Sanghas — NewBuddhist

What does sangha and dharma mean?

Prayingmantis — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 16:56:13 +0000

I do not understand

is buddhists suppose to dress a different way in america

HollyRose1 — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:27:37 +0000

i heard we are suppose to make are self modest i try and i think i do dress modestly and i where my mala and buddha in pendent to be known but do i have to wear the robe and cut my hair

Sensei Kyogen Carlson has died.

how — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 18:47:17 +0000

Kyogen Carlson, abbot of the Dharma Rain Center in Portland passed away unexpectedly about 9am this morning (Thursday, September 18) from a massive heart attack.

My condolences to Gyokudo and his congregation for their loss.

In Gassho
Howard

Sangha in the South US

Vastmind — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:27:35 +0000

Just wanted to put an invitation out there..... There is a group of us that travels to a monastery here in the Southern US.

It's located in Batesville, MS. It's centrally between TN, MS and AR. It's in the Zen tradition and is a meditation practice center ran by TNH.

-- https://www.facebook.com/magnoliagrovemonastery

-- http://magnoliagrovemonastery.org/

We do day trips for mindfulness. We spend the day there. Thursdays or Sundays. We meet up at a local Temple and carpool from there....Usually takes about an hour to get there. Retreat info is on the website....but if your interested in the day trips with us...PM me! Here is the schedule example for Sundays...

5:30am- Sitting meditation & chanting
7:00am - Breakfast
8:30am- Walking meditation
9:45am- Dharma talk
11:30am- Precepts recitation (1st Sunday - The Five Mindfulness Training, 3rd Sunday - The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings)/ Dharma sharing (2nd, 4th, 5th Sundays)
1:00pm - Formal lunch in the Rising Tide Meditation Hall (2nd, 4th, 5th Sundays)

Lunch in the dining hall (1st and 3rd Sundays)
2:00pm - Total relaxation (if conditions are favorable )

Oh...there is also a retreat in Oct for people in 12 step programs....info is on the site....

Just let me know if your close enough to do the regular trips or a once in a while

Discourse on the Five Ways of Putting an End to Anger

Vastmind — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 02:12:51 +0000

Brought to you by the website of Zen Master TNH....

Intro:
When we read a sutra, we can ask ourselves, “What does this sutra have to do with my daily life?” or “How can apply this sutra to a difficulty I am facing right now?”

References to the texts’ conventional “location” in the Buddhist canon is provided at the end of each sutra.

Read:
Discourse on the Five Ways of Putting an End to Anger:
http://plumvillage.org/sutra/discourse-on-the-five-ways-of-putting-an-end-to-anger/

Portland Friends of the Dhamma Grand Opening

Jason — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 22:51:02 +0000

Portland Friends of the Dhamma Grand Opening

Belief and Faith in Buddhism

anataman — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:54:11 +0000

I am just throwing this out for light discussion. I have reached a stage on my personal path, where I can say that I have faith in the teachings of the buddha. Now, I'm not talking about all the dressing up and down and parleying that goes on, I'm talking about your personal investigation and the revealed insights gained from personal experience. Has your practice of meditation and understanding of dharma and doctrine as applied to your path held up in a way that makes your belief dissolve into unshakable faith. I have emphasised these words as they are not the same thing, and an educated person I was speaking to did not understand the difference until I pointed it out to them...

I know that some of you will have taken vows and precepts etc. so assume you have that faith, or am I wrong? Do you have reservations about aspects of buddhism?

Anybody in Boston (Waltham)? / Where are you?

conradcook — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:11:57 +0000

Do you have a meetup you go to regularly? C.

What have you done recently that made you feel alive!

anataman — Tue, 20 May 2014 14:40:32 +0000

I managed to complete my 103 mile cycle ride last Sunday around Kent, aka The Garden of England, and boy it may as well have been the garden of Eden the way it presented itself to me on a blistering sunny day. 7 hours of cycling, no I didn't count the revolutions of my peddles because the world was presenting itself to me in a most stunning way, riding past orchards, vineyards, sleepy villages, rivers and historic castles; I think there was everything there to make me glow with bliss. That was until I reached the 73 mile mark, when I stopped at a feeding station on the route and realised my legs had turned to jelly. So I ate a handful of jelly babies, and a few salted peanuts, a banana, a litre or 2 of water and boy weren't they delicious... Then off I rode again. Slept like a log, and woke up with my subtle body saying, you need to do a bit more training next time you do something like this again.

