Wednesday, March 30, 2011

2011 March Announcements


2011 March Announcements


Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center



Photobucket


Temple Buddha in the Snow


Contents:

1. Events and Announcements
2. Dharma School Series
3. Buddha Thought
4. Schedule Reminders
5. Dae Yen Sa Video
6. Volunteers






EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS!


Thank you to everyone attending Buddha's Nirvana Day Celebration on
Saturday, March 19, 2011!



Temple merchandise is now available including the WHO ARE YOU t-shirt!



Special
Request

The temple needs help from sangha members and friends to pay their tax bill. Please make a donation, no matter how small or large, to Dae Yen Sa. Your donations will be a great assistance!

Make checks to mail or bring to:

Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple
19 Kinsey Road
New Hartford, CT 06057

Contact: Sue Yen Sunim








DHARMA SCHOOL SERIES


Wednesday evening dharma school!

Please come on Wednesdays, at 7PM for meditation, tonglen practice, shared reading and discussion (plus a fruit party!). Individuals of all paths and beliefs are welcome; the only requirement is an open heart and mind. Dharma study is free; donations supporting temple efforts are appreciated.

Chanting & Meditation 7 pm - 7:45 pm

Dae Yen Sa Dharma School 7:45 pm - 8:30 pm


This week we are studying Chapter 7 of Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living, by Pema Chodron. The chapter is titled "Drive All Blames into One."

"'Drive all blames into one' is saying, instead of always blaming the other, own the feeling of blame, own the anger, own the loneliness, and make friends with it. Use the tonglen practice to see how you can place the anger or the fear or the loneliness in a cradle of loving-kindness; use tonglen to learn how to be gentle to all that stuff. In order to be gentle and create an atmosphere of compassion for yourself, it's necessary to stop talking to yourself about how wrong everything is -- or how right everything is, for that matter."


Note: A few brand-new copies of the book are available at the temple for the same price you would pay at a major online bookseller (around $11), or used copies can be found at online booksellers for as little as $2 or less (plus shipping):


Please also watch for email announcements for cancellations due to weather and enjoy your snow shoveling meditations.


Thanks and Namu!

Much Metta.






BUDDHIST THOUGHT:


A BAG OF NAILS

Once upon a time there was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he should hammer a nail in the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. But gradually, the number of daily nails dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the first day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He proudly told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

"You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out, it won't matter how many times you say 'I'm sorry', the wound is still there."



Read more on anger here:
http://www.viewonbuddhism.org/anger.html







SCHEDULE REMINDERS!


Wednesday Dharma School
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Meditation and Dharma Study

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 throughout the year. Contact the temple to find out about upcoming retreat days, schedules, and activities for those days. Watch the newsletter for announcements!







DAE YEN SA VIDEO





Pema Chodron "Smile at Fear"

Pema Chodron speaks about seeing our lives as full of potential no matter what is happening and to keep our hearts and minds open.



VOLUNTEERS!

Support your local temple and meditation center!


A special thanks goes out to volunteers and supporters of the temple!

There are many ways to support your temple including donations. If you have something special to contribute, please let us know!


Volunteer Your Skills!

Assistance with preparations 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. Thank you to all the people who make the wonderful experience at the temple possible for everyone!




Participate in beneficial shopping!

The temple now has available a selection of great merchandise! Please stop by to purchase a temple t-shirt or the favorite "WHO AM I?" koan t-shirt


Offer a talk or workshop!

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.



Photobucket


Buy a special book!

Aerim Kim, the author of this lovely book of poetry is a frequent visitor at Dae Yen Sa Temple. Her poetry style is free, fresh, heartfelt, and full of a joyful sparkle of emotion. The late Zen Master Seung Shang described Aerim's poetry as "zen poems".

The Kim's have supplied the temple with many copies of this book in order to help support the printing needs of the temple. Please contact Sue Yen Sunim to purchase copies of the book for your personal library. You can help build an important network! Please let the temple and the Kim's know of any valuable networking connections to continue keeping this wonderful book in the public's eyes and hearts!

