BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//San Francisco Zen Center - ECPv6.17.5.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:San Francisco Zen Center
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.sfzc.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for San Francisco Zen Center
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Los_Angeles
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20260308T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20261101T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20270314T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20271107T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20280312T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20281105T090000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270514T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270514T210000
DTSTAMP:20260925T010057Z
CREATED:20260512T221452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T010057Z
UID:10001104-1810323000-1810328400@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Meditation in Recovery\, Friday weekly meeting\, Online
DESCRIPTION:Meditation in Recovery will be meeting by Zoom. \nFriday Nights at 7:30 \nJoin Online MeetingMeeting ID: 886 966 3311Passcode: Meditate23 \nPlease join us at the usual time; log in five minutes before the meeting opens. \n\nFridays\, 7:30 – 9 pm \nThis drop-in group explores the connections between Buddhist practice and recovery. The evening begins with a brief meditation instruction\, followed by a period of meditation\, a short talk and discussion. \nThe group is led by senior practitioners in recovery. Donation requested. \nPlease visit our MiR homepage for more information about our weekly meetings\, meditation instructions\, and other special events.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/meditation-in-recovery-friday-weekly-meeting-online/2027-05-14/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270515T084000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270515T092500
DTSTAMP:20260907T023422Z
CREATED:20260511T230347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260907T023422Z
UID:10000783-1810370400-1810373100@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Zazen (Meditation) Instruction\, CC
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, 8:40 – 9:25 am\, in the Buddha Hall at City Center \nPlease arrive by 8:30 am. \nZazen (Meditation) Instruction is offered by senior practitioners and is required before participation in a one-day sitting. \nZendo (Meditation Hall) Forms Instruction is offered at 11:40 am and complements Meditation Instruction.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/zazen-meditation-instruction-cc/2027-05-15/
CATEGORIES:Sitting Meditation & Sesshins
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270515T085000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270515T130000
DTSTAMP:20260925T010102Z
CREATED:20260512T225838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T010102Z
UID:10001886-1810371000-1810386000@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Saturday Sangha
DESCRIPTION:Weekly meeting: Saturdays\, 8:50 am – 1:00 pm. \nSaturday Sangha is for anyone who joins the zazen schedule during the weekdays and/or on Saturday. Within the container of traditional forms\, members of this group participate in doanryo training\, temple care and kitchen practice\, and study. \nDuring the week\, participation includes zazen with the invitation to join the doanryo. On Saturdays\, the Saturday Sangha group bows in together in the courtyard at 8:50 am. The Saturday schedule typically ends at 1:00 pm\, and includes zazen\, a Dharma talk\, tea and cookies\, and study with a teacher.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/saturday-sangha/2027-05-15/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270515T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270515T123000
DTSTAMP:20261026T210814Z
CREATED:20261008T025856Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261026T210814Z
UID:10004752-1810378800-1810384200@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Dancing with Chronic Illness and Pain: Ongoing Group\, Online 12/19–5/15
DESCRIPTION:The Zoom link to participate in this event will be provided at least 24 hours before it begins. Please call 415-354-0360 if you have any questions. \n\nMonthly\, Saturdays\, December 19–May 15\, 11:00–12:30 pm PT \nIf you have previously participated in any of the “Dancing in the Dark Fields” series\, we invite you to consider this ongoing monthly practice group\, which will expand on those teachings and community. \nZenshin Florence Caplow\, who will be teaching the class\, has “danced” with auto-immune illness for the last two decades\, including rheumatoid arthritis. She is also a Zen priest and teacher\, co-editor of The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty Five Centuries of Awakened Women\, and a Unitarian Universalist minister. \nZenshin