So the point is this - I am alive and right now I'm lucky enough to be enjoying it! Hopefully, most people don't have to go to such extremes, but have you had any experiences (and they don't have to be positive) you would care to share, that made you feel like you are alive?

Mantrayoga.

Citta — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 08:01:08 +0000

Thus have I heard.

The first and obvious use of mantras is simply as an object on which to focus, either as an alternative to the breath, or as practised by many, with the breath. An object that carries within it certain associations of a positive nature.

The less obvious reason is to do with the nature of language.

Buddhism inherited the use of Sanskrit as a vehicle to convey concepts.

In Higher Yoga Tantras, Sanskrit is seen as a meta-language

A language which underpins and explains language.

This also gives it an objective dimension, so that in some instances the Sanskrit term for a phenomenon is non-different from that phenomenon.

All Sanskrit mantras contain within themselves a Bija ( literally 'seed' ) mantram.

It is that Bija mantram ( mantraM is the singular ) which is non -different from that which it signifies.

So for example Hrih is the Bija contained within the mantram associated with Amitabha ( Amida ) Buddha. OM AMIDEVA HRIH

And HRIH is at the Dharmakaya level non -different from Amitabha.

An acceptance of all or any of this is not compulsory..but is entry level stuff for the practice of Higher Yoga Tantras, which start with Empowerment ( Wang in Tibetan ) by a bonefide teacher.

For further reading I recommend " The Foundations Of Tibetan Mysticism " by Lama Anagarika Govinda.

My jukai

Barra — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 14:56:12 +0000

Well we had our jukai ceremony on a sunny May 1, 2014.

For me to describe the ceremony, I need first to introduce you to my sangha. Our little group - the Middle Way sangha - is a Soto group, led by our teacher Wayne Codling, who traces his involvement to the very early days of the San Francisco Zen Centre in the early 70's, when he was the only Canadian there. He has maintained a diligent practice - as a monastic most of that time - and moved to Victoria BC a decade or so ago. He chose not to be ordained as a priest, preferring to be a low-ranked teacher, and as a teacher he focusses almost soley on meditation. We have dharma talks, but virtually none of the formalities of bowing, chanting, and prostrations. So it came as a surprise to him (and me) when twelve members of our group, unknown to each other, all made it known to him that we wanted to take vows. This started an interesting planning journey on "how to do it", given that we would have to have some other high official sanctify the event. After some emailing back and forth with an old friend, Soketsu Norman Fisher agreed to spend the day with us prior to going to Vancouver to lead a retreat the next weekend. Then we spent the better part of a year sewing our rakasus (the vestige of Buddha's robe, worn by Soto practitioners. We decided to preface the ceremony with a full day sesshin (retreat) and were joined by other friends from "overseas" (we live on an island) representing the Mountain Rain sangha in Vancouver, the Red Cedar sangha in Bellingham Washington, and the Saltspring Zen Circle (Dogen scholar Peter Leavitt). We chose to hold in in a lovely sun drenched side room of a local United Church, and did our kinhin (walking meditation) in the church's meditation garden. A couple of our members prepared meals for us, which were presented in a makeshift "orioki" style, using mismatched pastel crockery from the kitchen cupboards. The ceremony took place in the community meeting room next door, to which we walked single file, chanting, to find a room full of friends and familiy and camera flashbulbs going off. It was all very moving, ten creaky middle aged people nervously taking pinches of incense and figuring how to get upNow we open Buddha's robe/A fi to a standing position while holding our lineage charts carefully in our hands.

Now we start our Sunday sitting periods by putting our rakasu's on our heads while chanting the Robe Chant - Now we open Buddha's Robe/ A field far beyond form and emptiness/ The tathagata's teaching for all being.

Now we have taken our vows, and look at life slightly differently. Still starting from zero every day.

Enjoy the photos!
(you may have to click on the little photo icon to make it come up)

Death Of The Sharmapa.

Citta — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:18:47 +0000

The office of HH Karmapa Thaye Dorje has announced the death of H.E. Shamar Rinpoche.

He died today while conducting teachings in Germany.

He was a great advocate for Buddhadharma.

Condolences to his many students.

In memoriam

anataman — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 08:39:01 +0000

I reflected on the death of people I never knew today. I thought I would share some of the experience. Unfortunately I can't upload the images from my phone - I'll post later...

Jukai ceremony coming up!

