Mahasangha~"A ZEN LIFE - D.T. Suzuki" at Vancouver International Film Festival

A ZEN LIFE - D.T. Suzuki
Saturday, Sept. 30, 3:30 pm
Empire Granville Cinema 2
and
Saturday, Oct. 7, 7:00 pm
Ridge Theatre

The film's director, Michael Goldberg, and co-producer, John Wittmayer, will be present at the screenings.

"A ZEN LIFE" is a feature documentary about Buddhist scholar Daisetz Suzuki (1870 - 1966), credited with introducing Zen to the West. Daisetz Suzuki was instrumental in healing the wounds and deep mistrust between East and West in the aftermath of World War 2.

He helped shift the focus on Japan as a sworn enemy, to another Japan that possessed a sublime and fascinating culture from which the West could benefit and learn. Dr. Suzuki lived in the United States from 1897 to 1908. In 1911 he married an American, Beatrice Lane, who helped him with his work until her death in 1939. After the War he traveled and taught extensively in the United States and Europe.

Many renowned Western thinkers (e.g. Fr. Thomas Merton, Huston Smith, Alan Watts), artists (John Cage, Gary Snyder, etc.), and psychologists (Carl Jung, Erich Fromm, etc.) were strongly affected by his writings and friendship. The "Beat" literary movement in the West was heavily influenced by his writings concerning Eastern religion and philosophy. In addition to Daisetz Suzuki's life story and excerpts from his talks about Zen, the film delves into his interest in Pure Land Buddhism. Inter-faith dialogue was, in his mind, a key to peace, and part of the documentary is devoted to Buddhism and Christianity. The "Zen boom" coincided with a rise in popularity of psychoanalysis, both of which deal with the problem of the "self."

Intersperced with footage, photos and audio recordings of D.T. Suzuki, many of them never before made public, are interviews of people who knew him, inspiring in their own right. A pioneer in improving East-West relations, his numerous writings in English and Japanese serve as an inspiration even today. Dr. Suzuki's message is all the more important now, in light of contemporary conflicts stemming from divergent ways of thinking.

For more information about the screenings:
Vancouver International Film Festival
http://viff@viff.org/home.html
604-685-8297

For more information about the film:
The DT Suzuki Documentary Project
http://www.blogger.com/www.azenlife-film.org
e-mail: info@azenlife-film.org

In addition:
"A ZEN LIFE - D.T. Suzuki"
SUNDAY OCTOBER 8, 2:00 - 4:30 pm at Simon Fraser University, Harbour
Centre, in the Terasen Gas Theatre, Room 1800, 515 West Hastings St. in
downtown Vancouver.

The Thomas Merton Society of Canada & the Interdisciplinary Programs at SFU present A Zen Life: D. T. Suzuki, a new film by Canadian Michael Goldberg that features thematic segments on aspects of Zen as well as the life story of D. T. Suzuki, the scholar and master who is credited with introducing Zen Buddhism to the West. Following the film, Merton scholar Donald Grayston will give a short talk about Thomas Merton's fascination with Zen and his relationship with D. T. Suzuki. Filmmaker Michael Goldberg, Executive Producer/Director of A Zen Life, will share insights about the process of making this extraordinary film. He worked as an independent scholar and producer: an often brutal experience but one that resulted in a definitive film record of Suzuki.

Minimum donation (to assist the filmmaker and rental costs) $5 at the
door.
Info: Susan Cowan, TMSC Community Relations Director @
604-669-2546.

For a short intro on D.T. Suzuki, please go to this website.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/questionofgod/voices/suzuki.html
For further information about the Philosophers' Café:
http://www.philosopherscafe.net/
For further information about the Canadian Academy of Independent
Scholars: http://www.independentscholars.net/

Khenpo Karpo Rinpoche~Clearing Away Obstacles

A special teaching will be offered on
Sunday, October 1st 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

First Unitarian Church of Victoria 5575 West Saanich Road
(across from the Red Barn)

Khenpo Karpo Rinpoche will give teachings on Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and The Seven Line Prayer to Padmasambhava (found in the Chenrezig long texts).

Please arrive and be seated by 1:15 p.m.

Please Bring:

- Cushion and mat to sit on (there are chairs for those who need them)

- Texts if you have them

RSVP:

Please contact June Fukushima 472-6065 or email junejf@shaw.ca to let organizers know how many people to expect. Please also indicate if you need a copy of the text. A small fee for photocopying will be charged.

Lama Tara suggests that those who have texts to please read them and forward questions to June before the teaching.

