Further resources on Zen/koan study

Several people at the recent retreat requested further information on the Zen lineage with which Jisho and I are associated, as well as further resources on koan practice. The organization with which we study is the Five Mountain Zen order (FMZO). Their web site is:

http://www.fmzo.org/

Jisho’s wesite (Dr. Richard Sears) is:

Front Page

Two books that provide a beginning discussion of koans and the context of koan practice are the following:

Ten Gates: the Kong-An Teachings of Zen Master Seung Sahn

Elegant Failure: A Guide to Zen Koans by Richard Shrobe

Thanks to everyone for making the retreat great!

Many bows,

Ryongwan Karuna

Practicing Zen in the 21st Century Retreat March 11-13

Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will be sponsoring a retreat with Zen teacher Dr. Richard Sears (Venerable Jishou Dharma) March 11-13. Dr. Sears will be teaching on the subject of “Practicing Zen in the 21st Century”. This will be a nonresidential retreat. During these days of training there will be periods of sitting, walking, and eating meditation, the opportunity to participate in teacher interviews, and engage in koan practice. Lunch and dinner will be provided on the 12th and lunch only on the 13th. If you would like to attend but cannot attend all of the sessions, you are still welcome. If the cost is prohibitive, please let us know. Scholarships are available.

Click here for a biography of Dr. Sears and a short description of the retreat.

WHEN AND WHERE
On the evening of Friday March 11 at 7PM there will be a reception and public talk by Dr. Sears at Mindful Heart’s meditation hall.

On Saturday March 12th from 9am until 9pm the retreat will be at Willow Pond Retreat Center near Oakland City, Indiana.

On Sunday March 13th the retreat will again be at Willow Pond and will begin at 9am and conclude at 2pm after lunch. Note that Sunday morning we will be on Daylight Savings Time. Carpooling can be arranged between the Evansville meditation hall and Willow Pond for Saturday and Sunday. See attachment for driving directions. GPS does not always locate this place!

COST
The cost is $25 and will be paid at the time of registration. In addition to that, each person is invited to give dana to the teacher at the end of the retreat AND each retreatant will be asked to bring a food contribution for one of the three meals.

Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will be holding its Annual Meeting for all Sangha Members on Sunday, February 28th, at 6pm in the Meditation Hall. There will be a short sitting followed by the State of the Sangha talk and the introduction of the new Board of Directors. We will then have a potluck and socializing. Please bring a snack or vegetarian dish. Drinks will be provided. Come and join us!

Fr. Henry Kuykendall at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Frame Road in Newburgh, IN is hosting a special Lenten program on Sacred Journeys. On Tuesday, March 1, 2016 @ 1:00 PM the topic will be on Buddhism and the Sangha has been asked to participate. Dhamma leaders Mary Lee MacManus and John Paulson will be speaking and answering questons on behalf of the sangha. All members of the sangha are invited to attend.

Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will be holding its Annual Meeting for all Sangha Members on Sunday, February 28th, at 6pm in the Meditation Hall. There will be a short sitting followed by the State of the Sangha talk and introduction of the new Board of Directors.  Please bring a snack or vegetarian dish. Drinks will be provided. Come and join us!

What: Statewide Interfaith Symposium: East Meets West featuring visiting Tibetan Monks

When: 2 p.m. Jan. 24

Where: University of Evansville, Eykamp Center, Room 251, in Ridgway Center

The schedule includes:

2-3:30 p.m.: Panel discussion: “Practices of Eastern Religions” with Tibetan Buddhist Monks, the Indiana Sikh Society East, Indianapolis and the Tri-State Hindu Temple, Newburgh

4-5 p.m.: ISIS: What All Americans Should Know by David Carson

For more information about the monks complete schedule visitbwmassage.com.

Determined to be less stressed this year? Or at least cope better with the stress that is in your life?
Come to a talk by one of our meditation leaders, John Paulson, at the Evansville Public Library to learn the physical and psychological benefits of meditation, and a chance to be guided through some simple meditative exercises.

Saturday, January 16, 2016
2:00pm – 3:00pm
North Park – Meeting Room

Registration Info: Registration is encouraged, but not required. Online registration is available.
Presenter: John Paulson
Event Type: Health & Fitness, Community Interest
Age Group: Adults, Teens, 55+
Contact: Nancy, (812) 428-8238

Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will be sponsoring a retreat with Zen teacher Dr. Richard Sears (Venerable Jishou Dharma) March 11-13. Dr. Sears will be teaching on the subject of “Practicing Zen in the 21st Century”. This will be a nonresidential retreat. On the evening of Friday March 11 there will be a public talk at Mindful Heart’s meditation hall. On Saturday March 12th from 9am until 9pm the retreat will be at Willow Pond Retreat Center near Oakland City, Indiana. On Sunday March 13th the retreat will again be at Willow Pond and will begin at 9am and conclude at 2pm after lunch. More information will be posted as it becomes available.