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Rev. Daigan Gaither began Buddhist practice in 1995 in the Vipassana (Insight) tradition, and then began to study Zen in 2003 with Ryushin Paul Haller Roshi. He received Lay Ordination in 2006 where he was given the name Daigan or “Great Vow”, and received Priest Ordination in July 2011. Daigan speaks internationally on a variety of topics particularly around gender, sexuality, social justice and their intersections with the Dharma. He has a BA in Philosophy and Religion from San Francisco State University, and an MA in Buddhist Studies from the Graduate Theological Union and the Institute of Buddhist Studies.

Come for zazen (seated meditation) at 9:25 a.m., and stay for tea-and-cookies after the talk. All are welcome!

Please join us for a Dharma talk by Rev. Steven, priest-ordained by Rev. Dairyu Michael Wenger, and who is a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and frequent consultant to mental health and recovery programs, as well as group facilitator for our Issan-ji Sangha (community of practitioners). We’ll have zazen (seated meditation) as usual at 9:25, with the talk to follow, and afterwards tea and cookies will be on offer in the living room. Everyone is welcome!

Please join us for a Dharma talk by Rev. Steven, priest-ordained by Rev. Dairyu Michael Wenger, and who is a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and frequent consultant to 12-step programs, as well as group facilitator for our Issan-ji Sangha (community of practitioners). We’ll have zazen (seated meditation) as usual at 9:25, with the talk to follow, and afterwards tea and cookies will be on offer in the living room. Everyone is welcome!

We’ll observe the annual memorial for Dr. King on Monday, 20 January, so there won’t be the regular periods of zazen (seated meditation). Please join us again Tuesday, 21 January, beginning at 6:30 a.m., as usual.

Warm up to the New Year by chillin’ with us! Here’s the schedule:
7:30 pm Dai-Soji (temple cleaning)
8:00 pm New Year’s Noodles!
8:30 pm Zazen (sitting meditation)
9:00 pm New Year’s Toast & Fire Ceremony

Afterwards, you can go out and paint the town, if so inclined, but you’ll go with a peaceful heart. What could be better? Everyone is welcome!

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Wed, 4 Dec.
7:30 p.m. – orientation
8:00 p.m. – sitting
8:30 p.m. – retire
Thurs, Fri, Sat, 5,6,7 Dec.
6:30 a.m. – sitting
7:10 a.m. – morning chanting
7:50 a.m. – breakfast
8:45 a.m. – clean up & rest
9:40 a.m. – sitting
10:15 a.m. – Dharma talk
11:00 a.m. – walking
11:15 a.m. – sitting
11:50 a.m. – noon chanting
12:00 p.m. – lunch
12:50 p.m. – clean up & rest
1:50 p.m. – work period
2:50 p.m. – clean-up
3:00 p.m. – sitting
3:30 p.m. – walking
3:40 p.m. – sitting
4:10 p.m. – tea
4:25 p.m. – bath/exercise
5:10 p.m. – sitting
5:45 p.m. – walking
6:00 p.m. – sitting
6:40 p.m. – evening chanting
6:50 p.m. – medicine meal
7:25 p.m. – clean up & rest
8:15 p.m. – sitting
8:45 p.m. – walking
8:55 p.m. – sitting
9:25 p.m. – refuges
9:30 p.m. – hot drink/late sitting
Sun, 8 Dec.
Same as previous days until:
11:40 a.m. – ceremony set-up
11:45 a.m. – Bodhi Day ceremony
12:00 p.m. – end of retreat/refreshments

Please Note: Visitors are welcome to join in the scheduled sitting between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., but are asked NOT to take a seat in the zendo-proper once the period has begun, but to remain on the bench at the west end of the zendo until a period ends. Please see the schedule for the times of the sitting periods. Also, persons who have not registered for the retreat cannot be accommodated at mealtimes.

Our annual end-of-year retreat will begin with an orientation on Wednesday evening at 7:30, 4 Dec., and end by noon with a celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment on Sunday, 8 Dec. Please join us for this special time of quiet practice. Participants may attend any of the scheduled zendo (meditation hall) activities, but only those who have signed up in advance will be able to join in the semi-formal meals in the dining hall. There’ll soon be a preview of the schedule posted on this site. To sign up, send us an email at info@hszc.org, or leave us a phone message at (415) 863-2507. Blessings!