Red Cedar Zen Community upcoming events

Sangha Mentors Program (Tuesday, March 10, 2026)

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Nomon Tim and the Red Cedar Zen Practice Leaders are happy to invite a new round of mentorship. This program is available to all Members of Red Cedar Zen Community.

In this program sangha members are paired with a mentor. The mentors are our Practice Leaders: Lay Teachers and Priests who have completed the shuso (head monk) training. Our Guiding Teacher, Nomon Tim Burnett, will not serve as a mentor, rather he will be directing the program and consulting regularly with the teachers. You are always welcome to consult with Nomon Tim one on one in dokusan (private interview).

The process is simple: simply register and indicate a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of whom you would like to serve as your mentor.

You will hear back from Nomon in a few weeks on which mentor was assigned. Know that the teachers do not see your preferences. Simply pick whom you feel affinity with and we will do the rest.

Once paired, you'll meet with your mentor and decide how often you would like to make contact. And how. We recommend touching base once or twice a month as a general guideline, but the program is flexible according to individual needs and the currents in our busy lives.

A period of mentorship is typically 6 months long to start, and can be extended by mutual agreement.

There is no registration fee or charge but please consider an offering of dana (generosity) to your mentor in any form that feels appropriate.

What will the conversations be about? Anything related to the practice. Which is to say, anything related to living our lives with more awareness and kindness. You might choose to both read an article or study a text and talk about it; you might choose to make a commitment about daily practice and have someone to check-in on how that's going; you might simply relax together over a cup of tea and feel the deep benefits of spiritual companionship.

We hope sangha members will take advantage of this opportunity. And remember that it helps our sangha's teachers to grow and develop when they have an opportunity to take on these roles. The Sangha Mentors program is a wonderful way to strengthen our individual and collective practice and inter-connection as a sangha.

Not yet a member? Please sign up on the Membership Page. A current membership is required to participate in the Sangha Mentors program.

Community Tea (Sunday, November 15, 2026)

Sun, 15 Nov 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Everyone is welcome to join the Red Cedar Zen Community for an afternoon tea social. This is an especially warm welcome if you are new to the community and wanting to connect with people in a less formal capacity. Tea will be provided but feel free to bring some of your favorite if you want, or bring some lunch if you would like to eat with us as well.

This follows our Sunday morning program. People come come at 9:20AM and stay for the day, or just come at 12:30PM and join us for tea.

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Sunday, November 15, 2026)

Mon, 16 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Everyone who practices with the felt sense of queerness is welcome to attend this monthly community gathering. No prior experience is necessary; come as you are.

This event is free to the public, though donations to RCZC are welcome. We meet once each month on a Sunday from 4pm to 6pm. If you would like an orientation to the building and/or meditation, please reach out to orientation@redcedarzen.org or directly to Seishin at BuddyDharma@proton.me

If able please bring your own yoga supplies. After yoga we will transition to the Meditation Hall to sit together and have small group discussions. There will be a 10 minute Walking Meditation between the two periods of 20 minutes seated meditation.

4pm Yoga with Amy, bring your own supplies if able. Arrive a few minutes early to settle

10 minute BioBreak.

5:10 Meditation: sitting and walking

6pm Closing and small group discussion.

Please join our WhatsApp community for updates and other opportunities for connection in the RCZC Queer Sangha:

Join the WhatsApp Group

Annual Sangha Meeting with the Board (Sunday, November 22, 2026)

Sun, 22 Nov 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Join Us for the Sangha Annual Meeting

Our Annual Meeting is a time to polish one of our triple treasures, the sangha. It’s a chance for us to come together, celebrate our community, and reconnect with the shared spirit that keeps Sansui‑ji thriving. This gathering is a place where questions, reflections, and concerns can be shared and heard.

This year, we’ll begin with a potluck from noon-1pm, followed by our Annual Meeting from 1-3pm. During our time together, we’ll review our programs, our financials, as well as volunteer opportunities that contribute to the sustainability of our sangha. The Board will also present a potential new governance structure and warmly welcomes your input.

Come celebrate with us, and help us continue polishing our triple treasure together.