Florence Caplow’s book\, Tend to Your Spirit: Mindful Living With Chronic Illness\, is available to order from the SFZC online bookstore. She also recommends Darlene Cohen’s book\, Turning Suffering Inside Out. These books are also available as e-books. \nRegistration is available on a rolling basis. Please contact onlineprograms@sfzc.org if registering after January 16. \nAn introductory course and prerequisite for the ongoing group\, Dancing with Chronic Illness and Pain\, will be held for six Saturdays starting January 9\, 2027. \nList other dates if necessary.: \n\nDecember 19\, 2026\nJanuary 16\, 2027\nFebruary 20\nMarch 20\nApril 17\nMay 15\n\nRecordings:\nAll course sessions will be recorded\, and registered participants will receive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/dancing-with-chronic-illness-and-pain-ongoing-group-online-12-19-5-15/2027-05-15/
CATEGORIES:Classes & Extended Courses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270515T112000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270515T121500
DTSTAMP:20260907T023639Z
CREATED:20260512T230034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260907T023639Z
UID:10002147-1810380000-1810383300@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Zendo (Meditation Hall) Forms Instruction\, CC
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, 11:20 am – 12:15 pm \nPlease arrive by 11:10 am and enter by the side door on Laguna Street. \nZendo (Meditation Hall) Forms Instruction is offered by senior practitioners and is required before participation in a one-day sitting. \nZazen (Meditation) Instruction is offered at 8:40 am and should be attended before Forms Instruction.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/zendo-meditation-hall-forms-instruction-cc/2027-05-15/
CATEGORIES:Sitting Meditation & Sesshins
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270517T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270517T210000
DTSTAMP:20260925T010059Z
CREATED:20260512T222301Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T010059Z
UID:10001365-1810582200-1810587600@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Meditation in Recovery\, CC weekly meeting\, Online/Onsite
DESCRIPTION:Meditation in Recovery will meet in a hybrid format—In person AND on Zoom— each Monday. \nMonday Nights at 7:30 \nJoin Online MeetingMeeting ID: 886 966 3311Passcode: Meditate23 \nIf attending online\, please log in five minutes before the meeting opens. \n\nMondays\, 7:30 – 9 pm \nThis drop-in group explores the connections between Buddhist practice and recovery. The evening begins with a brief meditation instruction\, followed by a period of meditation\, and a short talk. \nDiscussion periods follow\, for those In-Person and those on Zoom. \nThe group is led by senior practitioners in recovery. Donation requested. \nMeditation in Recovery sometimes meets on Monday holidays. The Mondays when the group will not meet will be posted on the City Center calendar. \nPlease visit our MiR homepage for more information about our weekly meetings\, meditation instructions\, and other special events.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/meditation-in-recovery-cc-weekly-meeting-online-onsite/2027-05-17/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270518T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270518T204500
DTSTAMP:20260813T230324Z
CREATED:20260512T222629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T230324Z
UID:10001626-1810667700-1810673100@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Young Urban Zen
DESCRIPTION:YUZ meets in person weekly in the Buddha Hall of City Center on 300 Page Street. \nFor the latest information\, visit the Young Urban Zen site. \n\nTuesday evenings\, 7:15 – 8:45 pm \nYoung Urban Zen (YUZ) is a group under the auspices of the San Francisco Zen Center\, with a particular focus on those between 20 and 40 though anyone is welcome to attend. \nIt meets on Tuesday evenings for meditation and discussion about Zen practice. People of all experience levels are welcome. Those who have not meditated before may find it helpful to view a few of SF Zen Center’s meditation instruction videos\, though this is not at all necessary before coming to Young Urban Zen. \nBeyond Tuesday nights\, members of the group regularly meet for social activities\, volunteering\, book club study\, outings\, and occasional retreats. \nYoung Urban Zen offers an opportunity to build meaningful community with people who care about practice and mindfulness.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/young-urban-zen/2027-05-18/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270520T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270520T183000
DTSTAMP:20260826T220900Z
CREATED:20260511T223654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T220900Z
UID:10000262-1810834200-1810837800@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/2027-05-20/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270520T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270520T193000
