The Thursday evening sit on July 24 is CANCELED, due to excessive heat. Stay hydrated and cool, if you can.
July 17 – Thursday sit CANCELED
Due to the predicted heat, the Thursday evening sit on July 17 is canceled. Stay cool and hydrated.
Sept 21 2025 – Study: Six Perfections
Starting on September 21 2025, we’ll be studying “The Six Perfections: Buddhism and the Cultivation of Character” by Dale Wright. Study will continue on the third Sunday of each month. Note that each chapter, at about 40 pages, is a more substantial amount of reading than prior study texts.
Schedule: Sept 21: Ch 1, Shokai facilitating.
Oct 19 2025 – Fall Zazenkai
Mark your calendars for the 2025 Fall Zazenkai on Sunday Oct 19 2025, as usual from about 8 AM until about 4 PM. Details tdb, likely in September.
Sept 14 – Sangha Meeting
Looking ahead, we’ll have a Sangha Meeting on Sept 14, after the Sunday morning sit.
June 29 – Discussing Ethics Code
We’re considering if it would be helpful for the Oxbow Zen Sangha to have an explicit statement regarding ethical conduct that could frame the ethical relationships. Such an explicit statement can help protect all sides in situations, especially in situations with power differentials.
As a starting point, we’ll be looking at the Village Zendo Ethics Statement as a possible framework that could be adapted for Oxbow Zen. Are there aspects that are missing, not suitable for us, or where you would suggest modifications?
Let’s discuss after the sit on Sunday June 29.
If people are interested in reviewing a broader set of Ethics frameworks, please reach out.
June 1 – Sangha Meeting
We’ll be gathering for a Sangha Meeting on Sunday June 1 2025, after the regular Sunday morning sit. All are welcome! If you have items you’d like everybody to discuss, please communicate them to Shokai.
May 18 – Spring Zazenkai w/ Ryotan Roshi
We’re excited to announce arrangements for a May Zazenkai with Ryotan Roshi. It will take place in person only at our space at First Churches on Sunday May 18th. We’ll keep everyone in the loop via email. If you’re interested in participating, don’t hesitate to reach out.
[Edit: May 18th is the date!]
[Edit: Registration details shared on the email list and below]
Register by Sunday May 11 by emailing oxbowzensangha@gmail.com with all the following information:
Name:
Email:
Phone:
Emergency contact and phone
Participation: ___ Full Day; ___Part of the day including lunch; ___Part of the day NOT including lunch
Do you have any food allergies or preferences – e.g. nut allergies, vegan?
Do you have your own Oryoki set? ___yes: ___no
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns by emailing oxbowzensangha@gmail.com.
May 15 – Evening sit moves to THURSDAY
It turns out that for a number of practitioners, Thursday evening is a better day of the week for the evening sit. Starting on Thursday, May 15, the evening sit will take place on Thursday evenings.
Looking forward to practicing with you!
Apr 20 – Study – Suchness & Uniqueness
Oxbow Zen Study typically takes place on the third Sunday of each month. We are meeting in the Zendo after our usual Sunday sit, beginning at 9:30.
We’re studying Opening to Oneness: A Practical Guide to the Zen Precepts by Nancy Mujo Baker.” For those who wish to order the book online the following link is provided: https://www.shambhala.com/opening-to-oneness.html
Meetings: Apr 20 2025 – Ann – Chapter 12: Suchness, Uniqueness, and the Nonconceptual (pages 147–153), Jan 12 2025 (Part 2: Chapter 11, Kyokushin): Different Kinds of Oneness, Dec 10 2024 (Jo-Ei, “Non-abusing the Three Treasures”), Nov 17 (Chapter 9, Ann), Oct 20 (Chapter 8, Kenko), Sept 15 (Chapter 7, Shokai), June 23 (Chapter 6, HonGō), May 19 (Chapter 5, Meikame), March 17 (Soshin Sensei, Chapter 4), Feb 18 2024 (Jo-Ei, Chapter 3), Nov 19 2023 (Ann, Chapter 2), Oct 15 2023 (Shokai, “Non-killing”)