Sangha Movie Night - Porco Rosso (Sunday, November 29, 2026)

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Sangha Movie Night

Join us for Sangha Movie Night! We'll sit briefly, watch the film, and then hopefully have time for a little small group discussion. This is a lovely informal opportunity for community connection. I'll get there at 5 to have dinner so feel free to bring your own dinner and come early! We'll have a popcorn popper but please bring a bowl. Kids and non-Buddhist family/friends are welcome to attend. This will be an ongoing series of Ghibli Movie Nights.

Rohatsu: Buddha's Enlightenment sesshin (Friday, December 04, 2026)

Sat, 05 Dec 2026 01:00:00 GMT

2026 ROHATSU

We will have our annual celebration of Buddha's Enlightenment this year with a weekend sesshin.

Sesshin is the formal Zen meditation retreat held in silence together with the support of daily Dharma talks and private interviews with the teachers. Sesshin is a deep opportunity to explore Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha from the zazen seat.

The annual Rohatsu sesshin is considered the most important sesshin of the year as in the Japanese tradition Buddha is said to have awakened on the morning of the 8th day of the 12th month of the year (rohatsu meaning "8th day, 12th month").

The day begins early, as is traditional in Zen training, and includes periods of sitting meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), the morning service ritual, silent meals, a Dharma talk, opportunity for a private interview with the teacher (dokusan), and a question and answer time that’s especially helpful for newer sitters.

The day of practice is also available online via Zoom.

Schedule:

Friday 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday 7am - 8:30pm (plus optional late night sitting!)
Sunday 7am - 9:00am

Registration: Registration is required. You may register for online or in person attendance.

Teacher Kanho Chris Burkhart will offer a Dharma Talk and opportunities for private dokusan (discussion of practice).

More options for Sits, Retreats, and Sesshin

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Sunday, December 06, 2026)

Mon, 07 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Everyone who practices with the felt sense of queerness is welcome to attend this monthly community gathering. No prior experience is necessary; come as you are.

4pm Yoga with Amy, bring your own supplies if able. Arrive a few minutes early to settle

10 minute BioBreak.

5:10 Meditation: sitting and walking

6pm Closing and small group discussion.

Please join our WhatsApp community for updates and other opportunities for connection in the RCZC Queer Sangha:

Join the WhatsApp Group

New Year's Eve Zen Ceremony (Thursday, December 31, 2026)

Fri, 01 Jan 2027 03:00:00 GMT

Come join us in ringing in the New Year with 108 rings on the bell, a fire/purification ceremony, meditation and chanting at our temple!

Bring forward your intentions for what to let go of in your life, and enjoy an evening with sangha in ritual and connection.

Come a little early to get settled as this popular evening of practice returns.

Pre-Event Cleaning (o-soji)
4pm - Optional - to help sweep, clean and prepare Sansui-ji Mountains and Waters Temple for the evening. Cleaning for the new year is seen as an auspicious activity. (There will be a dinner break before the ceremony.)

Location: Mountains and Waters Temple (Sansui-ji), 2509 Cedarwood Drive in Bellingham.

We'll also be burning any name cards from the altar of people who've died in the past year. If you have any of these from your home altar you are invited to bring them.

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Monday, January 11, 2027)

Tue, 12 Jan 2027 00:00:00 GMT

Everyone who practices with the felt sense of queerness is welcome to attend this monthly community gathering. No prior experience is necessary; come as you are.

4pm Yoga with Amy, bring your own supplies if able. Arrive a few minutes early to settle

10 minute BioBreak.

5:10 Meditation: sitting and walking

6pm Closing and small group discussion.

Please join our WhatsApp community for updates and other opportunities for connection in the RCZC Queer Sangha:

Join the WhatsApp Group

Introduction to Zen Buddhism (Monday, January 11, 2027)

Tue, 12 Jan 2027 02:30:00 GMT

This four-week class is designed for those who are newer to Zen or have practiced in other sanghas and want to get a sense of how Red Cedar Zen looks at the practice.

The class will cover instruction in sitting and walking meditation, information about Buddhism and Zen practice, and integrating meditation practice into daily life. There will be small and large group discussion and meditation and mindfulness exercises outside of class.

