Dharma Rain Zen Center - Events Calendar

Events Calendar

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. To donate to our general fund or to our Capital Campaign, click here.

Upcoming Events:

link to calendar of events
July '10
Events Calendar
link to calendar of events
August '10
Events Calendar
link to calendar of events
September '10
Events Calendar

We are on summer schedule. Morning practice is Wednesday through Saturday beginning at 6:30am with zazen, short service, soji (temple cleaning), and breakfast. You are welcome to join us for any or all of this. Sundays feature dharma talks, either by the abbots or by senior students, and on Wednesday evenings, instead of classes there are discussions. Summer break schedule (Wednesday evening zazen and Sunday morning services only, no morning practice) will be July 14–17 and August 25–28.

Childcare is offered one Sunday a month during the summer. The next dates will be July 18, August 15 and September 12.

You can download a printable summary of these events. (Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here ).

 

WEEKLY EVENTS

 

Wednesday Evenings

Wednesday night summer discussions, led by senior students, are held in the downstairs lecture room in the Zendo following zazen and evening service. Evening service and zazen begin at 7pm; discussions usually begin about 7:50pm and go to about 9pm. There is no charge, though donations (and cookies) are gratefully accepted. All are welcome.

Fall Term Wednesday classes begin September 29 with a study of Everyday Zen by Charlotte Joko Beck. The class will be taught by Fumyo Mishaga, Heidi Enji Hoogstra, and David Choten Robinson.

Everyday Zen has become a classic introductory book in American Zen. Without using Zen jargon, Charlotte Joko Beck teaches the basic Buddhist understanding of suffering and the dynamics of an aware Buddhist practice. With this class series we will encourage bringing this practical awareness to daily life with body awareness practices.

Joko Beck says, “Sitting is something we do for a lifetime. There is no end to the opening up that is possible for a human being. Eventually we see that we are the limitless, boundless ground of the universe. Our job for the rest of our life is to open up into that immensity and to express it. … It isn’t just sitting on a cushion for thirty or forty minutes a day. Our whole life becomes practice, twenty-four hours a day.”

While the flavor of Joko Beck’s Zen is not exactly the same as found at Dharma Rain, the emphasis on an experienced Zen practice, and the intimate, practical tone complements that of our Zen Center nicely. During classes we will relate the readings to our own experiences in Zen practice and understanding.

  • September 29 — Chapter 1: Beginnings
  • October 6 — Chapter 2: Practice
  • October 13 — Chapters 3 and 4: Feelings, and Relationships
  • October 20 — Chapter 5: Suffering
  • October 27 — Chapters 6 and 7: Ideals, and Boundaries
  • November 3 — Chapters 8 and 9: Choices, and Service

 

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. Each is a two-hour presentation. Learn more about our workshops. Workshops are held at the Dharma House (SE 26th and Madison).

Workshop Schedule

Introduction to Zen Meditation

  • Thursday, July 22, 7–9pm
  • Saturday, August 21, 1–3pm
  • Thursday, September 9, 7–9pm

Starting a Buddhist Practice

  • Thursday, August 12, 7–9pm
  • Saturday, September 11, 1–3pm

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Dharma Studies Classes / Seminary Program

Beginning September 28, Dharma Study classes will take a long look at the sutra Dogen Zenji calls “the King of all the sutras,” the Lotus Sutra. Most current teachers say that the Lotus is really important to understand Dogen’s teachings.

With this purpose in mind, Dharma-Rain students are asked to enter a timeless and phantasmagorical worldview with an open perspective. Class attendance, reading of the entire sutra and an extra project is required for seminary credit. Students may choose from three translations: Katto et al., Reeves, or Watson. Each has a particular flavor and strength.

The class will be taught by Bukkai Washburn. She has both assisted Gyokuko and taught the Lotus on her own in prior years. Bukkai has a poetic turn of mind but is fascinated by intellect.

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

 

Dharma School Resumes September 26

Dharma School for children 3-18 meets most 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings during the school year. September 26 and October 10 the program will open to new students. Registration then closes until January, in order to maintain cohesive groups for the children. Becauses of limitations in facilities space, all students must be registered, and registration does not guarantee a place in the program.

