Upcoming Events (full list)


Upcoming events

    • Saturday, October 01, 2022
    • (PDT)
    • Saturday, December 30, 2023
    • (PST)
    • 64 sessions
    • Online via Zoom

    SATURDAY MORNING PROGRAM

    Every  Saturday morning we offer early morning mediation with a second period of zazen and a rich morning chanting and bowing service. Often the in-person group lingers for some social time.

    Starting in June: We will practicing in our Virtual Zendo only - our BUF Zendo will not be open!

    Saturday Morning Meditation Schedule

    7:00am zazen (opening with robe chant, early morning bells, and priest’s jundo)
    7:30am kinhin (slow walking meditation)
    7:40am zazen
    8:10am service (chanting and bowing - longer morning service)
    8:30am soji (temple cleaning)

    Followed by the opportunity for social time.

    Dokusan (private interviews) with Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett are offered during zazen periods.

    Printable chant book available here.

    • Friday, October 07, 2022
    • (PDT)
    • Friday, December 29, 2023
    • (PST)
    • 64 sessions
    • Online on Zoom Only.

    FRIDAY MORNING PROGRAM

    Fridays 7am - 7:30am a simpler morning sit: zazen, optionally followed by chanting the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo.

    We also offer zazen practice with a service Mondays - Thursdays also at 7am. See more about Weekday Morning Practice at Red Cedar.



    • Tuesday, April 25, 2023
    • Tuesday, December 26, 2023
    • 36 sessions
    • Virtual Zendo online via Zoom
    Register

    Reading Dogen

    The Red Cedar Zen Community is continuing the weekly "Reading Dogen" Study Group.

    The event is hosted on zoom by Sangha teacher and Tanto (head of practice) Kanho Chris Burkhart. For an hour we will read Dogen and discuss whatever comes up for us. There is no need to commit to the series, dropping in is fine. 

    We are using "Master Dogen's Shobogenzo" (Gudo Nishijima & Chodo Cross) and "Treasury of the True Dharma Eye" (Tanahashi) as the main translations.

    For questions or a copy of the fascicle we are currently reading, please contact Kanho Chris at cburkhart@gmail.com.

    Location: We are meeting online in our Virtual Zendo - please visit the Our Zendo page for connection information.

    Registration: There is no fee for this class but please register so we can send you updates.

    REGISTER

    • Thursday, November 30, 2023
    • (PST)
    • Thursday, December 19, 2024
    • (PST)
    • 54 sessions
    • Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham, and Online on Zoom

    THURSDAY EVENING PROGRAM

    This is our central weekly practice and community meeting. The usual pattern is:

    • 1st Thursday of the month: Precepts Ceremony.
    • 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Thursdays of the month: Regular Schedule (see below).

    Most evenings begin with zazen (sitting meditation) and include kinhin (walking meditation), bowing and chanting service, Dharma Talk and discussion.

    During our annual Winter Practice Period Schedule the schedule emphasizes meditation more strongly.

    Location: In-person at BUF and online via Zoom - see our Zendo page for details.

    Dokusan (private interviews with the teachers) will be available in both places - an announcement will be made at the beginning of the program on how to request a session. Learn more about dokusan.

    Orientation: If you're new to Zen or our community, we're happy to offer an orientation to the program (when and how to do what). Just email orientation@redcedarzen.org. It's also perfectly fine to just show up, pick someone, and do what they do. 

    Regular Schedule:
    6:50pm han (sounding board) begins
    7:00pm zazen (sitting meditation)
    7:30pm kinhin (walking meditation)
    7:40pm service (chanting and bowing)
    8:00pm dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
    8:40pm discussion
    8:55pm refuge chant
    9:00pm close

    Printable Chant Books covering all chants done at Red Cedar events are available here.

    • Thursday, January 18, 2024
    • (PST)
    • Saturday, March 16, 2024
    • (PDT)
    • Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham, and Online on Zoom
    Register

    WINTER 2024 Practice Period   January 18 - March 16

    Register for Practice Period 2024 

    2024 Practice Period Events 

    • Overall Practice Period Registration - intentions, requests, and overview. Please start here.

    • Opening Ceremony - Thursday January 18th, BUF & Online. All welcome

    • Opening Sesshin - evening of Thursday January 18th through Saturday January 20th. BUF & Online.  Separate registration required

    • Regular Zazen Meetings - Weekday Morning sit online, Thursday evening sit BUF & Online, Sunday morning Zen Alive! February 4th & March 3rd. All welcome.

    • Shuso's Class on Dogen's Genjo Koan. Monday evenings 6:30pm - 8:00pm. January 22 - March 4th. BUF & Online. Separate registration required

    • Introduction to Zen Buddhism - Just getting started with Zen or new to Red Cedar? A great way to learn more. Wednesday evenings February 7 - 28

    • Practice Period Resources - A place for our Shuso to add notes and resources for Practice Period practice and study.

    • Tea with the Shuso - arranged with the shuso & benji, many time slots will be available. 

    • Closing Sesshin - evening of Thursday March 14th theirough Saturday March 16th. BUF & Online.  Separate registration required

    • Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony - Saturday March 16th, 2pm. BUF & Online. All welcome.

    About Practice Period

    Practice Period is a time in which Zen students practice intensively together. Historically, practice period started with the rains retreats of the early Buddhist nuns and monks when they could not travel due to heavy rains. During that time they settled down for more intensive practice. 

    Although we don't live in monasteries, each winter in the spirit of those in monastic practice, we settle our busy lives in order to intensify our practice. We bring our mindfulness and Dharma practice to the foreground of our lives more than usual. Annual practice periods have been an essential part of Zen practice for a thousand years and an important part of Red Cedar Zen for over 20 years. 

    Shuso Myoki Raizelah Bayen

    In the center of the mandala of Practice Period is the head student, or shuso, who serves as the center of the sangha wheel giving classes, Dharma talks, and meets in small groups with practice period students over tea.

    Shuso: This year's Shuso is Raizelah Bayen. Raizelah will be assisted by benji Ken Oates. Learn more about Raizelah at the Shuso's Class page.

    Guest Teacher: We are delighted to announce that at the opening and closing of this year’s Practice Period, Nomon Tim will be co-leading with Hoka Chris Fortin, Raizelah's teacher and a long time friend and colleague of Nomon's.

    Visiting Teacher Hoka Chris FortinPractice Period Theme: We will be guided this year by a study of several of the fundamental teachings of our lineage in Eihei Dogen's well known essay Genjo Koan (Actualizing the Fundamental Point).

    Location: Events may be in-person, on-line or a combination.Check individual events for details. Information for attending in-person or online can be found on the Our Zendo page of the website. When attending in person, please adhere to our Covid Safety Guidelines.

    Practice Period Registration: two steps

    Please first do an overall registration from here to state your intentions for the period, sign up for a practice partner, and let us know if you need any assistance when attending in-person. 

    Secondly, if you are attending either of the two retreats or the shuso's class, please continue on to those events for additional required registrations.

    Practice Period Schedule (Overview and intentions)



    • Thursday, January 18, 2024
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (PST)
    • Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham, and Online on Zoom

    Join us for this important sangha evening with meditation and ceremony to open our annual 8-week Winter Practice Period and consider our intentions for practice during this time. The Opening Ceremony is also the first part of the Opening Sesshin. 

    This year we will practice under the guidance of our Shuso (head student) Myoki Raizelah Bayen, assisted by Benji Junka Ken Oates.

    First, Guiding Teacher Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett, Visiting Teacher Hoka Chris Fortin, and incoming Shuso Myoki Raizelah will conduct the Shuso Entering Ceremony followed by the Practice Period Opening Ceremony in which we all state our intentions.

    Second, all practice period participants present will be invited to briefly share their intentions for this year's Practice Period.

    This ceremony takes place during our regular Thursday evening practice time - just drop in. If attending in person, please come for the entire evening.

    Also: this evening is also the first evening of the Pratice Period Opening Sesshin for which a separate registration is required.

    Registration: None needed for the opening ceremony, but have you shared your intentions and requests with the teachers at Practice Period 2024 Overview & Registration yet?

    Practice Period Schedule (Overview and intentions)

    • Thursday, January 18, 2024
    • 7:00 PM (PST)
    • Saturday, January 20, 2024
    • 5:00 PM (PST)
    • Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, and Online on Zoom
    Register

    Our 3-day sesshin with Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett, Visiting Teacher Hoka Chris Fortin and Shuso Myoki Raizelah Bayen opens the Winter Practice Period.

    All are welcome to access the deep practice of sesshin regardless of how many of the practice period events you are able to attend. Alternating sitting, walking, ceremony, formal meals with a daily Dharma Talk and opportunities to meet privately with the teachers.



