• Monday, March 18, 2024 11:02 AM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    Dharma talks from the Winter Practice Period's closing sesshin are now available online.  

    You may find the talks in the community's Dharma Talks Library or access them directly below.

    Thursday, March 14, 2024

    Dharma Talk with Nomon Tim Burnett : Closing Sesshin Reflection

    Friday, March 15, 2024

    Dharma Talk with Myoki Raizelah Bayen : Closing Sesshin Reflection

    Saturday, March 16, 2024

    Dharma Talk with Hoka Chris Fortin : Closing Sesshin Reflection


  • Monday, March 18, 2024 10:42 AM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    All Discovering Your Genjo Koan talks by Red Cedar Zen Community's shuso, Myoki Raizelah Bayen, are now available online.  Myoki Raizelah led the community in an 7-week study of Eihei Dogen's classic, Genjo Koan, which included 7 classes and one writing workshop.

    You may find Myoki Raizelah's talks in the community's Dharma Talks Library or access them directly below.

    Monday, January 29, 2024

    Dharma Class with Myoki Raizelah Bayen : Discovering Your Genjo Koan Talk 1

    Saturday, February 03, 2024

    Dharma Class with Myoki Raizelah Bayen : Discovering Your Genjo Koan Workshop

    Monday, February 05, 2024

    Dharma Class with Myoki Raizelah Bayen : Discovering Your Genjo Koan Talk 2

    Monday, February 12, 2024

    Dharma Class with Myoki Raizelah Bayen : Discovering Your Genjo Koan Talk 3

    Monday, February 19, 2024

    Dharma Class with Myoki Raizelah Bayen : Discovering Your Genjo Koan Talk 4

    Monday, February 26, 2024

    Dharma Class with Myoki Raizelah Bayen : Discovering Your Genjo Koan Talk 5

    Monday, March 04, 2024

    Dharma Class with Myoki Raizelah Bayen : Discovering Your Genjo Koan Talk 6

    Monday, March 11, 2024

    Dharma Class with Myoki Raizelah Bayen : Discovering Your Genjo Koan Talk 7

  • Monday, March 18, 2024 10:26 AM | Program Administrator (Administrator)


    Red Cedar Zen Community would like to warmly invite everyone - family, friends and relations near and far - to the memorial ceremony for our dear friend and sangha member, Shuko Edie Norton.

    The memorial will be held on March 30, 2024 at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship.  You may view details regarding the memorial and RSVP here.

    Edie died in the early morning of March 5, 2024.  She passed peacefully at home with family nearby.  At Edie's request, a few members of the sangha sat with her body the day that she died, sometimes meditating in silence, sometimes sharing stories, gratitude and laughter.  Edie was dressed in her exquisite hand-sewn priest's robes.  

    You may view Edie's obituary here.


  • Sunday, March 17, 2024 4:38 PM | Program Administrator (Administrator)
    For those looking for opportunities to sit with the sangha beyond our weekly schedule, the following retreats are scheduled in the coming months.  Please join us!
    • ONE DAY SIT: NO GAINING IDEA

      Saturday, June 01, 2024 7:00 AM â€¢ Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham and Online on Zoom

    • SAMISH ISLAND SESSHIN 2024

      Friday, June 14, 2024 5:00 PM (PDT) â€¢ Samish Island Campground, 11565 Scott Rd Bow WA 98232 and Online on Zoom

    • SAMISH ISLAND FALL SESSHIN 2024

      Thursday, November 7, 2024 4:00 PM (PDT) â€¢ Samish Island Campground, 11565 Scott Rd Bow WA 98232 and Online on Zoom

  • Thursday, February 01, 2024 11:56 AM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    Registration has opened for members for the Samish Island Sesshin 2024, our annual week of silent retreat with Zoketsu Norman Fischer.

    Members will need to log into their RCZC account to register between now and February 14th.

    Registration opens to all beginning February 15th.

  • Thursday, February 01, 2024 11:49 AM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    Upcoming Events

    2024 Practice Period Events This includes the Shuso's class, Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk, Intro to Zen Buddhism, Tea with the Shuso, Closing Sesshin and the Shuso's Dharma Inquiry.

