Buddha’s Birthday Service

Buddha’s Birthday Service
Sunday, April 6 • 7:00 a.m.- 12: 00 p.m.

7:00-8:30 a.m. Flower Bower Decoration
8:30 Gate of Sweet Nectar/Monthly Memorial Service
9:00-9:35 Zazen
9:35-9:45 Outside Walking
9:45-10:20 Zazen
10:20-10:30 4 Vows, Bows, Closing Ceremony
11:00 Buddha’s Birthday Service
FOLLOWED BY SANGHA LUNCH
If you have any questions, please contact Myoki at programsteward@zcla.org.
| Zen Center of Los Angeles | info@programsteward@zcla.org | www.zcla.org
Zen Center of Los Angeles | 923 S. Normandie Avenue | Los Angeles, CA 90006 US (View Highlight)

EZC | Family Practice, Enter Here Zazenkai

zen peacemakers affiliate[

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Family image by Geoff Shōun
April 6, 2025
Dear Sangha,
Ram Dass is said to have quipped, “If you think you are enlightened, go spend a week with your family.” This usually creates knowing chuckles of Thanksgiving nightmares. And, there is some truth to it. But family practice is so much richer, wider, and deeper, isn’t it?
I just spent a week with a part of my large Irish Catholic family, remembering the last to pass away of the WWII generation. We still had three generations attending, and all of life was on full display. We come into life full of energy, find our way, perhaps bring offspring, age, experience loss, illness, and limitations, then leave this world. We get along sometimes and fight other times. We are intimately in relation with everyone, smiling or frowning.
Family practice is sangha.
Last week, Sokyo said,”In relationship, like river rocks tumbling together, we feel our edges with each other. Over time, they round and soften. This is not always easy.”
Not always easy, but worth our practice effort to nurture this family sangha treasure.
Registration is open for our Enter Here Zazenkai April 26th, which features a shorter day and sitting periods, and reduced cost. All are welcome.
Bowing three times in gratitude,
Geoff Shōun O’Keeffe (View Highlight)
2025 Retreats
Mark your calendars and join us if you can. Attending a monthly retreat, whether a full day or multiple days, are an exceptional and powerful part of our Zen practice. Registration for all retreats and events is at eonzen.org/retreats.
• Apr 26 Enter Here Zazenkai, one-day retreat for newer practitioners
• May 17 Zazenkai, one-day meditation retreat
• June 20-22 Weekend Sesshin, two-day meditation retreat
• July 19 Enter Here Zazenkai, one-day retreat for newer practitioners.
• August 16: Zazenkai, one-day meditation retreat
• September 19-21: Ango Entering Sesshin, two-day meditation retreat
• October 18: Enter Here Zazenkai, one-day retreat for newer practitioners
• November 22: Zazenkai, one-day meditation retreat
• December 12-14: Rohatsu Sesshin, two-day meditation retreat
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One Body Sangha
One Body Sangha is a new online contemplative practice community offered by Eon Zen Center, launching in April. It will provide more practice opportunities, teachings, resources, and support for establishing or deepening your meditation practice and cultivating healing and interconnectedness in your life and community.
Visit the initial landing page at onebodysangha.org to learn more.
Eon Zen Dharma Talks
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NEW: Participating in Your Life (Mar 22, during retreat) | Gyodo Sensei
When you look at your life, are you fully participating? If you’re fully participating, you won’t have any idea of how things will go. You’re right in the thick of it. Total immersion. Being fully alive, in whatever it is that we’re doing. That’s really participating. In this talk, Gyodo Sensei shares a passage from Master Dogen’s Genjokoan to explore this immersive quality being. As Dogen says “This is the way of living beings.” This is life. What is life for you?
Previous Dharma Talks
Sila Paramita: The Perfection of Ethical Conduct (Mar 17) | Geoff Shōun O’Keeffe
Microdosing Sanity Practice (Mar 10) | Lisa Gakyo Schaewe
Grasping the Sword of Wisdom (Mar 3) | Gyodo Sensei
Traces of the Buddha (Feb 24) | Gyodo Sensei
Appreciating the Dharma of Life (Feb 17) | Gyodo Sensei
Seeking and Not Finding: A Tale of the Missing Sea Turtles (Feb. 10) | Lisa Gakyo Schaewe
[Dana Paramita: No Giving, No Receiving, No Gift](https://eonzen.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3633d8742d7bd9944401d4…
…f8a&id=4dc08168f4&e=3d67b4ba06) (Feb 3) | Geoff Shōun O’Keeffe
Enter Zen From Here. Then What? (Jan 13) | Gyodo Sensei
The Refuge of Sangha: Practice Intentions in the New Year (Jan 6) | Gyodo Sensei
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All Dharma Talks are available on our website at eonzen.org/dharma-talks.
You can view even more talks on the Eon Zen YouTube and also listen and subscribe to previous talks on the Eon Zen Dharma Podcasts through Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your Podcasts. (View Highlight)

