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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260930T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261205T180000
DTSTAMP:20260926T000832Z
CREATED:20260729T024458Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260926T000832Z
UID:10003549-1790796600-1796493600@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:2026 Fall Practice Period at City Center\, 9/30–12/5
DESCRIPTION:The Six Paramitas: Bodhisattva Practices for an Uncertain World\nUse this page to register for RESIDENTIAL participation (living at 300 Page St. for the duration of the practice period). \nThere is also an Online/Commuter option. Commuters can attend in-person or online. \nThe Chinese symbol for Paramita literally means ‘crossing over to the other shore’. The Buddha said\, “Don’t just hope for the shore to come to you. If you want to cross over to the other shore\, the shore of safety\, well-being\, non-fear\, and non-anger\, you have to swim across or row across. You have to make an effort.” This effort is the practice of the Six Paramitas. ─ Thich Nhat Hanh \nThe six paramitas or ‘perfections’ are foundational Buddhist practices that guide individuals on the path to awakening. When practiced deeply\, each of these paramitas\, or far-reaching attitudes\, helps one transcend personal suffering and support others on their journey toward wisdom and peace. \nAccording to Mahayana Buddhism\, a bodhisattva (“Buddha-to-be”) naturally follows and embodies these six transcendental virtues: Generosity (Dana)\, Ethical Conduct (Sila)\, Patience/Forbearance (Kshanti)\, Diligence/Heroic Effort (Virya)\, Concentration/Meditation (Dhyana)\, and Wisdom (Prajna). \nThe perfections are not abstract ideals but practical methods for transforming the mind and our character. They are skillful means for seeing and studying Right Action. Generosity opens the heart. Ethical conduct builds moral stability. Patience protects the mind from anger. Diligence sustains effort. Meditation cultivates concentration. Wisdom reveals the true nature of reality. \nWhen practiced together\, these virtues create a balanced and compassionate life. They help practitioners move beyond selfishness and contribute to the well-being of all beings. Indeed\, these foundational practices are themselves expressions of the Awake Mind\, the mind of Buddha. By actively cultivating them\, we open the possibility of shaping the life we live today and the person we will become. \nAbout the Fall 2026 Practice Period\nThis is a traditional intensive training period common in the schools of Buddhism. This a chance to develop and deepen your practice together with others in a supportive environment and through activities: \n\nPractice Period Portal\nEight-Week Class\nWeekly Small Groups\nMorning and evening zazen\nWednesday and Saturday Dharma talks\nParticipants will also have the opportunity to meet individually with Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman and/or other practice leaders.\n\nOpen to beginners and experienced practitioners alike. \nPractice Period Schedule \n\nOrientation: Wednesday\, September 30 at 7:30 pm (part of the first Dharma talk)\nClasses led by Abbot David: 8 Mondays\, October 5–November 23\, 7:30-9:00 pm. The October 12 class will be online only due to the holiday.\nDharma talks: Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 pm and Saturdays 10:00-11:30 am\nOne-Day Sitting\, October 3\nThree-Day Sesshin\, November 5–7\, with a One-Day option on November 7 \nSeven-Day Rohatsu Sesshin\, November 28–December 5\n\nThere is no need to register individually for these programs\, they are included in the residential practice period. \nThe deadline for residential applications is September 4. Participants will be notified of acceptance on a rolling basis.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/2026-fall-practice-period-at-city-center-9-30-12-5/
CATEGORIES:Practice Periods