Khenpo Kharpo is a 71 year old Shakya lama born in eastern Bhutan in Lhuntse Zhong. Inspired by his masters, His Holiness Jidrei Yeshe Dorji and Polo Khenpo, Khenpo Kharpo has founded a monastery in Pelphu, Bhutan and has organized the Druk Odiyana Foundation. The Foundation has embarked on building a 148 foot steel and copper Guru Rinpoche statue. The statue will be in the Nangsey Zilnon position, symbolizing his subduing negative forces in the universe. Three lhakangs will also be built for 15000 monks to perform religious ceremonies. Takila, Bhutan is the site of this auspicious project where the 9th Karmapa was in retreat. The Himalayan peaks and the borders of Tibet can be viewed from Takila, Bhutan.

Victoria Zen Centre~September 17th One-Day Intensive

A reminder that Sunday September 17th, 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 intermediate and advanced membership). Please contact the Centre no later than Friday September 15th if you would like to attend.

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

Mahasangha~Family Dharma

UVic Interfaith Chapel Sundays 6:30-8:00pm

September 17, 2006
October 15, 2006
November 12, 2006
December 10, 2006

Join us this fall for a Family Dharma program at UVic's Interfaith Chapel. Storyteller Margo McLoughlin will share stories from the life of the Buddha and lead activities for children and families.

This is an opportunity for parents to introduce their children to Buddhist practice and history through storytelling, art, mindfulness games and music. Margo has been practicing in the Theravada tradition since 1986. She served on staff at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and is a graduate of the Harvard Divinity School. She will be teaching Mindfulness Yoga for Children at the Oak Bay Rec. Centre starting in September, as well as several programs for Royal Roads' University Continuing Studies.

The Family Dharma program is for families and children from age 5 and up.

For More information please contact Ven. Eshu at eshu@zenwest.ca or 642-7936

Mahasangha~Multifaith Peace Vigil

Wednesday September 6th, 2006 7:00-8:00pm
At the Cenotaph on the corner of Belleville and Government Streets

Please join the Victoria Multifaith Society, members of the Buddhist, Baha’i, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, and Unitarian communities, and many others that are interested in Peace for a brief Vigil.

Everyone is welcome, so please bring your friends. If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact me at eshu@zenwest.ca

Ron Stirling, the organizer of the Vigil has the following suggestions for a successful vigil:

1. Use lots of banners & signs. We have quite a few but if you folk can bring some that would be great.
2. Maintain the position of them so they can be easily read from the streets.
3. Make sure to leave a clear space on the sidewalk and in front of the signs so that the public feels welcome to approach participants for conversation.
4. Make eye contact with pedestrians and people in cars and be ready to acknowledge indications of support.

We have good relations with the Legislative Police so we do not hang anything from the Cenotaph or attach anything to it.

It is our practice at the end of the Vigil (7:55pm) to make a circle, hold hands and after allowing a few minutes for people to make brief announcements, sing a secular song – "Go Now In Peace."

Go now in peace, go now in peace,
May the spirit of love surround you,
Everywhere, everywhere, you may go.
(Repeated)

I hope to see you all there!

Venerable Eshu Martin,
Resident Monk, Victoria Zen Centre
Buddhist Chaplain, Interfaith Services, University of Victoria

4970 Nagle Road RR#6
Sooke, BC V0S 1N0
www.zenwest.ca
(250) 642-7936

Victoria Zen Centre~Fundamentals of Zen Practice*

(Alternating Thursdays 7:30-9:30pm September 14th, 28th and October 12th, 26th)

If you are interested in deepening your commitment to Buddhist practice, but are unsure of what to do next, the “Fundamentals of Zen Practice” programme will provide you with the opportunity to explore the ceremony of Jukai, which is commonly considered formally “becoming Buddhist”. The Jukai Ceremony consists of four distinct aspects, each of which is introduced and discussed in an intimate environment of friendship and community. The four aspects are;

1. Sange (repentance/purification).
2. Taking the Threefold Refuge.
3. Receiving the Five Sila (precepts).
4. The Four Bodhisattva Vows.
   

At the Victoria Zen Centre, the Jukai Ceremony takes place upon the successful completion of the “Eldership Programme”. Taking part in the “Fundamentals of Zen Practice” is a wonderful way to discern whether pursuing the path to Eldership is of interest to you.

*Completion of the Introduction to Zen Meditation Course or an Orientation Consultation is required to enrol in the Fundamentals Programme.

