Gathering to welcome new California Dharma teachers

June 8, 2025 @ 9:30 am 1:00 pm

On Sunday, June 8th, 9:30am – 1:00pm, the Multifold Sangha is invited to a gathering to welcome California Dharma teachers who were ordained this spring in the Plum Village Tradition of Thích Nhat Hanh.

New CA Dharma Teachers:

  • Prajna Paramita Choudhury
  • Jun Hamamoto
  • Peter Kuhn
  • Victoria Mausisa
  • Zachiah Murray
  • Judy Nakatomi
  • Meena Srinivasan
  • Brad Wiscons

Several of the new teachers will join us in person on June 8th.

Join us for a nourishing time together:

  • Sitting meditation
  • Gatha sharing in English from several new Dharma teachers
  • Chanting in Vietnamese
  • Lunch potluck

Please see below for a flyer and a sheet outlining the flow of the day.

LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING!

Click here to RSVP.

Carpooling is encouraged.

Please bring a vegan potluck item with your ingredients listed.

This event will be livestreamed! To view online via livestream, use this link: meet.google.com/jay-aeri-kfo

On a mobile device, download the Google Meet app before joining the video livestream. On a computer, it is best to use Chrome to join online.

Questions? Contact:

  • Natascha – njbruckner@gmail.com
  • Dylan – dylan@tweney.com
  • or Isabelle – isabellechappuis@yahoo.com

This event is free. Dana to the Compassion Meditation Center is welcome.

Natascha Bruckner

‭(707) 888-1916‬

Chua Pho Tu / Compassion Meditation Center

17327 Meekland Avenue
Hayward, California 94541 United States
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510.481.1577
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Shantideva Day of Mindfulness, Hosted by Hella Just Sangha

September 27, 2025 @ 9:30 am 3:00 pm

The Hella Just and Compassionate Sangha* invites Northern California Sanghas in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh to a Day of Mindfulness at ShantidevaWatering seeds of Inclusiveness and Belonging.

Recently ordained Dharmacharyas Prajna Choudhury and Victoria Mausisa will guide us in practices and reflections to help nurture these qualities. 

Tentative flow for the day:

  • 9:30 Arrive and settle in
  • 9:50 Welcoming remarks
  • 10:00 Chanting and silent meditation
  • 10:35 Introduction to the day’s practices
  • 10:45 Break and Yoga/ Mindful Movement offered by Laurika
  • 11:00 Watching Paramita film 
  • and Five Earth Touchings
  • 11:50 Reflection Questions and Q&A
  • 12:30 Eating Meditation followed by Mindful Conversation
  • 1:30 Dharma Sharing Circles
  • 2:30 Closing Circle
  • 3:00 Clean Up 

We will use yoga mats for yoga and Touching the Earth on the outdoor deck, so please bring yoga mats if you have them (and extras for those who do not). 

The location is Thay Tu Luc’s Shantideva Monastery at 30345 Palomares Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94552. It’s about an hour’s drive from Berkeley, SF, or San Jose.

Things to bring:

  • Something vegetarian to eat for lunch
  • Water
  • Layers, sunscreen, hat
  • Something to share for tea/snacks (optional)
  • yoga mats!
  • A friend or two!

Please sign up if you plan to be there. There is limited space for parking, so please plan to carpool (this sign in sheet is designed to help everyone self-organize carpooling).

This day is offered free of charge. Donations for the teaching and to support Shantideva are welcome.

Look forward to practicing together as a river. 

* Since 2006, the Hella Just and Compassionate Sangha (HJC) has been a San Francisco East Bay-based refuge for people of color who are committed to nurturing our mindfulness and meditation practice so that we can be better people, working in better ways, for a better world.

Free Donations welcome

Prajna Paramita Choudhury

Chua Pho Tu / Compassion Meditation Center

17327 Meekland Avenue
Hayward, California 94541 United States
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510.481.1577
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Shantideva Day of Mindfulness, Hosted by New Gen Sangha

June 21, 2025 @ 9:30 am 2:00 pm

New Generation Sangha invites you to a Day of Mindfulness at Shantideva — bringing the Plum Village community in Northern California together for a chance to flow as a river and practice mindfulness as one sangha.

