|
Temple Work Day
Saturday, April 9th
June 11th
9:00 a.m. - noonish
This coming weekend, the second Saturday in June,
join us for a Temple Work Day.
Possible projects include: polishing the Buddha in the Zendo -- as well as our collection of brass altar fittings, exterior painting, finishing up the bathrooms and making garden magic (!?!). Please wear work clothes, sturdy shoes/boots and a hat. Bring work gloves if you have them. Good company guaranteed.
Vegetarian lunch provided, although voluntary potluck always welcome - contact Sư cô.
|
| |
"All I teach is Loving Kindness."
--Thây Thích Minh Nhat
A student asked his Master if he believed in God. The Master replied, "If God is Love and Compassion, then I am a believer." We find the Buddha speaking of these qualities as part of his teaching his son, Rahula, about the Brahma Viharas or the Four Immeasureables: Loving Kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity.
Love and Compassion are often mentioned in the holy books of other religions and in the words of spiritual teachers of various traditions. Rabbi Herschel said, "When you are filled with compassion, there is no one to oppose another and no other to stand against oneself." The Sufi mystic Ibn al-Arabi often said that Love was his religion and faith. Meister Eckhart believed the fulfillment of the spiritual journey to be in compassion and love.
We are traveling the Buddhist spiritual path. For each of us, our journey begins and ends with the words of the Buddha, "By your own efforts, watch yourself, waken yourself and be joyful." When we practice Love and Compassion we become Peacemakers. To be a Peacemaker there are three steps:
Step 1 begins with not knowing;
empty yourself of your cherished opinions.
Step 2 is bearing witness to those things that are causing pain and suffering. Step 3 Do a loving act.
| |
|
