Red Cedar Zen Community upcoming events

Sangha Mentors Program (Tuesday, March 10, 2026)

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Nomon Tim and the Red Cedar Zen Practice Leaders are happy to invite a new round of mentorship. This program is available to all Members of Red Cedar Zen Community.

In this program sangha members are paired with a mentor. The mentors are our Practice Leaders: Lay Teachers and Priests who have completed the shuso (head monk) training. Our Guiding Teacher, Nomon Tim Burnett, will not serve as a mentor, rather he will be directing the program and consulting regularly with the teachers. You are always welcome to consult with Nomon Tim one on one in dokusan (private interview).

The process is simple: simply register and indicate a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of whom you would like to serve as your mentor.

You will hear back from Nomon in a few weeks on which mentor was assigned. Know that the teachers do not see your preferences. Simply pick whom you feel affinity with and we will do the rest.

Once paired, you'll meet with your mentor and decide how often you would like to make contact. And how. We recommend touching base once or twice a month as a general guideline, but the program is flexible according to individual needs and the currents in our busy lives.

A period of mentorship is typically 6 months long to start, and can be extended by mutual agreement.

There is no registration fee or charge but please consider an offering of dana (generosity) to your mentor in any form that feels appropriate.

What will the conversations be about? Anything related to the practice. Which is to say, anything related to living our lives with more awareness and kindness. You might choose to both read an article or study a text and talk about it; you might choose to make a commitment about daily practice and have someone to check-in on how that's going; you might simply relax together over a cup of tea and feel the deep benefits of spiritual companionship.

We hope sangha members will take advantage of this opportunity. And remember that it helps our sangha's teachers to grow and develop when they have an opportunity to take on these roles. The Sangha Mentors program is a wonderful way to strengthen our individual and collective practice and inter-connection as a sangha.

Not yet a member? Please sign up on the Membership Page. A current membership is required to participate in the Sangha Mentors program.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, April 12, 2026)

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

New to Red Cedar? This program is open to everyone. Orientations for newcomers are available—if you'd like to ensure an orientation, write us at orientation@redcedarzen.org or simply show up a few minutes early.

Sunday Program Details: We open with two periods of zazen (sitting meditation) with kinhin (walking meditation). The silent meditation is followed by the spiritually important practice of Zen temples: the bowing and chanting ritual of morning service.

Next is "Zen in action" with soji: a period of silent mindful work caring for the temple. Finally, we'll return to the Zendo for a Dharma Talk, tea, and discussion. The program closes at noon and all are welcome to linger for a bag or potluck lunch.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Doanryo Training: Ringing the Bells and Leading the Chants (Sunday, April 12, 2026)

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Join us for a thorough and supportive training in how to serve on the Doan-ryo: the group which rings the bells, hits the drum, and leads the chants at our regular services and special ceremonies. Learn how to be the:

Doan - bell ringer

Kokyo - chant leader

Tenken - time keeper

Jisha - priest's attendant

Performing the ceremonial positions is a core part of Zen training. Challenging and rewarding.

Four training meetings: you are welcome to attend 1 or more - just come as you can. Sundays at 12:30pm on March 29, April 5, April 12, and April 19.

Interested in training but can't attend at this time? Please let Ino Mari Ritalahti Sullivan know at mtritalahti@gmail.com - trainings are also organized by request!

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, April 13, 2026)

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

If you would like to have a private interview (dokusan) with our Guiding Teacher, Nomon Tim Burnett, use his booking form at redcedarzen.org/nomon or simply use the Zoom chat function to send Nomon a private chat—just saying "dokusan" is fine.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, April 14, 2026)

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, April 14, 2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Weekday Morning Practice (Wednesday, April 15, 2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Dharma Yoga with Raizelah Bayen (Wednesday, April 15, 2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Dharma Yoga with Raizelah Bayen

Dharma Yoga is a gentle, mindful style of yoga designed to support your body and breath awareness. It is Zazen in movement. In this 4-week series, we will explore the Four Mindfulnesses of Buddhism (mindfulness of breath, body, mind and emotions), and how practicing with them will support our practice on the yoga mat, meditation cushion and in life.

Join Myoki Raizelah Bayen, Dharma Yoga Certified Instructor, for this weekly gentle class with modifications offered to those with limitations, but the ability to get down and up off the floor is required. Please bring your own yoga mat. Yoga props will be available.

You are welcome to bring yourself some dinner (microwave available) and then stay for our sangha meeting from 6:30 to 8:30, including meditation, service and Dharma talk.

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, April 15, 2026)

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

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). Email orientation@redcedarzen.org. It's also perfectly fine to just show up, pick someone, and do what they do.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Thursday, April 16, 2026)

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Friday, April 17, 2026)

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Long Peace Walk (Saturday, April 18, 2026)

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Buddha's Birthday Celebration (Hannamatsuri) (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Celebrate Buddha's Birthday by building a flowered pavilion together for the baby Buddha.

After meditation and temple cleaning we will bathe the baby Buddha together.

Bring flowers from home, a potluck entry if you can stay for lunch.

This event is family and kid friendly from 11am on.

Schedule:
9:30am Zazen (seated meditation)
10:00am Kinhin (walking meditation)
10:10am Zazen
10:40am Soji (temple cleaning)
11:00am Short talk followed by Buddha's Birthday Ceremony
Noon - potluck lunch

This will be our Sunday morning program this week.

Community Building Potluck (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 19:00:00 GMT

COMMUNITY BUILDING POTLUCKS

Hosted by your Membership Committee

Please bring a dish to share. Open to all participants and members and Red Cedar.

The April potluck follows our celebration of Buddha's Birthday Celebration (Hannamatsuri) and is followed by the first meeting of Gandavyuha story-telling and creative workshop.

Doanryo Training: Ringing the Bells and Leading the Chants (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Doan - bell ringer

Kokyo - chant leader

Tenken - time keeper

Jisha - priest's attendant

Performing the ceremonial positions is a core part of Zen training. Challenging and rewarding.

Four training meetings: you are welcome to attend 1 or more - just come as you can. Sundays at 12:30pm on March 29, April 5, April 12, and April 19.

Interested in training but can't attend at this time? Please let Ino Mari Ritalahti Sullivan know at mtritalahti@gmail.com - trainings are also organized by request!

Gandavyuha story-telling and creative workshop (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:30:00 GMT

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.