DTSTAMP:20261008T232003Z
CREATED:20261008T025224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261008T232003Z
UID:10004768-1810836000-1810841400@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:What’s So Hard About Zen? Four Koans on Choice and Practice\, Online 5/13–6/3
DESCRIPTION:The Zoom link to participate in this event will be provided at least 24 hours before it begins. Please call 415-354-0360 if you have any questions. \n\nFour Thursdays\, May 13–June 3\, 6:00–7:30 pm PT \nFreedom from suffering for all beings is a project we can all get behind\, and our Zen ancestor Dogen\, in an unguardedly enthusiastic moment\, makes it sound so easy—you study the self\, you forget the self\, you’re awakened by all things\, and this awakening goes on forever. Who wouldn’t sign up? \nBut\, as every serious practitioner knows\, and our founder Suzuki Roshi acknowledges right up front\, whatever else practice is\, it is decidedly not easy. \nSome time in the Tang Dynasty\, Chan master Zhaozhou and his assembly had a little talk about this\, and some of the exchanges are preserved in The Blue Cliff Record. The discussion centers around a phrase from the Xinxin Ming\, a poem attributed to the patriarch Sengcan but probably written much later\, that claims practice actually is easy\, just as long as you avoid choosing. \nWe’ll talk about this proposition\, its patent absurdity\, how all of this bears on the ways in which Zen practice actually is difficult\, and how it is nonetheless possible to meet this difficulty in a way that is skillful and creative. \nRecordings:All course sessions will be recorded\, and registered participants will receive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/whats-so-hard-about-zen-four-koans-on-choice-and-practice-online-5-13-6-3/2027-05-20/
CATEGORIES:Classes & Extended Courses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270520T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270520T203000
DTSTAMP:20260512T230433Z
CREATED:20260512T230433Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T230433Z
UID:10002428-1810839600-1810845000@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Trans Sangha\, BIPOC Night\, 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-bipoc-night-cc/2027-05-20/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270521T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270521T193000
DTSTAMP:20261023T142314Z
CREATED:20261023T141356Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261023T142314Z
UID:10004830-1810920600-1810927800@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Taste the Single Truth: the Dharma Poetry of Izumi Shikibu\, Online 5/21–5/22
DESCRIPTION:The Zoom link to participate in this event will be provided at least 24 hours before it begins. Please call 415-354-0360 if you have any questions. \n\nThree 90-minute Sessions\, Friday\, May 21–Saturday\, May 22 \nShould I leave this burning house\nof ceaseless thought\nand taste the pure rain’s\nsingle truth\nfalling upon my skin?\n—Izumi Shikibu \nPoetry has long been a means to express the Dharma because it helps us step outside analysis into a world of intuitive knowing. Izumi Shikibu\, a celebrated poet of Japan’s Heian court\, wrote brief and elegant poems that are shining examples of this form of Buddhist heritage. \nIn her poetry\, we find references to key Buddhist texts such as the Lotus Sutra and the Dhammapada\, as well as reflections on fundamental Dharma concepts such as clinging and wisdom. Join us for an immersion into the depths of Japanese Dharma poetry. \nDrawing on poems from Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu\, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan\, translated by Jane Hirshfield and Mariko Aratani\, this three-session online workshop explores Izumi Shikibu’s poetry as a living expression of Buddhist practice. \nEach 90-minute session will include 15 minutes of meditation\, a 40-minute spontaneous Dharma talk\, and time for questions and comments. Across the weekend\, the sessions move from living within the truth\, through clinging and impermanence\, to the wisdom that shines within ordinary life. \nSession 1: Living Within the Truth\nFriday\, May 21\, 5:30–7:00 pm PT \nSession 2: Clinging to a Floating World\nSaturday\, May 22\, 8:00–9:30 am PT \nSession 3: Wisdom Shines Even Here\nSaturday\, May 22\, 11:00 am–12:30 pm PT \nReadings \n\nSelected poems from Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu\, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan\, translated by Jane Hirshfield and Mariko Aratani\nLotus Sutra\, Burton Watson translation\, excerpts from pages 44–45\, 56–59\, and 98\nConnected Discourses 22.100\n“Zen Teachings in Challenging Times\,” an article by Dhammadīpā based on case 23 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate)\nDhammapada\, verses 153–154eive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.\n\nRecordings:\nAll course sessions will be recorded\, and registered participants will receive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/taste-the-single-truth-the-dharma-poetry-of-izumi-shikibu-online-1-29-1-30-2/
