Kannon Do Precepts Series (by donation)
Oct 8 2025 – Jan 17 2026
Everyone is welcome to attend the Wednesday night programs, even if they are not registered or do not intend to join the whole series.
This 12-week series provides an opportunity to work with the 16 Bodhisattva precepts that are the core of our Zen practice. Taking place during Kannon Do’s usual program on Wednesday evenings, each meeting focuses on an individual precept that we reflect on and discuss. The series is suitable for both newcomers and experienced practitioners and is an opportunity to deepen your practice.
Practice Leaders
Jaune Evans, Neal Shorstein, Travis Marsot, Kigen Breckenridge
Format
You are encouraged to attend in person but you can also attend on Zoom.
Wednesday night schedule
5:00-6:40pm Optional private practice discussion 1st week of each month with Jaune/Neal
7:10pm Zazen
7:40pm Opening chants (precept version and before-lecture chants)
7:45pm. Talks
8:15pm Breakout groups, large group sharing, questions and discussion
8:55pm Closing chant
9:00pm. Finish
Speaker Schedule
Class Dates: Oct 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, 12, 19, Dec 3, 10, 17, Jan 7, 14. A One-Day Meditation Retreat will be held on Jan 17.
| Date | Precept | Speaker | Speaker | Other Practice Leaders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 8 (W1) | Introduction and Three Refuges (listen now) | Jaune | Neal | Travis, Kigen |
| Oct 15 (W2) | Three Pure Precepts (listen now) | Jaune | Neal | Travis, Kigen |
| Oct 22 (W3) | 1. Not to kill (listen now) | Travis | Kigen | Jaune and Neal (Zoom) |
| Oct 29 (W4) | 2. Not to take what is not given (listen now) | Travis | Kigen | (Zoom) |
| Nov 5 (W5) | 3. Not to misuse sexuality (listen now) | Jaune | Neal | Travis, Kigen |
| Nov 12 (W6) | 4. Not to lie (listen now) | Travis | Kigen | Jaune and Neal (Zoom) |
| Nov 19 (W7) | 5. Not to intoxicate (listen now) | Jaune (Zoom) | Neal (Zoom) | Travis, Kigen |
| Dec 3 (W8) | 6. Not to slander (listen now) | Travis | Kigen | Jaune and Neal on zoom |
| Dec 10 (W9) | 7. Not to praise self (listen now) | Travis | Kigen | Jaune and Neal (Zoom) |
| Dec 17 (W10) | 8. Not possessive of anything (listen now) | Jaune | Neal | Travis, Kigen |
| Jan 7 (W11) | 9. Not to harbor ill-will | Jaune (Zoom) | Neal (Zoom) | Travis, Kigen |
| Jan 1 (W12) | 10. Not to abuse the three Treasures | Travis | Kigen | Jaune and Neal (Zoom) |
| Jan 17 | One Day sit, concluding remarks and reflections | All |
|
|
Study of the precepts
This series provides an opportunity to work with the 16 Bodhisattva precepts that are the foundation of our Zen practice. Each meeting will focus on an individual precept that we take into our daily lives and then come together for reflection and conversation.
While this series is designed as an introduction to the precepts, it is appropriate for anyone who wishes to deepen their practice of the precepts. Throughout Zen practice, we are encouraged to study the precepts as a centerpiece to our life. This class may support students preparing for jukai (lay ordination), although the decision to prepare for jukai is made between each student and their respective teacher.
To get the most out of the precept series, participants are encouraged to
- commit to all sessions, including the one-day sit.
- meet with teachers for practice discussion at least once
- keep a precept journal
- have a precept partner and meet with them regularly (1-2x/month) during the series
- study the recommended reading
If you are interested in delving into the core of Zen practice, we encourage you to attend, either in person or online, as much of the series as is possible. This will help to deepen your experience with the precepts and apply them to your daily life while supporting the practice of others as well.
Recommended reading
- Taking our Places, Norman Fischer (discussion of precepts, pp 149-196).
- Becoming Yourself, Shunryu Suzuki (discussion of precepts pp. 103-186)
See also