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. Her formal teacher is Ryushin Andrea Thach from the Berkeley Zen Center.

Program Details: 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

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, April 20, 2026)

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Weekday Morning Practice (Wednesday, April 22, 2026)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Dharma Yoga with Raizelah Bayen (Wednesday, April 22, 2026)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Dharma Yoga with Raizelah Bayen

You are welcome to bring yourself some dinner (microwave available) and then stay for our sangha meeting from 6:30 to 8:30, including meditation, service and Dharma talk.

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, April 22, 2026)

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Thursday, April 23, 2026)

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Friday, April 24, 2026)

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Responding to the Cries of the World; Retreat for Women and Fem-Identified (Saturday, April 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Responding to the Cries of the World

We live in a time when we’re all hearing the cries of the world. Avalokitesvara, Mahayana Bodhisattva of compassion, mercy and love, models for us how to respond in difficult times. Please join us for a day of practice and exploration of how Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva can guide us in our practice as we navigate through the confusion of Samsara, this world of suffering.

In this gentle day of silent practice, we will weave together sitting and walking meditation, with small and large group discussions. New and experienced practitioners of Zen are welcome! There is no need to know traditional Zen forms to participate. Orientation will be available for newcomers.

Lunch will be provided. Click here for a schedule.

Myoki Raizelah Bayen Raizelah has 20+ years of teaching yoga, embodiment, mindful massage and inquiry practices. She received priest ordination from her teacher Hoka Chris Fortin in 2025.

Seiu Hannah Sullivan is a lay entrusted teacher at Red Cedar Zen. She received permission to teach from her teacher Sokaku Kathie Fischer in 2023.

Opening to Nature Walk: Tennant Lake (Saturday, April 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

* Gentle accessible 1 mile walk with no elevation gain

Join us in a mindful exploration of the wetlands of Tennant Lake County Park outside of Ferndale.

We’ll gather at 10 am by the Tenant Lake house (next to the parking area) to begin a slow silent walk on the boardwalk.

Stops for sitting meditation and a simple Wilderness Dharma ritual will be included as we take our time immersing ourselves in the rich wetlands ecosystem. This walk is accessible, flat, and about a mile in length.

Optionally: bring a picnic lunch for some social time after our walk.

Led by Nomon Tim Burnett, formerly a naturalist and educator at Tennant Lake.

What to Bring: Comfortable layered clothing and a sack lunch if you're staying for lunch.

Directions: Tennant Lake County Park is adjacent to Hovander Country Park in Ferndale at 5299 Nielsen Ave, Ferndale, WA 98248.

Carpooling: Please mention in a comment on your registration if you need a ride and we will try to assist.

Registration: We incur about $10 in program administration cost for each registration. In the registration process you are offered the opportunity to donate additional

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, April 26, 2026)

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

April Sitting Lab - Cancelled (Sunday, April 26, 2026)

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Our applogies, due to a scheduling conflict Nomon Tim has had to cancel this session of Sitting Lab.

A Guided Exploration of Meditation

Join Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim for a hands-on investigation of zazen (seated meditation). This mostly silent program opens with instruction on a different aspect of zazen at each of the monthly meetings. Then we'll immerse for three sitting periods interspersed with kinhin (walking meditation) to experiment and explore. The session closes with debrief, discussion, and the opportunity to ask questions.

Schedule: Sunday, April 26th from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Also available on February 8, March 22 and May 31

Registration: Is free but required for this retreat. Online or in person attendance is available.

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, April 27, 2026)

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, April 28, 2026)

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, April 28, 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Weekday Morning Practice (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Thursday, April 30, 2026)

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Friday, May 01, 2026)

Fri, 01 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, May 03, 2026)

Sun, 03 May 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, May 04, 2026)

Mon, 04 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, May 05, 2026)

Tue, 05 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, May 05, 2026)

Wed, 06 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Weekday Morning Practice (Wednesday, May 06, 2026)

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, May 06, 2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Visiting Teacher Ben Connelly: Flower Garland Buddhism (Wednesday, May 06, 2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 02:30:00 GMT

Dharma Talk and Book Reading by Ben Connelly of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center on "Flower Garland Buddhism: Interdependence, Social Engagement, and Abundance"

Huayan Buddhism arose in the sixth century in China rooted in the Mahayana Flower Garland (Huayan) Sutra. Huayan is relational, practical, and positive. Its emphasis on interdependence, celebration of the sensual world, and diversity of people and practices provides inspiration for what Thich Nhat Hanh called "engaged Buddhism."

With Inside the Flower Garland Sutra, Zen teacher Ben Connelly explains the significance of Huayan teachings for Buddhist practice, providing a broad overview of Huayan teachings and their practical implications for contemporary life, with a mix of testimonies from real-life situations and references to influential Buddhist texts.

Arising fifteen hundred years ago, Huayan has made a deep impact on East Asian Buddhism, and has much to offer during this era when many folks see ever-deepening divisions. Connelly explores how Huayan offers particular wisdom for those concerned about how to care for their own lives as they work to end harms such as ecological devastation, poverty, militarism, addiction, marginalization, and exploitation.

Ben Connelly is a Soto Zen teacher who has visited Red Cedar several times. He also teaches mindfulness in a wide variety of secular contexts including police training and addiction recovery groups, and works with multi faith groups focused on social and climate justice. Ben is the guiding teacher at Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, travels to teach across the United States, has written for Tricycle and Lion’s Roar magazines, and is author of Inside the Grass Hut, Inside Vasubandhu's Yogacara, Mindfulness and Intimacy, Vasubandhu's "Three Natures", and Inside the Flower Garland Sutra.

After the formal program, Ben will be available until 9pm to sign books.

Book page: https://wisdomexperience.org/product/inside-the-flower-garland-sutra/

Weekday Morning Practice (Thursday, May 07, 2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Friday, May 08, 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Hidden Mountain Spring Retreat (Friday, May 08, 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Hidden Mountain Spring Retreat with Nomon Tim Burnett and Reizan Bob Penny:

Join us at Hidden Mountain Zendo at Hawk Meadow for our annual weekend retreat hosted by Reizan Bob Penny with Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett.