The class will be taught by Teachers IkuShun Desiree Webster and Seishu John Wiley.

Schedule: Four Mondays from January 11 to February 1 from 6:30-8:00pm. We ask participants to make a commitment to attend at least 3 of the 4 sessions.

Location: This class is available in person or online via Zoom.

Class Instructors:

IkuShun Desiree Webster has been a part of our Red Cedar community for many years. Previous to her practice in the Soto Zen tradition, Ikushun Desiree practiced in the Plum Village tradition. She was Shuso for the winter practice period 2023, and lead the sangha on a journey through The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings, bringing with her the flavor of Thich Nhat Hanh’s understanding. Her formal teacher is Ryushin Andrea Thach from the Berkeley Zen Center.

Seishu John Wiley is a lay entrusted teacher of Red Cedar Zen Community. He has practiced with Red Cedar since 1995, and was shusho (head monk) during the 2006 practice period. He received lay entrustment from his teacher, Zoketsu Norman Fischer, in 2010

Introduction to Zen Buddhism (Monday, January 18, 2027)

Tue, 19 Jan 2027 02:30:00 GMT

This four-week class is designed for those who are newer to Zen or have practiced in other sanghas and want to get a sense of how Red Cedar Zen looks at the practice.

The class will be taught by Teachers IkuShun Desiree Webster and Seishu John Wiley.

Schedule: Four Mondays from January 11 to February 1 from 6:30-8:00pm. We ask participants to make a commitment to attend at least 3 of the 4 sessions.

Location: This class is available in person or online via Zoom.

Class Instructors:

Introduction to Zen Buddhism (Monday, January 25, 2027)

Tue, 26 Jan 2027 02:30:00 GMT

This four-week class is designed for those who are newer to Zen or have practiced in other sanghas and want to get a sense of how Red Cedar Zen looks at the practice.

The class will be taught by Teachers IkuShun Desiree Webster and Seishu John Wiley.

Schedule: Four Mondays from January 11 to February 1 from 6:30-8:00pm. We ask participants to make a commitment to attend at least 3 of the 4 sessions.

Location: This class is available in person or online via Zoom.

Class Instructors:

Introduction to Zen Buddhism (Monday, February 01, 2027)

Tue, 02 Feb 2027 02:30:00 GMT

This four-week class is designed for those who are newer to Zen or have practiced in other sanghas and want to get a sense of how Red Cedar Zen looks at the practice.

The class will be taught by Teachers IkuShun Desiree Webster and Seishu John Wiley.

Schedule: Four Mondays from January 11 to February 1 from 6:30-8:00pm. We ask participants to make a commitment to attend at least 3 of the 4 sessions.

Location: This class is available in person or online via Zoom.

Class Instructors:

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, February 02, 2027)

Wed, 03 Feb 2027 02:30:00 GMT

Our annual 8-month study group on the Zen Precepts. The group will be led by Myoki Raizelah Bayen and Juriki Samuel Senerchia.

This class and community is for Zen practitioners interested in deepening their relationship to their practice and their lives through the study of the Zen Precepts.

All are welcome. Students moving towards Jukai are expected to attend all sessions plus the Jukai ceremony at the Fall Samish Sesshin. If you are interested in receiving Jukai this year, please see the Going Further page on the website and speak with a teacher for information on the process.

Meetings

Each monthly group meeting will include discussion, experiential exercises, and reflection in small groups on what these precepts mean for us as human beings and students of Zen, reflecting on the teachers' comments.

A second meeting each month is self-organized by smaller study groups to discuss the readings and further reflect on how the precepts show up in their lives. Responses can be written, artistic, or verbal.

The study group concludes with a half-day retreat in August.

Text Used

Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts by Nancy Mujo Baker

Myoki Raizelah Bayen was shuso, head student, during the 2024 Winter Practice Period when she explored the Eihei Dogen's Genjokoan in her shuso's class. Raizelah has 20+ years of teaching yoga, embodiment, mindful massage and inquiry practices. She received priest ordination with Hoka Chris Fortin in 2025.