Victoria Zen Centre~August One-Day Intensive

A reminder that Sunday August 20, 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 intermediate and advanced membership). Please contact the Centre no later than Friday August 18 if you would like to attend.

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

Mahasangha~Wandering Hermit

Happy Contemplative Buddhist Hermit Affiliated with Birken Forest Monastery
Seeks Suitable Abode to Practice
Ideally in or near a forest/park, basic shelter with access to bathroom and kitchen. Will consider locations in concrete jungles of cities if clean, quiet, and safe. Can share space, expenses.

• Will abide peacefully in Noble Silence and solitude, in meditation, practicing Loving Kindness, cultivating a good heart, studying, writing and contemplating Dhamma, and practicing yoga;
  

• Can help you custom design a healthy lifestyle leading to well-being based on simplicity, spiritual practices, exercise, and diet;
  

• Can house-sit, cook, clean, hike, bike, drive, shop, edit and write, listen compassionately, engage in wholesome conversation, be a Dhamma Buddy, a Kalayana Mitta “to go”; can tutor English, sciences….;
  

• Will travel including overseas (I am a Canadian citizen);
  Fall and winter; flexible time period;
  

• Enquiries and offers to Anagarika Amin/Jotiko at aminkya@yahoo.ca
  
  
  

About myself
In June 2002 I left Ottawa (my home for many years) and the worldly life to pursue a spiritual life as an 8 precept steward (anagarika/samana) at the Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery. From about August 2004, I entered a new phase in my spiritual life spending half of each year at Birken and the other half as a wandering spiritual hermit. This has been a richly challenging and rewarding experience.

My spiritual mentors include Bhante Gunaratana (Bhavana Centre, W. Virginia), Ajahn Viradhammo (Tisarana, Ontario), Ajahn Sona (Birken, BC).

This document composed in consultation with Ajahn Sona.

Samana

1. Contemplative. Literally, a person who abandons the conventional obligations of social life in order to find a way of life more "in tune" (sama) with the ways of nature.
2. A recluse.
3. A religious seeker living a renunciant life. Originally from the Sanskrit term for “one who strives,” the word signifies someone who has made a profound commitment to spiritual practice. Ajahn Chah usually translates the term as “one who is peaceful.”
   
   
   
   

Thubten Choling~Ven Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche's Visit

JOIN US FOR A VERY SPECIAL EVENT!

We are very happy to announce that Venerable Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche, will be confering a 'LONG LIFE EMPOWERMENT' Sunday August 6,2006, at Thubten Choling in Duncan at 4:00 pm.

Ven Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche is a very important Lama. He is the second eldest living Master in the Tibetan tradition, and is revered throughout the world as an incredible scholar and practitioner of Buddhism. He has been recognized by HH the Dalai Lama as a wealth of knowledge. He is also an author of numerous invaluable texts, and continues to benefit beings through his profound Dharma activities.

It is a great blessing to have a Lama such as Ven. Khetsun Sangpo on our island and offering us this opportunity to receive this connection with him! For this blessing we have our resident teacher, Ngakpa Kalzang Dorje, to thank as Ven. Khetsun Sangpo is his main teacher. Kalzang lived with Rinpoche in Ven. Khetsun Sangpo's Monastery in Nepal for many years and it was with Rinpoche's blessing that Kalzang came to teach us in Duncan.

Our centre is small but we offer you an invitation to come to this wonderful event.

Our address is 5810 Wison Ave, Duncan, which is the first street to the left from the main entrance to the hospital. We are located at 5810 which is about a block down Wilson on the right hand side. So, follow the H signs from the Hwy 1 and you will find us. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior and be careful to park appropriately and not on the sidewalk.

Yours in the Dharma,
The Thubten Choling Community

Nichiren Buddha Centre~Buddha in the Park Retreat

Buddha In the Park - 3 Day Retreat
Fri. Sat. Sun. August 11, 12, 13, 2006

3 Balanced Days of Sharing, Realization, Mahayana Traditional Learning, Personal Empowerment, Spiritual Development and Meditations.

The Buddha's Teachings are always Free, donations gratefully accepted.

Tenting and RV Space Available, Kitchen Open.

For more info please visit www.penlan.com
e-Mail penlan@penlan.com or phone 250.715. 1976

Respectfully, Henry, Buddha Ajari - Guide Teacher

Shambhala Centre~Merit Day

Please join us this Saturday Aug 5 from 10:00 - 2:00 for a Merit Day.