Hidden Mountain Zendo is an intimate yurt zendo in a place called Hawk Meadow, 20 minutes from Bellingham, which is surrounded by several hundred acres of woodlands. Hawk Meadow is the source of several watersheds, including Spring and Baker creeks, which flow to opposite sides of King Mountain and then join back together, miles away, and then flows right by Sansui-ji, Red Cedar's new temple home.

You can begin setting up tents and exploring the farm by 4pm on Friday. The retreat begins gradually with cooking some dinner together at 5pm, and starts proper with Zazen beginning at 7pm. The retreat continues overnight with a 4pm Saturday close. Three vegetarian meals are included.

You may arrive as late as 7pm if your schedule is constrained - please note this in the comment field of the registration.

This gentle, accessible retreat will include indoor and outdoor Zazen, indoor and outdoor walking meditation, a Dharma Talk by Reizan Bob Penny, the availability of private Dokusan with Nomon Tim Burnett, and an outdoor ceremony in the Cedar Grove.

Sleeping outside (in tents) is an integral part of this nature-based Dharma experience. Some extra tents are available for those needing one. If you are unable to sleep in a tent indoor sleeping may be able to be arranged. Please inquire about this option, if you desire, in the comments section on your registration form

Please register at redcedarzen.org

Please direct inquiries to Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org. Directions to the retreat will be emailed upon registration.

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Friday, May 08, 2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 01:15:00 GMT

Everyone who practices with the felt sense of queerness is welcome to attend this monthly community gathering. No prior experience is necessary; come as you are.

This event is free to the public, though donations to RCZC are welcome. We meet every 2nd Friday from 6:15pm to 8:30pm. If you would like an orientation to the building and/or meditation, please reach out to orientation@redcedarzen.org.

Schedule:

Two 20-minute periods of meditation, with an optional wiggle break in between.
10 minutes of slow walking meditation.
Chanting a prayer-poem for Loving Kindness together.
Small group discussion following a prompt.
Social time and closing by 8:30pm.

Please join our WhatsApp community for updates and other opportunities for connection in the RCZC Queer Sangha:

Join the WhatsApp Group

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, May 10, 2026)

Sun, 10 May 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, May 11, 2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Weekday Morning Practice (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)

Thu, 14 May 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Thursday, May 14, 2026)

Thu, 14 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Friday, May 15, 2026)

Fri, 15 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, May 17, 2026)

Sun, 17 May 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Gandavyuha story-telling and creative workshop (Sunday, May 17, 2026)

Sun, 17 May 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Dharma study, community, and artistic expression.

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

IkuShun Desiree Webster

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, May 18, 2026)

Mon, 18 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)

Tue, 19 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Weekday Morning Practice (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)

Thu, 21 May 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Thursday, May 21, 2026)

Thu, 21 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Friday, May 22, 2026)

Fri, 22 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Opening to Nature Walk: 100 Acre Wood (Saturday, May 23, 2026)

Sat, 23 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

A mindful hike through Fairhaven's charming 100 Acre Wood.

2.5 miles
easy terrain with only slight elevation gain/loss
soft forested trails

This wonderful extension of Fairhaven Park, also known as the Chuckanut Community Forest, is a wetland forest filled with Douglas firs, tall cedars and cottonwoods. Bird and plant life are rich and diverse as are the many "social trails" lovers of this area have created. Walking together with hike leader Reizan Bob Penny we will enjoy a wandering loop of about 2.5 miles on mostly flat terrain.

We'll start at the Upper Fairhaven Park Pavilion, then proceed up and down the trails viewing large cedars and firs and hemlocks, and even forest gnomes should they decide to show. We'll visit Se'Si'Le (the 100 Acre Woods' "Grandmother Cedar" tree) and pause for a brief ceremony and a snack, then head back through the woods. Some may wish to walk the Fairhaven Labyrinth at the end (optional).

The hiking is a moderate, winding, walk on a network of park and local trails, gently up and down, with a few short, steep, sections. We anticipate it will take about two hours. Please bring water and snacks, and a hiking stick or poles if you use them.

Timing: Meet at the Upper Fairhaven Park Pavilion near the tennis courts at 10am. Parking is limited there, you may need to park in the lot near the entrance and walk up. We expect to return around noon. Bring a bag lunch and stay for an optional sangha social time after the silent walk if you choose.

What to Bring: Bring a trail snack and water. Trails can be muddy, consider hiking boots. Dress for the weather. Bring a sack lunch if you'd like to stay and eat together after the walk.

Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, May 24, 2026)

Sun, 24 May 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, May 25, 2026)

Mon, 25 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, May 26, 2026)

Tue, 26 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, May 26, 2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Weekday Morning Practice (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)

Thu, 28 May 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Thursday, May 28, 2026)

Thu, 28 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Friday, May 29, 2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, May 31, 2026)

Sun, 31 May 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

May Sitting Lab (Sunday, May 31, 2026)

Sun, 31 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

A Guided Exploration of Meditation

Schedule: Sunday, May 31st from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM in the zendo and online.

Also available on March 22

Registration: Is free but required for this program. Online or in person attendance is available.

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, June 01, 2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, June 02, 2026)

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, June 02, 2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Weekday Morning Practice (Wednesday, June 03, 2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, June 03, 2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Thursday, June 04, 2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Friday, June 05, 2026)

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Opening to Nature Walk: Stimpson Family Nature Reserve (Saturday, June 06, 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

A mindful early morning silent hike through old-growth forest and thriving wetland ecosystem at Stimpson Family Nature Reserve.

Two large trees, a Red Cedar and Douglas Fir, are wrapped in an embrace

4.9 miles
300' total elevation gain
gently rolling and flat, soft forest trails

We'll walk slowly and silently as we circumambulate the 350 acre reserve, with a short detour around Geneva Pond. Total distance is 4.9 miles, and with our slow pace and occasional pauses is expected to take about 3 hours. This hike is styled as a silent contemplative walk with very little ritual, an early morning mindful experience of the bird song and plants of these beautiful summer lowland woods.

The hike will be led by Terrill Thompson who lives nearby

Directions: From Bellingham, take Lakeway Drive toward Lake Whatcom, but turn right onto Lake Louise Road before you get to the lake. In about 2 miles, the well-signed trailhead parking lot is on your left.

Timing: Meet at Stimpson Reserve Parking lot on Lake Louise Road at 7:00am. Expected return time from the hike is approximately 10:30am.

What to Bring: Bring trail snacks, water, and walking shoes.