    Schedule: Thursday 7-9pm, Friday  7am - 9pm, and Saturday  7am - 5pm

    Note that this schedule includes the Practice Period Opening Ceremony on Thursday night.

    Meals: You will need a 3-bowl Oryoki set at this retreat. Instruction on Oryoki eating will be provided, no problem if you've never eaten oryoki before. You can purchase a set from our friends at Still Sitting (please order the Navy Blue cloths). Red Cedar Zen is not able to provide loaner oryoki sets at this time.

    Attendance: If you can’t attend full time in person, you may register for half-time participation. This covers Thursday evening and either Friday or Saturday. Either way, we ask that if you come in person, you come for the full day.

    Dharma Talks: All Practice Period participants are warmly invited to attend the Dharma Talks even if you aren't attending the sesshin. In person - arrive 5-10 minutes early.

    Friday 10:40am: Hoka Chris Fortin 

    Saturday 10:40am: Shuso's Wayseeking Mind talk with Raizelah - a special talk on her own life and spiritual journey.

    Registration: Is required for this event. And, have you shared your Practice Period intentions and requests with the teachers at Practice Period 2024 Overview & Registration yet?

    Practice Period Schedule (Overview and intentions)
    • Monday, January 22, 2024
    • (PST)
    • Monday, March 04, 2024
    • (PST)
    • 7 sessions
    • Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship or Online
    Register

    2024 Practice Period Shuso's Class

    Please join Shuso Myoki Raizelah Bayen as she guides us on a study of Genjo Koan a powerful, foundational and very interesting teaching by Eihei Dogen-zenji, the Japanese founder of our school of Zen:

    It is with joy that I invite you to participate in the 2024 Practice Period class on Dogen Zenji’s text of the Genjo Koan

    In this class, we will drink from the well of wisdom that our ancestors have left for us in their commentaries on the Genjo Koan, and indulge in the teachings of contemporary teachers on the subject.  We will spend time studying, but more importantly, sensing or feeling into the meaning of this text within the context of our own lives and journeys. 

    This class combines traditional Zen learning of Dharma talks and study, with inquiry practices such as repeating questions, monologues, and writing exercises, as well as sensing practices to support your discovery of the Genjo Koan in your heart and in your practice. This class is an exploration of your Genjo Koan.

    - Myoki Raizelah

    Suggested Texts:


    Dogen’s Genjo Koan - a collection of commentaries by Bokusan Nishiari, Shunryu Suzuki and Kosho Uchiyama.


    Realizing Genjokoan by Shohaku Okamura



    Schedule: Six Monday evenings January 22nd to March 4th (skipping Feb. 12th) from 6:30-8:00pm. Plus a Saturday session: February 3rd 10am - 1pm, followed by a potluck lunch at BUF.

    Hybrid Class, in-person encouraged: This class is offered in person at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship (downstairs, usual zendo location) and also online on Zoom. We'll do our best to fully include Zoom in participants and we warmly encourage local folks to come in person.

    We encourage you to make a commitment to attend all or at least most classes so we can develop community around our dharma study. 

      Resources You'll find resources related to the class online.

      Registration: Registration is required. The fees help us cover the costs of administering this class - thank you for your support.

      About Raizelah:

      My Buddhist journey began at Green Gulch Zen Farm 36 years ago, working on the farm, sitting zazen, and participating in Wendy Johnson’s garden practice period. I have often referred to the temple at Green Gulch as the cradle for my spiritual baby. It nourished my growth, but I needed something else at that time in my life. After 6 months on the farm, I took a hiatus from formal Zen practice, but maintained sitting practice.

      Read more about Raizelah...

      I spent the next fourteen years participating in a spiritual work school called “Ridhwan,” practicing the Diamond Approach to realization, which included daily sitting, inquiry practices and sensing practices. This approach wove together the psychological work sometimes done in therapy with spiritual practice.

      I returned to formal Zen practice about 18 years ago. In my attempt to find some quietude (I had a toddler and a preschooler at that time). I signed up for a 1-day sitting at Spirit Rock Buddhist Center, during which I reconnected with Norman Fischer, who had served as Director at Green Gulch during my stay there in my twenties. We instantly recognized one another. I was lit up by his teaching that day on the Koan called “The One is not Busy.”

      I picked-up his flier about Everyday Zen, signed-up for Everyday Zen’s next 1-day sitting, and knew upon my entrance to the zendo that I had “come home.” I felt an immediate sense of connection to this sangha. I participated in their monthly 1-day sittings and their annual sesshins for the next 15 years.

      It was at Green Gulch in my twenties that I met Tim. It was there that the seeds of our love were planted, and then were tended for many years by Buddha, while we explored other relationships, marriage and child-rearing, simultaneously but not together. We reconnected 3 years ago, which was the impetus for my move to Bellingham and my growing involvement with Red Cedar Zen Community.

      It is at Red Cedar that I am discovering what it is to take refuge in the sangha. I am grateful for the container this sangha provides to daily practice, exploring my humanness within the context of Dharma friendships, and to grow within the context of sangha roles, first as Ino and now as Shuso. Thank you for being here with me.

      Registration: Is required for this class. And, have you shared your Practice Period intentions and requests with the teachers at Practice Period 2024 Overview & Registration yet?
      Practice Period Schedule (Overview and intentions)
      Opening Ceremony Thursday January 18th
      Regular Zazen Meetings - Weekday morning, Thursday evenings,1st Sunday mornings
      Opening Sesshin - Thursday January 18th - Saturday January 20th. 
      Shuso's Class Monday evenings  January 22 - March 4th. 
      Introduction to Zen Buddhism Wednesday evenings  Feburary 7-28
      Practice Period Resources - for our practice & the class.
      Tea with the Shuso - by arrangement.
      Closing Sesshin - Thursday March 14th - Saturday March 16th. 
      Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony - Saturday March 16th, 2pm. 
      • Wednesday, February 07, 2024
      • (PST)
      • Wednesday, February 28, 2024
      • (PST)
      • 4 sessions
      • Our "Virtual Zendo" on Zoom
      Register

      This class is designed for those who are newer to Zen or have practiced in other sanghas and want to get a sense of how Red Cedar Zen looks at the practice.

      The class will cover instruction in sitting and walking meditation, information about Buddhism and Zen practice, and integrating meditation practice into daily life. There will be small and large group discussion and meditation and mindfulness exercises outside of class.

      The class will be taught by Teachers Heigaku Talus Latona and Kanho Chris Burkhart.

      Schedule: All four Wednesdays in February from 6:00-7:30pm. We ask participants to make a commitment to attend at least 3 of the 4 sessions.  

      Location: This class is online only. All classes will be in our Virtual Zendo. For instructions visit the Our Zendo page of the website.



      • Thursday, March 14, 2024
      • 7:00 PM (PDT)
      • Saturday, March 16, 2024
      • 5:00 PM (PDT)
      • Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, and Online on Zoom
      Register

      Our 3-day sesshin with Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett, Visiting Teacher Hoka Chris Fortin and Shuso Myoki Raizelah Bayen closes the Winter Practice Period.

      The practice of sesshin is a powerful opportunity including alternating sitting and walking meditation, a Dharma Talk, dokusan with the teachers, silent meals, breaks, and afternoon tea.

      The sesshin concludes with the Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony on Saturday at 2pm. All practice period students are warmly invited.

      Schedule: Thursday 7-9pm, Friday  7am - 9pm, and Saturday  7am - 5pm

      Attendance: If you can’t attend full time in person, you may register for half-time participation. This covers Thursday evening and either Friday or Saturday. Either way, we ask that if you come in person, you come for the full day.

      Meals: Vegetarian meals will be provided both Friday and Saturday. You will need a 3-bowl Oryoki set. Instruction on Oryoki eating will be provided, no problem if you've never eaten oryoki before. You can purchase a set from our friends at Still Sitting (please order the Navy Blue cloths). Red Cedar Zen is not able to provide loaner oryoki sets at this time.

      Dharma Talks: you may come to the retreat’s Dharma Talks even if you aren’t attending the retreat – if you come in person, just arrive a few minutes early and enter during the walking meditation:

      Thursday 8:10pm Nomon Tim Burnett

      Friday 10:40am Hoka Chris Fortin

      Saturday 10:40am Myoki Raizelah Bayen

      Special Ceremony: All Practice Period participants are warmly invited to attend the Shuso’s Dharma Inquiry Ceremony on Saturday at 2pm. If you are attending in person please arrive about 10 minutes and enter during kinhin (walking meditation).

