On Saturday, June 12, 2021, our Teachers' Corner was focused on the famous line in the Heart Sutra: "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form...", with teachings from H.H. The Dalai…
On May 29, 2021, Chan/Zen teacher, David Listen, joined us to guide meditation and give a Dharma Talk via Zoom. He expounded on the Three Dharma Seals (impermanence, selflessness, nirvana). These describe how things truly are; and when we cannot let go of our desire for permanence or a sense of an independent self, we suffer. He explained how nirvana or "true nature" is not a "thing" we can see or attain, but simply describes our capacity to fully realize the truths of impermanence and selflessness, thereby unleashing our full potential for compassion and wisdom.
On Saturday, May 8, 2021, the topic for Teachers’ Corner was “Wise Livelihood.” After meditation, we listened to a dharma talk by the teacher Andrea Fella about "Wise Livelihood" (often…
On Saturday April 10, 2021, the topic for Teachers’ Corner was “Grief.” For seated meditation, we started with a 10-minute guided meditation on “Encountering Grief” by Roshi Joan Halifax followed…
On March 13, 2021, after meditation we met online for a Teachers’ Corner session about “Forgiveness.” At Teachers’ Corner last Saturday, we listened to excerpts from Ven. Pannavati Bhikkhuni’s talk…
On February 13, 2021, after meditation we learned more about "zazen", or Zen meditation, through a text called the "Fukan Zazengi", or the "Universally Recommended Instructions for Zazen" in English.…
On January 9, 2021, after meditation we met online for a Teachers' Corner session on the topic of "How to Prioritize?" At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we listened to a…
On December 12, 2020, after meditation we heard a dharma talk about the concept of vow, which figures prominently in Mahayana Buddhism. At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we heard a…
On November 14, 2020, after meditation, we discussed one of the fundamental causes of our suffering -- Attachment / Clinging / Grasping, and how to work with it in our…
On October 10, 2020, after meditation, we shared several teachers' responses on the issue of Teacher Misconduct in student abuse. We hope their advice will guide us in learning the…
On September 12, 2020, after meditation we learned more about Right Speech (Samma vaca), one of the elements of the Buddha's Eightfold Noble Path, through a closer examination of one…
On August 8, 2020, after meditation, we learned about a core Buddhism teaching about human suffering — the Second Arrow. At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we read the sutta (Samyutta…
On July 11, 2020, after meditation, we learned about what "Being Present" means for practitioners of the Buddhadharma. At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we listened to a recent Dharma talk…
On June 13, 2020, after meditation, we learned from two different teachers on the topic of Transforming Suffering. At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we listened to two Dharma talks, one…
On May 9, 2020, after meditation, we learned from two teachers about the feeling of Guilt and the Buddhist perspective on how to deal with it. At Teachers' Corner last…
On Apr. 11th, 2020 was our "Teachers' Corner" week, and we took this opportunity to share a recent Dharma talk given by a Chan teacher Dr. Rebecca Li, in response…
On Mar. 14, 2020 after meditation, we learned from three different teachers about Anger. At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we watched two short video teachings and read a short article,…
On Feb. 08, 2020 after meditation, we heard from two different teachers about Impermanence. During our "Teachers' Corner" session, we read a couple pages from Thích Nhất Hạnh's book and…
On Jan. 11, 2020 after meditation, we learned about the importance and the challenges of Listening from Dharma teachers Ajahn Brahm and Toni Packer. During our "Teachers' Corner" session, we…
On Nov. 30, 2019, Alan gave a special presentation on an very important Buddhist practice: Gratitude. Following is the outline of ideas he presented with links to the source articles…
Last Saturday, on Nov. 9, 2019, Kayla presented on the topic of Karma. Kayla's presentation was followed by a lively group discussion on the topic at length - not just…
Last Saturday, on Nov. 2, 2019, Stephen generously shared his research on a well-known Buddhist concept: Interdependence. He led us through an inspiring discussion session after meditation. Following is the…
Last Saturday, on Oct 12, 2019, we studied the tenth of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Jñāna (Knowledge). To learn more about the very last Paramita, we shared…
Last Saturday, on Oct 05, 2019, we studied the ninth of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Bala (Spiritual Power / Strength). We first read an excerpts from the…
Last Saturday, on Sept. 14, 2019, we studied the eighth of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Praṇidhāna (Vow / Aspiration). After a brief intro. on the vows of…
Last Saturday, on September 7, 2019, we studied the seventh of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism — Upāya (Skillful Means / Expedient Means). We first defined Upāya. Then we…
Last Saturday, on August 10, 2019, we dived deeper into our study for The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Prajñā (Wisdom / Insight). We first read a few excerpts…
Last Saturday, on August 3, 2019, we studied The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Prajñā (Wisdom / Insight). Following meditation, we started Dharma learning session with a quick overview…
Last Saturday, on July 13, 2019, we studied The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Dhyāna (Meditative Absorption / Stability of the Mind). Following meditation, we started Dharma learning session…
Last Saturday, on July 6, 2019, we continued our study in The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Vīrya (Energy / Enthusiasm). Following meditation, we first shared observations from last month's…
Last Saturday, on June 08, 2019, we studied the fourth of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Vīrya (Energy / Diligence / Effort / Exertion). We started our Dharma…
Last Saturday, on June 1, 2019, we returned to the third of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Kshanti (Patience / Forbearance). Following the wonderful talk on Patience by…
On May 11, 2019, we welcomed our very first guest teacher, Rev. Eishin Nancy Easton! Rev. Easton joined us in group meditation and gave a Dharma talk on the third of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Kshanti / Kṣānti (Patience). Rev. Easton came early and practiced moving and sitting meditation with us. Afterward, she gave a wonderful Dharma talk on "The Patience Paramita". She then led us into a dynamic group discussion to explore the practice of Patience in daily life and answered many of our questions on the topic.
Last Saturday, on May 4, 2019, we studied the second of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Śīla (Ethics/Morality). We first read the article "The Buddhist Precepts" to get…
Last Saturday, on April 13, 2019, we continued our study in the first of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Dāna (Generosity). We read the article "Joyful Receiving" and…
Last Saturday, on April 6, 2019, we began learning more about the first of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Dāna (Generosity). We briefly discussed the "Three Kinds of Gifts"…
Last Saturday, on March 9, 2019, we continued our introduction to The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism with a focus on the question “What is Bodhisattva?”. We explored the meaning of…
Last Saturday, on March 2, 2019, we kicked off our 2019 Dharma Learning topic -- The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism. We shared a print out of Barbara O'Brien's article:…