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

Apr
20
Sun
Recitation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
Apr 20 @ 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.
Apr
22
Tue
Advanced Study Group – Dogen’s Shobogenzo
Apr 22 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

This advanced study group will examine the first ten fascicles of Dogen’s Shobogenzo. Each week, a different member will lead the group discussion.

If you would like to join this study group, we ask that you:

-Be a Dharma Rain member
-Have Seminary or similar dharma study experience.

If you have any questions about the class or joining the class, please contact Tsuho at above email.

Required Text

Master Dogen’s Shobogenzo, Book 2, translated by Gudo Nishijima and Chodo Cross, Published by Dogen Sangha, 1994

You can purchase the bound version, download the pdf , or borrow from the library.

Note: Participating in this study group does not count for seminary credit.

March 11
March 18
March 25
April 1
April 8
April 22
April 29
May 6
May 13
May 20

Registration (required) for the class closes /February 28. 

 

The class registration has now closed.

 

 

Seminary – Wisdom Sutras 2025
Apr 22 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
This class is on the Wisdom Sutras, which include the Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 Lines, the Diamond Sutra, and the Heart Sutra. To take this class for seminary credit you must be enrolled in the seminary program. You can take it not-for-credit as a Dharma Studies student if you meet the prerequisites. To learn more, contact the 
The class meets on Tuesdays from 7-9pm, beginning March 11. Taught by Ko’in.
March 11
March 18
March 25
April 8
April 22
April 29
May 6
May 13
May 20
May 27

The class registration has now closed.

Apr
23
Wed
Wednesday Classes: Sutra Study
Apr 23 @ 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm

This Wednesday evening class series will look at sutras. The Active Dharma Rain Teachers will be presenting some of their favorite teachings from the sutras, so there will be a lot of variety. At that, it will be only a taste of each sutra and a small sample of all of the sutras out there. Still, we hope to get into some depth and have some good discussion and an enhanced understanding of the richness of the teachings in Buddhism. Here are the dates.

March 12, Lankavatara Sutra – Kakumyo
March 19, Diamond Sutra – Flying Fish
March 26, Avatamsaka Sutra – Genko
April 2, Mahaparinivana Sutra – Jiko
April 9, Vimalakirti Sutra – Sosetsu
April 23, Awakening Faith in Mind – Fumyo

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

 

 

Apr
24
Thu
Intro to Zen Meditation
Apr 24 @ 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.

Apr
27
Sun
Hand in Hand Meeting
Apr 27 @ 11:45 am – 1:15 pm

Hand in Hand is an end-of-life support program offered by Dharma Rain to members of the sangha who are approaching death. A group of senior sangha members (Companions”) have been trained to respond to requests by dying sangha members (“Friends”) in need of spiritual support and compassionate companionship during this time.

Companions consider our work to be an integral part of our spiritual practice. After completing an 8-week Hand in Hand training course in Fall 2021, we have been meeting monthly to engage in peer-led on-going training and support for each other.

Our monthly meetings are open to sangha members interested in exploring topics related to death and dying as a part of your spiritual practice. If you would like to join us or for more information, contact Hoka at the above email address.

Recitation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
Apr 27 @ 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.

Apr
29
Tue
Advanced Study Group – Dogen’s Shobogenzo
Apr 29 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

This advanced study group will examine the first ten fascicles of Dogen’s Shobogenzo. Each week, a different member will lead the group discussion.

If you would like to join this study group, we ask that you:

-Be a Dharma Rain member
-Have Seminary or similar dharma study experience.

If you have any questions about the class or joining the class, please contact Tsuho at above email.

Required Text

Master Dogen’s Shobogenzo, Book 2, translated by Gudo Nishijima and Chodo Cross, Published by Dogen Sangha, 1994

You can purchase the bound version, download the pdf , or borrow from the library.

Note: Participating in this study group does not count for seminary credit.

March 11
March 18
March 25
April 1
April 8
April 22
April 29
May 6
May 13
May 20

Registration (required) for the class closes /February 28. 

 

There was a problem with your submission. Please review the fields below.

     

     

    Seminary – Wisdom Sutras 2025
    Apr 29 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
    This class is on the Wisdom Sutras, which include the Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 Lines, the Diamond Sutra, and the Heart Sutra. To take this class for seminary credit you must be enrolled in the seminary program. You can take it not-for-credit as a Dharma Studies student if you meet the prerequisites. To learn more, contact the 
    The class meets on Tuesdays from 7-9pm, beginning March 11. Taught by Ko’in.
    March 11
    March 18
    March 25
    April 8
    April 22
    April 29
    May 6
    May 13
    May 20
    May 27

    There was a problem with your submission. Please review the fields below.

      Apr
      30
      Wed
      Wednesday Classes: Paramitas
      Apr 30 @ 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm

      Jiko will teach a series of classes on the Paramitas: generosity (dana), morality (sila), patience (ksanti), diligence (virya), meditation (dhyana), wisdom (prajna), skillful means (upaya), vow (pranidhana), spiritual power (bala), and knowledge (jnana).

      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

       

       

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