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December 15 - World Peace Ceremony
7:45 am
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December 29 - Memorial for Dôgen and Keizan Zenjis
8 am
We will chant the Verse of the Universal Gateway Chapter in honor of Eihei Dôgen and Keizan Jôkin, the two founders of our Sôtô Zen school.
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January 16 - Open Sitting: Martin Luther King Day
8 am - 5 pm
There will be no schedule, no bells, no services and no meals provided--just an open door to the zendo. If you've got the day off and want to sit for awhile, please arrive when you please and leave when you're ready.
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January 21 and 22 - Two-Day Sitting: Dogen Zenji's Birthday
January 29 is the birthday of one of the most important teachers in Soto Zen, Eihei Dogen (1200-1253). In honor of his life and teachings, we'll focus on what he considered the most essential practice: zazen.
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February 5 - Work Day
noon lunch - 4 pm
After a pot luck lunch, we'll set to work on cleaning and maintenance projects around the facility, wrapping up by 4 pm.
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February 18 and 19 - Two-Day Sitting: Nehan
February 15 is the day we traditionally honor the Buddha's passing into Nirvana. All things, including ourselves, are impermanent. What can death teach us about our life and practice?
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February 22 - Open Sitting: President's Day
8 am - 5 pm
There will be no schedule, no bells, no services and no meals provided--just an open door to the zendo. If you've got the day off and want to sit for awhile, please arrive when you please and leave when you're ready.
ONGOING EVENTS
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Lightning Workshops
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7:15 pm (Wednesdays)
These one-hour sessions are designed to give a very brief, highly focused look at specific topics or activities relevant to our Sôtô Zen practice. Note: the 7:15 start time makes it possible to attend the first period of evening zazen prior to the workshop.
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Introduction to Zazen
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6:30 pm, December 7 (Wednesdays)
Learn the basics of sitting and walking meditation as they are done in the Sôtô Zen tradition. There will also be plenty of opportunity to ask questions about practice and MZC.
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Buddha and the Box Office
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Fridays, 7:15 pm
Join us at MZC to enjoy a variety of movies, including anime classics from Studio Ghibli and live-action films from around the world. After the video, stay for refreshments and an informal discussion of the Buddhist ideas and themes portrayed in the movie.
Note: the 7:15 start time makes it possible to attend the first period of evening zazen prior to the movie.
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Dharma Discussion
Saturdays, 9:30-10:30 am
As we make our way through the book of the moment, participants take turns reading aloud and the group engages in discussion of the ideas and issues that arise. Attendees need not own or have read the book beforehand, and participate as their schedules permit.
Current book: Elegant Failure: A Guide to Zen Koans by Richard Strobe
Zen koans are stories of exchanges between Zen masters and their disciples at the moment of enlightenment or near-enlightenment. The author provides background and personal anecdotes for 22 cases from The Blue Cliff Record and Wu-men-kuan that help to illuminate their meaning without detracting from their paradoxical nature.
Up next: Dream Conversations on Buddhism and Zen by Muso Kokushi
Dream Conversations is a collection of a renowned Japanese master's written replies to questions about the true nature of Zen. In short, simply worded teachings, Muso Kokushi (1275-1351), also known as Muso Soseki, exposes common misconceptions and offers insights designed to lead the reader into the depths of authentic Zen experience.
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Online discussion: Eight Awarenesses of Great Beings
Join our on-line discussion group as we consider Dogen Zenji’s Hachidainingaku, or Eight Awakenings of Great Beings, as is relates to current thinking in areas like sociology, economics, science and design. Each week we’ll watch a short video presentation (20 minutes or less) from an engaging speaker on the leading edge of one of these areas. Then we’ll consider some discussion questions to get the conversation started, with group members sharing their reactions and insights. Complete information
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