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SHANTIDEVA
MEDITATION GROUP
FPMT NEW YORK CITY
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E-NEWS: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
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Dear Shantideva Meditation Friends,
With this newsletter, we are thrilled to announce several new program offerings and developments that are being realized in part because of our expanding community of practitioners and supporters.
Our upcoming retreat at Menla Mountain with Ven. Rene Feusi marks the first intensive offered outside of the City, a new opportunity to study and practice together in an ideal retreat environment. If you want to come, please register by Thursday, Sept 8. One of our students wrote that, "One should NEVER miss an opportunity to spend time with Rene."
We are also happy to let you know that Ven. Amy Miller, Ven. Robina Courtin, and Ven. Fedor Stracke will return to New York City to offer public talks and retreat intensives in upcoming months. Please see details below.
This Fall, we will begin an on-going collaboration with Tibet House, where we will hold our Discovering Buddhism study group meetings on Fridays and a new meditation series on Wednesdays in the intimate Library space. Public talks will be held in the Tibet House Gallery as the schedule permits and we will continue to hold our practice retreats at Jewel Heart Center.
At Shantideva Meditation, we have discussed the importance of strengthening our spiritual program with an offering of pujas, intro to meditation, and study groups. Charlotte Lowson will facilitate Discovering Buddhism with assistance from Mila Wilson and Jeff Caspari, and for the upcoming Wisdom of Empiness, will co-facilitate with Gus Cutz. George Cuesta, Gus Cutz, and Jennifer Kim have recently come forward and kindly volunteered to lead pujas which we will begin to do twice monthly.
These leaders, along with other volunteers and sponsors, are also working behind the scenes to help establish a foundation for growth in many areas of the organization, including developing a website, fundraising, and planning our future FPMT center.
Finally, in October, we hope you will join us in participating in the Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour, on view at Tibet House. Lama Zopa Rinpoche wishes to have the collection travel throughout the world to bring the blessings of the relics and the message of loving-kindness to people everywhere. We hope you will join Shantideva Meditation in making a collective offering of a prayer for loving kindness, harmony, and world peace.
With warm wishes and oceans of love,
Mary Esbjornson, Coordinator
Shantideva Meditation-FPMT-NYC
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UPDATE ON LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE
Lama Zopa Rinpoche presiding over long life puja at Kopan Monastery, June 2011.
Photo, Ven. Roger Kunsang
On September 4, Ven. Roger writes:
Rinpoche continues to progress steadily here in Nepal. Rinpoche's doctors have advised to now increase the medication for blood pressure, which was started today. The blood pressure has been much better than prior to the stroke but now the doctors aim to bring it 130/80-range.
Rinpoche's sugar levels have also been much better and we will continue with Rinpoche taking insulin but the type of insulin is changing in order to have better control.
Movement of the right leg and right arm is a little better. The speech also is getting a little better.
Rinpoche is continuing the chanting of Chod in particular (also other prayers out loud) for exercising the speech. Depending on the weather ... we get a lot of rain, Rinpoche does kora 3 or 4 times a week around Bouddhanath and Swayambunath stupa (alternating). Sometimes it's in the rain. Swayambunath kora at the base is 3 kms. Rinpoche walks the whole way. At Bouddhanath Rinpoche does 4 circumambulations walking and then another 6 in the wheel chair. This is one exercise Rinpoche really enjoys. We usually do it late at night; no one else is around so it is really a nice and peaceful time. If we get to the stupa early enough we go to "Flavors" for tea, great "little" place where some of the waiters and waitresses are small people... not more than 3 feet high.
Sincere thanks to everyone for all your support in so many ways.
roger
For the latest official updates, recommended practices, and reports directly from Venerable Roger Kunsang, please go to: FPMT - Rinpoche's Health. |
WEEKEND RETREAT WITH VENERABLE RENE FEUSI
A Glimpse of Freedom from the Self
Friday Sept 16, 4pm to Sunday Sept 18, 1pm
Menla Mountain Retreat Center
Phoenicia, New York
REGISTRATION EXTENDED TO THURSDAY, SEPT 9
In Buddhism, the root cause of our problems is seen to be holding tightly onto a self that is in reality an illusion. Becoming free of this illusion is called nirvana. That experience, far from being boring, or a nothingness, is actually a state of heightened awareness into the very fabric of existence. With teachings, meditations, and discussions, Ven. Rene will help us to glimpse into this reality and give us tips on how to sustain that insight in our daily lives.