New Gen is a (mostly) young adult sangha based in the East Bay, and we’re excited to offer this gathering as an opportunity for practitioners of all ages to come together, share our diverse energies, and nourish our collective practice.

The Day of Mindfulness will be centered on Embracing Our Interbeing: A Mindful Celebration of Authenticity and Diversity — a day to honor the courage it takes to be our true selves, to recognize the beauty of our interconnected identities, and to hold space for all beings with compassion.

🧘 Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
📍 Location: Thich Tu Luc’s Shantideva Monastery — 30345 Palomares Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94552
(Approx. 1-hour drive from Berkeley, SF, or San Jose)

🌿 Please sign up here: New Gen_Shantideva Registration & Carpool DOM 6/21/25


Things to Bring:

  • Something vegetarian to eat for lunch
  • Water
  • Layers, sunscreen, hat
  • Something to share for tea/snacks (optional)
  • A friend or two! (Carpooling encouraged—limited parking available)

Tentative Schedule:

  • 9:30am – Arrivals and Parking
  • 10:00am – Welcome, Intros, Housekeeping
  • 10:15am – Singing
  • 10:30am – Walking Meditation
  • 11:00am – Sitting Meditation
  • 11:20am – Short Break
  • 11:35am – Dharma Recording
  • 12:15pm – Mindful Lunch
  • 1:15pm – Dharma Sharing
  • 2:00pm – Dedication of Merit

🙏This day is offered freely, with gratitude for the teachings. Donations to support Shantideva Monastery are welcome.

We’d love to practice with you!

With warm hearts,
New Generation Sangha

Free Donations welcome

Sofia Elizondo

Chua Pho Tu / Compassion Meditation Center

17327 Meekland Avenue
Hayward, California 94541 United States
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510.481.1577
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Shantideva Day of Mindfulness, hosted by Potluck Sangha

August 16, 2025 @ 10:00 am 2:30 pm

You are invited to a DAY OF MINDFULNESS hosted by the POTLUCK SANGHA

at Shantideva Monastery, 30345 Palomares Road, Castro Valley, CA

CARING FOR OURSELVES & TAKING CARE OF THE WORLD 

We welcome you to join us for a day of practice together.  See our approximate schedule below.  

  • 9:30 am – 10:00 am  Arrive and Park
  • 10:00 am – 10:30 am  Chanting and Sitting
  • 10:40 – 11:20  am    Dharma Panel w/Mel Gin, Canyon Sam & Hac Nguyen moderated by Denise Bergez
  • 11:30 – 12:00 noon  Walking meditation or Tai Chi Chi’h
  • 12:00 – 1:00 pm Eating meditation (Lunch) please bring your own vegetarian/vegan meal)
  • 1:00 pm  – 1:45  Small group Dharma Sharing 
  • 2:00 pm  – 2:20  Whole group Dharma Sharing (what’s your takeaway from the day)
  • 2:20 – 2:30   Sharing the Merit of our Practice 

If you are planning to attend, please let the organizers know by Registering Here.  

Lennis Lyon, Claire Heinzelman and Susan Terris (organizing team)

Free

Chua Pho Tu / Compassion Meditation Center

17327 Meekland Avenue
Hayward, California 94541 United States
+ Google Map
510.481.1577
View Venue Website

Day of Mindfulness at the UU Church in San Francisco

March 1, 2025 @ 10:00 am 3:30 pm

Hosted by Home Within Sangha

Please register in advance for the Day of Mindfulness here.

In gratitude to the UUSF for generously sharing their beautiful space, Home Within Sangha will host a Day of Mindfulness to share Plum Village practices with UUSF members and Plum Village practitioners alike. Please know donations are not required, but any contributions will go directly to UUSF as we hope to make this Day of Mindfulness a dana fundraiser to support the Center.

Whether ecological, political and/or economic, there are many causes of stress right now. As Thich Nhat Hanh has said, we cannot bring peace to the world if we do not have peace in ourselves. We cannot help others if we ourselves are burned out. A mindfulness practice allows us to recharge our batteries so that we can be our best selves in the world.

