We take as our Sangha name the word “Occidental,” as this is the town where we first started meeting together over fifteen years ago. The name also carries the meaning “Western,” which is where the Buddha Dharma is now being established. “Laguna” is where we currently meet and meditate together, right next to the beautiful Laguna de Santa Rosa in Sebastopol California.

The Sangha is respectful of all the teachings and schools of Buddhism and includes practitioners of all levels, from complete beginners to the very experienced. All are welcome to practice with us.

The guiding teacher for the Sangha is Bruce Fortin. He was ordained a Soto Zen Priest in the lineage of Suzuki Roshi in 1976 and has received Dharma Transmission to teach in that lineage. He has also studied with a number of other teachers in the Tibetan and Vipassana traditions and his teachings reflect their influence.

• Sunday morning meditation (instruction given for new practitioners) followed by a Dharma Talk and discussion.
  
  9:00-10:30  at the Sebastopol Community Center Teen Annex, 425 Morris Street, Sebastopol Calif.  next to the large Sebastopol Community Center.
  
  
• Thursday morning meditation, reading and discussion
  7:00-8:00am 815 Ragel Rd.  Sebastopol (call Bruce for further information).
  
  
• Half day extended sittings, usually every other month, announced by Sangha email list and on this website.
  
  
• Longer two or three day retreats, first week in December and May, with practitioners from the Lotus Sangha, co-led with Chris Fortin.

• Classes, usually Wednesday evenings.
  
  Previous classes offered:
  - The Bodhisattva Way of Life
  - The Bodhisattva Precepts
  - Relationship as a Spiritual Practice
  - Basic Zen and the Teachings of Suzuki Roshi
  - Introduction to Buddhism
  
  
• Practice discussion, an integral part of practice, can be arranged by appointment with Bruce. 

Membership is open to anyone who wishes to practice and support the Occidental Laguna Sangha. Support can be in the form of participation in our activities and through Dana (generosity). We particularly welcome monthly pledges, which help with expenses in renting the meditation hall, supporting teachers and providing some scholarship assistance for retreats.