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FWBO Bay Area Upcoming Events

Welcome to the San Francisco Buddhist Center/FWBO calendar, which contains the following information:

Announcements ::  This Month ::  Introductory Classes ::  Regular Ongoing Classes ::  Special Events ::  Affinity Groups ::  Hatha Yoga/Buddhist Meditation ::  Mitras and Order members ::  Residential Retreats ::  Events in Calendar format  

SFBC Theme for 2009

"Buddha, One Who is Awake."
Each year at the SFBC there a theme that serves as the "the buzz" or "drumbeat" drawing the community together for the year. Consistently touching back on the theme throughout the year, we are able to build depth, use several different approaches to unpack the significance, and connect the individual practices of the many people practicing at the SFBC in different ways. Not every single offering is directly linked to the theme, but we use the theme to inspire and guide teaching and practice for the year.

Announcements

• 2009 retreat schedule.
• Public transport info - Driving and parking - Making a donation/deposit
• Simplify Your Life! Next time you take a load to a thrift store, please go to Community Thrift just a few blocks from the Center and specify the SFBC as the recipient, charity number 117 (623 Valencia Street at 17th).
• Do you use Facebook? If you’re in the San Francisco network, you can join the SFBC Group.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Would you like to support our practice community in offering dharma and meditation instruction? (see also Volunteering)
• The cruelty and violence of the Hindu Caste System toward "Untouchables" remains virtually unknown in the West. To find out more, read this article on sfgate.com "Finding my Religion", or read this blog written in India, Atrocity News. If you may be interested in being supported to go to the UK to help fundraise for this community, see Karuna Appeals.

This Month

This section lists special events, course start dates, registration deadlines and other announcements. For a summary of upcoming events, see the calendar at the end of this bulletin. You can sign up for our email list to be notified of upcoming events once a month.

• Wed, Mar 4 & 11 — Who is the Buddha? Book Club at Sangha Night (ongoing classes).
• Mar 4 is the registration deadline for the next open retreat, Mar 13-16 (see retreats).
• Sat, Mar 7 — Embodied Path of Practice daylong. (special events).
• Sat, Mar 14, 11:30am-1pm — Cleaning and Work party. Please drop in and help keep this public space beautiful.
• Tue, Mar 17 — Tuesday evening introduction to meditation course begins (introductory classes)
• Wed, Mar 18 — Being a Buddhist series at Sangha Night (ongoing classes).
• Tue, Apr 28 — Tuesday evening introduction to Buddhism course begins (introductory classes).
• SFBC Affinity groups: People of Color and Queer women (see Affinity Groups).

Special Events

Sat, Mar 7, 9:30-2:30pm - Embodied Path of Practice

Sliding scale $60-$25, includes lunch.
Preregistration requested by Wed., March 4.
View PDF flyer for this event.

All levels of experience welcome(including those who have attended the previous Embodied Path workshops).

Buddhist stupa monuments emerged shortly after the Buddha's death to remind disciples of the Buddha and enlightened consciousness. Stupa architecture evolved to include different geometric shapes symbolizing the elements and energies of earth, water, fire, air, and space. In Tantric and Tibetan Buddhism correlations were found to the architecture of the body in meditation and subtle energy channels and chakras. In this workshop, we will practice body-based stupa meditation to contact and open energy and mind.

Viveka is chairwoman of the SFBC and longtime meditator with a practice based in body awareness and inquiry. In recent years, she has gone deeper into traditional Tibetan somatic yogic practices on long retreats. (more about viveka)

9:30 Arrive, introduction to day
9:45 Morning practice with a tea break
12:30 Silent, aware meal reflecting on the elements
1:00 Intentional rest period
1:15 Afternoon practice
2:30 End

Introductory Classes

See also Affinity Groups and Yoga/Meditation for other events that may be appropriate for beginners.

