Dharma Rain Zen Center - Events Calendar

Events Calendar

We are now on Ango schedule. We have zazen and services most weekday mornings and evenings, special Saturday events, and a regular Sunday program. New to Dharma Rain Zen Center and want basic information about DRZC events? Check out the FAQ page.

Unless otherwise indicated, we offer all classes and events at the Zen Center free of charge. The Center is supported primarily through membership and donation, and donations to free events are always appreciated. If you have questions about membership, please contact us. Donate to our general fund or to our Capital Campaign.

Upcoming Events:

link to calendar of events
Spring 2013
Events Calendar

Connect with the Center’s Google calendar of events.

 

WEEKLY EVENTS

 

Wednesday Evenings

On Wednesday evenings we begin with Evening Service at 7pm followed by one 30-minute period of zazen, a short break, and then a class, usually starting a few minutes before 8pm. That goes until about 9pm, followed by Vespers.

Beginning March 27, we study Bodhisattvas, enlightened beings who inspire and encourage us. Several people will take various of these to present.

  • March 27 — Introduction by Gyokuko
  • April 3 — Samantabhadra by Shin’ei
  • April 10 — Manjusri by Genko
  • April 17 — Avalokiteshvara/Kanzeon by Erin
  • April 24 — Vimilakirti by Fumyo
  • May 1 — Jizo and Akashagarbha by Jyoshin
  • May 8 — Maitreya and Shakyamuni by Genko
  • May 22 — Prajnaparamita by Jiko
  • May 29 — Fudo and other Dharma protectors by Jiko and Koken

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Introductory Workshops

Each month Dharma Rain Zen Center offers introductory workshops on Zen practice that are open to all without charge. “Zen Meditation” covers the essentials of zazen (sitting meditation). “Starting A Practice” describes how to bring zazen practice into daily life with an explanation of the forms used in the zendo and during services. Learn more about our workshops. They are offered without charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. There is no need to register or bring anything other than comfortable clothing. Workshops are held at the Dharma House (SE 26th and Madison).

Workshop Schedule

Introduction to Zen Meditation

  • Thursday, April 25, 7-9pm
  • Saturday, May 11, 1-3pm
  • Thursday, May 30, 7-9pm

Starting a Buddhist Practice

  • Saturday, May 25, 1-3pm

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Dharma Studies Classes / Seminary Program

The seminary class offering for the spring 2013 term is The Avatamsaka Sutra and Hua-yen Buddhism. This ten-week class series is scheduled for Tuesday evenings from March 5 through May 21, 2013, excluding the Tuesdays during Jukai and Denkoe (March 19 and May 14).

During this class, we explore the basic principles of the Hua-yen philosophy through discussion and through selected readings of the Avatamsaka Sutra and other sources. In the process, we consider the various aspects of the totality of existence as an expression of emptiness. The goals of this class series are to experience the practice of devotional sutra reading and to discover the living world of “Indra’s Net” and its myriad implications as part of our daily Soto Zen practice.

The primary reference texts for this class series are The Flower Ornament Sutra: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary and Hua-yen Buddhism: The Jewel Net of Indra by Francis H. Cook. Other supplemental readings will also be used. Because the sutra text is expensive, its purchase is optional; copies may be borrowed for class readings. The class will be led by lay teachers Bukkai Washburn and Fumyo Mishaga, both of whom have a special relationship the Avatamsaka Sutra. Look at the Syllabus.

It is strongly recommended that students who are taking this class for seminary credit have successfully completed the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras seminary class prior to this class.

In the fall of 2013, Jiko will teach a Dogen class, assisted by Genko and Kengan. This is a seminary requirement. In spring 2014 Fumyo, Shintai, and Shin’ei will teach a class on Chinese Ancestors. This fulfills the Lineage requirement for seminary.

For information on joining the three-to-five-year study program, contact the Center.

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DharmaGarden

Dharma School for children 3-18 meets two Sunday mornings most months during the school year, beginning September 9.

Our DharmaSchool continues to grow and thrive! In November we assessed the number of children attending and try to open up spots in January for those interested in joining DharmaSchool. All of our classes, with the exception of the High School Group, are full. Registration is closed for the rest of 2012-13. We typically open pre-registration for the following year during the summer, so watch for that.

Child care is available on Sunday mornings at the Dharma House for children aged 2-18 years so that parents can participate in practice at the Zendo. The hours are 8:15am-10:00am on Dharma School Sundays, and 8:15am-11:30am on non-Dharma School Sundays. The cost of child care is $30 per child per month or $50 for two children per month. A $10 drop-in fee per child is also possible. Registration / Emergency Contact forms are available at the Dharma House every Sunday morning along with copies of the child care policies. Child care is cancelled if providers are unable to be present and capped when the number if children present on any given day gets up to the maximum for safe care.

