Open Circle Sangha Calendar

We meet every Sunday morning at Immaculata Hall, 33 South Ewing, in Helena, beginning at 8:30 a.m. We have two periods of sitting meditation and one period of walking meditation, followed by a short reading. We also meet Wednesday mornings at David Cooper's house for zazen (call first; he is away summers).

On the first Sunday of the month we chant the Heart Sutra; on the second Sunday we discuss a common reading; on the third Sunday we recite the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts and sponsor a beginners' meditation instruction and shortened sitting. The fourth (and fifth) Sundays are flexible.

Once a year in the Spring we have a one or two-week Intensive of daily morning and afternoon periods of meditation-practice. Contact David Cooper for more information.

Whenever we can enjoy the presence of a Soto Zen teacher, our regular schedule may be revised or expanded into, for example, a three-day retreat.

Jan. 1 -- WAY-SEEKING TALK, David Cooper
Jan. 29 -- SANGHA SOCIAL
Feb. 5 -- WAY-SEEKING TALK, Zan Murray
March 4 -- WAY-SEEKING TALK, Bill Milton

March 11, Sunday -- Beginning of Spring Practice Intensive
Expanded Sunday program with Dharma Talk by Layla Smith
March 14, Wednesday: Class with Layla Smith
March 17-18, Saturday & Sunday: Meditation retreat to end the practice intensive.
Saturday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm: a day of zazen, kinhin, service, Dharma talk, meals, silence.
Sunday morning: Meditation retreat continues, including Jukai (lay initiation ceremony) and ends about 11 am.

April 1 -- WAY-SEEKING TALK, Karen Decotis
May 6 -- WAY-SEEKING TALK, Ann Waickman
May 27 -- SANGHA SOCIAL!
June 5 -- WAY-SEEKING TALK, Jonathan Matthews