Sacramento Dharma Center

Revised Schedule for Dharma Center Envisioning

May 4, 2017

To allow for the possibility of more attendance, and for us to have access to the entire property while we are together, we have altered our timing of the envisioning. There will still be two dates, but they will be separated by almost a month.

As before, Sunday, May 21, 2017, will be one of the dates. May 20th IS NO LONGER SCHEDULED! On May, 21st, we will be meeting for a shorter period of time than originally scheduled: from 9 am to 1 pm. During this time, we will have the opportunity to discuss the changes and additions we would like to see to the building and grounds. As part of this process, the facilitators will lead us through the design process, from how the site currently functions (issues of use, circulation, sun/shade patterns, etc.), to possible locations for different uses, and we will begin to prioritize those uses.

The second day of envisioning is now set for June 18, 2017, from 9 am to 3 pm. Yes, this is Father’s Day, but perhaps if that’s a celebration for you, you can celebrate later in the afternoon or evening? This day will invite further participation from both those who attended the May 21st event and those attending only on the 18th. This day will have a slightly different agenda. In addition to community input, we will look at some rough ideas of the result of the first go-round and work them into the overall “figuring out” portion of the design process.

This time, set aside from the Dharma Center’s increasingly busy schedule, will be for all of us in the community have the chance to come together to discuss how we want to use our new space – both the inside and the outside. We encourage as many Sustaining Sangha members as possible to come and share their ideas for use of the building and grounds. Please come to one or both meetings, the envisioning process will build on itself over the two days, but individual ideas and input will be welcome on both days.

Can’t come? Then please share your ideas in writing; respond to this email, or email, info@sacdharma.org. Or talk to any Dharma Center Board member. They are: Susan Orr, Joe Countryman, Julia Mullen, Dennis Warren, Barbara Colton, Bob Jenne, John Penfield, Kenny Bender, and Linda Dekker.

While this will not be the only time when community members may weigh in on proposed changes they would like to see, the planning and conceptual designs produced during this weekend will be used to guide the overall changes that will be made to the property. If you want to contribute your ideas for how the interior and exterior spaces will be used, please come and help out.

Envisioning schedule

May 21st ~ 9 am – 1:00 pm
June 18th ~ 9 am – 3:00 pm
3111 Wissemann Drive

Introducing our New Volunteer Coordinator

May 1, 2017

We want to update you on the status of the SDC volunteer program and some ideas and plans that have been percolating for a while.

First of all, we want to honor all the volunteers who have come forth to help since the center opened. To date well over 60 people like you have signed in at the monthly workday events and various other volunteer efforts. There are likely double or triple this number that provide support to each of our Sanghas in various activities. We are thankful for the time and energy that have been so generously provided. Each and every one of you is responsible for the success of SDC so far. You all have made a huge difference.

Slowly but surely each Sangha and SDC itself is learning what it takes to keep the center up and running, trim and beautiful. We are looking forward to the long awaited envisioning process this coming May 20th and 21st.

The monthly workdays have worked well so far. And now with spring growth and the Center activities ramping up we see a need for a more consistent and organized system of ongoing maintenance tasks and cleaning activities. To do this an idea has been developed to recruit a core group of committed persons who volunteer for specific tasks to be completed on a regular basis.

Ideally, there would be a commitment for a period of time. You could choose a time that is convenient for you then SDC would commit to arranging access to buildings and materials for you. For example, the grass in the front of the building will likely need to be mown at least every two weeks during the spring and summer. We anticipate needing at least four volunteers to maintain this schedule on a rotating basis. if you were interested in offering this dana/service you would contact the Volunteer Coordinator for orientation and scheduling. The same if you were interested in volunteering for interior tasks. Everyone interested in this would be introduced and would work out the details of the rotation.

A list of specific focus areas has been developed and may be viewed below. Does this seem like something you would be interested in helping with? The gift of your time and energy is a wonderful form of dana and dana is central to our practices.

If you are interested please look at the task lists and get back to me, Jerry Simkins, Volunteer Coordinator. We will work to accommodate your schedule as much as possible. If you would like to volunteer or if you simply have questions please contact me. My numbers are below.

