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
21
Tue
Intro to Zen Meditation
Apr 21 @ 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. Meeting ID 857 4787 4046 Passcode 546447
Seminary: Lotus Sutra
Apr 21 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

This is a Seminary Class. See more information about Seminary here.

Instructor: Jyoshin

Objective: The course will expose students to the richness of the Lotus Sutra. Through reading the text, examining art, songs, and commentary, students will gain an understanding of the importance of the Lotus Sutra in Mahayana Buddhism and its relevance in Soto Zen.

Texts: The Lotus Sutra

Students may choose from translations as it will be useful to compare translations and notice the effects of word choices made by the translators. Translations by Bunno Kato, Burton Watson, or Gene Reeves are common.

The instructor will be using The Threefold Lotus Sutra translated by Bunno Kato and Yoshiro Tamura.

Registered students will be provided with the Zoom link.

 

Apr
22
Wed
Wednesday Classes: Sutra Study
Apr 22 @ 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm

This Wednesday evening class series will look at sutras. Senior Practitioners and 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 11 – Ko’in – Intro to sutras; a few short suttas from Pali Canon
March 18 – Jiko – Precious Garland Sutra
March 25 – Genko – Avatamsaka Sutra
April 1 – Ko’in – Surangama Sutra
April 8 – Kakumyo – Kalita Sutta
April 22 – Daigai – Metta Sutta
April 29 – Zonnyo – Platform Sutra

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
7:50-8:50 Class
8:50-9:00 Vespers

 

 

Apr
23
Thu
Socially Engaged Buddhism Cohort
Apr 23 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

The Socially Engaged Buddhism Cohort holds its second meeting to explore ways in which Buddhist practice can inform social engagement, and in which social engagement can be Buddhist practice, with the intention of bringing us together in support for one another other and opening channels of communication. Contact Hogetsu at above email address.

Apr
26
Sun
Hand in Hand Meeting
Apr 26 @ 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 26 @ 11:45 am – 12:15 pm

NOTE: There will be NO Avatamsaka chanting on Sunday, September 14.

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 office on Sundays after the dharma talk.

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
28
Tue
Dealing with Stress Workshop
Apr 28 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Is life a little much sometimes? Do you find yourself saying things you wish you wouldn’t? Want to recover your sense of ease and joy? This 2-hr workshop teaches a variety of simple but effective techniques that reduce stress and emotional reactivity. The focus is on internal mindfulness practices that we can make use of in any situation. As proficiency grows, many find increased happiness, adaptability and confidence. A mix of explanation, meditation, experiential exercises, and facilitated discussion are used to ensure that the workshop is practical and translates to your life. No experience or affiliation necessary.

This is an in-person only event. Advance registration is not required.

Seminary: Lotus Sutra
Apr 28 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

This is a Seminary Class. See more information about Seminary here.

Instructor: Jyoshin

Objective: The course will expose students to the richness of the Lotus Sutra. Through reading the text, examining art, songs, and commentary, students will gain an understanding of the importance of the Lotus Sutra in Mahayana Buddhism and its relevance in Soto Zen.

Texts: The Lotus Sutra

Students may choose from translations as it will be useful to compare translations and notice the effects of word choices made by the translators. Translations by Bunno Kato, Burton Watson, or Gene Reeves are common.

The instructor will be using The Threefold Lotus Sutra translated by Bunno Kato and Yoshiro Tamura.

Registered students will be provided with the Zoom link.

 

Apr
29
Wed
Wednesday Classes: Sutra Study
Apr 29 @ 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm

This Wednesday evening class series will look at sutras. Senior Practitioners and 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 11 – Ko’in – Intro to sutras; a few short suttas from Pali Canon
March 18 – Jiko – Precious Garland Sutra
March 25 – Genko – Avatamsaka Sutra
April 1 – Ko’in – Surangama Sutra
April 8 – Kakumyo – Kalita Sutta
April 22 – Daigai – Metta Sutta
April 29 – Zonnyo – Platform Sutra

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
7:50-8:50 Class
8:50-9:00 Vespers

 

 

Apr
30
Thu
Intro to Zen Meditation
Apr 30 @ 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.

Meeting ID 833 4299 0402
Passcode 530434

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