      Registration: Is required for this retreat. And, have you shared your Practice Period intentions and requests with the teachers at Practice Period 2024 Overview & Registration yet?

      Practice Period Schedule
      • Saturday, March 16, 2024
      • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (PDT)
      • Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham, and Online on Zoom
      Register

      An important ceremony for the Shuso's training and the culmination of Practice Period.

      Join us with a question from the heart to share with Shuso Myoki Raizelah Bayen at the Hossinshiki ceremony which also concludes the Practice Period Closing Sesshin.

      Everyone who participated in the Winter Practice Period is warmly encouraged to attend whether you are signed up for the sesshin or not.

      The ceremony is a heart-to-heart encounter between each Practice Period student and the shuso. Together we bring up the Dharma in this important empowerment ritual for the shuso and the sangha.  

      You will be invited to ask the shuso a question about the Dharma. This should be a genuine question about your own practice, life, and heart. The shuso will respond from their felt experience as the practictioner in the center of our shared mandala. 

      Registration if you are not already attending the sesshin: Please register for the ceremony here and choose between the in person and online options. If you are joining us in-person, please arrive about 10 minutes early and enter during kinhin (walking meditation).

      Also, have you shared your Practice Period intentions and requests with the teachers at Practice Period 2024 Overview & Registration yet?

      Practice Period Schedule (Overview and intentions)


      • Wednesday, March 27, 2024
      • Saturday, October 12, 2024
      • 8 sessions
      • Online via Zoom
      Register

      The Red Cedar Zen Community is offering a monthly study group focused on the Zen Precepts. The group will be led by Kanho Chris Burkhart and IkuShun Desiree Webster with support from Nomon Tim Burnett.

      This class is for all Red Cedar Zen Members and non-members interested in precepts studies. Students should have the intention to attend all 7 evening meetings and the half-day retreat. Students moving towards Jukai are expected to attend all sessions plus the Jukai ceremony on November 3rd at the Fall Samish Sesshin.

      Note: If you are interested in receiving Jukai this year, please see the Going Further page on the website and speak with a teacher for information on the process.

      Note that this course is completely online via Zoom.

      Meetings

      Each group meeting will include discussion, experiential exercises, and reflection in small groups on what these precepts mean for us as human beings and students of Zen and in reflection of the teachers' comments.

      A second monthly meeting is self-organized by smaller study groups to discuss the readings and further reflect on how the precepts show up in their lives. Responses can be written, artistic, or verbal.

      The study group concludes with a half-day retreat in early October.

      Texts Used

      Being Upright by Reb Anderson, 

      Waking Up to What you Do by Diane Rizzetto

      Mind of Clover by Robert Aitken.

      Schedule

      Wednesday evening meetings plus a Saturday half-day retreat.

      3/27 - 6:30-8:00pm About the precepts, taking refuge
      4/24 - 6:30-8:00pm Pure precepts
      5/22 - 6:30-8:00pm Precepts 1 & 9
      6/26 -6:30-8:00pm Precepts 2 & 3
      7/24 - 6:30-8:00pm Precepts 4 & 5
      8/21 - 6:30-8:00pm Precepts 6 & 7
      9/25 - 6:30-8:00pm Precepts 8 & 10
      10/12 - 9am - 1pm  Half-day retreat

      Teachers

      Our Tanto (Practice Leader) Kanho Chris Burkhart is an ordained as a priest and was shuso, head student, in 2014 and completed her priest's training with Dharma Transmission in April 2019.

      IkuShun Desiree Webster 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.

      • Thursday, April 04, 2024
      • Thursday, April 18, 2024
      • Japan!
      • 0
      Join waitlist
      The sangha trip of a lifetime: two weeks exploring sacred sites in Japan
      updated 10/22 with more details about flights

      Thanks to the tireless efforts of trip leader Kando Rei Greene, working with Nomon Tim Burnett, and in consultation with several other wonderful supporters, our Japan trip has become clear! Join with an intimate sangha group in exploring the Japanese origins of our tradition. While centered on our Sōtō Zen tradition the trip will feature multiple Japanese religious traditions and immerse us in Japanese culture for two very rich weeks of exploration and practice.

      Total Cost: $2600 / person.

      Dates: April 4 - 18, 2024

      This cost includes pretty much everything during our two weeks together in Japan: lodging, most meals, in-country transportation, admissions fees, and costs of special events we'll do together. 

      Note that your airfare to Japan is not included. Bus transportation from Osaka Itami airport is Included if you fly into Osaka, Itami ITM, the international airport at the start of the trip. (Not Kansai KIX, sorry for any confusion.)

      Arriving flights:
      Arrive Osaka, Itami ITM airport, in time for our 8pm bus on April 4th. Note that due to the time change flying from North America you'll be leaving in the morning of April 3rd.  

      Departing flights:
      To take advantage of provided bus transport from our final stop at Hotel Hirashima in Katsura (Google Map) back to Osaka Itami airport on Thursday April 18th, book a flight leaving in the afternoon. Bus should arrive Osaka, Itami airport, by noon. Or stay the night in Osaka and leave on Friday morning. 

      Flights from Seattle:
      We see flights on 3 airlines from Seattle that may work: All Nipon Airlines (ANA), Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. Checking in mid-October fares range from $1300 to $1800 with the cheaper flights generally taking longer, sometimes much longer - we recommend keeping an eye on total trip duration. 

      Tim and Raizelah booked the following flight on Delta. Care to join us?

      Leaving Seattle 11:15am Wednesday April 3rd on Delta flight 167

      Arriving Tokyo-Haneda airport 2pm on Thursday April 4th.

      3 hour layover in Tokyo.

      Leaving Tokyo-Haneda at 5pm for a 6:10pm arrival on Thursday April 4th at Osaka-Itami. In time for 8pm pick up by our group bus.

      (connecting flight is on All Nipon ANA but booked as part of the Delta Itinerary.) 

      Things to remember as you book your flight:

      1) Time change - due to the time change leaving on April 3rd gets you to Japan on the 4th

      2) Travel time - pay attention to total length of the itinerary - flight searchs on the aggregator sites may list some with lower fared but you'll spend a LONG time getting there.

      3) Which airport in Osaka - we're arranging group bus transport from Osaka Itami airport (ITM) but it's not difficult to get from Osaka Kansai (KIX) to Kyoto on public transit. If you see a flight that's better for you to KIX that is an option.

      4) Share your Itinerary - let us know your travel plans once you have them!

      Deposit: a $500 deposit holds your spot. This deposit is "semi-refundable": if you cancel and we are able to fill your spot we will refund your deposit. If we are unable to it cannot be refunded. 

      Completing your Payments:

      There are two choices for paying the remaining $2100 to cover the costs of the Japan trip.

      1) Start a 6-month payment plan (initial payment of $350 and then just under $300/month, no interest). You must start this payment plan by the end of October so that it will complete before we leave.  

      Start your Payment Plan

      2) Pay the full amount of $2100 by March 1st, 2024. You may pay by credit card (just ask us to create an invoice) or if you are able to pay by check it will save us the 3% credit card processing fee. Mail your check to 

      Red Cedar Zen Community
      P.O. Box 5193
      Bellingham, WA 98227

      Have questions? Please email the trip leaders at japantrip@redcedarzen.org and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. 

      An Active Trip This trip does include walking and we will do our best to accommodate the bodies of all who wish to attend. Our Mt. Hiei tour and Kumano Kodo hiking pilgrimages involves walks (with day packs only) of 5 to 11 miles spread out over the day at a modest pace. Using local transport to reduce mileage is available in most cases. Please reach out to the trip leaders at  japantrip@redcedarzen.org to discuss your needs.

      Itinerary (follow the links for more details!)

      0) April 3 - Fly to Japan. If meeting the group bus at Osaka Itami ITM airport flights leave Seattle or Vancouver mid-day on Wednesday April 3rd to arrive in Japan on Thursday evening (note the 12 hour time change).

      1) April 4- flights arrive at Osaka Itami ITM airport in time to meet our chartered bus at 8pm taking us directly to our first hotel in Kyoto. Or arrive in country earlier and meet the group in Kyoto.

      2) April 5 - 9 - Explore Kyoto's many temples including a visit to nearby Mount Hiei where Dogen ordained in 1215. Highlights include a day spent with Mitsunaga Endo Dai-Ajari, marathon monk of Mt. Hiei, and a day with American-born Rinzai Zen monk and translator Yuho Thomas Kirschner practicing zazen at his temple Tenryu-ji plus a visit to the Daitoku-ji subtemple that was run by Ruth Fuller Sasaki, the first Western woman ordained as a Zen monk in the 1958. We'll also experience several temples and important sites along the Philosopher's Path and visit Kennin-ji, the first Zen temple in Japan where Dogen trained before departing for China.