Juriki Samuel Senerchia received Jukai from Reb Anderson in 1998 while in a two year residency at SFZC. He did numerous practice periods at Green Gulch Farm and Tassajara and one at SMZC with Jakusho Kwong. In 1999 he was married in a Zen Precepts ceremony by Eijun Cutts, and for the next 27 years he devoted himself to family while practicing deeply in Zen and other wisdom traditions. He was shuso for the 2026 Fall Practice Period and is preparing for priest ordination with Nomon Tim.

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, February 15, 2027)

Tue, 16 Feb 2027 02:30:00 GMT

A 6-week online exploration of the teachings and practices of Soto Zen, and Red Cedar's way of practicing Zen led by Heigaku Talus Latona and Junka Ken Oates.

Our gateway into Zen will be the book What Is Zen? by Norman Fischer and Sue Moon - a friendly and accessible deep dive into the style of Soto Zen we practice here at Red Cedar. Norman Fischer is the Founding Teacher of our sangha.

Studying this book together with sangha friends guided by two of our experienced teachers is a wonderful way to learn more about what we do together and to nourish and deepen your practice.

Each meeting will include a meditation and a discussion of two chapters of the book.

Please purchase a copy of the book prior to the first meeting. Reading the introduction and Chapter 1 before our first meeting if possible. It's available at our local Village Books, at Amazon, and other booksellers. An audiobook version read by Norman is also available.

Teachers:

Junka Kenneth Oates has been practicing meditation since 2010 and studying Zen with Red Cedar Zen and Nomon Tim Burnett since 2012. He went through precepts training and the Jukai ceremony in 2016. In addition to his involvement with Red Cedar Zen, he practices Shito-Ryu karate-do and is Yondan, or 4th degree black belt. He strangely finds the most mindful moments to be in karate, sailing and walking his dog.

Heigaku Talus Latona joined the group now called Red Cedar Zen Community in 2025, and in 2007 made the Jukai commitment to ethical living. As Shuso head student for winter practice period 2013 he lead an inquiry into Courage and Blindspots. In 2021, Talus received Lay Entrustment from Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett empowering him as a Lay Entrusted teacher.

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, February 22, 2027)

Tue, 23 Feb 2027 02:30:00 GMT

A 6-week online exploration of the teachings and practices of Soto Zen, and Red Cedar's way of practicing Zen led by Heigaku Talus Latona and Junka Ken Oates.

Studying this book together with sangha friends guided by two of our experienced teachers is a wonderful way to learn more about what we do together and to nourish and deepen your practice.

Each meeting will include a meditation and a discussion of two chapters of the book.

Teachers:

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, March 01, 2027)

Tue, 02 Mar 2027 02:30:00 GMT

A 6-week online exploration of the teachings and practices of Soto Zen, and Red Cedar's way of practicing Zen led by Heigaku Talus Latona and Junka Ken Oates.

Studying this book together with sangha friends guided by two of our experienced teachers is a wonderful way to learn more about what we do together and to nourish and deepen your practice.

Each meeting will include a meditation and a discussion of two chapters of the book.

Teachers:

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, March 02, 2027)

Wed, 03 Mar 2027 02:30:00 GMT

Our annual 8-month study group on the Zen Precepts. The group will be led by Myoki Raizelah Bayen and Juriki Samuel Senerchia.

This class and community is for Zen practitioners interested in deepening their relationship to their practice and their lives through the study of the Zen Precepts.

Meetings

The study group concludes with a half-day retreat in August.

Text Used

Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts by Nancy Mujo Baker

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, March 08, 2027)

Tue, 09 Mar 2027 02:30:00 GMT

A 6-week online exploration of the teachings and practices of Soto Zen, and Red Cedar's way of practicing Zen led by Heigaku Talus Latona and Junka Ken Oates.

Studying this book together with sangha friends guided by two of our experienced teachers is a wonderful way to learn more about what we do together and to nourish and deepen your practice.

Each meeting will include a meditation and a discussion of two chapters of the book.

Teachers:

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, March 15, 2027)

Tue, 16 Mar 2027 01:30:00 GMT

A 6-week online exploration of the teachings and practices of Soto Zen, and Red Cedar's way of practicing Zen led by Heigaku Talus Latona and Junka Ken Oates.

