Thursday Night Sangha

What happens during a sangha session?

2010-11-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

For those thinking about joining us some Thursday evening, this is what an average meeting looks like:

- We meditate for a half hour
- We recite the prayer of refuge and mindfulness and short mandala offering, in English
- We read a section of the text we're currently studying and discuss it, for about 50 minutes
- If we're mindful (!), we try to leave enough time to chant the Heart Sutra 27 times
- We finish by reciting dedication prayers in English

Hope that sounds interesting enough that you join us!

Prayers in Tibetan
A brief introduction to Buddhism (see the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and meditation)

A cornucopia of ideas

2010-06-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

Don provided a handout on Tantric Buddhism

A lecture at Northeastern on Friday 6/25 on Jainism and Non-Violence

John Bush's video trilogy, the third of which is on Tibetan Buddhism

Tara Brach's book, Radical Acceptance

Ho'oponopono (forgive me, I'm sorry, thank you, I love you)

Dr. Emoto and water crystals

We're working our way through Pema Chodron's Comfortable with Uncertainty and having some good discussions!

8/15/10: Field trip to hear Nawang Khecong

2010-04-11T17:35:00.000-07:00

Last week's gathering decided to go to this free event in lieu of meeting at First Parish:

Universal Sounds of Love: Nawang Khechong
Thursday, April 15, 7:00 pm
Multifaith Center, Houghton Chapel, Wellesley College
Sponsored by the Wellesley Buddhist community

Flyer below, directions to the college can be found here: http://www.wellesley.edu/Admin/travel.html

I've also attached a map below, showing Houghton Chapel; the Multifaith Center is on the lower level. Parking is in the first lot (Founders) you'll see on the left (closer than the garage), about halfway through campus. The chapel is behind the parking lot. The main entrance to the Multifaith Center is on the right as you face the front of the building.

If folks want to carpool, please post. Hope to see you there!

Still at it!

2010-03-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

We talked a bit about anusara yoga (more about that here, if you're interested).

We're finishing up Thich Nhat Hanh's book on the heart sutra and will be discussing what to tackle next.

We're talking about adding a short discussion of mudras and their meaning, and we've also thought about periodically increasing the amount of time we either meditate or chant.

Join us!

In honor of Martin Luther King Day...

2010-01-18T18:44:00.001-08:00

Last week, Martin Luther King's nomination of Thich Nhat Hanh came up; here is the letter Mr. King sent: http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45a/025.html

As a sign of the times, there is now a Facebook campaign for Thich Nhat Hanh to receive the prize.

In this week's discussion, Matthieu Ricard came up. Here is a Speaking of Faith interview that might be of interest: http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/ricard/

This week, photonic emissions, interbeing and the transcendentalists, and the relationship with Vedic traditions and Buddhism came up. Always interesting!

Beginning Thich Nhat Hanh's text on the Heart Sutra

2010-01-12T06:03:00.000-08:00

Happy new year!

We had a good turnout and discussion of the first pages of Thich Nhat Hanh's commentary on the Heart Sutra, immediately delving into the concept of "inter-being" and the distinction between understanding and wisdom or knowledge.

As always, auxiliary materials are referenced during our discussions and I thought I'd list them here:

Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the West? (Korean film, Dharmaga tongjoguro kan kkadalgun, 1989), also on Netflix.

Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha, by Tara Brach.

and

My Stroke of Insight, Jill Bolte Taylor 19 min. video on TED: a brain scientist experiences her own massive stroke.

Finally, courtesy of Sandra and The New Yorker:

Moving onto a new text in 2010!

2009-12-21T07:24:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, January 8, 2010, we'll begin reading Thich Nhat Hanh's The Heart of Understanding: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra. [link to the book on amazon.com]

Please join us -- we dipped into this book a bit this summer, before focusing our efforts on His Holiness commentary on the Heart Sutra, and it was a delight!

Best wishes for the new year,
Veronica

Miscellany for 5/5

2009-05-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

Looking for a nice tanka? Check out exoticindia.com.

We're on page 35...the disciplined mind.

Quote offered by a sangha member: "If you are facing in the right direction, all you have to do is keep walking."

Don will be practicing kyudo at his home on the weekends, outside, from 2-4PM -- if you're interested, please contact him.

Photo from the talk by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama on May 2nd.