The day will include:

  • guided sitting meditation
  • a brief dharma talk
  • mindful movements & walking
  • a tangerine meditation & mindful eating (tangerines will be provided, please pack a vegetarian lunch)
  • deep relaxation
  • dharma sharing

Please bring:

  • a vegetarian lunch
  • a yoga mat for deep relaxation, if you have one
  • a mug for tea (optional)
  • chairs will be provided for sitting meditation, if you prefer a cushion, please bring one.

All donations will go directly to the UU Church.

To register, visit https://form.123formbuilder.com/6805375/march-1-day-of-mindfulness.

The UU Church is located at 1187 Franklin St in San Francisco.

Free Donations welcome and encouraged

Chua Pho Tu / Compassion Meditation Center

17327 Meekland Avenue
Hayward, California 94541 United States
+ Google Map
510.481.1577
View Venue Website

Shantideva Day of Mindfulness: True Love — FULL

February 15, 2025 @ 10:00 am 3:00 pm

Morning Birds Sangha invites you to a Day of Mindfulness at Shantideva — bringing the Plum Village community in Northern California together for a chance to go as a river and practice mindfulness as one sangha.

WE ARE NOW FULL AND CANNOT ACCEPT ANY MORE ATTENDEES.

Dharma teacher Jo-ann Rosen will be visiting from Ukiah and will offer a talk on the antidote to fear and anger: True Love. Jo-ann will bring teachings from the Dharma and neuroscience to her talk. She will invite us to contemplate the Four Heavenly Abodes during the day: Compassion, loving-kindness, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. (These are also known as the Brahmaviharas: karuna, metta/maitri, mudita, and upekka/upeksha.)

The location is Thich Tu Luc’s Shantideva Monastery. It’s about an hour’s drive from Berkeley, SF, or San Jose, or a 15-minute drive from Castro Valley BART.

Parking is limited. We are expecting a large crowd, so this event is now full and registration is closed.

Please bring:

  • Layers, sunscreen, hat
  • Something vegetarian to eat for lunch
  • Something to share for tea/snacks (optional)
  • A friend or two! (carpooling is advised as there is limited parking)

Tentative agenda:

  • 9:30 am Parking
  • 9:45 am Arrive and settle in
  • 10:00 Introductions Dylan
  • 10:15 Sitting meditation + chanting
  • 10:45 Short break
  • 11:00 Dharma talk
  • 12:30 Break/prepare lunch
  • 12:45 pm Mindful lunch
  • 1:30 Dharma sharing
  • 2:30 Choice: tea/chat OR walking meditation on your own
  • 3:30 End of day
Free Donations for the teaching or for Shantideva are welcome

Dylan Tweney

+1 650-315-9607

Chua Pho Tu / Compassion Meditation Center

17327 Meekland Avenue
Hayward, California 94541 United States
+ Google Map
510.481.1577
View Venue Website

Being Peace: A Day of Mindfulness Hosted by Home Within Sangha

Calligraphed words reading "being peace" inside a black ink enso

January 18, 2025 @ 10:00 am 2:00 pm

Calligraphed words reading "being peace" inside a black ink enso

Shantideva Monastery, Castro Valley

Thich Nhat Hanh taught that “there is no way to peace; peace is the way.” You are invited to join us for a day of practice on the topic of “Being Peace” – grounding in Plum Village practices and cultivating our inner peace to offer ourselves and our communities. 

We will gather for sitting and walking meditation, mindful movement and eating, Dharma sharing, and to listen to a teaching by Thay.

Logistics:

  • Please bring your own vegetarian lunch. 
  • Please arrive by 9:45am, so that we can begin sitting meditation at 10am.
  • Address: Shantideva Monastery, 30345 Palomares Road, Castro Valley, California 94552

In the spirit of cross-sangha connection across the Bay Area, this Day of Mindfulness will be hosted by San Francisco’s Home Within Sangha.

If your sangha is curious about hosting a Day of Mindfulness at Shantideva this year, please email Dylan at dylan@tweney.com.

