UVic Lecture - A Buddhist Rennaisance?

A Buddhist Renaissance?

Shifting Paradigms and Subverting Traditions within Japan's "Funeral" Buddhist Temples

John Nelson

Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Francisco

Buddhism in Japan has been described recently by some of its own priests and scholars as "corrupt," "degraded" and, somewhat surprisingly, "anti-Buddhist." To challenge these perceptions and reaffirm some of the tradition's most basic foundations, the Osaka-based "Buddhist Renaissance" movement is a concentrated and cross-sectarian effort to de-emphasize money-making mortuary rituals and instead practice and promote a more socially-engaged Buddhism. Based on recent fieldwork, we will explore this renaissance as a late-modern, highly-reflexive, and essentially political movement that challenges and subverts established narratives, beliefs and institutions.

Wednesday, April 4, 2007, 4:00 pm
David Strong Building, Room C116

Mahasangha ~ Vancouver Street Retreat

Facilitated by Sensei Grover Genro Gauntt of the Zen Peacemakers Order.

August 2-5, 2007 in the Streets of Vancouver.

A street retreat is a plunge into the unknown. An opportunity to go beyond our imagined limits. A chance to see beyond our small selves, to begin to eliminate the barriers. It's the barest poke at renunciation.

It's not about them. It's about us.

"When we go... to bear witness to life on the streets, we're offering ourselves. Not blankets, not food, not clothes, just ourselves." - Bernie Glassman

For information please visit http://awakeinaction.org/sr/index.htm or contact Lisa Hill by email or call (604) 837-5779 for registration information.Early registration fee deadline is Tuesday, July 17.

Tenzing Tsewang Performs “Sounds of Tibet”

See Tibetan Master Chanter, musician and story teller live at the intimate La Run Theatre.

Victoria, BC—March 19th, 2007. Accomplished singer, musician, story teller and former Buddhist monk Tenzing Tsewang will visit Victoria for two nights in March to create a Tibetan landscape of sound and music. Tenzing’s profound music reflects the depth and beauty of his native culture. His instruments include flute, dramyen (Tibetan lute), monastic cymbals and trumpet. Tenzing sings ancient sacred chants and traditional folk songs while expressing a warmth, charm, and sense of humour rarely seen. Tenzing’s intimate performance style draws audiences into a direct encounter with the vibrancy of Tibetan music, culture and spiritual traditions.

Tenzing escaped with his family from Tibet as a child, taking refuge in Dharamsala, India. There he trained as a Master Chanter at Namgyal Monastery, the private monastery of H.H. Dalai Lama. Now a citizen of Australia, Tenzing has spent the last 15 years performing in Australia, South East Asia, Europe and the United States. We are very fortunate to have this acclaimed World musician play for us at the intimate La Run Theatre. A reception will follow the Saturday night show at La Run.

For more information, or to arrange an interview, please call Tenzing Tsewang at 250-537-8765, or email tenzingltsewang@yahoo.com

Two Performances will be held: March 23rd at 7:30 pm, March 24th at 7:30 pm, reception to follow (March 24th only). Tickets $20.00, advance purchase at Ivy’s Bookstore at 2188 Oak Bay Avenue. To reserve tickets call Ivy’s at (250) 598-2713. Some tickets may be available at the door. Seating is limited.



Event: Sounds of Tibet //Concert and performance
Performer: Tenzing Tsewang
Dates: March 23rd and 24th, 2007
Times: Doors at 7pm, performance at 7:30 until 9pm
Cost: $20.00 per person
Location: La Run Theatre & Arts Club Foundation, 1983 Fairfield Road, Victoria
Contact: Ivy’s Bookstore at 250-598-2713 in Victoria and/or Tenzing Tsewang at 250- 537-8765 (on Salt Spring Island)

Victoria Zen Centre~March 18th One-day Intensive*

A reminder that Sunday March 18th, we will hold our monthly one-day intensive. The schedule runs from 6am-5pm, and includes chanting, sitting, walking, meal practice, and a period of care taking. Eshu gives a Zen talk during the mid-morning sitting, and conducts one-on-one meetings with each student. The cost for the day is $40 and includes two meals. (All fees for one-day intensives are included in full membership).

Please contact the Centre no later than Friday March 16th if you would like to attend.

*Orientation by way of Consultation or Introductory Course is a prerequisite for Zen Training at the Sooke Zendo.

Victoria Zen Centre~Introduction to Zen Meditation

March 17th-May 12th, 2007(Saturdays from 9:00-11:30am)

April 23rd-June 18th, 2007 (Monday eves. 7:00-9:30pm)

If you are interested in learning how to meditate, this is the course for you. For people that are seeking to reduce stress, clarify a busy mind, improve focus and awareness, boost immune function, improve sleeping patterns, or gain insight into the mental, physical, and emotional habits that are preventing you from living life fully, this course offers a gradual combination of study and practice, individual and group interaction, and personal guidance that will provide a strong foundation to experience the profound change that Zen meditation practice offers. The fee for this eight week course is $395* and includes:

• Eight weekly Sessions for a total of twenty hours of class time.
• A free meditation cushion for each participant to keep.
• Weekly course materials and Practice Manual.
• Small class size (max.8).
• Teachings and group discussions on eight core aspects of Zen Practice.
• One-to-one meetings with Eshu.
• One free practice consultation with Eshu upon completion.

For program information:

Victoria Zen Centre~2007 Spring Meditation Challenge

Announcing…

The Victoria Zen Centre’s
2007 Spring Meditation Challenge
(Monday March 5th- Sunday March 25th, 2007)

We all know that consistency in our meditation practice is important.
To this end, we invite you all to accept the Challenge!!

The rules are simple:

1. One point is scored for each day that you sit.
2. In order to qualify, each sit needs to be at least fifteen minutes long.
3. The Challenge lasts for twenty-one days.

Each of you is asked to choose your own level of commitment;

Level 1: Minimum 15 minutes each day.
Level 2: Minimum 30 minutes each day (1x30min or 2x15 min)
Level 3: Minimum 1 hour each day (1x60min, 2x30min, 4x15min or any combo=60min)

It doesn’t matter where you sit, or what time of day you sit. It also doesn’t matter how much time you sit on any given day above your Level. The important thing (in this challenge) is to consistently sit every day.

If you sit for two hours in one day, but don’t sit for the next two days, then you only get one point. However, at Level 1, if you sit for fifteen minutes each day for three days (for a total of forty-five minutes), then you would get three points because you are sitting consistently each day.

To register for the 2007 Spring Meditation Challenge, please respond to sangha@zenwest.ca with your name, telephone number, email address, and which Level you would like to be in.