Ven. Rene was born in Switzerland and first encountered the Dharma at the age of 20 while attending the November course at Kopan monastary in Nepal. At the age of 26 Ven. Rene took novice ordination in Dharamsala, India and then full ordination the next year. In 1988, Ven. Rene entered the Nalanda Monastery in France and studied with Geshe Tegchok for four years. During this time he completed the traditional 900,000 preliminary practices. From 1993-95 Ven. Rene completed a two-and-a-half-year solitary retreat in Spain. Since then, Ven. Rene has continued to teach, study, and complete several solitary retreats.
Menla Mountain Retreat Center (Menla Mountain), operated by Tibet House, is a serene sanctuary located in a 320-acre valley in the Catskill Mountains of New York State and surrounded by a national forest preserve. The facilities are modern and eco-friendly and the food is delicious gourmet vegetarian. Shantideva Meditation's group will be meeting in the meditation sanctuary and staying in lovely nearby private houses at the center. During free time, we will have access to the sauna, walking and hiking trails, and some silence.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Cost
Basic Accommodations: $375
Commuter (includes meals): $175
Cost is all-inclusive, except transportation. Basic accommodations are in one of the private houses, Snowlion, Eagle, or Dragon (twin beds and mostly shared baths). Limited availability for deluxe single or double rooms in another building; if interested, please inquire. Rates are per person and include two nights with three meals per day (dinner on Friday to lunch on Sunday), as well as any retreat materials.
Location and Travel Directions
Menla Mountain is two and a half hours north of New York City by car, three hours by
Adirondack Trailways bus ($63 round trip). With 24 hour advance notice, Menla provides a $5 shuttle to and from the bus stop in Phoenicia (please contact Menla directly to make a reservation).If you are driving and/or wish to car pool from Manhattan please indicate this on the registration form and we will do our best to coordinate. Click here for directions and travel options: Travel to Menla.
Advanced registration and payment is required for this event (please see below). We are now able to accept credit card transactions via PayPal and personal checks can be made payable to Shantideva Meditation Group, 75 Bank Street, 5Q, New York, NY, 10014.
Register Here for Ven. Rene Retreat
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A WEEKEND WITH VENERABLE AMY MILLER
Friday, October 28 - Sunday, October 30 Tibet House and Jewel Heart Center
Insight into the Nature of Reality
A Public Talk
Friday, October 28, 7-9 pm
Tibet House
22 West 15th Street, New York, NY 10011
An introduction to the Tibetan Buddhist Mahayana perspective on reality and the nature of our minds. How can we translate the profound teachings of the Buddha into the complexity of our lives in this culture today? How do practices such as meditation help to cultivate a more compassionate, altruistic attitude leading to transformation in our personal relationships and in our communities?
Register Here for Ven. Amy's Talk at Tibet House
Practicing the Good Heart: Bringing the Dharma into Daily Life
An Experiential Retreat
Sat, Oct 29, 10 am-4 pm; Sun, Oct 30, 10 am-noon
Jewel Heart Center
260 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013
What are the essential practices for the aspiring student of Lam Rim, the graduated path to enlightenment? Study and meditation are essential to understanding the Buddha's teachings. To generate realizations within the mind, it is also important to practice purification of obstacles and accumulation of merit.
In this experiential weekend, Venerable Amy Miller will guide us in understanding the meaning behind specific practices, offer advice about establishing a firm foundation for individual and group practice, and lead us in practices (including prostrations to the Thirty-five Confession Buddhas and mandala and water bowl offerings). Suitable for students at all levels and questions will be welcomed.
Register Here for Ven. Amy Retreat at Jewel Heart
Venerable Amy Miller is Director of Milarepa Center, our sister FPMT center in Barnet, Vermont, and co-author with Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche of Buddhism in a Nutshell: Essentials for Practice and Study.
