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All are welcome, regardless of whether you have previously attended.
2004
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Detailed information for the 2003 schedule is still available, in case you need to reference it. for details about the Lay Teacher Program meetings. |
| January | February | March | April | May | June |
| July | August | September | October | November | December |
| Saturday 01/10/04 Location: the Unno residence |
Regular Sangha Gathering. Service and Discussion Theme: Ho-on-ko (Day of Gratitude, Shinran's Memorial Gathering) "Ho-on-ko" means "getting together to remember Shinran who taught us the life of gratitude." What this means for us today will be the main topic of Ty Sensei's dharma talk. Discussion to follow. All are welcome, regardless of whether you have previously attended. We need volunteers for flower dana and refreshment dana, please! |
| Sunday 01/11/04 2:00 - 5:00 PM Room 234, Wright Hall, Smith College |
Lay Teachers Program. See the new Lay Teacher Program page for details about the Lay Teacher Program meetings. |
| Sunday 01/18/04 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Topic: Eightfold Path and Everyday Living--Parents and Child(ren) appreciation of Shin from DEEP, DEEP, DEEP WITHIN. What is the purpose of being aware of the Eightfold Path? Parents: just listen and note what your child has to offer as thoughts: validate, be non-judgmental. Make it a positive path of experience expressed between the two of you. |
| FEBRUARY Cancellation & Postponement |
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| Sunday 02/22/04 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Service: PARINIRVANA (usually observed on Feb. 15) Date when Shakyamuni Buddha passed into complete Nirvana, leaving his earthly form behind. Topic: We are studying the Eightfold Noble Path as part of everyday living. We began with Right View last month. Right Thought is our focus at this time. What is Right Thought? If we think of certain things, such as loving something/someone, hating something/someone, anger toward, desiring--where do these thoughts lead? Do we act on thoughts? How do "I" feel with these thoughts? Explore with your child(ren) at their level--be open, validate, and as a parent, think of where your own thoughts lead. Go gently through these streams of awareness. Nonjudgmental. |
| Saturday 03/13/04 Location: the Unno residence |
Regular Sangha Gathering. Service: Service OHigan (Spring Equinox) The day and night are of equal length. Nature gives us this time of year to reflect and appreciate this balance within itself instead of "just another day of busyness." As Buddhists, we are reminded to observe the natural rhythm of light/darkness within all of life as well as within oneself. Ty will be the speaker, topic to be announced. Discussion will follow. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. |
| Sunday 03/14/04 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Topic: We continue studying the Eightfold Noble Path as part of everyday living. Today we explore "right speech." Parents and children can prepare by thinking about and discussing how "right views" and "right thoughts" can blossom into "right speech." Think of how words might be kind; words might be hurtful; words might not be so easily controlled. What have we learned through the Dharma about interconnectedness and "my responsibility" within any interaction? Bring your thoughts and examples to share. |
| Sunday 03/21/04 2:00 - 5:00 PM Room 234, Wright Hall, Smith College |
Lay Teachers Program.
Note the new date! See the Lay Teacher Program page for details about the current assignment. |
| Saturday 04/03/04 Location: the Unno residence |
Regular Sangha Gathering. Hanamatsuri Service: Observance of Birth of Shakyamuni Buddha, Sweet Tea Pouring Ceremony, Flower Festival. Ty will be the speaker. Discussion will follow. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. |
| Sunday 04/04/04 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Topic: We continue studying the Eightfold Noble Path as part of everyday living. Today we explore "right conduct." What actions in everyday living might be violent or non-violent, hurtful or non-hurtful, kind or not-kind, peaceful or not-peaceful? Bring your thoughts and examples to share. |
| Sunday 04/18/04 2:00 - 5:00 PM Room 234, Wright Hall, Smith College |
Lay Teachers Program.