We hope to see you there!

With a deep bow,

Nicole, Kat, and Miles from the Home Within Sangha

Free Donations welcome

Chua Pho Tu / Compassion Meditation Center

17327 Meekland Avenue
Hayward, California 94541 United States
+ Google Map
510.481.1577
View Venue Website

Ceremony for Thích Nhất Hạnh’s 3rd Anniversary

Photo of Thích Nhất Hạnh

January 12, 2025 @ 9:30 am 2:00 pm

Ven. Thích Tu Luc invites the community to a bilingual ceremony to commemorate Thích Nhất Hạnh on the third anniversary of his continuation.

Schedule:

  • 9:30 AM – Arrival of attendees
  • 10:00 AM – Monastics enter the Main Hall
  • 11:30 AM – Lunch & Adjourn

Monastics Present:

Compassion Meditation Center: Thầy Từ Lực, Ni sư Ngộ Tánh, SC Tịnh Minh, SC
Phổ Thanh (more to be added later).

Free Donations welcome

Pho Tu Temple

510.481.1577

View Organizer Website

Chua Pho Tu / Compassion Meditation Center

17327 Meekland Avenue
Hayward, California 94541 United States
+ Google Map
510.481.1577
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Shantideva Day of Mindfulness: Radiant Listening

November 15, 2025 @ 10:00 am 2:00 pm

Image by Nikolai Roerich

Nov. 15 Day of Mindfulness – Radiant Listening

Dear Friends,

Dharma teachers Lyn Fine, Caleb Cushing, and Denise Bergez invite you to a Day of Mindfulness at Shantideva — bringing the Plum Village community in Northern California together for a chance to go as a river and practice mindfulness as one sangha.

Please join us for a day of sitting, walking, and eating meditation in community. We will also explore the power of listening in our lives and in these times through the practice of radiant listening, which was offered to the Plum Village community by Roshi Joan Halifax at a retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh 27 years ago. 

The location is Thich Tu Luc’s Shantideva Monastery at 30345 Palomares Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94552. It’s about an hour’s drive from Berkeley, SF, or San Jose.

Our practice will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 pm. Please arrive at 9:30 to park and get settled. 

If you’re planning to attend, please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yEUIc_3JoYDKkVcdCLPyBVCkJlCDsLK40Kakvt2OarA/edit?usp=sharing

Things to bring:

  • Something vegetarian to eat for lunch, and a snack to share (optional)
  • Water
  • Layers, sunscreen, hat
  • A friend or two! (carpool if you can, please, as there is limited parking)

This day is offered free of charge. Donations to support Shantideva are welcome.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Lyn, Caleb, and Denise

Free By donation

Dylan Tweney

+1 650-315-9607

Chua Pho Tu / Compassion Meditation Center

17327 Meekland Avenue
Hayward, California 94541 United States
+ Google Map
510.481.1577
View Venue Website

Vesak Day of Mindfulness

May 10, 2025 @ 9:30 am 1:30 pm

Please join us for a bilingual Vietnamese-English celebration of Buddha’s Birthday (Vesak), including the ceremony of bathing the Baby Buddha.

Thay Tu Luc will be hosting, along with monastics from the Hayward Temple.

If you plan on driving to Shantideva, please sign up here to facilitate carpooling.

If you’re looking for a ride, check that sheet for a driver near you. This will help us ensure there’s enough parking for everyone.

Tentative schedule:

  • 9:30am Friends are gathering.
  • 10am Sitting meditation (20 minutes)
  • 10:30am Dharma talk by Thay Tu Luc and sharing (30 minutes)
  • 11 am Chanting for Vesak in English (15 minutes)
    • Baby Buddha bathing (15 minutes)
    • Break (15 minutes)
  • 11:45 am Walking meditation (30 minutes)
  • 12:15pm Lunch (Bring your own lunch)
  • 1:30pm End of day 

🌻🎈

Free By donation

Dylan Tweney

+1 650-315-9607

Chua Pho Tu / Compassion Meditation Center

17327 Meekland Avenue
Hayward, California 94541 United States
+ Google Map
510.481.1577
View Venue Website