      3) April 9-10 - Visit Eihei-ji, Dogen's temple and one of the two headquarters temple of Soto Zen in Japan. Our overnight stay will include a tour of the temple, experiencing Eihei-ji's morning service, and the opportunity to practice zazen in their guest zendo.

      4) April 10-12 - Visit Rinso-in, Suzuki roshi's temple in Yaizu, staying and meeting with Hoitsu and Shungo Suzuki, Shunryu Suzuki's son and grandson and their families.

      5) April 12-14 - Visit Koya-san, the beautiful mountain top headquarters temple of Shingon Buddhism where our friend Taijo Tanaka sensei of Seattle Koyasan temple trained. We will be staying at Rengejo-in, Taijo-san's master's temple.

      6) April 14 - 17 - Kumano Kodo hiking pilgrimage where we'll hike most of the Nakahechi route visiting all three of the Grand Shrines. We'll spend 3 days hiking (with daypacks, overnighting at inns) on this sacred pilgrimage route with Buddhist and Shinto sacred sites. 

      7) April 18 - fly out of Osaka (or stay longer for personal touring!)

      Pre-Trip Preparation

      Reading lists will be provided and we also hope to have several pre-trip study and discussion meetings over Zoom to help us all have the most interesting and valuable trip we can. Details will follow. For now here are some initial suggestions. 

      Draft Pre-Trip Reading List Suggestions

      Japanese Culture and Traditions via fiction

      Snow Country  - Yasunari Kawabata (1930s novel)
      Double Suicide - Chika
      Spring Snow - Yukio Mishima

      Japanese Culture and History - non-fiction

      Wrapping Culture - Joy Hendry- talks about layering of privacy and intimacy in Japanese culture
      Wind in the Pine - tea ceremony as a Buddhist path, poetry, beautifully written

      Japanese Buddhist Practice

      Bow First, Ask Questions Later: Ordination, Love, and Monastic Zen in Japan - Gesshin Claire Greenwood and Brad Warner (good intro to Japanese Buddhist temple culture)
      Eat Sleep Sit My Year at Japan's most Rigorous Zen Temple - Kaoro Nonomura (does show the harsh side of Zen training)

      Japanese Religious Figures / History

      Great Fool: Zen Master Ryōkan; Poems, Letters, and Other Writings - Ryokan, Ryuichi Abe
      Essays in Idleness and Hojoki - Kenko, Chōmei


      • Friday, June 14, 2024
      • 5:00 PM (PDT)
      • Saturday, June 22, 2024
      • 12:00 PM (PDT)
      • Samish Island Campground, 11565 Scott Rd Bow WA 98232

      Save the dates for the 2024 sesshin:
      June 14 - June 22, 2024

      Registration will be open early in the year.

      Our annual 7-day (8 nights) silent Zen sesshin with Zoketsu Norman Fischer with talks and interview also available with Nomon Tim Burnett and others, includes seven days and eight nights of silent practice of sitting and walking meditation in this beautiful church camp on the water on Samish Island in the Skagit Valley. Retreat includes dharma talks by Norman and other Northwest teachers, dokusan and practice discussion, sitting and walking meditation, and delicious vegetarian meals. A deep time for practice and reflection with the support of sangha and teachers.

      Many photos of Samish are available on our Photos page.

      The following information is from our 2023 retreat to give you an idea of what will happen and what's available - this page will be updated in early 2024. 

      To keep current on this and all our events, please join our email list!

      Schedule:
      You may attend the entire retreat, or the first or second half. Second half attendance is only appropriate to those who have sat sesshin with us before. We are unable to offer other attendance choices. Signing up is making a commitment to be part of the retreat for the entire period you signed up for.

      Full Retreat - Friday 5:00pm to Saturday  at noon

      First Half - Friday  5:00pm to Tuesday at 5pm

      Second Half - Tuesday at 5pm to Saturday at noon.

      Prerequisites & Requirements
      This is a rigorous and structured experience. To benefit from being at Samish Sesshin please abide by the following requirements.

      • You should have attended at least one full day formal meditation retreat before attending this 7-day, 8-night, retreat. Please do not register if you have never sat a full day of formal meditation (in Zen or other traditions is fine).
      • If you have never attended Samish sesshin please start at the beginning by attending the full retreat or the first half, and do not attend just the second half.
        Orientation and instructions are offered at the beginning only.
      • No attendance options other than the three listed above can be accommodated. 
      • This is a silent retreat without talking, reading, writing, computer or cell phone use. Please be prepared to follow this guideline fully.
      • Following the full schedule is a core practice of Zen. Some alternate schedules can be arranged with the Ino in cases of health and other needs.
      • Plan on remaining at Samish Island camp during the entire time of your sesshin attendance, not leaving for errands or appointments, etc., and remaining at the camp through final clean up at noon on Saturday unless illness or unavoidable travel arrangements prevent this.

      Housing:
      Housing is provided with three options:

      E-Cabins are recently built multi-room cabins with a bath shared with one other room. E-Cabins are in short supply in this retreat. Please choose a rustic cabin if that is possible for you in order to leave the e-cabins for those with health challenges. Or consider sharing an e-cabin. 

       e-Cabin Exterior

       e-Cabin Interior

      Rustic Cabins - simple plywood cabins built in the 1950's. Camp style bathrooms in a separate building. Most rustic housing will be private (not shared), however if couples or friends are willing to share a cabin this can make a difference in accommodating everyone if the sesshin is full.

       Rustic Cabin, exterior

       Rustic cabin, interior

      RV Site with Hook-Ups - are available.

      Tent - you can bring a tent and camp on the lawn. A lower cost option.

      Samish Island Campground

      We have rented the Community of Christ's wonderful camp at the eastern end of Samish Island for over a twenty-five years for our residential retreats. A wonderful place where sea meets sky.

      11565 Scott Rd, Bow, WA 98232
      Map and Directions

      • Friday, June 13, 2025
      • 5:00 PM (PDT)
      • Saturday, June 21, 2025
      • 12:00 PM (PDT)
      • Samish Island Campground, 11565 Scott Rd Bow WA 98232

      Save the dates for the 2025 sesshin:
      June 13 - June 21, 2025

      Registration will be open in early 2025

      Our annual 7-day (8 nights) silent Zen sesshin with Zoketsu Norman Fischer with talks and interview also available with Nomon Tim Burnett and others, includes seven days and eight nights of silent practice of sitting and walking meditation in this beautiful church camp on the water on Samish Island in the Skagit Valley. Retreat includes dharma talks by Norman and other Northwest teachers, dokusan and practice discussion, sitting and walking meditation, and delicious vegetarian meals. A deep time for practice and reflection with the support of sangha and teachers.

      Many photos of Samish are available on our Photos page.

      The following information is from a past Samish sesshin to give you an overview before registration opens.

      To keep current on this and all our events, please join our email list!

      Schedule:
      You may attend the entire retreat, or the first or second half. Second half attendance is only appropriate to those who have sat sesshin with us before. We are unable to offer other attendance choices. Signing up is making a commitment to be part of the retreat for the entire period you signed up for.

      Full Retreat - Friday 5:00pm to Saturday  at noon

      First Half - Friday  5:00pm to Tuesday at 5pm

      Second Half - Tuesday at 5pm to Saturday at noon.

      Prerequisites & Requirements
      This is a rigorous and structured experience. To benefit from being at Samish Sesshin please abide by the following requirements.

      • You should have attended at least one full day formal meditation retreat before attending this 7-day, 8-night, retreat. Please do not register if you have never sat a full day of formal meditation (in Zen or other traditions is fine).
      • If you have never attended Samish sesshin please start at the beginning by attending the full retreat or the first half, and do not attend just the second half.
        Orientation and instructions are offered at the beginning only.
      • No attendance options other than the three listed above can be accommodated. 
      • This is a silent retreat without talking, reading, writing, computer or cell phone use. Please be prepared to follow this guideline fully.
      • Following the full schedule is a core practice of Zen. Some alternate schedules can be arranged with the Ino in cases of health and other needs.
      • Plan on remaining at Samish Island camp during the entire time of your sesshin attendance, not leaving for errands or appointments, etc., and remaining at the camp through final clean up at noon on Saturday unless illness or unavoidable travel arrangements prevent this.

