Sangha Voices Series

In August our teacher, Domyo, will be on her annual sabbatical in order to focus on all those things she never gets around to otherwise.

This is a wonderful opportunity to hear other Sangha Voices.

Throughout the month, on Tuesdays and Sundays, Sangha members will be offering talks, leading classes, and facilitating discussions. Attend in order to hear the Dharma expressed though these different voices, and also in order to get to know your Sangha better!

Tuesday Practice Information: Click here.
Sunday Practice Information: Click here for the full Sunday Schedule.

Upcoming Schedule & Topics

More info coming soon, stay tuned!

Tuesday, August 4th – Shoketsu – The Five Remembrances found in the Upajjhatthana Sutta (“Subjects for Contemplation”)

Sunday, August 9th – Guzan James ~ “Playing The Fool” – Following Zen Master Ryokan’s Example
In Western culture, we generally use the word “fool” as an epithet for those who act unskillfully and without consideration.
But what if there’s another definition of “foolishness” that we can use to better our practice and deepen our connection with the world around us?
In this discussion I’ll use Daigu Ryokan, the “Great Fool” of Zen, as a model for skillful foolishness, and discuss how we can learn from his approach to everyday life.

Tuesday, August 11th – Kyosen

Sunday, August 16th – Soki – Four Retreats and a Funeral
I’ll lead a discussion on my life and practice so far in 2026 including but not limited to my time spent at Green Gulch of San Francisco Zen Center, Dharma Rain Zen Center, and Great Vow Monastery.

Tuesday, August 18th – Jeff – Was The Buddha a Scientist?
Jeff, a physician specializing in psychiatry and addiction medicine, will compare and contrast the tenants of science and Buddhism and will invite the attendees to consider whether Buddha was a scientist. He will also review some scientific findings that may help explain how Buddhist practice can be beneficial for health and wellness.

Sunday, August 23rd – Greg Hokaku – You are ______. The Talk with No Name

This talk may address any, some or none of the following topics: Case 7 of the Blue Cliff Record, Buddha, completely losing touch with myself and reality, identity (and lack thereof), faith and doubt, emotional instability, rivers, the cyclical nature of Zen practice, utter self-indulgence, fear, death, failure, falling apart and why I cry when while peeling onions. It should be a great time.

Tuesday, August 25th – Carson – Path of Practice
A walk through my practice over the years at Bright Way Zen. Along the way I will share some of the teachings that have resonated the most with me and had the largest impact on my practice and life.

Sunday, August 30th – Katie – Is Zen Buddhism a natural religion?
Before I joined Bright Way and accepted Jukai, I made a list of religious elements that mattered to me. I called the list “natural religion” because it came from human values and experience. How does American Zen Buddhism measure up against natural religion? (in case you are holding your breath — pretty well). You might see your own values as we identify key elements of natural religion in Buddhism.

Katie Larsell has been a Buddhist longer than she notices (what! 6 years, already?). Before accepting Jukai, she was raised Catholic, then became a Unitarian Universalist, and later became a Unitarian Universalist minister. Still, and without apology, she sees Buddhism through the big-tent lens of Unitarian Universalism (aka natural religion).

Join us in the Dirt or Cloud Zendo