Speaker: Dr. Paula Arai, Institute of Buddhist Studies

Title: Bowing to Lotuses Blooming in the Mud: Gratitude as an agent for change.

Description: Embark on a transformative journey in this hybrid workshop, rooted in the essence of Soto Zen Buddhism. Join Dr. Paula Arai, as she gracefully demonstrates a sacred gratitude ritual that can generate positive change. The workshop attendees will learn a profound Soto Zen gratitude ritual; participate in enriching group activities to share insights and experiences; and receive personal feedback and guidance from Dr. Arai. Together, let’s uncover the power of gratitude in a supportive community.

Event type: Workshop; The event will take place in a hybrid format, which means it will have both in-person gatherings at a specific physical location, as well as an online component that can be accessed via Zoom. The purpose of this arrangement is to serve the diverse preferences and needs of attendees.

Time: 10 am - 4 pm PST / 1 pm- 7 pm EST

Registration details: This event has passed and the recording is now available at the following link: January 14, 2024.

Speaker: Reverend Chimyo Atkinson, Brooklyn Zen Center

Title: Women in Buddhist Monasticism: Women in Community

Description: During this event, Rev. Atkinson will illuminate the challenges and triumphs of women in Buddhist monasticism, drawing from her personal experiences. She emphasizes the continuous process of letting go and shares her commitment to preserving and sharing the Dharma as a teacher, offering her own experiences as guidance.

Event Type: The event will take place in a hybrid format, which means it will have both in-person gatherings at a specific physical location, as well as an online component that can be accessed via Zoom. The purpose of this arrangement is to serve the diverse preferences and needs of attendees.

Time: 11:20 am EST / 8:20 am PST;

Duration: 90 minutes

Registration details: This event has passed and the recording is now available at the following link: February 12, 2024.

Speakers: Reverend Byakuren Judith Ragir, Reverend Grace Schireson, and Pamela Weiss

Title: Navigating Relationships in Buddhist Communities

Description: Join us for a profound panel discussion with three esteemed women teachers of Buddhism who will delve into the intricacies of cultivating healthy boundaries within the spiritual community. As we explore the theme of navigating boundaries, our panelists will touch upon various aspects, including fostering healthy relationships, educating our communities, and addressing challenges.

Event Type: Panel; Online via Zoom

Time: 12:30 pm PST / 3:30 pm EST;

Duration: Approximately two hours.

Registration details: For more information, click here for the SZBA Upcoming Event page.

Speakers: Grace Damman, Sue Moon, and Friends.

Title: The Body as a Doorway to Practice

Description: Four panelists, all dedicated Zen practitioners, will be sharing their personal stories, bringing forth different viewpoints arising from their different embodied experiences. The discussion will cover a range of topics, including practicing with aging, disability, trauma, addiction, sexuality, and motherhood. For instance, the discussion will delve into how Zen practice can help us cope with the challenges of aging and how the difficulties of aging can deepen our practice. Following the panelists' presentations, there will be a discussion among them, which will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

Event Type: Panel; Online via Zoom

Time: 12:30 pm PST / 3:30 pm EST;

Duration: Approximately 90 minutes; When available, see registration details for actual duration.

Registration details: Click here to register.

Speakers: Reverend Linda Ruth Cutts

Topic: Receiving the Marrow by Bowing “Raihai Tokuzui

Description: Coming across Dōgen Zenji’s early chapter of Treasury of the True Dharma Eye, called Receiving the Marrow by Bowing Raihai Tokuzui, was a revelation. Besides his unfolding of the issue of gender in relation to the Dharma of nonduality and in the choosing of a guiding teacher, Dogen also does not hold back in his diatribe and strong admonishment of the biased practices of the time in relation to women. Together we will explore these issues as well as hear the stories cited of the women teachers Moshan Liaoran and Miaoxin. There will also be time for discussion and Q&A.

Event Type: Online via Zoom

Time: 12:30 pm PST / 3:30 pm EST

Duration: 90 minutes

Registration details: Click here to register.

Speakers: Osho Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Ph.D

Title: A Trace of Mahapajapati: The Elements of Dharma Transmission Woman to Woman.

Description: Many stories of transmission are usually centered on male teachers transmitting the dharma to male students. This presentation will share the elements of Dharma Transmission between female teachers and female students. The depth and uniqueness of relationships between female teachers and female students deserve recognition and acknowledgment. Gender matters. Specifically, Zenju Osho will share her personal experience of being transmitted by the renowned Zenkei Blanche Hartman, the first woman Abbess of the San Francisco Zen Center. She will also speak to the power of cross-cultural aspects of being a student of color with a teacher who was white and Jewish. What can we teach the world from having such unique relationships on the path of dharma?

Event Type: Online

Time: 11 am PST / 12 pm MST / 2 pm EST

Registration details: COMING SOON. Bookmark and click here for the SZBA Upcoming Event page.

Speakers: Reverend Chozen Bays

Topic: Zenshin, the first woman to be ordained as a Buddhist nun in Japan; personal experience as a householder.

Event Type: Online via Zoom

Time: 12:30 pm PST / 3:30 pm EST

Duration: 90 minutes

Registration details: COMING SOON. Bookmark and click here for the SZBA Upcoming Event page.

Speakers: Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo

Topic: From Malibu Surfer to Buddhist Feminist Activist: The Journey of a Contemporary Buddhist Woman

Event Type: Online via Zoom

Time: TBD

Registration details: COMING SOON. Bookmark and click here for the SZBA Upcoming Event page.

Speakers: Multiple

Topic: Multiple

Event Type: TBD

Time: TBD

Speaker: Reverend Tova Green

Topic: TBA

Event Type: Panel; Online via Zoom

Time: TBA

Registration details: COMING SOON. Bookmark and click here for the SZBA Upcoming Event page.

Speaker: Reverend Joan Halifax

Title: Throughout the Body, Hands and Eyes: Compassion and Bodhisattva Activism

Description: This talk explores a radically different perspective on compassion, a perspective that has deep roots in our Buddhist tradition.

Event Type: Online via Zoom

Time: TBA

Registration details: COMING SOON. Bookmark and click here for the SZBA Upcoming Event page.

Speaker: TBA

Topic: TBA

Event Type: TBA

Time: TBA

Registration details: COMING SOON. Bookmark and click here for the SZBA Upcoming Event page.