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

May
6
Tue
Advanced Study Group – Dogen’s Shobogenzo
May 6 @ 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
May 6 @ 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.

May
7
Wed
Wednesday Classes: Paramitas
May 7 @ 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

 

 

May
8
Thu
Zen Poets Society
May 8 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Zen Poet Society is a Dharma Rain cohort group for those in the sangha with an appreciation for poetry and its many intersections with practice. Come to write, share your own poetry, poems you’ve found that have moved you, or simply bear witness to what others bring to the table.

 

Cultivating Compassion Workshop
May 8 @ 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.

May
10
Sat
Open Water Safety
May 10 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

This presentation focuses on Open Water Safety, though many of the concepts can also be applied to pools and other sources of water. Topics include: properly wearing life jackets, open water dangers, how to escape a rip current, the importance of swimming near a lifeguard, never swimming alone, etc. Especially geared toward parents of young children, and also open to the Dharma Rain sangha and the public. Registration is appreciated but not required.

 

Child Water Safety Workshop

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Intro to Zen Meditation
May 10 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 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.

May
11
Sun
Recitation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
May 11 @ 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.

May
13
Tue
Advanced Study Group – Dogen’s Shobogenzo
May 13 @ 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
    May 13 @ 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.

      Dharma Rain Newsletter Signup

      Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter that keeps you informed on what's going on at Dharma Rain Zen Center.


      By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact