Sunday Morning Zen

Awaken Your Sunday with Zen Meditation, Wisdom & Connection.

Begin your week with clarity, insight, and heartfelt connection at our Sunday Morning Zen gathering. It’s more than just an event; it’s a rejuvenating journey into the heart of Zen practice.

Zen Buddhist Service - Sacred Chants, Compassionate Hearts
First and Third Sunday of each month
(Nov. 3, 17) (Dec. 1, 15) 8:15–8:50 AM
Before the stillness of meditation and the wisdom of Dharma talks, we invite you to join us in the heart of Zen practice. On the first and third Sundays of each month, our Buddha Hall resonates with the timeless power of Zen chanting.

First Sundays: The Gate of Sweet Nectar
On these mornings, we engage in one of the most moving practices of our White Plum lineage. “The Gate of Sweet Nectar” is more than a chant. It is an invocation and offering to nourish and feed all hungry ghosts in the ten directions. Through this service, we open our hearts to this suffering, we invite it to come in, and we do whatever we can to heal this suffering in ourselves. and others. Throughout the month, our sangha brings offeriongs of food –a physical manifestion of the chant’s spirit, which we place on the altar during the service. Afterwards, we donate this food to Sarah’s Inn, a local nonprofit working with domestic violence against women.
Third Sundays: The Voice of the Ancients
Step into a tradition that spans centuries and continents. Together, we chant the ancient zen sutras, our voices harmonizing in the same cadences that have guided practitioners for generations. We dedicate the merits of this practice to all Sentient Beings.

Mindfulness Meditation Moments 9:00 – 9:45 AM
Start your day in our serene Buddha Hall, where the gentle resonance of the bell invites you into 45 minutes of meditation. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to Zen, you’ll find this space opening and welcoming. Join us in person to feel the supportive energy of the Sangha, or tune in via Zoom from the comfort of your home. In this shared quiet, discover the peace that resides within.

Dharma Wisdom: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
As the meditation ends settle in for an illuminating Dharma talk. Each week, our teachers, members and friends offer insights that bridge ancient wisdom with modern life. Drawing from over four decades of practice in the White Plum lineage, these talks aren’t just lectures–they’re compassionate guides to navigating life’s joys and sorrows. Attend in our Buddha Hall, or engage through Zoom, bringing the Dharma right into your living room.

Kinship & Connection 11:00 AM
After nourishing your spirit, nourish your connections in our warm Community Room. Over light refreshments, the buzz of conversation fills the air. Share you insights, hear others’ stories, or simply enjoy the laughter and fun. Many of our members find that these casual moments blossom into deep friendships and a sense of belonging. It’s community in the truest sense–a place where every person can be seen and valued.

Your Zen Sundays:
Whether you join for the full morning or drop in for a part, you’re always welcome. In a world that often feels fragmented, Sunday Morning Zen offers a wholeness that lasts well beyond the day. It’s your time to breathe, to learn, to connect–and begin each week grounded in what truly matters.

We invite you to experience this for yourself. In the words of our tradition, “When you find your place where you are, practice occurs.” Your place is here with us, this Sunday.

Here is the Zoom link.

Service Liturgy

Upcoming Speakers

Nov. 17, 2024

Shukke Tokudo for James Kanshin Sullivan

Nov. 24, 2024

Dharma Talk by Rev. Syd Yang

Dec. 1, 2024

Yogacara and the Five Wisdom Energies - Teisho by Roshi Robert Althouse

Dec. 8, 2024

Closing Ceremony for Ango - Roshi Robert Althouse

December 15, 2024

Family Morning Zen with talk by Steven Parker

December 22, 2024

“Humor in the Dharma” talk by Ken Daigu Hillman

Dec. 29, 2024

Community Reflection on 2024 led by Rev. Kelly Junmei Good