On Monday and Tuesday evenings, from September through May, Dharma Field offers courses on Zen Buddhism and related topics.
To take courses online, see here for more information. Monday and Tuesday classes are available in-person (as well as on Zoom).
To take courses online, see here for more information. Monday and Tuesday classes are available in-person (as well as on Zoom).
Classes & Workshops
CLASS AUDIO for classes:
If you miss a class or are taking the classes online, click icon to access the talks, and use the password that was provided in your registration email.
If you miss a class or are taking the classes online, click icon to access the talks, and use the password that was provided in your registration email.
MONDAYS
TUESDAYS
- The Eight Realizations of a Great One (Beau Elkington), Sep 8-Oct 13
- Zen Stories (Jed Larson), Oct 27-Dec 1
- Lost among Wildflowers: The Poetry and Legend of Zen Master Ryōkan (Steve Matuszak), Jan 5-Feb 9
- Sanskrit: Encountering the Buddha’s Language (Troelsen), Feb 23-Mar 30
- Heart Sutra (Steve Matuszak), Apr 13-May 18
TUESDAYS
- What the Buddha Taught: The Four Noble Truths (Steve Matuszak) Sep 9-Oct 14
- What the Buddha Taught: The Eightfold Path (Steve Matuszak), Oct 28-Dec 2
- What the Buddha Taught: Knowing the True Nature of Reality (Beau Elkington), Jan 6-Feb 10
- What the Buddha Taught: Living the Buddha Way in Daily Life (Steve Matuszak), Feb 24-Mar 31
- What the Buddha Taught: Meditation (Jed Larson), Apr 14-May 19
Sanskrit: Encountering the Buddha’s Language
Mondays 7:45pm, Feb 23-Mar 30, led by Andrew Troelsen
Buddhism originated in ancient India. At that time, the culture spoke a number of different languages, however Sanskrit became the language system used by the highest castes in the region. This language quickly became the dominate system used to record religious texts in many traditions, including Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
In this class, attendees will learn how to pronounce, write and transcribe between the Sanskrit and English scripts. Ultimately, this class will help gain a deeper appreciation of our Zen tradition, by looking back at it’s ancient Indian language roots.
Can I read Sanskrit Literature at the End of this Class? Goodness no - this class is focused on seeing Sanskrit script and being able to pronounce it with a level of certainty. Learning how to truly translate a Sanskrit text into English takes many years of study.
However! At the conclusion of this class, attendees will be able to pronounce Buddhist passages (at their own pace) such as the Heart Sutra. Along the way, you’ll learn to recognize numerous Buddhist words in the original Sanskrit, leverage online resources (and Apps!), and dive into a bit of linguistic theory and Indian history.
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Mondays 7:45pm, Feb 23-Mar 30, led by Andrew Troelsen
Buddhism originated in ancient India. At that time, the culture spoke a number of different languages, however Sanskrit became the language system used by the highest castes in the region. This language quickly became the dominate system used to record religious texts in many traditions, including Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
In this class, attendees will learn how to pronounce, write and transcribe between the Sanskrit and English scripts. Ultimately, this class will help gain a deeper appreciation of our Zen tradition, by looking back at it’s ancient Indian language roots.
Can I read Sanskrit Literature at the End of this Class? Goodness no - this class is focused on seeing Sanskrit script and being able to pronounce it with a level of certainty. Learning how to truly translate a Sanskrit text into English takes many years of study.
However! At the conclusion of this class, attendees will be able to pronounce Buddhist passages (at their own pace) such as the Heart Sutra. Along the way, you’ll learn to recognize numerous Buddhist words in the original Sanskrit, leverage online resources (and Apps!), and dive into a bit of linguistic theory and Indian history.
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
What the Buddha Taught: Living the Buddha Way in Daily Life
Tuesdays 7:45pm, Feb 24- Mar 31, Led by Steve Matuszak
How do we bring awareness to our lives? What can we truly rely upon when responding to the world? In this course we’ll examine the enlightened mind and how to live freely out the realization of one’s own true nature.
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen.
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Tuesdays 7:45pm, Feb 24- Mar 31, Led by Steve Matuszak
How do we bring awareness to our lives? What can we truly rely upon when responding to the world? In this course we’ll examine the enlightened mind and how to live freely out the realization of one’s own true nature.
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen.
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Lost among Wildflowers: The Poetry and Legend of Zen Master Ryōkan
Mondays 7:45pm, Jan 5-Feb 9, Led by Steve Matuszak
A celebrated poet, calligrapher, and Zen master, Ryōkan (1758-1831) is perhaps as well known for how he lived his life. Ryōkan was a mendicant, a friend and playmate of children, and a hermit, beholden to no authority, secular or religious, living a life free of constraints. In this class, we will look at Ryōkan’s poetry as well as stories about his life and Zen practice to see how each was an expression of the other, and to playfully explore the ways they might speak to us today.
Text: Sky Above, Great Wind: The Life and Poetry of Zen Master Ryokan by Kazuaki Tanahashi
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Mondays 7:45pm, Jan 5-Feb 9, Led by Steve Matuszak
A celebrated poet, calligrapher, and Zen master, Ryōkan (1758-1831) is perhaps as well known for how he lived his life. Ryōkan was a mendicant, a friend and playmate of children, and a hermit, beholden to no authority, secular or religious, living a life free of constraints. In this class, we will look at Ryōkan’s poetry as well as stories about his life and Zen practice to see how each was an expression of the other, and to playfully explore the ways they might speak to us today.
