Category: News

We would like to make mention that the recent holiday of the following events are in near future or have recently passed.

Equinox Ceremony (Higan-e) – This week-long ceremony takes place on the spring and fall equinoxes, the middle of an important week when the weather is usually very good.

Higan is the teaching that leads people from the world of delusion to the world of awakening. There are six components of this teaching: giving, precepts, perseverance, diligence, zazen, and wisdom. It is taught that if we carry out these practices we will be blessed with happiness and good fortune.

Mahapajapati -This week many temples also observe the contributions in reverence and gratitude of Buddhism’s first Buddhist nun and adoptive mother of the person who would awaken (the Buddha) Mahapajapati. It s memorialized often with  an annual Buddhist ceremony held to honor Mahapajapati Gotami, the Buddha’s maternal aunt and foster mother, and the first Buddhist nun, often celebrated in March. It commemorates her request to be ordained and her role in establishing the order of Buddhist nuns. 

In recent past: Nirvana Ceremony, Commemorating the Buddha’s Death (Nehan-e) February 15th

And in the near future as well Flower Festival (Hana-matsuri) April 8th – Shakyamuni Buddha’s birthday is celebrated on April 8th

He was born 2500 years ago to King Suddhodana and Queen Maya in the garden of Lumbini which was located in Kapilavastu, a small kingdom in the Himalayan foothills. He was called Siddhartha and later, Shakyamuni Buddha.

Temple rememberances and expressions of gratitude – Also a reminder each 6th of the month or as near as we can mange we remember Rev. Issan Dorsey our temple founder/first abbot and remember the third abbot Rev. Philip Whalen of beat poet fame each monthly routine of around the 26th.

Peter was ordained by Richard Baker in 1975 and practiced at Zen Center in San Francisco, Tassajara and Green Gulch, returning to the market place in 1983 to establish a construction company and support his family. Prior to his arrival at Zen Center in 1972, he was practicing the solitary path of unguided meditation and rough carpentry in Zuni, New Mexico, Boston, Massachusetts, and Custer, South Dakota. He joined the Everyday Zen Community in 2001, and was the first Bay Area Shuso.

Since receiving transmission from Norman in 2011, He has been exploring the challenges and opportunities that poses, with the intention to extend his practice and support to others.

A few years ago he discovered an old Basque boarding house in the old North End of Boise, Idaho. He renovated one of the existing units and extended the new space up into the attic level, which required the removal of the roof and sagging rafters and reinforcing the existing structure. The new attic Zendo and guest space is light and warm, with a view to the south which includes several old church spires and part of the city center. Boise has several Buddhist groups, and he has connected with the Floating Cloud Sangha, who now have a place to meet, study and hold half day sittings, called The 7th Street Zendo. They can be located on the web at 7thStreetZendo.org

In San Francisco, located less than three blocks from Zen Center, he and others created The Oak Street Zendo, which offers a daily morning schedule, as well as classes and half day sittings on a semi regular basis, since it’s dedication in January 2015.  The power and engagement of group sitting and study has formed the core of his activity, both within and without the Everyday Zen practice calendar. On the web, they are located at OakStreetZendo.org.

Join us Saturdays for zazen (seated meditation) at 9:30am, with the Dharma talk to follow at 10:30. We offer in-person distanced attendance, and we also will continue to offer a Zoom web conferencing for video and/or audio presence for the scheduled events.

There’s an earlier sitting at 6:30am, in addition to the later one at 9:30am (you can log into the conference starting at ~9am). A period of zazen is typically 40 minutes, and it’s ok to adjust your sitting posture as needed. The Dharma talk includes time for questions and answers, occasionally followed by a particular ceremony such as the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday. We enjoy tea and cookies together afterwards. Please click here to be routed to our Zoom gathering  

And as always you can contact us to arrange an introductory session ~8:45am if you are a beginner.

As a reminder any week you do not see a speaker announced it is our Abbot, Rev. Myo Lahey.

Steven Tierney (Kai Po Koshin) is a Dharma transmitted teacher in the lineage of Suzuki Roshi. Steven practices with: Meditation in Recovery, Great Spirit, SFLGBTQA, and Dragons Leap Sanghas in addition to the Harford Street Zen Center. Steven believes that we can find wisdom, compassion and awakening wherever good people come together for practice, healing, service and joy. Tierney is a psychotherapist in private practice and Professor Emeritus in Counseling Psychology at CIIS.

Join us Saturdays for zazen (seated meditation) at 9:30am, with the Dharma talk to follow at 10:30. We offer in-person distanced attendance, and we also will continue to offer a Zoom web conferencing for video and/or audio presence for the scheduled events.

There’s an earlier sitting at 6:30am, in addition to the later one at 9:30am (you can log into the conference starting at ~9am). A period of zazen is typically 40 minutes, and it’s ok to adjust your sitting posture as needed. The Dharma talk includes time for questions and answers, occasionally followed by a particular ceremony such as the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday. We enjoy tea and cookies together afterwards. Please click here to be routed to our Zoom gathering  

And as always you can contact us to arrange an introductory session ~8:45am if you are a beginner.

As a reminder any week you do not see a speaker announced it is our Abbot, Rev. Myo Lahey.

after the Dharma talk on February 15th (this Saturday), we will have one of our monthly founder memorials for Rev. Issan Dorsey. Please join us.

please also remember the temple will be closed for Presidents day.