Studying this book together with sangha friends guided by two of our experienced teachers is a wonderful way to learn more about what we do together and to nourish and deepen your practice.

Each meeting will include a meditation and a discussion of two chapters of the book.

Teachers:

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, March 22, 2027)

Tue, 23 Mar 2027 01:30:00 GMT

A 6-week online exploration of the teachings and practices of Soto Zen, and Red Cedar's way of practicing Zen led by Heigaku Talus Latona and Junka Ken Oates.

Studying this book together with sangha friends guided by two of our experienced teachers is a wonderful way to learn more about what we do together and to nourish and deepen your practice.

Each meeting will include a meditation and a discussion of two chapters of the book.

Teachers:

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, March 30, 2027)

Wed, 31 Mar 2027 01:30:00 GMT

Our annual 8-month study group on the Zen Precepts. The group will be led by Myoki Raizelah Bayen and Juriki Samuel Senerchia.

This class and community is for Zen practitioners interested in deepening their relationship to their practice and their lives through the study of the Zen Precepts.

Meetings

The study group concludes with a half-day retreat in August.

Text Used

Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts by Nancy Mujo Baker

Mountain Seat Ceremony (Sunday, April 25, 2027)

Sun, 25 Apr 2027 21:00:00 GMT

Join us for the Shizan Shiki Mountain Seat ceremony in which our Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett will be formally installed as our first abbot.

Sunday April 25. Ceremony begins at 2pm and lasts until about 5pm. Potluck dinner and celebration to follow.

Registration required for in person attendance.

Registration option for Zoom attendance, but registering will add you to the email list for updates and reminders.

Join us for this milestone event.

For background, from our Founding Teacher, Zoketsu Norman Fischer:

To raise funds and establish a temple is no small undertaking, as you now well know. I am full of admiration for you for doing this. Having done it, whether you intended this or not, you have provided a foundation for the dharma in the future, when all of us are gone and new generations occupy the space that we now hold.

A building, a “seat,” that represents the faith of many many people who have provided it, is necessary to preserve the dharma, but it is not sufficient. A temple is just a building unless it is occupied by a Buddha, the illuminating consciousness that brings it to life.

This illuminating consciousness is traditionally represented and embodied in the person of an abbot, who takes the seat in a solemn ritual, the Mountain Seat ceremony.

Here is the subtle part. The part that none of us are capable of understanding because we don’t yet know how it will work out. In Japan abbots more or less control temples and guide, according to traditional norms, their destinies. But here in the West abbots are not hierarchs. They are spiritual guides. And they are understood to be normal and ordinary people, even though they are stand-ins for the Buddha. As such, they are supposed to be guardians of awakening. Without awakening there are no Zen temples.

So the trick is, how can we foster authentic abbots, and therefore authentic temples, while we fully empower each and every practitioner to find his and her and their own way, and to participate fully in the vision of temple life? I guess you at Red Cedar have been doing this, blazing the way, as are other groups here and there in the country. When Nomon Tim is installed as abbot you will all take, together, another giant spiritual step in this direction.

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, May 04, 2027)

Wed, 05 May 2027 01:30:00 GMT

Our annual 8-month study group on the Zen Precepts. The group will be led by Myoki Raizelah Bayen and Juriki Samuel Senerchia.

This class and community is for Zen practitioners interested in deepening their relationship to their practice and their lives through the study of the Zen Precepts.

Meetings

The study group concludes with a half-day retreat in August.

Text Used

Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts by Nancy Mujo Baker

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, June 01, 2027)

Wed, 02 Jun 2027 01:30:00 GMT

Our annual 8-month study group on the Zen Precepts. The group will be led by Myoki Raizelah Bayen and Juriki Samuel Senerchia.

This class and community is for Zen practitioners interested in deepening their relationship to their practice and their lives through the study of the Zen Precepts.

Meetings

The study group concludes with a half-day retreat in August.

