San Francisco Zen Center Queer Dharma Group

San Francisco Zen Center Queer Dharma Group A Welcoming Space for the LGBTIQQ Community of San Francisco Zen Center to share the Dharma. Meets once a month on Saturdays, 1-3pm.

Our next Q***r Dharma online gathering is tomorrow, Saturday, January 10, 1:00pm - 2:15pm. Our speaker is Tova Green, w...
01/09/2026

Our next Q***r Dharma online gathering is tomorrow, Saturday, January 10, 1:00pm - 2:15pm. Our speaker is Tova Green, who will speak on the topic of "Wholeness and Emptiness". Once again, we'll share in the spirit of connection, well-being, and authentic presence...virtually. https://www.sfzc.org/calendar/events/city-center/queer-dharma-group-topicspeaker-tova-green-online-110

Jisan Tova Green, she/her, is a resident priest at San Francisco Zen Center. She was ordained in 2003 and received Dharma transmission from Eijun Linda Cutts in 2015. Tova is the Branching Streams Director, supporting and connecting the 75+ Zen Centers and sanghas in the Suzuki Roshi lineage. She also writes blogs for SFZC’s online newsletter, Sangha News. Tova co-founded SFZC’s Q***r Dharma group and has been involved in Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives during her twenty-four years as a resident. She has worked with those who are approaching death as a hospice social worker and as a priest. Tova enjoys reading and writing poetry and playing the cello.

Join us tomorrow, Saturday, December 13, 1:00pm - 2:15 pm for another Q***r Dharma online gathering. Our speaker will be...
12/13/2025

Join us tomorrow, Saturday, December 13, 1:00pm - 2:15 pm for another Q***r Dharma online gathering. Our speaker will be Kirk Phillips, and his talk will be on "Q***rness as a Dharma Gate," during which he'll share his personal experience on how to love oneself more through practice and self-acceptance. Once again, we'll share in the spirit of connection, well-being, and authentic presence...virtually. https://www.sfzc.org/calendar/events/city-center/queer-dharma-group-topicspeaker-kirk-phillips-online-1213

Kirk Phillips began formal meditation practice in 1987 after meeting Issan Dorsey at the Hartford Street Zen Center and Maitri Hospice during the height of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco. He was a student at Hartford Street Zen Center and later practiced at Russian River Zendo in Guerneville, California, where he received priest ordination from Darlene Cohen in 2009. Kirk worked as a Nurse Practitioner for 23 years in the Adult Primary Care Clinic at Kaiser San Francisco, followed by 12 years in the Department of Surgery, retiring from clinical practice in 2021. He currently teaches science classes in a nursing school in Portland, Oregon.

In 2023, Kirk received Dharma transmission from Peter van der Sterre at Oak Street Zendo and co-founded the Sellwood Soto Zen Meditation Group with Reverend Cynthia Ziegler. His ongoing practice is supported by zazen, 12-step recovery, and the aspiration to embody an awakened heart. “My path has always been shaped by the intertwining of meditation, caregiving, and recovery. What continues to sustain me is the intimacy of zazen and the wholeheartedness it invites.”

Join us for another Q***r Dharma online gathering this coming Saturday, December 13, 1:00pm - 2:15pm. Our speaker will b...
12/07/2025

Join us for another Q***r Dharma online gathering this coming Saturday, December 13, 1:00pm - 2:15pm. Our speaker will be Kirk Phillips, and his talk will be on "Q***rness as a Dharma Gate," during which he'll share his personal experience on how to love oneself more through practice and self-acceptance. Once again, we'll share in the spirit of connection, well-being, and authentic presence...virtually. https://www.sfzc.org/calendar/events/city-center/queer-dharma-group-topicspeaker-kirk-phillips-online-1213

Kirk Phillips began formal meditation practice in 1987 after meeting Issan Dorsey at the Hartford Street Zen Center and Maitri Hospice during the height of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco. He was a student at Hartford Street Zen Center and later practiced at Russian River Zendo in Guerneville, California, where he received priest ordination from Darlene Cohen in 2009. Kirk worked as a Nurse Practitioner for 23 years in the Adult Primary Care Clinic at Kaiser San Francisco, followed by 12 years in the Department of Surgery, retiring from clinical practice in 2021. He currently teaches science classes in a nursing school in Portland, Oregon.

In 2023, Kirk received Dharma transmission from Peter van der Sterre at Oak Street Zendo and co-founded the Sellwood Soto Zen Meditation Group with Reverend Cynthia Ziegler. His ongoing practice is supported by zazen, 12-step recovery, and the aspiration to embody an awakened heart. “My path has always been shaped by the intertwining of meditation, caregiving, and recovery. What continues to sustain me is the intimacy of zazen and the wholeheartedness it invites.”

Our next Q***r Dharma online gathering will be on Saturday, December 13, 1:00pm - 2:15pm. Our speaker will be Kirk Phil...
12/01/2025

Our next Q***r Dharma online gathering will be on Saturday, December 13, 1:00pm - 2:15pm. Our speaker will be Kirk Phillips, and his talk will be on "Q***rness as a Dharma Gate," during which he'll share his personal experience on how to love oneself more through practice and self-acceptance. Once again, we'll share in the spirit of connection, well-being, and authentic presence...virtually. https://www.sfzc.org/calendar/events/city-center/queer-dharma-group-topicspeaker-kirk-phillips-online-1213

Kirk Phillips began formal meditation practice in 1987 after meeting Issan Dorsey at the Hartford Street Zen Center and Maitri Hospice during the height of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco. He was a student at Hartford Street Zen Center and later practiced at Russian River Zendo in Guerneville, California, where he received priest ordination from Darlene Cohen in 2009. Kirk worked as a Nurse Practitioner for 23 years in the Adult Primary Care Clinic at Kaiser San Francisco, followed by 12 years in the Department of Surgery, retiring from clinical practice in 2021. He currently teaches science classes in a nursing school in Portland, Oregon.

