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 to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

After listening to Dr. Li’s talk “Allow Joy into Our Heart“. We followed her advice and share our thoughts on “what is working, right now,” amid this global health crisis.

We have posted below; several other recordings of Dharma talk by different teachers. Two of them were given recently, to address our practice during this pandemic, we hope that you find them helpful:

• “Be a Home for Yourself” by Br Ngo Khong
• “How to Recognize your Fear” by Ven. Thubten Jampa
• “Practicing in Times of Adversity” — by Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche

Happy learning!

Allow Joy into Our Heart:

This Dharma talk was given on March 27, 2020, for the “Online Dharma Practice Gathering with Rebecca Li” practice group established to support practitioners during the pandemic. In her talk, Rebecca shared the practice of cultivating clear, total awareness of the present moment in the body and our surrounding to allow joy into our heart as we experience anxiety and stress during this challenging time.

SOURCE: https://rebeccali.org/2020/03/28/allow-joy-into-our-heart/amp/ 

* Rebecca Li, PhD, is the founder and guiding teacher of Chan Dharma Community. She is also a second-generation Dharma heir in the Dharma Drum Lineage (founded by Master Sheng Yen) of Chan Buddhism. She teaches meditation and Dharma classes, gives public lectures and leads retreats at Dharma Drum centers in the US. Dr. Li is a sociology professor at The College of New Jersey where she also serves as faculty director of the Alan Dawley Center for the Study of Social Justice.

Other Dharma Talks:

Be a Home for Yourself

This talk was given on March 26, 2020, by Brother Ngo Khong for the “Lighthearted Sangha” meeting online. Br Ngo Khong, in his signature easy-going manner, discussed how to apply the concept of “Twelve Links of Dependent Origination” to make our mind a true home.

NOTE: The person Br Ngo Khong referred to as “Thay” is Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. In Vietnamese, Thầy means “master”, “teacher”.

“Be a Home for Yourself” [27:42]   — by Br Ngo Khong**

** Brother Ngo Khong or Brother Freedom studied alternative medicine, and worked as a naturopath in his own practice before his ordination in 2011 at Plum Village Monastery, founded by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, author, and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). In 2014, Brother Freedom was transferred to Blue Cliff Monastery in New York, and in 2017 to California, where he lives, practices and represents Deer Park Monastery in the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.

How to Recognize your Fear

This talk was given on April 10, 2020, by Ven. Thubten Jampa from the Sravasti Abbey in Newport, Washington. The Venerable shared with us, how fear does not have to be a hindrance that disturbs and causes instability in our mind, it can also be used constructively if we are able to clearly identify it and understand it.

“How to Recognize your Fear” [13:11]   — by Ven. Thubten Jampa***

*** Venerable Thubten Jampa met the Dharma at the beginning of her university studies in Berlin in 1999. For several months in 2006 she lived in a Zen monastery in Japan to explore the monastic path. She then moved back to Germany and worked and studied at the Tibetan Center in Hamburg. There she completed the 7-year systematic Tibetan Buddhism study program and received further teachings from many prominent Buddhist teacher, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Eminence Dagyab Rinpoche and more. Ven. Jampa received her Anagarika (training) vows from Ven. Thubten Chodron in 2010 and her novice ordination in January 2013.

Practicing in Times of Adversity

This talk was originally given in 2018 by Her Eminence Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche. The Mindrolling International — Chicago US re-posted it on their website on March 26, 2020 in response to the current pandemic. In this talk, her Eminence remind us the importance of taking refuge in the Dharma — letting Dharma practice be the first things we turn to in times of crisis and confusion.

SOURCE: https://mindroloselling.org/practicing-in-times-of-adversity/ 

**** Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Ösel Ling’s founder and spiritual guide, is the daughter of Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen. Born into the Mindrolling lineage, Rinpoche was recognized at the age of two by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa as the re-incarnation of the Great Dakini of Tsurphu, Khandro Ugyen Tsomo, who was one of the most renowned female masters of her time. Thus, the present Khandro Rinpoche came to hold the lineages of both Nyingma and Kagyu schools. Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche is one of the most renowned Tibetan teachers currently teaching in the west.