2026 Fall Practice Period at City Center, Online/Commuter 9/30–12/5

The Six Paramitas: Bodhisattva Practices for an Uncertain World

Use this page to register for ONLINE/COMMUTER participation.
 
There is also a Residential option (living at 300 Page St. for the duration of the practice period).

The Six Paramitas: Bodhisattva Practices for an Uncertain World

The 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

The 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. 

According 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).

The 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.

When 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.

About the Fall 2026 Practice Period
This 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:

• Practice Period Portal
• Eight-Week Class
• Weekly Small Groups 
• Morning and evening zazen
• Wednesday and Saturday Dharma talks
• Participants will also have the opportunity to meet individually with Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman and/or other practice leaders.

All 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.

Open to beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

Practice Period Schedule

• Orientation: Wednesday, September 30 at 7:30 pm PT (part of the first Dharma talk)
• Classes 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.
• Dharma talks: Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 pm PT and Saturdays 10:00-11:30 am PT. 
• One-Day Sitting, October 3
• Three-Day Sesshin, November 5–7, with a One-Day Sitting option on November 7 
• Three-Day Rohatsu Sesshin, December 3–5

Online/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).