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 :: 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. (download MP3 file of introductory talk)

Announcements

This section lists non-program announcements. You can sign up for our email list to receive announcements and upcoming events by email once or twice a month.

Public transport info - Driving and parking - Making a donation/deposit
2009 Retreat Schedule
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.
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 18 — Being a Buddhist series at Sangha Night (ongoing classes).
Sat, Apr 11 — Opening with Loving Kindness Meditation day retreat. (special events).
Tue, Apr 28 — Tuesday evening introduction to Buddhism course begins (introductory classes).
Tue, Apr 28 — Tuesday evening introduction to meditation course begins (introductory classes)
Wed, May 29 — Registration deadline for summer retreat (see retreats).
Coming June 20-27 — FWBO International Urban retreat. More information: TheUrbanRetreat.org.
SFBC Affinity groups: People of Color and Queer women (see Affinity Groups).

Special Events

Opening with Loving Kindness Meditation

Sat, Apr 11, 10am-3pm (option to come at 9am for yoga)
Half-Day Retreat

Sliding scale $60-$25, includes light lunch (soup and salad - feel free to bring additional snacks).
Register by Wed., April 8 to help us plan lunch.

This half day retreat offers a sustained period of practice in the spaciousness of a Saturday morning. Instruction will focus on opening the Loving Kindness (metta) meditation out further into practice of the 4 Immeasurables which also includes compassion, joyfulness and equanimity. This is also a good taster for the teachings that will be offered on the weeklong summer meditation immersion retreat in June.

Shantinayaka and Viveka are both ordained senior dharma teachers at the SFBC with long-established practices of personal meditation, retreat practice and mentoring and teaching meditators. (more about Viveka) (more about Shantinayaka)

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 description)

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*
How to Register for a Course

Tuesday Six-Week Introduction to Buddhism Courses

(course description)
2009 courses start: Apr 28, Oct 13
Six Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm
Sliding scale: $135-$90*
How to Register for a 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*

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.

Summer Retreat: Opening with Loving Kindness

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

Full description here.

Registration deadline with $75 deposit: May 29.
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.
Register now.

Affinity Groups

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

Dharma Dykes — Thu, Mar 19, Apr 23, May 21, Jun 18, Jul 16, Aug 20, 7pm.

Meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday (except January). 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.

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*
(class description)

Friday Practice Night

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

Second Saturday of each month, 9:30-10:30am.

(Before Second Saturday Sangha Mornings, above.)

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.