Dae Yen Sa plans on binding several of their prayer books together into one volume for members to use during prayer and ceremonies.


Special Mentions!

A very special thanks goes out to Ms. Grace Kim of Blooming Ridgefield who provides many of the beautiful flower arrangements at the temple. Please visit her site at http://bloomingridgefield.com/ .

A big thank you to Eduardo and Aaron leading the Dharma talks on Wednesday night at Dae Yen Sa. Also thanks to Robin for the Thursday night Yoga class!



Please consider donating to the temple!

Your assistance, no matter what amount, is greatly appreciated!


19 Kinsey Road
New Hartford, CT 06057
Telephone: (860) 489-3254
Cell: (860) 459-6255
Fax: (860) 489-5760

Donations greatly appreciated!

VISIT DAE YEN SA ON FACEBOOK!


Mission Statement:


Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center is a non-profit religious organization serving the spiritual needs of a diverse and dedicated community of lay practitioners. We offer instruction and participation in Buddhist religion, meditation forms, devotional chanting and worship, dharma principles and practices, yoga and other relevant programs. We welcome all who seek enlightenment of mind and freedom from suffering caused by human greed, hatred and delusion.


Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) religious organization. Charitable contributions are tax exempt. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Namu.



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

2011 March Announcements


2011 March Announcements


Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center



Photobucket


The Temple Lion in the Snow

There is apparently some time left to visit the temple with some beautiful snow cover!




Temple merchandise is now available including the WHO ARE YOU t-shirt!




Contents:

1. Events and Announcements
2. Dharma School Series
3. Buddha Thought
4. Schedule Reminders
5. Dae Yen Sa Video
6. Volunteers




EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Thank you to everyone attending Buddha's Nirvana Day Celebration on
Saturday, March 19, 2011!



Special Request

Please help Dae Yen Sa Temple!

The temple needs help from sangha members and friends to pay their tax bill. Please make a donation, no matter how small or large, to Dae Yen Sa. Your donations will be a great assistance!

Make checks to mail or bring to:

Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple
19 Kinsey Road
New Hartford, CT 06057

Contact: Sue Yen Sunim






Wednesday evening dharma school!

This course is provided for free, donations in support of temple efforts are welcome and appreciated.


Chanting & Meditation 7 pm - 7:45 pm

Dae Yen Sa Dharma School 7:45 pm - 8:30 pm

Individuals of all paths and beliefs are welcome; the only requirement is an open heart and mind. Dharma study is free; donations supporting temple efforts are appreciated.

The two lojong slogans we will study this week are:

1. When the world is filled with evil, transform all mishaps into the path of Bodhi (Enlightenment).

2. All dharma agrees at one point.

These slogans carry much value in combination because the first points to using the unfavorable circumstances we encounter as the fuel for our progress, and the second reminds us that it's not about us. This puts us squarely on the path of the Bodhisattva and in service to the liberation of all beings.

Let's walk this path together, sharing the universal Buddha-wisdom Pema Chodron conveys so well. If you're jumping in for the first time, the book we are studying is Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living (available at major booksellers).

Namu.

Please come on Wednesdays, at 7PM for meditation, tonglen practice, shared reading and discussion (plus a fruit party!).


Note: A few brand-new copies of the book are available at the temple for the same price you would pay at a major online bookseller (around $11), or used copies can be found at online booksellers for as little as $2 or less (plus shipping):

Please bring a friend or family member as the group and topic are suited to bringing us closer together -- in our humanity and our community. We are so fortunate to be able to share in this wisdom together.


Please also watch for email announcements for cancellations due to weather and enjoy your snow shoveling meditations.


Thanks and Namu!

Much Metta.





Buddhist Thought:

LOJONG

Buddha at Gampo Abbey Seven Points of Training the Mind:
The Root Text

Translated by the Nalanda Translation Committee under the direction of Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche.

