2010 February Announcements

2010 February Announcements Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center Giraffe Two animals represent communication styles in nonviolent communications. The giraffe is the spokes animal for nonviolent communication (NVC). Marshall B. Rosenberg, one of the developers of the nonviolent communication teachings selected the giraffe because NVC is a language of the heart. The giraffe has the largest heart of any land animal. Contents: 1. Events and Announcements 2. Dharma School Series 3. Buddha Thought 4. Volunteer! 5. Saturday Schedule Reminder 6. Dae Yen Sa Video Events and Announcements The Nonviolent Communication Workshop held on January 18, 2010 had a very successful turnout. NVC teacher Joe Brummer energetically presented the subject to a very enthusiastic audience. Joe is the Connecticut representative for New England NVC. Visit the link http://www.cnvc.org for more information on the course and to learn more about NVC. Thank you to everyone who attended and a big thanks to Joe and the organizers of the event for making this opportunity possible! The temple email is in the process of updating. To make sure Dae Yen Sa can email you successfully, please add the new email daeyensatemple@gmail.com to your address book and remember to check your spam folder if an email you are expecting does not arrive. For those wishing to receive the email announcements, please send your email address with a brief request to be added to the list. The Dharma School Series Chanting & Meditation 7 pm - 7:30 pm Dae Yen Sa Dharma School & Tea 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm We welcome individuals of all paths and understandings to participate in weekly gatherings consisting of meditation, meditative reading and review along with group reflection on Buddhist principles and practices or Dharma. The only requirement is an open mind and open heart. Study Topic for Wednesday 02/03/10: The Dhammapada, Chapter 17 - Anger For those with Books please read Chapter 17: Anger For those without books please read Chapter 17: Anger Anger If you noticed a fire burning in the corner of your room, would you throw gasoline on it to put it out? Seems like a silly question doesn't it? But whether we are aware of it or not, each day people just like you and me throw gasoline on little embers of resentment until the fire of anger burns out of control. We all know what it is like to become really angry. We experience the physiological effects of climbing blood pressure, red face, tightening muscle, lack of oxygen, a primal urge to protect and lash out in word and deed, and a seeming wholesale rejection of compassion. This anger in its gross form is evident, but what is not so evident are all the little angers building up within us, UNMINDFULLY, that eventually cause us to react harshly and in some cases lead to violence. The great 8th century Buddhist monk, Shantideva, in chapter six, verse 7-8 of Way of the Bodhisattva writes, "Getting what I do not want, And all that hinders my desire — In discontent my anger finds its fuel. From this it grows and beats me down. Therefore I will utterly destroy the sustenance of this my enemy, my foe who has no other purpose but to hurt and injure me." Anger, like all human emotions, shows up for work every day, challenging our expectations, our desires and attachments. Today we have an opportunity to be conscious of our little resentments and through meditation on and off the mat to let go. Meditation is like throwing cool water on the fire of anger. The practice is extreme and gentle patience with ourselves and with each other, because until we reach the supreme enlightened state, we must all work to eliminate greed, anger and ignorance and to work for peace within and without. "There's nothing that does not grow light with habit and familiarity. Putting up with little cares I'll train myself to bear with great adversity." Way of the Bodhisattva, Chapter 6, v. 14. Thankfully, we can also train together. Namu. Nobody is condemned in Buddhism, for greatness is latent even in the seemingly lowliest, just as lotuses spring from muddy ponds. Invite someone new to experience the warmth of the sangha. Buddha Thought 5 Ways to Start your Day Like a Buddhist Monk Excerpt from THE DAILY MIND 2. Do your most important task first. The next thing that the monks do is their personal meditation practice. This personal practice was given to them by their most important teacher and is streamlined according to their own level of understanding, intelligence and capacity. Of all the study and practice that the monks do it is their personal practice that is the most important. And they always do it first... They do their personal practice first in the morning because by doing so they can be assured that they won’t miss it due to other worldly commitments. Volunteer Requests Assistance with preparation for special events, weekends and teaching nights is always greatly appreciated. This includes assistance in the kitchen, setting up, taking down and any other donation of talent or effort that can assist the temple. You are always greatly appreciated! The temple does have some special requests from time to time as well. Sati Meditation Recently, a small group from Dae Yen Sa enjoyed a field trip to Chuang Yen Temple in Carmel, NY. We participated in a retreat day, where we learned a new form of meditation practice called Sati. In Sati Meditation the practitioner uses mindful movements of the hands to bring about greater awareness.This practice was introduced by Luangpor Teean Jittasubho (1911-1988) of Thailand and taught to us by Dr. Dwight Chien. It is our intention to make Sati meditation sessions available at DaeYen Sa. If any member who participated in our Sati retreat in NY is interested in leading Sati meditation please see Eduardo. For those wishing to experience the Sati retreat day at Chuang Yen, the next session is December 12, 2009. Calling all TV Techies! The temple is seeking a volunteer(s) to help us find or purchase a big screen TV for the Main Temple that we could also connect to a computer. There are so many great teachings and wisdom available in multimedia now that would add to study experiences. In addition the temple is considering offering occasional "movie nights" for families. Maybe our first Movie night could be "MULAN" in honor of dear little Sasha! Of course, we are also seeking donations for the purchase of the TV, or, of a TV itself. Thank you in advance for your kindness in achieving this goal for the benefit of the sangha. Please see Su Yen Sunim to help with this endeavor. Lending Library The East gives us thousands upon thousands of Buddhist sacred texts. And here in the West we have access to many books and articles from teachers like Jack Kornfield, Pema Chodron and other well-known teachers. It is our goal to begin a small lending library of Buddhist texts that would be open to Sangha members. The idea has been approved by Su Yen Sunim and Master, so we'll keep you posted on the logistics. In the meantime consider donating your books of wisdom to the temple. Make it a practice in letting go! Talks and Workshops While we have the Wisdom of the Triple Gem we also recognize the network of members and friends with wisdom to share with Dae Yen Sa. If you, or anyone you know, has an interest in presenting a workshop/lecture/training that is relevant and appropriate to Buddhist principles and practice, please speak with Eduardo. At present, the Temple does not have funds for lecturers. Any presentation would be considered a donation would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance. SPECIAL MENTION! Nirvana Juice Bar, Torrington One of our Sangha members, Rosie, invites us to visit her juice bar in Downtown Torrington. Rosie offers many wonderful health and energy drinks and foods as well as aromatic incenses and products sangha members would appreciate. In addition Rosie hosts guest lectures and open mike nights. Visit her website for more information and then visit her store for some "chill" time. http://nirvanahealthbar.com/ Nirvana is a healthy, fun and informative place to visit! 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 The first Saturday of each month, Dae Yen Sa has a retreat day with a revised schedule. Call or contact the temple for the schedule and activities for that day. Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Four Step Process Joe Brummer, explains the four steps in the NVC process: observation, feelings, needs, request. The four modes include observation without evaluation, judgment or analysis; expressing feelings that the observations evoke; expressing needs connected with the feelings, and the option to make a request of another person to meet an unmet need. The request is made and the other person can honor or decline the request. 19 Kinsey Road New Hartford, CT 06057 Telephone: (860) 489-3254 Cell: (860) 459-6255 Fax: (860) 489-5760 daeyensatemple@gmail.com Donations greatly appreciated! VISIT DAE YEN SA ON FACEBOOK!