17th Annual Fall Practice Period
October 12 - December 7 2025

Embodying the Bodhisattva’s Path
The Avatamsaka Sutra, Chapter 26
The Ten Bodhisattva Grounds
In Person and Online Via Zoom
** Information is still in progress, applications will be available Monday September 8 **

The 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.

We are very happy to announce that Rachel Gardner, Ennin Shozen, will serve as Shuso (Head Student) for the Practice Period.

WHAT IS A PRACTICE PERIOD?

Practice Period is a special time set aside each year, when the sangha makes personal and collective commitments to intensify and deepen their practice of the Bodhisattva way in everyday life.

It is an opportunity focused on our intention and interactions in the world… in zazen, relationships, at home, work, study, in the care of self and other, and for all beings.

The Practice Period depends on the integrity of each individual’s personal commitment, as well as the strength of our shared intention and mutual support as we deepen and cultivate the sangha body together. Those who have participated in the Practice Period over the years know it can be a source of support and renewal throughout the year.  

Dharma Heart Zen’s Practice Period opens with the All-Day Sitting and Shuso Entering Ceremony on Sunday October 12, and continues through Sunday December 7, concluding with the Shuso Hossenshiki (Dharma Inquiry) and Closing Ceremony. These ceremonies bookend the Practice Period in a beautiful way and are important events in support of the Shuso; please make every effort to attend.

All events are offered in person and online. Those able to attend in person are encouraged to do so. 

THEME

The theme for this Practice Period is Embodying the Bodhisattva’s Path with the Avatamsaka Sutra/The Flower Garland Sutra.
Resources:
The Ten Bodhisattva Grounds: The Ten Highest Levels of Practice on the Bodhisattva’s Path to Buddhahood, annotated translation by Bhikshu Dharmamitra
Inside the Flower Garland Sutra, Huayan Buddhism and the Modern World, by Ben Connelly
The Flower Ornament Scripture, A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra, by Thomas Cleary

THE SHUSO

A senior practitioner from the sangha serves as Shuso (Head Student). The Shuso offers inspiration and guidance and serves as a central point of connection for the Practice Period. The mutuality of deeply sharing our practice lives together serves to encourage us all. The Shuso for this year’s Practice Period will be:

Rachel Gardner
Ennin Sho’zen
Complete Circle Person, Illuminating All Things

Rachel Gardner is a long-time and committed Dharma Heart Zen practitioner and sangha member currently serving as DHZ Co-Ino (head of the Zendo/meditation hall). Rachel is a Clinical Psychologist and former professional chef; she worked serving the HIV/AIDS community for over 20 years, as garden program and client services manager at the Food For Thought food bank in Forestville. Rachel loves both wild and cultivated nature, deep conversation and poetry; she treasures deep friendship as well as deep solitude.

CORE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Please note: It is not necessary to come to all of the events to participate in the Practice Period. If you live locally, please do your best to attend in person. Especially important are Opening and Closing Ceremonies, weekly sangha meetings on the dates that the Shusho will be leading, all-day sittings, and to participate with Practice Period Partners, tea with the Shusho, and Buddha’s Enlightenment Retreat.

• Opening of Practice Period All Day Sitting & Entering Ceremony
  Sunday, October 12: 9:00-9:45 am PT, at the beginning of the All-day Sitting (9am - 4pm). You can attend by being part of the sitting - half or full-day - or on Zoom.

• Weekly Tuesday and Thursday Sangha with zazen, kinhin, dharma talk, and small group discussions.
  There is a special effort to attend when the Shuso is teaching: October 14 and 23; November 4, 13, 18, and 25.

• Weekly Monday, Wednesday, Friday morning Zazen on Zoom: Join sangha member Debi Papazian; drop in, open to everyone.

• Bodhisattva Precept Study with Chris and Shuso: October 14 and November 11, 6:45-7:45pm PT, hybrid

• All-day Sittings: October 12 & November 9, 9am-4pm PT, hybrid

• Practice Partner Meetings: Structured conversations with Practice Partners provide support and are an opportunity to deepen sangha relationships over the course of the Practice Period. Suggested partner meeting guidelines.

• All-Sangha Tea: November 16, 10am-1pm, hybrid/Yulupa Co-housing

• Small Teas: Small group teas with the Shuso, with 4-5 participants for 90 minutes - held both in-person and online - give everyone the opportunity to meet with the Shuso and discuss their practice in an intimate and informal setting. Cherie Goodwin-Lippard is serving as Benji this year; she will assist with scheduling and hosting the teas.
  REGISTRATION FOR TEAS

• Shuso Hossenshiki (Dharma Inquiry) and Closing Ceremony: December 7
  Together, the Shuso and the sangha will bring forth the dharma, on December 7, at the conclusion of the Buddha’s Enlightenment Retreat, December 6-7, followed by tea and celebration. Everyone in the Practice Period is encouraged to participate. You can attend by sitting the full retreat, which is open to everyone, or coming for just the ceremony, in-person or on Zoom.