      Housing:
      Housing is provided with three options:

      E-Cabins are recently built multi-room cabins with a bath shared with one other room. E-Cabins are in short supply in this retreat. Please choose a rustic cabin if that is possible for you in order to leave the e-cabins for those with health challenges. Or consider sharing an e-cabin. 

       e-Cabin Exterior

       e-Cabin Interior

      Rustic Cabins - simple plywood cabins built in the 1950's. Camp style bathrooms in a separate building. Most rustic housing will be private (not shared), however if couples or friends are willing to share a cabin this can make a difference in accommodating everyone if the sesshin is full.

       Rustic Cabin, exterior

       Rustic cabin, interior

      RV Site with Hook-Ups - are available.

      Tent - you can bring a tent and camp on the lawn. A lower cost option.

      Samish Island Campground

      We have rented the Community of Christ's wonderful camp at the eastern end of Samish Island for over a twenty-five years for our residential retreats. A wonderful place where sea meets sky.

      11565 Scott Rd, Bow, WA 98232
      Map and Directions

    Past events

    Saturday, December 02, 2023 One Day Sit: Buddha's Enlightenment
    Saturday, November 11, 2023 November Cedarwood Work Party
    Sunday, November 05, 2023 Lay Entrustment Ceremony for Seiu Hannah Sullivan
    Saturday, November 04, 2023 Jukai Precepts Ceremony
    Thursday, November 02, 2023 Fall Sesshin at Samish
    Saturday, October 21, 2023 Closing the Mountains/Returning Waters Ceremony
    Saturday, September 30, 2023 Heart Lake Circumambulation/Heart Sutra
    Saturday, September 23, 2023 One Day Sit: Perfect Just as You Are
    Saturday, September 16, 2023 Journey to the Source - hike to Nooksack Cirque
    Saturday, September 02, 2023 Opening to Nature Walk: Lake Padden
    Saturday, August 26, 2023 August Cedarwood Work Parties
    Friday, August 18, 2023 Mountains and Rivers Hiking Retreat
    Thursday, August 17, 2023 CANCELLED: Opening to Nature Walk: Cedarwood Pilgrimage
    Saturday, August 12, 2023 CANCELLED - One Day Sit: Grounding in Practice
    Saturday, August 05, 2023 Opening To Nature Walk: Old Growth Ceremony
    Saturday, July 29, 2023 Sangha Picnic & Wedding Reception
    Saturday, July 15, 2023 Opening the Mountains Hike
    Sunday, July 02, 2023 Opening to Nature Walk: Stimpson Family Nature Reserve
    Saturday, June 24, 2023 Samish Island Dharma Talks 2023
    Friday, June 23, 2023 Samish Island Sesshin 2023
    Sunday, June 04, 2023 Zen Alive! Sunday Program
    Saturday, June 03, 2023 Opening to Nature Walk: 100 Acre Wood
    Saturday, May 27, 2023 CANCELED - One Day Sit: No Gaining Idea
    Thursday, May 18, 2023 Vasubandhu's Three Natures with visiting teacher Ben Connolly
    Saturday, May 13, 2023 Zen Sewing Workshop
    Saturday, May 06, 2023 CANCELLED: Opening to Nature Walk: Tennant Lake
    Saturday, April 29, 2023 One Day Sit: Beginner's Mind
    Sunday, April 16, 2023 Rescheduled: Mt. Erie Circumambulation
    Saturday, April 08, 2023 Completion of Training Ceremony for Shuko Edie Norton
    Saturday, March 25, 2023 Receiving Water Ritual & Hike
    Thursday, March 09, 2023 2023 Practice Period Closing Sesshin
    Sunday, March 05, 2023 Introduction to Zen Meditation
    Monday, January 23, 2023 2023 Practice Period Shuso's Class
    Thursday, January 12, 2023 2023 Practice Period Opening Sesshin
    Saturday, December 10, 2022 Zendo Open House (& Garden Work Party)
    Thursday, December 01, 2022 Rohatsu sesshin - Celebrate Buddha's Enlightenment
    Saturday, November 05, 2022 Jukai Sesshin and Ceremony
    Friday, October 21, 2022 Sangha Arts Night
    Saturday, October 15, 2022 Closing the Mountains/Returning Waters Ceremony
    Wednesday, October 05, 2022 What is Zen? - A Study Group for New and Old Beginners
    Monday, October 03, 2022 Weekday Morning Practice
    Saturday, October 01, 2022 Heart Lake Circumambulation/Heart Sutra
    Sunday, September 25, 2022 Journey to the Source/Exchanging Water Ritual - hike to Nooksack Cirque
    Saturday, September 24, 2022 One Day Sit: No Gaining Idea
    Saturday, September 10, 2022 CANCELLED Sauk Mountain Full Moonrise Hike
    Saturday, September 03, 2022 Opening to Nature Walk: Lake Padden
    Saturday, August 27, 2022 One Day Sit: Opening to Joy
    Monday, August 22, 2022 Mountains and Rivers Hiking Retreat
    Sunday, August 21, 2022 New Zendo Open House
    Saturday, August 06, 2022 Opening To Nature Walk: Old Growth Ceremony
    Sunday, July 31, 2022 Sacred Earth Fair
    Saturday, July 30, 2022 One Day Sit: Beginner's Mind
    Saturday, July 09, 2022 Opening the Mountains Hike - Excelsior Divide
    Saturday, July 02, 2022 Opening to Nature Walk: 100 Acre Wood
    Sunday, June 26, 2022 Ordination Ceremony for Daikan John Green
    Monday, June 20, 2022 Samish Island Dharma Talks 2022
    Sunday, June 19, 2022 Samish Island Sesshin 2022
    Saturday, June 11, 2022 Moving Our Portable Dharma Hall to Samish
    Thursday, June 09, 2022 Summer Study Series: Vasubandhu & Yogacara
    Saturday, June 04, 2022 Opening to Nature Walk: Stimpson Family Nature Reserve
    Saturday, May 28, 2022 One Day Sit
    Saturday, May 21, 2022 Work Party - Moving Sangha Storage
    Saturday, May 07, 2022 CANCELED: Opening to Nature Walk: Tennant Lake
    Saturday, April 23, 2022 Re-Newing Retreat, a One Day Sit
    Saturday, April 09, 2022 Mt. Erie Circumambulation
    Monday, March 28, 2022 Reading Dogen (weekly on Monday)
    Saturday, March 26, 2022 Hills and Streams Hike/Receiving Water Ritual
    Thursday, March 10, 2022 Practice Period Closing Circle
    Saturday, March 05, 2022 Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony
    Thursday, March 03, 2022 Public Dharma Talks: Nomon Tim Burnett, Sokaku Kathie Fischer, Seiu Hannah Sullivan
    Thursday, March 03, 2022 Practice Period Closing Sesshin
    Saturday, February 05, 2022 Mid-Practice Period Check-in
    Thursday, January 20, 2022 Exploring the Diamond Sutra - Shuso’s Practice Period Class
    Tuesday, January 11, 2022 Introduction to Zen Meditation
    Saturday, January 08, 2022 Practice Period Opening Sesshin
    Thursday, January 06, 2022 Practice Period Opening Ceremony
    Thursday, January 06, 2022 Winter Practice Period 2022 (overall registration)
    Saturday, December 11, 2021 Doan Training
    Thursday, December 02, 2021 Rohatsu - In Person 3-day Sesshin (and online)
    Wednesday, November 24, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Wednesday evening
    Sunday, November 21, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Sunday morning
    Sunday, November 07, 2021 Our Journey Home - Campaign Phone Drive
    Saturday, November 06, 2021 2021 Precepts Sesshin and Lay Entrustment Ceremony
    Saturday, October 23, 2021 Returning Water Ceremony
    Saturday, October 23, 2021 Closing the Mountains Hike
    Sunday, October 17, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Sunday morning
    Saturday, October 16, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Saturday morning
    Wednesday, October 13, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Wednesday evening
    Monday, October 11, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Monday morning
    Saturday, October 09, 2021 Heart Lake/Heart Sutra Circumambulation
    Saturday, October 02, 2021 Sitting in the Park
    Friday, October 01, 2021 Day of Mindfulness
    Sunday, September 26, 2021 Journey to the Source - hike to Nooksack Cirque
    Saturday, September 25, 2021 On Buddhist Fundraising
    Thursday, September 23, 2021 On Buddhist Fundraising
    Saturday, September 18, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Saturday morning
    Friday, September 17, 2021 CANCELLED - Sitting in the Park
    Wednesday, September 15, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Wednesday evening
    Saturday, August 21, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Saturday morning
