Noon Program
- Mondays, noon – 1pm
- Wednesday, noon – 1pm
- Fridays, noon – 1pm
- Wednesday evenings, orientation 6:30pm, practice 7:00 – 9:00pm
Saturday Morning
- Early Morning Practice: every Saturday morning 6am – 8:30am (zazen, service, temple cleaning and breakfast).
- New! Zen in Bellingham
Monthly Saturday mid-morning program. 1st Saturday or the month.
9:30 – Noon
Intro, meditaiton, Dharma talk, service, tea & cookies. See Events page.
Weekday Morning Open Sit
- Weekday Mornings, 6:30am – 7:15am Dharma Hall open sit
NOON PROGRAM
We offer meditation to the sangha and the broader community every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon. Building opens at 11:45 with a host there to answer questions. Or come use the library. The bell rings to begin a 30-minute period of sitting at 12:10. At 12:40 a brief bowing and chanting service in which we chant the Metta Sutta and a short dedication is given. The program closes at 12:50. If you need to be back to work sooner it is fine to leave at 12:40. Please do not leave during meditation.
WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAM
After two 30-minute periods of zazen, the evenings proceed as follows, but this schedule may differ during our annual Winter Practice Period and during the Spring Seminar.
First Wednesday Evening – Zen Training
Learning the forms and rituals of Zen Buddhism with opportunities to discuss and explore.
Second Wednesday Evening – Student Talk
Students prepare a short talk on their practice, which may be linked to a reading, followed by discussion. If you would like to give a talk, please speak with Tim or any Practice Committee member.
Third Wednesday Evening – Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony
The Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony is an ancient ceremony in which we renew our intention to live ethically with kindness and regard for all beings. It is a deep ceremony of return.
Fourth Wednesday Evening – Dharma Talk
A formal dharma talk is given by our resident priest, Nomon Tim Burnett, or a visiting speaker with authorization to give Dharma talks.
Fifth Wednesday Evening – Sangha Conversation
Round “table” discussion of practice and sangha issues with a theme. All are welcome to come and speak or to just listen.
SATURDAY MORNING PROGRAM
Every Saturday morning we offer early morning mediation. On the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month a potluck breakfast follows. Sitting early in the morning is a powerful part of the Zen tradition and we are happy to be offering it on a regular basis.
SATURDAY MORNING MEDITATION SCHEDULE
6:00am zazen (opening with robe chant, early morning bells, and priest’s jundo)
6:25am kinhin
6:35am zazen
7:00am kinhin
7:10am zazen
7:40am service (longer morning service)
8:10am soji (template cleaning)
8:25am 1st / 3rd Saturday of the month: potluck breakfast
(with oatmeal, coffee and tea provided)
or close.
SATURDAY MORNING ARRIVAL CHOICES: Please note that this is a flexible schedule. Please avoid entering or leaving the zendo during zazen (sitting meditation). Come at 6am for the entire program or arrive on the half hour for: the second (6:30am) or third (7:00am) zazen period, service (7:30am) or soji and breakfast (8:00am). If zazen in in progress when you arrive just wait in the lobby until you hear the bell then enter quietly and take your place standing before an empty cushion or chair.
1st / 3rd SATURDAY MORNING POTLUCK BREAKFAST: A pot of oatmeal, tea and coffee are made that morning at the Dharma Hall for community breakfast. To keep cooking work to a minimum we invite each person coming to bring a small potluck item. Sugggestions: a bowl of nuts, fruit, bread, or anything that can be added to a bowl of oatmeal.