Bright Cloud Zen is an affiliate of the Empty Moon Zen Sanghas and a member sangha of the UU Buddhist Fellowship.
Bright Cloud Zen practice groups are supported by Rev. Janine Seitetsu Larsen, our Resident Priest and a Denkai transmitted Teacher with Empty Moon Zen. Janine is also UUC’s Director of Ministries.
The Bright Cloud Zen practice groups regularly offer precept study for those who wish to receive the first five precepts (sewing the Wagessa and vowing to live ethically), or Jukai (sewing the Rakusu and committing to the 16 Bodhisattva Precepts and the Empty Moon lineage). Talk to Janine to learn more about receiving the precepts.
Bright Cloud is also affiliated with the University Unitarian Church in Seattle and most programming occurs at the church campus.
Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 am – noon (on-site & online) – Zazen, dokusan, study & discussion
Early Morning Zen Tuesday through Sunday, 6:30 -7:00 am (online only) – Zazen, robe verse, Four Vows
Sunday evenings, 7-8 pm (online only) – Zazen & recorded Dharma Talk
Drop-in attendance is welcome. Come when you can! You do not have to be a Zen practitioner, a Buddhist, an experienced meditator, or a Unitarian Universalist (UU) to attend. There is no charge to participate.
Opportunities to sit with Bright Cloud Zen Sangha (virtually or in-person)
Saturday Zazenkai: We join the Empty Moon Zen Sanghas (see below) for monthly Zazenkai via Zoom. Full day participation is encouraged; drop-in attendance is allowed. No charge. An offering bowl or online giving link will be available for contributions to support sangha activities.
Multi-day retreats (Sesshin): Two or three times a year, we engage multi-day retreat with the Empty Moon Zen Sanghas. May be online, residential (locations vary), or “commuter” (daytime attendance only; usually at UUC). See the Empty Moon Zen Sesshin page for more details.
A note on meeting in-person and health protocols at University Unitarian Church:
UUC has moved to a facemasks-optional protocol for on-site attendees. KN-95 masks are available just inside the entrance to the building if you need one. Masks are still required in the Church Office and in the Chapel for Sunday Services. PLEASE STAY HOME if you have symptoms of respiratory illness including colds, flu, or COVID-19. Follow Public Health Seattle-King County protocols for COVID-19.