Warm Regards,

Jerry Simkins, Volunteer Coordinator

volunteer@sacdharma.org

916 801-3278

Interior Volunteer Tasks

Tasks	Frequency	Volunteers needed
Clean Bathrooms	Twice per month	4 persons
Glass door cleaning (inside/outside)	Twice per month	2 persons
Sweeping, empty trash, resupply: Kitchen, break room, bathrooms	2 x week	2 persons
Vacuuming Library, Foyer, meeting room, open space in front.	Twice per month	2 persons
Vacuuming Sanctuary	1 x week	3 person:
Wet mop open space in front.	Twice per month?	2 persons
Library Service	(Ask Joette, Julia)	4 persons
SDC Open Hours	Three days per week: T, W, Th. 9am – 1pm	8 persons

EXTERIOR VOLUNTEER TASKS

Exterior Volunteer Tasks	Location/Area	Frequency	# persons needed
Lawn Care: Mowing, blowing/raking,	Front and Side visible from street.	Twice per month.	4 persons
Lawn Care: Mowing, blowing/raking,	Back area: scope to be determined	TBD. Watering needs and growth to be considered.	4 persons
Sweeping walk ways		Once per week	2 persons
Sweeping parking lot		Twice per month	4 persons

March News~We have been busy!

March 19, 2017

Pond? Veggie garden? Labyrinth? Tear walls down, put walls up? You are invited to speak your dreams and wishes for SDC’s future. Save these dates, May 20 or 21: as many members of SBMG, VSZS, and SIM as can come are encouraged to join the Envisioning for improvements to the building, gardens, and grounds of SDC. You will be introduced to the “Charette” process, where each of us can freely share what works, or needs improvement, or innovation, in our space. We will brainstorm and give input, facilitated by Lynelle McNeil from SIM and her husband Steve, landscape architects – see link Charrette . Please participate in co-creating our dharma home! There will be a collaborative and transparent decision-making process that follows.

Family Sangha takes a hike! On Sunday morning, April 9^th, 10-12, come join a nature walk guided by Mary Howard of SIM, starting at the Effie Yeaw Center. This outing is suitable for teens and tweens with their adult family member, as well as elementary and younger children. If you are an aunt or uncle, grannie or grandpa, or mom or dad who wants to bring together your love of the dharma with family life, please come! Please confirm details with this session’s coordinators, jamesbarnes778@hotmail.com, and judythornhill17@gmail.com.

Climate sangha is participating in an interfaith planning process for the local people’s climate mobilization April 29^th – stay tuned for details of how you can express your care for the Earth and all its creatures.

Here are newsy highlights from the quarterly meeting of SDC Board with Sustaining Sangha Boards on March 12^th:

The SDC set-up of the sanctuary was revisited when Sangha reps and the Art and Design Committee meet on 3/17, Sangha representatives were invited to attend;
Clearer guidelines about clean-up “as appropriate” will be posted;
Janitorial services are all-volunteer provided, a big thank you to our faithful helpers!;
SDC and Sangha reps will explore whether to create a task force to respond to community situations such as hate crimes or humanitarian needs.
SDC is receiving a multitude of requests for new events and activities. Between now and September, the Board will be developing guidelines and criteria for SDC sponsorship. Until then any new events and activities will need to be sponsored by one of the three sanghas.
Jerry Simkins is the new SDC Volunteer Coordinator, ready to offer and coordinate rewarding short and long-term work projects;
Having investigated repair costs, SDC purchased a new Energy Star HVAC system for the west lobby at $17,000, including a year of maintenance. The unit was installed on March 17th and will be discounted by a SMUD rebate;
Reps from each Sangha; the SDC Board, and long-term volunteers will have three dharma discussions this spring with Hozan Alan Senauke of Berkeley Zen Center, studying The Buddha’s Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony.
Julia and Joette are researching methods of cataloging the many generously donated books for our up and coming SDC Library.

And this just in:

On April 1, the non-existent SDC Center for Canine Awareness will host a one-day seminar, “Meditation for Dogs.” Four-legged participants will chew on the Zen koan that asks “has a dog Buddha-nature or not?” Cat-lovers are encouraged to sit with this.

