Sangha News

Core Sangha Retreat Declared Smashing Success

Sixteen members of the Core Sangha gathered at Dharmadhara to meditate and reflect on Stillness, Simplicity, and Contentment, focusing on the Satipatthana Sutta. Paramabodhi, who was visiting from the UK, led the retreat this year. He is an old friend to the sangha, having helped get the SFBC going in the early 90's before returning to London to work on his art.

FBA Podcast: What’s Race, Gender, Sexuality and Skin Color Got to Do with Non-Self?

A timely and thought-provoking talk given at a People of Color (POC) day-long retreat at Oakland’s East Bay Meditation Center earlier this year. The East Bay Meditation Center hosts teachers from all lineages to teach the Dharma to their POC, LGBTQI2, Differently Abled and Scent Free Communities.

Talk given February 2019.

https://thebuddhistcenter.com/freebuddhistaudio/fba-podcast-whats-race-gender-sexuality-and-skin-color-got-do-non-self

Dharmadhara shrine room update

Drew reports that "the shrine room is nearly there and is looking great. We'll be doing a few more things before the retreats in April: put extra fire-resistant treatment on the outside (required by code), add trim at wall/floor, and add lighting. We were running short on the dried boards we cut earlier so we prioritized the walls and floor. This means the following things will be finished later: add doors to shelves, finish wall behind shelves, and add boards to the clear story (short wall up in the ceiling).

Rainy Season Schedule

During the month of January, the San Francisco Buddhist Center turns its focus inward for our Annual Rainy Season Retreat, an opportunity for Mitras and Order Members Members at the SFBC to spend time practicing together. The Center is still open to the public for 7:30 AM morning meditation, but is otherwise closed to the public during this time. Groups that rent the Center usually continue during January, but contact organizers if you are not sure of their schedules.

A Year Of Silence - new book, by Kiranada Sterling Benjamin

Ever wondered what it might be like to spend a year in silence on a solitary retreat?  Now's your chance to find out.  Kiranada did just that, and wrote a book about it so we can share the ups and downs and the sheer wonder of spending a year on retreat on the edge of the New Zealand wilderness. 

Available now at the SFBC Bookstore.