In 2023, Kirk received Dharma transmission from Peter van der Sterre at Oak Street Zendo and co-founded the Sellwood Soto Zen Meditation Group with Reverend Cynthia Ziegler. His ongoing practice is supported by zazen, 12-step recovery, and the aspiration to embody an awakened heart. “My path has always been shaped by the intertwining of meditation, caregiving, and recovery. What continues to sustain me is the intimacy of zazen and the wholeheartedness it invites.”

Our next Q***r Dharma online gathering is this Saturday, November 15, 1:00pm - 2:15pm. Our speaker is Mary Duryee, and ...
11/14/2025

Our next Q***r Dharma online gathering is this Saturday, November 15, 1:00pm - 2:15pm. Our speaker is Mary Duryee, and her talk will be on the "Harmony of Difference and Equality (Sandokai): Each has merit; each has place". Once again, we'll share in the spirit of connection, well-being, and authentic presence...virtually. https://www.sfzc.org/calendar/events/city-center/queer-dharma-group-topicspeaker-mary-duryee-online-1115

Mary is a retired psychologist and mediator. She grew up in the northwest and has been here since. She first walked through the gate at Berkeley Zen Center (BZC) in 1993, receiving lay ordination from Sojun Mel Weitsman in 2004; head student (shuso) in 2017; and receiving lay entrustment from Hozan in 2021. She is the immediate past president of the BZC board.

Our next Q***r Dharma online gathering is Saturday, November 15, 1:00pm - 2:15pm. Our speaker is Mary Duryee, and her t...
11/10/2025

Our next Q***r Dharma online gathering is Saturday, November 15, 1:00pm - 2:15pm. Our speaker is Mary Duryee, and her talk will be on the "Harmony of Difference and Equality (Sandokai): Each has merit; each has place". Once again, we'll share in the spirit of connection, well-being, and authentic presence...virtually. https://www.sfzc.org/calendar/events/city-center/queer-dharma-group-topicspeaker-mary-duryee-online-1115

Mary is a retired psychologist and mediator. She grew up in the northwest, and came to the Bay Area to attend school in 1967, and has been here since. She first walked through the gate at BZC in 1993, receiving lay ordination from Sojun Mel Weitsman in 2004; head student (shuso) in 2017; and receiving lay entrustment from Hozan in 2021. She is the immediate past president of the board of BZC.

Come join the next Q***r Dharma monthly gathering, taking place this Saturday, October 11, from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. Rev. C...
10/10/2025

Come join the next Q***r Dharma monthly gathering, taking place this Saturday, October 11, from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. Rev. Cynthia Kear will speak on the theme "Skillful Action and Wise Hope in Difficult Times." Once again, we'll share in the spirit of connection, well-being, and authentic presence — virtually. See our webpage for more information, including Zoom link: https://www.sfzc.org/calendar/events/city-center/queer-dharma-group-topicspeaker-cynthia-kear-online-1011

Ryotan Cynthia Kear (Horyu Ryotan - Dharma Stream Completely Overflowing) has been practicing Soto Zen Buddhism for over 30 years. She was priest ordained (2008) and given Dharma Transmission (2010) by Darlene Cohen. In 2009 Cynthia graduated from the Shogaku Zen Institute, a three-year Zen seminary training program. Cynthia has taught Mindfulness and Multi-tasking at the University of Washington as part of a National Science Foundation-funded research project based upon Darlene’s book 'The One Who Is Not Busy'. She leads workshops and gives Dharma talks throughout the Bay Area.

In 2004, Cynthia founded the Wild Geese Sangha, which explores daily practice in the non-monastic world. She leads the Upstairs Sangha, a group that meets bi-monthly to sit and study. Cynthia has 26 years of recovery and she co-leads a sangha for meditation and recovery. As a full-time employee, Cynthia considers the questions of practice in the “marketplace” to be of keen interest.

Our next Q***r Dharma monthly gathering will take place this Saturday, October 11, from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. Rev. Cynthia K...
10/05/2025

Our next Q***r Dharma monthly gathering will take place this Saturday, October 11, from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. Rev. Cynthia Kear will speak on the theme "Skillful Action and Wise Hope in Difficult Times." Once again, we'll share in the spirit of connection, well-being, and authentic presence — virtually. See our webpage for more information, including Zoom link: https://www.sfzc.org/calendar/events/city-center/queer-dharma-group-topicspeaker-cynthia-kear-online-1011

Ryotan Cynthia Kear (Horyu Ryotan - Dharma Stream Completely Overflowing) has been practicing Soto Zen Buddhism for over 30 years. She was priest ordained (2008) and given Dharma Transmission (2010) by Darlene Cohen. In 2009 Cynthia graduated from the Shogaku Zen Institute, a three-year Zen seminary training program. Cynthia has taught Mindfulness and Multi-tasking at the University of Washington as part of a National Science Foundation-funded research project based upon Darlene’s book 'The One Who Is Not Busy'. She leads workshops and gives Dharma talks throughout the Bay Area.

In 2004, Cynthia founded the Wild Geese Sangha, which explores daily practice in the non-monastic world. She leads the Upstairs Sangha, a group that meets bi-monthly to sit and study. Cynthia has 26 years of recovery and she co-leads a sangha for meditation and recovery. As a full-time employee, Cynthia considers the questions of practice in the “marketplace” to be of keen interest.

Address

300 Page Street
San Francisco, CA
94102

Telephone

(415) 863-3136

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