Parent Practice Group
Nov
23
9:30 AM09:30

Parent Practice Group

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In person - monthly on Saturday morning in the Sangha Home.

This is our monthly group for parents and those helping parents or children. Our current theme is Nonviolent Communication. We are reading Nonviolent Communication A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg and utilizing the Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook by Lucy Leu. 

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Introduction to Zen
Nov
23
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.

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Zen in Art
Nov
23
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

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Fall Study Class - Loving Such a World as Ours: Dongshan’s Five Ranks and The Jewel Mirror
Nov
24
10:00 AM10:00

Fall Study Class - Loving Such a World as Ours: Dongshan’s Five Ranks and The Jewel Mirror

Loving Such a World as Ours: Dongshan’s Five Ranks and The Jewel Mirror

What world is reflected when we look into the mirror? How do we begin to relieve suffering amid such political divisiveness and climate disruptions? Our 9th century ancestor, Dongshan Liangjie maps out a poetic path for us on this journey to “save all beings.”

Classes will consist of four lectures with group discussion. One can attend both in- person or online (Zoom).

Sunday, Oct 27, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 10, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 17, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 24, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom

Suggested donation for each class is $10 for sustaining members, $13 for non-members. The Santa Cruz Zen Center relies on fees and donations to continue its mission. If you can pay more, please consider doing so. If you cannot pay the fee listed, please pay what you can. Talk with the coordinator if you have questions about fees.

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Wellness Group
Nov
25
6:45 PM18:45

Wellness Group

Sometimes we feel anxious, depressed, powerless, restless, stressed out. 

Sometimes we feel stable and ready to offer support and encouragement.

The Wellness Group is a support group for everyone. We will recite Maylie's Prayer for Peace together. We will practice deep listening. We will share how we care for ourselves. We will help each other to continually cultivate the ground of peace for ourselves and others.

Meetings are at 6:45 pm in the Sangha home (113 house) on the fourth Monday of each month. There is also the option to attend via Zoom.

Maylie Kushin Seisho Scott, 1994, Founding teacher of Arcata Zen Group

Maylie’s Prayer for Peace

(recited not chanted)

May I be well, loving, and peaceful.

May all beings be well, loving, and peaceful.

May I be at ease in my body, feeling the ground beneath my seat and feet, letting my back be long and straight, enjoying breath as it rises and falls and rises.

May I know and be intimate with body mind, whatever its feeling or mood, calm or agitated, tired or energetic, irritated or friendly. Breathing in and out, in and out, aware, moment by moment, of the risings and passings.

May I be attentive and gentle towards my own discomfort and suffering.

May I be attentive and grateful for my own joy and wellbeing.

May I move towards others freely and with openness.

May I receive others with sympathy and understanding.

May I move towards the suffering of others with peaceful and attentive confidence.

May I recall the Bodhisattva of compassion; her 1,000 hands, her instant readiness for action, each hand with an eye in it, the instinctive knowing what to do.

May I continually cultivate the ground of peace for myself and others and persist, mindful and dedicated to this work, independent of results.

May I know that my peace and the world’s peace are not separate, that our peace in the world is a result of our work for justice.

May all beings be well, happy, and peaceful.

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Thanksgiving Potluck at Santa Cruz Zen Center
Nov
28
3:00 PM15:00

Thanksgiving Potluck at Santa Cruz Zen Center

Join us! Come share your plant-based specialty dish with other Sangha members.

Thanksgiving Day

Start gathering at 3pm, dinner at 3:30

Get to know each other around the dinner table during this Day of Gratitude and Thanks.

Bring a plant-based dish or dessert to share. Soft drinks and tea will be provided but feel free to bring your favorite non-alcoholic beverage, too. Sign up on the bulletin board or phone the Zen Center and tell us what you’re bringing so we can all get an idea of how many to cook for.

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Rohatsu Sesshin
Dec
5
to Dec 11

Rohatsu Sesshin

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A Retreat Celebrating Buddha’s Enlightenment at the Santa Cruz Zen Center led by Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh.

We will sit together for seven days, both in the Zendo and on Zoom. In this yearly retreat we are mirroring the intensity of Buddha's meditation under the Bodhi Tree, so please sign up for a minimum of two consecutive days.

