2009 August Announcements

Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center 19 Kinsey Road, New Hartford, CT 06057 860-459-6255 Wednesday Temple Regular Schedule: 7:00-7:30 PM Chanting, Meditation, Tea 7:30-8:30 PM Dae Yen Sa Dharma School We welcome individuals of all paths and understandings to participate in weekly gathering consisting of meditation, meditative reading and review along with group reflection on Buddhist principles and practices or Dharma. Reqirement - open minds and open hearts! Study Topic for Wednesday 8/12/09: Chapter 8 - Meditative Concentration (Verses 140-end chapter) Way of the Bodhisattva by 8th Century Master, Shantideva (This well-known and loved text focuses on the cultivation and enhancement of Bodhicitta-a quality of completely open, or completely awakened heart and mind.) Do you remember the last time you compared yourself to another? What did you feel? Did you envy their good qualities? Or maybe resent their lifestyle? Or maybe you felt a sense of inadequacy or a feeling of "less than"? Ever notice how our mind, in it's desperate attempt to maintain control and comfort, spins fantastic story lines based on perceptions of reality, rather than truth? Left unchecked, this ego mind can not only ruin meditative concentration, but can cause terrible and unnecessary misunderstandings and in some cases terrible violence. Some people dedicate their whole lives, in a spirit of self-righteous anger and retribution, trying to ruin the lives of others. But as practioners on the Bodhisattva Way, both Buddha and Shantideva urge us to dedicate ourselves to improving our life and the lives of others through conscious awareness, understanding and loving kindness. Isn't it a true blessing that we have Buddha potentiality already within us? Isn't it a gift to be able to ponder Dharma Wisdom so present to us in these readings. And isn't it a grace to be able to grow together in Sangha? Thus to banish all obscuring veils I'll bend my mind from the mistaken path; And constantly upon the perfect object I shall rest my mind in even meditation. WOB CH8,V.187 May we press our palms together in gratitude. Namu. Saturday Temple Regular Schedule: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Yoga 10:00 AM to 10:20 AM Tea Break 10:20 AM to 11:00 AM Silent Meditation 11:00 AM to 11:10 AM Walking Meditation 11:10 AM to 11:30 AM Chanting 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Korean Vegetarian Lunch True nature is always elusive, Only the heart of no-heart can grasp-it. Up in the mountain, the burning jade stays brilliant. And in the roaring furnace, lotus blossoms keep their fragrance. ---Ngo An, Korea, (circa 1090) Mind Moon Circle Quarterly, Summer 1984, pp.7 Join DAE YEN SA on Facebook! Donations are always appreciated