Jan. 2014 DEAR DHARMA FRIENDS, Buddha Mind News This past month we bid a fond farewell to Master Jian Gai Shifu who has now gone to Buddha Gate Monastery, and we welcomed our newest Shifu, Master Jian Hao Shifu. Welcome Master Jian Hao Shifu! Please introduce yourself if you haven t yet had the opportunity to meet her. For those of you that were unable to join us, we are pleased to announce that our first monthly ceremony was held in our new Chan Hall on November 3 rd. A purification ceremony was held at that time in conjunction with the Diamond Sutra Ceremony. Following the ceremony we had a vegetarian buffet and entertainment was provided that included a magician, a traditional Japanese drum corps, a Chinese yo-yo and special musical numbers performed by lay disciples. With the coming of the new calendar year we look forward to The Diamond of Perfect Wisdom Sutra Ceremony in January and the Great Compassion Guan Yin and Chinese new year Ceremony in February. Classes start back again in January and the new schedule is on-line. Welcome to join us. Buddhism Calms Our Mind Zen (Chan) is like a fountainhead; having found the source, the water is inexhaustible-always fresh, never stagnant. Discovering the original mind is like finding the fountainhead ~Grand Master Wei Chueh 5800 South Anderson Road Oklahoma City, OK 73150 405-869-0501 E-Mail: buddhamindokc@gmail.com
Chan hall ~The Heart of the Monastery~ Welcome to our new Chan Hall, the heart of our monastery. The Chan Hall is the heart of our monastery because it is the heart of our practice. It is here that we cultivate our practice through sitting and walking meditation, and where we conduct our ceremonies. It is here that we cultivate the seeds of Dharma, deepen our practice, and offer our respect. With utmost sincerity we offer thanks to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Our Zen Lineage Outside the entrance of our new Chan Hall you will find the impressive lineage chart which depicts the transmission of the Dharma from the Sakyamuni Buddha who lived more that 3000 years ago through generations of Dharma masters and extending down to our Ven. Master Wei Chueh. Within this chart you see how the teachings have traveled to us through time and distance in order for us to be able to practice here in the west.
Significance of the Lamp Offering It is almost time for the opportunity to make an annual Lamp Offering. The symbolism of light dispels the darkness of ignorance through the light of the Buddha's teachings, wisdom, and compassion for all beings. Light is also said to represent the flame of awakened mind, which illuminates reality as it is. An offering of light represents the aspiration to attain buddhahood and celebrates enlightenment. The light at the first of the year is symbolic of lighting auspiciousness. We are able to dedicate the merit of the lamp offering to increase the health, harmony, and wisdom of ourselves and our family, our community, and the world. If you would like to participate and make a lamp offering, please ask one of the Shifus and they will assist you in making this auspicious offering. Library ~Treasures of Wisdom~ We invite you to come and explore our new library. In the library we have many titles in both English and Chinese in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere that facilitates concentration and study. One of the Three Links of Cultivation in the Chung Tai Tradition is that of scriptural studies, which helps us in our practice to establish right views and insight. In our library we have many titles regarding the sutras and topics in Buddhism. We also have other titles of interest, including the teachings of Mencius and Confucianism. A Light Offering That Couldn t be Extinguished During the time of the Buddha, there was a beggar woman called Nanda who often suffered from starvation. One day she was lucky to receive a penny which would allow her to purchase some food. However, she thought that she was leading a poor life because she had not cultivated good karma in her past life so she decided to use this penny to make a single light offering in the temple. Simultaneously, she made the heartfelt aspiration, "By this light offering may I achieve the same wisdom as Shakyamuni Buddha, the arhats and all enlightened beings, completely dispelling the darkness of ignorance of all sentient beings. Throughout that day, the hundreds of light offerings gradually burned out, hers was the only lamp still glowing. That evening Maudgalyāyana came to the temple. Upon seeing that a single light was still lit he tried but he was unable to put it out. At this time the Buddha entered the temple and said, Maudgalyāyana, you will not be able to put out this lamp offering. An old beggar woman dedicated this lamp for the enlightenment of all living beings, so her aspiration cannot be interrupted. Please let it burn. Upon hearing this Maudgalyāyana was very surprised and he left. The candle remained burning for days.
Conference Room Reception Hall ~The Lotus of Light Welcomes Us Home~ As we enter the monastery's main entrance, Guan Yin, Bodhisattva of Compassion, Mercy, and Kindness, greets us with compassion. Like a mother's welcome home to her children, Guan Yin welcome us with a lotus light. In Buddhism, the lotus represents the pure arising from the mud. We hope that everyone who enters for meditation and practice will be like the lotus flower, keeping a pure mind rising above the muddy water, and that the lotus light will illuminate the Buddha nature of all who enter our monastery. To the right of the entrance, you will find the library and an alcove with cabinets to store your coats and items prior to entering the Chan Hall. To the left as you enter you will find the reception area where you will be able to obtain information about the monastery, events, and classes. Past the reception area and to the right you will find the new conference room. It can be used for meetings and smaller venues. If you haven t seen it yet, check out the very beautiful ceiling Children s Room ~Learning by Playing~ We now have a warm and inviting area for our children. It is well-organized and offers a place to play and learn and can be used both for the Kid s Class and a place for the children to play during ceremonies and events.