Thursdays, 7:15-8:15pm — Drop-in Intro to Buddhist Meditation Class (No class in January.) (course descriptions)

Tuesday Six-Week Introduction to Meditation Courses (course description)

2009 courses start: Mar 17, Apr 28, Sep 8, Oct 13
Six Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm
Sliding scale: $135-$90*
Register for a Meditation Course

Tuesday Six-Week Introduction to Buddhism Courses (course description)

2009 courses start: Apr 28, Oct 13
Six Tuesdays, 7:00-9:15pm
Sliding scale: $135-$90*
Register for a Buddhism Course

Ongoing Classes - Open to All

Second Saturday Sangha Mornings (no class in January)

2nd Saturday of each month, 9:30-11:30am
Mar 14, Apr 11, May 9, June 1, Jul 11, Aug 8...
Begins with yoga 9:30
10:30, followed by meditation and dharma teaching. This is a community drop-in that offers a chance to enjoy meditation and a dharma teaching during the more relaxed weekend time. Open to all. Please join us!
Suggested donation: $10-$5*

Sangha Night (no class in January)
Wednesdays, 6:45-9:00pm (doors open at 6:45)

Sangha Night is a weekly class open to all that provides regular support for those interested in Buddhist practice. Sangha is the Buddhist word for spiritual community. Each week begins with a meditation and is followed in the second half of the evening by a talk or other program. Meditators of all experience levels are also welcome to drop-in for just the meditation at 7:00pm.
Suggested donation: $10-$5*

Who is the Buddha? Book Club

Meditation followed by small group salon style discussion of readings from a book exploring the Buddha (our overall theme for 2009) written by FWBO founder Sangharakshita. Readings available for pick-up at sangha night beginning Feb. 25 (donation requested for cost of photocopying) the previous week in hard copy or can be downloaded from our website.

Mar 4 — "The Evolution of the Buddha" (Chapter 1, Who is the Buddha?) (reading: EvolutionOfABuddha.pdf)
Mar 11 — "Who is the Buddha?" (Chapter 9, Who is the Buddha?)

Being a Buddhist

The first of several "Foundation" series to be offered this year, this six-week series will explore what being a Buddhist means and how it influences our lives, providing a grounding in the basics of Buddhism updated for modern practice by the FWBO (Friends of the Western Buddhist Order.) Meditation, short talks and discussion, with background readings and audio talks available online. While all these series are open to anyone on a drop-in basis and suitable for all levels of experience there is a further option of a Level 2 study group for those who have taken our introduction to Buddhism class and wish to go a bit deeper with a consistent group.

Mar 18 — What is a Buddhist?
Mar 25 — The Goal of Buddhism: Ideals and Misunderstandings
Apr 1 — The Mythic Buddha: The Value of Poetic Truth
Apr 8 — FWBO Day: Celebrating the Sangha
April 15 — What the Buddha Taught (and Didn’t Teach)
April 22 — The Buddha We Can Contact: Imagination and Visualization

Weekday Morning Sits

Monday through Friday (except holidays), 7:30am.
Group sits open to anyone with a meditation practice. No instruction. Doors open at 7:25 for a 40-minute sit starting at 7:30. If you arrive late and the door is locked please do not interrupt the meditation - come back next time! Also see Introductory Classes.

Residential Retreats

For information about registering for retreats, venues, and ridesharing, please see general information about retreats including how to register.

Here is our 2009 retreat schedule.

Register online for a retreat...or here is more info about how to register for a retreat.

March Open Retreat: Recollecting the Buddha

Mar 13-16 (Friday-Monday, with option to stay through Sunday only)
Led by Shantinayaka at Camp Double Bear

The traditional practice of recollecting the qualities of the Buddha connects us with our highest aspirations and brings clarity and direction to our lives. This retreat is an opportunity to bring to mind the Buddhas, both historical and archetypal, through readings, meditations and reflections.

Retreats provide a precious opportunity to deepen your meditation practice in a peaceful, natural setting free of daily distractions. This retreats is open and accessible to all who have learned the two basic meditation practices we do (Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana). There will be some periods of silence.

Sliding scale: $295-$220; 2 days: $230-$165
Registration deadline with full payment or $30 deposit: Mar 4
Get more info about retreats or Register now.

Summer Retreat: The Four Immeasurables

Jun 12-19 or Jun 12-14 (Friday to Friday, with option to stay through Sunday only) Led by Viveka and Shantinayaka at Jikoji.

Description coming soon.