ONE: The preliminaries, which are the basis for dharma practice

1. First, train in the preliminaries.


TWO: The main practice, which is training
in bodhicitta

2. Absolute Bodhicitta Regard all dharmas as dreams.
3. Examine the nature of unborn awareness.
4. Self-liberate even the antidote.
5. Rest in the nature of alaya, the essence.
6. In postmeditation, be a child of illusion.

7. Relative Bodhicitta Sending and taking should be practiced alternately. These two should ride
the breath.
8. Three objects, three poisons, three roots of virtue.
9. In all activities, train with slogans.
10. Begin the sequence of sending and taking with yourself.


Read more: http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/lojong3.php







Schedule Reminders!

Wednesday Dharma School
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Meditation and Dharma Study

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 throughout the year. Contact the temple to find out about upcoming retreat days, schedules, and activities for those days. Watch the newsletter for announcements!




Dae Yen Sa Video


Pema Chodron "Good Medicine"

Pema Chodron shares more information on tonglen practice.



Support your local temple and meditation center!


A special thanks goes out to volunteers and supporters of the temple!

There are many ways to support your temple including donations. If you have something special to contribute, please let us know!


Volunteer Your Skills!

Assistance with preparations 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. Thank you to all the people who make the wonderful experience at the temple possible for everyone!




Participate in beneficial shopping!

The temple now has available a selection of great merchandise! Please stop by to purchase a temple t-shirt or the favorite "WHO AM I?" koan t-shirt


Offer a talk or workshop!

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.



Photobucket


Buy a special book!

Aerim Kim, the author of this lovely book of poetry is a frequent visitor at Dae Yen Sa Temple. Her poetry style is free, fresh, heartfelt, and full of a joyful sparkle of emotion. The late Zen Master Seung Shang described Aerim's poetry as "zen poems".

The Kim's have supplied the temple with many copies of this book in order to help support the printing needs of the temple. Please contact Sue Yen Sunim to purchase copies of the book for your personal library. You can help build an important network! Please let the temple and the Kim's know of any valuable networking connections to continue keeping this wonderful book in the public's eyes and hearts!

Dae Yen Sa plans on binding several of their prayer books together into one volume for members to use during prayer and ceremonies.


Special Mentions!

A very special thanks goes out to Ms. Grace Kim of Blooming Ridgefield who provides many of the beautiful flower arrangements at the temple. Please visit her site at http://bloomingridgefield.com/ .

A big thank you to Eduardo and Aaron leading the Dharma talks on Wednesday night at Dae Yen Sa. Also thanks to Robin for the Thursday night Yoga class!



Please consider donating to the temple!

Your assistance, no matter what amount, is greatly appreciated!


19 Kinsey Road
New Hartford, CT 06057
Telephone: (860) 489-3254
Cell: (860) 459-6255
Fax: (860) 489-5760

Donations greatly appreciated!

VISIT DAE YEN SA ON FACEBOOK!


Mission Statement:


Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center is a non-profit religious organization serving the spiritual needs of a diverse and dedicated community of lay practitioners. We offer instruction and participation in Buddhist religion, meditation forms, devotional chanting and worship, dharma principles and practices, yoga and other relevant programs. We welcome all who seek enlightenment of mind and freedom from suffering caused by human greed, hatred and delusion.


Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) religious organization. Charitable contributions are tax exempt. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Namu,

Monday, March 14, 2011

2011 March Announcements


2011 March Announcements


Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center



Photobucket


One of Sue Yen Sunim's spiritual paintings of Kwan Yin.

Paintings of Kwan Yin depict her in many forms, each revealing a unique aspect of her merciful and compassionate being.




Temple merchandise is now available including the WHO ARE YOU t-shirt!




Contents:

1. Events and Announcements
2. Dharma School Series
3. Buddha Thought
4. Schedule Reminders
5. Dae Yen Sa Video
6. Volunteers




EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS!