If you have questions or need further information, please contact the Center.

Parents Practice Group meets May 19, from 10:30-11:30am in the lecture room, downstairs at the Zendo. This will be the last parent gathering of the school year, and it will be something special. All parents of children in Dharma School are welcome.

Don’t forget to register for Dharma Camp July 14-20.

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MONTHLY/BIMONTHLY EVENTS

 

Senior Practice Group — “Seven-Up”

The meetings of the 7-Up group are from 10am-noon at the Dharma House. Designed to address the needs of senior practitioners in the community, this group is open to DRZC members who have had at least seven years of practice in a meditation tradition. Not all of the years accrued have to have been at Dharma Rain, or even in the Zen tradition. The aim is for real and considered engagement without intellectualizing. If you have questions or feedback you can contact the Center.

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Prison Transition Support Group

Dharma Rain Zen Center facilitates a monthly support group for former inmates making the transition into life “outside.” This group meets at noon the first Sunday of each month downstairs in the Zendo. It is open to released inmates who have an interest in buddhism or meditation, to those whose lives have been touched by incarceration, and also to prison volunteers as well as those interested in volunteering, for mutual support and ongoing training. The discussions focus on ways to apply buddhist teachings and meditation to the challenges of transitioning from prison back into the community. The group’s goal is to provide a supportive setting in which former inmates may become valuable and contributing members of a sangha and the larger community.

If you know of anyone who might find this of benefit, please pass along information about the group. For more information, contact Genko Rainwater at [PTSG at dharma-rain.org]. Read more about our prison program.

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Gay-2-Z Tea

The Gay Tea group meets monthly. The next meetings are Sunday, May 19, from 5-7pm at the Zendo. This is a potluck — please bring a vegetarian dish to share. If you fit into the GLBTQIQ alphabet soup, and are interested in practicing Buddhism, please join us. For more information about the group, contact Genko Rainwater [keidogenko at gmail.com].

 

Zazenkai

Saturday, June 22, will be a Zazenkai: a day of silent, contemplative practice.

The retreat will be in the style of Soto Zen Buddhism, though meditators from other traditions are warmly invited. The schedule runs from 5am to 5pm, and includes 8 hours of formal meditation. Meditation is silent and seated, and in 25-minute periods. We will also do walking meditation, ritual meal practice, and several different chanting services.

Participants must commit for the full day. Pre-registration is required and registration will be closed after June 19. The cost is $15 for Dharma Rain members and $20 for non-members. Breakfast and lunch are included in this cost. If you have questions or wish to sign up, please contact the Center.

The next Zazenkai will be August 17.

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Fusatsu

Fusatsu includes recitation of the Precepts, zazen, and a group meeting. We share things that are going well in our practice as well as challenges. 7:00pm at the Dharma House. Thursday, May 23.

 

Sangha Film

DRZC hosts a more-or-less monthly sangha film series, in which we explore Dharmic themes in modern cinema. Donations of $1-2 are requested to cover building costs. Popcorn is provided; please bring snacks and/or soft drinks to share. This is a great space to bring friends, family and people from outside the Sangha. Films begin at 7:30pm in the Zendo building, downstairs in the lecture room, and are followed by informal discussion.

Please join us May 25th for O Brother, Where Art Thou? Written and directed by brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, this comedy adventure is loosely based on Homer’s Odyssey. Set in the Great Depression of the 1930s, three companions bust out of jail and set out on a road trip filled with picturesque adventures. The soundtrack, produced by T-Bone Burnett, was largely responsible for the resurgent interest in American root music when it came out in 2000.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

 

Spring Term Ango

Spring term is March 1 through May 31. Spring seminary classes fit within this term. In addition, the term is marked by increased sitting meditation times, resident oryoki breakfasts, and two week-long retreats. Summer Term begins June 1, and is marked by lighter schedules. See the Wheel of the Year.

 

Work Practice at Siskiyou

We have regular Work Practice Parties at the new Siskiyou property on certain Saturdays each month. There are many opportunities to help as we prepare this land for construction of our new home. Come on out and join the fun, on Saturday, May 25. And most days from June 1- June 7 we will also be working at the property, in preparation for the Groundbreaking Ceremony (see below). Time is 10am to 4pm, and you can come for all or any part of the day. Bring work clothes, boots, gloves and tools if you have them, and prepare to get muddy and have fun. Park at Glenhaven Park west of 82nd Avenue, then go east on Siskiyou across 82nd to the gate at 85th to find us. If you have a pickup truck and are willing to contribute use of that for all or part of the day, we would be most appreciative. Please contact us.