    Wednesday, August 18, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Wednesday evening
    Saturday, July 31, 2021 Meditation in the Old Growth
    Friday, July 30, 2021 Sitting in the Park
    Saturday, July 17, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Saturday morning
    Wednesday, July 14, 2021 Zen Practice Orientation on Wednesday evening
    Saturday, July 10, 2021 Opening the Mountains Hike
    Saturday, June 26, 2021 Silent Mindful Hike at Stimpson Family Nature Reserve
    Thursday, June 17, 2021 Shantideva or bust! (weekly on Thursday)
    Saturday, June 12, 2021 Public Dharma Talks with Zoketsu Norman Fischer, Nomon Tim Burnett, and Shudo Chris Burkhart
    Friday, June 11, 2021 Online 7-day Sesshin with Zoketsu Norman Fischer ("Samish Online")
    Saturday, May 22, 2021 Wetland Walking Meditation
    Friday, May 21, 2021 Sitting in the Park
    Saturday, May 01, 2021 Receiving Water Ceremony
    Saturday, April 03, 2021 Mt. Erie Hiking Meditation
    Tuesday, March 30, 2021 2021 Zen Precepts Studies - Finding Freedom Through Ethical Conduct
    Monday, March 29, 2021 Family Promise (Informational Sessions)
    Saturday, March 27, 2021 Annual Sangha Meeting with the Board
    Wednesday, March 24, 2021 Wednesday Spring Lecture Series: Brains, Minds, and Buddhas
    Wednesday, March 10, 2021 Practice Period Closing Circle
    Sunday, March 07, 2021 Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony
    Thursday, March 04, 2021 Practice Period Closing Sesshin
    Saturday, January 23, 2021 Practice Period Opening Sesshin
    Wednesday, January 13, 2021 Living in the Grass Shack - Practice Period Class
    Wednesday, January 06, 2021 Practice Period Opening Ceremony
    Wednesday, January 06, 2021 Winter Practice Period 2021
    Sunday, January 03, 2021 Zen Alive! Zen Ancestor Keizan and Awakening
    Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year's Eve Zen Ceremony
    Wednesday, December 02, 2020 Public Dharma Talks: Nomon Tim Burnett, Shudo Chris Burkhart, and Kanshin Allison Tait
    Tuesday, December 01, 2020 Rohatsu - Online 7-day Sesshin with Nomon Tim Burnett and friends
    Monday, November 16, 2020 Autumn Light Reading with Shuko Edie Norton
    Wednesday, November 04, 2020 Spirit Settling Ceremony: Sejiki
    Tuesday, November 03, 2020 Chanting for the Nation
    Tuesday, October 20, 2020 What is Zen? - a class for new and old beginners
    Sunday, October 04, 2020 Zen Alive! Exploring the Jewel Mirror Samadhi
    Thursday, September 24, 2020 Climate & Racial Justice: Sharing Stories of Activism Rooted in Love
    Saturday, September 19, 2020 Closing the Hall: Ceremony and Procession
    Monday, September 14, 2020 Morning Practice
    Sunday, September 06, 2020 Zen Alive Online! September Sunday Program with Nomon Tim Burnett at Red Cedar Zen Community
    Sunday, August 02, 2020 Zen Alive! August Sunday Program at Red Cedar Zen Community
    Sunday, July 26, 2020 OLD - Practice Period Class - IGNORE
    Monday, July 20, 2020 Reading Dogen (offered online)
    Sunday, July 05, 2020 Zen Alive! July Sunday Program at Red Cedar Zen Community
    Sunday, June 28, 2020 TO BE RESCHEDULED: Samish Island Work Sesshin with Nomon Tim Burnett
    Friday, June 12, 2020 Online 5-day Sesshin with Zoketsu Norman Fischer ("Samish Online")
    Friday, June 12, 2020 CANCELLED - Samish Island Sesshin 2020
    Sunday, June 07, 2020 Zen Alive Online! June Sunday Program at Red Cedar Zen Community
    Saturday, May 16, 2020 CANCELLED - Hidden Mountain Spring Retreat
    Wednesday, May 06, 2020 RCZC Board of Directors Meeting - visitors welcome
    Sunday, May 03, 2020 Zen Alive Online! May Sunday Program at Red Cedar Zen Community
    Monday, April 27, 2020 Reading Dogen: Bendowa (offered online)
    Sunday, April 12, 2020 CANCELLED - Circumambulation of Mt. Erie Hiking
    Wednesday, April 08, 2020 Moved Online/Home: Buddha's Birthday - Potluck Dinner, Meditation, and Ceremony
    Wednesday, April 08, 2020 RCZC Board of Directors Meeting - visitors welcome
    Sunday, April 05, 2020 Moved Online - Zen Alive! April Sunday Program at Red Cedar Zen Community
    Saturday, April 04, 2020 Cancelled: Sangha Work Day
    Sunday, March 29, 2020 Cancelled: Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: March
    Wednesday, March 18, 2020 2020 Zen Precepts Study Group
    Saturday, March 14, 2020 Hills and Streams Hike (Lost Lake Falls)
    Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Practice Period Closing Circle
    Sunday, March 08, 2020 Shosan Dharma Questions Ceremony
    Thursday, March 05, 2020 Public Dharma Talks: Nomon Tim Burnett and Shudo Chris Burkhart
    Wednesday, March 04, 2020 Practice Period Closing Sesshin
    Sunday, March 01, 2020 Zen Alive! March Sunday Program at Red Cedar Zen Community
    Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Parinirvana Ceremony
    Sunday, February 02, 2020 Zen Alive! February Sunday Program at Red Cedar Zen Community
    Saturday, February 01, 2020 Practice Period Opening Sesshin
    Wednesday, January 22, 2020 Practice Period Opening Ceremony
    Wednesday, January 22, 2020 2020 Winter Practice Period - Key Dates
    Wednesday, January 22, 2020 Winter Practice Period 2020
    Sunday, January 05, 2020 Zen Alive! January Sunday Program at Red Cedar Zen Community
    Friday, January 03, 2020 Friday Noon Practice
    Tuesday, December 31, 2019 New Year's Eve Zen Ceremony
    Friday, December 13, 2019 Doanryo Training: Ringing the Bells and Leading the Chants
    Saturday, December 07, 2019 Buddha's Enlightenment: Night Sit, Morning Ceremony
    Thursday, December 05, 2019 Public Dharma Talks by Nomon Tim Burnett and Kanshin Allison Tait
    Wednesday, December 04, 2019 Rohatsu 2019 - Buddha's Enlightenment retreat
    Wednesday, November 06, 2019 Spirit Settling Ceremony: Sejiki
    Sunday, October 27, 2019 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning and Harvest Potluck: October
    Saturday, October 26, 2019 Jukai Sesshin and Ceremony
    Friday, October 18, 2019 Sangha Trip to Buddhist Seattle
    Saturday, October 12, 2019 Closing the Mountains Hike
    Sunday, September 29, 2019 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: September
    Saturday, September 28, 2019 Journey to the Source - hike to Nooksack Cirque
    Saturday, September 21, 2019 RESCHEDULED Sangha Work Day: September
    Friday, September 13, 2019 Sauk Mt. Full Moonrise Hike
    Saturday, September 07, 2019 Ordination of Ryushin Kate McKenna and Chikyo Ewan Magie
    Sunday, August 25, 2019 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: August
    Sunday, August 18, 2019 Mountains and Rivers Hiking Retreat
    Saturday, August 17, 2019 Visual Journals: Expressing Our Spiritual Selves
    Wednesday, August 07, 2019 RCZC Board of Directors Meeting
    Sunday, August 04, 2019 Meditation in the Old Growth
    Saturday, August 03, 2019 Sangha Work Day: August
    Sunday, July 28, 2019 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: July
    Saturday, July 20, 2019 RESCHEDULED Sangha Work Day: July
    Saturday, July 13, 2019 Opening the Mountains Hike
    Sunday, June 30, 2019 Samish Island Work Sesshin with Nomon Tim Burnett
    Sunday, June 30, 2019 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: June
    Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Dharma Songs with "Urban Monk" Marc Anderson
    Saturday, June 22, 2019 Norman Fischer reading: The World Could Be Otherwise
    Saturday, June 15, 2019 Samish Island Dharma Talks 2019
    Friday, June 14, 2019 Samish Island Sesshin 2019
    Friday, June 14, 2019 SeaTac to Samish Island Airporter Shuttle for 2019 Summer Sesshin
    Sunday, June 09, 2019 What Do We Do When We Can No Longer Do What We Used to Do? An Exploration of the Bodhisattva Way
    Saturday, June 08, 2019 Sangha Work Day: June
    Friday, June 07, 2019 RCZC Practice Committee Meeting
