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

Oct
29
Tue
Advanced Study Group – Dogen’s Shobogenzo
Oct 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.

August 20 September 10 September 17 September 24 October 1 October 8 October 15 October 22 October 29

Registration (required) for the class closes August 17. 

The class registration has now closed.

     
Seminary – Lineage 2024
Oct 29 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lineage is one of the five core seminary classes. This class covers the Buddhist lineage from the Buddha in India, through China, Japan and the West, to modern day, including the women’s lineage. 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 irregularly for ten sessions (on Tuesdays or Thursdays) from 7-9pm. First class is September 10, 2024. Last class is November 26, 2024. Taught by Genko.

Tuesday, September 10
Thursday, September 19
Thursday, October 3 (meets in office rather than library)
Tuesday, October 8
Thursday, October 17
Tuesday, October 22
Tuesday, October 29
Tuesday, November 12
Thursday, November 21
Tuesday, November 26

Registration is now closed.

Oct
30
Wed
Foundational Teachings Wednesday Class
Oct 30 @ 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm

Wednesday night classes focus on Buddhist teaching, from its early stages in India through its expression in Soto Zen. This annual class explores topics such as the Buddha’s life, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma and Rebirth, Dependent Origination, the Paramitas and other aspirational practices, as well as contributions from some of our important Zen ancestors, including Dogen. The Foundational Teachings classes are a seminary requirement and prerequisite for many other seminary classes. Taught by Sosetsu.

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

We meet on this schedule:
7-7:10pm Evening Service
7:10-7:40 Zazen
7:40-7:50 Break, Tea
7:50~8:50 Class
8:50-9 Vespers

This class is NOT available on Zoom, though it is usually recorded (audio only). Recordings of classes and Dharma Talks are available on the website.

 

 

 

Nov
1
Fri
Qigong Class
Nov 1 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Kakumyo offers this Qigong class open to beginners as well as advanced practitioners, and all the physical postures can be modified to fit individual needs or limitations.

We will focus on “the 14” (ie., the JinJing Gong Shi Si Shi), but do pieces of a few other forms as well. The goal is to have you leave with:

  • an exposure to the types of breathing and basic postural principles
  • a felt sense of what we mean by “tendon-meridian”
  • basic introduction to a variety of qigong techniques (shaking, walking, standing, percussion, sound, visualization) that can be used to support vitality and transformation
  • enough familiarity with the “14” and the “7” that you could practice on your own, (perhaps with the handout that will be provided)

The style is from the JinJing Gong lineage. Kakumyo is a fully authorized teacher, with 20 years of qigong practice. His teacher was Bill Frazier, who learned from Wang Shifu in China, whose teacher was Li Jie, a Taoist priest of the Quanzhen pai school, Longmen Pai sect.

The JinJing Gong lineage is small, based around Chengdu, China, but a practice community has sprung up around Portland, OR, over the last 20 years. This is a vigorous style of qigong, with a variety of different forms/sequences. It has martial, medical and contemplative roots, incorporating graceful movements, challenging breathing, detailed mindfulness, and other elements into the overall exercise.

Nov
2
Sat
Intro to Zen Meditation
Nov 2 @ 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.

Nov
3
Sun
Recitation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
Nov 3 @ 11:45 am – 12:15 pm

Fumyo, Kakuon, 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.

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 Kakuon at dharma-rain.org.

Nov
6
Wed
Foundational Teachings Wednesday Class
Nov 6 @ 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm

Wednesday night classes focus on Buddhist teaching, from its early stages in India through its expression in Soto Zen. This annual class explores topics such as the Buddha’s life, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma and Rebirth, Dependent Origination, the Paramitas and other aspirational practices, as well as contributions from some of our important Zen ancestors, including Dogen. The Foundational Teachings classes are a seminary requirement and prerequisite for many other seminary classes. Taught by Sosetsu.

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

We meet on this schedule:
7-7:10pm Evening Service
7:10-7:40 Zazen
7:40-7:50 Break, Tea
7:50~8:50 Class
8:50-9 Vespers

This class is NOT available on Zoom, though it is usually recorded (audio only). Recordings of classes and Dharma Talks are available on the website.

 

 

 

Nov
7
Thu
Cultivating Compassion Workshop
Nov 7 @ 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.

Nov
10
Sun
Recitation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
Nov 10 @ 11:45 am – 12:15 pm

Fumyo, Kakuon, 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.

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 Kakuon at dharma-rain.org.

Nov
12
Tue
Seminary – Lineage 2024
Nov 12 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lineage is one of the five core seminary classes. This class covers the Buddhist lineage from the Buddha in India, through China, Japan and the West, to modern day, including the women’s lineage. 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 irregularly for ten sessions (on Tuesdays or Thursdays) from 7-9pm. First class is September 10, 2024. Last class is November 26, 2024. Taught by Genko.

Tuesday, September 10
Thursday, September 19
Thursday, October 3 (meets in office rather than library)
Tuesday, October 8
Thursday, October 17
Tuesday, October 22
Tuesday, October 29
Tuesday, November 12
Thursday, November 21
Tuesday, November 26

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