November 2022
This is a long Newsletter. Please enable photos
and end at in memory of Thay Kobai
Left - Thich Vinh Minh enjoying the beautiful Fall Color
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Our October 2022 Ordination |
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The ordinations was witnessed by a Vanaya Court and many lay people.
It was a Dharma filled event and the first large ceremony in the new Temple Patio area.
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Services via ZOOM - FALL & WINTER SCHEDULE
TEMPLE SERVICES Via ZOOM
MONDAY - FRIDAY at 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. via ZOOM
MONDAY at 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. via ZOOM
SATURDAY 8:30 a.m. - service + meditation via ZOOM & in person
Special Vajrayana and Theravada education
1st and 2nd Saturdays - Mahayana teaching
3rd Saturday - Vajrayana teachings Khenpo Karten Rinpoche
4th Saturday - Theravāda teachings Ven. Bhante Patthago
SUNDAY LGBTQ+ Group 7:30 pm
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IN PERSON MEETINGS - most on ZOOM
SATURDAY MORNING SERVICE at 8:30am
M-F AM Meditation 6:30am - 7:30am
M-F PM Meditation 5:30pm - 6:30pm
46 Stoller Rd. Trout Lake WA
THURSDAY at 10:30am - 11:30pm IN PERSON - not on ZOOM
1412 13th Street, Suite 200. Hood River, OR 97031
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Thich Nhat Hanh study group on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 6:30pm
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UPCOMING IN-PERSON CLASSES (some on zoom) at our temple
NOVEMBER
Classes for Taking Refuge on ZOOM at 10:30am
after Morning Service
Nov. 12th– Sister Minh Bao (Candice)- Learn about the Four Noble Truths which are our historical teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha’s foundational teaching on suffering, the cause of suffering, and the end of suffering, and the path to the end of suffering. Taking refuge & precepts will also be explained.
Nov. 19th– Rev. Scott (Minh Tự)- Learn in more detail about taking refuge in the Triple Gem–The Buddha, The Dharma, and The Sangha. Life can be challenging, and Buddhist teachings and Buddhist practitioners can be a great source of comfort.
Nov. 26th– Rev. Emily Martin (Minh Tăng) – Learn about The Noble Eightfold Path. This path is Shakyamuni’s antidote to the suffering that is endemic to our lives filled with attachment, anger, and delusion. Learn about letting go and the middle way.
Ceremony
Dec. 3rd– Participate in a formal ceremony of taking refuge in Triple Gem–The Buddha, The Dharma, and The Sangha. Participants will receive a Dharma name in the tradition of our Vietnamese Thien lineage. Please be sure to register below if you plan on taking refuge. It’s okay, even encouraged, to take refuge multiple times.
November 7, 14, 21, and 28. 5:15-6:15 pm Mindfulness in Nature,
meet at the entrance to the trail near the corner of Arrowhead Ave and Indian Creek Road
in Hood River, Oregon. Donation $20.00, ages 9+ (NOT on Zoom) register below
DECEMBER
Dec 3 Taking Refuge Ceremony (+ZOOM)
Dec 8 Midnight meditation 11:30 pm - 12:30 am
Dec 31 Midnight Meditation (ring the great bell 108 times) 11:30 pm - 12:30 am
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Some November Holidays and Observances in 2022
1 - Tuesday - World Vegan Day
4 - Friday - National Day of Community Service
7 - Monday - National Cancer Awareness Day
8 - Tuesday - Election Day
11 - Friday - Veterans Day
24 - Thursday - Thanksgiving Day
25 - Friday - American Indian Heritage Day
29 - Tuesday - Giving Tuesday
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Ordination
Candice Kingrey - Tỳ Kheo Ni Minh Bảo (Bright Gem) took vows as a Buddhist nun. Rev. Scott See - Thầy Minh Từ (Bright Compassion), and Rev August Jensen - Thầy Minh Nhẫn (Bright Endurance) took vows as Buddhist ministers. Ven. Bhante Patthago took additional Mahayana monk vows.
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Bowing as they affirm
the 3 treasures
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Respecting the
Vinaya Court
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Dear Ones,
Please read What did the Buddha say about politics?It is towards the end of this newsletter.
His Holiness, The Delhi Lama, leads us into wisdom as he tells us that "My religion is kindness". In following his enlightening example, I tell people that I am a Moslem, Jew, Christian, Pagan, Druid, Sufi, and Sikh who follows the awakening path as taught by Siddhartha Gautama (our historical teacher, The Buddha).
Through my practice, let me remind myself and others that this life, this mind is Buddha. Nothing and no living being is outside the Buddha. All of our judgements, decisions about right and wrong, better or worse, good or bad are our own mental formations and may not reflect the absolute truth of the Buddha's Teachings.
Let us open our hearts to the concept that "everyone is doing the best that they can." We don't yell at a small child who can't walk yet - instead we encourage them by praise for their effort, sweet words and smiles. Let us offer all beings the same joyful expressions as we encourage ourselves and others to do the "very best" that we can do. Sadly, for some of us, our "very best" is not a kind nor loving place.
In the Metta Sutra, we are told:
"Let no one deceive or despise another being, whatever their status.
Let no one through anger or hatred wish harm to another.
As parents watch over their children, willing to risk their own lives to protect them,
so with a boundless heart may we cherish every living being,
bathing the entire world with unobstructed and unconditional loving-kindness".
By our Metta practice:
"May this sublime abiding, holding no fixed views, obtain pure hearted clarity of vision
and freedom from sensual desires. In this state one is free from the cycle of rebirth and death."
