Everyday Bodhisattva Practice Period

'Being Time'

In-person or Online

January 10-April 5, 2026

The 3-month Everyday Bodhisattva Practice Period is an opportunity to come together with other Sangha members and deepen your practice with an individually designed schedule supported by a variety of Dharma teachings and peer-to-peer Sangha dialogue. (The 3-month timeframe reaches all the way back to the rainy season retreats during the historical Buddha’s time.)

The 2026 Practice Period is led by Zenki Roshi, BZC’s Guiding Teacher, Jinryu Danielle Books, this year's Student Practice Leader, and members of the Practice Council. The emphasis is on the study of Dogen's fascicle 'Being Time' (Uji).

As a participant, you design and commit to a schedule that works within your daily life based on a minimum participation requirement as spelled out below. Click here for guidance and ideas on how to invigorate and expand your daily practice.

The price includes your participation in the Weekend Seminar, in addition to all of the following events, except for the Weekend Sitting and Sesshin. The sliding scale is designed to allow you to choose a price point based on how much you plan to participate and your finances. 

Required 

• Opening Dharma Talk and Ceremony: January 10
• Self-designed commitment to zazen and mindfulness practice
• At least one Zazen Intensive: Half-Day Sunday, Weekend Sitting, or Sesshin (see available options below)
• Weekend Seminar on Being Time with Zenki Roshi: January 17-18
• Small Group Practice Discussion with Danielle Books (1 required). February 1 | February 22 | March 8 (9:30am-10:30am and 10:45-11:45am)
• Closing Ceremony: April 5

Available Intensives

• Sunday Half-Day Zazen: January 11 | January 25 | March 1 | March 15
• Weekend Sitting: February 6-8
• 7-day Sesshin: March 28 - April 5

Recommended

• Five Dharma Weekends with Saturday Dharma Talks by Zenki Roshi on Dogen's 'Being Time' and Sunday Half-Day Sittings followed by oryoki practice. (Dharma Talks and Half-Day Intensives can be attended separately.)

        (1) Dharma Talk and Q&A (Saturday AM): January 24 | February 14 | February 28 | March 14 | March 21 

        (2) Half-Day Zazen (Sunday AM): January 11 | January 25 | March 1 | March 15

• 'Way Seeking Mind' dharma talks followed by Sangha dialogue with Jinryu Danielle Books. Danielle will be the Student Practice Leader for this Practice Period and will share what brought her to Zen practice and what keeps her in the practice: January 31 | February 21 | March 7
• Study Group on 'Being Time' (Wednesday PM; commitment to all five sessions required): 5 dates, January 28 |  February 18 | March 4 | March 18 | March 25 — (6:30-8:00 PM) 
• Study materials on 'Being Time' and suggestions for everyday mindfulness practices (provided through a dedicated Practice Period portal).

Additional

• Preferred access to Dokusan with Zenki Roshi
• Weekly Tea - An informal yet mindful conversation after morning zazen with Practice Council Members and/or Zenki Roshi about forms, practice, and general BZC affairs — Fridays (8-8:45 AM)
• Practice Buddy System
• Full Moon Ceremonies: January 29 | March 5 | April 2 | — (8:00-8:40 PM)