Katrina aftermath -- many ways to help.
Tsunami relief -- help is still needed.
| Home | Who We Are | Contact Us | Lay Teacher Program | Sensei Unno | Links |
All are welcome, regardless of whether you have previously attended.
|
Archived activity calendars: 2004 2003 for details about the Lay Teacher Program meetings. |
| January | February | March | April | May | June |
| July | August | September | October | November | December |
|
I wish to express my appreciation to each of you for your support of our Shin Buddhist Sangha. This past year (2004) has been especially challenging for me because of the stroke suffered on January 30, but I am now almost back to my normal health, except for my vision problem aggravated by the stroke. Needless to say, it has hindered my ability to read and respond to all of the summaries turned in at the monthly meetings of our Lay Teachers Program. I hope, however, to read them all after my cataract surgeries scheduled for January 11 and 25, 2005. Given the impermanent nature of life, I feel that two important challenges await each of us, especially myself. First is to deepen my appreciation for the Buddha Dharma, realizing that such an opportunity may never come again, if my health is again threatened; and second is to work together with all of you, sharing our insights and experiences, to build the basis for a stronger Sangha. The Buddhist Faith Fellowship of Connecticut has planned various projects to that end; for our own consideration see the BFF website). As my personal goal for the year 2005, I will focus more on deepening my connections with the universe of Namu-amida-butsu, the Primal Vow of Amida, and clarify its working in my life and world. May you join me in this challenging endeavor and discover the hidden gift of religious awakening in its most profound and universal sense. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturday 01/08/05 (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: January 16th is Shinran's Memorial Day (Hoon-ko). This day is designated as a Day of Gratitude to honor Shinran. His words of understanding and appreciation of the Dharma were directed to people who were ordinary householders and workers in society who were unable to practice as monks and nuns in monasteries. Today Shinran's words continue to resonate deeply within each of our lives because we live in such hurried spurts of doing forgetting what is most important! Is there a goal in Shin Buddhism? Is there a clearly stated belief system? Discussion will follow. Namu Amida Butsu. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunday 01/09/05 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Flower Offering: Shinran's Memorial Day, to remember the gift of Dharma in gratitude Shinran gave us (Hoon-ko). Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Theme = The fourth Paramita, VIRYA (endevour), to do my best in all things. Virya also means perseverance. It is the sincere effort to train one's physical self and to cultivate one's spiritual fortitude to practice the teachings of the Buddha within one's life. Discuss and come up with examples of how one practices the Teachings. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturday 02/12/05 (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 Speaker: Chris Stetson. Chris has been a member of our Sangha for many years. His wife, Janet Spongberg, and son, Edward, have participated in our Family Dharma School as continuous, supportive members. Chris will share his thoughts on the Dharma and journey as a Buddhist. Dharma talk by Ty Unno, followed by discussion. The twofold awakening, forming the core of Shin Buddhist experience, clarifies the two components of religious life:
February 15 is Nirvana Day (Nehan-e), the date Shakyamuni Buddha, the historical person who passed into complete Nirvana, leaving his earthly form behind. His Great Wisdom and Great Compassion form the core teachings (Dharma) we, as Sangha members, reflect upon as our everyday lives go through cycles of joy/sadness/suffering/anger/despair/etc. Why? How to live in "happiness"--Is it possible? Listen deeply to the call of Namu Amida Butsu. This is why Sangha gatherings are so important as part of individual learning/reflective experience. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunday 02/13/05 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence |
Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts. Flower Offering: Shinran's Memorial Day, to remember the gift of Dharma in gratitude Shinran gave us (Hoon-ko). Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. Theme = The fifth Paramita, DHYANA (mindfulness, meditation). The Chinese word ch�an and the Japanese word zen come from this Sanskrit word, dhyana. "Dhyana" means stilling the mind and accepting life the way it is, understanding ourselves and life with clarity and compassion. Discuss and come up with examples of how we may practice this teaching. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
What is "Buddha"? One who is devoid of blind passion and full of wisdom to see all things as they are. What is "human"? One who is driven by blind passion, constantly filled with anxiety and insecurity, unsure of the reason for living and dying. Yet the two require each other. The boundless light of the Buddha illuminates our life, enabling us to become who we truly are. As our limited karmic self is thus affirmed, we acknowledge the working of the Buddha as true compassion. This interaction is expressed as Namu-amida-butsu. Each of us as "Namu," a limited being, living within "Amida-butsu," the Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturday 03/12/05 (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. Lay Speaker: Pat Deer. Pat has been our Sangha member for several years, introduced to Shin through her life partner, Jake Bassett. After many years as a successful businesswoman, Pat returned to college and became a school counselor working with young children. Life has a way of challenging us in profound, unexpected ways. Pat's talk with give us insights through her experiences of "The Gates," displayed at Central Park in New York City, and other moments of reflections within her life. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunday 03/13/05 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 sixth Paramita, PRAJNA (wisdom). Wisdom is usually thought to be acquired through diligent effort, but in our Shin tradition, wisdom is granted us as we live the life of humility and gratitude. This is Namu-amida-butsu manifested in everyday life. Parents -- think about the spontaneous appreciation when an "ordinary" moment becomes a moment of quiet, shared joy. Such moments are easily overlooked! Talk with your children about some moments of shared joy you can recall. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
