Timeless Zen Teachings for Modern Life
A collection of courses from San Francisco Zen Center
Lion’s Roar, in partnership with San Francisco Zen Center, is thrilled to present a special collection of online courses taught by esteemed teachers from the San Francisco Zen Center community.
Established in 1962 by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, author of the modern spiritual classic "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind," San Francisco Zen Center remains a vibrant community of students, monks, lay practitioners, and teachers continuing Suzuki Roshi's dharma lineage.
This partnership brings together the renowned expertise and rich tradition of San Francisco Zen Center with Lion’s Roar’s commitment to sharing Buddhist wisdom for the benefit of all.
By enrolling in these courses, you can experience time-honored teachings and practices, gaining invaluable insights and guidance from a lineage that has shaped generations of Zen practitioner's and transformed countless lives.
Join us in this unique opportunity to deepen your practice and connect with the heart of Zen wisdom.
Courses Produced in Partnership Between Lion’s Roar and San Francisco Zen Center
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind
A Celebration of Shunryu Suzuki’s Timeless Teachings
MULTIPLE TEACHERS
Delve into Shunryu Suzuki Roshi’s teachings, emphasizing a "beginner's mind" approach to Zen practice. Participants will learn zazen meditation, explore fundamental Buddhist concepts like non-duality, right effort, and emptiness, and hear stories of Suzuki’s influence on American Buddhism. The course aims to integrate Zen principles into daily life, fostering clarity, openness, and resilience in addressing modern social and ecological challenges.
Courses Produced by San Francisco Zen Center
Practicing Zen in Uncertain Times
RYUSHIN PAUL HALLER
A comprehensive introduction to zazen meditation, focusing on cultivating present-moment awareness, developing mindfulness, and integrating Zen principles into daily life. Through lectures and guided meditations, learn to observe thoughts and emotions without attachment, enhance body and breath awareness, and practice patience and compassion. The course is designed for both beginners and experienced practitioners, encouraging a "beginner's mind" to deepen understanding and practice.
Cultivating the Way: A Zen Guide to the 6 Paramitas
JIRYU RUTSCHMAN-BYLER
An in-depth exploration of the six paramitas: generosity, discipline, patience, energy, concentration, and wisdom. Learn to awaken these virtues from within, develop mental stability through mindfulness, and integrate these practices into daily life. The course includes teachings, practice instructions, and reflection periods to foster harmony, compassion, and wisdom.
Breath: A Zen Guide to the Art of Breathing
JIRYU RUTSCHMAN-BYLER
Explore the central role of breath in meditation, and learn techniques like zazen, breath control, shikantaza, and walking meditation. Learn tools to find calm and focus the mind, harmonize body and mind, and deepen awareness, wisdom, and compassion through breath-based practices. The course includes guided and unguided meditations, dharma talks, and practice instructions.
Meeting This Moment: Transforming your Life Through Zen Practice
DO-ON ROBERT THOMAS
Learn principles and practices of Zen Buddhism to meet each moment with presence and openness. This course covers starting or deepening a daily meditation practice, cultivating gratitude and generosity, embracing uncertainty, and engaging life with joy and curiosity. Develop self-awareness, empathy, and compassion to handle life’s challenges effectively.
About San Francisco Zen Center
San Francisco Zen Center was established in 1962 by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi (1904-1971) and his American students. Suzuki Roshi is known to countless readers as the author of the modern spiritual classic, "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind."
San Francisco Zen Center has three practice places: Beginner's Mind Temple, in the vibrant heart of San Francisco; Green Gulch Farm, whose organic fields meet the ocean in Marin County; and Tassajara Zen Mountain Center—the first Soto Zen training monastery on the West coast—located in the Ventana Wilderness inland from Big Sur. These three practice centers offer daily meditation, regular monastic retreats and practice periods, classes, lectures, and workshops.
San Francisco Zen Center is a practice place for a diverse population of students, visitors, lay people, priests, and monks guided by teachers who follow in Suzuki Roshi's style of warm hand and heart to warm hand and heart. All are welcome.
San Francisco Zen Center's programs also reach out to the community, helping prisoners, the homeless, and those in recovery; protecting the environment; and working for peace. Suzuki Roshi's disciples and students of his disciples now lead dharma groups around the country.