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260930T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261205T180000
DTSTAMP:20261011T001248Z
CREATED:20260729T024503Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261011T001248Z
UID:10003552-1790796600-1796493600@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:2026 Fall Practice Period at City Center\, Online/Commuter 9/30–12/5
DESCRIPTION:The Six Paramitas: Bodhisattva Practices for an Uncertain World\nUse this page to register for ONLINE/COMMUTER participation. \nThere is also a Residential option (living at 300 Page St. for the duration of the practice period). \nThe Chinese symbol for Paramita literally means ‘crossing over to the other shore’. The Buddha said\, “Don’t just hope for the shore to come to you. If you want to cross over to the other shore\, the shore of safety\, well-being\, non-fear\, and non-anger\, you have to swim across or row across. You have to make an effort.” This effort is the practice of the Six Paramitas. ─ Thich Nhat Hanh \nThe six paramitas or ‘perfections’ are foundational Buddhist practices that guide individuals on the path to awakening. When practiced deeply\, each of these paramitas\, or far-reaching attitudes\, helps one transcend personal suffering and support others on their journey toward wisdom and peace. \nAccording to Mahayana Buddhism\, a bodhisattva (“Buddha-to-be”) naturally follows and embodies these six transcendental virtues: Generosity (Dana)\, Ethical Conduct (Sila)\, Patience/Forbearance (Kshanti)\, Diligence/Heroic Effort (Virya)\, Concentration/Meditation (Dhyana)\, and Wisdom (Prajna). \nThe perfections are not abstract ideals but practical methods for transforming the mind and our character. They are skillful means for seeing and studying Right Action. Generosity opens the heart. Ethical conduct builds moral stability. Patience protects the mind from anger. Diligence sustains effort. Meditation cultivates concentration. Wisdom reveals the true nature of reality. \nWhen practiced together\, these virtues create a balanced and compassionate life. They help practitioners move beyond selfishness and contribute to the well-being of all beings. Indeed\, these foundational practices are themselves expressions of the Awake Mind\, the mind of Buddha. By actively cultivating them\, we open the possibility of shaping the life we live today and the person we will become. \nAbout the Fall 2026 Practice Period\nThis is a traditional intensive training period common in the schools of Buddhism. This a chance to develop and deepen your practice together with others in a supportive environment and through activities: \n\nPractice Period Portal\nEight-Week Class\nWeekly Small Groups\nMorning and evening zazen\nWednesday and Saturday Dharma talks\nParticipants will also have the opportunity to meet individually with Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman and/or other practice leaders.\n\nAll classes will be recorded and available along with readings and other course materials through the online portal. We will contact you by email about small group scheduling. \nOpen to beginners and experienced practitioners alike. \nPractice Period Schedule \n\nOrientation: Wednesday\, September 30 at 7:30 pm PT (part of the first Dharma talk)\nClasses led by Abbot David: 8 Mondays\, October 5–November 23\, 7:30-9:00 pm PT. The October 12 class will be online for everyone due to the holiday.\nDharma talks: Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 pm PT and Saturdays 10:00-11:30 am PT.\nOne-Day Sitting\, October 3\nThree-Day Sesshin\, November 5–7\, with a One-Day Sitting option on November 7 \nThree-Day Rohatsu Sesshin\, December 3–5\n\nOnline/Commuter registration includes the ONLINE versions of the one-day and three-day sitting retreats. If you are a commuter student and wish to sit these retreats in-person at City Center\, you must register separately for the onsite versions (Saturday One-Day Sitting 10/3\, Three-Day Sesshin 11/5–11/7 or One-Day Sitting 11/7\, Rohatsu Sesshin\, City Center 11/28–12/5).