See more pictures from our November work party and more from January and February. Future work parties will be held May 25 and June 1.

 

Groundbreaking Ceremony June 8

We’ve been working enthusiastically to prepare our new property, clearing invasive species and removing debris, and now we’d like to extend a warm welcome to the kickoff of construction Dharma Rain’s future campus on Siskiyou Square. Come help celebrate the emerging of a space dedicated to cultivating peace, wisdom and compassion in our lives. The party will be June 8 from 3-4pm.

The program includes Buddhist and Native American ceremonial, some words from community leaders, and a performance by Portland Taiko! Tours of the site to explain the future structures and uses will follow. Come to the gate at NE 85th and Siskiyou.

We hope you will join us.

 

 

VBC Project

We are planning and organizing a Village Building Convergence project for May 24-June 2 this year. We will be working on the Orchard and Pathway projects on the South slope of our Siskiyou property.

You can be part of this exciting project by spending just one or two hours volunteering or by helping us organize and carry out the whole amazing project, depending on your schedule and interest. No experience necessary. Please contact Jeff Stookey to get involved [jstookey108 at gmail.com]. Watch the weekly e-bulletins and this space for dates of the next meeting.

For more information visit City Repair or VBC City Repair.

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Denkoe Sesshin

Denkoe celebrates Dharma Transmission from master to disciple from Shakyamuni Buddha down to the present day. This intensive retreat (sesshin) will focus on a chapter in the Denkoroku, which chronicles the transmission of living wisdom in the Soto Zen tradition. The stories reveal both the obstacle and moment of awakening for each Dharma Ancestor in a unique, myth-like style. Teachers make the stories accessible and relevant to our own daily lives and practice. This year Kyogen is leading the sesshin.

Denkoe begins 7pm Monday, May 13, and ends Sunday morning, May 19, before the regular Sunday program. Deadline for registration is Wednesday, May 8. Dawn and evening sittings are open for drop-in at no cost. See the schedule. Register for meals and overnights. Part-time registration is available to those who sign up for at least 6 meals. More information about the retreat and a copy of the study chapter will be sent with the confirmation of your reservation. For further information contact the Center.

 

Festival in the Park

Portland Buddhist Festival’s theme this year is You Are Here: Navigating the Way. It will be June 1, from 11 am to 5 pm at Colonel Summers Park, SE 17th and Taylor.

For nine years the Portland Chapter of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship has hosted a pan-Buddhist festival in the Park. For this 10th year we want to make it special, and for that we need your help. Park fees alone are $1000, an amount allowing us to have food available, as well as vendors with goods related to Buddhism. Supplies, goodies for the kids, and equipment rental, could cost up to $1000 more.

The annual festival brings Buddhists together from all over the Portland metro area. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet other Buddhists, and for participating groups to introduce Buddhism to newcomers. The park setting makes this a friendly, relaxed, and festive way to celebrate Buddhism and our many Portland area communities.

Whether you can donate money or not, please spread the word about the Buddhist Festival in the Park. All are welcome!

 

Taking Your Seat

Finding your place in the practice of Zen and in a spiritual community is not always easy. Taking Your Seat is a program designed to help newer members of Dharma Rain establish their meditation practice, create warm relationships with other members, and become part of the temple community.

Taking Your Seat is for active members of Dharma Rain in their first two years of practice. The program begins in September and includes six meetings over the course of four months. Leaders are Gay Kei’un Lewis and Sallie Jiko Tisdale with support from Anthony Fujaku Stevens and Thomas Koshin Bruner.

Meetings will include discussions and exercises, as well as informal social time and chances to practice forms. Topics will be based partly on what the group wants and needs, but may include a review of foundational teachings, practicing oryoki, investigating mondo, exploring the purpose of formal practice, how Dharma Rain is organized, and gateways for practice of Dharma Rain — or just having dinner together. Attendance at all or part of a formal sesshin during this six-month period will be encouraged and supported. There will be many chances to ask questions and get to know each other in the context of practice and the treasure of Sangha.

We will meet on Thursday evenings. Dates will be September 12, October 3 and 24, November 14, December 12, and January 2.

Numbers will be limited. Participants are expected to be pledging members and attending events at the Zen Center with some regularity.

Fee: $60

Contact Kei’un if you’re interested: [dgaylewis at gmail.com]

 

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LOOKING AHEAD

Future Dates

Those who like to plan ahead may wish to note these dates.

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