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Newsette – November 25, 2025

Two weeks ago, I attended a five-day sesshin at Green Gulch Farm, led by Zenju Earlyn Manuel Osho, who is in residence there. I was inspired by her teachings on interconnectedness and meeting one another openly. The sesshin ended with a Jukai ceremony for four of Zenju’s students.

Photo by Shundo Haye

From left to right: Ofosu Jones-Quartey – Jido Gensei – Compassionate Way, Profound Stillness, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Osho, Terrye Callender – Mokusen Zenkatsu – Silent River, Pure Aliveness, Carmen Phelps – Yubutsu Shoho – Brave Buddha, Pure Letting go,Claudelle Renee Glasgow – Bushin Kosen – Buddha Heart, Elated Hermit/Sorcerer

A Correction: Zenki Batson, co-Abbess of Chapel Hill Zen Center, added to my last Newsette: The Chapel Hill Zen Center celebrated its 30th anniversary at its home and current location on October 11, 2025. “The group itself has actually been in existence since 1981, when a small group of friends took turns having the group meditate in their homes. Some of these original individuals still practice with us today.”

There is much to celebrate:

Linda Galijan will be installed as the Abbot of Berkeley Zen Center in early 2026. She currently occupies the Abbot’s seat and is lovingly referred to by BZC sangha members as Linda Roshi.

Zen Center North Shore (ZCNS) has purchased property in Amesbury MA (north of Boston) as their dedicated practice space. Sangha member Seiran writes: “It has been a journey of weeks/months/years to arrive at this threshold of stewardship and the opportunity to imagine again what is possible in a place where we can settle into the daily rhythms of practice and community. Our guiding reacher Joan is in residence along with Myko the Zen kitty….There are projects underway to transform the residence into a Zen center with room for guests, a library , kaisando, sewing/craft space, office, communal kitchen, and of course a proper zendo.”

Zen Center North Shore has other good news: On September 28 “we celebrated our first priest ordination ceremony as Chisei Majeau donned their robes and vowed to continue to live for the benefit of all beings. Witnessed by family, friends and sangha members it was a ceremony filled with solemnity, love, tears, and laughter!”

Berkeley Zen Center had a Jukai (lay ordination ceremony) on October 4 in which eight BZC members received the precepts from seven teachers. The ordinees with their new dharma names and teachers are: Michael Donnoe – Ji Kai Ko Sei (Compassion Ocean Eternal Vow) with Linda Galijan; Taryn Elliot – Ko Ju Ken Do (Bright Pearl Manifest the Way) and Karma Mishra – Sei Shin E Kai (Sincere Heart Wisdom Ocean) with Gerry Oliva; Daniel Jackson – Shin Jin Nyo Sen (True Heart-Mind River of Suchness) with Laurie Senauke; Jeremiah Holland – Kei Sen Sho Jin (Joyful River Illuminating Compassion) and Paolo Costa – Shin Gen Ho Jitsu (Profound Source Dharma Sun) with Dave Rutschman; Anna Tabatchnik – Sei Jun Kyu Do (Sincere Resolve Searching Way) with Dave Rutschman and Ross Blum; Marley Alexander – Hon Shi E Shin (True Word Eternal Faith) with Greg Fain and Karen Sundheim.

Looking ahead:

Houston Zen Center (HZC) is offering a virtual workshop, Peace for the Holidays, “how to talk and listen to family and friends when we don’t agree on stuff,” on Sunday December 14, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Central Time. Led by Rebecca McIlwain the workshop is offered by donation, benefiting the Houston Food Bank.

In the new year, from January 8 to 11, HZC is offering an Intensive on the Dogen’s fascicleFace to Face Transmission or Menju, led by Kokyo Henkel. The first and last days will take place at HZC and the three middle days will be held at HZC’s retreat center Auspicious Heart.

Monastic Training Weeks will be held at Crestone Mountain Zen Center in Colorado, February 7 to April 14, 2026 – an intensive immersion into the living practice of Zen – guided by teachers Tatsudo Nicole Baden Roshi and Richard Baker Roshi, held by a mountain temple, and supported by the vast stillness of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The study weeks begin with a 5 day sesshin (February 7 to 13) and end with a 7-day sesshin (April 1 to 8).

The Soto Zen Buddhist Association is offering Zen & Sex: A Workshop on Sexuality and Zen Practice.  This online event, led by Rev. Rakugo Castaldo, will be held on January 25, 2025 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm ET.  “Through presentation, small group discussions, and large group dialogue, we will examine how Zen practice can help us meet the complexities of sexuality with awareness, compassion, and integrity. Registration Link: Learn More /Click here to access the flyer with QR code.

Tassajara’s summer student program, which begins April 7 2026 and ends on September 22, is now accepting applications. Abbot Mako Voelkel writes: “In a world that often feels fractured and overwhelming, Tassajara offers something increasingly precious: a place to let our natural kindness unfold, to establish a steady posture of sitting, and to touch into the boundless intimacy that flows from forgetting everything you think you know. We practice together not to escape the world’s suffering, but to cultivate the wisdom and compassion needed to meet it fully.”

This Newsette is longer than usual, a tribute to the vibrant sanghas that comprise Branching Streams and to the teachings of Suzuki Roshi which nourish our practice.

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Newette 11-11-2025

This Newsette is long overdue! There are many things to celebrate, and some time-sensitive announcements.

Two Zen Centers had significant anniversaries – Milwaukee Zen Center celebrated its Fortieth Anniversary on September 28. Chapel Hill Zen Center celebrated its thirtieth anniversary on October 11.

Kannon Do Zen Meditation Center in Mountain View CA held its first Open House on September 27. Their invitation read: “Kannon Do is a place just around the corner where you can explore meditation and mindfulness. Drop by to grab a bite, see what we have to offer, or come by to say “hi”. Many neighbors attended.

Cynthia Ziegler, co-guiding teacher of Sellwood Soto Zen based in Portland, OR wrote in July: “Our dear friend and co-leader of our Sangha, Steven Given received Dharma Transmission from Endo Kirk Phillips. Steve’s new dharma name is DaiHo ShinDo. He is now Shindo Steve Given and we couldn’t be happier.

On June 22nd, Cynthia gave Lay Entrustment to her student Shoun Doko Brian Goller. The ceremony took place at the 7th St. Zendo in Boise, Idaho.  7th St. Zendo is an extension of Peter van der Sterre’s Oak St. Sanctuary. Brian first received the precepts from Tenshin Reb Anderson at Green Gulch Farm in 1994. Brian is also a teacher at Sellwood Soto Zen.

Arcata Zen Group in Arcata, CA is seeking a Head Teacher who can provide spiritual care and leadership for their Sangha as their current teacher, Gene Bush, moves into retirement.

Tassajara’s Director, Ashley Ng, asked me to share that the application deadline for the Tassajara Winter 2026 Practice Period is November 15. It will be led by Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman and the dates are January 6 to April 12.

May your sanghas be thriving as we turn toward a season of gratitude.