
Fire, Tenderness and Awakening: Zenju Earthlyn Manuel Reflects on the Role of This Body
Imagine this body is the only way in which you can awaken.
Last month Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, PhD, gave a public dharma talk based on her new book, The Way of Tenderness: Awakening through Race, Sexuality, and Gender. (See below for another opportunity to hear from Zenju on this same topic.) In a recording of that recent talk, Zenju explains how this work was inspired by her personal study of the Heart Sutra, a familiar and revered text across most Buddhist traditions that is chanted daily at San Francisco Zen Center. Read more

Introducing a New Blog Site for the Green Gulch Honeybee Sanctuary and Refuge
Shown here is a close-up from a wild honeybee nest at Green Gulch. This past winter Green Gulch Farm installed its first log hive in an oak tree to introduce a natural nest habitat for honeybees. Read more
Results of Outreach Book Sale—with a Deep Bow of Gratitude
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we raised $1800 for Zen Center’s outreach programs through the recent book sale.
The funds will be used for Buddhist books for prisoners, our food programs for needy men and women and our other efforts in the community.

Joyous Energy: Spring Work Period at Tassajara
A chronicle of the Spring 2015 Work Period at Tassajara,
by Tassajara Director Shinchi Linda Galijan
Much has happened in the last month! On April 4, we ceremonially closed the 95th practice period. We set out before dawn, offering incense at all the altars in Tassajara, and by the time we made our way back into the zendo for the departing monks ceremony, it was nearly full light. After lots of hugs and last photographs, we waved all the departing monks goodbye. Read more