April Zazenkai

April Zazenkai
Friday, April 25 (eve) – Saturday, April 26
A Daylong Meditation Retreat
Zoom & In-person
Led by Dharma-Holder Bill Earth-Mirror Corcoran
View Tentative Schedule
Register Today
Zazenkai is a daylong retreat devoted to samadhi practice, with Great Silence observed throughout the day. This Zazenkai, offered both in-person at ZCLA and via Zoom, is an opportunity to intensify and deepen your practice through the experience of periods of uninterrupted meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), a dharma talk, service, face-to-face meetings with Dharma-Holder Bill Earth-Mirror Corcoran, as well as time for mindful work practice (samu) and meals. Zoom participants will have time to eat, walk and do their own samu at home, then link back into the sesshin schedule. Full time participation is encouraged.
In-person participation is limited. Please register early to guarantee a seat in the Zendo.
In-person Participants:
[Click here to view fee structure](https://4ygrgykab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001le3zo58Fz45tCdZF_9XyR-jHVloRRiBr6bnWS7j4LnaNfc5MS-NDtbkfpw1SChdTkJDUPIl3t-dccCrPl7mI6pYqjH2rgA5U1ld3tBRHysXZmvTS…
…5w4Qn7St44V1iQx7dvfrtBUizKWCh70Msvayyfy7xLnPJ2hiPsjdYQnnhFSH_-wwTgyfuauUj9eqEDEaLXzd4xlP7JSaGIfqb-mmvkt0EzxjcCZKWhjVsFg3vb9lDkfm0ZAEYA==&c=XWFExzZ62m78ObOi_4O-c3J70hIexS3UAe4tOOVhVL09O25LGWa4wA==&ch=fEW8VLak2mw_jGos4jF8N3xZg-5dECMjXymTNTP8noyCFhtUmBbt4g==)
DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS SUNDAY, APRIL 20 @ 9AM. (View Highlight)

Nyhetsbrev – Aprilsesshin, Ramnathon Och Insamling Till Gammelskog + Retreat Utanför Höör

Peacemakers Sweden,zen peacemakers affiliateHej –
Våren har verkligen uppenbarat sig här i södra Sverige och jag är i full gång med ängsskötseln som nu på våren innebär luntning och fagning (elda och räfsa bort biomassa) för att skapa så bra omständigheter som möjligt för ökad biologisk mångfald på dessa små oaser i en värld av igenväxning och monokultursproduktion av träd och grödor. Det är ett underbart arbete! Det innebär ju också att man måste vara ute och ser blommor och blad som börjar spira, får höra fåglarnas lockrop och gäster som anländer, och alla fjärilar och humlor som flyger runt. Dessutom är vattnen fulla av grodornas rom och grodyngel.
Men det är också snart dags för sesshin i Valinge och sedan i Höör och sedan i Valinge igen! Missa inte att anmäla dig om du vill vara med. Mer info nedan.
Svalornas sangha har samlat in pengar för att köpa in gammelskog (skog med höga naturvärden) för att den inte ska skövlas genom insamlingsstiftelsen Naturarvet. Jag tänker att vi fortsätter denna insamling i år. Förra året så anordnade vi dessutom här i Ramnared ett halvmaraton på knölig bana, utan en meter asfalt. Startavgiften gick också till sanghans insamling för gammelskog. I år gör vi om detta evenemang och har lagt det på samma dag som jippot i Göteborg som dom kalla Göteborgsvarvet. Vill du hellre vara med här i Ramnared och bidra till bevarandet av gammelskog så läs mer nedan och anmäl dig. (View Highlight)

THIS WEDNESDAY: Embracing Our Civic Dharma | Talk by Dr. Larry Ward

Zen Peacemakers Affiliate,The Lotus Institute[

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Civic DharmaThe Virtues of a Compassionate Citizen

