Meet fellow Zendo creatives and art lovers once a month to explore the intersection of Art & Zen. Let’s support our creative practices in art and life via prompts and exercises offered by Valéria (“Val”) Miranda, inspired by John Daido Loori’s book The Zen of Creativity and Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way.

Val is a long term SCZC practitioner who is an arts administrator and practices dance and visual arts. Please bring a journal with unruled pages or a sketchbook, pencil, and/or pen, and, as an option, art materials such as colored pencils/watercolors/, and images and words cut out from magazines. 

Monthly on Saturdays - 1:30-3 pm in the Sangha Home

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

@ 6:40 pm In person at SCZC or on Zoom.

We usually meet one evening a month, 6:40 in-person and on Zoom to study some of the foundational teachings of our Buddhist lineage.

The new book that we are reading for this foundations class is :"The Wholehearted Way, a translation of Eihei Dogen's Bendowa with commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi."

Translated by Shohaku Okumura and Teigen Daniel Leighton

All are welcome to join us for this introductory class which is usually held on the third Saturday of each month. Feel free to join and invite your friends to learn about the world of Zen Buddhism.

You will receive an introduction to the body and mind of Zen meditation and the forms of practice at Santa Cruz Zen Center. This includes instruction in sitting and walking meditation forms as well as an open discussion.

There is no charge for this class.

Please join us in person at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 1:00-3:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

Please join SCZC members Pearl Kan and Ziggy Rendler-Bregman for an evening poetry reading.

Friday, October 23
7:00-8:00pm
Santa Cruz Zen Center
113 School Street, Santa Cruz
and on Zoom
(immediately following evening zazen and service, 6:00-6:40pm)

Pearl Kan is a Soto Zen priest with the Everyday Zen Foundation and Santa Cruz Zen Center. She participated in the The Muse in 2025. Her first book of poems, My Uppalavanna, was just released by Lavender Ink in September 2026.

Ziggy Rendler-Bregman travels the well worn path as poet and visual artist. She has published two collections of poetry and art: The Gate of Our Coming and Going and Into the Thicket through Olallieberry Press.

Poetry books will be available for purchase at the reading

Meet fellow Zendo creatives and art lovers once a month to explore the intersection of Art & Zen. Let’s support our creative practices in art and life via prompts and exercises offered by Valéria (“Val”) Miranda, inspired by John Daido Loori’s book The Zen of Creativity and Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way.

Val is a long term SCZC practitioner who is an arts administrator and practices dance and visual arts. Please bring a journal with unruled pages or a sketchbook, pencil, and/or pen, and, as an option, art materials such as colored pencils/watercolors/, and images and words cut out from magazines. 

Monthly on Saturdays - 1:30-3 pm in the Sangha Home

The Aging Group will meet 4:30pm-5:30pm on the third Sunday of each month, starting February 16.

For those who are practicing with aging. In this group we will talk about how we are practicing with our aging bodies and minds.

We will use the book “this is getting old,” by Susan Moon, as our template for discussion. Click on the book image below for a link to the publisher’s info.

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

Please join us at the Santa Cruz Zen Center for a Full Moon Bodhisattva Vow Renewal Ceremony in place of zazen/meditation. In person and on Zoom.

Moon Viewing Party

When: Monday, October 26, ~6:40 p.m. (after the full moon ceremony) onward.  End time could be around 8 p.m.

Location: In person at SCZC

On the evening of the autumn full harvest moon, Dogen Zenji and his assembly spent the night gazing at the moon, writing poems, delivering "moon sermons" and having a special snack or tea. Join us in the SCZC courtyard for a moon viewing party of our own! No signup needed and no cost. Bring poetry, a story, a moon, or... ?  

More on moon viewing from The Dogen Institute.

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

@ 6:40 pm In person at SCZC or on Zoom.

We usually meet one evening a month, 6:40 in-person and on Zoom to study some of the foundational teachings of our Buddhist lineage.

We are studying the Diamond Sutra this year. We'll examine Thich Nhat Hanh's commentary, the Diamond that Cuts Through Delusion. Katherine Roshi used this book in a class she taught in the mid '90s. I still have my underlined copy! On the internet I see many used book sites that sell it for less than $10 and here is a pdf version online as well.