Barra — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 06:04:12 +0000

I belong to a small but committed Soto Zen group in Victoria, British Columbia (Canada). Our teacher was a monk for 30 yrs at the SFZC. His preferred method of teaching is to concentrate on seated and walking meditation. We do not incorporate much of the formal Zen business of bowing and prostrations etc (though I wouldn't mind, myself. I like that stuff). So imagine our surprise earlier this year to learn that 11 members of our group had independently confided to our teacher that they would like to take vows! Me included! This is a first time occurrence for the group. So, in the time tested Zen tradition, armed with unintelligible instructions, along with video instruction from the world's most patient monk, we set about to sew our own rakasu's. As the most, no the only, experienced sewer in the group, I took on the role of sewing teacher. They are pretty much all done now, including the envelopes, which I enjoyed making so much that I made several for the most sewing-challenged in the group. We are now starting to plan the actual ceremony, which will take place in the spring, with Norman Fisher officiating. Looking for a venue, making lists of who to invite, arranging billets for out of towners........ I am becoming awe struck. This is starting to feel like a really big deal!

Mantra Overload

lobster — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 17:50:09 +0000

Just went to a local SGI (Nichiren Buddhism) center. After about ten minutes the NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO mantra that they gave me on a card, seemed to change. So I ended up chanting about five different mantras over the course of an hour and a half. Very informal. We sat on chairs, people checked their mobile phones before chanting and refreshed themselves with bottled water. Came and went as they pleased. Very loud speaker system. Nobody seemed to mind that I was chanting 'CONAN MERINGUE YIHA' . . . even after telling them. http://www.sgi.org/resource-center/video-and-audio/ Very varied group, no uniformed branch, mind quietening through sensory overload. Will go again sometime . . .

Transformation

anataman — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 00:33:15 +0000

Like Dr. Who, I tend to go through regenerative phases. Here Is the next one: The gift of giving and forgiving

Issue with finding a Sangha that fits??

Mr_MeSsD_uP — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 21:31:53 +0000

Sorry if I’m drudging through already well trodden ground, I’m new to this site so apologise for any repetition. My question involves a dilemma revolving around the importance of a physical Sangha. And more specifically the limitations of attending a Sangha that is not of my own tradition or even my understanding of the Buddhist doctrine. This is my first post so will go into a brief back story. I was pulled to the Buddhist path around 8 years ago. I became interested while living in Thailand, but it was when i came back to the UK that i started to really look into it and cultivate a practice. At first i naturally leant towards Thai Buddhism as this was my route into the world of the Dharma, but as time went on and the more i read and practiced, i left the Pali Canon behind in favour of Chinese Mahayana Buddhism; that’s not to say i see Theravada in anyway less authentic or significant, it’s just what works for me. It also sits more comfortably with my Animist beliefs but that is maybe for a later post. Anyway i would definitely say that my practice is based around Chinese Buddhism. More so lately though have i discovered the Avatamsaka Sutra and the Hua Yen school of Chinese Buddhism. This has really enriched my practice and my life in general. It has opened up a whole new outlook on Buddhism and has brought me a new fervour and determination. I have attended a few Sanghas in the past. Was involved with the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order for a little while, and have attended other meditation classes outside the Buddhist tradition. I now sometimes go to a Tibetan Kagya lineage dharma centre as it is the only Buddhist centre anywhere remotely near me. Apart from meeting some very nice people, regrettably i don’t feel that i get much from it. A lot of the practices used i have little understanding of and sometimes find it confusing and a little unnecessary. That again is not a criticism, just my personal understanding and preference. I see the importance of Sangha, and of having a teacher. But i don’t want to just attend a Buddhist centre for the sake of meeting other Buddhists or making friends which yes, is important but not the goal. I want to progress in my own practice as i understand it. Being of the Chinese Mahayana tradition and especially of the Hua Yen school finding a Sangha or a teacher is a practical impossibility in the UK. For some unknown reason Chinese Buddhism does not have anywhere near the same representation as its Japanese counterpart. Hua Yen as i can see it has no active centres in the west at all! I did manage to find a website for a centre in Ontario, Canada with some very useful information but it doesn’t seem to have been updated since 2008. Anyway i guess my post has 2 objectives...1) some advice on the Sangha issue in general. And 2) possibly an invitation for others interested in Chinese Buddhism and Hua Yen for discussion. Ive read through lots of the posts on this forum and there is a lot of wisdom expounded here :-) Thanks for reading.

The Trikaya - with a sense of humour

anataman — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 16:15:01 +0000

The Trikaya is a mahayana buddhist doctrine that proposes that each Buddha has three bodies:

The dharmakaya - Buddha in his/her transcendent form (the ultimate truth): e.g. compassionate empty awareness.

