Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water.
The moon does not get wet nor is the water broken.
The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected
in dewdrops on the grass, or even
in one drop of water.
~~ Eihei Dogen, from the Genjo Koan
The Arcata Zen Group is a Soto Zen Buddhist Sangha practicing on the North Coast of California. We welcome anyone who wants to learn about and practice the Buddha's teachings. We offer a daily and weekly Sangha sitting schedule in Arcata, as well as introductory classes in zen meditation and zen philosophy. The AZG also sponsors sittings in Westhaven and Eureka. To learn more about sitting with us, please see the Beginner's Handbook.
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The first issue of Ongoing Activities The AZG has been active since the 1970s. Over the years, we have deepened our sangha practice through our commitment to each other and the greater sangha around us. Currently, sangha members are engaged in an active zazen and sesshin schedule, inviting visiting teachers for sesshin and dharma study, tending both the grounds around Rin Shin-ji and our growing library, and various community projects, including prison and jail outreach and the Humboldt Area chapter of the BPF (Buddhist Peace Fellowship). To learn more about the origins of the AZG, click on history to the left.
Upcoming Events at the AZG include dharma talks, way-seeking mind talks, sesshins, and meetings. You will find these listed in the upcoming events box to the left. To learn more about the events listed, click on the links.
Contact Information, under the Contact Info link, includes email, mail, phone, and directions to Rin Shin-ji.
Maylie Scott Roshi, our teacher and founding abbess of Rin Shin-ji/Forest Heart Temple, passed away in 2001. Maylie had been on the Board of Directors of the BPF, involved in anti-nuclear issues, a founder of and mentor for BASE (Buddhist Alliance for Social Engagement), and was active both in Berkeley and Arcata in prisoner advocacy work. To learn more about this remarkable teacher, visit the Memorial page dedicated to Maylie and her family. A selection of her dharma talks can be found in the Dharma Talks section in the navigation box to the left.