2010 March Announcements

2010 March Announcements Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center Medicine Mandala The mandala represents the universe and is a focus for meditation. By entering the mandala and moving towards the center the meditator experiences the cosmic processes and universal forces. Contents: 1. Events and Announcements 2. Dharma School Series 3. Buddha Thought 4. Saturday Schedule Reminder 5. Dae Yen Sa Video 6. Volunteer Events and Announcements Yoga and Qi Gong practice is available on an alternating schedule at the Temple every Saturday. Saturday March 27th is Yoga, and Saturday April 3rd is Qi Gong practice. Namu. Lorein, Dae Yen Qi Gong Facilitator 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. Visit the photo albums to see additional photos from the temple! 2009 Memory Ceremony 2009 Master's Birthday 2009 March Retreat 2009 June Retreat 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 03/17/10: The Dhammapada, Chapter 25 - The Bhikkhu or Mendicant For those with Books please read Chapter 25: The Bhikkhu or Mendicant For those without books please read Chapter 25: Monk The Bhikkhu (The Monk) Monk.......ORIGIN Old English munuc, based on Greek monakhos solitary, from monos alone. OK everyone, at Wednesday night Dharma School Class we will be shaving your heads and bestowing each with a monastic robe! (Just kidding :) When we think of the monk we often have a picture of a renunciate, who in his own spiritual tradition, lives a solitary life in a community devoted to deep prayer and practice. The monk is disciplined in Dharma study, rigorous in his practice and contemplative in his approach to life.The monk commits to a life of mendicancy or poverty as a practice of renunciation. And the monk usually follows the Rule of his community. From the outside looking in, the monastic life may seem very peaceful and Utopian, a community of refuge. Haven't you ever imagined leaving everything and joining such a community? But is there really a place we can "escape" the suffering we carry within us? So far in our Dhammapada study (chapters 1-24) Buddha has been showing us how we get stuck on the road to nirvana through our attachments and cravings, resentments and anger, and ignorance and delusion. He has also given us perspective and instruction on how we can practice eliminating the three poisons and becoming healthier and free. Our final 2 chapters really speak to those who are progressing on the path and have embraced a Rule of Life by which to live. Mainly what is expounded in chapter 25 is a teaching on the Noble 8-fold path, a rule of life that strives to promote peace and harmony. The work and practice of the monk is simple and profound. It is to be mindful of all, at all times or as one mystic describes, "taking a long, loving look at the real". But you and I live in the world of cell phones, emails, television and busyness of all kinds. What does the practice of the monk have to teach us about practice? First, that we truly are the NEW MONASTICS of our age. Along with our ordained monastic brothers and sisters, it is our individual responsibility to seriously work with our delusion in order to become more compassionate and loving — we practice with our students in the classroom, we practice with the tough situation at work, we practice with our illnesses, we practice with our places of comfort and joy. We practice mindfulness, at all times and "taking a long, loving look at the real", on the cushion, and off. It is a never-ending practice we do alone, but it is a practice that benefits the whole world. Second, that it is important to take stock of our lives and decide which people, situations and habits are healthy for us and which are not. We commit to the study and practice of the Noble 8-fold path as a road map, (Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration) to help us see clearly, let go of delusion, so we can live more sanely and gently. We can practice renunciation by letting go of unhealthy foods, judgemental attitudes and harsh speech, and by living lightly and simply with just a few essentials. Third, that we should NOT beat ourselves up in our weak moments, but diligently and persistently continue on in the practice of the Middle Way, with supreme patience, gentleness, courage, with the support of the Triple Gem. We can celebrate our practice by remaining faithful to it and to ourselves. We can celebrate and offer gratitude for the support of the Sangha. We all have great respect and admiration for our monastic brothers and sisters. And, in the end (as they would agree), Nirvana is not guaranteed because one chooses to shave the head, take robes and live in the monastery. Nirvana is accessible to all who study and practice diligently to become free. The 20-year old woman with pink hair, the middle-aged middle school math teacher, the grocery store clerk, the grandfather and grandmother. We are the NEW MONASTICS working together on a solitary journey toward enlightenment. Namu Buddhist Thought BENEFITS OF RECITING OM MANI PADME HUM Lama Zopa Rinpoche Con't. There are fifteen major benefits, which are the same for both the long and the short mantra. Actually, there are so many benefits but if one can remember these fifteen, these are the most important, the integrated outlines. 2. One will always be reborn in virtuous places where there is a lot of Dharma practice, where there are lots of temples, where one can make lots of offerings, where there a lot of holy objects, statues, stupas and so forth. Being in a place where there are all these holy objects gives one the opportunity to practice Dharma, to create the cause of happiness, to accumulate merit. And being in a place where there are many in the city doing practice inspires oneself to practice Dharma, the cause of happiness. Saturday Temple Regular Schedule: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Yoga or Qi Gong 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 some months, Dae Yen Sa has retreat days with a revised schedule. Call or contact the temple to find out about upcoming retreat days, schedules, and activities for those days. Dae Yen Sa Video Drawing the Lines Tibetan Monks of Gomang Monastery drawing the architectural lines of a sacred mandala amid the preparations for the opening ceremony. 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! 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!