Several times a month, typically on a Thursday evening or a Saturday afternoon, Dharma Rain Zen Center offers introductory workshops on Zen practice.

  • Intro to 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.
  • Basic Buddhist Teachings introduces the basic teachings of Buddhism.

These workshops are open to all and offered free of charge (donations are gratefully accepted). You do not need to register. Our address is 8500 NE Siskiyou. The workshops are held in the Sodo (the large temple building at the end of the driveway on the left).

See the calendar below to find out when an introductory workshop you are interested in is scheduled.

More about Workshops and Classes …

Classes and Workshops Calendar

Jan
5
Sun
Recitation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
Jan 5 @ 11:45 am – 12:15 pm
Ko’in (and sometimes others) lead the ancient, traditional practice of the recitation of the Avatamsaka (Flower Ornament) Sutra. We chant aloud as a group for approximately 30 minutes each week. No registration required; please attend as you are interested or able. We meet in the library on Sundays after the dharma talk. (On third Sundays we meet in the office, next to the library.) We are using Cleary’s translation of the Sutra. Please bring your own copy if you have one. There are a limited number of extra copies available for use in the library. According to Thomas Cleary, this sutra “is perhaps the richest and most grandiose of all Buddhist sutras, held in high esteem by all schools of Buddhism that are concerned with universal liberation. Its incredible wealth of sensory imagery staggers the imagination and exercised an almost mesmeric effect on the mind as it conveys a wide range of teachings through its complex structure, colorful symbolism, and its mnemonic concentration formulae.” If you have questions, please contact Fumyo or Ko’in at dharma-rain.org.
Jan
7
Tue
Intro to Zen Meditation
Jan 7 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop is designed for complete beginners, but it is also recommended for anyone who has not received instruction in the Soto Zen style of zazen. No previous experience is necessary.

This meeting is available both in person and online. Advance registration for attendance, whether in person or on Zoom is not required. Clicking the link for Zoom attendance will bring up a form to provide your first name and email before joining the meeting.

Jan
8
Wed
Precepts Wednesday Class
Jan 8 @ 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm

This class is about the 16 Bodhisattva Precepts, the ethical guidelines of Zen practice. The class prepares those who wish to take Jukai in March, as well as allowing everyone to explore how to work with these in everyday life. This year’s preceptor is Gyoshi.

All Wednesday night classes are open to the public. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted.

This class is in-person only, no Zoom option, though it is recorded. Audio files can be found here.

We meet on this schedule:
7-7:10pm Evening Service
7:10-7:40 Zazen
7:40-7:50 Tea, Announcements
7:50~9 Class
9-9:10 Vespers

 

 

Jan
11
Sat
Starting a Practice
Jan 11 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

The Starting a Practice workshop offers a way to cultivate insight by looking at our own actions in the light of the Buddhist Precepts. We also look at the forms used at Dharma Rain, including an explanation of the altar and other items found in the zendo (meditation hall), chanting, bowing, and other practices. Advance registration is not required.

 

 

Jan
12
Sun
Recitation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
Jan 12 @ 11:45 am – 12:15 pm

Ko’in (and sometimes others) lead the ancient, traditional practice of the recitation of the Avatamsaka (Flower Ornament) Sutra.

We chant aloud as a group for approximately 30 minutes each week. No registration required; please attend as you are interested or able. We meet in the library on Sundays after the dharma talk. (On third Sundays we meet in the office, next to the library.)

We are using Cleary’s translation of the Sutra. Please bring your own copy if you have one. There are a limited number of extra copies available for use in the library.

According to Thomas Cleary, this sutra “is perhaps the richest and most grandiose of all Buddhist sutras, held in high esteem by all schools of Buddhism that are concerned with universal liberation. Its incredible wealth of sensory imagery staggers the imagination and exercised an almost mesmeric effect on the mind as it conveys a wide range of teachings through its complex structure, colorful symbolism, and its mnemonic concentration formulae.”

If you have questions, please contact Fumyo or Ko’in at dharma-rain.org.

Jan
15
Wed
Precepts Wednesday Class
Jan 15 @ 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm

This class is about the 16 Bodhisattva Precepts, the ethical guidelines of Zen practice. The class prepares those who wish to take Jukai in March, as well as allowing everyone to explore how to work with these in everyday life. This year’s preceptor is Gyoshi.

All Wednesday night classes are open to the public. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted.

This class is in-person only, no Zoom option, though it is recorded. Audio files can be found here.

We meet on this schedule:
7-7:10pm Evening Service
7:10-7:40 Zazen
7:40-7:50 Tea, Announcements
7:50~9 Class
9-9:10 Vespers

 

 

Jan
16
Thu
Cultivating Compassion Workshop
Jan 16 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Feel caught by a sense of isolation or anxiety? Want to develop your ability to relate to others and your own self with more warmth and authenticity? This 2-hr workshop will help you access compassion in challenging times, leading to greater connection and satisfaction. A mix of explanation, meditation, experiential exercises, and facilitated discussion will be used to ensure that the workshop is practical and translates to your life. No experience or affiliation necessary. This workshop is in-person only.

Advance registration is not required.

Jan
19
Sun
Recitation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
Jan 19 @ 11:45 am – 12:15 pm

Ko’in (and sometimes others) lead the ancient, traditional practice of the recitation of the Avatamsaka (Flower Ornament) Sutra.

We chant aloud as a group for approximately 30 minutes each week. No registration required; please attend as you are interested or able. We meet in the library on Sundays after the dharma talk. (On third Sundays we meet in the office, next to the library.)

We are using Cleary’s translation of the Sutra. Please bring your own copy if you have one. There are a limited number of extra copies available for use in the library.

According to Thomas Cleary, this sutra “is perhaps the richest and most grandiose of all Buddhist sutras, held in high esteem by all schools of Buddhism that are concerned with universal liberation. Its incredible wealth of sensory imagery staggers the imagination and exercised an almost mesmeric effect on the mind as it conveys a wide range of teachings through its complex structure, colorful symbolism, and its mnemonic concentration formulae.”

If you have questions, please contact Fumyo or Ko’in at dharma-rain.org.

Jan
22
Wed
Precepts Wednesday Class
Jan 22 @ 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm

This class is about the 16 Bodhisattva Precepts, the ethical guidelines of Zen practice. The class prepares those who wish to take Jukai in March, as well as allowing everyone to explore how to work with these in everyday life. This year’s preceptor is Gyoshi.

All Wednesday night classes are open to the public. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted.

This class is in-person only, no Zoom option, though it is recorded. Audio files can be found here.

We meet on this schedule:
7-7:10pm Evening Service
7:10-7:40 Zazen
7:40-7:50 Tea, Announcements
7:50~9 Class
9-9:10 Vespers

 

 

Jan
23
Thu
Intro to Zen Meditation
Jan 23 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop is designed for complete beginners, but it is also recommended for anyone who has not received instruction in the Soto Zen style of zazen. No previous experience is necessary.

This meeting is available both in person and online. Advance registration for attendance, whether in person or on Zoom is not required. Clicking the link for Zoom attendance will bring up a form to provide your first name and email before joining the meeting.

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