    Wednesday, June 05, 2019 RCZC Board of Directors Meeting
    Wednesday, May 29, 2019 Sangha Conversation
    Sunday, May 26, 2019 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: May
    Saturday, May 18, 2019 Mindfulness and Intimacy with visiting teacher Ben Connolly
    Saturday, May 04, 2019 Sangha Work Day: May
    Friday, May 03, 2019 Zen Sewing Weekend Retreat
    Sunday, April 28, 2019 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: April
    Wednesday, April 10, 2019 Buddha's Birthday - Potluck Dinner, Meditation, and Ceremony
    Saturday, April 06, 2019 Sangha Work Day: April
    Monday, April 01, 2019 The Heart of Perfect Understanding (Online Class)
    Saturday, March 30, 2019 Better Angels Workshop: How to Talk Across the Political Divide
    Sunday, March 17, 2019 Zazenkai: a morning of silent practice in March
    Saturday, March 16, 2019 Annual Sangha Meeting with the Board
    Wednesday, March 06, 2019 Practice Period Closing Circle
    Sunday, March 03, 2019 Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony
    Wednesday, February 27, 2019 Practice Period Closing Sesshin
    Sunday, February 24, 2019 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: February
    Wednesday, February 13, 2019 Parinirvana Ceremony
    Saturday, February 02, 2019 Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk.
    Saturday, February 02, 2019 Practice Period Opening Sesshin
    Wednesday, January 23, 2019 Continuing our Maturity (Shuso's Class)
    Sunday, January 20, 2019 Zazenkai: a morning of silent practice in January
    Wednesday, January 16, 2019 Practice Period Opening Ceremony
    Wednesday, January 16, 2019 Winter Practice Period 2019 - overview & registration
    Wednesday, January 16, 2019 2019 Winter Practice Period - Key Dates
    Saturday, January 05, 2019 Hidden Mountain Zendo Star Gazing
    Monday, December 31, 2018 New Year's Eve Zen Ceremony
    Saturday, December 08, 2018 Buddha's Enlightenment: Night Sit, Morning Ceremony
    Thursday, December 06, 2018 Public Dharma Talks by Nomon Tim Burnett and Eko Jeff Kelley
    Wednesday, December 05, 2018 Rohatsu 2018 - Buddha's Enlightenment retreat
    Saturday, December 01, 2018 Better Angels Skills Workshop: How to Talk Across the Political Divide with Revs. Edie Norton & Cara Tanis
    Sunday, November 18, 2018 Zazenkai: a morning of silent practice in November
    Wednesday, November 07, 2018 Spirit Settling Ceremony
    Saturday, November 03, 2018 Jukai Sesshin and Ceremony
    Sunday, October 28, 2018 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning and Harvest Potluck: October
    Friday, October 26, 2018 Sangha Arts Night
    Monday, October 22, 2018 Compassion Cultivation Training with Nomon Tim Burnett
    Saturday, October 13, 2018 Closing the Mountains Hike
    Saturday, October 06, 2018 Sangha Work Day - October 6th
    Sunday, September 30, 2018 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: September
    Saturday, September 29, 2018 Zen Sewing - September 29th
    Sunday, September 23, 2018 Jizo Ceremony - Remembering our Children
    Sunday, September 23, 2018 Family Promise Volunteer Training
    Saturday, September 22, 2018 Journey to the Source - hike to Nooksack Cirque
    Saturday, September 15, 2018 Zen Sewing - September 15th
    Friday, September 14, 2018 5-Day Sesshin with Seattle Soto Zen
    Wednesday, September 12, 2018 Wednesday Practice with Special Guest Speaker Edward Brown
    Tuesday, September 04, 2018 Circumambulation of Mt. Hood
    Sunday, September 02, 2018 Zazenkai: a morning of silent practice in September
    Saturday, September 01, 2018 Zen Sewing - September 1st
    Saturday, September 01, 2018 Sangha Work Day - September 1st
    Sunday, August 26, 2018 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: August
    Sunday, August 19, 2018 Sunday Simple Sit: The Compassion of No-Self and Impermanence
    Thursday, August 16, 2018 Family Promise Volunteer Training
    Tuesday, August 14, 2018 Mountains and Rivers Hiking Retreat
    Saturday, August 04, 2018 Zen Sewing - August 4th
    Saturday, August 04, 2018 Meditation in the Old Growth
    Monday, July 30, 2018 Samish Work Sesshin Dharma Talks
    Sunday, July 29, 2018 The One Who's Not Busy, Samish Island Work Sesshin with Nomon Tim Burnett
    Sunday, July 29, 2018 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: July
    Saturday, July 14, 2018 Opening the Mountains Hike
    Saturday, July 07, 2018 Sangha Work Day - July 7th
    Monday, July 02, 2018 The Teachings of Suzuki Roshi
    Sunday, June 24, 2018 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: June
    Saturday, June 23, 2018 Samish Sangha Clean Up 2018
    Saturday, June 16, 2018 Samish Island Dharma Talks 2018
    Friday, June 15, 2018 Samish Island Sesshin 2018
    Friday, June 15, 2018 SeaTac to Samish Island Airporter Shuttle for 2018 Summer Sesshin
    Sunday, June 03, 2018 Sunday Simple Sit
    Saturday, June 02, 2018 Sangha Work Day - June 2nd
    Sunday, May 27, 2018 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: May
    Wednesday, May 23, 2018 Dharma Songs with "Urban Monk" Marc Anderson
    Saturday, May 19, 2018 Hidden Mountain Spring Retreat
    Saturday, May 19, 2018 Hidden Mountain Zendo Work Party/Ceremony/Potluck
    Sunday, May 06, 2018 Zazenkai: a morning of silent practice in May
    Saturday, May 05, 2018 Sangha Work Day - May 5th
    Sunday, April 29, 2018 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: April
    Saturday, April 21, 2018 The Way of Flowers
    Saturday, April 14, 2018 Mt. Erie Hiking Meditation
    Saturday, April 07, 2018 Sangha Work Day - April 7th
    Wednesday, April 04, 2018 Buddha's Birthday - Potluck Dinner, Meditation, and Ceremony
    Friday, March 30, 2018 Zen Sewing Retreat
    Wednesday, March 28, 2018 “A-I-U-E-O” Pronouncing Japanese!
    Sunday, March 25, 2018 CANCELLED: Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: March
    Sunday, March 25, 2018 Hills and Streams Hike (Lost Lake Falls)
    Sunday, March 18, 2018 Zazenkai: a morning of silent practice
    Wednesday, March 07, 2018 Practice Period Closing Circle
    Wednesday, March 07, 2018 Namu Kie Butsu: Learning the Zen Sewing Stitch
    Sunday, March 04, 2018 Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony
    Friday, March 02, 2018 Public Dharma Talks: Zoketsu Norman Fischer, Nomon Tim Burnett, and Nōgen Connie Martin
    Sunday, February 25, 2018 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Morning: February
    Wednesday, February 14, 2018 Mid-Practice Period Check-in & Parinirvana Ceremony
    Saturday, February 03, 2018 Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk.
    Saturday, February 03, 2018 Practice Period Opening Sesshin
    Sunday, January 28, 2018 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Mornings
    Wednesday, January 24, 2018 The Dharma of Anger (Shuso's Class)
    Wednesday, January 17, 2018 Practice Period Opening Ceremony
    Wednesday, January 17, 2018 Winter Practice Period 2018 - overview & registration
    Sunday, January 07, 2018 Zazenkai: CANCELED due to schedule conflict
    Saturday, December 09, 2017 Buddha's Enlightenment: Night Sit, Morning Ceremony
    Thursday, December 07, 2017 Public Dharma Talks by Nomon Tim Burnett and Eko Jeff Kelley
    Wednesday, December 06, 2017 Rohatsu 2017 - Buddha's Enlightenment retreat
    Wednesday, November 29, 2017 Dharma Talk with Koshin Cain
    Sunday, November 19, 2017 Zazenkai: a morning of silent practice
    Saturday, November 04, 2017 Public Dharma Talk by Nomon Tim Burnett
    Wednesday, November 01, 2017 Spirit Settling Ceremony
    Sunday, October 22, 2017 CANCELLED: Sunday Simple Sit
    Sunday, October 22, 2017 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Mornings
    Sunday, October 15, 2017 On the Vimalakirti Sutra
    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Closing the Mountains Hike
    Wednesday, October 11, 2017 Movie: Walk With Me (instead of usual Red Cedar Wednesday Night)