CATEGORIES:Classes & Extended Courses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270521T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270521T210000
DTSTAMP:20260925T010057Z
CREATED:20260512T221452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T010057Z
UID:10001105-1810927800-1810933200@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Meditation in Recovery\, Friday weekly meeting\, Online
DESCRIPTION:Meditation in Recovery will be meeting by Zoom. \nFriday Nights at 7:30 \nJoin Online MeetingMeeting ID: 886 966 3311Passcode: Meditate23 \nPlease join us at the usual time; log in five minutes before the meeting opens. \n\nFridays\, 7:30 – 9 pm \nThis drop-in group explores the connections between Buddhist practice and recovery. The evening begins with a brief meditation instruction\, followed by a period of meditation\, a short talk and discussion. \nThe group is led by senior practitioners in recovery. Donation requested. \nPlease visit our MiR homepage for more information about our weekly meetings\, meditation instructions\, and other special events.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/meditation-in-recovery-friday-weekly-meeting-online/2027-05-21/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270522T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270522T093000
DTSTAMP:20261021T213738Z
CREATED:20260918T224208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261021T213738Z
UID:10004831-1810972800-1810978200@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Taste the Single Truth: the Dharma Poetry of Izumi Shikibu\, Online 5/21–5/22
DESCRIPTION:The Zoom link to participate in this event will be provided at least 24 hours before it begins. Please call 415-354-0360 if you have any questions. \n\nThree 90-minute Sessions\, Friday\, May 21–Saturday\, May 22 \nShould I leave this burning house\nof ceaseless thought\nand taste the pure rain’s\nsingle truth\nfalling upon my skin?\n—Izumi Shikibu \nPoetry has long been a means to express the Dharma because it helps us step outside analysis into a world of intuitive knowing. Izumi Shikibu\, a celebrated poet of Japan’s Heian court\, wrote brief and elegant poems that are shining examples of this form of Buddhist heritage. \nIn her poetry\, we find references to key Buddhist texts such as the Lotus Sutra and the Dhammapada\, as well as reflections on fundamental Dharma concepts such as clinging and wisdom. Join us for an immersion into the depths of Japanese Dharma poetry. \nDrawing on poems from Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu\, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan\, translated by Jane Hirshfield and Mariko Aratani\, this three-session online workshop explores Izumi Shikibu’s poetry as a living expression of Buddhist practice. \nEach 90-minute session will include 15 minutes of meditation\, a 40-minute spontaneous Dharma talk\, and time for questions and comments. Across the weekend\, the sessions move from living within the truth\, through clinging and impermanence\, to the wisdom that shines within ordinary life. \nSession 1: Living Within the Truth\nFriday\, May 21\, 5:30–7:00 pm PT \nSession 2: Clinging to a Floating World\nSaturday\, May 22\, 8:00–9:30 am PT \nSession 3: Wisdom Shines Even Here\nSaturday\, May 22\, 11:00 am–12:30 pm PT \nReadings \n\nSelected poems from Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu\, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan\, translated by Jane Hirshfield and Mariko Aratani\nLotus Sutra\, Burton Watson translation\, excerpts from pages 44–45\, 56–59\, and 98\nConnected Discourses 22.100\n“Zen Teachings in Challenging Times\,” an article by Dhammadīpā based on case 23 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate)\nDhammapada\, verses 153–154eive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.\n\nRecordings:\nAll course sessions will be recorded\, and registered participants will receive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/taste-the-single-truth-the-dharma-poetry-of-izumi-shikibu-online-1-29-1-30/2027-05-22/1/
CATEGORIES:Classes & Extended Courses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270522T085000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270522T130000
DTSTAMP:20260925T010102Z
CREATED:20260512T225838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T010102Z
UID:10001887-1810975800-1810990800@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Saturday Sangha