Note the new date! See the Lay Teacher Program page for details about the current assignment. |
| Sunday 05/02/04 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Theme = Gotanye: Celebration of Shinran's birth on May 21, 1173. His wisdom and appreciation of the Dharma, expressed in his writings, are the guiding principles of Shin Buddhism. We will also celebrate Mother's Day! Dharma Topic: We continue studying the Eightfold Noble Path as part of everyday living. Today we explore "right livelihood," the way we live our lives. How can I live to become a better person who is friendly, understanding, and compassionate? Parents, please discuss this with your child(ren) and share your thoughts with us. If possible, please write them down so that we can share them with others who cannot attend Family Dharma. |
| Saturday 05/08/04 Location: the Unno residence |
Regular Sangha Gathering. Ty will be the speaker. Topic: Although Shinran was born a Japanese 1173 and died in 1263, his message has universal significance which is attracting thinking, religious people throughout the world. What are some of the reasons for his attraction for contemporary people? Discussion will follow. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. |
| Sunday 05/09/04 2:00 - 5:00 PM Room 234, Wright Hall, Smith College |
Lay Teachers Program. See the new Lay Teacher Program page for details about the Lay Teacher Program meetings. |
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JUNE - Projected Dates
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Friday - Sunday 07/16/04-7/18/04 Annual Weekend Retreat at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (Barre, Massachusetts) Begins July 16 at 5:00 p.m. with dinner. Concludes July 18 with lunch. |
 Our annual retreat at the BCBS will be led by Taitetsu Unno and Mark Unno. Mark is a Shin Buddhist priest, and teaches at the University of Oregon. He is also Ty and Alice's son. The weekend consists of dharma talks, open discussion, and free inquiry, as well as quiet sitting and sutra chanting. This workshop explores the deeper dimension of Shin Buddhism in larger philosophical and cultural contexts, taking up the core issues of relative perspectives, dissolving dualistic boundaries, and realizing the oneness of reality. The discussion is based on the words of Shinran (1173-1263) contained in the classical work Tannisho (Lamenting the Deviations). Comprehensive fee, covering lodging, meals, and other activities is $180, payable to Barre Center. The BCBS offers some work-study and scholarship opportunities. For further information, please call Barre Center Office at (978)355-2347, and visit the BCBS website. A limited number of scholarships are also available through our sangha for those experiencing financial hardships. Please contact us at [email protected] for information. |
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Saturday, 07/24/04 l:00-5:00 P.M. One-Day Workshop Room 234, Wright Hall, Smith College |
This one-day workshop at Smith College features Dr. Mark Unno as the main speaker. The fee plus refreshments for the one-day program is $15, payable to the Northampton Shin Buddhist Sangha. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. |
| Sunday 07/25/04 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Topic: We continue studying the Eightfold Noble Path as part of everyday living. |
| Sunday 08/08/04 Special Event! Annual Sangha Picnic/Potluck for everyone who attends... Regular Sangha, Lay Teacher Program, or Family Dharma ...plus friends and family! All are welcome! |
Annual Sangha Picnic/Potluck, plus Family Dharma for the
kids Many of our Sangha Members and Friends travel many miles to share the Dharma and have few opportunities to just meet and chat informally. Let's all get together at Look Park! Location: LOOK MEMORIAL PARK, 300 NORTH MAIN ST., Florence, MA 01062, Phone No. (413) 584-5457. Directions: From the center of Northampton Town (Main Street turns into Elm Street in front of Smith College) continue going north. You will pass through the center of Florence town. Continue north. You will see a Look Park sign and the park in on the left side--can't miss it! Once you enter the park, go to the information building. Ask for directions to Tables 5A and 5B (same as last year). There is a fee per car to enter ($3.00). The Look Park web site includes more information, including directions and maps. Things to do in the park: There is a wonderful large, free sprinkler play area--children and adults may use the facilities! There are swings, slides, paths for walking, and plenty of grassy areas for napping. A basketball court and volleyball net are nearby. Bring your own balls! A snack store for cold drinks and ice cream is also available. For a nominal price, you can also enjoy the the mini-train rides, paddle boats, miniature golf and bumper boats found at different locations within the park. IMPORTANT! POT LUCK: Please be sure to contact Ginny Mayer, who is in charge of the pot luck menu. [email protected]. |
| Saturday 08/14/04 Location: the Unno residence |
Regular Sangha Gathering. Ty will be the speaker. Topic: Deep Hearing as Shin Buddhist Practice. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. |
| Sunday 08/29/04 2:00 - 5:00 PM Room 234, Wright Hall, Smith College |
Lay
Teachers Program. See the new Lay Teacher Program page for details about the Lay Teacher Program meetings. |
| Saturday 09/18/04 (preparation to listen to the Dharma) Everyone is invited to participate. Location: the Unno residence |
Regular Sangha Gathering. Dharma Talk and Discussion led by Ty Unno. Topic = Primal Vow as Related to Death and Dying in Shin Buddhism As Shinran wrote in the Tannisho,"When I ponder on the compassionate Vow of Amida, established through five kalpas of profound thought, it was for myself, Shinran, alone. Because I am a being burdened so heavily with karma, I feel even more deeply grateful to the Primal Vow which is made to decisively save me." As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. |
| Sunday 09/19/04 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Theme = Eightfold Noble Path - Right Mindfulness. We have talked about the Path of Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Thought, Right Mindfulness. To be aware and to understand how one might live these aspects of the self is truly important, but what does the Dharma teach us when we forget to follow the Eightfold Path? Reflect and bring your thoughts to the gathering to discuss. |
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Sept. Lay Teachers Program |
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| Saturday 10/02/04 (preparation to listen to the Dharma) Everyone is invited to participate. Location: the Unno residence |