SDC Opens to the Whole Community!

February 7, 2017

It was grand, wasn’t it?!

January 29th, your Dharma Center doors stood wide open, welcoming 150 guests from sanghas near and far, the surrounding neighborhood, and those who’ve brought us specialized skills: our broker Kari Bryski; Linda Tigue representing our lender Bank of the West; our contractor Bill Carter, and more.

Those who donated to the Dharma Center hopefully saw the new Donor Wall! As Susan Orr, our president, is fond of saying, “dharma is a verb and without our donors and volunteers, we would not be in this auspicious place”.

Jim Hare began the program by telling the Center’s creation story. From a seed planted in 2009, until the Fall of 2016, dozens of people and sanghas have worked to nurture the seed which has flowered into our permanent, historical home for Buddhism. A deep parable about our interdependence. Rich Howard offered a welcome on behalf of Sacramento Insight Meditation, reminding us that our actions flow forward to the children of our community and what a precious opportunity that presents: our interbeing. Reverend Myo Lahey, welcomed the community on behalf of Valley Steams Zen Sangha. His delight in SDC was palpable and he noted our collaborative effort nourishes not only our region, but also helps American Buddhism rise up. On behalf of SBMG, Reverend Bob Oshita reminded us to seek and practice what resonates. Buddhism, he said, offers a smorgasbord of Dharmic lessons; it is in our seeking that we will find.City Council member Eric Guerra and Bishop Jon Fish of the Sacramento Interfaith Council welcomed us to our neighborhood and larger community. Eric later posted a photo on facebook stating, “We have new center for the community to find peace & meditation at the Sacramemto Dharma Center.”

Sister Amma Thanasanti, of the Aranya Bodhi Forest Hermitage, brought us back to center, welcoming sangha and lay community to our refuge. Leading us in chanting the Brahmaviharas in Pali surely permeated the meditation hall with wise energy!

Our gratefulness goes to the dozens of donors who have helped, and continue to help, with the financial dana needed to purchase and operate the Dharma Center. We are thankful for the many volunteers who put in hours making the building and grounds even more beautiful than before, preparing and setting out food, then clearing and washing. A heartfelt shout out to Valley Streams Zen Sangha for graciously serving tea!

More News

Another welcoming community event took place on Jan. 20, when we hosted the Inauguration Day Sitting, offering a time of peace and groundedness for about 70 folks who came to participate throughout the morning.

December-January improvements at SDC include: garden clean-up and plantings; walkway for the shed; window washing; art pieces up on the walls; grout cleaned and brightened in the older restrooms; Library taking shape with bookshelves almost full; Board applying for SMUD rebates for energy-saving and appealing LED lighting to replace fluorescents bright new prayer flags and more donated by Zanzibar Trading Co.; and a Lost and Found now available in the building manager’s office near west entry.

We are deeply grateful for the generous gifts which came in for our end-of-year campaign, allowing us to move forward with these improvements, the new heater and air conditioning unit, and the upcoming all-sangha envisioning process for our garden space and building. May you enjoy the merit and joy of giving to our collective efforts to creating a sanctuary for meditation and Buddha’s teachings, welcoming everyone who seeks to end suffering and live in harmony.

SDC – Grand Opening Jan 29th!

January 9, 2017

We invite you to celebrate Sacramento Dharma Center’s Grand Opening in our beautiful new home! We welcome the whole community, honored teachers, neighbors and supporters, with gratitude to all who helped us realize our vision. Program: 1:00 – 1:30 pm: Greeting and Info Tables; 1:30 – 2:30: Program in the Sanctuary; 2:30 to 3:30: Visiting and Refreshments.

RSVP Now!

The Dharma Center joins the 2017 Sacramento "March for the Dream"

January 5, 2017

Sacramento Dharma Center invites you to join the 2017 Sacramento

“March for the Dream”

This annual march is an opportunity to express solidarity with faith and community organizations working for peace and justice in Sacramento. We will march under a banner with this quote: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” -MLK Jr.

Feel free to join along the route, for more details go to www.marchforthedream.org

Meet at Sacramento City College (look for the Dharma Center Banner)

Event Schedule