
Like Waves Rippling Out from Stillness: An Introduction to Ocean Gate Zen Center, Santa Cruz
A Branching Streams sangha profile by Steve Palmisano
Ocean Gate Zen Center is located on the central coast of California in the small beach town of Capitola, adjacent to Santa Cruz. Our name reminds us that the Buddha Way is an endeavor as expansive and deep as the ocean. As those who aspire to embody the bodhisattva path we have come together to create community: a gate through which we can enter and sustain Zen practice. It is our intention to warmly welcome everyone who comes to Ocean Gate. Read more
Sounds True Presents Wake Up San Francisco, March 28
San Francisco Zen Center shares the following information about a local event that may be of interest to you. Read more

Thank You from Linda Ruth, Ed and Fu
As the New Year begins
as we find ourselves right in the midst of the muddy water
at this time of profound questioning and studying our actions, our lives and our relationship to the world
you have shown what is important to you by supporting San Francisco Zen Center. Read more

New Year’s Babies at Zen Center Greet 2015
This last week, not one but two Zen Center families welcomed the new year with healthy new babies. Read more

Bridging Monastic and Urban Practice: The Online Practice Period
What pleasantly surprised me with regard to the online practice period was the experience of it being a bridge between monastic and urban practice, while providing a sense of intimacy and safety that developed instantly. —Maura McAleenan
by Lydia Linker, Online Programs Coordinator
The ways that technology makes our world smaller are reaching even to monastic-style practice. Read more

Clear Water Zendo Turns 15: Introducing the Vallejo Zen Center
A Branching Streams sangha profile by Mary Mocine
Clear Water is a rather small event, in the northeast corner of San Francisco Bay where the Carquinez Straight and the Napa River come together. That is why we are named water. The name comes from the Dogen poem “Zazenshin”: Read more

Congratulations to Fall Shusos
Congratulations and thanks go to the shusos (head students) who helped lead the fall practice periods in 2014: Maria Linsao, under Abbess Eijun Linda Cutts at Tassajara, and Simon Moyes, under Senior Dharma Teacher Tenshin Reb Anderson at Green Gulch Farm. (Nancy Petrin, under Abbot Ed Sattizahn at City Center, was previously featured in Sangha News here.) The shusos are pictured below with their teachers following their respective Shuso Ceremonies at the end of the practice periods last month. Read more