Our Wednesday Sangha Nights are dedicated to supporting anyone wishing to experience and share the benefits of Buddhist practice. We are committed to strengthening the connection between personal practice and positive action in the world around us, and providing a welcoming and safe place for all those who want to participate. All are welcome here.
Our theme for 2024 is Waking up to Imagination
Imagination can bring us closer to awakening, or distract and keep us trapped in conditional views and beliefs. How do we tell the difference? This year we will look at teachings through the ages, from the Pali Canon to the modern day, that help us distinguish between imagination that opens the heart and mind and imagination that perpetuates delusion.
In Person with a zoom option.
Most evenings are informal and interactive. Introductions are followed by meditation and after the tea break there's usually a talk, workshop or discussion. No particular experience is required, though if you have not meditated before we recommend first attending one of our introductory classes.
Most of our practice periods begin with Saluting the 3 Jewels and we sometimes chant the Refuges and Precepts together.
Suggested donation: $10–$5, or whatever you can afford. If you'd like a brief orientation please arrive before 7pm.
Sangha Night Classes
Wednesdays, 7pm to 9pm, in person and online
Sangha (Community) Nights are open to anyone wishing to practice together and connect around Buddhist practices and Dharma teachings. Our theme for 2024 is "Waking up to Imagination". (More information about Sangha Nights.)
Drop in to the SFBC or to our zoom room any Wednesday evening - please arrive a little before 7pm.
Zoom link. In person safety requirements.
December: The Heart of Imagination
December 4 - with Viradhamma
Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity
December 11 - Meditation and Imagination, with Prasadachitta
December 18 - End of year celebration, with Prasadachitta
Last Sangha Night of 2024
No class Dec 25 or in January.
Regular classes resume in February. Meanwhile join our January Rainy Season Retreat
Wednesdays, 7pm to 9pm from Feb 5
Hearts that Heal
Throughout this year we will explore both meanings of Hearts that Heal: ways to heal the heart; and ways that a wise, open, cared-for heart can have a healing effect on world around us. Our framework for this exploration will be the Six Paramitas of the Bodhisattva Path. Paramita can translate as "perfection" or "that which has gone beyond (duality or delusion)". The six paramitas are six liberating qualities that can take us beyond suffering to freedom. These qualities are cultivated by Bodhisattvas dedicated to ending suffering for themselves and all beings, but they are also accessible and beneficial practices for all of us, just as we are right now. They open us to Bodhicitta - the heart of awakening, that is always present but usually hidden.
We encourage you attend these Wednesday classes regularly if you can, as this will give you a deeper experience of the healing and empowering qualities of these teachings. But of course you are welcome to drop in as and when you are able. Sangha Nights are open to anyone interested in connecting around Buddhist Practices.
Here is a brief outline of the program. (More will be added as each month approaches):
February: Dana Paramita
Freedom through Generosity - giving without conditions, for the sake of others
March: Sila Paramita
Freedom through living in accordance with the Ethical Precepts of non-harm and kindness
April, May: Kshanti Paramita
Freedom through responding to difficult events and people with forbearance, without reactivity or taking things personally
June: Virya Paramita
Freedom through Energy, joyful perseverance in pursuit of the good
July/August: Dhyana Paramita
Freedom through meditation, compassion and insight
September/October/November: Prajna Paramita
Freedom through deep understanding of the nature of reality and emptiness
December
Last thoughts
Donations are always welcome. We suggest $10 to $5. You can pay at the desk by cash or credit card, or for zoomers you can pay by Paypal or one of these methods.
More information about Sangha Nights. See also January Rainy Season Retreat
Sangha Night Wednesday October 30, 7pm to 9pm
Each year, on Sangha Night, close to the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), we come together to honor our ancestral kinship.
This year, Mokshasi will share her reflections on the significance of Día de Muertos in her home country of Mexico. She will explore the myths surrounding this celebration and how we can cultivate a relationship with La Dama de la Muerte, Coatlicue, or Lady Death—not as something to fear, but as someone to embrace as an essential part of our Life/Death/Life nature.
The evening will include meditation, group reflection questions, and ritual, featuring the Threefold Puja and the rite of the Ofrenda. Ritual serves as a means for us to gain perspective on our lives, acting as a gateway to transformation. The Ofrendas—altars honoring those who have passed—provide a compassionate reflection on our shared histories.
This year, we will create an ofrenda not only for our ancestors but also for the children we once were. Please bring photographs of your loved ones who have died, and also objects, mementos, or symbols from your childhood that represent your journey.
Join us in celebrating Buddha nature as un baile con La Muerte, a dance with death —a harmonious partnership between death and life.
Cada año, en Sangha Night, cerca del Día de Muertos celebramos parentesco ancestral.