03/27/05
Lay Teachers Program 2:00-4:30 p.m. Smith College, Room 234 |
Continuation of the Lay Teacher Program beyond 2005 is uncertain, and so we cannot accept new certificate students at this time. We can accept a few new students who want to participate for the purpose of enrichment. All current students are encouraged to attend, regardless of whether you have completed the 2003-2004 program. If you intend to participate, please let us know by March 20, and please make every effort to attend the first meeting. If you want to participate but cannot attend the first meeting, please contact us as soon as possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Join students, practitioners, scholars, Dharma teachers, activists, artists and healers to explore the diverse experiences of women practicing Buddhism in contemporary America. Conversations, workshops and performances on topics including �Engaged Buddhism,� �Buddhism and Creativity,� �Race, Ethnicity, and Class in Buddhist Communities,� �Women Changing Buddhism: Feminist Perspectives,� �Women Dharma Teachers� and �Buddhism and Healing.� For more information, visit www.smith.edu/buddhism. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Every year on April 8 we observe the birth of the Baby Buddha. The observance is called Hana Matsuri (Festival of Flowers) to replicate the Lumbini Garden where he was born. The Buddha was born 2,500 years ago in India, and legend states that he proclaimed at birth, "Heavens above and heavens below, I alone am the World-Honored One." The message is that every person can make this claim, regardless of who it is, and manifest ultimate self-worth. This is not ego-centric because such a self is interdependent and interrelated to all of life. This authentic self-understanding is described in an insightful book called "The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently....and Why" by Richard Nisbett, Professor of Psychology, at the University of Michigan (Free Press, 2003). Special Note: At our March Monthly Sangha gathering, Pat Deer spoke to us about her experiences with The Gates at Central Park in New York City and her emotional response to the artistic creation costing 21 million dollars for sixteen short days of display. It symbolized the shortness of our own lives which can vanish in an instant, and it is up to us to make our lives a work of spiritual and cultural accomplishment. Pat will write out the main points of her talk. Those who would like a copy, please email us. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturday 04/16/05 (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. Our LAY SPEAKER is Jake Bassett who has been our Sangha member for several years and is Pat Deer's partner in life. Jake has shared his appreciation of Shin with us in the past, but this will be his first experience as a lay speaker. A quiet, soft-speaking person, he offers thoughtful, insightful understanding of life from his personal experiences. We will celebrate Hana Matsuri, Festival of Flowers, in honor of Shakyamuni Buddha's birth. Those in attendance will participate in the Sweet Tea Ceremony. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunday 04/17/05 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 your ojuzu/nenju beads if you have them. (If you don't have them, no problem!) Theme = Hana Matsuri: Festival of Flowers to celebrate the Birth of Baby Buddha. Who is Baby Buddha? Shakyamuni Buddha? Why do we celebrate this day, April 8, with flowers and sweet tea? Parents: think of one thing you can do with your child(ren) to make this day a meaningful, thoughtful day (one idea: take a walk and see Nature in all forms: birth, growth, death and what remains "deep, deep, deep within each of us.") REMINDER: Each child is asked to bring a photograph of self to use as part of a project coordinated by Mark Gaudet. Please don't forget to bring the photo! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
04/24/05
Lay Teachers Program 2:00-4:30 p.m. Smith College, Room 234 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturday 05/14/05 (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. Brief dharma talk by Ty Unno. No lay speaker. We will devote this meeting to discussing organizational issues for the future of our sangha, and will also entertain questions regarding the BCA (Buddhist Churches of America). As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunday 05/15/05 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 your ojuzu/nenju beads if you have them. (If you don't have them, no problem!) Theme = To be announced | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Lay Teachers Program |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
06/05/05
Lay Teachers Program 2:00-4:30 p.m. Smith College, Room 234 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturday 06/18/05 (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. Our LAY SPEAKER is Bernadette Giblin. Dharma talk by Ty Unno. The theme for our Sangha meeting is how to develop spirituality. Shin Buddhism teaches the five stages of spirituality: positive karmic influence, good teachers, awakening to light, true entrusting, and the working of nembutsu. We will discuss each of the five understood objectively and experientially. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunday 06/19/05 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 your ojuzu/nenju beads if you have them. (If you don't have them, no problem!) Theme = To be announced | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