Carpooling: Please mention in a comment on your registration if you need to a ride and we will try to assist.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, June 07, 2026)

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, June 08, 2026)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, June 09, 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, June 09, 2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Weekday Morning Practice (Wednesday, June 10, 2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, June 10, 2026)

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Thursday, June 11, 2026)

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Friday, June 12, 2026)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Samish Island Summer Sesshin 2026 (Friday, June 12, 2026)

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Join us for our annual summer sesshin at Samish Island Retreat Center

This powerful sesshin 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, led this year by Nomon Tim Burnett and Shudo Chris Burkhart.

The retreat includes dharma talks, dokusan and practice discussion with the teachers, plenty of sitting and walking meditation, and delicious vegetarian meals. A deep time for practice and reflection with the support of sangha and teachers. All held in a beautiful outdoors oriented environment on the water.

Teachers:
Nomon Tim Burnett and Kanho Chris Burkhart will all be giving talks and offering dokusan (private interview). You can read this message from Zoketsu Norman Fischer who will not be attending this year.

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 at Samish 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 5pm to Saturday at noon.
First Half - Friday 5pm 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.
If you have never attended Samish sesshin please start at the beginning (Full or First Half). Orientation is offered at the beginning only.
This is a silent retreat without talking, reading, writing, computer or cell phone use.
Following the full schedule is a core practice. Alternate schedules for health needs can be arranged with the Ino.
Plan on remaining at camp for your entire session; do not leave for errands or appointments.

Housing Options

E-Cabins: Modern with shared full baths. Please leave these for those with health challenges if possible.

e-Cabin Exterior

e-Cabin Interior

Rustic Cabins: Simple 1950s plywood cabins. Separate shared bathhouse.

Rustic Exterior

Rustic Interior

RV & Tent: RV (full hook-ups available) or Tent camping on the lawn (lowest cost).

Online Attendance (Zoom)

Access the full zendo schedule (zazen, kinhin, talks) online. Dokusan and meals are not available via Zoom. Flexible attendance is permitted for online participants.

Dates & Cancellation

May 15: Last day for full refund. Full payment due.
May 16: Unpaid registrations may be cancelled for waitlist.
June 1: Last day for partial refund.

See our Cancellation Policy and Scholarship information (available for Rustic Cabins).

Location & Travel

Samish Island Campground: 11565 Scott Rd, Bow, WA 98232 | Map & Directions

No public transit is available. For carpooling, visit groupcarpool.com or contact registrar@redcedarzen.org.

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Friday, June 12, 2026)

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 01:15:00 GMT

Everyone who practices with the felt sense of queerness is welcome to attend this monthly community gathering. No prior experience is necessary; come as you are.

Schedule:

Two 20-minute periods of meditation, with an optional wiggle break in between.
10 minutes of slow walking meditation.
Chanting a prayer-poem for Loving Kindness together.
Small group discussion following a prompt.
Social time and closing by 8:30pm.

Please join our WhatsApp community for updates and other opportunities for connection in the RCZC Queer Sangha:

Join the WhatsApp Group

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, June 14, 2026)

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, June 15, 2026)

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, June 16, 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, June 16, 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Weekday Morning Practice (Wednesday, June 17, 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, June 17, 2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Thursday, June 18, 2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Friday, June 19, 2026)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, June 21, 2026)

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Gandavyuha story-telling and creative workshop (Sunday, June 21, 2026)

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Dharma study, community, and artistic expression.

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

IkuShun Desiree Webster

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, June 22, 2026)

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Weekday Morning Practice (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Thursday, June 25, 2026)

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Friday, June 26, 2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Hike: Lake Whatcom Watershed Hike (Saturday, June 27, 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Lake Whatcom Watershed Hike

A hike to perform rituals honoring the gathering of water in the Lake Whatcom Watershed.

The hike will be led by Terrill Thompson. The whole group begins together on this hike. Then there are two options, and the group can divide to each complete a different option, and if they divide the two groups will finish the hike separately.

Option #1: Hertz Lakeside Trail (Easy)

Distance: Variable between 2 to 6.4 miles (group choice)
Elevation: Little to no elevation gain or loss
Terrain: Flat, wide trail, with a short boardwalk near the start, and a few places in the latter half where the trail is narrower and might be muddy.

Option #2: Lake Whatcom Overlook (Difficult)

Distance: 5.4 miles round trip
Elevation: Very steep 1,000' elevation gain/loss over 1 mile
Terrain: Steep stair climb, and then decent, of 310 steps

Join us as we experience the views of the lake, the surrounding hills, waterfalls, and the surrounding forest of giant old Douglas Fir trees. This hike is an experience of the midland foothills terrain of our area, between the shoreline hills and small mountains at the edge of the Salish Sea and the high alpine ridges and back country of Mt. Baker. Lake Whatcom is the gathering place for the drinking water of the entire City of Bellingham, and is an important marker in our annual cycle of celebrating our local watershed.

Our climb up the 310 steps to the expansive view over the Lake Whatcom Watershed is suggestive of many pilgrimage destinations in China, which involved completion of long flights of "Steps to Heaven" up sacred mountainsides.

We'll return to Bellingham by about 3:30pm.

What to Bring: Bring lunch, rain gear if warranted, good walking shoes or boots, and at least two liters of water.

Directions: Meet at 2509 Cedarwood in Bellingham or the Lake Whatcom Park trailhead. You will specify your transportation plan during registration.

Timing: Be ready to leave Cedarwood at 9:15 am or to be met by the group at the trailhead at 10:00am. We hope to be back to Cedarwood at about 3:30pm but hiking times vary.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, June 28, 2026)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Weekday Morning Practice (Monday, June 29, 2026)

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Weekday Morning Practice (Tuesday, June 30, 2026)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us Monday – Friday, 7am – 7:40am for a simple morning sit: zazen and a brief dedication of merit.

No registration required; just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received Jukai and completed zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

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

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, June 30, 2026)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, July 01, 2026)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, July 05, 2026)

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, July 07, 2026)

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, July 08, 2026)

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Friday, July 10, 2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 01:15:00 GMT

Everyone who practices with the felt sense of queerness is welcome to attend this monthly community gathering. No prior experience is necessary; come as you are.

Schedule:

Two 20-minute periods of meditation, with an optional wiggle break in between.
10 minutes of slow walking meditation.
Chanting a prayer-poem for Loving Kindness together.
Small group discussion following a prompt.
Social time and closing by 8:30pm.

