Welcome to BZC

Hozan Alan’s Condition

It’s been eight weeks since Abbot Hozan Alan Senauke experienced a cardiac arrest while being hospitalized for complications from surgery. After spending most of January unconscious, Hozan began to wake up—first with eye contact and hand squeezes, then by gradually finding his voice again and interacting more and more fully with visitors.

Silvie, Genpo, and I are very encouraged by the progress he continues to make in his recovery. We are also deeply grateful for the many bedside visits and expressions of concern, and for the way the BZC community has seamlessly carried on the practice at Russell Street.

-Laurie Senauke

(get regular updates on Hozan here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/alanhozansenauke/)

The 2024 BZC Event Calendar is Here
Face Mask Policy
We have returned to optional masking.  We continue to require vaccinations and at least one booster. If you haven’t already and you want to attend, please send your vax and booster information to the Office Manager –  bzcofficemanager@gmail.com – AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU ATTEND (if sooner than that, also bring your vax card and ID with you).  You need to send it in by email, even if you have shown your card to the monitor.

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID within two days of being here, please notify the coordinator, Carol Paul, at caroljpaul@yahoo.com.

Upcoming Sittings and Sesshins

There will be a One-day Sesshin Saturday, March 16 from 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM. The priest and speaker will be Hannah Meara.  The deadline to sign up is Noon on Thursday, March 14. In-person attendance will be limited to 33 people.

SIGN UP BY CLICKING HERE: https://forms.gle/Lyopq87D7zkRMBKH9

Please also read full details here: https://berkeleyzencenter.org/calendar-3/?mc_id=1272


There will be a Women’s Sesshin on Sunday, March 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The speaker will be Mary Mocine, retired
abbot of Clear Water Zendo, and Hannah
Meara will be the director. A buffet lunch will be offered.

Sign-up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-5tfwc7elF4U7gw-trOirNoBLRqEBLqpCW9V9LEUFB5R7ZA/viewform

A donation of $25 for in-person and $15 for
online attendance is requested. For more
information, please contact Hannah at hmeara@gmail.com.

Beginner’s Sesshin, April 21st. See: https://berkeleyzencenter.org/calendar-3/?mc_id=1281


Upcoming Class on the Heart Sutra taught by Karen Sundheim

The Heart Sutra is the most chanted sutra in Mahayana Buddhist temples throughout the world. We chant it at BZC twice daily on weekdays, and on Saturday and Sesshins. Sojun often said all of Buddhism and zen is expressed in this Perfection of Wisdom in 25 lines. Karen Sundheim will be teaching a class to explore this important Mahayana text on Thursday evenings 7:15 – 8:45 pm March 14, 21, 28 and April 4. It will be offered in hybrid format.

Please register by using this link so that you can receive any study materials: 

https://forms.gle/yGrxtGLHU6dTboaf6

Class fee is $40. Questions can be directed to the class coordinator, Ryushin Andrea andrea.thach@gmail.com.

IN-PERSON ZAZEN IN GENERALIf you are interested in attending in person zazen, please send your vax and booster information to the Office Manager –  bzcofficemanager@gmail.com – AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU ATTEND (if sooner than that, also bring your vax card and ID with you).  You need to send it in by email, even if you have shown your card to the monitor.

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID within two days of being here, please notify the coordinator, Carol Paul, at caroljpaul@yahoo.com.