Dear friends –
In September, we will begin our four month practice and study period of looking deeply into socially engaged Buddhism as practiced in our Interbeing/ Tiep Hien tradition. Please consider joining us for one Thursday, 10 Thursdays, an unknown number of Thursdays! Throughout this time we will also be learning and joining together in practicing loving-kindness (Metta) chants and songs for all ages.
We will begin September 1st with a recitation of the 1990 Five Wonderful Precepts – an early version of the ever evolving Five Mindfulness Trainings. We will follow this with a recitation of the 2011 version of the Six Ecosattva Vows from One Earth Sangha. There will be tea and Dharma discussion as well as our usual sitting and walking meditation.
On September 8th we will read and discuss together a 2002 portrait of Sister Chan Khong and experience a true manifestation of socially engaged practice. Our October practice will include elements of her book, Learning True Love.
September 10th is our 5th Anniversary Day of Mindfulness followed by a potluck social. We especially invite those of you present at the beginning of our Sangha, following the 2011 retreat with Thay and the Plum Village Sangha. We will sit and walk, drink tea, watch an enlightening 1997 documentary focused on the beginnings of Plum Village called “Peace is Every Step.” It is wonderful to hear and see Thay in 1997 – almost 20 years ago.. After a formal brown bag lunch and deep relaxation we will explore the meaning of Beginning Anew in the context of socially engaged practice. PLEASE, let us know if you are coming (wwsangha@gmail.com).
On September 15th we will look at the history of socially engaged Buddhism in Vietnam compiled from several sources, most especially Lyn Fine and Patricia Hunt Perry’s chapter in Engaged Buddhism in the West.
September 22nd our sitting and walking practice will be followed by a recitation of May the Day be Well and Dharma discussion concerning our everyday aspirations for social justice.
September 29th is a fifth Thursday and our tradition is to have a Tea Ceremony where we bring our songs and stories, poems and images to share with the Sangha. Our theme will be sharing our connections with people, animals, plants and minerals.
May all beings be well….
