We are adding a regular weekly chanting and sitting service - called Shodaigyo - to our schedule beginning this Wednesday, November 13th, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Going forward, we will host this service every Wednesday night.

Shodaigyo Service will be at Mark’s Dragon Mountain Dojo: 147 Greenbank Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611.

This time is for chanting and sitting practice and will not include a dharma talk or study session. Please RSVP Mark at herrickmark@icloud.com or text: (415)706-2000 if you plan to come.

Buddhist meditation is not just a ‘silent sitting’ practice. Chanting is also a form of Buddhist meditation. Nichiren Shu Buddhism, combines chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo and silent sitting into a service known as Shodaigyo. ‘Shodai’ means to chant the sacred title of the Lotus Sutra and ‘gyo’ means Buddhist practice. Our meditational technique combines opening and closing periods of silent meditation with a central core of chanting. Our practice is distinct; it allows us to calm the mind and reflect upon our true divine nature, and awaken to our own Buddha nature. This form of meditation is easily learned but the benefits are profound. Through Shodaigyo we become more aware and mindful of our true selves, our surroundings, and the mutual integration of both. Our environment responds favorably in kind. We begin to reveal our inherent, enlightened qualities and to also recognize the beautiful, intrinsic enlightened qualities in all others. We become empowered, compassionate, appreciative, deeply joyful, wiser, and self-directed. Our lives transform through continuing practice. This process of spiritual manifestation allows us to harmonize and flourish in daily lives which can, at times, seem to be places of great difficulty and suffering. Please join us for this wondrous meditational practice of Shodaigyo.