Lecture Hall / Dining Hall ~Alimentation Region for Body and Mind~ Our new classroom/dining hall is much larger than before so we have space for many more students in our classes and for more people to sit during meals. The hall looks out to our beautiful courtyard and we have the option of opening up the doors during good weather, which we were able to do during the meal and entertainment following November s ceremony. We can now follow the Zen tradition of mindful eating, contemplating the Five introspections. Everyone is now summoned to eat in the same manner as the Chung Tai Monastery with the clapping of wood and ringing the Yun Ban (An iron percussion instrument used in a temple for lunch time notification)! All classes will start again in January. Please check schedules for details. We invite those who are interested in Beginner's class to join us, and encourage those who have completed beginner's class to return for level II and Sutra Study, journey into the inner spirit, wisdom, and joy that are within each one of us! Kitchen ~Celestial Cuisine Offering~ We Need Volunteers! If you haven t had an opportunity to check out the new kitchen, you will be amazed at how much more space we have and how efficient the large space has been designed! We have gone from a meager space that could only accommodate three or four individuals to a kitchen that rivals any professional modern kitchen. Of course, more space also means that we need more volunteers so please let the Shifus know when you are able to help out. We will need help in many areas of the monastery, so try to put aside some time, particularly Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays to volunteer.
Jan. 2014 2014 SPRING CHAN (ZEN) CLASSES & EVENTS Classes Time Date Description Zen Meditation & Buddhism Class Level I Thursdays 7-9 pm 1/9 ~ 3/27 Introduction to Zen meditation, fundamental Buddhist teachings. For beginners. No prerequisites. Zen Meditation & Buddhism Class Level II Tuesdays 7-9 pm 1/7 ~ 3/25 Zen meditation, advanced Buddhist contemplations. Level I class required. Sutra Study Class Wednesdays 7-9 pm 1/8 ~ 3/26 Zen meditation, study The Diamond of Perfect Wisdom Sutra. Level II class required. Saturday Meditation Session Saturdays 3:30-4:30 pm Except: 1/4, 2/1, 3/8, 4/5 Chanting The Heart Sutra & Zen meditation. No prerequisites. Youth Meditation Class Friday 7:30-9:00 pm 1/17, 1/31, 2/14, 2/28, 3/14, 3/28 Help our next generation to discover the true value of life and to develop awareness through Zen meditation and designed program. Kids Meditation Class Saturday 10:30-12 pm 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/22 Help kids to discover their inner wisdom through meditation, Dharma talks, Zen stories and fun activities. Sunday Service Sundays 10:00-11am Except: 1/5, 2/2, 3/9, 4/6 Chanting The Diamond Sutra & Zen meditation. 中文禪修班 Meditation Class in Chinese 週日 Sundays 10 am-12 pm 法會當週暫停 恭誦 金剛經 Chanting 靜坐 Meditation 佛法開示 金剛經 Dharma talk Vegetarian Cooking Class Saturday 1:00-2:30pm 1/25, 2/22, 3/22, 4/26 Please register in advance. Yoga Class Sundays 9:00-10:00am Except: 1/5, 2/2, 3/9, 4/6 Instructor: Aimee Rook. No prerequisites. Notes: 1.Classes are taught by Jian Mao Shifu, Abbess of Buddha Mind Monastery. 2. All classes are free of charge and open to the public. We are supported by your generous donations. 3. Dress code: Please wear comfortable yet modest attire and socks (required). Optional meditation clothing may be obtained at the monastery.
HALF-DAY MEDITATION RETREAT 半日禪 1/19, 2/16, 3/16, 4/20 Sunday 2:00 ~ 5:30 pm DHARMA EVENTS 法會 1/12 Sunday The Diamond of Perfect Wisdom Sutra Ceremony 金剛經法會 10:00 am Chanting The Diamond Sutra & Dharma Talk 恭誦 金剛經 / 佛法開示 11:30 am Grand Meal Offering before Buddhas / Blessing & Memorial Services 佛前大供 / 消災及超薦 12:30 pm Vegetarian Lunch 素齋供眾 2/2 Sunday Great Compassion Guan Yin Blessing Ceremony & Chinese New Year Celebration 新春觀音祈福法會 10:00 am Chanting The Universal Gateway of Bodhisattva Guan Yin & Dharma Talk 恭誦 觀世音菩薩普門品 / 佛法開示 11:30 am Grand Meal Offering before Buddhas / Blessing & Memorial Services 佛前大供 / 消災及超薦 12:30 pm Vegetarian Lunch 素齋供眾 3/9 Sunday The Diamond of Perfect Wisdom Sutra Ceremony 金剛經法會 10:00 am Chanting The Diamond Sutra & Dharma Talk 恭誦 金剛經 / 佛法開示 11:30 am Grand Meal Offering before Buddhas / Blessing & Memorial Services 佛前大供 / 消災及超薦 12:30 pm Vegetarian Lunch 素齋供眾 4/6 Sunday Qing Ming Memorial & Blessing Ceremony to Repay Ancestors Kindness 清明法會 10:00 am Chanting The Sutra of The Difficulty of Repaying Parents' Kindness & Dharma Talk 恭誦 父母恩重難報經 / 佛法開示 11:30 am Grand Meal Offering before Buddhas / Blessing Service 佛前大供 / 消災 12:30 pm Vegetarian Lunch 素齋供眾 01:30 pm The Rite of Offering Food from Mengshan & Memorial 小蒙山施食 / 超薦