Precept-based Living with Cynthia Kear

“Precept-Based Living” :

How do we stay steady in this unsteady, dynamic world? How do we navigate our own challenging lives with stability, ease and kindness?

Sila (Sanskit or Shila in Pali) is usually translated as ethics or moral conduct. Shila also conveys a sense of cool and peace, the internal cool and peace we experience when we are in upright alignment with our Buddhist practice and our own buddha nature.

Buddhist precepts are the backbone of this practice. In this half-day workshop will explore the five basic precepts and how living by these time-honored guidelines can bring about that cool peace, even in the midst of unsteadiness and challenge. Dogen, the founder of Soto Zen, told his students to engrave these precepts on their hearts. Buddha described precepts-based living the highest protection. More than a set of rules to follow, the precepts are deep inquiries into the actual living of our lives with attention and kindness.

Please join us in this day of study, discussion and meditation.

The fee is on a sliding scale of $20 to $100. Remember that registration includes a donation for the teacher, so register as generously as you can.

Scholarships are available upon request. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Use our sliding scale registration for folks who cannot pay the suggested range. Otherwise, please contact the registrar, Barbara, at [email protected] to arrange for full financial assistance.

If you wish to pay at the door or via check to the registrar, those options are available on the payment information page after you click the green "Register" button, enter the desired money amount and click the green "Checkout" button.

Cynthia Kear is a Dharma Transmitted Soto Zen priest in the Suzuki Roshi lineage. She is Guiding Teacher for Great Spirit Sangha in San Francisco, Guiding Teacher for Women of the Way Sangha and senior teacher for the Meditation and Recovery Sangha at San Francisco Zen Center (SFZC). Additionally, she offers classes, retreats and sesshins at SFZC, Green Gulch Farm, Tassajara and other Bay Area practice centers throughout the year. She also practices at Upaya Zen Center as Visiting Teacher.

Her primary practice interest is how we can live our lives in the diffuse monastery of everyday life with peace, ease and joy.

• Please try to arrive between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. to register and settle in.
• Bring a covered mug or water bottle, a lunch, your masks (as needed) and your meditation cushion.
• Additional chairs and cushions will be available at the retreat, as well as tea and hot water.
• In the spirit of doing no harm, we ask that you refrain from using scented products that may affect others. The Dharma Center is wheelchair accessible.
• SBMG hosts teachers from all Buddhist traditions at weekly meetings and monthly daylong retreats. All have been welcome since 1991. SBMG is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
• Please contact the registrar if you have any questions.

Host or Publisher Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group