This Saturday dharma talk from the Abbot;

February 22, Talk offered by Rev Koshin, Steven Tierney (more details to post soon);

Monday, February 17 – Presidents day – Issan-ji Temple will be closed in honor of Presidents who live by their parallel ways of our 8 fold path.

art credit: https://teahouse.buddhistdoor.net/buddhism-and-today-ancient-principles-contemporary-conscience/

Join us Saturdays for zazen (seated meditation) at 9:30am, with the Dharma talk to follow at 10:30. We offer in-person distanced attendance, and we also will continue to offer a Zoom web conferencing for video and/or audio presence for the scheduled events.

There’s an earlier sitting at 6:30am, in addition to the later one at 9:30am (you can log into the conference starting at ~9am). A period of zazen is typically 40 minutes, and it’s ok to adjust your sitting posture as needed. The Dharma talk includes time for questions and answers, occasionally followed by a particular ceremony such as the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday. We enjoy tea and cookies together afterwards. Please click here to be routed to our Zoom gathering  

And as always you can contact us to arrange an introductory session ~8:45am if you are a beginner.

As a reminder any week you do not see a speaker announced it is our Abbot, Rev. Myo Lahey.

In one of the final talks before Tova heads to SFZC’s retirement community, this Saturday she will join us at HSZC/Issan-ji Temple where she has given a number of talks in past years.

Tova Green, she/her, is a resident priest at San Francisco Zen Center. She was ordained in 2003 and received Dharma transmission from Eijun Linda Cutts in 2015. Tova is the Branching Streams Director, supporting and connecting the 75+ Zen Centers and sanghas in the Suzuki Roshi lineage. She also writes blogs for SFZC’s online newsletter, Sangha News. Tova co-founded SFZC’s Queer Dharma group and has been involved in Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives during her twenty-four years as a resident. She has worked with those who are approaching death as a hospice social worker and as a priest. Tova enjoys reading and writing poetry and playing the cello.

Join us Saturday for zazen (seated meditation) at 9:30am, with the Dharma talk to follow at 10:30. We offer in-person distanced attendance, and we also will continue to offer a Zoom web conferencing for video and/or audio presence for the scheduled events. There’s an earlier sitting at 6:30am, in addition to the later one at 9:30am (you can log into the conference starting at ~9am). A period of zazen is typically 40 minutes, and it’s ok to adjust your sitting posture as needed. The Dharma talk includes time for questions and answers, occasionally followed by a particular ceremony such as the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday. We enjoy tea and cookies together afterwards. Please click here to be routed to our Zoom gathering  

And as always you can contact us to arrange an introductory session ~8:45am if you are a beginner.

As a reminder any week you do not see a speaker announced it is our Abbot, Rev. Myo Lahey.

We hope the year has started off well for you both by gregorian calendar and the new lunar year as of yesterday.

Our lunar/Chinese new year joss and daruma burning was a nice event with chinese new year decoration and treats. Welcome to the year of the wood snake.

After our usual Saturday program we will celebrate the lunar new year by engaging in traditions of Chinese culture from which also formed Ch’an which came to Japan known as Zen. After the Dharma talk we will offer some Chinese New year décor, treats and offer joss paper offerings to our family and friends who have gone beyond, Please join us!

In addition to the actual Lunar New Year beginning for the year of the Chinese astrology snake and element wood, just a few days apart, is also our founder (soto zen) in Japan is known to have been born January 26, 1200- Zen Master Dōgen Zenj

Happy new year in Mandarin is xīn nián kuài lè (新年快乐). In Cantonese, it’s gong hei fat choy. 

• Xīn nián kuài lè(新年快乐) A formal greeting that means “New Year happiness” 
• Xīn nián hao(新年好) A shortened version of xīn nián kuài lè that’s often used with friends and family 
• Gōng xǐ fā cái(恭喜发财) A common greeting that means “wishing you great happiness and prosperity” 
• Wàn shì rú yì(万事如意) A common wish that means “may everything that you wish come true” 
  
  The Year of the Wood Snake is a time for growth, introspection, and transformation. 
• It’s a time to encourage inner reflection and outward progress. 
• It’s a time to embrace change and make major breaks with the past. 

What are the characteristics of the Wood Snake?

• The Wood Snake combines the characteristics of the Snake with the nurturing and expansive qualities of Wood. 
• People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be wise, calm, resourceful, and observant. 
• They are also said to be natural-born explorers, curious, charming, and determined. 
• The last Year of the Wood Snake was in 1965.

Before the new year offerings: zazen (seated meditation) at 9:30am, with the Dharma talk to follow at 10:30. We offer in-person distanced attendance, and we also will continue to offer a Zoom web conferencing for video and/or audio presence for the scheduled events. There’s an earlier sitting at 6:30am, in addition to the later one at 9:30am (you can log into the conference starting at 9am). A period of zazen is typically 40 minutes, and it’s ok to adjust your sitting posture as needed. The Dharma talk includes time for questions and answers. We enjoy tea and cookies together afterwards and will combine this lunar new year event. Please click here to be routed to our Zoom gathering  

And as always you can contact us to arrange an introductory session ~8:45am if you are a beginner.