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Our Approach to Practice: Thich Nhat Hanh has said that in the twenty-first century the Buddha is the sangha. In keeping with this view, O-An is committed to developing, cultivating and protecting a strong, wise, and compassionate spiritual community dedicated to the liberation of all beings.  Our American Roots: We are a spiritual community which celebrates diversity, encouraging and supporting a wide range of practice styles and traditions, held together by mutual respect and support. We are consistently mindful of avoiding the traps of dogma and hierarchy, which are antithetical to the American spirit of freedom and equality.Our Style of Practice: We incorporate elements of Soto and Rinzai Zen, and Vipassana or Insight Meditation from the Mahayana and Theravada traditions. We are continually adapting and modifying these in response to the needs and life experiences of sangha members. We have hosted monthly Kirtan (Hindu devotional chanting), and we welcome and have benefited from visiting teachers trained in a variety of practice styles and traditions. Our Service: We share a set of simple rituals which include lighting incense, chanting (in English, Sino-Japanese, Pali, and Sanskrit), thirty-minute rounds of seated meditation, ten-minute rounds of walking meditation and a bowing circle. Our weekly Sunday service also includes dharma talks, opportunities for individual and group sharing, and an informal tea with discussion following the regular service. 
Our Schedule: Regular Sunday Sitting: 9 a.m. Beginner's instruction by appointment 10 a.m. Sangha activity (e.g., Buddhist precepts discussion) 10:50 a.m. Be seated in the meditation hall 11 a.m. Chanting and seated meditation 11:30 a.m. Walking meditation (kin hin) 11:45 a.m. Seated meditation 12:15 p.m. Outdoor walking meditation (kin hin) 12:30 p.m. Bowing circle 12:45 p.m. Tea and discussion Daily Sitting/Open Zendo 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Full Day Sitting: Second Sunday of every month. T'ai Chi: Wednesdays 5 to 6 p.m. Zen Studies: ongoing as announced. Other Activities: Day-long workshops ranging from lectures on scholarly themes to brush painting and improvisational movement. The O-An sangha extends beyond the boundaries of the zendo and those who practice here. Our outreach to the larger local community includes activities such as house concerts, movie nights, devotional chanting, workshops and retreats on themes related to spiritual practice, and weddings and other special occasions. Our Support: O-An Zendo is financially self-supporting mainly through the practice of dana (generosity) and supporting memberships, as well as by volunteer work service. We are a non-profit 501C3 tax corporation. |
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