Dharma Heart Zen
November Sangha News
Shuso teaching and Ancestor Ceremony and at Tuesday Sangha,
November 3
Practice Period Tea
November 7 10-1
Bodhisattva Precepts Study
November 10
Announcements
Dharma Heart Zen Study and Practice Focus
Fall Practice Period
Resources on the Fall Practice Period page
Practice News
Jizo Ceremony for Those Who Have Died, Green Gulch Farm
Nov 1, 2:00 - 5:00 pm
with Chris, Jennifer and Meikyo
Ancestor Ceremony
November 3, 5-6:30pm: during Tuesday weekly sangha meeting
Dharma Heart Zen will offer a Sejiki Ancestors Ritual. The shuso will give the opening dharma talk.
Sejiki, often associated with the Japanese Buddhist tradition of Obon, is a ceremony of offering food, incense, and compassion to ancestors and “hungry ghosts”—beings who are unable to access nourishment and care.
This is an opportunity to remember those who have died and to acknowledge the many visible and invisible beings who sustain us.
Together, we will honor family, friends, beloved animals, spiritual and cultural ancestors, and the land itself as our oldest ancestor.
Through offerings, chanting, reflection, and shared community, we will create space for grief, gratitude, and connection—recognizing that grief and longing are also expressions of love.
Please feel welcome to bring a photo of someone you’d like to remember or a food offering of harvest season fruits or vegetables for the altar.
Adjunct Texts :
Into the Demon's Mouth: How to Face our Fears like Milarepa By Aura Glaser
How Ancestor practice continues throughout the year: Making Offerings to Our Ancestors by By Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
Jizo Peace Project
The Jizo Peace Project is now at San Francisco Zen Center
Hello Everyone,
The Jizos are shining so brightly at City Center, warming many hearts with their loving presence. If you are drawn to witness them there, it may be helpful to check the hours of Zen Center's bookstore which should coincide with viewing hours for the Jizo Peace Project.
In December, the Jizos will move to the Center for Spiritual Living in Santa Rosa, and we will also offer Jizo making at that location. May the Bodhisattva spirit of Jizo guide us, as this peace project moves out into the world with the intention of fostering peace and healing.
If you are inspired to attend a Jizo-making gathering, please come this Friday to the Sebastopol Center for the Arts.
Friday, November 7 at 1:30pm - 3:30pm
And please let me know if you’d like to join in!
In gratitude and deep bows
Jizo Peace Project: Clay Making Gathering for Remembrance and Peace, SFZC CC, 11/13
with Chris and Cherie
register here
Visit the new Jizo website for updates on the Jizo Peace Project, Jizo Ceremonies
and more resources:
Doan Ryo Training and Practice
Hello!
The next Doan Ryo practice is scheduled for November 14 from 10-12pm at the Yulupa Cohousing community room. The Doan Ryo is the group of sangha members who play the bells and drum and lead the chanting during services and ceremonies.
We welcome and encourage beginners as well as veteran participants to join us. During the session we review tips about using the bells and drums and chanting.
Warmly,
Constance nazdrovya@sonic.net
October 11 - December 6
In Person and Online Via ZoomThe Dharma Heart Zen annual fall practice period is an important event in the life of the sangha, as we come together to affirm and deepen our practice. Everyone, those new to practice and seasoned practitioners, is warmly welcomed and encouraged to participate.
Dharma Heart Zen
18th Annual Fall Practice Period
Practice Offering:
Writing the Ordinary
Meets the third Thursday of the month:
4-5:30 pm in person, located in Sebastopol.
A monthly writing group called Writing the Ordinary is a chance to explore the everyday moments of life through words and silence from a Zen perspective.
RSVP with Nancy Dougherty and Elise Turner
Dharma Heart Zen
Buddha’s Enlightenment—Rohatsu Retreat
We will join with Buddhists all over the world to celebrate Buddha’s Earth Touching Awakening under the Bodhi Tree, with and for all beings.
December 5 and 6
Saturday 9—5 pm PT
Sunday 9—4:30 pm PTShuso Dharma Inquiry Ceremony and
Closing of the Fall 2025 Practice Period
Sunday, December 6, 2:30 pmAttending the entire sesshin is strongly encouraged. It is possible to register for just the closing Ceremonies on Sunday afternoon. Please make a special effort to attend if you are in the Practice Period.
This is a non-residential retreat (information about accommodations can be found in link)
Hybrid in-person and Zoom
Open Sky Retreat SpaceOpen to everyone
Learn more and register
Engaged Buddhism:
Practicing in the World
Resources and ways to engage and help
Responding with Clarity and Compassion
Dharma Heart Zen is curating a list of resources and engaged actions to help us respond with bodhisattva hearts and minds to the suffering and chaos that is unfolding in our government and in the world.
Visit the Engaged Buddhism page and join in as you can. It is updated regularly.
Visit the Solidarity With Our Migrant Neighbors page for resources related to the Sonoma County Sanctuary Coalition.
Labor Leader and Civil Rights Activist Dolores Huerta Dies at 96
Huerta was a renowned American labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers union and the Dolores Huerta Foundation.
DHZ Sangha Supporting the Sanctuary Coalition and Our Immigrant Neighbors
Faith Vigil for Solidarity (Ongoing)
10/28, 5:00-6:00 pm
Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa
Oranized by the Faith Leaders Work Group of the Sonoma County Sanctuary Coalition
for more information, contact office@srchristchurch.org
Dear Dharma Sisters and Brothers,
Thank you for your generous support of our sangha. Please visit the DHZ website here for information about contributing dana.
Deep bows,
DHZ finance team
Names for Well being and Safe Passage Chant list can be sent to Anne Richards