Ven. Amy was introduced to Tibetan Buddhism at Kopan Monastery in Nepal in 1987. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in June 2000 by the great Tibetan master, Ven. Choden Rinpoche and has been teaching extensively since 1992. Ven. Amy was formerly manager of Tse Chen Ling Center, director of Vajrapani Institute and manager of the Lawudo Retreat Fund. In 2004, she completed a seven-month solitary retreat in California.
Ven. Amy has organized international teaching tours for and traveled with the esteemed Tibetan Buddhist master, Ven. Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche. She visited Tibet as a pilgrimage leader for the Institute of Noetic Science and has also led pilgrimages in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim for the Liberation Prison Project.
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SAVE THE DATES FOR UPCOMING RETREATS
We are thrilled to announce that Venerable Robina Courtin will take a break from her residency at Kurukulla Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies in Boston to offer an intensive retreat on Introduction to Tantra, December 9, 10, 11 at Jewel Heart Center.
Venerable Fedor Stracke will be coming back to New York to teach what we hope will become a series of topics from FPMT Basic Program (intermediate level). Ven. Fedor will teach on the topic of the Heart Sutra February 24, 25, 26 at Tibet House.
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DISCOVERING BUDDHISM
Wisdom of Emptiness
Fridays: Sept 23, 30; Oct 21; Nov 4, 11
(Please note that we will not meet on Fridays Oct 7, 14, 28.)
7-9 pm
Tibet House Library
22 West 15th Street, New York, NY 10011
The realization of emptiness is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. Learn the meaning of ignorance in our tradition and different methods of meditation on emptiness, including questioning the nature of the "I."
Wisdom of Emptiness is one in a series of topics explored in Discovering Buddhism, an FPMT program designed to provide a solid footing in the teaching and practice of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism.
The program includes studying the Buddha's teachings, a presentation of major points, discussion, and guided meditations. While other texts will be recommended, we will primarily read and study the Heart Sutra, as well as articles by Denma Locho Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and Lama Thubten Yeshe. Readings will be posted on-line and will also be provided as handouts. The study group is open to new and continuing students. Facilitated by Charlotte Lowson and Gus Cutz.
Charlotte has been a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism since 1994. In 2000-2002, she attended the FPMT Masters Program at Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa, Italy, and completed the Philosophy of the Middle Way, or Madhyamaka Section. She has also completed two three-month Vajrasattva retreats.
Gus has been involved with the FPMT since attending a ten-day meditation course at Kopan in 2003. He worked at Wisdom Publications in Boston before coming to New York, where he has been an active volunteer with Shantideva Meditation for the last three years, most recently interpreting/summarizing Geshe Thubten Soepa's teaching on The Eight Verses of Thought Transformation.
Suggested offering: $40 for the 5-week series or $10 for individual sessions help support direct costs including space rental and duplication of dharma materials. Space is limited to 15 so please register in advance.
Register Here for Discovering Buddhism: Wisdom of Emptiness
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GREEN TARA, MEDICINE BUDDHA, AND GURU PUJAS
Shantideva Mediation Group is now offering pujas beginning twice monthly, with the aspiration that we will eventually offer regular pujas on auspicious days (Tara and Medicine Buddha pujas once per month and the Lama Chopa puja twice a month).
You are welcome to come as an observer or participant in this highly beneficial practice within a supportive community. Beginners will benefit from others' experience, while advanced practitioners will benefit from the strong positive energy generated by group practice.
A puja is a ceremony in which prayers are offered to enlightened beings to request blessings and invoke help. The word puja means "to please" and has the connotation to please through offerings and practice.
Pujas effectively help clear away obstacles and allow practitioners to realize their worldly and spiritual aspirations.On a worldly level, people have experienced recovery from illness, protection from untimely death, success in career and business, the ability to find a job or partner, and an increase in wealth. On a more profound level, pujas help us complete the accumulation of both merit and wisdom and quickly attain enlightenment. We can also dedicate the positive energy generated by pujas to others in need of assistance.