Registration deadline with $75 deposit: May 29.
Register now. Note: Retreatants must attend the whole retreat or leave at 3pm on Sunday. Please make sure you choose the correct leaving time when you are registering.
Sliding scale: $550-$475; 2 days: $230-$165 (+ dana for the teachers). Paying the higher end of the sliding scale helps others come on retreat at a lower rate.

Affinity Groups

See also Introductory Events and Yoga/Meditation for events open to mixed levels of experience.

Dharma Dykes — Thu, Mar 19 (no meeting in January) 7pm. Meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday. Inviting those who identify as Queer Women to join us for a monthly chance to meditate together and explore our unique experiences in applying the dharma to all aspects of our lives. Open to all levels of experience. $5 suggested donation*
More info from kicagazmuri@hotmail.com.

People of Color Sitting Group — Sunday, Apr 12, 1-3:30pm.

Regular sits are the second Sunday of every other month, 1:00-3:30pm. If you are a person of color with a meditation practice or with an interest in developing a practice, then these gatherings would be of benefit. Instruction is offered by Viveka and Kica Gazmuri. $5 suggested donation* (more info)
Next meetings: Jun 7, Aug 9, Oct 18, Dec 13.

Hatha Yoga/Buddhist Meditation

See also Introductory Events and Affinity Groups for events open to mixed levels of experience.
(More info about the yoga teachers.)

Mindful in the Body Hatha Yoga
6:00-7:00pm (No class in January)
Doors open at 5:45 and close at 6:00.
$10-$15 suggested donation*

This weekly yoga class is designed specifically to explore Hatha yoga as a way to become more mindful in our bodies. We focus on postures that bring ease to the body, simple breathing exercises and deep-relaxation techniques. The class is open to all, beginner yogis, as well as those with yoga experience. Wear loose, comfortable clothes. Yoga mat and props are provided. Immediately following this yoga class is a drop-in introduction to Buddhist meditation.

Friday Practice Night
with Yoga, Meditation, and Discussion
Fridays, 6–8pm, $10* (exact change appreciated)
(doors open at 5:45pm)

Most people don't realize that Hatha yoga was invented thousands of years ago for the purpose of preparing the yogi or yogini for meditation. Please join us for a class of approximately 1 hour of Hatha Yoga, 30 minutes of meditation and 30 minutes of discussion. The class is led by two different yoga and meditation teachers each week. Open to all levels of experience with yoga and meditation.

Second Saturday of each month, 9:30-10:00am. (Before Second Saturday Sangha Mornings, above.)

Practice Opportunities for Mitras and Order Members

(See What is a Mitra? or What is an Order member? for more information.)

Feb 23-Apr 6: Sutta Study. The course will include a brief introduction to the the Pali Canon, the oldest collection of scriptures which were preserved by the Theravada Buddhist tradition, and cover three of its suttas, using meditation, hearing, reflection, ritual, and discussion. Led by Shantinayaka and Suvarnaprabha.
Feb 23-Mar 2 - "The Jewel Discourse" (Ratana Sutta) and "Pingiya's Question."
Mar 30-Apr 6 - "The Minor Discourse in the Gosinga Forest" (Culagosinga Sutta).

Apr 17-20: Order and Mitra Retreat (register)

Volunteering for the Center

There are several options if you would like to give back to the Center. Help with regular or online publicity, for example, is always needed. You can also keep one area of the Center clean for one month--just put your name on the cleaning sign-up sheet in the Center. Occasionally there are openings on the Center Management Team (CMT), the main group of volunteers who along with Center Director/Manager Suvarnaprabha meet once a month and supports the day-to-day activities of the Center. If you would like to volunteer, please email info [at] sfbuddhistcenter.org. (See also, Who Does What at the SFBC and Opportunities to Give Back)

Renting the SFBC/FWBO space

The SFBC space is available to rent. (more info)

Summary of Upcoming Events

*Note about prices

The activities of the Bay Area Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO), a nonprofit organization, are dependent on donations and the support of those attending its events and classes. Fees go toward the costs of operating this public center. All teaching is done on a volunteer basis. We would like to offer the Dharma to anyone with interest and are happy to reduce the rates listed on this site. Reduced rates must be arranged before the registration deadline.