Gandavyuha story-telling and creative workshop

 Dharma study, community, and artistic expression.

Join us for the Gandavyuha story-telling and creative workshop, either live at Cloud Hall, or on Zoom. We will enter the realm of Gandavyuha—the last chapter of the immense Avatamsaka Sutra, where the youth Sudhana goes on an amazing journey—encountering 53 Bodhisattvas—known and unknown—female and male, in his quest for true enlightenment.

The first portion of this once a month gathering will include an hour of “storytelling,” as we encounter these lands and teachers who open the doors of specific chapters/teachings in the Avatamsaka Sutra.  These include The Ten Abodes, The 10 Practices, The 10 Dedications and the 10 Stages.  The journey culminates in Sudhana’s coming full circle, lead by Manjushi, as he reunites with Samantabadra—Universal Good.

The second portion of the workshop will be a time for creative play, as we bring forth some imagery that takes form as we soak in Sudhana’s journey in our imaginations, bursting forth as color and form, and unique textures.  Each piece will be unique and unpredictable. These (mostly) abstract forms require no previous experience in drawing, sketching or painting. We will use a variety of techniques that allow each piece to unfold.

*For those in class at Cloud Hall, I will bring our simple supplies; for those on Zoom, I will send you a list of items to gather. Here are a few examples…

Schedule:  5 monthly meetings on Sundays 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM from April 19th to August 16th

IkuShun Desiree Webster 

Desiree has been a practitioner for many years and previous to her practice in the Soto Zen tradition practiced in the Plum Village tradition. She was Shuso for the winter practice period 2023, and lead the sangha on a journey through The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings, bringing with her the flavor of Thich Nhat Hanh’s understanding. Her formal teacher is Ryushin Andrea Thach from the Berkeley Zen Center.