Santa Cruz Zen Center

SCZC is well into a return to zazen at the Zendo. Noon outdoors in the garden on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 6-6:30pm inside the Zendo on Tuesday and Thursday. Stayed tuned for more updates on the schedule. The Garden is beautiful. Kobun's tree is in full bloom and everything looks great after a great turnout for Sangha Day on 4/17. Thanks to all who helped.

Beginning in April in person zazen in the zendo! With simultaneous zoom zazen Tuesdays and Thursdays April 8,13, 15 & 20 for the evening sit 6:00-6:30 pm followed by service. We’ll try this for a few weeks and re-evaluate at the end of the month after seeing how it goes. We anticipate that the zendo can safely hold 10 people; we will sit distanced and masked along with others who are on zoom sitting at home. We will not be chanting aloud together while in person; the zoom zendo bells and chants will continue as usual. If there are more than 10 people, some will be asked to sit on the porch or in the garden. If this becomes very popular, we will initiate a ‘sign-up-in-advance’ system. Look for more info on the website as this experiment is underway.

Our outdoor incense bowl got smashed to smithereens in the big January storm, so we 'took a crack' at fixing it kintsugi-style. It's definitely not perfect, but the idea that flaws can actually make things stronger and more beautiful seems all the more appealing... https://mymodernmet.com/kintsugi-kintsukuroi/

Santa Cruz Zen Center has restarted outdoor noon Zazen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Patrick and Rene have been leading the sits and we have had good groups most days. We follow CDC guidelines for group gatherings and of course masks are necessary. The ZC garden is blooming with spring buds and provides a perfect venue. Please join us.

Spring Practice Period happening now until April 11. Sitting, sesshin, ceremony and more... https://sczc.org/spring-2021-practice-period

Our annual closure will include online events this year, 12/24-12/31. Please join us on New Year's Eve for our annual sitting, 108 bells, and bonfire ceremony - all online! https://sczc.org/combined-events-list/2020/12/31newyears

Fall Practice Period is coming! "Be Playful, Be Connected" is the theme - Through sits, classes, and more. Sign up by designing your own commitment. https://sczc.org/fall-2020-practice-period

Did you miss last Wednesday's talk, "Bodhisattva Practice: Facing Fear" by special guest Rev. Shosan Vicki Austin because you were busy evacuating your home, fighting fire, watching a major political event, or helping dismantle systemic racism? Not a problem! Vicki's talk is online and available anytime! https://sczc.org/podcast/vickiaustin8-19-20

All are welcome this Sunday from 10-12:30 for a special event with Rev. Cathy Toldi, Buddhist Practice for Strengthening the Heart: the Brahmaviharas. We will consider the importance of heart practice in times such as these, to cultivate well-being in ourselves and with others. We will explore the support offered by the four brahmaviharas: Loving Kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity. https://sczc.org//buddhist-practice-for-strengthening-the-

Happening in 55 minutes: Choro Carla Antonaccio joins us from Austin for our regular Wednesday dharma talk! https://sczc.org//live-dharma-talk-via-teleconference-wzh7

Sangha members attended the BLM Juneteenth March in Santa Cruz today. Rev Deborah Johnson gave a powerful speech and the crowd was completely silent as she spoke. It was deeply moving to see the unity and attention and the care being shown to the speakers. May change come soon.

Liz Milazzo and Rev. Antoinette Parekh (Neti) taking a knee at the rally in Santa Cruz to honor the life of George Floyd and to say no to institutional racism and police violence. Our police chief and Mayor took a knee also. May there be justice. May there be peace.

Kokyo Henkel and Shoho Kerstin Kuebast heading off on a new adventure into the eternal present - via Colorado and Nepal. We will miss you, and we are deeply grateful for all you have brought to SCZC.

Hi Everyone. SCZC has converted many of its classes online! Take a look: https://sczc.org/attend-online

Happy New Year from Santa Cruz Zen Center! May the inconceivable merit from relying on Prajna Paramita extend to every being and place so that all may realize peace, joy, and freedom in the new year.

Val Miranda took the Bodhisattva Precepts in her Jukai Ceremony with Rev. Cathy Toldi at Santa Cruz Zen Center. It was a joyous occasion. Congratulations to Val!

Joan Halifax Roshi arrested for climate action. May all sanghas find ways to bring the Bodhisattva Vow to slow down the climate emergency.

Shuso (head student) Rev. Mushin Neti Parekh after her Dharma Inquiry Ceremony on December 11. She brought up the story (Blue Cliff Record case 40, Book of Serenity case 91) of Nanquan saying "People today see this flower as in a dream" and responded spontaneously to myriad questions from the great assembly. Great Congratulations Mushin!

Bill, Rick, Jodi and Deborah, at the Zen Center's traditional Vegan Thanksgiving dinner.

A wonderful Thanksgiving at Rev. Kokyo's house. We recognized the traditional custodians of the land - the Amah Mutsun Band. We shared much lively conversation.