Reflections on the Path:Zen training in everyday life~Vancouver Island Zen Sangha

The Vancouver Island Zen Sangha is happy to announce the publication of "Reflections on the Path: Zen training in everyday life" by our resident monk, Rev. Master Meiten McGuire. A series of reflections on the meaning and purpose of life, this offering is a down-to-earth, practical approach which is the hallmark of her teaching.

Rev. Meiten's writings resonate with the rich experience of her many years of spiritual practice. As a result, the teachings have taken on her own particular flavor, while at the same time respecting the deep roots of Soto Zen, founded in Japan by Dogen Zenji over 800 years ago.

If you would like a copy, please e-mail dsled@telus.net with your name and full address or send a card to:

Vancouver Island Zen Sangha,
2169 Malaview Avenue,
Sidney, BC
V8L 2E6

Although we offer this at no charge, donations are gratefully accepted and may be mailed to the above address.

Teachings with Ngakpa-la begin soon (click poster to enlarge)

Ngakpa Kalzang will teach about the Four Immeasurables this June in Victoria, Duncan, and Nanaimo once a week for four weeks. For more information please click on the poster or visit http://www.thubtencholing.com/ Hope you can join us!

Buddha's Birthday Celebration~Victoria Zen Centre

What: Buddha’s Birthday Party

Who: Victoria Zen Centre, University of Victoria Interfaith Services

When: Sunday May 25th, 2008 at 1-3pm

Where: University of Victoria, Interfaith Chapel – Parking lot 6 (free on Sunday)

A Buddha of a Birthday Party!
On Sunday May 25 from 1-3pm, Victorians will be celebrating the birth of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, in the traditional way… by having a Birthday party! This event, co-sponsored by the Victoria Zen Centre and the University of Victoria Interfaith Services, now in its 4th year, is open to the public and all children (with well behaved parents) are welcome! This event is free, and for those that wish to, a donation of $5-20 is suggested.

The Interfaith Chapel at UVic, amidst Finnerty garden, will be decked out in flowers provided by Yukiyasu Kato, a master of Sogetsu Ikebana, and the owner of Zen Floral Studio. The event will offer families the opportunity to hear the story of the Buddha’s birth, and to experience a brief Buddhist ceremony in a relaxed and welcoming community environment. Of course, there will also be a piñata, birthday activities for the kids, a display of Buddhist resources for families, cake, and music! Uminari Taiko, Victoria’s taiko (“big drum”) troupe, will help to ensure that everybody knows its Buddha’s birthday!

Venerable Eshu Martin, abbot of the Victoria Zen Centre, and the University of Victoria’s Buddhist Chaplain will preside over the ceremony and celebration. “From the beginning, the teachings of the Buddha tell us that just as we are, we are whole and complete.” Says Eshu, “There isn’t anything missing, and you don’t need to improve upon True you. As we get involved in careers, and feel the responsibilities of family and society, we lose sight of this underlying principle, and start trying to “fix” things, often with terrible results!”

In its first years the ceremony was held as a formal event, an opportunity for the community to learn about Buddhism, “…but it wasn’t the grown ups that got the most out of it” adds Martin, “it was the kids. There was a natural understanding and joy in the celebration of just being... I never expected that!” This year, Ven. Eshu hopes that many families will attend, and that parents will come ready to learn from their children.

For the Victoria Zen Centre’s supporters, this years event will also see the inauguration of the “Wall of 1,000 Buddhas” which is a fundraising event aimed at establishing a permanent home for the Zen Centre in the Greater Victoria area.

For more information, please contact the Victoria Zen Centre.

Ph. 250-642-7936

Email: office@zenwest.ca

Website: http://www.zenwest.ca/

The Wall of 1,000 Buddhas~Victoria Zen Centre

The Wall of 1,000 Buddhas

Background and purpose:
At the Victoria Zen Centre, it is our vision to be a dynamic community and sustainable environment for the practice of living Zen in our families and in our world.

We are committed to realizing this vision by offering:

• Training for many non-residential members, and a few residential members.


• A variety of inclusive activities for the Sangha and broader community.

Since 1980 the Sangha of the Victoria Zen Centre has grown from just 10 members, into a thriving community of practice with more than 500 individual practitioners taking part in our programmes and activities in 2007 alone.

In order to realize our vision fully, we believe it is imperative for the Victoria Zen Centre to be sustainable, and to establish a permanent place of practice and training in Victoria, British Columbia.

To this end, we are establishing a Wall of 1,000 Buddhas. The Wall of 1,000 Buddhas is a fundraising initiative aimed at making our Vision a reality. It is based on the understanding that you - our donors, and the act of Dana (selfless giving), are the foundation of our Zen practice, and of our community. If we are to realize our vision, it will be as a result of our donors, and we believe that your generosity deserves to be acknowledged.

Contributing to the Wall of 1,000 Buddhas will provide a lasting reminder of the practice of Dana. We will create a symbol of our community working together to realize our common vision that will be experienced by all that enter the Victoria Zen Centre in the future.

Your help is needed! Please help build the Wall of 1,000 Buddhas!