4/21 session at Jacky's

2009-04-22T15:58:00.001-07:00

Thanks to another generous sangha member, we were able to meet most comfortably while KS was closed. We're back in the usual digs next week.

I've put together a draft presentation in Google docs and invited you all to add to it.

Marilyn still has a spare ticket to see His Holiness -- if you're interested, email me, and I'll forward it to her.

Other topics:

MIT Mandala, April 24 - May 2, 2009

2012 movie trailer

Proof movie trailer and blog post

And from Renee:

Last night I mentioned 2 events that were happening in the area that may be of interest. There is an all day retreat at the Shambhala Meditation center in Brookline entitled, The Healing Power of Loving Kindness by Tulku Thondup Rimpoche. Also there's a documentary film festival playing "The Unmistaken Child" shot in Nepal about finding a reincarnate of Geshe Lama Konchog. Looks beautiful, plays in Somerville.

4/14 session at Don's

2009-04-16T18:18:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed Don's beautiful indoor garden and ginger cake (okay, and sake too) while discussing the Heart Sutra.

We read first turning of the wheel of dharma, which includes the 37 aspects/steps of the path. We discussed two major types of meditation: shamata (calm abiding) and vipassana (insight). One analogy to describe the two types is carrying a cup of hot tea through a room. One is akin to the awareness necessary to balance the cup, the other to the awareness of the surrounding room.

One can ask whether conditioned phenomena
1. are impermanent
2. will cause suffering if grasped onto
3. are empty of inherent existence

If so, why cling to them?

One explanation of the Pali Canon

Recommended film: Enlightenment Guaranteed
Recommended book: Breakfast with the Buddha

Next week we are meeting at Jacky's; see email for address/directions.

Article about situation in Tibet

2009-03-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/22510

Good website for emptiness teachings

2009-03-19T17:47:00.001-07:00

Hello:
I ran across this website that looks like it has some good concise explanations of emptiness among other subjects.
FYI:

http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/wisdom_emptiness.html

Bruce

3/3/09 session

2009-03-03T18:56:00.000-08:00

We begin studying the Heart (of Wisdom) Sutra.

The preface mentions Perfection of Wisdom sutras, here is an explanation.

Nice site with a good glossary.

2/17 session at Nanri's

2009-02-18T05:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you for a lovely evening and venue!

Announcements for this week:

Buddha: In His Own Words is being performed at the Boston Center for the Arts. Nanri and others are going on March 20 if you'd like to join them.

Also, His Holiness will be speaking at Gillette stadium on May 2nd. More at the Tibetan Association of Boston website.

We're back at Kerem Shalom next week, finishing up the Shantideva's Dedication.

Sangha mtg 2/17: location

2009-02-05T15:28:00.000-08:00

Kerem Shalom is closed in the evening during the week of school vacation so we won't be meeting there, location TBA!

2/3 session canceled

2009-02-03T06:05:00.000-08:00

Due to snow -- drive safely and preserve that precious human life!

See you next week.

1/27 Discussion

2009-01-30T17:51:00.000-08:00

We've decided to study The Essence of the Heart Sutra, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Bruce suggested Thich Nhat Hanh's commentary, The Heart of Understanding: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra, and we agreed that having two translations/commentaries to compare and contrast is helpful.

In the meantime, we're reading Shantideva's Dedication.

See email re: belated Losar celebration!

1/20 Discussion

2009-01-21T15:51:00.000-08:00

I forgot to mention earlier the 37 Practices of the Bodhisattvas, a text that came up in a previous week's discussion.

This week, Seeking the Seeker, by Jack Engler, came up (courtesy of Barre Center for Buddhist Studies).

How to Practice by His Holiness the Dalai Lama also came up as a possible future text.

1/13 Discussion

2009-01-18T07:29:00.000-08:00

PBS has an interesting series, The Story of India, is being shown in the Boston area on WGBH on Monday nights and at other times (more info).

We also talked briefly about text to discuss after we finish with Shantideva, mentioning The Essence of the Heart Sutra, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Another resource online is the work of Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff), from the Thai forest tradition.

Other local events

2009-01-18T07:21:00.000-08:00

A play about the Buddha at Brandeis, more info.