March Event again this weekend! YOU ARE INVITED!

DAE YEN SAINTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST TEMPLE AND MEDITATION CENTER

Buddha's Nirvana Day Celebration
Saturday, March 19, 2011

Nirvana Day is a Mahayana Buddhist Holiday celebrating the day in which Buddha is said to have achieved complete nirvana upon death of his body. The celebration is a time for considering one's own mortality, as well as, that others and is a reflection on impermanence.

9-10am Qi Gong
10-10:10am Tea Break
10:10-11am Meditation
11-11:30am Chanting
11:30am Vegetarian Lunch





Thank you to everyone who attended Buddhist Practices for Practicing Christians presented by Sue Yen Sunim and Eduardo Barrios last weekend!






Congratulations to Sangha member Aerim Kim, chosen as a semifinalist for Brides Magazine's competition called Operation Dream Dress!

http://www.facebook.com/l/4e6e1SjEX2EwfacTRXYoinZpthQ/www.operationdreamdress.com/aerim-kim

Click the link to see her dress design! You can vote once everyday until Monday, March 21st to help her make it into the top ten!

www.operationdreamdress.com

Cast your vote for America's Most Beautiful Wedding Dress!





Special Request

Please help Dae Yen Sa Temple!

The temple needs help from sangha members and friends to pay their tax bill. Please make a donation, no matter how small or large, to Dae Yen Sa. Your donations will be a great assistance!

Make checks to mail or bring to:

Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple
19 Kinsey Road
New Hartford, CT 06057

Contact: Sue Yen Sunim






Wednesday evening dharma school!

This course is provided for free, donations in support of temple efforts are welcome and appreciated.


Chanting & Meditation 7 pm - 7:45 pm

Dae Yen Sa Dharma School 7:45 pm - 8:30 pm

Individuals of all paths and beliefs are welcome; the only requirement is an open heart and mind. Dharma study is free; donations supporting temple efforts are appreciated.

Last week we learned how viewing our poisons as medicine can actually help awaken our heart. An awakened heart is the source of real compassion. If our tender heart is buried under our cravings, fears and ignorance, we cannot ignite true healing compassion for ourselves and others.

This week Pema teaches that beyond viewing our poisons as medicines, we should view all the messy stuff in our lives and psyches the stuff we might be tempted to use as excuses for not starting a serious practice of compassion as the ideal fodder for starting such a practice.

Start where you are, says Pema, in both the title of the book and the chapter heading. This is very important. Tonglen practice (and all meditation practice) is not about later, when you get it all together and you're this person you really respect. You may be the most violent person in the world that's a fine place to start. That's a very rich place to start juicy, smelly. You might be the most depressed person in the world, the most addicted person in the world, the most jealous person in the world. You might think that there are no others on the planet who hate themselves as much as you do. All of that is a good place to start. Just where you are that's the place to start.

Of course, if you feel pretty sure you have things in good shape and have more or less vanquished your poisons long ago, this too is a good place to start. Feel your reaction when you imagine surviving a tsunami, but losing everything you own your home, your whole town, your car and perhaps even a loved one.


What are our attachments? What are the things we resist? How do those things hold us back from real compassionate action? When we embrace deep looking we may find things we have long refused to see. We need to put in real effort, but gentle effort. Then we can put ourselves on the path of the bodhisattva, opening our hearts in service to all beings.

Please come this Wednesday, March 14th at 7PM for meditation, tonglen practice, shared reading and discussion (plus a fruit party!).


Note: A few brand-new copies of the book are available at the temple for the same price you would pay at a major online bookseller (around $11), or used copies can be found at online booksellers for as little as $2 or less (plus shipping):

Please bring a friend or family member as the group and topic are suited to bringing us closer together -- in our humanity and our community. We are so fortunate to be able to share in this wisdom together.


