CHECK OUT THIS UPDATE ON THE MOON LAKE NUN’S RESIDENCE PROJECT AT BLUE CLIFF MONASTERY:

https://www.facebook.com/bluecliffmonastery/videos/930433955157019

2024/2025

Sangha Core Sutra Study Practice

January 16, 2025

Never Discouraged:

The Magic City

The Lotus Sutra : Tales of Practice

January 16 - Never Discouraged : The Magic City

Aspiration is always linked to faith. If we have aspiration and faith, even though we are in a situation of suffering or great hardship we have a path of escape. That path is the Kingdom of God, the Pure Land of the Buddha, or the Sangha which is practicing mindfulness trainings, concentration, and insight. If you have faith, aspiration, and practice then to be born in the Kingdom of God, in the Pure Land, is not difficult. The Pure Land is a collective production of the Sangha.

–   Thich Nhat Hanh

 Dear friends on the Path, 

We hope you are all well and happy in these first few days of 2025. In just a few weeks, we will mark three years since the transition of our dear teacher Thay Thich Nath Hanh, an anniversary will come year after year. It's a good time to ask the question, how could we continue Thay? Thay used to tell us that the best way to continue his teachings is to breathe, smile and walk mindfully. How can we do that? Day after day after day and never get discouraged. That will be the theme of our first e-Talks of 2025.

We hope you will join us on Thursday, January 16, at 7 p.m. ET, as we gather to collectively enjoy the teachings on Faith in the Lotus Sutra. Our pre-readings help us understand the perfection of patience and the power and gifts of right diligence. 

Our Core Sutra Study Sangha meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Our practice sessions are open to anyone who would like to participate; there is no requirement to have attended prior sessions. Here are the materials you can use if you would like to prepare for and attend this month’s meeting:

1. Link to the Pre-Readings:

January Pre-Readings

2.  Zoom link for 7 p.m. (Eastern Time): 

https://zoom.us/j/780647439?pwd=bCt3N2EyOSs1NXVObVhaVXphMXl4Zz09

Meeting ID: 780 647 439  -  Password: 031129     

3.  Schedule:

Please sign on by 6:50 p.m. (ET) so that you are settled when practice begins.

* Welcome and facilitation :

Paticia Redshaw, Laughing Rivers, Slippery Rock, PA (Pittsburgh)

* Guided Meditation

* Introduction of Topic and Speakers

* Dharma Reflection 1 :

Gilles Breton, Mindfulness Practice Center, Montreal, QC

* Dharma Reflection 2 :

Sue Rempel, Desert Rain, Santa Fe, NM

* Dharma Sharing in small Zoom groups

4. Remaining Sangha Core Sutra Study Program 2024-2025

February 20, 2025

Love is the Answer

March 20, 2025

Wonderful World of Interbeing

April 17, 2025

Earth Holder / Bodhisattvas

May 15, 2025

No Here No There: The Two Dimensions

June 19, 2025

Trust and Faith

5.  Links to recordings of previous talks in this year's program:

September 26, 2024

To be awakened - why?

October 17, 2024

The Light of Mindfulness

November 21, 2024

Abiding in suchness

December 12, 2024

The Merit of Practice

We look forward to seeing you soon, dear to be!  

Happy New Year

The Sangha Core Sutra Study Program (SCSSP) Organizing Team

——-

Our SCSSP Mission

We are an online Sangha that meets monthly to explore the essential Buddhist teachings at the heart of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village tradition. All are welcome for an evening of practice that includes meditation, Dharma reflections by Order of Interbeing members, and small group sharing. We aspire to create a supportive space for deepening our understanding of these core teachings and learning ways to apply them in everyday life.

The Lotus Sutra : Tales of Practice

Practice Resources

Beautiful music video from Plum Village to honor Thay’s Continuation Day, October 11

Dharma talks, video, songs for the practice, and chants from Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village community members and friends

Dharma Talks (video) by Thich Nhat Hanh
https://plumvillage.org/thich-nhat-hanh-dharma-talks/

Thich Nhat Hanh Dharma Talks (audio)
http://tnhaudio.org/

Plum Village on Vimeo
http://vimeo.com/user745118

Dharma talks & video from Magnolia Grove Monastery

Weekly Online Sangha practice sessions (6-7 pm Eastern): Please register to receive the Zoom link

Dharma talks, video, and songs from Deer Park Monastery

Deer Park Dharmacast
http://deerpark.libsyn.com/

Deer Park Recordings on SoundCloud
http://soundcloud.com/deer-park-monastery

Meet the Monastics from Deer Park Monastery As monastics, the most common question asked of us is, you guessed it, why did you become a monastic? I'm Brother Minh-An, a Buddhist monk in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. And this podcast is for anyone who's ever wanted to ask that question. Each week, we'll bring you my conversations with other fully ordained monks and nuns about their journey to monastic life and what inspires them now. We hope they inspire you to live a happier, kinder, and more meaningful life. And who knows, maybe some of you will even consider monastic life yourself.