Sunday, February 8, 2009: “Three Cups of Tea” - Author Visit at the Performing Arts Center

Greg Mortenson, co-author of “Three Cups of Tea” (Chelmsford’s One Book), will speak at the Performing Arts Center at Chelmsford High School. Co-founder of the Central Asia Institute and Pennies for Peace, Greg Mortenson has established over 78 schools in rural and often volatile regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. His two new children’s books are: Three Cups of Tea (Puffin, chapter book) and Listen to the Wind (Dial; picture book). Mr. Mortenson's visit is part of his book tour for his two children's books (based on "Three Cups of Tea”) which are coming out in January. Books will be on sale before and after the program by Willowbooks of Acton. This event is free, but there is limited seating for this event. Doors will open at 10:15 a.m. and seating will be on a first come, first served basis.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Stonehill College, Aug. 11-16

2009-01-10T10:19:00.000-08:00

Part of a 2009 U.S. tour (flyer).

The registration form will be available at www.tnhtour.org on January 13.

You'll remember that Jacky shared her wonderful experience at Plum Village, France with us; I'm sure she'd be glad to talk with anyone who's interested.

Dec. 23rd and 30th sessions

2008-12-11T08:13:00.000-08:00

Kerem Shalom is closed for both of these dates, so we will not meet on the 23d, but Mark has generously offered his home in Concord for our session on the 30th. And we will wrap up the session and year with tea, coffee and dessert!

If you're not on the Tuesday night sangha mailing list and would like the address and directions, please email me: vbrandst @ gmail dot com. It will also appear in the weekly mailing.

from the Worcester sangha...

2008-12-04T17:40:00.000-08:00

An Evening with Vanda Mikoloski(Saturday, Jan 3rd 7:30PM)

Ring in the New Year with the sound of enlightened laughter with comedian Vanda Mikoloski. Vanda Mikoloski is a renowned stand-up comic and speaker whose passion is personal growth and development. Vanda's work is a delightful, irreverent romp down her twisted spiritual path. www.vanda.us

Please note that the Tuesday night Concord group will not be meeting on Dec. 23rd or 30th.

Resuming 11/18...

2008-11-04T17:00:00.000-08:00

...in a new location, Kerem Shalom, 659 Elm Street, Concord, MA (view map).

It's a very nice facility with copious parking -- looking forward to seeing you there!

Schedule update

2008-10-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

10/28: Usual place, usual time (TriCon, 7:30pm)

11/4: Off, voting day

11/11: We'll be reappearing in a different location, TBD and TBA! Stay tuned; if you have any ideas of places nearby, please contact Pat or Bruce.

New location

2008-10-19T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hello all, it looks like we'll need to find a new location to meet -- it seems like a good time to ask whether Tuesday evenings are indeed the best time to meet in the Concord area. If you haven't already, please take a short survey on your meeting preference:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=CWFaPIMiiRssEyaawef93w_3d_3d

Thanks, and we'll be sure to let you know where we ultimately end up!

9/16 sangha session

2008-09-18T06:11:00.000-07:00

Pat told us about her intense and fruitful visit to Gampo Abbey, home of Pema Chodron. If you visit her website, and search for "shenpa", you'll come up with one of her teachings on the subject (which came up during the session).

We embarked on Chapter 8 of Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life and talked a bit about emptiness (!). These books came up:

How to See Yourself As You Really Are by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Jeffrey, Ph.D. Hopkins

Introduction to Emptiness by Guy Newland

9/30/08 sangha session canceled

2008-09-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

From Bruce:

"Just a reminder that TriCon has politely asked us if there is any way we could cancel the Tuesday night 9/30/08 Sangha meeting as they are having a large church-wide event that evening and really need the space. No doubt this is especially accurate since the downstairs at the church has been closed for repairs after receiving water damage from the heavy rains.

So, we will be graciously canceling our Sangha that evening out of courtesy and respect for their plans. ("If you can help, help. If you can't, at least do no harm" -- HHDL)"

-----------------

Last week, we were delighted by Sandy's photos and stories of visiting Jhamtse Gatsal and the surrounding area -- thank you, Sandy! We are otherwise re-engaging with Shantideva during our sangha session; please join us.

Please see the Jhamte web site for details on upcoming events (potluck on Oct. 4, dharma talk by Lama Tsultrim Allione on Oct. 14).

Taking up Shantideva, Sept. 2nd

2008-09-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

After Don's and Kathy's physically and mentally invigorating presentations during the last 2 weeks (thank you to you both!), we will return to our regularly scheduled "A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way to Life" programming this week.