Please also watch for email announcements for cancellations due to weather and enjoy your snow shoveling meditations.


Thanks and Namu!

Much Metta.





Buddhist Thought:

Tonglen is a Practice and a Way of Life

Traditionally, we begin by doing Tonglen for someone we care about. However, we can use this practice at any time, either for ourselves or others. Tonglen can be done for those who are ill, those who are dying or have just died, or for those that are in pain of any kind. Tonglen can be done either as a formal meditation practice or right on the spot at any time. For example, if we encounter someone in pain, right on the spot we can begin to breathe in their pain and send out some relief. At any time, when we encounter our own emotional discomfort or suffering, or that of others, we open our heart and fully embrace what we are encountering on our in-breath. Breathing out, we offer the heartfelt radiance of acceptance, loving-kindness, and compassion. This is a practice and a way of life.


Read more: http://www.naljorprisondharmaservice.org/pdf/Tonglen.htm







Schedule Reminders!

Wednesday Dharma School
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Meditation and Dharma Study

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 throughout the year. Contact the temple to find out about upcoming retreat days, schedules, and activities for those days. Watch the newsletter for announcements!




Dae Yen Sa Video


Pema Chodron "Tong Lin"

Pema Chodron speaks about how she became a Buddhist. "I hated my husband..." Watch this great clip to hear her entire explanation.



Support your local temple and meditation center!


A special thanks goes out to volunteers and supporters of the temple!

There are many ways to support your temple including donations. If you have something special to contribute, please let us know!


Volunteer Your Skills!

Assistance with preparations 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. Thank you to all the people who make the wonderful experience at the temple possible for everyone!




Participate in beneficial shopping!

The temple now has available a selection of great merchandise! Please stop by to purchase a temple t-shirt or the favorite "WHO AM I?" koan t-shirt


Offer a talk or workshop!

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.



Photobucket


Buy a special book!

Aerim Kim, the author of this lovely book of poetry is a frequent visitor at Dae Yen Sa Temple. Her poetry style is free, fresh, heartfelt, and full of a joyful sparkle of emotion. The late Zen Master Seung Shang described Aerim's poetry as "zen poems".

The Kim's have supplied the temple with many copies of this book in order to help support the printing needs of the temple. Please contact Sue Yen Sunim to purchase copies of the book for your personal library. You can help build an important network! Please let the temple and the Kim's know of any valuable networking connections to continue keeping this wonderful book in the public's eyes and hearts!

Dae Yen Sa plans on binding several of their prayer books together into one volume for members to use during prayer and ceremonies.


Special Mentions!

A very special thanks goes out to Ms. Grace Kim of Blooming Ridgefield who provides many of the beautiful flower arrangements at the temple. Please visit her site at http://bloomingridgefield.com/ .

A big thank you to Eduardo and Aaron leading the Dharma talks on Wednesday night at Dae Yen Sa. Also thanks to Robin for the Thursday night Yoga class!



Please consider donating to the temple!

Your assistance, no matter what amount, is greatly appreciated!


19 Kinsey Road
New Hartford, CT 06057
Telephone: (860) 489-3254
Cell: (860) 459-6255
Fax: (860) 489-5760

Donations greatly appreciated!

VISIT DAE YEN SA ON FACEBOOK!


Mission Statement:


Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center is a non-profit religious organization serving the spiritual needs of a diverse and dedicated community of lay practitioners. We offer instruction and participation in Buddhist religion, meditation forms, devotional chanting and worship, dharma principles and practices, yoga and other relevant programs. We welcome all who seek enlightenment of mind and freedom from suffering caused by human greed, hatred and delusion.


Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) religious organization. Charitable contributions are tax exempt. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Namu,

Monday, March 7, 2011

2011 March Announcements



2011 March Announcements

Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center


Photobucket

Sue Yen Sunim's spiritual paintings.

Temple merchandise is now available including the WHO ARE YOU t-shirt!