You can listen to the weekly episodes wherever you get your podcasts (simply search for Meet the Monastics) or on the Deer Park Monastery YouTube channel. Meet the Monastics: A New Podcast

Video and audio from Blue Cliff Monastery

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaX_vxbhs8fgmshMksFpVsUeMfUpv8FsW

Audio: https://soundcloud.com/blue-cliff-monastery

Dharma talks, video, and songs from the Wake Up Movement

Americas | Wake Up International
https://wkup.org/category/america/

Peace Sounds: Wake Up London & Friends
http://peacesounds.bandcamp.com/

Julian + Chad singing "The Island Within" and "Call Me By My True Names"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDr46vMTmdg

Julian + Chad singing "Rainbow Connection"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=851QUg75NAs

"Brother Thây: A Radio Pilgrimage with Thich Nhat Hanh," a profile and interview with Thich Nhat Hanh by Krista Tippett

https://plumvillage.org/thich-nhat-hanh-interviews/thich-nhat-hanh-on-mindfulness-suffering-and-engaged-buddhism/

The Great Bell Chant (The End of Suffering) from Rens Smittenaar

https://vimeo.com/6518109

Sister Dang Nghiem (Adornment with Non-discrimination) on inviting the bell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6aYE3irqFQ

Thich Nhat Hanh on inviting the bell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7fzUBz_PWA

YouTube videos

Sister The Nghiem singing "Discourse on Love" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdtnOo7XZts

Sister The Nghiem singing "Watering the Seeds of Joy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdoE2EU_UyI&feature=channel&list=UL

The Winston-Salem Community of Mindful Living meets weekly on Thursday evenings for sitting practice at The Hub, a community of service groups housed in a former church at 502 N. Broad Street in downtown Winston-Salem. 

There is ample parking and a quiet space for us to sit. All are welcome, and there is no cost. Chairs are provided, but bring your own cushion if you want to sit on the floor. We will meet at 6:30 pm until 7:45 pm each Thursday. At this time, we will not be offering online access to the meeting but will focus on in-person attendance. Of course, the Tuesday/Thursday morning online practice continues as is:

Tuesday and Thursday Mornings, 7:00-7:40 a.m. Online Meditation:

Tuesdays: Guided meditation, reading, sharing. Thursdays: Morning Chant, silent sitting meditation, reading, sharing. All are welcome — no experience necessary. For more information, send a message through our Contact tab.

Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82703691204?pwd=YmNEVFNQWXNxQTlPQk44cnliRzRTZz09 

Meeting ID: 82703691204
Password: 010101

We are currently reading from the book, At Home in the World, by Thich Nhat Hanh.


Jun
20

Sangha Core Sutra Study

Sangha Core Sutra Study Practice

The Sangha Core Sutra Study Practice is an online Sangha that started more than 15 years ago to deepen our understanding and practice of the core sutras. We meet monthly for 10 months each year to explore the essential Buddhist teachings at the heart of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village tradition. All are welcome for an evening of practice that includes meditation, Dharma reflections by Order of Interbeing members, and small group sharing. We aspire to create a supportive space for deepening our understanding of these core teachings and learning ways to apply them in everyday life.This year we are studying the Diamond Sutra, which Thay tells us is one of the most beloved scriptures in the Zen tradition and the earliest text to explore deep ecology.  

In this profound teaching the Buddha invites us to let go of  four deeply held notions in order to understand our own true nature and the true nature of reality so we may transcend our ignorance and wrong views. We will also be looking at related teachings from Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. We are inspired to be exploring these deep teachings with you this year! 

Remaining date: 

  • June 20, 2024: How to Practice the Buddha's Teachings  

Zoom link for 7pm (Eastern Time):  

https://zoom.us/j/780647439?pwd=bCt3N2EyOSs1NXVObVhaVXphMXl4Zz09 

Meeting ID: 780 647 439  -  Password: 031129

View Event →
Apr
13

Half day of Mindfulness

We are happy to announce that registration is now open for our upcoming Half Day of Mindfulness on Saturday, 4/13, at Timberlake Earth Sanctuary from 1-4:30.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL. WATCH FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR NEXT DAY OF MINDFULNESS.

Due to causes and conditions, the original full Day of Mindfulness scheduled for Sunday, 4/14 will not happen. 

Here is a link to register for this beautiful opportunity to practice sitting, walking, deep relaxation, and a Dharma Discussion led by Dharma Teacher Scott Schang in community.

When: Saturday, April 13, 1-4:00 p.m. (Check in 12:45 p.m.)
Where: Timberlake Earth Sanctuary
Cost: Sliding scale of $10 - $40 based on your ability to pay.  Please bring a bag lunch.
Space is limited so we will cap registration at 33. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Once you register, you will receive confirmation with more information.

Schedule:

1/2 Day of Mindfulness 1:00 - 4:30  (Registrants are welcome to come at 12:00 to enjoy a brown-bag lunch)
1:00 – Welcome, short orientation, introductions

1:30  – Outdoor walking meditation 

2:15 – Deep relaxation (bring a yoga mat / blanket) followed by short Mindful Movements 

3:00  – Break   

3:10  – Dharma Discussion led by Scott Schang

4:10 – Closing 

4:30 - Depart

View Event →