Upcoming Event Listings

For another point of view, look for classes and other events on our Google calendar.

All upcoming events at the San Francisco Buddhist Center:

This Month :: Introductory Classes :: Weekly Classes :: Monthly Classes
Special Events :: Yoga & Meditation :: Retreats :: Affinity Groups

This Year's Theme

Our Theme for 2012 is Transforming Self and World. As part of our regular program we will explore this theme as a way of living in each moment of our life, through talks, workshops, practice days, and cultural events.

This Month (in date order)

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

• Weekday Morning sits — Meditate with others any weekday morning 7:30am to 8:15am (see Ongoing Activities).
• Thursday Drop-in Introduction to Meditation — every Thursday 7pm to 8pm (see Introductory Classes).
• Wed, Feb 1 - Sangha Night resumes: Transforming Self and World, a brief introduction to this year's theme, followed by a celebration and send-off for our good friend, Singhashri(see Ongoing Activities).
• Fri, Feb 3 - Practice Nights are back! 1 hour of Yoga and Meditation led by Prasadachitta, 6pm to 7pm (see Yoga)
• Tue, Feb 7 - Six-Week Introductory courses begin (see Introductory Classes).
• Fri, Feb 10 — Full Moon Puja: Parinirvana and the Alchemy of Love, 7:15pm (see Ongoing Activities).
• Sun, Feb 12 — People of Color Sit, 1pm to 3pm (see Affinity Groups).
• Thu, Feb 16 — Dharma Dykes, 7pm (see Affinity Groups).
• Satu, Feb 18 — Men's Practice Day, led by Shantinayaka, 10am to 4pm (see Special Events).
• Sat, Feb 25 — Meditation Series begins in Potrero Hill , 10am to 1pm(see Special Events).

Introductory Classes

See also Affinity Groups and Yoga Classes for other events for beginners.

DROP-IN INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHIST MEDITATION CLASS

Weekly on Thursdays, 7 to 8pm (No class Dec 22-January 31)

Introduction to Mindfulness of Breathing and Loving Kindness meditations (alternate weeks), plus instruction on posture and time for questions. Suggested donation: $10-5. ( course description)

6 WEEK INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHIST MEDITATION COURSES

Courses start: Feb 7, May 1, Sep 11, Oct 22, 2012.

(course description)
Six Tuesdays, 7 to 9pm
Sliding scale: $145–$95*
How to Register for a Course

6 WEEK INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM COURSES

Courses start: Feb 7, May 1, Sep 11, Oct 22, 2012.

(course description)
Six Tuesdays,7 to 9pm
Sliding scale: $145–$95*
How to Register for a Course

6 WEEK INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM AND MEDITATION COMBINED

Course starts: Mar 20, 2012.

A practical course combining key elements from both courses to offer a good introduction to the core principles of Buddhism and the art of Buddhist Meditation. Through practice, instruction, reflection and discussion we will explore ways to bring these very practical Buddhist teachings into our daily lives.
Six Tuesdays, 7 to 9pm
Sliding scale: $145–$95*
How to Register for a Course

Weekly Activities — Open to All

For more detailed descriptions, see Ongoing Community classes.

MORNING SITS: MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 7:30 -8:15AM

Group sits open to anyone with a meditation practice. No instruction. Doors open by 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.

SANGHA NIGHT- Wednesdays, 7pm - 9 (doors open 6:45)

Sangha Night is a weekly class open to all that provides regular support for anyone interested in Buddhist practice. Sangha is the Buddhist word for spiritual community. Each week begins with a meditation, followed 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*, If you are new to Sangha Night or have questions please arrive at 6:45pm for a brief orientation.

Feb 1 — Welcome back to Sangha Night: Join us to celebrate the beginning of a new year of Sangha Night, find out more about our events and retreats, and help give our good friend Singhashri a memorable send off as she heads to England.

Feb 8 to 29 — Four week series on Transforming Self What helps us to change in the ways we would like to change? What keeps us stuck in old habits? Is real transformation possible here in this world? Talks and reflections on possibilities for personal transformation.

2012 Commit to Transformation Package

During this series you will have the opportunity to sign up for two personal 30 minute spiritual "coaching" sessions with senior teacher and certified coach Viveka "aimed at deepening awareness of what's emerging in your spiritual exploration and what it looks like to support the change you seek". Coaching will be offered either by phone or in-person at the SFBC (depending on scheduling availability) and include optional tailored homework between sessions. Sliding scale for the 2 sessions $40-$100. Sign up at the front desk during any night of the series. Offer available for up to 8 people.

FRIDAY DROP-IN YOGA AND MEDITATION, 6-7pm (doors open 5:45)

More about this yoga class.

