zen Buddhism.

You will receive an introduction to the body and mind of Zen meditation and the forms of practice at Santa Cruz Zen Center. This includes instruction in sitting and walking meditation forms as well as an open discussion.

There is no charge for this class.

Please join us in person at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Illustration by Tomi Um.

View Event →
Robe Sewing
Dec
20
1:00 PM13:00

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 1:00-3:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →

Robe Sewing
Aug
23
1:00 PM13:00

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 1:00-3:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →
Zen in Art
Aug
22
1:30 PM13:30

Zen in Art

Meet fellow Zendo creatives and art lovers once a month to explore the intersection of Art & Zen. Let’s support our creative practices in art and life via prompts and exercises offered by Valéria (“Val”) Miranda, inspired by John Daido Loori’s book The Zen of Creativity and Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way.

Val is a long term SCZC practitioner who is an arts administrator and practices dance and visual arts. Please bring a journal with unruled pages or a sketchbook, pencil, and/or pen, and, as an option, art materials such as colored pencils/watercolors/, and images and words cut out from magazines. 

Monthly on Saturdays - 1:30-3 pm in the Sangha Home

View Event →
Robe Sewing
Aug
20
6:45 PM18:45

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 6:45 to 8:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →
Aging Openly, Honestly, and Wisely
Aug
16
4:30 PM16:30

Aging Openly, Honestly, and Wisely

The Aging Group will meet 4:30pm-5:30pm on the third Sunday of each month, starting February 16.

For those who are practicing with aging. In this group we will talk about how we are practicing with our aging bodies and minds.

We will use the book “this is getting old,” by Susan Moon, as our template for discussion. Click on the book image below for a link to the publisher’s info.

View Event →
Introduction to Zen
Aug
15
1:00 PM13:00

Introduction to Zen

All are welcome to join us for this introductory class which is usually held on the third Saturday of each month. Feel free to join and invite your friends to learn about the world of Zen Buddhism.

You will receive an introduction to the body and mind of Zen meditation and the forms of practice at Santa Cruz Zen Center. This includes instruction in sitting and walking meditation forms as well as an open discussion.

There is no charge for this class.

Please join us in person at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Illustration by Tomi Um.

View Event →
Foundations of Buddhism
Aug
13
6:40 PM18:40

Foundations of Buddhism


@ 6:40 pm In person at SCZC or on Zoom.

We usually meet one evening a month, 6:40 in-person and on Zoom to study some of the foundational teachings of our Buddhist lineage.

The new book that we are reading for this foundations class is :"The Wholehearted Way, a translation of Eihei Dogen's Bendowa with commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi."

Translated by Shohaku Okumura and Teigen Daniel Leighton








View Event →
STONE and SELF With Michael Bashista
Jul
31
to Aug 2

STONE and SELF With Michael Bashista

  • Santa Cruz Zen Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Dates and times:

Friday July 31 – After evening zazen. Aug. 1, 8AM – 4PM, Aug 2, Most of the day.

Carving stone evokes a relationship of exposing secrets and accepting boundaries. Stone surrenders to the touch when honoring its strengths. The self-surrenders to the vision when attachments are released. Using hand tools, our goal will be to shape, refine, sand, and polish an alabaster stone which is relatively soft. Face your apprehensions and release your creativity.

$100 Limited to 5.

Entire fee donated to SCZC.

Bring a lunch and water

Includes one, 5 -10 lb. stone, use of tools and safety equipment. Bring gloves.

To register, mail check to Santa Cruz Zen Center, 113 School St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 or place it in the donation box. Make checks payable to SCZC. Note on the check it is for “Stone & Self”.

View Event →
Zen in Art
Jul
25
1:30 PM13:30

Zen in Art

Meet fellow Zendo creatives and art lovers once a month to explore the intersection of Art & Zen. Let’s support our creative practices in art and life via prompts and exercises offered by Valéria (“Val”) Miranda, inspired by John Daido Loori’s book The Zen of Creativity and Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way.