DESCRIPTION:Weekly meeting: Saturdays\, 8:50 am – 1:00 pm. \nSaturday Sangha is for anyone who joins the zazen schedule during the weekdays and/or on Saturday. Within the container of traditional forms\, members of this group participate in doanryo training\, temple care and kitchen practice\, and study. \nDuring the week\, participation includes zazen with the invitation to join the doanryo. On Saturdays\, the Saturday Sangha group bows in together in the courtyard at 8:50 am. The Saturday schedule typically ends at 1:00 pm\, and includes zazen\, a Dharma talk\, tea and cookies\, and study with a teacher.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/saturday-sangha/2027-05-22/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270522T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270522T123000
DTSTAMP:20261021T213738Z
CREATED:20260918T224208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261021T213738Z
UID:10004832-1810983600-1810989000@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Taste the Single Truth: the Dharma Poetry of Izumi Shikibu\, Online 5/21–5/22
DESCRIPTION:The Zoom link to participate in this event will be provided at least 24 hours before it begins. Please call 415-354-0360 if you have any questions. \n\nThree 90-minute Sessions\, Friday\, May 21–Saturday\, May 22 \nShould I leave this burning house\nof ceaseless thought\nand taste the pure rain’s\nsingle truth\nfalling upon my skin?\n—Izumi Shikibu \nPoetry has long been a means to express the Dharma because it helps us step outside analysis into a world of intuitive knowing. Izumi Shikibu\, a celebrated poet of Japan’s Heian court\, wrote brief and elegant poems that are shining examples of this form of Buddhist heritage. \nIn her poetry\, we find references to key Buddhist texts such as the Lotus Sutra and the Dhammapada\, as well as reflections on fundamental Dharma concepts such as clinging and wisdom. Join us for an immersion into the depths of Japanese Dharma poetry. \nDrawing on poems from Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu\, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan\, translated by Jane Hirshfield and Mariko Aratani\, this three-session online workshop explores Izumi Shikibu’s poetry as a living expression of Buddhist practice. \nEach 90-minute session will include 15 minutes of meditation\, a 40-minute spontaneous Dharma talk\, and time for questions and comments. Across the weekend\, the sessions move from living within the truth\, through clinging and impermanence\, to the wisdom that shines within ordinary life. \nSession 1: Living Within the Truth\nFriday\, May 21\, 5:30–7:00 pm PT \nSession 2: Clinging to a Floating World\nSaturday\, May 22\, 8:00–9:30 am PT \nSession 3: Wisdom Shines Even Here\nSaturday\, May 22\, 11:00 am–12:30 pm PT \nReadings \n\nSelected poems from Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu\, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan\, translated by Jane Hirshfield and Mariko Aratani\nLotus Sutra\, Burton Watson translation\, excerpts from pages 44–45\, 56–59\, and 98\nConnected Discourses 22.100\n“Zen Teachings in Challenging Times\,” an article by Dhammadīpā based on case 23 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate)\nDhammapada\, verses 153–154eive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.\n\nRecordings:\nAll course sessions will be recorded\, and registered participants will receive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/taste-the-single-truth-the-dharma-poetry-of-izumi-shikibu-online-1-29-1-30/2027-05-22/2/
CATEGORIES:Classes & Extended Courses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270524T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270524T210000
DTSTAMP:20260925T010059Z
CREATED:20260512T222301Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T010059Z
UID:10001366-1811187000-1811192400@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Meditation in Recovery\, CC weekly meeting\, Online/Onsite
DESCRIPTION:Meditation in Recovery will meet in a hybrid format—In person AND on Zoom— each Monday. \nMonday Nights at 7:30 \nJoin Online MeetingMeeting ID: 886 966 3311Passcode: Meditate23 \nIf attending online\, please log in five minutes before the meeting opens. \n\nMondays\, 7:30 – 9 pm \nThis drop-in group explores the connections between Buddhist practice and recovery. The evening begins with a brief meditation instruction\, followed by a period of meditation\, and a short talk. \nDiscussion periods follow\, for those In-Person and those on Zoom. \nThe group is led by senior practitioners in recovery. Donation requested. \nMeditation in Recovery sometimes meets on Monday holidays. The Mondays when the group will not meet will be posted on the City Center calendar. \nPlease visit our MiR homepage for more information about our weekly meetings\, meditation instructions\, and other special events.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/meditation-in-recovery-cc-weekly-meeting-online-onsite/2027-05-24/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270525T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270525T204500
DTSTAMP:20260813T230324Z
CREATED:20260512T222629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T230324Z