“The kind of capacity to live in the world with a heart undisturbed by the world is not a capacity of hiding—it is a capacity of embracing.”—Larry Ward
Dear friends,
We invite you to join us this Wednesday, April 16, for our monthly talk with Dr. Larry Ward.
Guided by the Ten Dharma Virtues, also known as Dasa-rājādhamma, Larry will offer his insights and personal expressions on how we can apply and embody the ten timeless principles into the fabric of civic life—how we march, how our feet move, how we listen, and how we hold the hand of a loved one.
Event will also include:
• guided meditation led by Peggy Rowe Ward
• poetry from Larry Ward
• open space for you to share a question or reflection
Everyone who registers will receive the recording within 48 hours after the event. Members do not need to register.
Wednesday, April 16
4:00–5:30 pm PDT | 7:00–8:30 pm EDT
Online via Zoom
[REGISTER NOW](https://engage.squarespace-mail.com/r?m=67fcf8ebbf3e08540d618cc8&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thelotusinstitute.org%2Fevents-all%2Ftalk-april-2025%3Fss_source%3Dsscampaigns%26ss_campaign_id%3D67fbd4dacd91f74a29935e26%26ss_email_id%3D67fcf8ebbf3e08540d618cc8%26ss_campaign_name%3DTHIS%2BWEDNESDAY%253A%2BEmbracing%2BOur%2BCivic%2BDharma%2B%257C%2BTalk%2Bby%2BDr.%2BLarry%2BWard%26ss_campaign_sent_date%3D2025-04-14T12%253A01%253A58Z&w=627d71921c16fd3a8b7df95f&c=b_67fbd4dacd91f74a29935e26&l=en-US&s=yrrBO48_c8MP…
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Join us at these free, online events hosted by our partners
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(View Highlight)

This Week at ZCLA April 14-April 20, 2025

Zen Peacemakers Affiliate,ZCLA,NY Zen Center
This Week at the Zen Center of Los Angeles

“Life becomes alive only when we are expansive, and we can expand only when we learn how to relax: into our seat, into our feet on the floor, into our breath and our belly. From this place of relaxation, we can bear witness to anything. This is how we do good by bearing witness.”
~Koshin Paley Ellison
Excerpt from “Whole Hearted”
Visit our website to view our full calendar and more
April 14 – April 20, 2025
Join all events via this Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID and Passcode for events using separate links provided.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5929348543?pwd=lYgv0Plq0ICViP7ExVUcbcel0CMF8c.1
Meeting ID: 592 934 8543
Passcode: Snake25
All events are virtual unless otherwise indicated.

EZC | What We Have Been Practicing For, Enter Here Zazenkai

Zen Peacemakers Affiliate,Eon Zen[

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1936 photograph published in the German newspaper Die Ziet in March 1991. Photographer unknown.
April 13, 2025
Dear Sangha,
Isabel Wilkerson opened her outstanding book Caste with a story about a German man in a 1936 photo taken in Hamburg, where a crowd of hundreds of shipworkers were saluting Hitler, except for one lone man, believed to be August Landmesser. He had joined the Nazi party years before but saw its nature and no longer supported Hitler. He was in a relationship with a Jewish woman and would later be arrested and charged in 1937 for “dishonoring the race” under Nazi racial law. Wilkerson ends the short story asking us, “What would it take to be him in any era? What would it take to be him now?”
This question haunts me, and I feel the urgency for an answer daily.
We train ourselves to be still, to embody equanimity in the midst of turmoil, to respond to our world wisely and with compassion. But these do not exclude taking action. Indeed our third Peacemaker tenet is taking action rooted in not-knowing and bearing witness.
When we repeat these three tenets, they sound true, they feel like the right way to be in the world. But rarely are we tested to our limits. We may be facing that possibility these days, for some of us more than others.
This is what we have practiced for. Our challenge is to take wise action without losing our balance, without creating more anger, delusion, and division. To do so, at first, we remain still, we receive the numberless creations appearing before us and we don’t turn away, we commit to each other to stay together, with family, friends, sangha, and the world. And then we act as our hearts speak to us.
What would it take to be August Landmesser today?
Registration is open for our [Enter Here Zazenkai April 26th](https://eonzen.us17.list-manage.com/tra…
…ck/click?u=3633d8742d7bd9944401d4f8a&id=868f868ec4&e=3d67b4ba06), which features a shorter day and sitting periods, and reduced cost. All are welcome.
Bowing three times in gratitude,
Geoff Shōun O’Keeffe

Eon Zen Sangha members after Rohatsu Sesshin at Willow Farm (View Highlight)