Please join our WhatsApp community for updates and other opportunities for connection in the RCZC Queer Sangha:

Join the WhatsApp Group

Hike: Opening the Mountains (Saturday, July 11, 2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Our full day mountain hike to open the mountains to practice.

7 mile round-trip
1,500' elevation gain
Uphill the whole way, at a fairly consistent grade, level around the lakes, and steeper for the final section to the ridge. Good well-built trail, soft forest path lower down, open and rocky trail up above.

Reizan Bob Penny will lead us on a meditation hike above the tree line near Mount Baker - our first mindful foray of the season into the high mountains.

Excelsior Divide, which we will reach via Damfino Lakes, is a beautiful subalpine ridge partially covered in early season snowfields and avalanche lilies. This will be our place of Opening the Mountains for the beginning of our ritual high-country hiking season.

This hike is inspired by traditions on Tibetan sacred mountains where the first ritual circuit of the season was performed by priests waking up the mountain deities.

The trail can be muddy at this time of the year so, depending on the advance of the season, you may want to bring gaiters for snow in the forested upper portions. But although there could be some hard snow it will also be mostly clear on the open ridge.

What to Bring: Bring lunch, rain gear, good walking shoes or boots, and at least two liters of water.

Directions: Meet at Sansui-ji, 2509 Cedarwood in Bellingham or the Nugent's Corner Market in Deming. You will specify your transportation plan during registration.

Timing: Be ready to leave Sansui-ji at 8:30am or to be met by the group at 9:30am at Nugent's Corner. We hope to be back to Sansui-ji at about 5:30pm but hiking times vary.

Carpooling: Please mention in a comment on your registration if you need to a ride and we will try to assist.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, July 12, 2026)

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, July 15, 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, July 19, 2026)

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Gandavyuha story-telling and creative workshop (Sunday, July 19, 2026)

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Dharma study, community, and artistic expression.

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

IkuShun Desiree Webster

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Opening to Nature Walk: Old Growth Meditation (Saturday, July 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Sitting with the Old Ones

1/4 mile
Level
Stepping over a few big logs

Join the sangha, led by Reizan Bob Penny, for a Zen experience in the Old Growth forest remnant off of Mount Baker Highway. This spot is the home to the oldest living beings of our local area. We make this visit annually to connect with the wisdom and peace of the grove.

After our easy walk, meditation and ritual in the Old Growth grove, we'll stop at Nooksack Falls with a sack lunch at the largest waterfall in our watershed. We'll return to Bellingham by about 3:30pm.

What to Bring: Bring lunch, rain gear, good walking shoes or boots, and at least two liters of water.

Directions: Meet at Sansui-ji, 2509 Cedarwood in Bellingham or the Nugent's Corner Market in Deming. Carpooling is required, there is no extra parking at the trailhead. You will specify your transportation plan during registration.

Timing: Be ready to leave Sansui-ji at 9:30am or to be met by the group at 10:30am at Nugent's Corner. We hope to be back to Sansui-ji at about 3:30pm but hiking times vary.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, July 26, 2026)

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, July 28, 2026)

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Dharma Seminar - Weekly on Wednesdays (Wednesday, July 29, 2026)

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:20:00 GMT

  February Dharma Seminar Topic: The Heart Sutra – a short core Mahayana Buddhist text.

  Recommended book: The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh

Join us on Wednesday evenings

6:20pm – 8:30pm for meditation, ritual, and an in-depth Dharma talk.

Regular Schedule:

zazen – sitting meditation (40 minutes)
kinhin – walking meditation (10 minutes)
service – chanting and bowing (10 minutes)
Dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
Discussion
Refuge chant

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

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, August 02, 2026)

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, August 04, 2026)

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, August 09, 2026)

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, August 11, 2026)

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Friday, August 14, 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 01:15:00 GMT

Everyone who practices with the felt sense of queerness is welcome to attend this monthly community gathering. No prior experience is necessary; come as you are.

Schedule:

Two 20-minute periods of meditation, with an optional wiggle break in between.
10 minutes of slow walking meditation.
Chanting a prayer-poem for Loving Kindness together.
Small group discussion following a prompt.
Social time and closing by 8:30pm.

Please join our WhatsApp community for updates and other opportunities for connection in the RCZC Queer Sangha:

Join the WhatsApp Group

Opening to Nature Walk: Lake Padden (Saturday, August 15, 2026)

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 03:00:00 GMT

A mindful twilight walk at Lake Padden

2-1/2 miles
Slight elevation gain and then loss at about the halfway point
Wide gravel or hard dirt city park trail

Reizan Bob Penny will lead us on a twilight program of mindful walking through the change between day and night around the wooded shores of Lake Padden. Our Opening to Nature series explores the wide variety of connections we have with our world. Every day the drama of nightfall is recreated, and yet we rarely pause to notice the daily transition at the margins of light. In our engagement with mindfulness as a place-based dharma practice we take deeper notice of this world and it's everyday miracles. The fall of night is just one of these small celebrations that nature offers to us each day.

This is an easy two and a half mile walk, with a slightly hilly portion, taken at a contemplative pace with several stops along the way to feel the unfolding of night, and hear the transition of diurnal sounds. If we are lucky we may hear the calling of owls, and call back, or hear the final stanzas of birds going to roost.

You may want to bring a headlamp in case you feel you need it. But we will attempt to not turn white lights on, and let our eyes slowly adjust to the dark as we walk, using red light luminaries to light our path just well enough, and protect our night vision. We will provide the red lights. Some water and a little trail snack might be nice to have along as well.

What to Bring: Water and a light trail snack; an extra layer to wear as it cools down; and a headlamp in case we need them at the end (a phone flashlight is ok).

Directions: Take the West Entrance into Lake Padden City Park, directly off of Samish Way, to the parking area by the bathrooms just above the swimming area. (Don't take the East Entrance onto Lakeshore Drive which leads to the larger picnic area & golf course). Meet at the east end of the bathroom building.

Timing: We'll begin our walk at 8:00pm and expect to be back at the parking lot no later than 10pm.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, August 16, 2026)

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Gandavyuha story-telling and creative workshop (Sunday, August 16, 2026)

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Dharma study, community, and artistic expression.