Contents:

1. Events and Announcements
2. Dharma School Series
3. Buddha Thought
4. Schedule Reminders
5. Dae Yen Sa Video
6. Volunteers




EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS!


March Event this weekend!

Buddhist Practices for Practicing Christians presented by Sue Yen Sunim and Eduardo Barrios! This event is held at the Spiritual Life Center in West Hartford.



http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk150/Sheiladae/Brochures/practicing.jpg
Link to the brochure above.



A Path of True Love
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk150/Sheiladae/2011%20February%20True%20Love/?albumview=slideshow

Click the link to see photos from the True Love retreat day!


Special Request

Please help Dae Yen Sa Temple!

The temple needs help from sangha members and friends to pay their tax bill. Please make a donation, no matter how small or large, to Dae Yen Sa. Your donations will be a great assistance!

Make checks to mail or bring to:

Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple
19 Kinsey Road
New Hartford, CT 06057

Contact: Sue Yen Sunim






Wednesday evening dharma school!

This course is provided for free, donations in support of temple efforts are welcome and appreciated.


Chanting & Meditation 7 pm - 7:45 pm

Dae Yen Sa Dharma School 7:45 pm - 8:30 pm

Individuals of all paths and beliefs are welcome; the only requirement is an open heart and mind. Dharma study is free; donations supporting temple efforts are appreciated.

Last week we began our study of Pema Chodron's modern classic, Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living. Her book is a warmhearted guide to the powerful Tibetan Buddhist practice called "Tonglen," an engaged meditation for generating compassion for ourselves and others. The first class was a great introduction to the book and the subject, and the group shared beautifully in the teachings. All are invited to join at any time as we dig more deeply into the teachings and practices, and there's no obligation or expectation to attend all classes or even regularly; just come when you can!

Please come this Wednesday, February 16 at 7PM for meditation, tonglen practice, shared reading and discussion (plus a fruit party!).

We've covered the first four chapters Pema Chodron's book, Start Where You Are, but as the title suggests, anyone can join in at any time. Individuals of all paths and beliefs are invited and welcome to shareÂ\ the Buddha's wisdom. Please come at 7 PM on Wednesday, March 9 for meditation, shared reading and discussion.

This week is an especially good entry point because the first four chapters covered absolute truth and absolute bodhichitta, creating a theoretical foundation for the practical teachings on awakening compassion. That's what we're diving into this week: the messy stuff of our relative and personal world that tends to obscure reality. That messy stuff is called klesha, or poison, and there are three big ones in Buddhism: passion, aggression and ignorance (synonymously phrased as "craving, aversion and couldn't-care-less," or "greed, hatred and delusion," or "desire, ill-will and denial" -- you can take your pick, mix-and-match what works for you).
Chapter 5 is titled "Poison as Medicine," and Pema shows how the messy stuff that throws us off track is actually the seed material for awakening compassion -- for ourselves and everyone. If we can become aware of our attractions, antipathies and apathies, we can then touch and feel what's underneath: what Pema calls the "soft spot" that is our wounded heart. Touching the truth buried under the drama is bodhichitta in practice. That is, by acknowledging our poisons we use them as medicine for reaching and awakening our heart. Genuine compassion is waiting there in healing abundance, and we can begin to apply it with wisdom to our wounds and the wounds of those around us.

As a side note, "compassion" is formed from Latin roots meaning "to suffer with." The all-important word "with" is all about connection, so when we have compassion, we need to be connecting -- on a deep and meaningful level -- with ourselves and/or others. Compassion speaks with not so many words: we need to listen, watch, feel and just "be with" (and be okay with "being with") the unpleasantness. It is a deep, selfless and loving practice.
Please bring a friend or family member as the group and topic are suited to bringing us closer together -- in our humanity and our community. We are so fortunate to be able to share in this wisdom together.

There is no cost to attend dharma study at Dae Yen Sa, but donations are appreciated more than ever in this time of increased need. Thank you for your fellowship, generosity and sharing the Path together!