Text: Sky Above, Great Wind: The Life and Poetry of Zen Master Ryokan by Kazuaki Tanahashi
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
What the Buddha Taught: Knowing the True Nature of Reality
Tuesdays 7:45pm, Jan 6-Feb 10, 7:45-8:45 pm, led by Beau Elkington
This course focuses on the two most profound, liberating, and unique teachings of the Buddha: the interdependence of all things and the emptiness of self. Presented simply and clearly, these teachings are as vital today as they were 2,500 years ago.
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Tuesdays 7:45pm, Jan 6-Feb 10, 7:45-8:45 pm, led by Beau Elkington
This course focuses on the two most profound, liberating, and unique teachings of the Buddha: the interdependence of all things and the emptiness of self. Presented simply and clearly, these teachings are as vital today as they were 2,500 years ago.
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Prior Courses
Zen Stories
Mondays, Oct 27-Dec 1, 7:45-8:45 pm
Led by Jed Larson
The teachings of Zen consistently attempt to return our attention to the everyday reality of our life. At the core of Zen stories, koans, poems and teachings, we find this recurring emphasis towards what is true and real, an emphasis on experience itself. In this class we will explore stories, poetry, koan exchanges and teachings, presented upon the historical backdrop of when Zen began to flourish in ancient China.
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Mondays, Oct 27-Dec 1, 7:45-8:45 pm
Led by Jed Larson
The teachings of Zen consistently attempt to return our attention to the everyday reality of our life. At the core of Zen stories, koans, poems and teachings, we find this recurring emphasis towards what is true and real, an emphasis on experience itself. In this class we will explore stories, poetry, koan exchanges and teachings, presented upon the historical backdrop of when Zen began to flourish in ancient China.
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
What the Buddha Taught: The Eightfold Path
Tuesdays, Oct 28-Dec 2, 7:45-8:45 pm
Led by Steve Matuszak
This course looks closely at the primary teachings of the Buddha and lays out a practical and effective way to deal with the world as we find it. It is the art of seeing—a way to peace and sanity that is total freedom of mind.
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Tuesdays, Oct 28-Dec 2, 7:45-8:45 pm
Led by Steve Matuszak
This course looks closely at the primary teachings of the Buddha and lays out a practical and effective way to deal with the world as we find it. It is the art of seeing—a way to peace and sanity that is total freedom of mind.
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
The Eight Realizations of a Great One
Mondays, Sep 8-Oct 13, 7:45-8:45 pm
Led by Beau Elkington
This six-week course offers a close reading of Hachi Dainingaku — “The Eight Realizations of a Great One” — Dōgen Zenji’s presentation of the Buddha’s final teaching on the essential qualities of awakening. Each realization points directly to the maturity of a “true adult” (dainin), one who lives out of awakening.
Drawing primarily on the Shasta Abbey translation and Kōshō Uchiyama Rōshi’s commentary in The Roots of Goodness, we will explore how these teachings function both as practical guidance for daily life and as profound expressions of dharma. Supplementary references from Suzuki, Hagen, Huang Po, and classical Mahāyāna texts will illuminate Dōgen’s teaching and connect it to the wider Buddhist tradition. Together we will see how these eight realizations serve not as abstract ideals but as the living heart of Zen practice, opening the way to a life grounded in wisdom and compassion.
Syllabus
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Mondays, Sep 8-Oct 13, 7:45-8:45 pm
Led by Beau Elkington
This six-week course offers a close reading of Hachi Dainingaku — “The Eight Realizations of a Great One” — Dōgen Zenji’s presentation of the Buddha’s final teaching on the essential qualities of awakening. Each realization points directly to the maturity of a “true adult” (dainin), one who lives out of awakening.
Drawing primarily on the Shasta Abbey translation and Kōshō Uchiyama Rōshi’s commentary in The Roots of Goodness, we will explore how these teachings function both as practical guidance for daily life and as profound expressions of dharma. Supplementary references from Suzuki, Hagen, Huang Po, and classical Mahāyāna texts will illuminate Dōgen’s teaching and connect it to the wider Buddhist tradition. Together we will see how these eight realizations serve not as abstract ideals but as the living heart of Zen practice, opening the way to a life grounded in wisdom and compassion.
Syllabus
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
What the Buddha Taught: The Four Noble Truths
Tuesdays, Sep 9-Oct 14, 7:45-8:45 pm
Led by Steve Matuszak
This course will focus on the primary teachings of the Buddha and their implications for living in today’s world. These universal and timeless truths not only show us the source of our anxiety, but point the way to sorrow’s end—the complete peace and sanity that are total freedom of mind.
Syllabus
Dukkha handout
Five Aggregates handout
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Tuesdays, Sep 9-Oct 14, 7:45-8:45 pm
Led by Steve Matuszak
This course will focus on the primary teachings of the Buddha and their implications for living in today’s world. These universal and timeless truths not only show us the source of our anxiety, but point the way to sorrow’s end—the complete peace and sanity that are total freedom of mind.
Syllabus
Dukkha handout
Five Aggregates handout
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.