    Saturday, October 07, 2017 Sangha Work Day - October 7th
    Saturday, September 30, 2017 Journey to the Source - hike to Nooksack Cirque
    Friday, September 29, 2017 Movie: The Last Dalai Lama
    Sunday, September 24, 2017 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Mornings
    Sunday, September 17, 2017 Zazenkai: a morning of silent practice
    Friday, September 15, 2017 Five Day Zen Sesshin with Seattle Soto Zen
    Wednesday, September 06, 2017 Genjo Koan Study Group
    Saturday, September 02, 2017 Sangha Work Day - September 2nd
    Friday, September 01, 2017 Sangha Campout on Mount Rainier
    Sunday, August 27, 2017 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Mornings
    Wednesday, August 16, 2017 Mountains and Rivers Hiking Retreat
    Sunday, August 13, 2017 Jizo Ceremony - Remembering our Children
    Saturday, August 05, 2017 Meditation in the Old Growth
    Sunday, July 30, 2017 CANCELED: Sunday Simple Sit
    Sunday, July 23, 2017 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Mornings
    Saturday, July 22, 2017 The Way of Flowers
    Saturday, July 15, 2017 Opening the Mountains Hike
    Sunday, July 02, 2017 Zazenkai: a morning of silent practice
    Saturday, July 01, 2017 Sangha Work Day - July 1st
    Sunday, June 25, 2017 Samish Sangha Clean Up 2017
    Sunday, June 25, 2017 Hidden Mountain Zendo Meditation Mornings
    Sunday, June 18, 2017 Samish Island Dharma Talks 2017
    Friday, June 16, 2017 Samish Island Sesshin 2017
    Friday, June 16, 2017 SeaTac to Samish Island Airporter Shuttle for 2017 Summer Sesshin
    Friday, June 09, 2017 Hidden Mountain Zendo Opening
    Saturday, June 03, 2017 Sangha Work Day - June 3rd
    Saturday, May 20, 2017 Awakening in Everyday Life: A Zen Studies Retreat with Nomon Tim Burnett
    Saturday, May 13, 2017 Contemplating Nature Workshop
    Saturday, May 06, 2017 Sangha Work Day - May 6th
    Sunday, April 30, 2017 Norman Fischer Poetry Reading
    Thursday, April 20, 2017 Mt. Erie Hiking Meditation
    Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Buddha's Birthday - Potluck Dinner, Meditation, and Ceremony
    Monday, April 03, 2017 A Conversation About Death and Dying
    Saturday, April 01, 2017 Sangha Work Day - April 1st
    Sunday, March 19, 2017 Zazenkai: a morning of silent practice
    Wednesday, March 08, 2017 Practice Period Closing Circle
    Sunday, March 05, 2017 Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony
    Friday, March 03, 2017 Public Dharma Talks: Zoketsu Norman Fischer, Nomon Tim Burnett, and Ryushin Kate McKenna
    Thursday, March 02, 2017 Three Day Sesshin with Zoketsu Norman Fischer & Nomon Tim Burnett
    Saturday, February 25, 2017 Blanchard Mountain Meditation Hike and Meeting
    Wednesday, February 08, 2017 Mid-Practice Period Check-in & Parinirvana Ceremony
    Sunday, February 05, 2017 Zazen in Uncertain Times: Sitting with the Fire - Simple Sit with Chris Burkhart
    Sunday, January 22, 2017 Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk.
    Sunday, January 22, 2017 Practice Period Opening Sesshin
    Wednesday, January 18, 2017 Intimacy at the Heart of Conflict (Shuso's Class)
    Wednesday, January 11, 2017 Practice Period Opening Ceremony
    Wednesday, January 11, 2017 Winter Practice Period 2017 - overview & registration
    Saturday, January 07, 2017 Sangha Work Day
    Sunday, January 01, 2017 Zazenkai: a morning of silent practice
    Saturday, December 03, 2016 Buddha's Enlightenment: Night Sit, Morning Ceremony
    Thursday, December 01, 2016 Public Dharma Talks by Nomon Tim Burnett and Eko Jeff Kelley
    Wednesday, November 30, 2016 Rohatsu 2016 - Buddha's Enlightenment retreat
    Tuesday, November 08, 2016 Election Day Sits
    Monday, November 07, 2016 Let Love Be Our Legacy Interfaith Banner Display and Community Gathering
    Saturday, October 22, 2016 Inter-Sangha Work Party
    Sunday, October 16, 2016 Sunday Simple Sit with Chris Burkhart
    Saturday, October 15, 2016 Sangha Work Day - CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
    Thursday, October 13, 2016 Cultivating the Seven Factors of Enlightenment
    Saturday, October 08, 2016 Closing the Mountains Hike
    Saturday, October 01, 2016 Understanding Consciousness: A Zen Studies Retreat with Nomon Tim Burnett
    Saturday, September 24, 2016 CANCELED: Journey to the Source - hike to Nooksack Cirque
    Friday, September 16, 2016 Five Day Zen Sesshin with Seattle Soto Zen
    Saturday, September 10, 2016 Circumambulation of Mount Adams - Journey into Wildness
    Sunday, September 04, 2016 Sunday Simple Sit with Chris Burkhart: Paramitas of Meditation and Wisdom
    Saturday, September 03, 2016 Sangha Work Day
    Monday, August 15, 2016 Zazen in the Cedar Grove
    Monday, August 15, 2016 Mountains and Rivers Hiking Retreat
    Sunday, August 07, 2016 Sunday Simple Sit with Chris Burkhart
    Saturday, August 06, 2016 Meditation in the Old Growth
    Sunday, July 17, 2016 Sunday Simple Sit with Chris Burkhart
    Saturday, July 16, 2016 Opening the Mountains Hike
    Saturday, July 02, 2016 Sangha Work Day
    Saturday, June 25, 2016 Samish Sangha Clean Up
    Saturday, June 18, 2016 Samish Island Dharma Talks 2016
    Friday, June 17, 2016 Samish Island Sesshin 2016
    Saturday, June 04, 2016 Sangha Work Day
    Sunday, April 03, 2016 Mt. Erie Hiking Meditation
    Saturday, April 02, 2016 Sangha Work Day
    Sunday, March 13, 2016 Norman Fischer Reading at Village Books
    Sunday, March 13, 2016 Norman Fischer reading at Village Books
    Sunday, March 13, 2016 Practice Period Closing Ceremony
    Friday, March 11, 2016 Public Dharma Talks: Zoketsu Norman Fischer & Nomon Tim Burnett
    Thursday, March 10, 2016 Three Day Sesshin with Zoketsu Norman Fischer & Nomon Tim Burnett
    Monday, March 07, 2016 Zen Precepts Study Group
    Friday, March 04, 2016 Principles of Buddhism with Ruth Ozeki and Tim Burnett - Whatcom READS!
    Friday, March 04, 2016 Introduction to Buddhist Meditation with Ruth Ozeki and Tim Burnett - Whatcom READS!
    Friday, February 26, 2016 Buddhism in Bellingham panel - Whatcom READS!
    Sunday, February 21, 2016 Sunday Simple Sit: Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity
    Wednesday, February 17, 2016 Mid-Practice Period Check-in & Parinirvana Ceremony
    Wednesday, February 03, 2016 Zen Pioneers Study Group
    Saturday, January 30, 2016 Practice Period Opening Sesshin
    Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Practice Period Opening Ceremony
    Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Winter Practice Period 2016 - overview & registration
    Sunday, January 17, 2016 Sunday Simple Sit
    Saturday, January 02, 2016 Sangha Work Day
    Saturday, December 05, 2015 Buddha's Enlightenment: Night Sit, Morning Ceremony
    Saturday, December 05, 2015 Public Dharma Talk by Eko Jeff Kelley
    Friday, December 04, 2015 Public Dharma Talk by Nomon Tim Burnett
    Thursday, December 03, 2015 Rohatsu - Buddha's Enlightenment retreat
    Wednesday, November 18, 2015 Visiting Dharma Talk with Eko Jeff Kelley
    Saturday, October 31, 2015 A Day of Compassion with Nomon Tim Burnett
    Saturday, September 26, 2015 Closing the Mountains Hike
    Friday, September 18, 2015 Four Day Zen Sesshin with Seattle Soto Zen
    Thursday, August 13, 2015 Mountains and Rivers Hiking Retreat
    Saturday, August 01, 2015 Meditation in the Old Growth
    Saturday, July 11, 2015 Opening the Mountains Hike
    Sunday, June 28, 2015 Samish Sangha Clean Up
    Saturday, June 20, 2015 Samish Dharma Talks
    Friday, June 19, 2015 Samish Island Sesshin
    Saturday, June 06, 2015 Sangha Work Party
    Saturday, April 11, 2015 Sangha Work Party
    Sunday, April 05, 2015 Mt. Erie Hiking Meditation
    Sunday, April 05, 2015 Circumambulation of Mount Erie
    Wednesday, April 01, 2015 Buddha's Birthday
    Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software