The Sutra is divided into 32 short chapters, some of the chapters are just a few sentences long.

The Aging Group will meet 4:30pm-5:30pm on the third Sunday of each month, starting February 16.

For those who are practicing with aging. In this group we will talk about how we are practicing with our aging bodies and minds.

We will use the book “this is getting old,” by Susan Moon, as our template for discussion. Click on the book image below for a link to the publisher’s info.

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 6:45 to 8:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

All are welcome to join us for this introductory class which is usually held on the third Saturday of each month. Feel free to join and invite your friends to learn about the world of Zen Buddhism.

You will receive an introduction to the body and mind of Zen meditation and the forms of practice at Santa Cruz Zen Center. This includes instruction in sitting and walking meditation forms as well as an open discussion.

There is no charge for this class.

Please join us in person at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 1:00-3:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

Meet fellow Zendo creatives and art lovers once a month to explore the intersection of Art & Zen. Let’s support our creative practices in art and life via prompts and exercises offered by Valéria (“Val”) Miranda, inspired by John Daido Loori’s book The Zen of Creativity and Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way.

Val is a long term SCZC practitioner who is an arts administrator and practices dance and visual arts. Please bring a journal with unruled pages or a sketchbook, pencil, and/or pen, and, as an option, art materials such as colored pencils/watercolors/, and images and words cut out from magazines. 

Monthly on Saturdays - 1:30-3 pm in the Sangha Home

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

@ 6:40 pm In person at SCZC or on Zoom.

We usually meet one evening a month, 6:40 in-person and on Zoom to study some of the foundational teachings of our Buddhist lineage.

The new book that we are reading for this foundations class is :"The Wholehearted Way, a translation of Eihei Dogen's Bendowa with commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi."

Translated by Shohaku Okumura and Teigen Daniel Leighton

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan

Weekly Dharma Study Group on Monday mornings at 7:50 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh in person in the Sangha Home or on Zoom.

We are reading Becoming Yourself, Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki Join here.

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 6:45 to 8:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

All are welcome to join us for this introductory class which is usually held on the third Saturday of each month. Feel free to join and invite your friends to learn about the world of Zen Buddhism.

You will receive an introduction to the body and mind of Zen meditation and the forms of practice at Santa Cruz Zen Center. This includes instruction in sitting and walking meditation forms as well as an open discussion.

There is no charge for this class.

Please join us in person at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Sewing Buddha’s Robe

Led by Rev. Gene Bush

@ 1:00-3:00 pm

Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community. Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.

More Information

Contact Rev. Gene Bush

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan

Meeting Sunday 6:45 - 7:30 pm as of October 11, 2026 in the Zendo & on Zoom.

Koan Group will read together one koan from The Gateless Barrier translated and with a commentary by Robert Aitken. We will stay with one koan for three weeks to allow the koan to speak into our lives and reveal its intimate meaning to each one of us. At Koan Group, we will read the koan, sit for a few minutes, and talk about it.

The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken, Wu-men’s Preface (p. 3):

The Buddha mind and words point the way; the Gateless Barrier is the Dharma entry. There is no gate from the beginning, so how do you pass through it? Haven’t you heard that things which come through the gate are not the family treasure? Things gained from causal circumstances have a beginning and an end–formation and destruction. Such talk raises waves where there is no wind and gouges wounds in healthy flesh. How much more foolish are those who depend upon words and seek understanding by their intellect! They try to hit the moon with a stick. They scratch their shoes when their feet itch….

As we live out our lives day by day, we are in a limited view. We are like snakes stuck in small dark cans, according to Suzuki Roshi. It is so dark we cannot see anything. We struggle inside the cans and suffer. Working with koans opens up our minds. We ask ourselves, what do I think is really going on here?

Our first ancestor in Japan, Eihei Dogen, studied koans. Our ancestor, Shunryu Suzuki, studied koans. I have been studying koans for nine years with my teacher Rev. Neti Mushin Parekh, and want to share this practice with others because it is liberating.

Everyone is welcome.

Recommended books for Koan Group are The Gateless Barrier translated by Robert Aitken, Two Zen Classics The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records by Katsuki Sekida, and Passing Through the Gateless Barrier Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu

Rev. Sara Korei McLellan