All funds raised will go first to meeting the Victoria Zen Centre’s operational costs, and then towards the eventual purchase of property for the Victoria Zen Centre.

We will be inaugurating the Wall of 1,000 Buddhas as part of our celebration of the Buddha’s Birthday on Sunday May 25, 2008.

Details of the Wall of 1,000 Buddhas:

• Based on the amount of an individual donation, a Buddha figure of the corresponding size may be placed on the Wall of 1,000 Buddhas:[1]


• For each donation of $100 the donor can place a Buddha figure 4” in height or smaller.


• For each donation of $1,000 the donor can place a Buddha figure 8” in height or smaller.


• For each donation of $10,000 the donor can place a Buddha figure 16” in height or smaller.

Creating a personal connection and relationship with the Victoria Zen Centre is an important aspect of this project. Therefore, we recommend that each donor select and acquire the Buddha figure that they wish to place on the Wall of 1,000 Buddhas themselves.[2] However if time, distance, or circumstances make this impossible, at your request, we would be happy to select an appropriate Buddha figure on your behalf.

If you would like to donate and contribute to the Wall of 1,000 Buddhas, please contact the Victoria Zen Centre by telephone, post, or email, or you can give online through the “Canada Helps” link under the main menu on the left side of our webpage. Simply note that your donation is for the Wall of 1,000 Buddhas.

[1] The Victoria Zen Centre is a federally registered Charity, and will issue a receipt for all contributions received with name and address information through December of each year.

[2] Figures may represent any Buddha or Bodhisattva. The Abbot and Board of the Victoria Zen Centre reserves the right to determine whether a particular figure is appropriate for display.

Dharma Arts Writing Workshop

SHAMBHALA ARTS FESTIVAL PRESENTS

A Creative Writing Workshop

“First Thought”

w/ Bill Gaston

Sunday May 18th 2 - 5 p.m.

The workshop will involve Bill talking semi-formally, general discussion, writing exercises, and also guided meditation/contemplation. The focus of the session will be on the creative process, in particular how words are typically used, and how they could be used in a fresher way, giving rise to writing that can wake up both the writer and the reader. The workshop will be presented with both those who are repeating the workshop, and newcomers in mind.

To register e-mail victoria.shambhala@gmail.com

Cost $35

Bill, is a creative writing professor at UVic, has published more than a dozen books in various genres, including, most recently, the novel “Sointula”, and the story collection, “Gargoyles”. In 2003, Bill was awarded the Timothy Findlay award for Canadian male writer in mid career.

Victoria Shambhala Centre ● #1-2033 Belmont Avenue ● 383-910

victoria.shambhala@gmail.com

Buddha's Birthday~Victoria Zen Centre

What: Buddha’s Birthday Party
Who: Victoria Zen Centre, University of Victoria Interfaith Services
When: Sunday May 25th, 2008 at 1-3pm
Where: University of Victoria, Interfaith Chapel – Parking lot 6 (free on Sunday)

A Buddha of a Birthday Party!

On Sunday May 25 from 1-3pm, Victorians will be celebrating the birth of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, in the traditional way… by having a Birthday party! This event, co-sponsored by the Victoria Zen Centre and the University of Victoria Interfaith Services, now in its 4th year, is open to the public and all children (with well behaved parents) are welcome! This event is free, and for those that wish to, a donation of $5-20 is suggested.

The Interfaith Chapel at UVic, amidst Finnerty garden, will be decked out in flowers provided by Yukiyasu Kato, a master of Sogetsu Ikebana, and the owner of Zen Floral Studio. The event will offer families the opportunity to hear the story of the Buddha’s birth, and to experience a brief Buddhist ceremony in a relaxed and welcoming community environment. Of course, there will also be a piñata, birthday activities for the kids, a display of Buddhist resources for families, cake, and music! Uminari Taiko, Victoria’s taiko (“big drum”) troupe, will help to ensure that everybody knows its Buddha’s birthday!

Venerable Eshu Martin, abbot of the Victoria Zen Centre, and the University of Victoria’s Buddhist Chaplain will preside over the ceremony and celebration. “From the beginning, the teachings of the Buddha tell us that just as we are, we are whole and complete.” Says Eshu, “There isn’t anything missing, and you don’t need to improve upon True you. As we get involved in careers, and feel the responsibilities of family and society, we lose sight of this underlying principle, and start trying to “fix” things, often with terrible results!”

In its first years the ceremony was held as a formal event, an opportunity for the community to learn about Buddhism, “…but it wasn’t the grown ups that got the most out of it” adds Martin, “it was the kids. There was a natural understanding and joy in the celebration of just being... I never expected that!” This year, Ven. Eshu hopes that many families will attend, and that parents will come ready to learn from their children.

For the Victoria Zen Centre’s supporters, this years event will also see the inauguration of the “Wall of 1,000 Buddhas” which is a fundraising event aimed at establishing a permanent home for the Zen Centre in the Greater Victoria area.

For more information, please contact the Victoria Zen Centre.
Ph. 250-642-7936
Email: office@zenwest.ca
Website: http://www.zenwest.ca/