The sambogakaya - Buddha's body of bliss, or enjoyment body, enjoying the truth they embody.

The nirmanakaya - Buddhas earthly body - presumably you all have the body of a human being, so we know what that means right.

I want to explore this middle Kaya and would like to view your view of the sambogakaya.

Now since we all have buddha nature and are or will become buddhas, would anyone like to comment on the following:

What truth would you like to represent that would bring you eternal bliss and enjoyment, and how would you embody it.

It's just for fun remember... But if your sambogakaya is going to represent some heavy duty truth, feel free to let your hair down and hit us with it!

Buddhist Cave Temple photos

Vastmind — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 16:25:01 +0000

Beautiful pics! :) Anyone here been to any of them? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/15/buddhist-cave-temples_n_4775101.html

The 2015 Newbuddhist Cybersangha Retreat - Appearances from H.H. the Dalai Lama, Thich Naht Hahn...

anataman — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 16:34:19 +0000

On this unique 1 day Cyber-retreat. Amongst many world renowned authorities across all major traditions of buddhism, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will open the retreat with a short talk, and meditation on the essence of 'buddhism', live from dharamasala... Do you think there is even a slight possibility that something like this could be organised successfully? Who would you choose from your discipline to be included on the program. What would be the pitfalls of such a venture? How could they be overcome? Mettha

Padmasambhava Meditation Center - Grand Opening March 16, Denver, Colorado

tenzintsomo — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:58:11 +0000

The Padmasambhava Meditation Center is a non-profit organization founded and directed by the Venerable Chhoje Tulku Rinpoche. The center is dedicated to the study and practice of meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Rinpoche’s teachings focus on the realization of wisdom and compassion through meditation. With his invaluable guidance, students receive instruction specifically tailored to their needs. For more information go to www.padmasambhavameditationcenter.org

Western Sanghas need to be stronger and younger

shadowleaver — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 19:16:53 +0000

I am in my early 30's and have been practicing Zen with a Sangha for a couple of years. Overall, joining in took my practice to a whole new level, far beyond what I had before, when I was meditating alone and reading books. There is one aspect, however, that I feel is missing. The group has about 25-30 members that could be called the core. At this point I can probably be counted as one of them. There is also quite a bit of in and out traffic, especially on Beginner's nights: people get curious, come in a few times and then "disappear". There are also people who stick around for a few months and seem to show genuine interest in the Practice but then drop out nevertheless. I have to say that this transience has been getting to me (a funny thing for a Buddhist to say, I know ;) ). Now as far as the core group goes, I'd say two thirds to three quarters of the folks there are 50 years old and above. They are wonderful people and I've been inspired by a lot of them but, of course, there are generational concerns that are more relevent to them than to me and vice versa. I would be lying to myself if I didn't admit that such a difference of concerns creates a bit of a barrier. As far as the remaining younger quarter to third goes, I've found it not so easy get close to them. I've been trying to set up movie nights and hikes and that was somewhat successful. However, that often felt like an uphill battle: folks tend to be pretty busy with their personal and career lives and not all that interested in forming closer bonds with fellow practitioners. For the most part, the only folks I could "get" were either older or those who are "in between things", trying to figure out their lives. Once they did figure them out, they would become more and more involved in their new pursuit and drop "below the radar". Honestly, a big part of my motivation for joining a group was finding a circle of steady spiritual friends. Coming to a scheduled practice, having a few brief conversations and going home just doesn't quite meet that need. As a result, I feel pretty lonely at times. Now I understand that here in America it is notoriously difficult to make and keep deep, meaningful friendships and everyone, Buddhist or not, is infuenced by the same culture and pressures. But the loneliness feels real and I feel I need to somehow deal with it. To summarize, I am really talking about two things here. First, a stronger sense of a community within the Sangha in general and second, the apparent prevalence of the Baby Boomer generation (this second point is being vigorously discussed on various forums and blogs, by the way). Sangha is one of Three Jewels for a very good reason and I feel that at least in America it needs to be stronger and it needs grow with younger members. Without that, I am afraid that Western Buddhism can fall by the wayside as a fad of 60's and 70's. Can anyone relate to what I'm talking about? Any insights? Most importantly, any practical advice on strengthening and rejuvinating the Sangha? I don't want this to come across as a rant and am willing to put time and effort into addressing what I believe to be issues standing in the way of the Dharma in the West. I just don't know how.