UID:10001627-1811272500-1811277900@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Young Urban Zen
DESCRIPTION:YUZ meets in person weekly in the Buddha Hall of City Center on 300 Page Street. \nFor the latest information\, visit the Young Urban Zen site. \n\nTuesday evenings\, 7:15 – 8:45 pm \nYoung Urban Zen (YUZ) is a group under the auspices of the San Francisco Zen Center\, with a particular focus on those between 20 and 40 though anyone is welcome to attend. \nIt meets on Tuesday evenings for meditation and discussion about Zen practice. People of all experience levels are welcome. Those who have not meditated before may find it helpful to view a few of SF Zen Center’s meditation instruction videos\, though this is not at all necessary before coming to Young Urban Zen. \nBeyond Tuesday nights\, members of the group regularly meet for social activities\, volunteering\, book club study\, outings\, and occasional retreats. \nYoung Urban Zen offers an opportunity to build meaningful community with people who care about practice and mindfulness.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/young-urban-zen/2027-05-25/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270527T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270527T183000
DTSTAMP:20260826T220900Z
CREATED:20260511T223654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T220900Z
UID:10000263-1811439000-1811442600@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/2027-05-27/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270527T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270527T193000
DTSTAMP:20261008T232003Z
CREATED:20261008T025224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261008T232003Z
UID:10004769-1811440800-1811446200@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:What’s So Hard About Zen? Four Koans on Choice and Practice\, Online 5/13–6/3
DESCRIPTION:The Zoom link to participate in this event will be provided at least 24 hours before it begins. Please call 415-354-0360 if you have any questions. \n\nFour Thursdays\, May 13–June 3\, 6:00–7:30 pm PT \nFreedom from suffering for all beings is a project we can all get behind\, and our Zen ancestor Dogen\, in an unguardedly enthusiastic moment\, makes it sound so easy—you study the self\, you forget the self\, you’re awakened by all things\, and this awakening goes on forever. Who wouldn’t sign up? \nBut\, as every serious practitioner knows\, and our founder Suzuki Roshi acknowledges right up front\, whatever else practice is\, it is decidedly not easy. \nSome time in the Tang Dynasty\, Chan master Zhaozhou and his assembly had a little talk about this\, and some of the exchanges are preserved in The Blue Cliff Record. The discussion centers around a phrase from the Xinxin Ming\, a poem attributed to the patriarch Sengcan but probably written much later\, that claims practice actually is easy\, just as long as you avoid choosing. \nWe’ll talk about this proposition\, its patent absurdity\, how all of this bears on the ways in which Zen practice actually is difficult\, and how it is nonetheless possible to meet this difficulty in a way that is skillful and creative. \nRecordings:All course sessions will be recorded\, and registered participants will receive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/whats-so-hard-about-zen-four-koans-on-choice-and-practice-online-5-13-6-3/2027-05-27/
CATEGORIES:Classes & Extended Courses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270528T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270528T210000
DTSTAMP:20260925T010057Z
CREATED:20260512T221452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T010057Z
UID:10001106-1811532600-1811538000@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Meditation in Recovery\, Friday weekly meeting\, Online
DESCRIPTION:Meditation in Recovery will be meeting by Zoom. \nFriday Nights at 7:30 \nJoin Online MeetingMeeting ID: 886 966 3311Passcode: Meditate23 \nPlease join us at the usual time; log in five minutes before the meeting opens. \n\nFridays\, 7:30 – 9 pm \nThis drop-in group explores the connections between Buddhist practice and recovery. The evening begins with a brief meditation instruction\, followed by a period of meditation\, a short talk and discussion. \nThe group is led by senior practitioners in recovery. Donation requested. \nPlease visit our MiR homepage for more information about our weekly meetings\, meditation instructions\, and other special events.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/meditation-in-recovery-friday-weekly-meeting-online/2027-05-28/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270529T084000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270529T092500
DTSTAMP:20260907T023422Z
CREATED:20260511T230347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260907T023422Z
UID:10000785-1811580000-1811582700@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Zazen (Meditation) Instruction\, CC
