Insight Meditation and Dharma Talk with SIM Teacher Rich Howard

For biographical details of the teacher Rich Howard, click here.

* The teacher will present IN-PERSON at the Dharma Center.
Hybrid events can be attended via Zoom or onsite at the Sacramento Dharma Center.

* 7PM – 9PM: Mahā-Sīlava Jātaka (“Not One Drop of Blood”)
The Jataka Tales are folksy stories of the past lives of the being who would become Siddhattha Gotama and eventually the historical Buddha. To become a Buddha, this being had to perfect the ten qualities known as “Paramis” (or “Perfections”), and each tale tells how one or more of the Paramis was developed in a particular past life, as an animal or human. The Mahā-Sīlava Jātaka is particularly rich in its inclusion of the Paramis, so we will listen to the story and reflect on which qualities are illustrated and how the story informs our understanding of them.

* 9PM – midnight: Uposatha Observance
Thursday August 27, 2026, is a full moon day. At 9:00 pm after the regular sit and dharma talk, Rich will offer an evening of Uposatha practice, which has been observed in Buddhist countries since the time of the Buddha. This is a particularly auspicious day, as there will be a partial (93%) lunar eclipse, starting at 7:35 pm PDT, reaching maximum at 9:12 pm, and concluding at 12:01 am. We will walk outside to experience the peak of the eclipse, then return inside for sitting and walking meditation, chanting, and perhaps another Jataka Tale. Rich will stay until midnight, as long as folks are interested.

Offer a Teacher Donation

Rich Howard will receive at least 75% of your donation.

Use the following donate button and select Thu Aug 27 – Rich from the dropdown list.

How to Attend Remotely

Join online meeting: https://zoom.us/join or join by phone at 1-669-900-6833
( Meeting ID: 895 2162 7007 and Passcode: 933142)
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.

Insight Meditation and Dharma Talk with Visiting Teacher JD Doyle

For biographical details of the teacher JD Doyle, click here.

* The teacher will present remotely via Zoom.
Hybrid events can be attended via Zoom or onsite at the Sacramento Dharma Center.

The Practice of Delight
We will explore the Buddhist teaching of Mudita: what it is, what it isn’t and how to cultivate it. In watering the seeds of delight and joy in our lives as part of our spiritual practice, we begin to recognize that happiness grows when it is shared.

Offer a Teacher Donation

JD Doyle will receive at least 75% of your donation.

Use the following donate button and select Thu Aug 13 – JD from the dropdown list.

How to Attend Remotely

Join online meeting: https://zoom.us/join or join by phone at 1-669-900-6833
( Meeting ID: 895 2162 7007 and Passcode: 933142)
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.