Annual Potluck and Fundraiser March 19


Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will be having our annual Potluck and Fundraiser for Buddhist Global Relief on Sunday March 19th at 5 pm. Buddhist Global Relief is an international aid organization founded by the renowned translator of Buddhist texts, Bhikkhu Bhodhi. It provides training and food aid aimed at helping people to rise out of poverty. The Potluck and Fundraiser will begin at 5 pm. Bring a vegetarian dish or treat to share. The fundraiser will feature a silent auction with a number of handmade crafts and other items. All proceeds will go to Buddhist Global Relief. Donations to BGR will also be accepted at the event and can be made on our online donation link. If you would like to donate an item for the silent auction, please reach out to one of the board members at mindfulheart@gmail.com or bring it in to the Sangha. Your help is greatly appreciated.

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More information for the Buddhist Global Relief can be found here:
https://www.buddhistglobalrelief.org

Annual Meeting and Potluck, Sunday Feb. 19 5pm

Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will be holding its Annual Meeting and Potluck on Sunday, February 19, at 5 pm in the Meditation Hall. We will eat at 5, and at 6 there will be a short sitting meditation followed by the State of the Sangha talk and the introduction of the new Board of Directors. If you can, please bring a vegetarian dish, snack, or dessert to share. Water and hot tea will be provided. Come and join us!

Join Us For a Day of Practice

Join us for a day of practice!Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha is hosting a one-day insight meditation retreat on Saturday, January 21, 2023. The day begins at 8 AM and ends at 4 PM. It will include sitting and walking meditation and Dharma talks. Space is limited, so please RSVP to mindfulheart@gmail.com. There is no cost to attend the retreat. Dana offerings will be accepted. Please bring a sack lunch. Water, cushions, benches, and chairs will be available, but you are welcome to bring your own as well. Again, space is limited, so please RSVP (and send any questions) to mindfulheart@gmail.com.

Weekly Meditations

We have weekly meditations on Sundays at 6 pm. These are silent 40 minute Vipassana style meditations followed by a short Dhamma talk and discussion. All are welcome, but we recommend that newcomers arrive 5 to 10 minutes early and ask to speak with the meditation leader. The leader will welcome you and give you some guidance. Please join us.

Sangha Picnic at Wesselman Park, Oct 23, 4:30 pm

Please join us for a potluck picnic at Wesselman Park on Sunday October 23 from 4:30 pm until 8:00 pm. We will be in Shelter House #2 North….that’s the one that faces the tennis courts. All are welcome. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share and your own non-alcoholic drinks. The sangha will supply plates, napkins, cups, knives/forks/spoons, and water. At 6:00 pm we will build a fire in the fireplace and have a 40 minute sitting meditation. Bring lawn chairs to use for the meditation. We look forward to seeing you there!

Because of the picnic there will not be the usual meditation at the meditation hall.

Mindfulness Class

We are having a six week mindfulness course from October 1st through November 5th. It  will be on Saturdays from 1pm to 2pm. It will be at our meditation hall, 600 N Weinbach Suite 220.  We will only have 12 participants in order to keep Covid protocols of distance (masks will be worn).  Please email Martha Reid, the leader, at Mj49reid@gmail.com to let her know you are interested, and if you have any questions. The cost is a donation of any size to the Sangha.

New Book

As a community, we are now reading a new book: It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness by Sylvia Boorstein. This book is one of our founder Mary MacGregor’s favorites.

Vesak Celebration – Sunday May 22 6:00 pm

On May 22nd at 6:00 pm we will be celebrating Vesak. Often referred to as Buddha Day or Buddha’s Birthday, Vesak occurs on the first full moon of May. This holiday celebrates the life (the birth, awakening and death) of the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni Buddha).

The opportunity for individuals to take refuge and precepts will be offered. Taking refuge and precepts is a public ceremony that allows one to express their willingness and intent to work with the teachings and practices of the Buddha. Taking refuge means seeking comfort and inspiration in the “Three Jewels” of the Buddha (the physical embodiment and example of the teachings), the Dharma (the teachings on awakening and liberation), and the Sangha (the community of practitioners). The Five Precepts are areas of one’s life, behavior, and habits that have the potential to generate suffering or awakening with which one commits to work. These include working on refraining from killing and supporting life, respecting the property of others and refraining from stealing, being truthful and refraining from lying, regarding all beings with respect and dignity and refraining from objectifying others (especially through sensual misconduct), and working to maintain a clear mind and refrain from harming ourselves and others with intoxicants.

A common Vesak practice is to offer flowers, which are placed near the statue of the Buddha. Please feel free to bring flowers if you choose.

We look forward to celebrating with you!