It doesn’t look it, but spring is on the way. Maybe the end of the deep freeze is just creating an illusion. But apparently the crocuses, iris, and daffodils think so too.
Either way, it’s time to review our current and coming offerings.
Workday and Spring Retreat
We’ll have a spring workday March 30 for zendo cleaning and other prepartions for the spring retreat. Join us any time beetween 10 and 4, and bring a bit of something for lunch if you plan to be here through the day.
The retreat begins on Monday March 31 with four days of a new experimental somewhat less formal schedule, alternating 40 minute periods of zazen with 40 minute open periods for rest, exercise, work, study, etc. The complete schedule is here. Silence will be maintained. Friday April 4 through Sunday April 6 will be our usual formal retreat schedule, and the morning of April 6 we will celebrate Buddha’s birthday.
If you plan to join us, please support the efforts of those working on planning by signing up soon. If you have questions or need the link to the sign-up sheets, please message me.
March and April Full Moon Ceremonies
Our next Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony will be on Friday morning March 14 at 7:45, following zazen at 7:00 a.m. This will be Daylight Savings Time (oh no!).
All are welcome to join us for a period of zazen followed by the Full Moon Ceremony, Ryaku Fusatsu, the traditional Soto Zen ceremony for renewing practice of the bodhisattva precepts.
A formal ceremony with extended chanting and full bows, Ryaku Fusatsu is an occasion when all practitioners can express our deep intention to practice together with all beings, whether or not we have formally received bodhisattva precepts or offered bodhisattva vows.
On Wednesday March 12 at 10:30 p.m. EDT, those who are interested can join the San Francisco Zen Center / City Center full moon ceremony online at this link. Recorded examples of the Full Moon Ceremony are also available on the San Francisco Zen Center website.
At Neighborhood Zen, our Full Moon Ceremony is held in person each month on the morning or evening closest to the time of the full moon. The 2025 dates can be found on our public calendar here. Please let Brent or Catherine know if you have questions or would like to participate.
The April Full Moon Ceremony will be at 5:45 Saturday evening April 12, after a period of zazen starting at 5:00 p.m.
Spring Interim
After the April Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony our Spring Interim will begin, a time for rest and renewal with no scheduled sittings. Interim continues through April 30. During interim we will not gather in the zendo. Other sangha activities may continue, depending on hosts and organizers.
May 1 onward and into summer
The zendo will open again on May 1 with Thursday evening zazen at 6 p.m., and our current schedule will continue through summer.
Monday Evening Discussion Night
On May 5 Catherine will present teachings from the Avatamsaka Sutra on the Four Noble Truths.
On May 12 we will offer the May Full Moon Ceremony.
On May 19, Brent will begin a new Monday evening discussion series.
Dogen Study Group
Dogen study will continue with Genjokoan, to be followed by Sangai Yuishin (The Triple World Is Only the Mind) and Gabyo (Painting of a Rice Cake).
Sunday Practice
We will continue weekly Sunday practice with morning zazen with two periods, starting at 8 a.m., followed by service, tea, or doanryo practice. The fourth Sunday of each month we’ll sit until 4 p.m., with morning and noon service, and breakfast and lunch. Please see the sign-up sheet for details.