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, 8:40 – 9:25 am\, in the Buddha Hall at City Center \nPlease arrive by 8:30 am. \nZazen (Meditation) Instruction is offered by senior practitioners and is required before participation in a one-day sitting. \nZendo (Meditation Hall) Forms Instruction is offered at 11:40 am and complements Meditation Instruction.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/zazen-meditation-instruction-cc/2027-05-29/
CATEGORIES:Sitting Meditation & Sesshins
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270529T085000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270529T130000
DTSTAMP:20260925T010102Z
CREATED:20260512T225838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T010102Z
UID:10001888-1811580600-1811595600@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Saturday Sangha
DESCRIPTION:Weekly meeting: Saturdays\, 8:50 am – 1:00 pm. \nSaturday Sangha is for anyone who joins the zazen schedule during the weekdays and/or on Saturday. Within the container of traditional forms\, members of this group participate in doanryo training\, temple care and kitchen practice\, and study. \nDuring the week\, participation includes zazen with the invitation to join the doanryo. On Saturdays\, the Saturday Sangha group bows in together in the courtyard at 8:50 am. The Saturday schedule typically ends at 1:00 pm\, and includes zazen\, a Dharma talk\, tea and cookies\, and study with a teacher.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/saturday-sangha/2027-05-29/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270529T112000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270529T121500
DTSTAMP:20260907T023639Z
CREATED:20260512T230034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260907T023639Z
UID:10002149-1811589600-1811592900@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Zendo (Meditation Hall) Forms Instruction\, CC
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, 11:20 am – 12:15 pm \nPlease arrive by 11:10 am and enter by the side door on Laguna Street. \nZendo (Meditation Hall) Forms Instruction is offered by senior practitioners and is required before participation in a one-day sitting. \nZazen (Meditation) Instruction is offered at 8:40 am and should be attended before Forms Instruction.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/zendo-meditation-hall-forms-instruction-cc/2027-05-29/
CATEGORIES:Sitting Meditation & Sesshins
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270531T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270531T210000
DTSTAMP:20260925T010059Z
CREATED:20260512T222301Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T010059Z
UID:10001367-1811791800-1811797200@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Meditation in Recovery\, CC weekly meeting\, Online/Onsite
DESCRIPTION:Meditation in Recovery will meet in a hybrid format—In person AND on Zoom— each Monday. \nMonday Nights at 7:30 \nJoin Online MeetingMeeting ID: 886 966 3311Passcode: Meditate23 \nIf attending online\, please log in five minutes before the meeting opens. \n\nMondays\, 7:30 – 9 pm \nThis drop-in group explores the connections between Buddhist practice and recovery. The evening begins with a brief meditation instruction\, followed by a period of meditation\, and a short talk. \nDiscussion periods follow\, for those In-Person and those on Zoom. \nThe group is led by senior practitioners in recovery. Donation requested. \nMeditation in Recovery sometimes meets on Monday holidays. The Mondays when the group will not meet will be posted on the City Center calendar. \nPlease visit our MiR homepage for more information about our weekly meetings\, meditation instructions\, and other special events.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/meditation-in-recovery-cc-weekly-meeting-online-onsite/2027-05-31/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270601T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270601T204500
DTSTAMP:20260813T230324Z
CREATED:20260512T222629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T230324Z
UID:10001628-1811877300-1811882700@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Young Urban Zen
DESCRIPTION:YUZ meets in person weekly in the Buddha Hall of City Center on 300 Page Street. \nFor the latest information\, visit the Young Urban Zen site. \n\nTuesday evenings\, 7:15 – 8:45 pm \nYoung Urban Zen (YUZ) is a group under the auspices of the San Francisco Zen Center\, with a particular focus on those between 20 and 40 though anyone is welcome to attend. \nIt meets on Tuesday evenings for meditation and discussion about Zen practice. People of all experience levels are welcome. Those who have not meditated before may find it helpful to view a few of SF Zen Center’s meditation instruction videos\, though this is not at all necessary before coming to Young Urban Zen. \nBeyond Tuesday nights\, members of the group regularly meet for social activities\, volunteering\, book club study\, outings\, and occasional retreats. \nYoung Urban Zen offers an opportunity to build meaningful community with people who care about practice and mindfulness.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/young-urban-zen/2027-06-01/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270603T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270603T183000