We will be doing some small renovations, and painting, to prepare our new main entrance room and clean up the community room. Please bring yourself a lunch.

We will also have a few follow up evening work parties,to be announced soon, as we prepare our space for September.

Hope to see you there.
Hamish

Victoria Zen Centre~Introduction to Zen Meditation

August 14-October 2, 2006 (Mondays from 9:00-11:30am)

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:

Mahasangha~Ourplace Fundraiser August 13th

Victoria Conservatory of Music, Alex Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora, Victoria
Sunday August 13th at 2:30 pm

This is an opportunity to support Ourplace (Open Door/Upper Room) mission for the homeless in Victoria. Enjoy Afternoon Tea and Music at the Conservatory of Music. See the new centre under construction next door.

The 2ND ANNUAL fundraising concert by THE KIRBY STRING QUARTET, a professional Quartet touring B.C. Violinists from Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.

Tickets $18.00 Adults $14.00 Seniors/Students at Door or Call 655-0707.

Victoria Zen Centre~July One-Day Intensive*

A reminder that Sunday July 23, 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 intermediate and advanced membership).

Please contact the Centre no later than Friday July 21 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~Garage/Bake Sale Fundraiser

Saturday July 15th, 2006
160 Montreal Street
10am-3pm


Ben Morton, a member of the Zen Centre, and his family are having a Garage Sale/Bake Sale on Saturday July 15th at 160 Montreal Street (10am-3pm). The Garage Sale is a fundraiser for the Victoria Zen Centre. Ben and his family are moving at the end of the month and have quite a bit of stuff to sell.
However, he's hoping that other members of the Zen Centre will be able to contribute something - even if it's just a cake! If you would like to help with the Sale by providing something to sell, please contact Ben either by email: webmaster@zenwest.ca or by phone: 382-7880

Shambhala Centre~Nyinthun

Saturday July 8, 2006

09:00-12:00 at the Shambhala Centre

A Nyinthun is actually a full day of sitting and walking meditation. Here at the Victoria Centre we only do 3 hours. Please join us this Saturday. It is on a drop in basis. Come and go as fits your schedule.

Namaste
Gord

Mahasangha~Summer Meditation Challenge

Monday July 17th- Sunday August 6th, 2006

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 2006 Summer Meditation Challenge, please respond with your name, telephone number, email address, and which Level you would like to be in. Contact Eshu eshu@zenwest.ca or phone (250)642-7936

Please invite friends and fellow practitioners to join in. In the Spring Challenge we reached a total of 541 points together. Lets see if we can beat it!

Salt Spring Island Vipassana Community~Week Long Retreat

Dear Sangha Members,

We are proud to announce our first residential week long retreat.

Week long Vipassana Retreat
Sept 9th – 16th, 2006

TEACHERS: Heather Martin and Howie Cohn

This week of intensive practice is suitable for both beginning and experienced practitioners, and - as with all our retreats - will include meditation instructions, guided Loving Kindness practices, Dharma Talks and individual interviews.

COST:
In-house accommodation $540 ($491 USF)
Camping $365 ($332 USF)
Commuting $260 ($236 USF)
Plus a donation to the teachers at the end of the retreat (Dana).
For details and registration, click here.
To visit the retreat section of our website visit:

Mahasangha~Dalai Lama Visit

Vancouver Dialogues 2006: Friday September 8 to Sunday September 10, 2006
Tickets On Sale Friday June 23, 2006

We are pleased to announce that tickets for the Vancouver Dialogues 2006 will go on sale Friday June 23, 2006. To order, visit Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ca or call Ticketmaster at 604-280-4444.

Pricing and general information on the Vancouver Dialogues 2006 is available at www.dalailamacenter.org.
We look forward to seeing you at the Dialogues. Thank you for your continued support of the Center.

Inner Circle Passes
A limited number of Inner Circle Passes are available for the Dialogues, at $2,500 each -- see 'Join the Inner Circle' on the Dalai Lama Center web site for more information.

New Web Site Features
Several new features have been added to the DLC web site, including archived audio and video from the Dalai Lama's 2004 trip to Vancouver. Visit www.dalailamacentre.org today to see what's new.


Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education

2300 - 515 W. Hastings St.Vancouver BCV6B 5K3Canada
Tel: 604-215-2DLC (352)E-mail: info@dalailamacenter.org

Victoria Zen Centre~June one-day Intensive*

A reminder that this Sunday June 25, 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 intermediate and advanced membership).

Please contact the Centre no later than Friday June 23 if you would like to attend.

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