Text Used

Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts by Nancy Mujo Baker

Samish Island Sesshin 2027 - Save the Date (Friday, June 18, 2027)

Fri, 18 Jun 2027 23:00:00 GMT

Save the dates for the 2027 sesshin:
June 18 - June 26, 2027

Registration will be open in early 2027

Our annual Zen sesshin includes seven days and eight nights of silent practice of sitting and walking meditation in this beautiful church camp on the water on Samish Island in the Skagit Valley. Retreat includes dharma talks by retreat leaders Nomon Tim Burnett and Shudo Chris Burkhart, dokusan and practice discussion, sitting and walking meditation, and delicious vegetarian meals. A deep time for practice and reflection with the support of sangha and teachers.

Many photos of Samish are available on our Photos page.

The following information is from a past Samish sesshin to give you an overview before registration opens.

To keep current on this and all our events, please join our email list!

Schedule:
You may attend the entire retreat or just the first or second half. Second half attendance is only appropriate to those who have sat sesshin with us before. We are unable to offer other attendance choices. Signing up is making a commitment to be part of the retreat for the entire period you signed up for.

Full Retreat - Friday 4:00pm to Saturday at noon

First Half - Friday 4:00pm to Tuesday at 5pm

Second Half - Tuesday at 5pm to Saturday at noon.

Prerequisites & Requirements
This is a rigorous and structured experience. To benefit from being at Samish Sesshin please abide by the following requirements.

You should have attended at least one full day formal meditation retreat before attending this 7-day, 8-night retreat. Please do not register if you have never sat a full day of formal meditation (in Zen or other traditions is fine).
If you have never attended Samish sesshin please start at the beginning by attending the full retreat or the first half, and do not attend just the second half.
Orientation and instructions are offered at the beginning only.
No attendance options other than the three listed above can be accommodated.
This is a silent retreat without talking, reading, writing, computer or cell phone use. Please be prepared to follow this guideline fully.
Following the full schedule is a core practice of Zen. Some alternate schedules can be arranged with the Ino in cases of health and other needs.
Plan on remaining at Samish Island camp during the entire time of your sesshin attendance, not leaving for errands or appointments, etc., and remaining at the camp through final clean up at noon on Saturday unless illness or unavoidable travel arrangements prevent this.

Housing:There are currently four different housing options to choose from:

E-Cabins are recently built multi-room cabins with a bath shared with one other room. E-Cabins are in short supply in this retreat. Please choose a rustic cabin if that is possible for you in order to leave the e-cabins for those with health challenges. Or consider sharing an e-cabin.

e-Cabin Exterior

e-Cabin Interior

Rustic Cabins - simple plywood cabins built in the 1950's. Camp style bathrooms in a separate building. Most rustic housing will be private (not shared), however, if couples or friends are willing to share a cabin this can make a difference in accommodating everyone if the sesshin is full.

Rustic Cabin, exterior

Rustic cabin, interior

RV site with hookups - you can bring your own RV and connect to the camp's services. A lower cost option.

Tent - you can bring a tent and camp on the lawn. A lower cost option.

Samish Island Campground

We have rented the Community of Christ's wonderful camp at the eastern end of Samish Island for over a twenty-five years for our residential retreats. A wonderful place where sea meets sky.

11565 Scott Rd, Bow, WA 98232
Map and Directions

The Art of the Koan (Sunday, July 11, 2027)

Sun, 11 Jul 2027 20:00:00 GMT

The Art of the Koan—summer art series

Please join us for a 4 week class on the Art of the Koan.

For the first half, we will be reading two pre-selected Koans each class, with their commentaries and our own reflections and discussions. We will be using the text, The Hidden Lamp, Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women. (If you don’t already have this text, copies of the selections will be provided for you.)

For the second half of each class, we will be working in our accordion journals provided, (Orihon) using words, images (from paints, soluble crayons, pens, etc.) and/or cut out photos in any combination to express our manifestations of the Koans.

Looking forward to our creative journeys together!!

IkuShun Desiree Webster

Ikushun Desiree has been a part of our Red Cedar community for many years. Previous to her practice in the Soto Zen tradition, Ikushun Desiree practiced in the Plum Village tradition. Her formal teacher is Ryushin Andrea Thach from the Berkeley Zen Center.