Each day will consist of sitting meditation, walking meditation, lecture, formal oryoki meal practice, and work practice. This year's lectures will cover Dongshan's “Jewel Mirror Samadhi.” On the evening of Dec. 11 we will join the Sangha in enacting Buddha's Enlightenment Ceremony to end the sesshin.

The suggested donation for both Zoom and zendo participants is $35/day for Sustaining Members and $40/day for others. The Zen Center relies on fees and donations to continue its mission. If you can pay more, please consider doing so. If you cannot pay the fee listed, please pay what you can. It is your participation that is most valued.

Please sign up online here or on the sign-up sheet on the zendo bulletin board.

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New Year's Day - The Diamond Sutra 2 pm
Jan
1
1:00 PM13:00

New Year's Day - The Diamond Sutra 2 pm

A great way to start the New Year — embody one of the central teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, “Cultivate the Mind that abides nowhere.” The Diamond Sutra is a concise and eloquent expression of our Path. The reading in the Zendo will be broadcast on Zoom.

We will be reading this translation of the sutra starting at 2 pm on January 1st, 2024:

The Diamond Sutra translated by A.F. Price and Wong Mou-Lam

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EarthCare Group Meeting
Nov
19
12:00 PM12:00

EarthCare Group Meeting

Now, we will explore new ways to integrate our Bodhisattva Vows with expressions of care for the Earth and all Beings. We will offer ceremonies and actions to deepen our connection with the more-than-human world.  All are welcome!

For more information email Rev Steve at Steve@stevepalmisano.com. 

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 monthly at noon on Tuesday in the Sangha House to explore ways we can engage in our practice to address the environmental and climate crises.

May we bring the Warm Jewels of our practice out into the world: Presence, Compassion, Interbeing, Service.

See also Dayenu Interfaith Climate Action Group.

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Robe Sewing
Nov
17
1:00 PM13:00

Robe Sewing

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 1:00 to 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

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Fall Study Intensive
Nov
17
10:00 AM10:00

Fall Study Intensive

Loving Such a World as Ours: Dongshan’s Five Ranks and The Jewel Mirror

What world is reflected when we look into the mirror? How do we begin to relieve suffering amid such political divisiveness and climate disruptions? Our 9th century ancestor, Dongshan Liangjie maps out a poetic path for us on this journey to “save all beings.”

Classes will consist of four lectures with group discussion. One can attend both in- person or online (Zoom).

Sunday, Oct 27, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 10, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 17, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 24, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom

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All Sangha Meeting
Nov
16
1:30 PM13:30

All Sangha Meeting

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our annual ALL SANGHA MEETING at the Zen Center on Saturday, November 16 from 1:30 - 3 pm. We will also be joining together at 12 noon before the meeting for a plant-based potluck (all are welcome).

We welcome and look forward to hearing ideas from the Sangha on how to help Santa Cruz Zen Center thrive and fulfill its Mission of integrating Zen practice and everyday life and its Vision of keeping alive the Buddha’s open-hearted way, compassionately engaging with ourselves, our community and our world.

We also welcome those who can’t attend in person, to join us by Zoom.

Come, contribute your ideas to help Santa Cruz Zen Center thrive.

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Potluck Before the All Sangha Meeting
Nov
16
12:00 PM12:00

Potluck Before the All Sangha Meeting

At 12 noon, please come enjoy a plant-based potluck lunch at the zen center before the ALL SANGHA MEETING beginning at 1:30 pm.

We welcome and look forward to hearing ideas from the Sangha on how to help Santa Cruz Zen Center thrive and fulfill its Mission of integrating Zen practice and everyday life and its Vision of keeping alive the Buddha’s open-hearted way, compassionately engaging with ourselves, our community and our world.

Come, contribute your ideas to help Santa Cruz Zen Center thrive.

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Dayenu Interfaith Meeting
Nov
12
7:00 PM19:00

Dayenu Interfaith Meeting

The Dayenu Interfaith Climate Action Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Come learn how we can engage in caring for the Earth while partnering with other people of faith and conscience. It is wonderful to see how much we have in common with our siblings in other faith traditions!