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/2026-fall-practice-period-at-city-center-online-commuter-9-30-12-5/
CATEGORIES:Practice Periods
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261001T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261004T110000
DTSTAMP:20260511T010144Z
CREATED:20260510T214922Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260511T010144Z
UID:10000191-1790870400-1791111600@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:True Body\, True Self: Radical Presence Through Zen and Yoga at Green Gulch Farm\, GGF 10/1–10/4
DESCRIPTION:Cultivating complete and compassionate presence of body and mind through Vinyasa Yoga\, Yin Yoga\, and Zen practice\, we actualize our true body and true self. \nThis three-night retreat is devoted to integrating the vital yet calming practices of Vinyasa and Yin Yoga with the wisdom and compassion of Zen meditation and insight. Together\, by cultivating presence of body and mind through these parallel practices\, we can wake up to this gift of human life. We will offer gentle\, mixed-level yoga\, meditation\, Dharma discussion\, and ample unstructured time to enjoy the beautiful grounds of Green Gulch Farm.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/true-body-true-self-radical-presence-through-zen-and-yoga-at-green-gulch-farm-ggf-10-1-10-4/
CATEGORIES:Workshops and Retreats
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261001T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261001T183000
DTSTAMP:20260826T220900Z
CREATED:20260511T223654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T220900Z
UID:10000229-1790875800-1790879400@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Thursday Drop-in Practice Session\, Online
DESCRIPTION:Every Thursday\, 5:30 – 6:30 pm PT. \nJoin San Francisco Zen Center teachers for a weekly online drop-in session\, offering opportunities to connect in real time. \nEach session includes: \n\n20 minutes of meditation\nA brief Dharma reflection\nGroup discussion\n\nThese sessions provide a welcoming space for practice and community connection\, open to practitioners of all levels. \nFor more information\, visit the Thursday Drop-in Practice Session homepage. \n\nJoin the teacher in the Online Zendo with a computer or mobile device: \nMeeting ID: 264-616-8381Passcode: 805991 \nBy phone:+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)Find your local number \nSee Tips for Using Zoom
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/thursday-drop-in-practice-session-online/2026-10-01/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261001T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261001T200000
DTSTAMP:20261011T210701Z
CREATED:20260511T225541Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261011T210701Z
UID:10004305-1790881200-1790884800@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Informal Zazen & Speciality Tea\, CC
DESCRIPTION:We will gather weekly on Thursday evenings for Informal Zazen in the Buddha Hall at 300 Page Street. We will be exploring our zazen practice and how it is informed by other Zen practices. This will be followed by discussion and specialty teas in the Welcome Center. \nSpecialty teas are high-quality\, often rare\, loose-leaf teas that are distinguished by their unique flavors\, processing methods\, and origins. Suitable for beginners as well as experienced practitioners.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/informal-zazen-speciality-tea-cc/2026-10-01/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261001T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261001T203000
DTSTAMP:20260727T012243Z
CREATED:20260512T230242Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260727T012243Z
UID:10002360-1790881200-1790886600@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Trans Sangha\, Buddha Night (Silent Meditation)\, CC
DESCRIPTION:Trans Sangha is a meditation group by and for transgender people; beginners and newcomers are always welcome. Trans Sangha meets weekly in the zendo at 300 Page Street\, with different offerings depending on the week: \nSangha Night is on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month: a community building focused evening open to all trans people. Includes 25 minutes of guided meditation\, check-ins\, a short talk\, and community discussion. \nBIPOC Affinity Night is on the 3rd Thursday: a practice space reserved for members of our community who are Black\, Indigenous\, People of Color (if you identify as white\, please do not attend this night). \nBuddha Night is on the 1st Thursday: a silent meditation focused evening that includes introductions and two silent\, unguided meditation periods. There’s no talk or discussion during the session\, although optional snacks and conversation are shared after the session closes. \nDharma Night is on the 5th Thursday: different each time it comes around. It will involve a concentrated look at a Buddhist text\, a ceremony of some sort\, or anything else that feels relevant. \nJoin us after each session for cookies and conversation shared outdoors. \nFor the latest information\, and to sign up for updates via the Signal app\, visit the Trans Sangha website at transsangha.org. \nKN95 or N95 are required when attending Trans Sangha. Cloth masks and surgical masks are not permitted. We mask as an act of community care & to make this space accessible to sangha members who are disabled\, chronically ill\, and/or immunocompromised \nContact info: TransSangha@proton.me
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/trans-sangha-buddha-night-silent-meditation-cc/2026-10-01/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
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