 

Childcare

Are you a parent looking for some time in the zendo? Childcare is offered one Sunday a month during the summer. The next dates will be July 18, August 15 and September 12. Bring kids of any age to the Dharma House. We play games, read books, do simple crafts, maybe take a walk, but otherwise just hang out. If you have any questions, or are a parent who wants to help out, contact Domyo [domyodawn at gmail.com].

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MONTHLY/BIMONTHLY EVENTS

  • Disciple Potluck Dinner/Meeting: Saturday, July 24, 6pm (DH)
  • Dharma Council Meetings: Thursdays, July 22 and September 16
  • Seven-Up: Saturday, September 11, 10am-12noon (DH)
  • Men’s Group: Fridays, August 13 and September 10, 7pm (SH)
  • Sangha Film: Saturday, September 11, 7:30pm (Zendo)
  • Gay Tea: Sundays, July 18, August 22 and September 19, 12:30pm (Zendo)

 

Senior Practice Group — “Seven-Up”

The next meetings of the 7-Up group will be from 10am-12pm on Saturday, September 11, 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, (hence, 7-Up). 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 at [staff at dharma-rain.org].

 

Sangha Film Series

DRZC hosts a more-or-less monthy sangha film series, in which we explore Dharmic themes in modern cinema. Donations of $1-2 are requested to cover building costs. Popcorn provided, 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 tea room, and are followed by informal discussion.

On Saturday, September 11, Kyogen will host Zen: The Life of Dogen. It focuses on the life of Dogen, the 13th-century monk who founded one of the main Zen sects, Soto-shu. This is an unusual choice, since Dogen was an unflamboyant type who devoted his life to the practice of peaceful (if purposeful) meditation, not the showier varieties of miracle-working found in the usual religious biopic. It is also an inspired choice, since Dogen was a fearless spiritual seeker and brilliant writer whose deeds and words still engage. The film is generally faithful to what is known of his life, from the early deaths of his parents to his travels in China and his difficulties with the religious powers-that-be in Japan. The film offers an eloquent explanation of Dogen’s Zen, using his own pithy words, as well as an ideal exemplar in Nakamura, a young kabuki actor who has the right Zen-master look and attitude, but without a trace of more-enlightened-than-thou smugness.

 

Gay Tea

The Gay Tea group meets monthly. The next meeting is Sunday, July 18 from 12:30-2:30pm at the Zendo. Subsequent meetings are August 15 [note date change from printed calendar] and September 19. If you fit into the GLBTQIQ alphabet soup (or the new Gay-2-Z moniker), and are interested in practicing Buddhism, please join us. For more information about the group, contact Genko Rainwater [keidogenko at gmail.com].

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SPECIAL EVENTS

 

Strategic Planning Wants You!

The Strategic Planning Committee (SPC), consisting of some members from the Board of Directors and some from the Dharma Council, has been meeting during the winter and spring. Now we need the Sangha’s input and ideas for where Dharma Rain should be heading for the next ten years. There will be two series of meetings: (1) various cohorts within the Sangha with different perspectives; (2) more in-depth exploration of specific focus points identified by the SPC. See an article about the process. Find the Strategic Planning home page. Please join us for appropriate cohort meetings and as many of the focus point meetings as you can.

Cohort meetings

  • Lay and monk disciples, Saturday, July 24, 6pm. DH
  • Full members, Thursday, July 29, 7pm. DH
  • Residents (current and prospective), Tuesday, August 3, 7pm. DH
  • New members, Wednesday, August 11, 7:50pm. Zendo
  • Parents, Sunday, August 15, 10:30am. Zendo (childcare provided)

See a summary of input received from these cohort meetings.

Focus point meetings

  • Succession and Leadership, Wednesday, September 8, 7-9pm. DH
  • Children and Families, Sunday, September 12, 10:30am. Zendo (childcare provided)
  • Rigor in Practice, Tuesday, September 21, 7pm. DH
  • Facilities, Thursday, September 30, 7pm. SH
  • Finances and Staffing, Saturday, October 2, 2pm. DH

 

Zazenkai

On Saturday, October 16, we will have 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 September 1. 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.

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Softball Game

On Saturday, August 14, we will have a sangha softball game. This has been scheduled for 10am, at Westmoreland Park, SE McLoughlin Blvd & Bybee Blvd, Ball Field #1. The field is reserved for us. We will play until about noon (we have the field until then), and then we can enjoy a picnic lunch! Bring finger food and/or lunchables (vegetarian only, of course) to share.