Este año, Mokshasi compartirá el significado del Día de Muertos en México que es su país natal. Además, explorará algunos de los mitos de estas fechas y cómo podemos desarrollar una relación con La Dama de la Muerte o Coatlicue o "Lady Death" no como alguien a quién temer o de quién huir, sino como alguien con quién abrazar nuestra naturaleza de Vida/Muerte/Vida.
Habrá meditación, preguntas de reflexión en grupos pequeños y habrá ritual de Puja de tres Etapas y ritual de Ofrenda.
Ritual es una manera en que los humanos podemos tomar perspectiva de nuestra vida. Los rituales son un portal de transformación. El rito de las Ofrendas, altares para los que han dejado esta vida, pueden darnos perspectiva y una representación compasiva de tiempos pasados.
Este año tendremos una ofrenda, no sólo para nuestros ancestros, sino también para el/la/le niño/a/e que fuimos. Te invitamos a que traigas fotos o algo que represente a tus muertos y también objetos o símbolos de tu infancia.
Ven y celebra con nosotros/as/es y date cuenta que la naturaleza Budíca es un baile con La Muerte. La Muerte, esa bailarina que baila y baila con su pareja, la Vida.
Every Wednesday evening, 7pm to 9pm, in person and online
Sangha (Community) Nights are open to anyone wishing to practice together and connect around Buddhist practices and Dharma teachings. Our theme for 2024 is "Waking up to Imagination". (More information about Sangha Nights.)
Drop in to the SFBC or to our zoom room any Wednesday evening - please arrive a little before 7pm. Zoom link. In person safety requirements.
Full Program for September
September 4: Dharmadhara and Sangha Visioning and Imagining, with Prasadachitta
September 11: Celebrate Padmasambhava Day, with Mokshasi
Celebrate this important Buddhist holiday with meditation, a short introduction, and puja - more information here.
September 18: The Dharma of Dreams, with special guest, Arthabandhu
Arthabandhu will help us explore ways to reconnect with the magic of our dream lives and show how dreams can be part of a rich Dharma life. More information on this page.
September 25: Mitra Ceremony
Three members of our community have made a personal commitment to practicing with the SFBC Sangha as Mitras and following the Buddhist precepts of non-harm. This simple and joyful ceremony will mark the occasion.
Sangha Night Puja, Sep 11, 7pm to 9pm, with Mokshasi
Sangha (Community) Nights are open to anyone wishing to practice together and connect around Buddhist practices and Dharma teachings. Our theme for 2024 is "Waking up to Imagination".
Drop in to the SFBC or to our zoom room any Wednesday evening - please arrive a little before 7pm. Zoom link. In person safety requirements.
Padmasambhava is the 8th century Tibetan teacher who helped to establish Buddhism in Tibet. He became an almost mythical figure, transforming demons and confronting obstacles to awakening.
Within Triratna, Padmasambhava is appreciated particularly for his deep connection to Buddhist Tantra and his teachings on the radical transformation of the human psyche.
On this special Sangha Night we will celebrate Padmasambhava Day by meditating together and then exploring the symbolism of Padmasambhava, mainly through ritual (verses of the 7 fold puja plus invocations, mantras and instruments). There will be a short introduction by Mokshasi.
Padmasambhava es el maestro Tibetano del siglo 8 que ayudó a establecer el budismo en el Tibet. Se convirtió en una figura casi mitológica y legendaria al ayudar a transformar nuestros demonios.
En Triratna, Padmasambhava se ha convertido en una figura muy popular en su conexión con el budismo tántrico y la transformación radical de las profundidades humanas en línea con la naturaleza del Dharma.
En esta Noche de Sangha vamos a celebrar el Día de Padmasambhava meditando juntos/as/es y después exploraremos la figura de Padmasambhava a través de un ritual (versos de la puja de las 7 etapas más mantras e instrumentos musicales). Mokshasi dará una breve introducción a la figura de Padmasambhava para aquellos/as/es que no estén familiarizados con ella.
Full September Sangha Night Program (More information about Sangha Nights.)
Wednesday Sep 18, with special guest Arthabandhu
Explore the magic of the dream world on this special Wednesday Sangha Night, 7pm to 9pm
Arthabandhu has generously offered to lead this evening while visiting from the UK. Drawing from 20 years of exploring the dream world and the benefits it can offer he will guide us in reconnecting with the magic of our dream lives and show how dreams can be part of a rich Dharma life.
He has long had a special interest in dreams and has explored them in relation to Buddhist practice ever since hearing Urgyen Sangharakshita say: “If you want to really know yourself, pay attention to your dreams.” He lives in the UK, working with adults with learning disabilities and is visiting us after volunteering at a summer camp for people with disabilities in Minnesota.
Our Sangha nights are open to anyone interested in Buddhist practices and Meditation. They are hybrid - for in person please check our safety guidelines, for zoom you'll find the link here.