The annual Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha picnic will be on Sunday October 28 at Wesselman Park Shelter House 2 North. Save the date!
Author Archives: Mindful Heart
Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha welcomes Tibetan monks from Tashi Kyil Monastery
On Sunday August 19th at 6 pm Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will welcome 6 Tibetan monks from Tashi Kyil Monastery in India. In partnership with the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center and its Kumbum Chamtse-Ling Monastery in Bloomington, Indiana, monks from Labrang Tashikyil Monastery in Dehra Dun, India are touring the United States to teach the Dharma, educate the public about the culture and religion of Tibet, and to raise much needed funds for their monastery. This is the monastery’s fourth USA Tour.
Instead of our regular 40 minute sitting meditation, we will have an evening of chanting, prayers, a 15-20 minute meditation, and a short reception where we will serve tea, water, and cookies.
Please join us.
Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha Celebrates Vesak
Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha celebrated Vesak, also known as Buddha Day or Buddha’s Birthday, on Thursday, May 24. We enjoyed a vegetarian potluck dinner, then John Paulson led us in a ceremony honoring and taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. Finally, four people took the precepts: Mollie Pharoh, Mary MacGregor, Brad Hammers, and Elba Rodriquez.
Matthew Flickstein Retreat is cancelled
Unfortunately we must cancel the Matthew Flickstein Retreat that we had scheduled for August 24-26. Matt is having health issues from a bad back and is not able to travel. We wish him well in his recuperation. If you have already registered, our Treasurer will send you a refund.
New book starting Sunday June 3
Starting Sunday 3 we will be using a new book as a focus of Dhamma talks and teachings. We will be using another book by Vipassana teacher Gil Fronsdal called The Buddha before Buddhism: Wisdom from the Early teachings. This book focuses on a set of early Buddhist Suttas called the Atthakavagga, or the Book of Eights. The sections we will cover will be posted on the web site, and some limited physical copies will be made available. The Suttas contain several verses, and each is numbered. That numbering is what is listed on the calendar (along with chapter and page numbers).
Reminder: Vesak Celebration Thursday, May 24th
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 historical Buddha (Shakyamuni Buddha). Please join us on Thursday May 24, 6 PM to celebrate this important event.
The evening will begin at 6 PM 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 short sitting period followed by a discussion of the Buddha’s awakening.
The evening also offers the opportunity for individuals to take refuge and precepts. 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. Those who take precepts will receive a commemorative certificate. If you have questions about taking refuge and precepts, please contact Rev. Ryongwan Karuna (nirvanasamurai@aol.com) or talk with him at an upcoming weekly sitting. Those who have taken the precepts before but who would like to do so again please let him know so that he can prepare certificates.
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!
Reminder: Upcoming Sutta Study, Wednesdays May 2 – June 20th
Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will offer a new class titled “Exploring the Girimananda Sutta: Cultivating Mindfulness of Ten Perceptions”. The class will take place at Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha, 600 N. Weinbach, Suite 220, Evansville, Indiana 47711. The class will begin May 2nd and end June 20th. It will be every Wednesday in that time frame from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.
If you would like to attend or have any questions, please contact Jan Grafton at 812-319-3785 or email janspebbles@hotmail.com. There will also be a sign-up sheet on the table at the sangha.
The class will meet weekly for 8 weeks to discuss and explore different methods of meditation practices pertaining to perceptions. The text that will be used is “Meditation of Perception” by Bhante Gunaratana. Bhikkhu Bodhi states that Bhante Gunaratana, “takes up the task of explaining the Buddhist perspectives on perception, both in its negative role as an instrument of delusion and suffering, and in its positive role as an aid on the path to emancipation. He centers the book on an exposition of the Girimananda Sutta.”
We will talk about how these teachings are still very relevant in today’s world. Let’s grow together through discussion, study, and meditation in wisdom and compassion.
Saturday Mindful Movement Yoga
Mindful Movement Yoga will be cancelled now through the end of summer. We will make an announcement when practice will resume. Thank you to everyone who attends and we look forward to seeing you once class starts back up.
Vesak Celebration Thursday, May 24th
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 historical Buddha (Shakyamuni Buddha). Please join us on Thursday May 24, 6 PM to celebrate this important event.
The evening will begin at 6 PM 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 short sitting period followed by a discussion of the Buddha’s awakening.
The evening also offers the opportunity for individuals to take refuge and precepts. 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. Those who take precepts will receive a commemorative certificate. If you have questions about taking refuge and precepts, please contact Rev. Ryongwan Karuna (nirvanasamurai@aol.com) or talk with him at an upcoming weekly sitting. Those who have taken the precepts before but who would like to do so again please let him know so that he can prepare certificates.
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!
New Sutta Study Class to be offered on Wednesdays 6-8 pm May 2nd through June 20th
Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will offer a new class titled “Exploring the Girimananda Sutta: Cultivating Mindfulness of Ten Perceptions”. The class will take place at Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha, 600 N. Weinbach, Suite 220, Evansville, Indiana 47711. The class will begin May 2nd and end June 20th. It will be every Wednesday in that time frame from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.
If you would like to attend or have any questions, please contact Jan Grafton at 812-319-3785 or email janspebbles@hotmail.com. There will also be a sign-up sheet on the table at the sangha.
The class will meet weekly for 8 weeks to discuss and explore different methods of meditation practices pertaining to perceptions. The text that will be used is “Meditation of Perception” by Bhante Gunaratana. Bhikkhu Bodhi states that Bhante Gunaratana, “takes up the task of explaining the Buddhist perspectives on perception, both in its negative role as an instrument of delusion and suffering, and in its positive role as an aid on the path to emancipation. He centers the book on an exposition of the Girimananda Sutta.”
We will talk about how these teachings are still very relevant in today’s world. Let’s grow together through discussion, study, and meditation in wisdom and compassion.