Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
Dogen class: Insentient Beings Expound the Dharma
Dogen has written extensively about the opportunities for awakening within the natural environment around us. But he also offers us a unique definition of “insentient beings” that expands our view of realizing the world.
In this class we will look at two of his essays, “Insentient Beings Expound the Dharma,” and “Valley Sounds and Mountain Colors.” Copies will be provided to the participants in the class.
A donation of $10 for sustaining members and $13 for all others is asked for each of the classes. But it is your participation that is most valuable to the Zen Center, so please donate only what your budget allows.
Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.
Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan) translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its truth.
Case 1: A monk asked Chao-chou, “Has the dog Buddha nature or not?”
Chao-chou said, “Mu.”
Rev. Sara Korei McLellan
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
A study discussion group taking an inward look at race and racism within our hearts and minds. Led by Val Miranda and Patrick Teverbaugh. First Tuesday of each month, 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
Dogen class: Insentient Beings Expound the Dharma
Dogen has written extensively about the opportunities for awakening within the natural environment around us. But he also offers us a unique definition of “insentient beings” that expands our view of realizing the world.
In this class we will look at two of his essays, “Insentient Beings Expound the Dharma,” and “Valley Sounds and Mountain Colors.” Copies will be provided to the participants in the class.
A donation of $10 for sustaining members and $13 for all others is asked for each of the classes. But it is your participation that is most valuable to the Zen Center, so please donate only what your budget allows.
Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.
Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan) translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its truth.
Case 1: A monk asked Chao-chou, “Has the dog Buddha nature or not?”
Chao-chou said, “Mu.”
Rev. Sara Korei McLellan
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
@ 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.
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
Potluck, 12:00pm-1:00pm; All Sangha Meeting, 1:30pm-3:00pm
Everyone is invited to the annual all Sangha vegan/vegetarian potluck at 12:00pm and the All Sangha Meeting at 1:30pm. Meet the 2027 Board of Trustees. Please bring your thoughts and ideas about the future of the Zen Center to the meeting.
Dogen class: Insentient Beings Expound the Dharma
Dogen has written extensively about the opportunities for awakening within the natural environment around us. But he also offers us a unique definition of “insentient beings” that expands our view of realizing the world.
In this class we will look at two of his essays, “Insentient Beings Expound the Dharma,” and “Valley Sounds and Mountain Colors.” Copies will be provided to the participants in the class.
A donation of $10 for sustaining members and $13 for all others is asked for each of the classes. But it is your participation that is most valuable to the Zen Center, so please donate only what your budget allows.
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.
Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.
Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan) translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its truth.
Case 1: A monk asked Chao-chou, “Has the dog Buddha nature or not?”
Chao-chou said, “Mu.”
Rev. Sara Korei McLellan
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
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.
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
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.
Dogen class: Insentient Beings Expound the Dharma
Dogen has written extensively about the opportunities for awakening within the natural environment around us. But he also offers us a unique definition of “insentient beings” that expands our view of realizing the world.
In this class we will look at two of his essays, “Insentient Beings Expound the Dharma,” and “Valley Sounds and Mountain Colors.” Copies will be provided to the participants in the class.
A donation of $10 for sustaining members and $13 for all others is asked for each of the classes. But it is your participation that is most valuable to the Zen Center, so please donate only what your budget allows.
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.
Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.
Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan) translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its truth.
Case 1: A monk asked Chao-chou, “Has the dog Buddha nature or not?”
Chao-chou said, “Mu.”
Rev. Sara Korei McLellan
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
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
Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.
Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan) translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its truth.
Case 1: A monk asked Chao-chou, “Has the dog Buddha nature or not?”
Chao-chou said, “Mu.”
Rev. Sara Korei McLellan
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
A study discussion group taking an inward look at race and racism within our hearts and minds. Led by Val Miranda and Patrick Teverbaugh. First Tuesday of each month, 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.
Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan) translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its truth.
Case 1: A monk asked Chao-chou, “Has the dog Buddha nature or not?”
Chao-chou said, “Mu.”
Rev. Sara Korei McLellan
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
@ 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
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.
Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan) translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its truth.
Case 1: A monk asked Chao-chou, “Has the dog Buddha nature or not?”
Chao-chou said, “Mu.”
Rev. Sara Korei McLellan
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
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.
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
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.
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.
Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.
Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan) translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its truth.
Case 1: A monk asked Chao-chou, “Has the dog Buddha nature or not?”
Chao-chou said, “Mu.”
Rev. Sara Korei McLellan
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... ?
Please join us at the Santa Cruz Zen Center for a Full Moon Bodhisattva Vow Renewal Ceremony in place of zazen/meditation. In person and on Zoom.
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.
Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan) translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its truth.
Case 1: A monk asked Chao-chou, “Has the dog Buddha nature or not?”
Chao-chou said, “Mu.”
Rev. Sara Korei McLellan
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.
Dogen class: Insentient Beings Expound the Dharma
Dogen has written extensively about the opportunities for awakening within the natural environment around us. But he also offers us a unique definition of “insentient beings” that expands our view of realizing the world.
In this class we will look at two of his essays, “Insentient Beings Expound the Dharma,” and “Valley Sounds and Mountain Colors.” Copies will be provided to the participants in the class.
A donation of $10 for sustaining members and $13 for all others is asked for each of the classes. But it is your participation that is most valuable to the Zen Center, so please donate only what your budget allows.
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
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
Please join SCZC members Pearl Kan and Ziggy Rendler-Bregman for an evening poetry reading.
Friday, October 23
7:00-8:00pm
Santa Cruz Zen Center
113 School Street, Santa Cruz
and on Zoom
(immediately following evening zazen and service, 6:00-6:40pm)
Pearl Kan is a Soto Zen priest with the Everyday Zen Foundation and Santa Cruz Zen Center. She participated in the The Muse in 2025. Her first book of poems, My Uppalavanna, was just released by Lavender Ink in September 2026.
Ziggy Rendler-Bregman travels the well worn path as poet and visual artist. She has published two collections of poetry and art: The Gate of Our Coming and Going and Into the Thicket through Olallieberry Press.
Poetry books will be available for purchase at the reading
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.
Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan) translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its truth.
Case 1: A monk asked Chao-chou, “Has the dog Buddha nature or not?”
Chao-chou said, “Mu.”
Rev. Sara Korei McLellan
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
Fall Sesshin
Oct. 16 - 18
This Sesshin, and for the rest of the Practice Period, we will sit with the question “What is my relationship with the World.” We will look at this question through the lens of Dogen and Dongshan and their teaching: Insentient beings expound the Dharma.
Sesshin consists of meditation, oryoki meals, work practice and lectures. Please sign up for a minimum of two consecutive days. We will end on the last day with lunch.
Fees are $35/day for Sustaining Members or $40/day for all others. But it is your participation that is most valuable, so please donate only what your budget will allow.
Sign up below, and indicate what days you will attend, if you need oryoki bowls and/or need oryoki instruction, any food allergies.
The sesshin schedule is here.
Led by Rev. Gene Bush
@ 6:45 - 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.
The Sutra reading group is on the second Wednesday of each month from 5-5:45 pm. We will begin with the Lotus Sutra translation & introduction by Gene Reeves. We will read the Sutra out loud together in the Sangha House.
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.
Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan) translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its truth.
Case 1: A monk asked Chao-chou, “Has the dog Buddha nature or not?”
Chao-chou said, “Mu.”
Rev. Sara Korei McLellan
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.
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
@ 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
A study discussion group taking an inward look at race and racism within our hearts and minds. Led by Val Miranda and Patrick Teverbaugh. First Tuesday of each month, 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.
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
Hungry Ghosts United recovery group at Santa Cruz Zen Center on Friday evenings beginning Friday, September 2nd. Meditate and end additional with Hungry Ghosts.
Please join us at the Santa Cruz Zen Center for a Full Moon Bodhisattva Vow Renewal Ceremony in place of zazen/meditation. In person and on Zoom.
Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.
We are reading Training in Compassion Zen Teachings On The Practice of Lojong by Norman Fischer.
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.
