Valley Streams Zen Sangha

Valley Streams Zen Sangha is dedicated to the study of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation.  We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.  Our sangha is maintained by a community of people who have traveled many different paths. We come together to support each other in practicing Buddha’s way.

Valley Streams Zen Sangha draws its inspiration from zazen, commonly understood as meditation practice, but truly encompassing a wider field of possibility and human potential.  We invite experienced Zen students and newcomers to join our weekly meetings and other events.  Our Monday night program always begins with our core practice of just sitting.  Additional offerings include a devotional service, dharma talks by visiting teachers, group discussions, practice circles and retreat nights.  The forms practiced at Valley Streams Zen Sangha are inspired by the teaching and tradition of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and the San Francisco Zen Center (SFZC).                                    

Valley Streams’ guiding teacher is Abbot Myo Denis Lahey, whose home temple is Hartford Street Zen Center, located in San Franciso’s Castro Street neighborhood. Rev.  Myo is a fully entrusted Zen teacher, having received Dharma transmission from Tenshin Reb Anderson, Senior Dharma Teacher at San Francisco Zen Center.  Locally, Rev. Jim Hare serves as Practice Leader and co-leads our practice in consultation with our guiding teacher and our board of directors. Jim has practiced Zen for 35 years and was head student during the spring 2002 practice period at Green Gulch and was recently ordained by Rev. Myo Lahey.