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Study Classes

Classes are organized around a core six-root curriculum.
  • Root I: The life of the Buddha and early texts
  • Root II: Buddhist psychology
  • Root III: Buddhist wisdom
  • Root IV: Ethics and compassion
  • Root V: Zen
  • Root VI: Contemporary developments in Buddhism

In Roots I through V, the study is text-based. Our emphasis is on understanding the material for its relevance to Buddhist insight, practice, and living. Root VI, Contemporary Buddhism, is concerned with issues relevant to us as Buddhists living in a complex and diverse culture.

Classes are offered on Sunday morning and Monday and Tuesday evenings. An ongoing sewing class is offered on Sunday afternoon.

Fee for six-week class series: $90 nonmembers, $81 current SFZC members, $72 limited income.

To register for a class, use the Ticket Table or Register Online button on the event page, or call our toll free number 888.743.9362 or our local number 415.475.9362.

Cancellation policy for classes, events and workshops:
15 days or more:
$20 service charge
14 - 8 days:
50% of the total fees
7 days or less:
no refund
(minimum cancellation fee: $20)

Class: Life and Teaching of the Buddha, 4/30-6/4/13
Tuesdays 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
April 30 - June 4, 2013
with Reirin Gumbel

The Buddha of our time, Sakyamuni Buddha, lived 2,500 years ago, and his life and teachings have been an inspiration for countless people all over the world. What made this man so special? Many ancient texts about his teachings have been handed down to us, but facts about his early life are scarce. However, there are delightful stories which give us an idea how he might have grown into the liberated being who we emulate.



Class: Actualizing the Fundamental Point: An Introduction to Genjo Koan, GGF 5/6-6/10/13
Mondays, 7:30 - 9 pm
May 6 - June 10, 2013
with Jeremy Levie

How do we actualize this fundamental point of our life and practice? The Genjo Koan, originally a letter from Dogen Zenji to a lay student, is perhaps the most highly valued writing in the whole of Dogen’s masterwork, Shobogenzo. Appreciated for its literary style, the Genjo Koan unfolds the foundational philosophy that supports the many concrete instructions Dogen Zenji gave to his students and is a poetic expression of Dogen's teaching of practice-realization.



Class: Nyoho-e and Original Mind, GGF 5/5-6/16/13
Sundays 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
May 5 - June 16, 2013 (There will be no class May 12.)
with Kathy Early

“If you keep your original mind, the precepts will keep themselves.”
- Suzuki Roshi

Nyoho-e means Buddha’s robe and can be translated as As-it-is (Nyo) Dharma (Ho) garment (e). In this series of classes we will delve into the history and meaning of making, receiving, wearing (and repairing) Buddha’s robe within our tradition. We will study the teachings of Suzuki Roshi and other masters on wearing the robe and maintaining the Bodhisattva precepts.