Please join us for a potluck picnic at Wesselman Park on Sunday October 20 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. We will be in Shelter House #1 ….that’s the first one that you come to. 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.

Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will be having a death, dying, and grief open discussion on Saturday October 19 from 2 until 3 pm at the meditation hall at 600 N Weinbach Ave Suite 220. Please join us.

We are interested in starting an open discussion group on death, dying, and grief. The discussion group is not Buddhist oriented, and no subject about death and dying is off the table. We will meet every third Saturday at 2 pm to 3 pm. If you have any questions, please text Martha Reid at 317-249-7312.

Aging Yogis discussion group welcomes people of ALL ages. We are all aging.

The discussion group will be meeting again (during Covid we met on Zoom, then at Wesselman Park, then discontinued meeting) beginning September 17, 2024, from 3:30-4:30, at the Sangha (Bradford Park Office Complex, 600 N Weinbach, Suite 220).

We will be discussing Pema Chodron’s book “How You Live Is How You Die.” Our discussions will be at the Sangha, the third Tuesday of each month. Contact Mollie (cell/text 812-422-4075) if you need a copy of the book or have questions.

On September 17 we plan to discuss the first 10 pages – introduction and 1st two chapters.

Sunday evening sits are now being peer-led, mostly by Board members. The Sangha currently does not have a qualified dhamma leader. Beginning July 7, we will be discussing Pema Chodron’s book “Start Where You Are.” We will read together a small section of the book and then discuss that after the 40-minute sit.

Vesak, often referred to as Buddha Day, occurs on the first full moon of May. This holiday celebrates the life (the birth, awakening, and death) of the Buddha. Our Vesak celebration will be on Sunday May 19, at 5:00 PM.

The evening will begin with a potluck dinner. Bring a vegetarian dish or treat to share. Water and tea will be provided. Please join us even if you cannot bring food, as there is always enough to share. Following the meal there will be a discussion of the Buddha’s awakening. The evening also offers the opportunity for individuals to take precepts. Taking precepts is a public ceremony that allows one to express their willingness and intent to work with the teachings and practices of the Buddha.

Finally we will have a memorial service for our founder and primary teacher, Mary MacGregor. There will be metta, chanting, brief meditations, readings, and an opportunity to share memories of Mary.

A common Vesak practice is to offer flowers, which are placed near the statue of the Buddha. An offering of flowers would also be appropriate for Mary’s memorial ceremony. Please feel free to bring flowers if you choose.

Please join us. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will be having our annual Potluck and Fundraiser for Buddhist Global Relief on Sunday April 14th 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 Buddhist 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.

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

We will be having our regular meditation at 6 pm on Easter Sunday, March 31.

There will be no meditation on Sunday December 24th at the meditation hall. Instead take three deep breaths and enjoy a silent minute enjoying your surroundings and those who you are with. Merry Christmas!