Note: A few brand-new copies of the book are available at the temple for the same price you would pay at a major online bookseller (around $11), or used copies can be found at online booksellers for as little as $2 or less (plus shipping):

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qisbn=9780877738800&qwork=6313152&keyword=start+where+you+are&qsort=p&matches=15&cm_sp=works*edition*buyused
Please bring a friend or family member as the group and topic are suited to bringing us closer together -- in our humanity and our community. We are so fortunate to be able to share in this wisdom together.


Please also watch for email announcements for cancellations due to weather and enjoy your snow shoveling meditations.


Thanks and Namu!

Much Metta.





Buddhist Thought:

If we were to make a list of people we don't like--people we find obnoxious, threatening, or worthy of contempt--we would find out a lot about those aspects of ourselves that we can't face. If we were to come up with one word about each of the troublemakers in our lives, we would find ourselves with a list of descriptions of our own rejected qualities, which we project onto the outside world. In traditional teachings on lojong it is put another way: other people trigger the karma that we haven't worked out. They mirror us and give us the chance to befriend all of that ancient stuff that we carry around like a backpack full of granite boulders.

From Start Where You Are by Pema Chodrom







Schedule Reminders!

Wednesday Dharma School
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Meditation and Dharma Study

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 throughout the year. Contact the temple to find out about upcoming retreat days, schedules, and activities for those days. Watch the newsletter for announcements!




Dae Yen Sa Video


Pema Chodron "Tong Lin"

Pema Chodron presents the Tong Lin meditation process.



Support your local temple and meditation center!


A special thanks goes out to volunteers and supporters of the temple!

There are many ways to support your temple including donations. If you have something special to contribute, please let us know!


Volunteer Your Skills!

Assistance with preparations 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. Thank you to all the people who make the wonderful experience at the temple possible for everyone!




Participate in beneficial shopping!

The temple now has available a selection of great merchandise! Please stop by to purchase a temple t-shirt or the favorite "WHO AM I?" koan t-shirt


Offer a talk or workshop!

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.



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Buy a special book!

Aerim Kim, the author of this lovely book of poetry is a frequent visitor at Dae Yen Sa Temple. Her poetry style is free, fresh, heartfelt, and full of a joyful sparkle of emotion. The late Zen Master Seung Shang described Aerim's poetry as "zen poems".

The Kim's have supplied the temple with many copies of this book in order to help support the printing needs of the temple. Please contact Sue Yen Sunim to purchase copies of the book for your personal library. You can help build an important network! Please let the temple and the Kim's know of any valuable networking connections to continue keeping this wonderful book in the public's eyes and hearts!

Dae Yen Sa plans on binding several of their prayer books together into one volume for members to use during prayer and ceremonies.


Special Mentions!

A very special thanks goes out to Ms. Grace Kim of Blooming Ridgefield who provides many of the beautiful flower arrangements at the temple. Please visit her site at http://bloomingridgefield.com/ .

A big thank you to Eduardo and Aaron leading the Dharma talks on Wednesday night at Dae Yen Sa. Also thanks to Robin for the Thursday night Yoga class!



Please consider donating to the temple!

Your assistance, no matter what amount, is greatly appreciated!


19 Kinsey Road
New Hartford, CT 06057
Telephone: (860) 489-3254
Cell: (860) 459-6255
Fax: (860) 489-5760

Donations greatly appreciated!

VISIT DAE YEN SA ON FACEBOOK!


Mission Statement:


Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center is a non-profit religious organization serving the spiritual needs of a diverse and dedicated community of lay practitioners. We offer instruction and participation in Buddhist religion, meditation forms, devotional chanting and worship, dharma principles and practices, yoga and other relevant programs. We welcome all who seek enlightenment of mind and freedom from suffering caused by human greed, hatred and delusion.


Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) religious organization. Charitable contributions are tax exempt. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Namu,