Meiren Valerie Szymanski
Bamboo In The Wind Zen Center
Sunnyvale, CA
Since 2001, Meiren Val Szymanski has led Bamboo in the Wind sangha. Val was ordained in 2002 and transmitted in 2010 by Roshi Diane Martin in Dainin Katagiri's lineage. We have a formal temple location since 2012. Our small, diverse, welcoming community supports this non-profit organization along with an engaged Board of Directors.
As the Guiding Teacher Val offers classical Zen Buddhist teachings, Heart Sutra, Surangama Sutra, Yogacara, Koans, Mindfulness, etc., and those of Zen ancestors Dogen, Dongshan, Hakuin, Hui-neng, Huango-Po, etc., at Bamboo in the Wind Zen Center during our weekly program. She provides classes multiple times a year. We follow the forms, rituals, and ceremonies of Soto Zen throughout the calendar year.
We have an established Children's Program that meets monthly, serving children 5-12 years old, supported by their parents and our Program Director. Other seminars and class offerings include Chinese Calligraphy, Jiso ceremony, Heart Sutra Writing, Japanese Tea Ceremony. Guest teachers provide other perspectives periodically throughout the year.