Regular Sangha Gathering. Lay Dharma Talk by Rebecca Brown. Dharma Talk and Discussion led by Ty Unno. Topic = Ty will discuss the following poem presented at the Buddhism and Psychotherapy Conference at Boston University, Sept. 10-11. This poem was written by Akiko Suzuki who passed away at age 47. She wrote the poem two months before her death. Satisfaction Do not try to be a step ahead of everyone In such a transient manner My children Please do not spend your lives No matter how far you go There will be no satisfaction Do not compete Do not compare Do not be envious Do not lament Do not belittle yourself Please let your own flowers bloom You are yourself and that is enough Just like the rose in the garden Just like the pine tree in the garden Please let the flowers of your human accomplishment bloom True satisfaction arises there. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. |
| Sunday 10/03/04 2:00 - 5:00 PM Room 234, Wright Hall, Smith College |
Lay
Teachers Program. See the Lay Teacher Program page for details about the Lay Teacher Program meetings. |
| Sunday 10/17/04 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Theme = Six Paramitas: DANA--giving unselfishly to others. Reflect on what "I" can give to another, including mother, father, sibling(s), friends, unknown others, enemies, self (?). Bring thoughts of Dana to share and discuss. IMPORTANT NOTE: BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING! (1:15 p.m., after Family Dharma gathering.) |
| Saturday 11/06/04 (preparation to listen to the Dharma) Everyone is invited to participate. Location: the Unno residence |
Regular Sangha Gathering. Service including Sutra Chanting and Incense Offering. Lay Dharma Talk by Mina Harrison. Dharma Talk by Ty Unno. Topic = When I first began to study Buddhism, I asked D.T. Suzuki about the difference between Zen and Shin. He replied that Rinzai Zen is like the father calling to his baby just learning to walk to come to him. The baby crawls and then walks and jumps into the father's lap. In Shin Buddhism, in contrast, every time the child is about to reach the father, the father steps back. The father keeps stepping back until the baby is able to walk on his own without relying on the father. What is the main point of this contrast? Discussion will follow. Perpetual Memorial Service - EITAIKYO We will observe this Perpetual Memorial Service during our Monthly Sangha Gathering Service to honor those who have lived and died and now return as Bodhisattvas calling us to listen to the Dharma. It provides us with an opportunity to deeply reflect on one's own life and the countless lives and conditions that continue to sustain. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. |
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Sunday 11/07/04 2:00 - 5:00 PM Room 234, Wright Hall, Smith College |
Lay
Teachers Program. See the Lay Teacher Program page for details about the Lay Teacher Program meetings. |
| Sunday 11/21/04 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Theme = The Six Paramita: SILA, Personal Discipline. Personal discipline is the mastery over the self, not in the sense of suppression, but as a free and spontaneous expression of a mature individual. Compassion expressed by someone who practices "Sila," no longer uses "effort" to be compassionate. Remember, the Eightfold Noble Path is "my practice," for each of us to reflect and cultivate the RIGHT VIEW of this unrepeatable life. The Six Paramita is the same as the Eightfold path but expressed in relation to other people. It is the social practice of Buddhism. Can you give examples of "Sila?" |
| Saturday 12/04/04 (preparation to listen to the Dharma) Everyone is invited to participate. Location: the Unno residence |
Regular Sangha Gathering. Service including Sutra Chanting and Incense Offering. Dharma talk by Ty Unno. Topic: We celebrate Bodhi Day, the Day of Enlightenment, on December 8, when the infant Buddha proclaimed, "Above heaven and below heaven, I alone am the World Honored One." More than 1,500 years later Shinran said, "When I ponder on the compassionate Vow of Amida, established through five kalpas of profound thought, it was for myself, Shinran, alone." Religiously speaking, they were making the same point. What was that point? Discussion will follow Lay Speaker: Jim Nagahiro. He and Alice have lived in many different places, participated in different temple settings, and now are active members of Northampton Shin Sangha, Boston Shin Sangha, and New York Buddhist Church! His talk will help us appreciate both the present landscape of American Shin Buddhism and also its roots through his personal experiences of listening to the Dharma. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. |
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Sunday 12/05/04 2:00 - 5:00 PM Room 234, Wright Hall, Smith College |
Lay
Teachers Program. See the Lay Teacher Program page for details about the Lay Teacher Program meetings. |
| Sunday 12/19/04 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Bodhi Day Ceremony of Candle Lighting Offering. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Theme = The third Paramita, Ksanti: Forbearance, waiting to find out what�s behind the outward appearances of a situation or occurrence instead of jumping to conclusions and reacting in haste. Forbearance means the spiritual fortitude to withstand the wrongdoings and mistakes of others with deep understanding and sympathetic attitude towards the wrongdoer, and rather than retaliate, to devise means to lead such people away from such actions. We all make mistakes in life, and we want to correct them. But the Buddhist aspect is that we want to correct mistakes, as well as learn from them so that we grow as human beings through self reflection. A child needs to correct a mistake as soon as possible, but the adult has to learn how their child corrects mistakes; the child becomes the best teacher for parents in helping us develop deeper understanding of human nature. |
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Ty is scheduled for cataract surgery in both eyes in January, 2005. We plan to hold our regular Sangha gathering, as well as Family Dharma, in January and February, and to resume the Lay Teacher Program in March. Details will be posted as soon as available. In 2005, our annual retreat at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies will once again be led by Taitetsu Unno and Mark Unno. Comprehensive fee, covering lodging, meals, and other activities is $180, payable to Barre Center. The BCBS offers some work-study and scholarship opportunities. For further information, please call Barre Center Office at (978)355-2347, and visit the BCBS website. |