Mantras. ?

buddhameme35 — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 23:12:01 +0000

as a practing Buddhist should i be reciting Mantras... If so which ones do i do? Also what's the difference between ganesha mantra and Buddhist Mantras?

Is there any merit to supporting Buddhist owned businesses?

matthewmartin — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 16:15:42 +0000

Wasn't sure where to put this question. No "upasaka" category. The idea occurred to me when I saw that the auto mechanic today is SE Asian & had a picture of a king & a monk on the wall. (I'm guessing Thai, but I suck at identifying SE Asian scripts)

Memphis area - sangha meetup

riverflow — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:41:09 +0000

Just to put this out there--perhaps also for lurkers out there... There is a small sangha -- of only three! -- that would be nice to have, well, more than just three. So I'd like to invite anyone to come, please. It is in the Thich Nhat Hahn tradition and meets every Thursday night at 6 pm and lasts about an hour. We meet at Quan Am Monastery at 3500 S. Goodlett St. in Memphis, Tennessee If you are interested, contact me here and I can give you an email address--someone you can contact just in case the Thursday night meeting ever gets cancelled (and you can be on a mailing list for any cancellations should something arise). Just FYI...

Upasika Day in White Salmon

Jason — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 08:47:02 +0000

Upasika Day in White Salmon

Any last minute advice?

misterCope — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 07:31:44 +0000

I've mentioned this here before, but people come and go and opinions change, so I thought I'd ask again since the time is fast approaching... This coming Tuesday, I will be assembling a meditation group on my university campus. This is turning out to be quite a successful endeavor; the university has provided us with a room to use, which we are sharing with the Muslim community (who had nowhere to pray on campus before), and anyone else who'd like to use it. So, my question is simply: any suggestions or advice? Especially for a first meeting?

Finding a teacher

Bunks — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 03:17:14 +0000

Once you have identified someone who you wish to be your buddhist teacher, is it tradition to formally ask them if they will be your teacher?

Are there any beginners in North East Pa?

JohnG — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 04:06:26 +0000

So, after all this time, and finding very little, are there any here near the Pocono Mountains of North East Pa., interested in a meet up?

FYI: Thich Nhat Hanh in Mississippi in Sep 2013

riverflow — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:57:25 +0000

!!!! FYI:

We are happy to let you know that there will be a Day of Mindfulness at Magnolia Grove Monastery on Sunday, September 29th, 2013. Our teacher Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and about 80 monks and nuns from Plum Village, Deer Park & Blue Cliff Monasteries will be present. It will also be the last day of our 5-day retreat “Healing Yourself is Healing the World” (from September 24th to September 9th), so about 900 retreatants will also already be at the monastery. It will be a great opportunity for us to practice Mindfulness together. The powerful collective energy of the community will be healing and transformative for every one of us. Please do your best to attend this special day. Please bring your family and friends with you, too. In order for the monastery to better welcome our friends coming for the day, we kindly ask you to make make a small donation of $50.00 or more (per adult), $30 or more (per child 6-18 year old), to help us with these preparations. There will be a special program for children over 6 year old. Dormitory and camping spaces are only available to friends who participate the whole retreat; therefore, we cannot accommodate friends who wish to spend Saturday night at the monastery.

There's no way I can do the whole retreat (Sep 24-29), but THIS (just the 29th) is very do-able for me. @Vastminds , you may be very interested -- and others perhaps...? More info and registration HERE: http://pvretreats.org/magnolia/index.php/en/

Ajahn Gavesako disrobes after 38 years.

jll — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 15:32:47 +0000

I just found out about this recently. It came as a shock to me. He was 1 of the foreign disciples of ajahn chah. In my mind, he must have attained high levels of meditation. To think that he gave it all up is , i am lost for words. http://nationmultimedia.com/national/Popular-monk-returns-to-Japan-30208021.html

Toni Packer

riverflow — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 01:17:43 +0000

Just a little news: Toni Packer died at 7:15 PM US eastern time this evening.

