Year-at-a-Glance
All events are accessible in both the Dirt and Cloud Zendos unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, March 5th ~ 8-9pm Pacific Time
Annual Precept Study Series Begins
Every year, we study the Bodhisattva Precepts. Please join us! This series occurs every Tuesday (except for sesshin, on April 23rd) between March 5th and our June 2nd Jukai ceremony (13 classes total) and is led by Sangha members who have received Jukai. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, March 17th ~ 11:15am - 12:15pm Pacific Time
Shuso Hossen Ceremony
Shuso Hossen is a ceremony marking the end of a shuso’s term of service. A shuso is someone who serves as “chief student” for a year, assisting the teacher in making sure the Sangha is able to practice fruitfully and peacefully. Click HERE to learn more.
Saturday, March 23rd ~ 7:30am-4:30pm
One-Day Retreat with Mondo
Our One-Day retreats are a wonderful way to deepen connection with Sangha and settle into stillness. At the end of the retreat, we do mondo practice (a formal question-and-answer ceremony based on a Dharma text). Click here for more information.
Sunday, April 7th ~ 9:30-10am Pacific Time
Wesak Ceremony
Wesak (pronounced Vay-sock) is celebrated all over the world, in all forms of Buddhism, and commemorates the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. All are welcome to join the ceremony; its beauty of this ceremony is greatly enhanced by the participation of children and the presence of bountiful flowers! Click here for more information.
Tuesday Evening, April 23rd - Sunday Morning, April 28th
BWZ Sesshin
Sesshin – a multi-day, residential, full-time silent meditation retreat – is a challenging but profound experience. Consider joining us! We will be renting a beautiful out-of-town facility with accomodations and a kitchen. Click here for more information.
Saturday, May 25th ~ 8:30am-4pm Pacific Time
Spring Term Student Program Ends ~ Closing Retreat
Registered term students only. The Term Student program is 2-3 months long, and is designed to help you intensify practice for a specific period of time, and to create stronger sangha connections. Click here for more information.
Sunday, June 2nd ~ 11:15am-12:15pm Pacific Time
Jukai Ceremony ~ Formally Becoming a Zen Buddhist
Every year, we gather to witness people “receiving” the Bodhisattva Precepts and formally becoming a Zen Buddhist. If you are interested in doing this, click here for more information.
Saturday, June 29th ~ 5:30am-9pm Pacific Time
Zazenkai – All-Day Retreat
Retreat is an essential part of realizing the truth of Zen for yourself. Our Zazenkai encompasses an entire day, just like a day of sesshin (a longer residential retreat) and includes zazen, chanting, silent work practice, formal oryoki meals, rest, and sanzen with the teacher. Click here for more information.
The Month of August ~ Tuesdays and Sundays
Sangha Voices Series
In August, our teacher Domyo takes a sabbatical and our Tuesday classes and Sunday talks are led by Sangha members! This is a wonderful opportunity for Sangha members to get to know one another better, and to hear the Dharma expressed in many different voices. Stay tuned for a schedule of classes/discussion topics/talks, and consider volunteering to offer something yourself if you have been a member of Bright Way for a year or more.
Saturday, Sept 14th ~ 8:30am-4pm Pacific Time
Fall Term Student Program Begins ~ Opening Retreat
Registered term students only. The Term Student program is 2-3 months long, and is designed to help you intensify practice for a specific period of time, and to create stronger sangha connections. Click here for more information.
Sunday, September 15th ~ 9:30-10am Pacific Time
Founder’s Ceremony
This ceremony honors our temple founder, Rev. Kyogen Carlson, and his teacher Roshi Jiyu Kennett, around the anniversary of their deaths. Click here for more information.
Tuesday Evening, September 24th - Sunday Morning, September 29th
BWZ Sesshin
Sesshin – a multi-day, residential, full-time silent meditation retreat – is a challenging but profound experience. Consider joining us! We will be renting a beautiful out-of-town facility with accomodations and a kitchen. Click here for more information.
Saturday, October 26th ~ 7:30am-4:30pm
One-Day Retreat with Mondo
Our One-Day retreats are a wonderful way to deepen connection with Sangha and settle into stillness. At the end of the retreat, we do mondo practice (a formal question-and-answer ceremony based on a Dharma text). Click here for more information.
Sunday, October 27th ~ 9:30-10am Pacific Time
Sejiki Ceremony
Sejiki is our annual Soto Zen “Festival of the Hungry Ghosts.” We make offerings to the manifestations of unresolved karma in the world, and also remember people who have recently passed away. Click here for more information.
Sunday, November 17th ~ 11:15am-12:15pm Pacific Time
Annual Member’s Meeting
Please attend Bright Way Zen’s Annual Member’s Meeting! While the title of the meeting refers to “members,” all are welcome to attend. The purpose of this meeting is to create an opportunity for everyone to hear an update from the Board of Directors regarding various topics of interest and to discuss questions and ideas from all attendees. Click here for more information.
First Week of December
Rohatsu Sesshin
Bright Way Zen does not hold its own Rohatsu sesshin at this time, but members are strongly encouraged to participate with another Sangha. Rohatsu is the deepest, quietest sesshin of the year, and it’s practiced by Zen communities all over the world in early December. Domyo attends the sesshin at Great Vow; to join her, stay tuned for information on their Rohatsu by clicking here.
Saturday, December 21st ~ 8:30am-4pm Pacific Time
Fall Term Student Program Ends ~ Closing Retreat
Registered term students only. The Term Student program is 2-3 months long, and is designed to help you intensify practice for a specific period of time, and to create stronger sangha connections. Click here for more information.
December 23rd - January 1st
Holiday Break
Bright Way is on holiday break between Christmas and New Year’s, but there are usually a few practice events you can tune into during the break.