DTSTAMP:20260826T220900Z
CREATED:20260511T223654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T220900Z
UID:10000264-1812043800-1812047400@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/2027-06-03/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270603T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270603T193000
DTSTAMP:20261008T232003Z
CREATED:20261008T025224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261008T232003Z
UID:10004770-1812045600-1812051000@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:What’s So Hard About Zen? Four Koans on Choice and Practice\, Online 5/13–6/3
DESCRIPTION:The Zoom link to participate in this event will be provided at least 24 hours before it begins. Please call 415-354-0360 if you have any questions. \n\nFour Thursdays\, May 13–June 3\, 6:00–7:30 pm PT \nFreedom from suffering for all beings is a project we can all get behind\, and our Zen ancestor Dogen\, in an unguardedly enthusiastic moment\, makes it sound so easy—you study the self\, you forget the self\, you’re awakened by all things\, and this awakening goes on forever. Who wouldn’t sign up? \nBut\, as every serious practitioner knows\, and our founder Suzuki Roshi acknowledges right up front\, whatever else practice is\, it is decidedly not easy. \nSome time in the Tang Dynasty\, Chan master Zhaozhou and his assembly had a little talk about this\, and some of the exchanges are preserved in The Blue Cliff Record. The discussion centers around a phrase from the Xinxin Ming\, a poem attributed to the patriarch Sengcan but probably written much later\, that claims practice actually is easy\, just as long as you avoid choosing. \nWe’ll talk about this proposition\, its patent absurdity\, how all of this bears on the ways in which Zen practice actually is difficult\, and how it is nonetheless possible to meet this difficulty in a way that is skillful and creative. \nRecordings:All course sessions will be recorded\, and registered participants will receive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/whats-so-hard-about-zen-four-koans-on-choice-and-practice-online-5-13-6-3/2027-06-03/
CATEGORIES:Classes & Extended Courses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270603T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270603T203000
DTSTAMP:20260727T012243Z
CREATED:20260512T230242Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260727T012243Z
UID:10002368-1812049200-1812054600@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/2027-06-03/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270604T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270604T210000
DTSTAMP:20260925T010057Z
CREATED:20260512T221452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T010057Z
UID:10001107-1812137400-1812142800@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Meditation in Recovery\, Friday weekly meeting\, Online
DESCRIPTION:Meditation in Recovery will be meeting by Zoom. \nFriday Nights at 7:30 \nJoin Online MeetingMeeting ID: 886 966 3311Passcode: Meditate23 \nPlease join us at the usual time; log in five minutes before the meeting opens. \n\nFridays\, 7:30 – 9 pm \nThis drop-in group explores the connections between Buddhist practice and recovery. The evening begins with a brief meditation instruction\, followed by a period of meditation\, a short talk and discussion. \nThe group is led by senior practitioners in recovery. Donation requested. \nPlease visit our MiR homepage for more information about our weekly meetings\, meditation instructions\, and other special events.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/meditation-in-recovery-friday-weekly-meeting-online/2027-06-04/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270605T085000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270605T130000
DTSTAMP:20260925T010102Z
CREATED:20260512T225838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T010102Z
UID:10001889-1812185400-1812200400@www.sfzc.org
SUMMARY:Saturday Sangha
DESCRIPTION:Weekly meeting: Saturdays\, 8:50 am – 1:00 pm. \nSaturday Sangha is for anyone who joins the zazen schedule during the weekdays and/or on Saturday. Within the container of traditional forms\, members of this group participate in doanryo training\, temple care and kitchen practice\, and study. \nDuring the week\, participation includes zazen with the invitation to join the doanryo. On Saturdays\, the Saturday Sangha group bows in together in the courtyard at 8:50 am. The Saturday schedule typically ends at 1:00 pm\, and includes zazen\, a Dharma talk\, tea and cookies\, and study with a teacher.
URL:https://www.sfzc.org/event/saturday-sangha/2027-06-05/
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR