Opening the Gate to Awakening Dharma Talk Series
(from upper left) Bhikkhu Bodhi, Bhante G, Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna
(from lower left) Master Jiru, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, Bhante Sujato
|
|
"Not despising, not harming,
restraint according to the code of monastic discipline,
moderation in food,
dwelling in solitude,
devotion to meditation –
this is the teaching of the Buddhas."
|
|
Join us every Sunday during Monastic Winter Retreat for meditation, chanting, and discussions on Zoom and Facebook, all are welcome!
|
|
Dear Friends,
Falling leaves and falling temperatures mark an end to outdoor garden activities for the year. There's always maintenance to be done on those warm-ish days; tools are cleaned and stored, the shed door is closed, to await the spring anew.
Winter is the time at MABA for the monastics to retire in retreat for three months, from December 1 to February 28. This is a time for the monastics to rest and study in solitude. Note that communications with MABA will be slower, please be patient, thank you.
Our Opening the Gate to Awakening Dharma Talk Series was a tremendous success! Hundreds and hundreds of participants from all over the world joined us on Zoom and FB to hear our guests speak and answer questions over five days in early November. We thank Thanissaro Bhikkhu, Bhante G, Bhante Sujato, Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna, Bhikkhu Bodhi, and Master Jiru for giving us their time, we appreciated your learned teachings, wit, and humor. And thank you to those sangha members who worked to bring us this first of its kind talk series at MABA. Sadu, sadu, sadu! Talks can be found on our Facebook page (will be uploaded later to our Youtube channel). MABA is now working to bring Opening the Gate to Awakening 2022 next November, stay tuned.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our monastics during our Kathina last month. We raised almost $14,000! Thank you for your generosity, MABA wouldn't be MABA without your kindnesses.
All are invited to join the monastic sangha in a New Year's Eve Blessing on Zoom Friday, December 31, 2021, at 7:30pm. More information is below.
Also note our new Zoom link below for Sunday Mornings at MABA. The old link no longer works.
|
|
If you receive Mindful Magazine or Tricycle Magazine, you may notice that the latest issues have ads for MABA's new Mindfulness Program (more info below), which begins in March 2022. Registration is still open, and interest for both of our programs are from all over the USA.
Again, now is the time to get a regular flu shot, especially if you're in a high risk group, the CDC advises. For those who are eligible, please schedule your COVID booster shot now, as full efficacy takes 14 days. If you have questions or fears about vaccinations, please contact the office. We are here to help.
We invite you to join us every Sunday for meditation, chanting, and discussions. Our winter Study Group Topics are on selected Pāli Suttas on the Six-Sense Bases, and the Śūraṅgama Sūtra, 首楞嚴經 Shǒulèngyán Jīng. Study materials will be provided, no experience necessary, all are welcome.
As always, we are grateful for your ongoing support. May all beings be well and happy, please continue to stay safe. We'll see you in the spring!
Your Friends in the Dharma,
The Community at MABA
|
|
Registration is Open!
Click on the images below for more information on these two very worthwhile programs. We hope you will join us for one, or both, of these educational opportunities that are unique to the St. Louis (and Midwest) area.
|
|
~ December 1 to February 28 ~
Monastic Winter Retreat (No Dharma Talks)
|
|
|
|
Sunday Mornings at MABA and Study Group will meet every Sunday during the Monastic Winter Retreat. All are welcome! If you would like to receive a weekly email reminder, please send an email to Xiankuan Don Yeye to subscribe .
|
|
Meeting ID: 861 1018 8493
Passcode: 828040
|
|
|
|
On Sundays in December, our Book Study Group will conclude reading and discussing Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu's On The Path during our regular Sunday Morning program. We will be reading Chapters Nine and Ten. All are welcome, no experience necessary. To sign up for these classes, contact Xiǎnxǐng Sherrie at retreat@maba-usa.org to receive the free .pdf book. Or join us on Sunday Morning and download it then.
Beginning January 2, 2022 ~ Winter Study Group Topics:
Selected Pāli Suttas on the Six-Sense Bases, and
the Śūraṅgama Sūtra, 首楞嚴經 Shǒulèngyán Jīng
Come join us on Zoom this winter!
|
|
The MABA community is happy to be of benefit to any of our sangha members in difficulty, and we are able to help in several ways. If you are in a food emergency, MABA can provide supplies from MABA's pantry; if you cannot make it out to the monastery, we can deliver. For longer-term food assistance, we can help you find a food pantry.
Whether spiritual counseling and moral support, professional mental health counseling, end-of-life questions, or legal assistance, we can help you find a provider. If you feel unsafe, let us know.
Please have no fear of reaching out; anyone can fall into difficulty, and there is no shame in a helping hand from a friend. Reach out to MABA at www.maba-usa.org/contact-us if you need assistance.
|
|
Xiǎnkuān continues to post new guided meditations on YouTube. Learn how to calm the mind, gain insight, and cultivate loving kindness and compassion at:
Six Pathways is available in both softcover and e-book at Amazon.com. Stay tuned for Volume II early next year!
|
|
|
|
|
MABA continues to upload past Dharma Talks, and
can be found at MABA's YouTube channel (more to come):
|
|
Photos, Events, and More! |
|
To view more photos from events at MABA, please visit our Media page.
|
|
Please consider making a donation today.
All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
You may make secure contributions directly to MABA via PayPal, PayPal Giving Fund, or by sending a check made payable to “MABA” to 299 Heger Lane, Augusta, MO 63332
Thank you for your continued support!
|
|
Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