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

IkuShun Desiree Webster

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, August 18, 2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, August 23, 2026)

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Opening to Nature Walk: Cedarwood Pilgrimage (Sunday, August 23, 2026)

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 20:00:00 GMT

4 miles, with very moderate elevation gain
Urban park trails

A mindful afternoon walk up from Little Squalicum Beach, along Squalicum Creek, by our home temple, Sansui-ji, and on to Cornwall Park.

Join us for a local pilgrimage on urban nature trails that ties together our building on Cedarwood Avenue with the salt water, the stream course headed into the interior, the upland forests, and the beginning point of the original Nooksack Trail to the river and Mt. Baker.

Our walk begins and ends at Sansui-ji. The pilgrimage also serves to give opportunity for the community to ritually send off our team of pilgrims to the high country for our Mountains and Rivers Backpack, beginning the following day.

The hike is about 4 miles long, with only a very small amount of elevation rise. When we meet we will get into a reduced number of cars. We will then drive to the trailhead at Little Squalicum Park, walk to the beach, and then back up onto the creek canyon rim, headed up stream.

We will make our way to Cornwall Park, following the undeveloped railroad easement and crossing the combined inflow of Spring and Baker Creeks. At Cornwall Park we will perform a ceremony at the bedrock crossing of Squalicum Creek, which marks the beginning of the old Nooksack Trail. From there we will saunter through the deep forests of Cornwall Park (Bellingham's first city park), arriving back at Sansui-ji at about 3:30pm.

Dress for the weather and bring a little water. Rides will be arranged to bring carpool drivers back to their cars left at the trailhead at the end of the walk.

Where: Program begins at Sansui-ji, 2509 Cedarwood Ave., at 1:00pm.

What to Bring: Water and a light trail snack.

Timing: We'll begin our walk at 1:00pm and expect to be back to Sansui-ji by 3:30pm.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Backpack: Mountains and Rivers Retreat (Sunday, August 23, 2026)

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Mountains and Rivers Backpacking Retreat

Nature Awareness, Backcountry Zen practice, and Exchanging Water

Requires a phone interview about your experience and abilities, with a discussion of the route, to complete the registration process
An opening day ritual walk of 4 miles
The backpack has a 2.9 mile approach hike, river crossing on log, 1,800' elevation gain, soft forested trail, with a long switch-back grade in the middle and a few tough steep places near the end.
Day hiking to higher elevations from camp, alpine above timberline, several miles
9 mile exit hike, a gentler grade 2,300' elevation loss, soft forested trails, rocky areas, river crossing on log
Between two and eight 30-minute periods of seated Zen meditation (zazen) each day, trailside rituals, and sutra chanting services.

Inspired by Eihei Dogen's 1240 text the Mountains and Rivers Sutra (Sansuikyo), this retreat includes a day of guided nature awareness and meditation in the front-country followed by four days and three nights of silent backpacking through a beautiful old growth hemlock forest to a seldom-visited base camp at Mazama Park, just south of Mount Baker at the foot of Park Butte. Our days will be interspersed with some social and free time.

Activities include traditional Zen practice, a solo wilderness exercise, a day of Zen meditation, and opportunities for day hiking. The retreat is appropriate for new meditators and beginning backpackers.

The retreat begins at our temple, Sansuiji, by joining our regular Sunday program, followed by lunch and then a four-mile ceremonial meditation hike, the Cedarwood Pilgrimage, with other Sangha members. Then we will go to Hawk Meadow Farm that night, followed by a day of meditation, preparation, and nature awareness activities, before heading to the backcountry after two nights at the farm. The ritual form of the three-night backpack is a pilgrimage to our home mountain, "sutra mapping" the Sansuikyo on the upper watersheds of the South and Middle Forks of the Nooksack River, punctuated by two special water exchange ceremonies, at the upper reaches of the middle and south forks of the Nooksack River.

Led by Reizan Bob Penny & Nomon Tim Burnett - see our Practice Leaders page for more about them.

Schedule:

Sunday (8/23/26): We will begin at Sansuji with the regular Sunday morning program at 9:30AM, where the hikers will be blessed by the sangha in a Jundo ceremony. After lunch, and hiking the Cedarwood Pilgrimage at 1PM, we will arrive at Hidden Mountain Zendo at Hawk Meadow Farm by about 4PM for setting up tents, a group dinner, and evening zazen.

Monday 8/24/26) : At Hidden Mountain Zendo we will have a full practice morning, including dharma talk, outdoor meditation, and formal silent meals. After lunch we will break and then regroup for trail orientation, gear sorting, packing, and final preparations for the trail. Before dinner we will have an intentions setting ceremony in the Cedar Grove. Then dinner and evening zazen.

Tuesday (8/25/26): We’ll start early with meditation, drive to the trailhead, and hike in to our backcountry zendo at Mazama Meadows just below Mount Baker. We hike in silence with regular stops to chant the Sansuikyo.

Wednesday (8/26/26): In the backcountry with a mix of formal Zen practice, day hiking, and relaxed camp life. A personal solo morning at your own meditation spot on one of the days.

Thursday (8/27/26): Zazenkai (silent retreat with zazen and kinhin) in the backcountry until 4 PM.

Friday (8/28/26): We’ll hike back out from the backcountry returning to Hawk Meadow Farm to close the program by about 7pm.

Hike Difficulty:
This is a moderately challenging backpack. The hike in is 2.9 miles long and gains 1,800 feet. The hike out (with lighter packs) is about 9 miles and mostly downhill. We'll have two in-camp days with moderate day hiking as well.

Pre-hike interview required: A telephone interview with Bob to assess questions around hiking gear and fitness is required before registration is completed.

More information: Please contact Wilderness Programs Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org with questions and see our Wilderness Dharma Program webpage for an overview of this program.

What to Bring: Full set of backpacking gear. All food is provided with the registration fee (informed by a discussion of individual preferences and needs). Details will be provided.

Donations to the Leaders: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. Unlike our "indoor" retreats dana (teacher donation) is not collected during the event, but dana given before or after the event is always welcome, and you can do so on our Donate to a Teacher page.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday) (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Reading Dogen

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

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.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, August 30, 2026)

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, September 06, 2026)

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Friday, September 11, 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 01:15:00 GMT

Everyone who practices with the felt sense of queerness is welcome to attend this monthly community gathering. No prior experience is necessary; come as you are.