PUJA SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER
September 12, Medicine Buddha Puja, led by George Cuesta
October 10, Green Tara Puja, led by Jennifer Kim
October 24, Guru Puja (Lama Chöpa), led by Gus Cutz
Sign-up Here to Attend a Puja
All pujas are on Mondays at 7 pm in midtown Manhattan on 44th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues) at a private residence generously offered by one of our members. In consideration for our host and other attendees, we thank you for being on time.
Participants are welcome to make a small offering to create merit - positive energy - and to request a dedication to yourself or someone else to be recited during the puja. Please e-mail Jennifer Kim at Shantideva Meditation if you cannot attend but wish to make a donation and/or request a dedication.
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MAITREYA PROJECT HEART SHRINE RELIC TOUR
October 14, 15, 16
Friday: 6pm Opening Ceremony
Saturday: 10am to 7pm, Sunday: 10am to 5pm
Tibet House
22 West 15th Street, New York, NY 10011
The Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour, a precious collection of sacred relics of the historical Buddha and many other well-known Buddhist masters, is coming to New York City October 14-16, hosted by Tibet House.
This is a rare opportunity to view these relics, which were found among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters. They resemble beautiful, pearl-like crystals. Buddhists believe relics embody the master's spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom and are deliberately produced by the master at his death. Visitors often report experiences of inspiration and healing when in the presence of the relics.
The relics are clearly visible inside display cases that encircle a life-size, golden statue of the Maitreya Buddha. Visitors may participate in a Blessing Ceremony on Friday evening, where the relics of the Buddha are gently placed on the crown of the visitor's head as a personal blessing.
All of his life, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Spiritual Director of the Maitreya Project, has been collecting sacred relics offered by Buddhist masters around the world. Eventually the entire collection of more than 1000 sacred Buddhist relics will be permanently enshrined in a 500-ft/152-m bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha that is being built in Kushinagar, northern India. The collection is traveling throughout the world to bring the blessings of the relics and the message of loving-kindness to people everywhere.
Shantideva Meditation is thrilled to be one of the co-sponsors of this event, helping to reach out to potential visitors, host the relic custodians, recruit volunteers, and share an offering of living kindness at the opening ceremony. We wish to make the relic tour to New York City a wonderful success and invite you to join us in this effort.
If you are available to host or volunteer, please contact Rosa Maria Goeller, Coordinator of the NYC Relic Tour: e-mail: rmgoeller@hotmail.com.
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Shantideva Meditation Group welcomes sponsorships to make public talks and retreats with FPMT teachers possible. Funds are needed to support offerings, transportation, space rental, accommodations, and materials for each program as well as for general operating expenses, including website development fees.
If you wish to use this opportunity to create positive potential and serve the Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings, please make a donation via the link below or contact Mary Esbjornson at Shantideva Meditation for more information on sponsorship opportunities.
Thank you for you consideration.
JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM
Welcome to new volunteers and thanks to those who have offered service and are joining us again this Fall: Jeff Caspari, George Cuesta, Gus Cutz, Peter Davis, Mary Esbjornson, Lyn Hayes, Lynne Ingram, Antonio Jaquez, Jennifer Kim, Charlotte Lowson, Mercedeh Mirshamsi, Lana Popovic, and Mila Wilson. If you wish to get involved, we have opportunities for people with expertise in the areas of bookkeeping, social media/communications, fundraising, and governance as well as for people willing to help with our visiting teachers.
It is the positive intention and generosity of our supporters and volunteers that helps to create the causes for FPMT teachers to bring the Dharma to New York. If you are interested in sharing your ideas, skills, and resources for the benefit of our community and all sentient beings please email us at Shantideva Meditation. Thank you!
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Shantideva Meditation is dedicated to developing the good heart by cultivating wisdom and compassion through the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism within the New York City area community.
We are a study group affiliated with The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), which is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught by Founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Spiritual Director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
For information about Shantideva Meditation please e-mail Mary Esbjornson, Coordinator at: Shantideva Meditation.
To find Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition go to: FPMT. |
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"For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide, to dispel the misery of the world. "
-- Shantideva
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