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, July 13, 2027)

Wed, 14 Jul 2027 01:30:00 GMT

Our annual 8-month study group on the Zen Precepts. The group will be led by Myoki Raizelah Bayen and Juriki Samuel Senerchia.

This class and community is for Zen practitioners interested in deepening their relationship to their practice and their lives through the study of the Zen Precepts.

Meetings

The study group concludes with a half-day retreat in August.

Text Used

Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts by Nancy Mujo Baker

The Art of the Koan (Sunday, July 25, 2027)

Sun, 25 Jul 2027 20:00:00 GMT

The Art of the Koan—summer art series

Please join us for a 4 week class on the Art of the Koan.

Looking forward to our creative journeys together!!

IkuShun Desiree Webster

The Art of the Koan (Sunday, August 08, 2027)

Sun, 08 Aug 2027 20:00:00 GMT

The Art of the Koan—summer art series

Please join us for a 4 week class on the Art of the Koan.

Looking forward to our creative journeys together!!

IkuShun Desiree Webster

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, August 17, 2027)

Wed, 18 Aug 2027 01:30:00 GMT

Our annual 8-month study group on the Zen Precepts. The group will be led by Myoki Raizelah Bayen and Juriki Samuel Senerchia.

This class and community is for Zen practitioners interested in deepening their relationship to their practice and their lives through the study of the Zen Precepts.

Meetings

The study group concludes with a half-day retreat in August.

Text Used

Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts by Nancy Mujo Baker

The Art of the Koan (Sunday, August 22, 2027)

Sun, 22 Aug 2027 20:00:00 GMT

The Art of the Koan—summer art series

Please join us for a 4 week class on the Art of the Koan.

Looking forward to our creative journeys together!!

IkuShun Desiree Webster

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Sunday, August 29, 2027)

Sun, 29 Aug 2027 20:30:00 GMT

Our annual 8-month study group on the Zen Precepts. The group will be led by Myoki Raizelah Bayen and Juriki Samuel Senerchia.

This class and community is for Zen practitioners interested in deepening their relationship to their practice and their lives through the study of the Zen Precepts.

Meetings

The study group concludes with a half-day retreat in August.

Text Used

Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts by Nancy Mujo Baker

Red Cedar Zen Community upcoming events

Sangha Mentors Program (Tuesday, March 10, 2026)

Community Tea (Sunday, November 15, 2026)

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Sunday, November 15, 2026)

Annual Sangha Meeting with the Board (Sunday, November 22, 2026)

Sangha Movie Night - Porco Rosso (Sunday, November 29, 2026)

Rohatsu: Buddha's Enlightenment sesshin (Friday, December 04, 2026)

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Sunday, December 06, 2026)

New Year's Eve Zen Ceremony (Thursday, December 31, 2026)

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Monday, January 11, 2027)

Introduction to Zen Buddhism (Monday, January 11, 2027)

Class Instructors:

Introduction to Zen Buddhism (Monday, January 18, 2027)

Class Instructors:

Introduction to Zen Buddhism (Monday, January 25, 2027)

Class Instructors:

Introduction to Zen Buddhism (Monday, February 01, 2027)

Class Instructors:

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, February 02, 2027)

Meetings

Text Used

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, February 15, 2027)

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, February 22, 2027)

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, March 01, 2027)

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, March 02, 2027)

Meetings

Text Used

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, March 08, 2027)

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, March 15, 2027)

(Re)Discover Zen Buddhism (Monday, March 22, 2027)

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, March 30, 2027)

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Mountain Seat Ceremony (Sunday, April 25, 2027)

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, May 04, 2027)

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2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, June 01, 2027)

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Samish Island Sesshin 2027 - Save the Date (Friday, June 18, 2027)

Save the dates for the 2027 sesshin: June 18 - June 26, 2027

Samish Island Campground

The Art of the Koan (Sunday, July 11, 2027)

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, July 13, 2027)

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The Art of the Koan (Sunday, July 25, 2027)

The Art of the Koan (Sunday, August 08, 2027)

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Tuesday, August 17, 2027)

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The Art of the Koan (Sunday, August 22, 2027)

2027 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct (Sunday, August 29, 2027)

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Save the dates for the 2027 sesshin:
June 18 - June 26, 2027