Schedule:

Two 20-minute periods of meditation, with an optional wiggle break in between.
10 minutes of slow walking meditation.
Chanting a prayer-poem for Loving Kindness together.
Small group discussion following a prompt.
Social time and closing by 8:30pm.

Please join our WhatsApp community for updates and other opportunities for connection in the RCZC Queer Sangha:

Join the WhatsApp Group

Hike: Ptarmigan Ridge (Saturday, September 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 15:30:00 GMT

A gentle high altitude hike in fall colors

4 to 6 miles
Very gradual elevation gains, perhaps 200' gain/loss
A very popular hike, perhaps with crowded, at times rocky, trail

This high ramble along an alpine ridge in the fall colors promises to give us a final farewell to the high mountains for our hiking season. This is a low difficulty hike, which penetrates deep into the North Cascades, and we can go as far as we want before turning back on the out-and-back route. Although the trail will likely be well populated there is plenty of space for us to step off trail for a high altitude ceremony celebrating the mountains. If time and weather permits we will search out a location for some sitting meditation along the way. Our hike leader will be Reizan Bob Penny.

Timing: Meet at our zendo at 2509 Cedarwood at 8:30am or at the Nugent's Corner Market in Deming at 9am. We hope to return to Sansui-ji by 5pm but return times can vary.

What to Bring: Bring a lunch, generous snacks, at least two liters of water, and layers. Good footwear is recommended. Bring rain gear, and we will take it with us unless there is absolutely zero chance of rain.

Carpooling: You will indicate during registration where you're meeting the group.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, September 13, 2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, September 20, 2026)

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Hike: Journey to the Source (Nooksack Cirque) (Saturday, September 26, 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT

An intensive long day hike to the source of the Nooksack River

a phone interview is required to complete your registration
16 miles
Very gradual elevation gain, basically flat
Extremely rugged off-trail walking over logs, boulders, and sandbars for at least half the distance. Many stream crossings. The hike takes 12 hours on the trail, moving at a decent pace, and is very strenuous. Our hike leader will be Terrill Thompson.
This program requires an early 5AM start time

A journey to a magical place close to home. Few people venture to the very upper reaches of the North Fork of the Nooksack River: the Nooksack Cirque.

It is a long and strenuous 16 -mile hike in and out of the North Fork drainage, largely off-trail on rocky terrain, with numerous brief crossings of the reduced-flow late summer river channel. Plan on a very full day, hiking at a good pace, and wearing hiking boots with wool socks.

At the Cirque we will perform the years final Exchanging Water ritual in the ice caves amid waterfalls, transferring water from the Salish Sea with mountain glacial water, which we annually perform at the headwaters of all three branches of the Nooksack.

A Challenging Hike: If you are new to this hike a telephone or email exchange with program coordinator Bob Penny to determine your fitness for the journey will be required to complete your registration.

Timing: Meet at our zendo at 2509 Cedarwood at 5am or at the Nugent's Corner Market in Deming at 6am. A very early start is essential to have sufficient daylight for this long day hike. We hope to return to Sansui-ji by 7pm but return times can vary.

What to Bring: Bring a lunch, generous snacks, at least two liters of water, and layers. Wearing hiking boots to protect your ankles with wool socks which we expect to get wet are recommended. Consider bringing alternate footwear for stream crossings if you choose. Spare/dry clothing to change into back at the vehicles is a good option.

Carpooling: You will indicate during registration where you're meeting the group.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, September 27, 2026)

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, October 04, 2026)

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Friday, October 09, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 01:15:00 GMT

Everyone who practices with the felt sense of queerness is welcome to attend this monthly community gathering. No prior experience is necessary; come as you are.

Schedule:

Two 20-minute periods of meditation, with an optional wiggle break in between.
10 minutes of slow walking meditation.
Chanting a prayer-poem for Loving Kindness together.
Small group discussion following a prompt.
Social time and closing by 8:30pm.

Please join our WhatsApp community for updates and other opportunities for connection in the RCZC Queer Sangha:

Join the WhatsApp Group

Opening to Nature Walk: Heart Lake Circumambulation/Heart Sutra (Saturday, October 10, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Chanting & Walking the Heart Sutra at Heart Lake

3 miles
mostly level, gently rolling, with a steady 1/4 mile long incline near the end
soft forest paths, old growth forest

Join Red Cedar Zen Community on a ritual circumambulation around Heart Lake, with ceremonies chanting the Heart Sutra: an experience of "Sutra Mapping", extending the words of a sutra across an area of landscape.

Heart Lake, a State Park managed by the City of Anacortes, is both heart-shaped and the heart of the 3,000-acre Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL). The Lake is surrounded by a forest identified as the most intact Douglas-fir / cedar / hemlock ecosystem remaining in the state at sea level. Sangha board president Joden Bob Rose was a key player in getting this area protected many years ago. Junka Ken Oates will be leading this year's hike.

We will walk in a clockwise direction, in silence, and stop at 6 points to ritually chant the Heart Sutra with the mokugyo drum and incense, alternating between the English and Sino-Japanese versions.

This is an easy, mostly flat walk of less than 3 miles on a well-used trail with one significant incline toward the end. There are outhouses at both the Mt. Erie parking lot and at the Heart Lake parking lot.

Timing: Meet at the Sugarloaf Trailhead of the Anacortes Community Forest (Mt. Erie) to begin our walk at 10am. Or if carpooling from Sansui-ji, meet at 9am.

Carpooling: You can drive yourself to the trailhead (directions below), or you can carpool for this trip from Sansui-ji, 2509 Cedarwood in Bellingham. You will indicate which during the registration process.

What to Bring: Wear good walking shoes, appropriate clothing for the weather, and bring water and snacks.

Directions to Mt. Erie, from Bellingham:

I-5 to Hwy 20

West on 20, over Swinomish Channel Bridge until roundabout for Whidbey Island (towards Oak Harbor).

TURN South on Hwy 20 towards Whidbey.

Road drops towards Campbell Lake (visible ahead). Stay in right lane and turn right on Campbell Lake Road.

Drive Campbell Lake Road along base of Mount Erie.

Road will curve right at Lake Erie Grocery and becomes Heart Lake Road.

Drive Heart Lake road, past two prominent old growth fir, about a mile until signs for Mount Erie.

