Author: Elaine Thompson

  • Fall Events

    Fall Events

    We are having a busy fall at One Heart Sangha.

    On October 3, we will be bearing witness to the WWII Holocaust by visiting the National Holocaust Memorial Museum in downtown Washington DC. Bearing witness is an important step in the Zen Peacemakers Three Tenets of Engaged Buddhism. By not knowing, setting aside our fixed notions and ideas about the Holocaust, we can bear witness to what arises in our hearts and minds as we tour the museum. The event is free, but you must register in advance. Visit the event page to learn more.

    On October 10, we will be holding a Jukai ceremony after a shortened morning Zazenkai and Shusho Hossen. Our three students who are taking vows have been studying, sewing rakusus, and working on their lineage charts all year. Please join us for the morning Zazenkai, Jukai ceremony, or both. Register here.

    Finally, on Sunday, November 10 Sensei Bob will be offering a Zen Brush Art workshop. Brush art is a Japanese art form typically featuring natural subjects, Japanese characters, or traditional shapes like the circular enso. Zen brush art emphasizes spontaneity and minimalism, contrasting black ink and white paper. Learn more and sign up on the event page.

  • Upcoming Local Sesshins

    Upcoming Local Sesshins

    Two Zen sesshins are coming up this fall and winter at the beautiful Wellspring Conference Center in Gaithersburg. Sesshin is a rare opportunity to practice in a more formal and extended way in order to deepen your Zen practice.

    Joyful Mind Zen Community will be holding their fall sesshin on October 29 to November 1. Bruce Shiho Lindsay, Sensei from One Heart Sangha is co-organizing and teaching. The sesshin is 3 nights, with an option to attend 2 nights. There are a limited number of private rooms onsite, opportunities to commute daily, and an option to attend remotely on Saturday. General registration is currently open through JMZC. Lean More here.

    One Heart Sangha will be holding our winter sesshin on January 7-10, 2027. The sesshin is 3 nights, starting Thursday evening and ending the middle of the day Sunday. We have a few spaces for sitters to join us on Saturday at Wellspring for a zazenkai. We will have a preregistration for regular sitters at One Heart Sangha starting October 15. General registration will open November 1 and links will be posted to the event pages.

  • Joyful Mind Zen Movie Night Sept 4

    Joyful Mind Zen Movie Night Sept 4

    Please join our sister sangha, Joyful Mind Zen Community, for a movie night, snacks and discussion on Friday, September 4th. we will be screening The Diving Bell and the Butterfly from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM with pizza and snacks starting at 6:00 PM. Please bring any snack you wish to share. Enter the back door of Rockville United Church 355 Linthicum Street, Rockville (free parking)  and we will be watching the movie in the Zendo.

    For more information, contact Information@joyfulmindzendo.org.

  • Summer Mini Ango

    Summer Mini Ango

    It’s that time again! Sensei Bruce will be leading a Mini Ango from June 23 to July 21. During the Ango period, there will be weekly online Way of Council meetings for participants to share their experiences and receive encouragement.

    Ango periods provide a supportive structure to commit to an additional level of practice for a set period of time. The primary purpose is to deepen your practice, renew your commitment to the Dharma, and if you like, make a commitment to other aspects that can help make positive changes in your life.

    Learn more and sign up

    Read more about Zen intensives

  • Joyful Mind Zen Potluck & Movie Night June 14

    Joyful Mind Zen Potluck & Movie Night June 14

    Joyful Mind Zendo, our sister sangha, is hosting their annual potluck and movie screening. They are graciously inviting sister sanghas in the area to join them.

    To learn more and register visit their website.

    The event is on June 14 Sunday, June 14th – 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Rockville United Church at 355 Linthicum Street, Rockville, MD 

    Omnivore, vegan, and vegetarian dishes are all welcome. All items should be labeled due to dietary restrictions like nut allergies, gluten free, vegan, etc.

    They will be screening the 2017 documentary, Walk With Me. Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, Walk With Me takes us deep inside the world-famous monastery of Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh.



  • Zen Peacemakers  Bearing Witness to Racism Retreat

    Zen Peacemakers  Bearing Witness to Racism Retreat

    Join the Zen Peacemakers for a Bearing Witness retreat this April. They will be visiting Selma and Montgomery, Alabama to bear witness the events African Americans faced there. Please spread the word to anyone you know who might be interested. ZPO Bearing Witness retreats take place in places where deep human trauma occurred and where healing is endlessly needed. With retreats they intend to contribute to this healing.

    Visit their website to read more or Click to register.