In Honor of Jun Po Roshi’s Birthday – Come Join Us

Shining Bright Lotus Meditation Society,Zen Peacemakers Affiliate
In honor of Jun Po Roshi’s BirthdayToday, April 14th
6:00 pm – 7:30pm ET (New York)online
Dedication
The body of pure dharma world neither appears nor disappears.
The strength of a compassionate vow brings life and death into being.
Revering the Buddhas, we aspire to have their wisdom shine upon us.
Bowing before the Buddhas, we aspire to have their true compassion embrace us.
Today we celebrate the great teacher Jun Po Kando Denis Kelly Roshi’s Birthday.
We, the sangha at Shining Bright Lotus Meditation Society, in offering incense, flowers, candlelight and sweet water and chanting the Hollow Bones Rinzai Zen Lineage chant, show our gratitude for his compassion.
May we, in calm, shining and perfect clearness practice and realize the subtle virtue of the wisdom of Mondo Zen.
Throughout the ten directions and the three times,
all Matriarchs, all Patriarchs,
all Awakened Ones, venerable ones, compassionate ones, great ones,
rely upon this incomparable transcendent wisdom.
*

Join us this evening for a special service to celebrate the birth of our lineage teacher, Jun Po Kando Denis Kelly Roshi. This is an opportunity to pay respect to the many devoted teachers who transmitted dharma teachings from Shakyamuni Buddha’s time to the present.

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Retreats – Spring Practice Period 2025Awakening The Heart of CompassionWith Ekai Joel KreisbergOne-Day Online RetreatMay 18th, 2025
“Ekai is masterful at explaining it all in ways that I will remember for a long time!”
Find Out More

Temple Happenings at Choboji: Issue 14.2025

Zen Peacemakers Affiliate”Obey the nature of things and you will walk freely and undisturbed. When thought is binding the truth is hidden, for everything is murky and unclear, and the burdensome practice of judging brings annoyance and weariness. What benefit can be derived from clinging to discriminating thoughts?”
– Sosan Ganchi Zenji, third Zen ancestor (d. 606 CE), “Verses on the Faith Mind,” Chobo-Ji Sutra Book p. 35.
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🇫🇮Helsinki Zen – Newsletter April 2025

Zen Peacemakers Affiliate,Helsinki Zen

Dear Zen
Welcome to our English-language newsletter!
• Please join our upcoming International Peacemaker Retreat with Roshi Frank De Waele in June, which will also serve as my Dharma Transmission Retreat. We warmly invite you to join us for this special event. Read more
• I also have a new writing series Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction, which is published weekly on Helsinki Zen’s Blog and in Substack. The part 7 is out now! Read more
• We also invite you to support our work through donations, which help us continue our peacemaking mission. More details are available later in this newsletter. Read more
• You’re also welcome to join our Hybrid Meditations on Thursday afternoons via Zoom. Read more
• You are also welcome to visit our online store. Please ask for translation help or international shipping. Read more
Other: In response to requests, we’ve moved away from Meta, Google, and some Apple platforms. You can still connect with us on Bluesky and the Zen Peacemaker Hive. Please note our new encrypted and secure email addresses:
Official group email: helsinkizen@proton.me
My personal email: mikko@helsinkizen.fi
Please delete all prior addresses on Google and Apple providers.
Looking forward t…
…o staying connected,
Mikko (View Highlight)
PEACEMAKER RETREAT IN HELSINKI
Helsinki Zen is organising a Peacemaker Retreat in collaboration with Belgian Zen teacher Frank De Waele Roshi. We will explore Helsinki’s interfaith and multicultural activities, spend a day in the outer archipelago of Porvoo bearing witness to the presence of historical war and brewing uncertainty in the vicinity of Russian threat. The island we are visiting has recent military remnants and Nato trainings often take place in the horizon. We will also Bear Witness to the beauty of the islands and the Baltic Sea—an area also titled the most polluted sea region in the world. The final two days of the retreat will be spent on a Street Retreat.
At the end of the retreat, Frank Roshi will give Dharma transmission (shiho) in the Zen Peacemaker lineage to Zen priest Mikko Rakushin Kendō Ijäs, after which he will become a certified Zen teacher (sensei).
The retreat offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of Zen Peacemakers’ practices. This time of year is also special in Finland, as the nights are very short near the summer solstice. Participation is limited, so please register as soon as possible. (View Highlight)

Upcoming Events
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