2010 April Announcements

2010 April Announcements Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center Buddha Mandala Sue Yen Sunim completed this most recent mandala, the Buddha. Representations of the Buddha contain messages in their non-verbal communication. The posture of the Buddha and the position of hands and feet are part of that message. At the temple, there are several Buddhas to view. 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 with yoga at the Temple every Saturday. 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! 2010 April Preparations 2009 February Retreat 2009 Dae Yen Sa 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 04/07/10: The Dhammapada, Chapter 26 - The Brahmana For those with Books please read Chapter 26: Brahmina For those without books please read Chapter 25: Brahmins In the time of Buddha, in India, the Brahmins were those people of a priestly caste. They performed and practiced vedic rituals and rites of the time. They were considered the religious, holy ones. This closing chapter of the Dhammapada is focused on this culturally/religiously elite group. The message? Nothing new to we who have been studying this sacred text for so many weeks. Each one of us is responsible for identifying and transforming the greed, anger and ignorance into generosity, loving-kindness and mindfulness. Only in this way can we really realize a state of Whole-ness and Holiness. Rituals, which may be beneficial, cannot replace our own diligent efforts in our meditation and practice. The Buddha knows the human condition so well and exempts no one from doing the internal work of liberation, not even the Brahmin. When we think of a religious caste we are reminded of spiritual pride. We can all fall into this mindset in both gross and subtle forms when we attach our identities to a "special" roles, groups, or people. Paradoxically, this can create separation between us. After all, we attend temple, we study Dharma, we meditate - we are the Enlightened ones, right? And spiritual pride can very subtly, and imperceivably erode respect for the teachings, because we might start to believe we've learned all there is to know! This is why we are reminded, time and time again, to let go of attachments. In fact, an underlying teaching of Chapter 26 is about letting go of sense pleasures, so we can be free to concentrate our meditation and practice loving-kindness with humility and charity of heart. Listen to the words of a modern day Brahmin, the Dalai Lama, "There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness." This simple and yet profound statement is a wisdom we have been studying all this time in the Dhammapada. Now we come to the end of this Holy scripture, but to the beginning of a new perspective on our own journey toward Nirvana. May we all be peaceful, happy and well 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. 3. One will always meet with fortunate times and good conditions, which will help your Dharma practice. Having many good things happen it inspires you to practice Dharma, to receive teachings and to meditate. 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 Dae Yen Sa offers retreat days once a quarter, usually on a first Saturday of a month. Call or contact the temple to find out about upcoming retreat days, schedules, and activities for those days. Dae Yen Sa Video Little Chant: Shine in Life and Health for Yourself and Others OM A-MOGA BA EE-RO CHA-NA MA-HA MUH-DE-RA MA-NI PA-DUH-MA ZUH-BARA PURA BA-UL TA-YA HUM 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!