What is the secret of creating a strong Northampton Sangha? The answer is simple--by applying the Shin teachings to all its deliberations. What does this mean? It means to apply the teachings to work together and to resolve any disagreements. This involves two points: 1) recognize that the source of conflicts is never the "other" but one's own ego-self, and 2) manifest the strength and wisdom provided by the Dharma to deal with one's own subjective biases and thus become more open to other people's views, regardless of agreement or disagreement. Gassho, Ty Unno As the Northampton Shin Buddhist Sangha moves forward to become an independent, non-profit organization, many of our members and friends contributed financially to make Dr. Gordon Bermant's visit possible. The fund was earmarked specifically for this occasion. We wish to thank the following persons for their DANA: Alice and Jim Nagahiro, Arlene and Clement Hirae, Christina Manning and Todd Hinman, Lisa and Mia Ferguson, Corky Robinson, Barbara Punis, MaryAdele Combe, Louise Hoff, David Makinster, Susan Olson, Kerry Homstead, and May Monthly Sangha Gathering Dana. If we missed anyone, we apologize for the omission. Please contact Alice Unno for corrections. The reason for listing the names for such acts of DANA, is that these gifts really make activities of the sangha possible. Without such support the practical aspects of inviting Shin speakers, paying rent when we find a meeting place, providing needed items for Shin religious service, etc., would not be possible. Thank you, Namu Amida Butsu. There is a whole group of members and friends, who also give DANA without thought of receiving anything in return other than the opportunity to listen to the Dharma...Flowers, food, monetary donations, and their presence at our gatherings. In countless ways each give and receive, sharing unrepeatable time together. How fortunate we are! Namu Amida Butsu. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2005, our annual retreat at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies will once again be led by Taitetsu Unno and Mark Unno. This workshop will provide opportunities for those who are new to Shin Buddhism to deepen their sense of awareness and appreciation of living Buddhism as taught by Shinran. For those who are seekers within Shin Buddhism, it provides another opportunity to deepen through hearing/listening to the Dharma, the profound reality embedded in Namu Amida Butsu within each of our lives. 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. At present, 30 people have signed up for the workshop. If you are interested in attending this program, the Barre Center no longer has lodging available but can provide names of bed and breakfast places nearby as suggestions. Be sure to contact them as soon as possible. On Friday, the program begins with registration at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:00 p.m., and opening service at 7:30 p.m. Saturday begins with quiet sitting at 7:00 a.m., breakfast at 7:30 a.m., morning session at 9:00 a.m., lunch at 12:00 noon, afternoon session at 2:00 p.m., dinner at 5:00 p.m., and evening session at 7:00 p.m. Sunday has quiet sitting at 7:00 a.m., breakfast at 7:30 a.m., and closing session at 9:00 a.m. Lunch concludes the workshop.  Ty Unno and Mark Unno will once again host a half-day lecture and discussion at Smith College (Northampton, MA). Whether or not you attend the BCBS workshop, you are invited to come to this event. TOPIC is THE GOAL OF AWAKENING IN SHIN BUDDHISM. Deep hearing is the path to live the Dharma as we encounter the vicissitude of daily living. Anyone interested in Shin Buddhism is invited to participate. Sangha members and friends are encouraged to attend. Fee: $15.00 (includes honorarium and refreshments), payable in advance. Pre-registration is encouraged, since space is limited. You may email us at [email protected] for further information. Important note: We need volunteers for refreshment purchase and serving. Please contact us if you are available to help.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Look Park (Northampton), Tables 3A and 4A from 10:00 a.m. until the end of day. EVERYONE IS INVITED! Our annual picnic is a relaxed time for all sangha members, and their friends and families, to gather in appreciation of one another. Whether you attend our monthly sangha gatherings, Family Dharma, the Lay Teachers Program, please come to the picnic. Whether you come often are hardly ever, we will be happy to see you! Look Park has many activities available, including playground, zoo, minature golf, pedal boats, bumper boats, and more. For information, directions or a map, see www,look.park.com. NOTE: there is a park entry fee of $4.00 per vehicle, or $10.00 for any any vehicle carrying seven people or more. The location is in the same area as last year but the reserved tables are different--another group pre-empted us! Ginny Mayer, Carol Waag, and Caroline Forsman are coordinating the pot luck food. Contact them as to what you'd like to contribute! You may email us at [email protected] for further information. FAMILY DHARMA SERVICE will take place at the picnic, starting at 11:00 a.m. NOTE: BOARD OF DIRECTORS and MEMBERS MEETING will follow Lunch. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| One of the most common practice in Shin Buddhist gatherings is to recite together the Three Treasures--Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha--and entrust ourselves to all three as equally meaningful in our life. This means that the Sangha (fellowship) is just as important as the Buddha and the Dharma (teaching). The reason is that the ideal sangha embodies the interdependence that characterizes our life. While American individualism extols independence, traditional Buddhist values are based on interdependence--sharing responsibilities, life experiences, knowledge, insights, etc., and the truth of interdependence teaches us the timeless meaning in every facet of life, whether joy or sadness, success or failure, good health or illness, and birth or death.