Starting a meditation group, any suggestions?

misterCope — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 20:42:03 +0000

Hello! I posted this in the meditation forum, but perhaps it belongs here... I've read quite a lot about the benefits of meditating with a group (community being one of the three jewels and all), but I've not had the opportunity to do so. The meditation groups available to me are either unattendable due to time constraints or too distant. So, I am considering starting an informal meditation group at my university. I do not plan to teach in any way, as I am certainly not qualified for that. I hope to find some like-minded people and a space we can use and see where it takes us. I am wondering if any of you may be able to provide any ideas or suggestions. Perhaps there is a book or video or audio recording that could be useful for my situation? I'd love some "keep in mind"s and a few "be sure to avoid"s. This is uncharted territory for me, so I will be extremely grateful for any and all advice provided. Thank you so much for your time, Matthew

Sitting Group - St. Joseph Missouri - Googlebait

kickapoo — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 23:28:53 +0000

Pardon me, but I am crafting this thread as Googlebait. I live too far from KCMO to make the regular Sangas that are offered there. My hope is that others may Google my St. Joseph, Missouri location and one of many Buddhisms terms like I did when looking for local Buddhists. I found one "kinda a buddhist'

If you find this post please send me a PM and let's get something going. It's lonley out here.

Buddhism, Gautama Buddha, Sarnath, Buddha Dharma, awakened one, religion, Gotama Buddha, India, Theravāda, Sthaviravāda, Mahāyāna, Vajrayāna, Buddhists, Sangha, Buddha, Bodhi, Awakening, Enlightenment, existence, suffering, Nirvana, Nirodha, Four Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path, Gautama, Dependent Origination, The Five Aggregates of Attachment, Karma, Middle Way, Refuge in The Three Jewels, Prajñā, Siddhārtha, asceticism, Bodhi tree, parinirvana, Kushinagara, Dharmacakra. Samsara, Sanskrit, pali, Bodhisattva, Meditation, extinguishment of all desire, Arhat, Shakyamuni, The Buddha, The Dharma, The Sangha, the Conch Shell, the Lotus, the Wheel,the Parasol, the Endless Knot, the Pair of Golden Fishes,the Banner Proclaiming Victory,
the Treasure Vase

St. Joe Mo, Midland empire, joe town, buchanan county, northwest missouri, mo, Doniphan County, troy, savannah, KQ2

Go Googlebots!:thumbsup:

tripped right over a Sangha !

Foruilive — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 16:54:29 +0000

...and it didn't even hurt....link by link, I think, I think, two blocks away...LOL. I guess it's time...I think I'll cry, and I know why. they're tears for fears...I have plunged up, lunged up, link by link. nerves do serve...okay I'll stop rhyming...bly-me!

Sanghas and meditation retreats

Inc88 — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:05:06 +0000

Hello everyone, I wanted to post on here because after looking on the net for a Theravada sangha and/or a vipassana meditation retreat near where I live (southern new jersey) i've come up empty handed. So I wanted to ask everyone here if they knew of anywhere relatively nearby that I might have missed in my search.

Local group could use a helping hand

Jason — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 01:21:22 +0000

Calling all kalayana-mittas! Portland Friends of the Dhamma (PFoD) is at a critical juncture in their 13-year history and needs all the support they can get. For those who may be unfamiliar with PFoD, it's a nonprofit lay-group/Buddhist centre affiliated with Abhayagiri Monastery and the Thai Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah located in Portland, Oregon. They hosts a number of regular, weekly sitting and study groups, and act as a venue for visiting monastics to teach. PFoD was also instrumental in helping to establish the Pacific Hermitage. Since it's inception, PFoD has been a growing beacon of Dhamma in the Pacific Northwest, operating largely on a shoe-string budget. Recently, however, PFoD had to move out of their long-time location because the building they've been renting space in for the last 8 years was sold. Currently, they're renting out space at the Dharma Rain Zen Center (DRZC). Unfortunately, this building is also being sold as the Zen Center is going to be moving into a newly constructed building at the beginning of 2014, and it seems there's already a prospective buyer (a neighbor) eager to swoop it up as we speak. The board of directors just wants it sold ASAP; but the abbot, Kyogen Carlson, would really like PFoD to purchase the property and keep it a dharma centre and is willing to fight to try and get the board to sell the property to the PFoD community. And PFoD does need a new (and more permanent) home. It seems like a match made in heaven. The only problem is, PFoD doesn't quite have the financial backing to attempt to make an offer or apply for mortgage at this point. The PFoD community has been discussing the idea of purchasing the building for the last few weeks now, and with the news that another buyer is already in the running, they've decided that while it's a long shot, they shouldn't let this potential opportunity go by without at least making an attempt. As it stands, they have an extremely short window to raise enough monthly commitments (kind of like public radio's 'sustaining circle') and donations to go to the DRZC's board, make an offer, and try to make this beautiful space their new home. To help them achieve this goal, they held a special daylong event Saturday, attended by Ajahn Pasanno and the Pacific Hermitage monastics, to act as a kind of benefit and/or fundraiser to help solidify the level of financial support needed for PFoD events and to see if they can really make this seemingly perfect facility their new home. They've already got about 50% of what they estimate they'd need a month to make this work, as well as a few sizable contributions towards a down payment if they make it past the first hurdle, but they could use a lot more help. Obviously, this is mainly directed towards anyone in or near the Portland area who personally benefits (or could benefit) from having a space to practice in and a community to practice with; but I'm sure any support would be appreciated immensely. If anyone reading this happens to feel inspired to donate anything they can, no matter how little, towards this cause, or would like more information about the specifics (e.g., finances, estimates, etc.), I urge you to contact PFoD ASAP.

