ZEN CALENDAR, 2026  (with minor changes along the way) 

• JANUARY
Theme:   Repentence  (Contemplating repentance and renewal)
                 Celebration:  Jan 1,   New Year.   Jan 18,19  Hakuin, birth and death
 
• FEBRUARY 
Theme:    Meditation (Contemplating refuge in the three treasures, Buddha,
                            Dharma, Sangha)
                  Celebration:  Feb 15  Shakyamuni death, Nirvana Day
                  Retreat:       Feb 15, Sunday, daylong
        
• MARCH
Theme:   Suffering (Contemplating loss and the the four Noble truths)
                 Celebration: Mar 9  UVZC opened in 2005.     Mar 20, Equinox
                 Gathering:    Monday, Mar 9 potluck and Board membership transition!
                 Retreat:       Mar 15, Sunday, daylong
 
• APRIL
Theme:   Birth (Contemplating what it means to be born.)
                 Celebration:    Apr 8, Buddha birth
                 Retreat:   Apr 19, Sunday, daylong
                 Seichu:   Apr 2 -June 3
 
• MAY
Theme:   Clinging (Contemplating ignorance.)
                 Retreat:    May 1-3, Three day (fullmoon), Friday-Sunday
 
• JUNE
Theme:   Diligence  (Contemplating right effort and commitment)
                 Celebration:  June 21, Summer Solstice
                 Retreat:       June 21, Sunday, daylong
 
• JULY
Theme:   Precepts, mindfulness,  (Contemplating fullness of mind as ethics)
                 Celebration: July 27  Joshu Sasaki died, 2014
                 Retreat:       (?)July 19, Sunday daylong
 
• AUGUST 
Theme:   Understanding, wisdom  (Contemplating the middle way)
                 Celebration: Aug 28 Huineng died 713
                 Retreat:       (?) Aug 16, Sunday daylong
 
• SEPTEMBER
Theme:  Compassion  (Contemplating unity of  self and other)
                Celebration: Sept 22, Equinox
                Retreat:       Sept 20, Sunday daylong
 
• OCTOBER
Theme:   Impermanence  (Contemplating ‘dependent origination’)
                 Celebration: Oct 5, Bodhidharma Day.   Oct 14, Indigenous People’s Day
                 Seichu:        Oct 1 to Dec 3
                 Retreat:       Oct 18, Sunday daylong
 
• NOVEMBER
Theme:   Inclusiveness, patience  (Contemplating prejudice)
                 Celebration: Nov 26, Thanksgiving
                 Retreat:       Nov 15, Sunday daylong
                 Annual Meeting:  Nov 2 (?)
        
• DECEMBER
Theme:   Generosity, (Contemplating no-self)
                 Celebration: Dec 8, Rohatsu.    Dec 21, Winter Solstice
                 Retreat:       Dec 4-8, Friday-Tuesday, Five day (Rohatsu)