Waves and Water Sangha Vancouver is a community of practice in the engaged Buddhist tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. We gather every Thursday evening from 6:50 pm to 9:00 pm for sitting and walking meditation, followed by tea, Dharma study and discussion. We chant together. We engage in deep listening and loving speech.
The first Thursday of each month we sit and walk in meditation, participate together in the Ceremony to Recite the Five Mindfulness Trainings, then enjoy tea and sharing the ways in which we live our practice in our everyday lives. The following Thursdays we sit and walk in meditation for the first hour and spend the second hour exploring a teaching, a practice, or a theme that we have decided on in advance.
We had a Day of Mindfulness in February during which we studied and practiced the Three Refuges chant. We carry our practice of taking refuge into May, studying and practicing with the Refuge Chant.
If you would like an orientation to the practice before attending for the first time, please contact us.
In the fall of 2011, we studied and practiced Beginning Anew, including the Discourse on Love. We explored the Discourse on the Full Awareness of Breathing and shared a wonderful Tea Ceremony. In January this year, we looked at our intentions for the New Year in the context of teachings on Kindness and Diligence. [Kindness MP3]. In February we spent time together “being curious about our practice.”
We also meet with members of other regional Sanghas for Days of Mindfulness and for Retreats. The second Saturday of each month we open our Sangha to others for Days of Mindfulness, training (e.g. sounding the bell, chanting, learning how to set up and maintain the meditation hall, make and serve tea, provide Dharma discussion leadership). These events will be listed to the right – most of them will NOT take place on Wall Street because of financial considerations. The Caretaking Council meets every second month to practice together our particular service of taking care of Sangha.
In the past we have offered a Ceremony for the Deceased, met with members of several Sanghas to practice Touching the Earth, eating meditation, and deep relaxation. We watched video Dharma talks by Thich Nhat Hanh and had deep and lovely discussions. In December, over 20 Vancouver area Sangha members came together for a residential retreat at Rivendell on Bowen Island.
We take refuge in our own awakened nature, in the teachings and in each other. Please join us! Contact a member of the Caretaking Council for more information.