09/18/05
|
Lay Teachers Program 2:00-4:30 p.m. Smith College, Room 234
| Saturday 09/24/05 |
(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: The emphasis on the Single One by Shakyamuni Buddha and by Shinran. Discussion will follow. Namu Amida Butsu. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. Sunday 09/25/05 |
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: the Unno residence Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts, sutra chanting and incense offering.
| Theme: The Middle Path and Autumn Equinox. Parents, talk with your children about what you think is meant by the Middle Path. Come to Dharma class with your ideas to share thoughts from everyday life. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. If you don't have one, no problem!
|
| As the Northampton Shin Sangha becomes an independent religious organization, it is important to remember that so-called "leadership" is a shared commitment by all members. Historically, Sakyamuni Buddha had many disciples that he called "Number One," e.g., No. 1 in cooking, No. 1 in meditation, No. 1 in good works, No. 1 in caring for the sick, etc., (everyone was No. 1). In a Zen monastery the monks take turn being in charge of the bath, toilet, garden, infirmary, meditation hall, etc., (monks should be able to fulfill any responsibility}. In the case of Shinran in the 13th century, he declined to name anyone as a top student and declared, "I do not have a single disciple!", although he had a Sangha with several hundred members. What does this mean for the "leadership" in our Northampton Shin Sangha? As of October 2005, Sangha and Family Dharma will be meeting in a new location, instead of at the Unno residence! For complete information, Click Here Saturday 10/15/05 |
(preparation to listen to the Dharma) Everyone is invited to participate. Location: our New Space! Regular Sangha Gathering. | Service including Sutra Chanting. Dharma talk by Ty Unno. Topic = The ideal Sangha and its religious-spiritual foundation. Discussion will follow. Namu Amida Butsu. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. Sunday 10/16/05 |
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: our New Space! Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts, sutra chanting led by Jackie Flynn.
| Theme: With Halloween coming up, the theme will be "The Masks We Wear" Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. If you don't have one, no problem!
|
Lay Teachers Program
|
| One of the important observances in the Shin Buddhist tradition is called "The Perpetual Memorial Service," held annually in November. It reminds us of the interconnectedness and interdependence of life that sustains our individual existence. Concretely, this means that we deepen our karmic ties with those who have departed before--parents, siblings, friends, teachers, etc.--by remembering them with a deep sense of gratitude, as well as to do our part in strengthening the ties with those who follow us, adding to the rich texture of life. Gassho, Ty Saturday 11/19/05 |
(preparation to listen to the Dharma) Everyone is invited to participate. Location: our New Space! Regular Sangha Gathering. | Service including Sutra Chanting. Dharma talk by Ty Unno, continuing the theme of the Monthly Reflections (above). Discussion will follow. Lay Speaker = Geoff Brown. As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. Sunday 11/20/05 |
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: our New Space! Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts, sutra chanting. | Theme: Our theme will be gratitude and interconnectedness, in keeping with the theme of the Monthly Reflections. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. If you don't have one, no problem!
11/20/05
|
Lay Teachers Program 2:00-4:30 p.m. Smith College, Room 234
|
| One of the most important observances in the Buddhist calender is Bodhi Day on December 8, when we celebrate the attainment of enlightenment(bodhi) by the historical Buddha. More than 2,500 years ago he proclaimed the equality of all people in a society with a rigid caste system and taught that every one can attain liberation and freedom from the bondages of social class. Among his ten top disciples was a barber, and many women expericed spiritual liberation. Gassho, Ty Unno Saturday 12/10/05 |
(preparation to listen to the Dharma) Everyone is invited to participate. Location: our New Space! Regular Sangha Gathering. | Service including Sutra Chanting. Dharma talk by Ty Unno, continuing the theme of the Monthly Reflections (above). Discussion will follow. Lay Speaker = tba. Please contact us if you are interested! As always, refreshment dana and flower dana will be appreciated. Please bring whatever you'd like to share. Sunday 12/11/05 |
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: our New Space! Family Dharma for children, parents and everyone. All are welcome! Dharma lesson, storytelling, crafts, sutra chanting. | Theme: We will celebrate Bodhi Day! TO THE PARENTS: discuss with your children the meaning of "equality" as we use it in every day life. In America we stress equality, but do you think we are all equal? In what sense are we equal and not equal? In Buddhism we also stress equality, but what is the reason we stress it in our teaching? Please bring a brown bag lunch. Parents and children are reminded to bring their ojuzu/nenju. If you don't have one, no problem!
12/11/05
|
Lay Teachers Program 2:00-4:30 p.m. Smith College, Room 234
| | ||||||