Events

Sojun Mel Weitsman Roshi

Zen Practice with Sojun Mel Weitsman Roshi
March 22 & 23, 7 pm
Ekoji Buddhist Sangha

Early Morning Zazen and Dokusan with Sojun Weitsman Roshi
March 22 & 23, 6:30 am
Ekoji Buddhist Sangha

The Richmond Zen Group is honored and excited to once again host Sojun Weitsman Roshi. Sojun will lead two evening classes on Zen practice at Ekoji. The classes are free. Teaching donations will be accepted. Donations will also help cover travel expenses. Make checks payable to “Richmond Zen Group.” Place cash in an enveloped marked “Richmond Zen Group.”

In 1964, Sojun began Zen practice at San Francisco Zen Center on Bush Street. He was ordained in 1969 by Suzuki Roshi as resident priest of the Berkeley Zen Center. Sojun received Dharma Transmission from Suzuki Roshi's son, Gyugaku Hoitsu, at Rinso-in temple in Japan in 1984, and was officially installed as abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center in 1985. Along with his responsibilities in Berkeley, Sojun continues a long involvement with the San Francisco Zen Center and Tassajara Monastery, having served as co-abbot at these practice centers for nine years.

For more information, contact Kevin at 366-5546 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Buddha's Birthday Celebration

octavio_ocampo Saturday, April 10

2-4 pm

Ekoji Buddhist Sangha will celebrate Buddha's birthday with an afternoon of music, chants, and the traditional bathing of the baby Buddha. We will also share in food and drink in buffet style. This is a wonderful family event, so please feel free to bring children. If you wish, you can bring an offering of flowers and help us fill the temple with spring color.

Photo copyright Octavio Ocampo.

Brad Warner at Ekoji

Monday, April 12

7 p.m.

What happens when you take a punk rocker and monster movie connoisseur from Ohio and expose him to the deadly rays of Buddha's Enlightenment? Just such an diabolical experiment is Brad Warner, zen priest, author, musician, and filmaker. Brad has made loud fast music in Ohio and monster movies in Japan, where he also met Zen teacher Gudo Nishijima. He was ordained by Nishijima and now serves as head of Dogen Sangha International.

Join us for an evening with Brad. We will have one period of zazen, followed by a Dharma Talk. This event is free. Teaching donations are welcomed.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course

Beginning January 2010, for 8 weekly classes

This course is designed for those new to meditation, or for those simply seeking a refresher. The course teaches the refinement of a range of skills aimed at increasing relaxation and awareness of psychological states, physical states, and actions. Participants learn to mobilize their inner resources for taking better care of themselves and making positive life changes. The program aims to help participants develop the inherent capacity for "wise attention" (mindfulness) that can be applied to everyday situations as a means to cope more effectively with stress and to enhance a sense of ease, peace of mind, and well-being over a lifetime. This course can also serve as a gateway to practice in any of the five Ekoji meditation groups.

Click here for more details on this course