    Introduction to Zen Buddhism - Starting Feb 7th, this 4-week online class is taught by Heigaku Talus and Kanho Chris. Only offered once a year.

    Reading Dogen - Our weekly reading group with Kanho Chris, where we are currently reading from Dogen's Shobogenzo, "Treasury of the True Dharma Eye."

    Monthly Zen Alive! on February 4th, with Nomon Tim Burnett giving our Dharma Talk; drop-in program from 10:00am to noon. If you've never been, these talks are always so lively and engaged with time for Q&A afterwards! Online in the Zoom zendo.

    Cedarwood Work Party on Februay 10th.  Our monthly work projects on the Cedarwood Zendo!

    Zen Sewing Workshop - For those preparing for jukai or wanting to support someone who is sewing, this is your opportunity to learn from sewing teacher Kanho Chris.

    Monthly Zen Alive! on March 3rd.  Please join us to welcome guest teacher Ryushin Andrea Thach from the Berkeley Zen Center.  Ryushin is Dharma Heir of Sojun Mel Weitsman; drop-in program from 10am to noon.

    2024 Zen Precepts Studies"True Freedom through Ethical Conduct" - Starting in March and ending in October, this is our annual series of exploration of the precepts.

    Wilderness Dharma Program - Registration will begin opening soon for the 12 walks, hikes and annual Mountains and Rivers backpacking retreat that have been planned by our Wilderness Coordinator, Bob Penny. 

    One Day Sit: Opening to Joy on April 6th.

    Cedarwood Work Party on April 21st.

     The Surangama Sutra class; starting on April 22nd for 6 consecutive Wednesday evenings.

    Samish Sesshin 2024, our annual week of silent practice with Zoketsu Norman Fischer, Nomon Tim Burnett and so many Dharma friends is now open for registration for members. Everyone else is welcome to sign up starting on February 15th.

  • Wednesday, January 31, 2024 11:11 AM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    Please join us for the rescheduled Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk on Thursday, February 8th.  This talk will be part of our weekly 7pm - 9pm evening program at BUF and on Zoom. Do not miss this important part of our Winter Practice Period.


  • Wednesday, January 24, 2024 3:59 PM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    Due to Raizelah's illness the Shuso's Class: Discovering Your Genjo Koan will both start (and end) a week later than originally planned and will now be held only via Zoom.  No in-person option will be offered for the class.  

    An email will be sent shortly to all registered participants regarding this required change to ensure our shuso, and our small community, remain healthy.    


  • Sunday, January 21, 2024 9:30 AM | Nomon Tim Burnett (Administrator)

    Due to Raizelah's illness the Shuso's Class: Discovering Your Genjo Koan will start (and end) a week later than originally planned.

  • Thursday, January 04, 2024 7:27 AM | Nomon Tim Burnett (Administrator)

    Nomon Tim has been sharing this wonderful poem from Katagiri Roshi at the weekday morning sits:

    Katagiri Roshi - This Peaceful Life

    Being told that it is impossible
    One believes, in despair, "Is that so?"
    Being told that it is possible,
    One believes, in excitement, "That's right."

    But, whichever is chosen,
    It does not fit one's heart neatly.
    Being asked, "What is unfitting?"
    I don't know what it is.

    But my heart knows somehow.
    I feel irresistible desire to know.
    What a mystery a "human" is!

    As to this mystery:
    Clarifying,
    Knowing how to live,
    Knowing how to walk with people,
    Demonstrating and teaching,
    This is the Buddha.

    From my human eyes,
    I feel it's really impossible to become Buddha.
    But this "I", regarding what the Buddha does,
    Vows to practice,
    To aspire,
    To be resolute,
    And tells myself, "Yes, I will."
    Just practice right here now,
    And achieve continuity,
    Endlessly,
    Forever.

    This is living in vow.
    Herein is one's peaceful life found.


    SOURCE:  MZMC News, Spring 1991, Vol 16 no.1,  pp.3
    NOTES: A poem by Dainin KATAGIRI Roshi published posthumously, on the first
    anniversary of his death, by the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center News.


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