Venerable Phuntsok - NYC

rivercane — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:20:17 +0000

Hi all, this is my very first post here on New Buddhist. I was wondering if anyone has ever attended the meditations and dharma talks given by Ven Phuntsok in New York City and if so what were your impressions? Is anyone here a student of his? I only listen to the podcasts since I live over 2,000 miles away and am unable to attend but I can honestly say that it has been life changing for me. I've had an interest in Buddhism for a very long time and had made some progress in meditation before discovering him on iTunes but I experienced a major breakthrough just by listening to the podcasts. There's something about the meditation technique he teaches - it's different then anything I had encountered before and I find it extremely powerful. Through his dharma talks, I have also been able to make progress in understanding advanced topics such as emptiness and dependent origination. Once I finally "got it", it changed the way I think and my view of the world. I have only visited NYC once, many years ago, and if I have the opportunity to go back I would love to visit his sangha. If it were possible, I would like to actually move there just to become a student of his. Please share your thoughts and feelings if you have experienced his teachings, even if just through the podcasts (technology is amazing) and the effect he has had on you. Thanks, and it is good to be here.

Great Youtube channel for zen buddhism

alexwilliam — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 05:09:08 +0000

Hey my first post as a user here i've been following this great zen community on youtube thought i would share the videos if you have not yet discovered them. :) http://www.youtube.com/user/emptygatezen?feature=watch

Struggling to find a sangha in Flagstaff, AZ

ericcris10sen — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:37:33 +0000

Hey, I've looked through multiple discussions on here, along with people giving sites that show you different temples or sanghas in the area. But the issue is that where I live, there's only like 1 or 2 that are listed here, and one doesn't seem to be very active (in responding to emails or their website) and the one that seems active, has their activities on days that I work. I also agree with other people that having a Sangha in your immediate area, or in an area you can drive to, helps out immensely. I do what I can, i.e. meditate almost every day, read up on Buddhism and whatnot, but like someone said, there are some things that you can't read or understand fully unless you're with a Sangha or someone who knows a lot and can answer your questions and go in-depth. As much as I like this online-'sangha', I just don't feel like I did when I was face to face, and with other people in a group, meditating, and gaining more information and understanding, over in California (where I was living). For those who have been in this predicament, what have you done, or found that works? I'll continue to use this site, because well, you're the only Sangha I have, to be honest.

Alienation.

Citta — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 05:03:18 +0000

Some people live in isolated places. They have little choice but to practice without much 'meat world' contact with others. Others though have a built in aversion to being around other practitioners. They want to protect their own views and habits. They think that no one else comes up to scratch and they want to play sheriff. Or they feel inadequate and think that their inexperience will make them seem foolish. I think those feelings should be resisted. Traditionally the Buddha left THREE Jewels..Buddha Dharma and Sangha , and the last is not least. I dont think online Sangha counts...useful though it is. The danger in the absence of Sangha is alienation. It happens. The internet is littered with the evidence.

I can't find a List of Buddhist Teachers

buddhistok — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:50:35 +0000

I saw a very extensive and long list of Buddhist teachers, all over the world (or at least all over the US), on the net a few weeks back, I thought I bookmarked it but I can't find it anywhere. If anyone knows where I can find this list please let me know. I don't think this was a list of Sanghas exactly, it was more a list of teachers, which is what I'm looking for.

Wayward teachers, Gurus, cults

Patr — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:38:40 +0000

"When teachers break the precepts, behaving in ways that are clearly damaging to themselves and others, students must face the situation, even though this can be challenging, criticize openly, that's the only way." His Holiness the Dalai Lama But not the easy way.... http://viewonbuddhism.org/controversy-controversial-teacher-group-center-questionable.html :) :) Read and enjoy..!!