SCZC is a founding member of Dayenu, which now includes 19 faith organizations representing over 10,000 people. For more information email Rev Steve at Steve@stevepalmisano.com.

https://sczc.org/dayenu-interfaith-climate

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Sunday Suppers for a Sustainable Planet (with cooking lessons)
Nov
10
5:00 PM17:00

Sunday Suppers for a Sustainable Planet (with cooking lessons)

Sunday Suppers for a Sustainable Planet

5 pm — 6 pm cooking lesson and 6 pm meal (come for one or both)

Join Sangha members for a plant-based meal together, learning new cooking techniques, sharing recipes, and socializing. A plant-based diet is an easy and nutritious way to reduce one’s carbon footprint. This event springs out of dialogue in our monthly EarthCare group.

The first hour will be a cooking lesson and demo. But feel free to come just for the meal at 6 pm. Please be sure to sign up either online or on the bulletin board so we’ll know how much to cook. A donation of any size will be gratefully accepted.

PLEASE RSVP ASAP - seating is limited

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Fall Study Intensive
Nov
10
10:00 AM10:00

Fall Study Intensive

Loving Such a World as Ours: Dongshan’s Five Ranks and The Jewel Mirror

What world is reflected when we look into the mirror? How do we begin to relieve suffering amid such political divisiveness and climate disruptions? Our 9th century ancestor, Dongshan Liangjie maps out a poetic path for us on this journey to “save all beings.”

Classes will consist of four lectures with group discussion. One can attend both in- person or online (Zoom).

Sunday, Oct 27, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 10, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 17, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 24, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom

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Expanding Love Half Day Sit with Rev. Toldi & Rev. Grad
Nov
9
8:30 AM08:30

Expanding Love Half Day Sit with Rev. Toldi & Rev. Grad


Might self love be a step toward boundless love?  Could romantic love be related to love of the dharma?  Is it possible to expand love, or know one type of love through another? 

Join the exploration through a half day sit led by Rev. Cathy Toldi and Rev. Rachel Grad, no signup necessary.

Location: In person and via SCZC Zoom

Fees: $12 for Sustaining Members, $15 for Contributing Members and others

Zen Center relies on fees and donations to continue its mission. If you can pay more, please consider doing so. If you cannot pay the fee listed, please pay what you can. Please contact Rev. Grad, if you have questions about fees. You may pay the fee online or when you attend the sit.

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Fall Study Intensive
Oct
27
10:00 AM10:00

Fall Study Intensive

Loving Such a World as Ours: Dongshan’s Five Ranks and The Jewel Mirror

What world is reflected when we look into the mirror? How do we begin to relieve suffering amid such political divisiveness and climate disruptions? Our 9th century ancestor, Dongshan Liangjie maps out a poetic path for us on this journey to “save all beings.”

Classes will consist of four lectures with group discussion. One can attend both in- person or online (Zoom).

Sunday, Oct 27, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 10, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 17, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom
Sunday, Nov 24, 10-11:30 am at SCZC and via Zoom

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Voter Outreach - EarthCare Group & Friends Letter Writing
Oct
22
12:00 PM12:00

Voter Outreach - EarthCare Group & Friends Letter Writing

Voter Outreach.  As an expression of caring for the Earth, we decided to begin writing letters to increase voter participation through Vote Forward. Please sign in, make an account, print some letters, and start writing! 

Vote Forward offers non-partisan letter writing, keeping us in accord with our requirements as a non-profit and religious organization. We had a wonderful time writing and chatting with each other and strengthening our sangha connections. We completed over 100 letters in one session and are over 5000 in total.

We welcome friends to join in this effort...We had two of my friends join. I can provide letters to those who don't have a printer. (steve@stevepalmisano.com)

Take care, and see you soon! 

Steve/ Earth Embrace

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Opening of Fall Practice Period
Oct
16
6:00 PM18:00

Opening of Fall Practice Period

Wednesday evening, October 16, 6 pm will be the Opening of the Fall Practice Period and installation of Head Student, Rev. Max Swanger. Rev. Swanger will give a brief talk after the ceremonies.

In practice period we settle more deeply into meditation and study in order to clarify our True Nature. Participants design their own practice and study schedule to include sitting, classes, practice discussion with a teacher, and sesshin practice.

This practice period will be led by Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh. The class series will be four Sunday mornings. We will study Dongshan’s teaching of “Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi” and how it informs our skillfull response to the challenges around us.

Learn more and sign up for sesshin here.

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Robe Sewing
Oct
10
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

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