Next week, 9/9, Sandy Wood, a Concord Academy student, will be sharing her recent trip to Jhamtse Gatsal with us. More info on the JI web site, as well as other upcoming events:

www.jhamtseinternational.org

Continued August update

2008-08-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

On 8/5 we listened to Pema Chodron's CD instruction on tonglen. Shambhala also has some of Pema's teachings summarized online.

Kathy has offered to take on the 8/26 and will begin with Shamatha Yoga (very short) and then go into Tim Olmstead's (former director of Gampo Abbey) presentation on meditation and connecting with abiding mind.

And next week, Jacky will share her experiences at Plum Village.

We've had a very good turnout and lively sessions; please join us!

Auction to benefit Jhamtse Gatsal

2008-07-30T18:07:00.000-07:00

The exhibition and silent auction at the Gelb Gallery, Phillips Andover, has been extended until Friday, August 1!

More information

7/29 plan for August

2008-07-30T06:06:00.000-07:00

Here's the developing plan for August sessions. Pat will graciously open the chapel for us.

Aug. 5: Pema Chodron DVD on tonglen (giving and receiving) practice
Aug. 12: Jacky's presentation on Thich Nhat Hanh & Plum Village
Aug. 19: Don's presentation on Zen archery
Aug. 26: something from Kathy, or Dreaming of Tibet (DVD)

Please also share your ideas!

Discussion 7/22

2008-07-23T05:33:00.000-07:00

One of our members has just returned from seeing Thich Nhat Hanh at Plum Village in France. She will talking about her experience in August, when we set aside Shantideva until September.

The chapel will continue to be open in August and sangha members interested in meeting will engage in other activities, to be discussed at next week's session -- stay tuned!

This week's discussion brought up these books:

How to See Yourself as You Really Are, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama (you can read it in Google Books).
Light Comes Through, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche (amazon).

Discussion 7/15

2008-07-16T05:24:00.000-07:00

We talked about:

Pema Chodron's recent talk at the Omega Institute called "All in the Same Boat."
Jack Kornfield
The Burmese Harp, film (entries from IMDB, wikipedia)
Greg Mortenson, Three Cups of Tea

Pat is willing to open the building during the month of August, so anyone interested, please continue to join us on Tuesday at 7:30pm. We will not continue our study of Shantideva during this time; what we will do is up for discussion! Perhaps watch videos, read other books and discuss them, meditate, discuss our own challenges, etc. Up for discussion!

If you'd like to be an author on this blog, vs. just posting comments (which anyone can do), please email me and I'll be happy to add you.

And a thought from tonight's session (paraphrased):

Our thoughts are like a dog chasing a stick. We are off and running, chasing the stick unquestioningly. The lion, on the other hand, looks back at who is throwing the stick. We should be more like the lion.

2008-07-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Shantideva study resumes 7/15.

2008-07-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

We all wish Lobsang our heartfelt prayers and best wishes as he departs for India, and we share in the joy of the children at Gatsal as they get to be with Lobsang for a meaningful period of time for teaching, companionship, and leadership.

Tuesday, July 15th, we will resume our book discussion/study of Shantideva's Way of the Bodhisattva. We left off at Chapter 7, verse 24. We have extra books, so no excuses for not dropping by!! See you then. Also, like the Wednesday group, we are planning on taking August off for a break.

Bruce

Discussion 7/2

2008-07-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

While a storm cooked up outside, we had a lively discussion. As we worked on verses 7.15-7.25, the following came up:

Dr. Edward M. Hallowell, an expert on ADHD, and his talk at the Chautauqua Institution on worry leading to stress.

Roger Waters' album Amused to Death, specifically, the lyrics "This species has amused itself to death."

"Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind." --Henry James

And finally, a few member have read The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. ("The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.")

Happy Independence Day in the midst of all these dependent arisings! :o)

Discussion 6/24

2008-06-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

These came up during the session, please add to this thread by click Comments, below.

The film "Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (IMDB entry), available now through NetFlix.

From TED.com, Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight.

Edie's comment about the First Law of Thermodynamics (Wikipedia entry): In any process, the total energy of the universe remains the same. Energy cannot be created or destroyed.

We also learned that people who are ticked off at the birds call the Audubon Society. ;o)

We had cake to celebrate Edie's embarking on a new chapter in her life -- we'll miss you, Edie!