All invited, of any skill level, just for fun. The weather promises to be perfect for softball, so please come and join us.

 

Oaks Park Disciples Outing

On Thursday, August 19, lay and monk disciples have their annual outing to ride bumper cars, go-kartz, and the Screamin’ Eagle (if you dare). Meet at 5:30pm at the picnic tables near the parking lot. Bring finger food to share. Lay and monk disciples only.

 

Retreat at the Empty Field Zendo

Zen on the Farm: Cultivating the Way, August 26-29

Cultivating the path of practice mirrors the simple daily activities of the garden: feeding the earth, pulling weeds and planting seeds. With presence and patience, the joy is in the activity and the fruits yield of themselves. This farm retreat is intended to balance the naturalness of late summer with its periods of reflection and rest with the discipline of Zen retreat form we anticipate returning in the fall. It will be led by lay teacher and long time organic farmer Seido Martin and will feature contemporary Buddhist writings on practice in nature. Newcomers and seasoned meditators are all welcome. The retreat is free of charge. Your donations will benefit Dharma Rain’s Watering the DharmaGarden Campaign and are deeply appreciated. Register here. Download the flyer (pdf). For more information, please contact Seido by e-mail [debraseido at gmail.com] or telephone 541-925-3019.

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Mountains & Rivers Backpacking Retreat

September 10–12. We will be hiking into the Indian Heaven Wilderness in southwest Washington for 3 days and 2 nights. The retreat will include daily periods of zazen, discussion of a text, day hiking from a base camp, and lots of time for Sangha bonding. This is typically a wonderful time of year in this area — meadows blazing in fall colors, elk bugling through the night, some leftovers from the blueberry season, and no leftovers from the mosquito season. The hiking will be of mild to moderate difficulty — about 5 miles a day with about a 1000-ft total elevation gain.

Participants are expected to be members of DRZC, at least 18 years old, and to have some prior backpacking experience. Because of wilderness restrictions, space is limited to 10 participants plus the two leaders, Gyoshi Kaplan and Shisei Niski. Registration is open on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost is $40.

 

Zen Meditation Retreat for Beginners

Get a taste of the classic Zen experience in a supportive atmosphere designed for beginners. The retreat includes traditional forms: meditation, silent community work, formal meals, Dharma Talks, and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a Zen teacher. We explain formal activities as we go along, including meditation (postures to minimize discomfort, among other considerations), chanting, silent meals and formal tea. We also explore the deeper meaning and purpose of Zen practices.

The retreat begins Friday evening, September 17, at 7pm and ends with breakfast on Sunday, September 19. Participants stay at the Zen Center, including overnights and meals, for the entire retreat. $75 (some partial scholarships available). Register online or call the Center by September 15.

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Fall Term Opening

Fall term begins on Sunday, September 26 with the term opening ceremony immediately following zazen at 9:40am. In this ceremony, Sangha members have the opportunity to voice training vows before the priests and attending community. Please plan on attending this opening ceremony, as it helps acknowledge the passing of the lighter summer practice period while creating a gateway into the more intense, inwardly-turned practice of the formal term.

 

Term Student Program

Every fall term, the term student program allows members to explore the experience of making and completing a vow of practice. Such vows may include both general and specific activities with meditation, family and work. The support of the retreats and one’s fellow term students helps each maintain our vows. For more information, or to register as a term student, contact the center. Three one-day retreats at the beginning, middle and end of the term bring all the term students together to discuss their spiritual history and what brings each student to Zen practice. The first retreat for fall 2010 is Saturday, September 25 from 8:30am–4:30pm. The Center will provide lunch for $10.

The mid-term retreat will be held on Friday, November 19, and Saturday, November 20, 6am–4:30pm. Note: The portion of the retreat strongly recommended for all term students is from 8:30am-4:30pm Saturday. Additional options make it possible to have a partial or complete weekend retreat. Zazenkai is on Friday from 5am-5pm (register separately, open to all). Friday dinner (at 6pm), 7-9 meditation, an overnight and Saturday breakfast are optional: please pre-register, and also indicate whether you would like to stay for Saturday dinner, overnight and Sunday breakfast, to make it a full weekend retreat.

The final retreat is Saturday, January 29, 2011, the day before Shuso Hossen.

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LOOKING AHEAD

Future Dates

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

 

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