This half-day sitting for beginners and experienced practitioners, led by MBZC Teaching Council Member Robert Reese, will include instruction in the details of posture, breath, and establishing the mental disposition of experiencing panoramic awareness.

Photo: Japan Gates by Robert Reese

Join us for an introduction into the forms, spirit and practice of Soto Zen.

Led by Sara Hunsaker of the MBZC Teaching Council

Click on image for more information. Arun-prakash on Unsplash

A mini-retreat that gives us the opportunity to sustain our personal meditation practice in a community setting. The short retreat will focus on the method and practice of Dōgen Zenji, who established Soto Zen in Japan. In addition to sitting zazen and walking kinhin meditation there is also tea and cookies and a talk.
Led by Shogen Danielson of the MBZC Teaching Council

In-Person only at McGowan House Zendo

Dogen painting believed to be in public domain.

We are sorry, but reservations are no longer available.

A sangha celebration of the fall season and vegetarian cuisine freely offered to the MBZC community.

Mark your calendar. Click the food image for more information.

Image by Robert Reese.

Ceremonial ritual of the Hungry Ghosts in Soto Zen Tradition.
In the blue sea where
cormorants and hungry ghosts have already swum — Kaneko Tōhta

Everyone welcome. Costumes and noise makers encouraged but not required.
Follows regular Tuesday evening zazen at 6:30 PM.

Image by Robert Reese

A zazenkai is a mini-retreat. This half-day sesshin, lead by MBZC resident priest Guy Riina focuses on sitting and walking meditation. Zazenkai gives those on a limited schedule the opportunity to sustain personal meditation practice in a community setting.

Image by Pngtree: Zen

Join us for an introduction into the forms, spirit and practice of Soto Zen.

Led by resident priest Diane Wells.

Click on image for more information. Arun-prakash on Unsplash

Through conversations and discussions, workshop leaders Kathy Whilden and Guy Riina will explore their personal experiences with aging as well as their experiences with illnesses and the medical system.

Please click through on the image (provided by Kathy Whilden) for all workshop details.

Dive into this empowering approach to freedom from suffering and from harmful personal and social patterns—and find peace and joyfulness in the present.

In this workshop, you’ll discover how wisdom from fourth-century India can be harnessed to heal and transform systems of harm within ourselves and our communities.

Click through on the image for full details.

Photo provided by Ben Connelly.

In this introduction to Zen, we will look at some of the core teachings of Buddhism through the lens of the Soto Zen lineage. Through meditation, talks and discussion, we will discover how the ancient teachings are as alive today as during Buddha’s time.

Click on image for more information (Chinese seal “Zen” @pngtree)

Drawing from Nonviolent Communication and Buddhist practices, this day of meditation and learning helps us embrace relationship challenges as opportunities for increased intimacy and healing.

Led by Patricia Wolff

Ryōzen Kannon Temple near Kyoto, Japan. Kannon: Avalokiteshvara, Compassion Bodhisattva.

Click through on the image for full details.

ADDED DAY SIT Easter Sunday April 9. 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

McGowan House Zendo and on Zoom.

PDF for Study: Thich Nhat Hanh's 5 Skandhas

What is Zen? What is Zen meditation?

These are among the questions we will address in this overview of Zen's place in Buddhism. This session will be led by Sara Hunsaker of the MBZC Teaching Council.

All are welcome. No one will be turned away.

For more information.

Third Ancestor Sengcan, from Chinese woodblock print series 1880, Qing Dynasty, public domain.

Shogen Danielson leads an all-day reading of the Lotus Sutra on New Year’s Eve at McGowan House. Also online.

Click title above to express interest in attending or reviewing full details.

By suggested donation.

Image details on our Sutras page with link to full resolution at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Our MBZC Directors will lead “samu” (work practice) at McGowan House on this Sunday.
Snacks provided!

RSVP here.

"Monk Gardening" by Eduardo Prim on Unsplash

Photo by RKTKN on Unsplash

• Following Zazen & Kinhin

• Led by Robert Reese

Artwork by Pat Watson for MBZC. All rights reserved. patwatsonart.org

• Following Zazen & Kinhin

• Led by Shogen Danielson

Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind— a few weeks with Suzuki Roshi.

Class led by Sara Hunsaker, priest in the Shunryu Suzuki lineage and teacher on the MBZC Teaching Council.

Saturdays: through 8 October, 4:00-5:30 PM - Online only

(Photo by Robert S. Boni from the original dustjacket/back cover of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, c. 1967)

This class will study the Bodhisattva Way of Life (Bodhicharyavatara), an early Mahayana text by the Indian Buddhist monk Shantideva. This eighth-century poem is relevant to our lives today.

If we equate 'giving' with 'freedom from craving' then we become more eager to give ~ even if it causes [us] some pain.~ Pema Chodron

Image: "#10a Newari Green Tara SHANKAR" by shankargallery, Flickr commons

Zen focuses on a direct experience of this very life in each moment.

This class is an exploration and concise history of Zen, some of the basic elements of Zen teachings and practice, and its relevance to our daily lives.

Led by Guy Riina, an ordained priest in our Soto lineage.

Open to all. Donations as affordable to MBZC.

Image: Zen Heart Sutra juliedjenkins FAVPNG

Nong V on Unsplash

Zazen Instruction Returns

5:30 PM, just prior to Tuesday Evening Zazen on May 31/again in July TBD
Carl Cherry Center for the Arts
In-person practice protocols apply. (In-person only, will not broadcast.)

Led by MBZC Teaching Council's Sara Hunsaker

Shukke Tokudo

Guy Riina and Diane Wells

Soto Zen Priest Ordination Ceremony

Carl Cherry Center for the Arts & Onine

The important point of studying Shoji (Life and Death) is that our life is extremely fragile and therefore it is precious. We need to take care of our life without clinging to it. — Shohaku Okumura Roshi.

Led by Robert Reese & Shogen Danielson

Eight (8) Saturdays, February 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9; 4:00-5:30 PM

Steven Harper: Tassajara Zen Mountain Center Photo Tour on Flickr Commons (rendered B&W).

Drawing from Nonviolent Communication and Buddhist practices, this day of meditation and learning helps us embrace relationship challenges as opportunities for increased intimacy and healing.

Led by Patricia Wolff

Engaging in practice and commitment is for yourself and all beings.

Led by Sara Hunsaker

You may choose a full-day or half-day. (Morning half begins at 8:30; afternoon half at 12:45.)

Photo: Rocks Sitting ~ Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island. Sara Hunsaker

Please join us for our Saturday class series: “Song of the Grass Roof Hermitage”.

Text: Inside the Grass Hut: Living Shitou's Classic Zen Poem by Ben Connelly.

Led by Robert Reese & Shogen Danielson (online)

Suggested donation $15 per class. Scholarships available.

Image of Shitou Xiqian (700-790) from Terebess.hu source unknown.

from “Inside the Grass Hut: Living Shitou’s Classic Zen Poem”:
The contents of this hut are nothing of value, which is to say, not valuing things is not of value. Our monk does not claim to have made a place where he has moved beyond valuing things, for then he would have acquired a fantastic treasure, to which he would surely be very attached… He invites you in and says there's nothing of value to you here, nothing special.

Please join us for our Saturday class series and meet the author of the study text (one day only).

Suggested donation $10-15.

Image provided by Ben Connelly .