Temple finder

Justin — Thu, 13 Jan 2005 16:56:51 +0000

I have never seen a temple anywhere near Atlanta. Is there a good resource for finding one?

I've quit my job and I'm going to be a monk.

BhanteLucky — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:55:46 +0000

Yes, I have taken the plunge and done it. I finish work in two weeks, then off to the monastery to begin training/monastic life/the grand experiment/a big mistake/who knows what! The first few months I'll be wearing normal clothes. Then I'll apply to be an Anagarika, (pure white clothes!?... lots of bleach in with the laundry) which is basically a year-long try-it-out period before I ask to be ordained as a novice monk and get the pretty saffron robes. Then... who knows. Most western monks return to lay-life after a few years / a few decades... but... I will take it one day at a time, as someone wisely suggested to me. It's at Bodhinyana Monastery in Western Australia, and the famous Ajahn Brahm is the abbot there. I'm not going there because of him, but rather because it is the biggest Theravadan monastery in Australasia. There is an excellent community of about 20 monks there, and a good sangha is really important for a newbie to learn from. There are also monks with very different approaches to being monks; some are scholar monks, meditation monks, work monks, teaching monks,etc. There are eccentric men there, and also quite normal level-headed types. So there is tremendous potential for learning different aspects of the life from different style monks. It's also quite a progressive monastery, with the consequence that this monastery has been expelled from the Wat Pah Pong association of monasteries, for ordaining women as nuns. The monastery and Ajahn Brahm is still a firm member of the Forest Sangha however. A fair price to pay, I say, for dragging a chauvinistic sect into the 21st century... or for returning the sangha to the way it was a thousand and more years ago – a double sangha of both monks and nuns. Anyway, it's awesome. I'm not jumping into this blind, by the way, this isn't some sudden idea I've had. I have stayed as a guest for 6 months at a monastery in New Zealand, have lived at a meditation centre for 6 months or so, and have done a good amount of meditation, so I know roughly what I might expect. I've been working to pay off my debts ( can't ordain if you owe money) for the past year, and now I'm all set. From now on it's going to be one long psychedelic roller-coaster of wild meditations, mystical adventures, and, um, other cool stuff. Either that, or a life of getting up appallingly early, wearing ridiculously impractical clothes, having no dinner and no sex, and being bored a lot. Or something in between. Much excitement! So if you don't see much of me around here in future, that's why. I'm not going for another three weeks yet though.

Sangha Volunteers - Wanted in France

SanghaRetreat — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:01:06 +0000

Hi Does anyone fancy holidaying in rural France this Spring/Summer? We are looking for help in exchange for free food and lodgings. We're happy to accommodate short (a few days) or Long term (a few months) visitors. We're looking for enthusiastic workers to join in the fun and become part of our new community of friends. Please check out details by clicking on the link below and dropping us a line. sangharetreat.co.uk/ Metta Steve

The Sutra Club

zombiegirl — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:51:19 +0000

Just had an idea today... What if instead of a book club, we started a sutra club? Once a week or so, we could have a post denoting a certain sutra with links online so everyone who wants to can partake... then we can all add our thoughts on the writings. What do you guys think? All I know is that we would need someone more advanced than me (so, basically, anyone, haha) to lead it. I'm not as well versed as many of the other members on this site are, so I wouldn't even know where to begin. Anyone interested?

Eshin Godfrey to be Abbott of Rinzai-ji

Invincible_summer — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:16:35 +0000

Kyozan Joshu Sasaki is stepping down later this year as head abbott of the Rinzai school, and has appointed Eshin John Godfrey of the Vancouver Zen Centre as his successor. http://sweepingzen.com/eshin-godfrey-to-be-abbot-of-rinza-ji/ I don't know all too much about all the politics of the Zen community, but it's sort of cool to see that a local Zen sangha will have the head of a whole tradition in residence.

No Local Sangha Available, What Now? Thai Forest Tradition.

Gavin — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:32:46 +0000

As a complete beginner the Sangha is vital to me but the only ones within travelling distance to me are of different traditions to the path I wish to follow. I am very drawn to the Thai Forest Tradition which is about remote practice so I'm wondering if there is an online Sangha to support remote practice?

Dharma work exchange

blu3ree — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:29:53 +0000

Ive been looking around for a dharma work exchange program that one can receive room n board and food in exchange for work. prefer some place not in a city and in the u.s. Schools of interest are zen vajrayana tibetan Appreciate any links. Many thanks in advance!