Hartford Street Zen Center | Issan-ji

Please join us this Saturday morning for a Dharma talk by Rev. Cynthia Kear. Cynthia  received Jukai from SFZC Abbot Paul Haller in 2004. In 2008 she was given Shukke Tokudo (priest ordination) by Darlene Cohen, her heart and root teacher, and was shuso (head student) in 2009.  In December, 2010 Darlene gave her Dharma Transmission. In 2009 Cynthia graduated from the Shokagu Zen Institute, a three year Zen seminary training program.  She is the founding member of the Wild Geese Sangha, a group that has met for over 8 years.  She leads the Upstairs Sangha, a study group (both of which meet at her home zendo), and co-leads the Women’s Meditation & Recovery Sangha which meets monthly at HSZC.

Zazen (seated meditation) is at 9:25 as usual, with the talk at 10:15, and refreshments afterwards. Everyone is welcome.

Our retreat for the month of February will begin at 6:00 a.m., and conclude by noon with the monthly ceremony of renewal of our Bodhisattva Vows. Refreshments for all will follow. The day will feature periods of sitting (zazen) and walking (kinhin), a Dharma talk at 10:15 a.m., and morning chanting service as well as some brief temple cleaning (soji). Our style is quite mild, so no one needs to fear that the day will be too difficult, and retreats such as we have at Hartford Street provide a great opportunity just to settle more deeply and quietly into our practice of Buddha’s Way. A simple breakfast will be served, but to join the meal you must sign-up ahead-of-time, either by sending email to hszc108@yahoo.com, or leaving a phone message at (415) 863-2507. We are asking for a donation of $15 from non-members, and $10 from members, but no one will be turned away because of lack of funds.

Our zendo (meditation hall) will be closed in honor of the national holiday commemorating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this coming Monday. The regular schedule resumes with 6 a.m. zazen (seated meditation) Tuesday morning, the 17th.

Our board of directors will meet this Wednesday, starting promptly at 7:30 p.m., and lasting until 9 p.m. Board meetings are open to visitors.