Tea meditation is a time to be with the Sangha in a joyful and serene atmosphere. Just to enjoy our tea together is enough. It is like a “good news” occasion, when we share our joy and happiness in being together. At times, when we are drinking tea with a friend, we are not aware of the tea or even of our friend sitting there. Practicing tea meditation is to be truly present with our tea and our friends. We recognize that we can dwell happily in the present moment…
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Building a sangha is like planting a sunflower. We need to be aware of which conditions will support the flower’s growth and which conditions will obstruct its growth. We need healthy seeds, skilled gardeners, and plenty of sunshine and room to grow. When we engage in sangha building, the most important thing to remember is that we are doing it together. The more we embrace the sangha, the more we can let go of the feeling of a separate self. We can relax into the collective wisdom and insights of…
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We have gathered as a fourfold sangha in this solemn moment of the New Year to express our gratitude and aspiration as a spiritual family, and to begin anew. We know that you, our ancestors, are present in every cell of our body, and that you are always there for us to take refuge in. We know that you, Thay, are also present with us in this very moment. As we touch the Earth tonight we feel deeply connected to you, Mother Earth. We, and all our ancestors, are your…
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Sarnath is a city located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Gomati rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The deer park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Singhpur, a village approximately one km away from the site, was the birthplace of Shreyansanath, the Eleventh Tirthankara of Jainism, and a temple dedicated to him, is an important pilgrimage site. Isipatana is mentioned by the Buddha as one of the…
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Wherever we walk, we can practice meditation. This means that we know that we are walking. We walk just for walking. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. We are present with each step. And when we wish to talk we stop our movement and give our full attention to the other person, to our words and to listening. Walking in this way should not be a privilege. We should be able to do it in every moment. Look around and see how vast life is,…
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Be on time for temple activities. Being late can make others annoyed with you. At a retreat or a day of mindfulness, turn off your mobile phone or put it in silent mode so as to preserve the tranquility and serenity of the occasion. Take time in advance to go to the bathroom and to prepare all activities and chores so as to arrive at the Dharma hall on time. When you hear the bell announcing it is time for the Dharma talk, go inside right away. Don’t enter the hall after the teacher. During the talk,…
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DAILY ACTIVITY Schedule: Sitting Meditation/Sutra Reading/Chanting/Tea Meditation and Consultation: 6:00 – 8:00 (weekdays)/ 6:30 – 8:30 (weekends) Sitting Meditation/Sutra Reading/Chanting/Dharma Talk: 19:30 – 21:30 (Tuesday)/ 14:00 – 17:00 (Sunday) Rituals and Ceremonies for the sick and dying/ Home funeral consultations and services/ Family or personal consultations: 14:00 – 16:00 (weekdays)/18:00 – 20:00 (weekends) Meditation Classes in English: 19:30 – 21:30 (Monday/Thursday)
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When visiting a temple, if you drive a motorcycle, turn it off upon entering the grounds, and park in the designated area. It is recommended to wear a Buddhist robe. If you lack a robe, please wear long pants, rather than shorts, and long-sleeve shirts, rather than sleeveless. How we dress represents our culture and our virtue. Please take care of your robe. It should not be rolled up in a knot or become wrinkled. Keep it in a place that’s clean and neat. Stand still to put your robes…
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