Veer right into parking area for Sugarloaf trailhead.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, October 11, 2026)

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, October 18, 2026)

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Hike & Ceremony: Closing the Mountains, Returning the Waters (Saturday, October 24, 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Returning Water and Ascending to the Oyster Dome

A five mile day hike to close the mountains to practice

Join us for one, or both, of two connected Wilderness Dharma events.

The Hike: 10am - 3pm - Chuckanut Drive to the Oyster Dome

options between 4 and 6.3 miles round trip
1,896' elevation gain, and then loss
well-built soft forest trail

Join us for a meditation hike to the gem of the Chuckanuts: Oyster Dome. This popular local destination, a prominent rocky outcrop on the southwest face of Blanchard mountain, will be our place of Closing the Mountains for the ending of our ritual hiking season. Reizan Bob Penny will be leading our group.

This hike, inspired by traditions on Tibetan sacred mountains where the last ritual circuit of the season was performed by priests putting the mountain to rest, will be between 4 and 6.3 miles round trip, depending on group choice, with about a 1,896' elevation gain. This is a large elevation gain for the distance, and the trail climbs the entire way. On the dome we will perform a ritual combining water from the three headwater branches of the Nooksack River. At the end of the hike we will carpool to Larrabee Beach for our seasons final ritual, returning water to the Salish Sea.

Returning Water Ceremony: Approximately 3pm, Larrabee State Park

1/2 mile, round trip, path to the beach
200' elevation loss, then gain
many stair steps going down, and then back up

A returning water ritual completes our Wilderness Dharma Program hiking season and all are encouraged to attend to offer the water we have carried through out the season back to the Salish Sea. You are welcome attend this ritual even if you did not do the hike.

Meeting up: You can meet us for the hike at the Chuckanut Drive Oyster Dome Trailhead (just south of Oyster Creek) by 10am or opt to carpool from Sansui-ji, meeting at 9:15am for the drive to the trailhead.

If you are joining us for the ritual at the end we will arrive there at approximately 3pm at the band shell area at Larrabee State Park. Take the main entrance and head south to the band shell and beach access parking area. Take the Larrabee main entrance and head south to the band shell and beach access parking area.

Dress appropriately for the weather, with good footwear for the trail. Bring a sack lunch and at least two liters of water. We will eat lunch on top of the dome.

What to Bring: Trail snacks and sack lunch, sturdy hiking shoes, hiking poles if you use them, and two liters of water. Dress in layers.

Carpooling: Please mention in a comment on your registration if you need to a ride and we will try to assist.

Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. Unlike our "indoor" retreats dana (teacher donation) is not collected during the event, but dana given before or after the event is always welcome, and you can do so on our Donate to a Teacher page.

Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, October 25, 2026)

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 16:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, November 01, 2026)

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 17:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Samish Island Fall Sesshin 2026 (Thursday, November 05, 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Join us for our Fall 3-day Residential Sesshin at Samish Island
This year the sesshin also closes our Fall Practice Period.

This 3-day residential sesshin will include all of our meals eaten oryoki style, alternating periods of zazen (sitting) and kinhin (walking) meditation, Dharma Talks, and a special sangha celebration.

Schedule:

Arrive Thursday afternoon to settle in, eat your own packed in dinner, and begin silence.

Friday and Saturday will be full sesshin days 6am to 8:30pm with alternating zazen and kinhin, meals, Dharma Talks, opportunities for dokusan with the teachers, and a work period.

Sunday will close in the zendo with the Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony followed by lunch. All retreat participants then stay to help clean up the campground until about 2pm.

On Zoom:
Zoom attendance at all zendo events is available. We're unable to provide dokusan over Zoom due to internet limitations at Samish.

Special Ceremonies:
We'll have a Receiving the Precepts jukai ceremony on Saturday and the Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony on Sunday morning. Additional details will be shared when we know.

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.

Dharma Talks:

Everyone is welcome to come join us for Dharma Talks either in person or online. Be aware of our current Covid policy if you come. No registration needed. Talks will be held on Friday and Saturday mornings at 10:30am.

Housing: Housing is provided with two options: E-Cabins and Rustic Cabins.

E-Cabins are more recently built with a full 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 single (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

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, November 08, 2026)

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 17:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Friday, November 13, 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 02:15:00 GMT

Everyone who practices with the felt sense of queerness is welcome to attend this monthly community gathering. No prior experience is necessary; come as you are.

Schedule:

Two 20-minute periods of meditation, with an optional wiggle break in between.
10 minutes of slow walking meditation.
Chanting a prayer-poem for Loving Kindness together.
Small group discussion following a prompt.
Social time and closing by 8:30pm.

Please join our WhatsApp community for updates and other opportunities for connection in the RCZC Queer Sangha:

Join the WhatsApp Group

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, November 15, 2026)

Sun, 15 Nov 2026 17:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, November 22, 2026)

Sun, 22 Nov 2026 17:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, November 29, 2026)

Sun, 29 Nov 2026 17:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, December 06, 2026)

Sun, 06 Dec 2026 17:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Queer Sangha Monthly Practice (Friday, December 11, 2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 02:15:00 GMT

Everyone who practices with the felt sense of queerness is welcome to attend this monthly community gathering. No prior experience is necessary; come as you are.

Schedule:

Two 20-minute periods of meditation, with an optional wiggle break in between.
10 minutes of slow walking meditation.
Chanting a prayer-poem for Loving Kindness together.
Small group discussion following a prompt.
Social time and closing by 8:30pm.

Please join our WhatsApp community for updates and other opportunities for connection in the RCZC Queer Sangha:

Join the WhatsApp Group

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, December 13, 2026)

Sun, 13 Dec 2026 17:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, December 20, 2026)

Sun, 20 Dec 2026 17:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.

Sunday Morning Practice (Sunday, December 27, 2026)

Sun, 27 Dec 2026 17:20:00 GMT

Our weekly Sunday 9:20am - Noon program offers a deep taste of all of the elements of Zen Practice in community.

Two options for participation:

Full program: Arrive Sansui-ji Temple by 9:20am for the 9:30am start of zazen meditation.
Dharma talk and discussion: Arrive Sansui-ji by 11:00am.

Note: During meditation, private meetings for instruction and spiritual counsel, called dokusan, are available with our teachers.

A variety of programs are in the works for the early afternoon as well if you'd like to enjoy a "Day of Zen!"

Printable Chant Books for online practice are available here.