2010 March Announcements

2010 March Announcements Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center Lotus Sue Yen Sunim completed her recent Lotus mandala and it is on display at the temple. The lotus represents attainment of Enlightenment. The lotus grows in the mud, but rises above the surface of the water to bloom in the light. This symbolizes transcendence of worldly attachments and reaching full potential. 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 temple email is updated. To make sure Dae Yen Sa can email you successfully, please add the new email daeyensatemple@gmail.com to your address book. Remember to check your spam folder if an email you are expecting does not arrive. For those wishing to receive regular 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 03/10/10: The Dhammapada, Chapter 22 - Woeful State For those with Books please read Chapter 22: Woeful State For those without books please read Chapter 22: Hell Fiery flames that never end. Eternal damnation. Demonic beasts that torture beings relentlessly. What is your vision of Hell? Buddhism, like Christianity and other faith traditions, has its fair share of hellish images. These images are used to wake us up. They illustrate the consequences of lives lived unmindfully and without morality. But we know that true Hell can be experienced right here, in our own minds. The Buddha points out some significant human weaknesses; gross lying, subtle misrepresentations, adultery, denial, pride and evil machinations. Have you ever found yourself a victim of these conditions? Or have you ever initiated them? Either way, the terrible pain and suffering creates negative karma that effects our minds and bodies, our families, our communities and the world; Hell, on earth. Why do human beings hurt each other so? We ask ourselves, "Why can't they be more compassionate?""Why does he/she lie?""Can't he/she stop that abusive pattern?" etc. It is very easy to look outside of ourselves to identify "those people" that cause pain, but the Buddha directly challenges us to look within. Denial is not the way to Heaven. Meditation is the path to becoming more authentic and free. Once we shine the light of awareness on our own delusions, we can become more courageous, more compassionate, less woeful, more blissful. A monk asked the Master about heaven and hell. Master said to the man, "Imagine a room where a group of hungry people sit around a huge pot of rice. Each is famished, desperate and starving. Each holds a spoon that reaches the pot, but each spoon has a handle so much longer than their arms that it cannot be used to get the stew into their own mouths. The suffering is Hell." "Now I will show you heaven," said Master. "Imagine another room, identical to the first - the pot of rice, the group of people, the same long-handled spoons. But here everyone is happy and well-fed. "I don't understand," said the monk. "Why are they happy here when they were miserable in the other room and everything was the same?" The Master smiled, "Ah, it is simple," he said. "Here they have learned to feed each other. This is Heaven." Let us continue our work of spiritual refinement and personal authenticity, taking refuge in the Triple Gem and giving encouragement to one another. 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 BENEFITS OF RECITING OM MANI PADME HUM by Lama Zopa Rinpoche The benefits of reciting OM MANI PADME HUM are like the infinite sky. Depending on how perfectly qualified one’s mind is and on one’s motivation, even reciting OM MANI PADME HUM one time can purify negative karma. For example, a fully ordained monk who has received all four defeats can completely purify that very heavy negative karma by reciting OM MANI PADME HUM one time. So it is very powerful. 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, Love Joe Brummer speaks about love as a need in considering nonviolent communication. This also demonstrates how words can have different definitions that can require clarification in the communication process. Love is considered a need on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in the third step of the pyramid: Love and Belongingness Needs; including love, friendship, comradeship. Love can also be used as a word for higher love, transcending the hierarchy or at the tip of Maslow's pyramid of reaching full potential. 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!