Val is a long term SCZC practitioner who is an arts administrator and practices dance and visual arts. Please bring a journal with unruled pages or a sketchbook, pencil, and/or pen, and, as an option, art materials such as colored pencils/watercolors/, and images and words cut out from magazines. 

Monthly on Saturdays - 1:30-3 pm in the Sangha Home

View Event →
Introduction to Zen
Jul
25
1:00 PM13:00

Introduction to Zen

All are welcome to join us for this introductory class which is usually held on the third Saturday of each month. Feel free to join and invite your friends to learn about the world of Zen Buddhism.

You will receive an introduction to the body and mind of Zen meditation and the forms of practice at Santa Cruz Zen Center. This includes instruction in sitting and walking meditation forms as well as an open discussion.

There is no charge for this class.

Please join us in person at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Illustration by Tomi Um.

View Event →
Aging Openly, Honestly, and Wisely
Jul
19
5:00 PM17:00

Aging Openly, Honestly, and Wisely

The Aging Group will meet 5:00pm-5:45pm on the third Sunday of each month, starting February 16.

For those who are practicing with aging. In this group we will talk about how we are practicing with our aging bodies and minds.

We will use the book “this is getting old,” by Susan Moon, as our template for discussion. Click on the book image below for a link to the publisher’s info.

View Event →
Robe Sewing
Jul
19
1:00 PM13:00

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 1:00-3:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →
Robe Sewing
Jul
16
6:45 PM18:45

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 6:45 to 8:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

View Event →
Earth Care Practice Group
Jul
14
12:00 PM12:00

Earth Care Practice Group

How can we engage in care for the Earth as an expression of our spiritual practice?

How might we weave together activism and our Bodhisattva Vows?

Please join us

in the Sangha House

to explore ways we can engage in our practice to

address the environmental and climate crises.

“The purpose of a human being is to participate in the flourishing of life…Beholding earth as a being, a magnificent being, a gorgeous being, a sacred being, we fall ever deeper in love.” -Charles Eisenstein, How the Environmental Movement Can Find Its Way Again

May we bring the Warm Jewels of our practice out into the world:

Presence, Compassion, Interbeing, Service

View Event →
No Toys Sitting:  Half Day Sit led by Rev. Rachel Grad
Jul
11
8:30 AM08:30

No Toys Sitting: Half Day Sit led by Rev. Rachel Grad

No Toys Sitting: A half-day sit lead by
Rev. Rachel Grad

Location: In person and via SCZC Zoom

Leader: Rev. Rachel Grad

Signups: Online or on paper at the zendo, or just show up.

Suggested donation: $12 for sustaining members, $15 for contributing members and others. SCZC relies on fees and donations to continue its mission. Please pay what you can and talk to the coordinators if you have questions.

The concept of a "sit without toys" originates with Kōshō Uchiyama Roshi at Antaiji monastery in Japan. Here, no "toys" means no service, lecture, oryoki (ritual eating), sutras, or any of the other accoutrements that do support our practice, but can also distract. 

Guided by time bells and shared quiet, this is a chance to truly "just sit" -- perhaps even without technique. If you have questions or would like more information, just show up early. Otherwise, enjoy the morning of silent just-sitting, in person or via Zoom, with Rev. Rachel Grad. Come for all or any part of the sit.


Schedule:

7:45-8:25 — Open Zendo: optional early sitting, leader available for quiet questions or instruction.
8:30-9:10 — Zazen
9:10-9:25 — Kinhin
9:25-10:05 — Zazen
10:05-10:20 — Kinhin
10:20-11:00 — Zazen
11:00-11:15 — Kinhin 
11:15-11:55 — Zazen
11:55-12:00 — Closure    

View Event →
Foundations of Buddhism
Jul
2
6:40 PM18:40

Foundations of Buddhism


@ 6:40 pm In person at SCZC or on Zoom.

We usually meet one evening a month, 6:40 in-person and on Zoom to study some of the foundational teachings of our Buddhist lineage.

The new book that we are reading for this foundations class is :"The Wholehearted Way, a translation of Eihei Dogen's Bendowa with commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi."

Translated by Shohaku Okumura and Teigen Daniel Leighton








View Event →