Category: News

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Sat. Feb 9.; A Lunar New Year activity

drmaIn Tibet it is known as Losar and more locally here in San Francisco many of us know it is the start of the Chinese New Year as of February 10, 2013. This is the year of Element Water and Animal Snake in Chinese Astrology.

In our very own SF Chinatown stores are packed full of Joss paper items to burn. This time of year is also said to be when the veil between the living physical world and any spirit worlds are thin and so an ideal time to burn paper representations of money or desired objects to “send” to deceased loved ones in their smoke and ashes.

At the start of our social, tea and cookie time a few of us are going to gather and using a western device of a chiminea burn some Joss paper in our garden to memorialize our passed loved ones as well as the many individuals who passed from this physical seen world at HSZC and Maitri Hospice. It will be a small informal, heartfelt gesture; we can even supply some joss paper for you, followed by a few traditional Chinese new year treats.

This event is not so much one of a specific Buddhist tradition, but has more roots in modern Chinese folk traditions which has some modern expression of Taoism. Ancient Taoism has historical roots that are part of our expression of today’s Zen.

To incorporate our Japanese tradition and lineage we will also burn the 2012 Daruma of HSZC whose goal has been realized and install a new single pupil Daruma for a new year of goals for HSZC! Please feel free to join us in remembering your loved ones, those of Maitri and all beings who have passed beyond the physically viewable world and setting some new hopes and intentions for the upcoming lunar year for you and HSZC.

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10 Feb 2013: Year of the Snake, Element Water!

2013 snake yearIn Chinese astrology we are getting ready to say good bye to the year of the Dragon 2012 and to welcome the Year of the Water, Snake! Snake is the Yin to last year’s Dragon Yang. Snake does not settle for mediocrity. The Snake is believed to symbolize developments in the area of science and technology. Research and development are said in year of the snake to flourish. The element this year is Water, the element most closely associated with education and research, making 2013 a great year for scientists and scholars. Snake is a great sign, a positive one, with energy that can help us face all of the challenges ahead of us.

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Zendo closed today!

MLKWe’ll observe the annual memorial for Dr. King on Monday, 21 January, so there won’t be the regular periods of zazen (seated meditation). Please join us again Tuesday, 22 January, beginning at 6:00 a.m., as usual.

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February 2013: Opening for Practice Resident

The Hartford Street Zen Center  has availability for one practice resident as of February 2013.  We are looking for individuals interested in and committed to experiencing residential practice at a small, urban temple, helping to create and maintain a harmonious and welcoming place for our resident and non-resident sangha and living an engaged practice schedule.  

Applicants ideally have prior experience with Soto Zen practice, and prior residential practice experience is not a requirement, but is preferred. While participation and assistance in the daily events of the sangha are expected of any practice resident, it is our expectation that most residents are employed outside of the center, and so we are accommodating toward one’s professional schedule as long as there is  enough personal practice as guided and determined by our Practice Leader to be an active and engaged residential student.

Please drop by to inquire in person!

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Guest Speaker Sat, 12 Jan.: Anshin Rosalie Curtis

Anshin Rosalie Curtis came to SF Zen Center for the first time on January 2, 1982 for a Saturday Dharma talk. She has held various staff and officer positions and was SF Zen Center’s graphic designer for ten years in the 1990s. She completed her shuso training as a lay practitioner in 2004, was ordained as a priest a year later, and received Dharma transmission from Michael Wenger in 2011. Recently she served as the Chief Financial Officer for SFZC and it’s subsidiaries. Currently she is the tanto, head of practice, at SFZC – City Center.

Every Saturday we offer early morning zazen (seated meditation), a brief drop-in meditation instruction at 8:30 am. And again zazen at 9:25 am. We wrap up with a dharma talk at 10:15 am followed by tea and cookies. Please join us!