Trans Sangha fosters trans community grounded in mutual aid while following in the tradition of the Buddha. We run a meditation and discussion group twice a month that focuses on the intersection of Buddhism, meditation, trans issues, and community care. We are also building a mutual aid network to support each other through illness, injury, surgery, and other life changing circumstances.

Masks required // Scent-free

First Meeting?

Great! We welcome all trans people. Here’s what you should know:

• Calendar, meeting times, and location
• Join the Signal group. This is a read-only group chat on Signal where we drop updates and reminders about the group. It’s our alternative to an email list.
• Covid and accessibility info
• Masks required
• We are a scent-free community, meaning you should not arrive with any strong scents on you such as perfume/cologne, smoke, essential oils, or heavy detergents.
• The meeting place is under renovation and the only available restrooms are outdoor portapoties which are kept very clean.
• Meetings typically have around 10-20 people in attendance and end promptly at 8:30
• Hang out after the meeting for cookies and a chance to get to know each other.
• No dress code. Comfy clothes recommended. You will be required to remove your shoes to enter the meditation area, so consider slip-ons (shoes may be left on for accessibility purposes, let a facilitator know).

Facilitators

The group is co-facilitated by Kei Claire Van Arnam, Marion Anthonisen, and Eleanor Rykener. Kei and Eleanor are students in the Shunryu Suzuki lineage of Soto Zen Buddhism and Marion is a student of the Insight tradition of Theravada Buddhism. Please feel free to say hi before or after meetings!

We are not Buddhist teachers.

Meditation Style/Instruction

The meditation instructions we give in the group is based on or inspired by Shikantaza (Just Sitting), the traditional meditation practice of Soto Zen, or in the style of the Insight/Vipassana tradition. You are not required to meditate in these traditions in order to participate. All we ask is that you remain silent during the meditation period.

For the time being we will be providing light, guided meditation during our 20-30 minute meditation sessions.

If you would like to receive more in-depth meditation instruction please let one of the facilitators know. Meditation should be inclusive, and we will attempt to adapt the instruction to any specific needs.

Affiliation

Trans Sangha is a non-denominational affinity group of San Francisco Zen Center’s Beginner’s Mind Temple. It is with deep gratitude that we thank the temple’s leadership for their extreme generosity and support.