Date: Saturday, December 13, 2014
Time: 10:00am – 2:30pm
Location:  Chua Vietnam Temple
68 Bradeen Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
Map

Details:

PRACTICE:
Thay teaches us to look deeply and embrace unpleasant states of mind. Taking time to look deeply involves asking such questions as: why is it there? why has it come to us now? what are its roots? what is feeding it? what will nourish us, healing this internal state?

Whether or not you have suffered from depression, Saturday’s day of mindfulness will explore 5 practices for taking better care of unpleasant feelings. It draws on the teachings of Thay, the Dalai Lama, and current psychological research that show the benefits of mindfulness based practice, especially for the treatment of recurrent depression. We will also explore the question of why depression has become a worldwide epidemic (the second most common illness after infectious disease). As practitioners, what can we do to prevent depression and heal those around us?

DURING THE DAY:
Participants are asked to bring their own vegetarian bag lunch. We will share a mindful lunch together, enjoying one another and the abundance around us.

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR:
Frances is a psychologist with 30+ years of clinical experience and is on the teaching faculty at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis. She practices with the Tree House Sangha in Bedford, MA and was ordained as a member of the Order of Interbeing in 2002.

Suggested Dana (donation): $20

Date: Saturday, November 22, 2014
Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Location:  Chua Vietnam Temple
68 Bradeen Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
Map

Details:

PRACTICE:
According to a pronouncement of Abraham Lincoln, “Every man over forty is responsible for his face.”  Whether or not our inheritance and how we live our lives are reflected in the appearance of our face, whether or not we are over forty, we bear some responsibility for who we are in the world.  Drawing on the Buddha’s teachings on right diligence and the four nutriments, we will explore the foundations of this rare observation on karma given by a sitting United States President and examine its implications for our own lives.

DURING THE DAY:
9:30 Intro and Sitting
10:15 Mindful Movements or Walking Meditation
10:45 Dharma Talk
12:15 Please bring vegetarian item for a potluck Mindful Meal.
1:30 Total Relaxation and Consultations
2:30 Q&A
3:30 End

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR:
Richard Brady, “True Dharma Bridge”, co-founded the Washington Mindfulness Community (DC) in 1989 and the Mountains and Rivers Mindfulness Community (VT) in 2008.  A retired mathematics teacher, his passion is supporting mindfulness practice in educational settings.  Richard became a member of the Order of Interbeing in 1992 and received Lamp Transmission from Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh in 2001 to be a Dharma teacher.

Suggested Dana (donation): $20

Date: Saturday, October 25, 2014
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Location:  Chua Vietnam Temple
68 Bradeen Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
Map

Details:

PRACTICE:
Our tradition is filled with practices that restore, renew and refresh us, bringing us home to ourselves, our bodies, our community and our earth. Come share in a morning day of present moment, wonderful moment practices, that will end with a potluck lunch.

Our day will include being together in nature, noticing its wonder and healing energy. Deepening our awareness of the renewing presence of sangha, and refreshing ourselves with the joy of simple, mindful and authentic movement.

DURING THE DAY:
Please bring a vegetarian lunch to share. Also, if you are able to come at 9 a.m. to help us set up, that is always much appreciated.  In keeping with the BOPS tradition, do join us at any time for any length of time.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS:
Lillian has been a massage therapist for over ten years using the breath and movement to help heal and renew her clients. Lillian also practices Yoga and enjoys long walks in nature.

Yenkuei is a Licensed Counseling Psychologist Mindfulness & Meditation Coach of many years, and also has a background in dance and yoga. She is also one of Old Path’s Order of Interbeing members.

Suggested Dana (donation): $20

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Time: 9:30am – 2:00pm
Location:  Chua Vietnam Temple
68 Bradeen Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
Map

Details:

INTRODUCTION:
All of us have experienced the problem of feeling sluggish or bored in our practice. Or sometimes we feel distracted and full of thoughts. Fortunately, there are 84,000 dharma doors and dozens of forms our practice can take. Working together, we will explore a number of different ways to increase our concentration and develop insight. With understanding and love our practice can become the basis for a strong and happy life.

PRACTICE:
We will have a Day of Mindfulness on ways of practice, a day that I hope will be useful for beginning, middle, and experienced practitioners alike. In a relaxed and intelligent way we will think about – and practice – the four noble truths. How do we deal with suffering? How do we practice calming and stopping that can allow us to be fully present in the current moment? What does it mean to “practice” anyway?
I hope you will be able to come.

DURING THE DAY:
Please bring your own vegetarian lunch, and if you are able to bring something to share, that is also wonderful. Also, if you are able to come at 9 a.m. to help us set up, that is always much appreciated.

In keeping with the BOPS tradition, do join us at any time for any length of time.

Suggested Dana (donation): $20

Date: Saturday, March 22, 2014
Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Location:  Chua Vietnam Temple
68 Bradeen Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
Map

Details:
What does it mean to be home? What is our relationship to our homes? What are those times when we feel out of place and separated? How do we return and make a home for ourselves that is truly nourishing?

We invite you to come for a day of mindfulness to explore and connect with your true self in body/mind, community, and sangha. We will practice caring for our first body (ourselves – body, mind, spirit), and all our second bodies (our relationships to others and the earth).

Please bring a picture or two of your ancestors, family or friends; warm clothes and shoes to wear for outdoor walking meditation; and a vegetarian dish to share for lunch.

Suggested Dana (donation): $20

Date: Saturday, May 10, 2014
Time: 9:30am – 3:00pm
Location:  Chua Vietnam Temple
68 Bradeen Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
Map

Details:

Happiness isn’t something we need to find or achieve.
It is the very core of our being.

When we experience stress, anxiety, unhappiness or any other form of discomfort, our mind is not in its natural state. By learning how to reconnect with our true nature we can discover the happiness that lies within us and that is, in fact, the very essence of who we are.

In this Day of Mindfulness, meditation master Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche will explore Buddhist methods for working with mind through meditation in order to experience our natural state of happiness and inner peace.

No previous background with meditation or Buddhist teachings is necessary.

Please bring a vegetarian meal to share for the potluck lunch.

ABOUT ORGYEN CHOWANG RINPOCHE:

Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche is a meditation master in the Nyingma lineage of the Buddhist tradition. He studied for ten years at Lharang Gar in Serta, eastern Tibet, with his teacher, the great Jigmed Phuntsok Rinpoche, who is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest Dzogchen meditation masters of the 20th century. Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and is the founder and spiritual director of Pristine Mind Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping people live fully, die fearlessly, and transform every area of their lives through the Buddha’s teachings. He is currently writing his first book as well as traveling throughout North America speaking on meditation and spirituality.

For more information on Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche visit www.pristinemind.org

Suggested Dana (donation): $20

Date: Saturday, July 26, 2014
Time: 9:30am – 2:00pm
Location:  Chua Vietnam Temple
68 Bradeen Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
Map

Details:

“We practice full awareness in order to realize liberation, peace, and joy in our everyday lives.” –Thich Nhat Hanh

Quote from Transformation and Healing: The Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness (Satipatthana Sutta). Download at: http://ajaytao2010.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/transformation-and-healing-nhat-hanh-thich.pdf

INTRODUCTION:
Why does Thich Nhat Hanh say this Sutra is a very important discourse of the Buddha?

What does it mean: awareness of the body in the body, of feelings in feelings, of the mind in the mind, of the objects of the mind in the objects of the mind?

How do you use the four establishments of mindfulness to reduce your suffering and become more happy? To love yourself more deeply?

We will be looking into these questions at our July 26 Day of Mindfulness. So do please join us at any time that works best for you.

AGENDA:
9:30 to 10:30 Chanting, sitting, walking meditations
10:30 to 11:30 Dharma talk
11:30 to 11:45 Qigong & Stretching
11:45 to 1:00 Picnic Lunch* & Clean Up
1:00 to 2:00 Dharma Questions & Sharing

* please bring a sandwich, salad, or other food item you would like to have for lunch. And, if you would like to bring something else to share with others that is good ,too. The aim is simplicity so we can relax and enjoy the present moment together.

ABOUT BILL:
Dharmacharya Bill Menza (True Shore of Understanding) will be helping to facilitate this Day of Mindfulness. Bill has been a student of Thich Nhat Hanh since 1990, and a member of the Order of Interbeing since 1996. He was called to be a Dharmacharya by Thich Nhat Hanh in 2003. He practices with the Florida Community of Mindfulness, and when possible with Old Path Sangha, other Sanghas in New England, as well as with his root Sanghas in Washington, DC and Fairfax, VA.

Suggested Dana (donation): $20

Date: Saturday, August 23, 2014
Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Location:  Chua Vietnam Temple
68 Bradeen Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
Map

Details:

INTRODUCTION:
“Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering – awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering in the world.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

“Taking refuge in the Sangha in myself, I aspire to help all people build fourfold communities, to embrace all beings and support their transformation.” -The Three Refuges

PRACTICE:
In my practice, my theme right now is of being with suffering, embracing suffering and all beings, and how to respond to situations like Gaza. How do I embrace all beings be they so-called victims or so-called perpetrators, close to me or far away, allowing both to be who they are with all their imperfections, and offering a path to peace?

Taking refuge (and even surrender, pranidahna) is another big practice theme for me, and one of the refuges we take is the Sangha Jewel, which might not always feel the diamond we thought we wanted on a wedding ring.
Looking at these two themes and Shantideva’s (Boddhicharyavatara ch 8) advice on meditation and exchanging self and others, will be our playground for this day.

DURING THE DAY:
We will have a picnic style lunch (BYOF – bring your own food), outside if weather permits, somewhat less formal than usual, allowing for more relaxed social time. Please bring a sandwich, salad, or other food item you would like to have for lunch. And if you would like to bring something else to share with others that is always appreciated.

The afternoon will include Dharma Sharing and total relaxation.

In keeping with the BOPS tradition, do join us at any time for any length of time.

Suggested Dana (donation): $20

Date: Saturday, September 17, 2011
Time: 9:30am – 3:00pm
Location:  Chua Vietnam Temple
68 Bradeen Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
Map

Details: 
One of our Dharmacharyas, Bill Menza, will give a Day of Mindfulness on the theme “The Best Season of Your Life.”

Bill has sent us a poem for inspiration.

Ten thousand flowers in spring,
The moons in autumn,
A cool breeze in summer,
Snow in winter.
If useless thoughts do not cloud your mind,
This is the best season of your life.

Wu-men Hui-Kai (1183-1260)

Bill has a heart of gold and a deep practice that will inspire all of us. He writes of himself that he has been studying:
Gratitude
Right effort
Egocentricity
Buddha Nature, Buddha Mind
Calling Your Demons to Come Feed on You

Please bring a vegetarian dish to share.

It is okay to come for just part of the day. Please do be respectful of others and maintain silence if you are coming in or going out. And of course, if you can come for the whole day, that will be wonderful.

Suggested Dana (donation): $20