Making a Fresh Start in Life
A talk given at the Chinese New Year assembly at Bodhi Monastery, February 9th, 2008
“For Buddhists, the new year should not be an occasion merely to celebrate and enjoy good food and the company of friends. It is an opportunity to take a new birth and start a new life, a time to renew our commitment to the Buddhist path. In following the Dhamma, it is always best for us to consider ourselves beginners. We should not think that because we may have been practicing Buddhism for ten, twenty, or thirty years, we are experts in the Dhamma. No matter how long we might have been studying and practicing the Dhamma, we should always consider ourselves to be on Square One!” … Read more!
2008 Summer Dharma Retreat: July 4th—10th
The Winter Dharma Retreat hosted by the Yin Shun Foundation at Bodhi Monastery features Dharma talks, meditation sessions, discussion, and liturgy — a balanced blend of the intellectual, contemplative, and emotional sides of the Buddhist path. Though it is to the student’s benefit to participate in the entire program, you are also welcome to come for an abbreviated stay or individual complete-day sessions (morning through evening). Students staying in the dormitories can arrive on July 3rd. We will send another email notification to you when more information is available.
4-Day English Program: Friday, July 4th – Monday, July 7th
This year the English Program of the retreat will be slightly more advanced than usual to meet the needs of the committed students who consistently participate in this retreat. Lectures on the human-centered teachings of Ven. Yin-shun will be included in this program.
7-Day Chinese Program: Friday, July 4th – Thursday, July 10th
The Chinese Program has been extended to seven days rather than the customary six days.
More information on the Dharma retreat will be published in the near future.
Vesak Celebration: Saturday, May 17th
On Saturday, May 17th, Bodhi Monastery will celebrate the international Buddhist holiday of Vesak, the day commemorating the birth, Enlightenment, and Parinirvana (passing away) of Lord Buddha. The Vesak program begins in the morning and continues through the afternoon. More information on the program will be posted at a later date.
“Great Bodhi Mind,”
a New Booklet of Essays by Ven. Jen-chun, is Now On-line
a New Booklet of Essays by Ven. Jen-chun, is Now On-line
A PDF of a new booklet of Shifu’s essays “Great Bodhi Mind” is now posted on the website. This booklet consists of miscellaneous lectures that have been translated into English. The actual booklet will be published early this year. A PDF of his first booklet of essays, “Gateway to the Dharma,” is also now posted on-line. This booklet consists of talks given by Ven. Jen-chun as preparation for the study of Ven. Yin-shun’s “The Way to Buddhahood,” a monumental treatise by the foremost Chinese scholar-monk of modern times.
Sunday Morning Meditation Group
Sunday Group Meditation Now Led by Venerable Bill
Everyone is welcome to attend these sessions which includes both sitting and walking meditation. A short time at the end is reserved for questions, readings, and brief Dharma talks.
Beginner’s Instruction in Meditation
On the first Sunday of each month, instructions in basic sitting and walking meditation are given at 9:00 am. Students are then welcome to stay for the Sunday meditation group from 9:30 to 10:45 am.
Spring 2008 General Dharma Schedule
| Daily | |||
| 4:30 pm – | 5:00 pm | Chanting Liturgy | |
| 5:05 pm – | 6:00 pm | Sitting meditation | |
| Specified Tuesdays | |||
| 7:15 pm – | 8:00 pm | Majjhima Nikāya Study with Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi | |
| Saturdays | |||
| 9:00 am – | 9:40 am | Group Meditation | |
| 9:50 am – | 10:40 am | English: Dharma Discussion Chinese: Ven. Jen-chun lecture |
|
| 10:50 am – | 11:10 am | Devotional Service | |
| 11:20 am – | 12:30 pm | Lunch/Clean-up | |
| 12:40 pm – | 1:10 pm | Lecture (Either in Chinese translated to English or in English) | |
| 1:20 pm – | 2:20 pm | Book Study/Discussion (Separate English and Chinese Groups) |
|
| Sundays | |||
| 9:30 am – | 10:45 am | Meditation Group | |
| First Sunday of each month | |||
| 9:00 am – | 9:30 am | Beginners instruction in meditation | |