Monthly Activities — Open to All

FULL MOON PUJAS (near or at the time of the full moon). Next puja Friday February 10, 7:15pm: Parinirvana and the Alchemy of Love.

Come and celebrate the power and mystery of love as we ritually mark the Buddha's last days by celebrating his Parinirvana in puja. Love exists in life, and death, and if we can open to it we can transform our hearts and minds to be of great benefit for ourselves and the world.

During the time of the Buddha the community of monks and nuns would gather together on the night of the full moon to meditate in the warm glow of the moon’s light. The night of the full moon is a natural, auspicious opportunity to come together as a community and offer devotion to that which is mysterious to us, beyond our sight but still deeply embedded in our hearts. In the Buddhist tradition devotion can take many forms, one of which is the communal practice of puja (ritual). Each evening will include an optional introduction to ritual and a traditional seven-fold puja. All are welcome to participate to the degree to which you feel comfortable and inspired. Led by Pasadini. $5 suggested donation.

OTHER MONTHLY GROUPS...

...find out about current Affinity Groups.

FIRST FRIDAY FILM NIGHT, Fri Feb 3, 7:30pm, hosted by Pete Humphrey and friends (doors open 7pm)

(email Pete c/o info [at] sfbuddhist center.org to add your name to mailing list). All welcome! Suggested donation: $10-$5*

Special Events

MEN'S PRACTICE DAY

Sat, Feb 18, 10am to 4pm Led by Shantinayaka

A day of meditation, reflection and study based on the Triratna Buddhist Community system of practice. Light vegetarian lunch provided. Sliding Scale: $75-$35. Please pre-register if you can - it helps us to know numbers in advance so we can prepare lunch and materials.

MONTHLY MEDITATION SERIES IN POTRERO HILL: BODY, HEART, MIND

Sat, Feb 25, Mar 31, Apr 28, 9:30am to 12:30pm Location: Yoga Sita Potrero Hill, 1501 Mariposa St. #308

A series of three meditation workshops on cultivating calm, clarity and connection simply by learning to see ourselves as we are. The body, heart and mind are not distinct entities but facets of our experience. When we focus on the body in meditation we can hold our feelings and thoughts more lightly and so see them more clearly and calmly. In the first workshop in February we will focus on Mindfulness of the Body and will include sitting, lying down and walking meditations. In March and April we will turn to the Heart and Mind. All welcome. Sliding Scale: $20-$35 for one class or $50 to $90 for all three. Pre-registration appreciated.

Residential Retreats

For more retreats, see Retreat calendar.

General information about our retreats.

MARCH WEEKEND MEDITATION RETREAT: EMBRACING CHANGE

Mar 2-5 (Fri 7pm to Mon 2pm) with option to leave Sunday (at 2pm) at Camp Double Bear. led by Padmatara and Suvarnaprabha

A weekend of meditation, reflection and gentle movement in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. Change happens, and perhaps we really want to change, but so often we resist it and cut ourselves off from our experience, causing ourselves unnecessary suffering. Meditation encourages the stability and spaciousness we need to embrace change and participate more fully in our lives. Open to meditators of all levels of experience. Registration deadline with $100 deposit: Wednesday, Feb 22. **Sliding scale: $320–230 (Friday to Monday) or $250-$185 (leaving Sunday) plus optional dana for the teacher. To register and for more information go here.

Affinity Groups

Affinity groups allow individuals to gather on a basis of a shared interest, identity, or ideals. 

DHARMA DYKES, third Thursdays, Feb 16, 7-9pm.

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. Led by Pasadini. $10-$5 suggested donation*

PEOPLE OF COLOR SITTING GROUP, Sunday every few months, 1-3pm. Next Class Sunday Feb 12

Regular sits one Sunday every other month. If you are a person of color with a meditation practice or with an interest in developing one, then these gatherings would be of benefit. Instruction is offered by Viveka . Donations welcome. * (more info)

CERTAIN STEPS ON THE PATH, BUDDHISM AND RECOVERY

This class is taking a break but the group is planning to continue to get together and attend other recovery meetings in the city. For more information contact Mary S at CertainSteps [at] gmail.com.

*NOTE ABOUT FEES AND DONATIONS

Unless otherwise stated, all fees and donations go toward operating costs of the San Francisco Buddhist Center, a nonprofit organization. Teaching at this Center is done by volunteers.

For events with a sliding scale, please pay what you can afford within that range, or contact us in advance to arrange a further reduced rate.

The suggested donation given for most of our regular events is there as a guide and you should feel free to pay more if you can and less if you need to. Make checks out to the "FWBO" (Friends of the Western Buddhist Order - this is still our bank account name). Please give your name and the reason for your donation. Thank you! To pay online by credit card go here.