As we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the USA, let us think of the many things that we have and approach them in gratitude. I am especially grateful for the Dharma.
A wise woman, Abby Layton, teaches "When in Doubt, Love More".
I have come to believe that concept to be very real.
Thank you to all of the loving donors who replaced the money that was stolen from the temple. The Buddha teaches us that we are all doing the best with what we have and we can choose to find freedom.
We all get caught in Anger, Desire and Ignorance. May we all strive to awaken!
May we all be well and happy and may we all know love and peace.... in metta, Thay Kozen
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Thich Minh Thien, (Thay Z) Abbot of Budding Dharma
No Better Time Than Now
Procrastination!! Webster defines it as, “…the action of delaying or postponing something…”. I would venture a guess that no one who is reading this has escaped this action in your lifetime. It is of course, different from planning, which is a need for one action to come before the next to be most efficient or logical. That would be like trying to build an Ikea project without following the directions that show which parts need to be built first before the next parts fit as designed. No, procrastination is more about choosing to not undertake an action for some particular reason which we convince ourselves is justifiable at the time. In my life, most of my procrastination was probably about laziness, though I can see that fear has also been evident when procrastination occurred. Sometimes procrastinating isn’t such a big problem. It does unnecessarily increase my stress levels which causes some suffering but there are times I can remember that a missed opportunity occurred which I can never get back, and that is a greater suffering to endure.
I remember a course I took back in my University days which required staying up on the reading assignments. I kept convincing myself I could catch up. However when the finals for that course did arrive, there was no way I could make up enough time for all of the reading material. That resulted in a D+ instead of the A I needed. I made excuses for why I didn’t get all the reading accomplished but it really was all about procrastinating and my professor knew it.
We all can pick times in our life when missed opportunities may have been seriously hampered by procrastination. And of course, we can suffer through all the stories we tell ourselves about how it really wasn’t our fault. How much of that type of suffering each one of us has in our lives is our own individual tally.
Our buddhist path clearly shows us that beating ourselves up over what has occurred in the past is just increasing our suffering as we can do little to change that which has already occurred. And we know the Buddha taught that change can happen at any moment as the current moment is truly the only moment.
So ask yourself what is on your To-Do list that might currently be affected by the “P” word? Are you thinking about having a consistent meditative practice however something seems to always come up that keeps that from happening? No better time than right now to do it. Are you suffering from something you said to someone that hurt them (and in turn hurts you as well) but the right time to practice metta and apologize just hasn’t presented itself? Or have you been thinking about doing something for the homeless and less fortunate in your area but fitting it into that busy schedule of yours just hasn’t happened yet? Or have you been negligent in letting those most important in your life have the opportunity to hear you say, “…I love you…” before it is too late to do so? There is no better time than now to do all or some of those things.
We are moving into the Holidays and I have never found a more fertile time of the year to practice procrastination. I am planning on not letting that be the reason I don’t get those things done that are truly important to me; especially the part about letting those I love hear those words and know they are heartfelt.
All it will take is to remember my own personal Gatha when I am tempted to let procrastination get in the way, "NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW!"
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
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Ven. Bhante Patthago (Steven Galhardo), a Theravada Bhikkhu, took additional ordination as a Mahayana monk. His Mahayana name is Thích Minh Pháp - Bright Dharma. Per Bhante, his teacher, The Venerable Ajahn Fa Thai, also has dual ordinations.
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Bhante Pattago spent the rains retreat at our temple. He is now visiting family near Boston with plans to return here as a resident teacher in November. He will also join in our jail ministry, helping adults in custody learn to meditate.
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What did the Buddha say about politics?
From Thich Nhat Hanh's Old Path White Cloud
The Buddha used this occasion to speak about applying the Way to political life. He said the Way could illuminate the realm of politics, assisting those involved in governing the kingdom to bring about social equality and justice. He said, "If you practice the Way, you will increase your understanding and compassion and better serve the people. You will find ways to bring about peace and happiness without depending upon violence at all." ...
"When a politician possesses enough understanding and love, he sees the truth about poverty, misery, and oppression. Such a person can find the means to reform the government in order to reduce the gap between rich and poor, and cease the use of force against others."
"My friends, political leaders and rulers must set an example. Don't live in the lap of luxury because wealth only creates a greater barrier between you and the people. Live a simple, wholesome life, using your time to serve the people rather than pursuing idle pleasures. A leader cannot earn the trust and respect of his people if he does not set a good example. If you love and respect the people they will love and respect you in return. Rule by virtue differs from rule by law and order. Rule by virtue does not depend on punishment. According to the Way of Awakening, true happiness can only be attained by the path of virtue."
Please consider the Buddha's advice and vote for leaders who come closest to these ideals.
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Health Corner
Sleep may be just as important to heart health as diet and physical activity, research finds.
In June, the American Heart Association added sleep duration to its cardiovascular health checklist, now called “Life’s Essential 8". The eight items: Quit tobacco, eat better, get active, manage weight, manage blood pressure, control cholesterol, reduce blood sugar and get healthy sleep.
The secret of health for both mind and body is...live the present moment wisely and earnestly. The Buddha
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Using Buddhist Practices and Principles to Recover from Addiction
Columbia Gorge Recovery Dharma meets online:
Sundays at 6:15 pm (Pacific Time)
Facebook Group (private): "Columbia Gorge Recovery Dharma"
Recovery Dharma is a peer led movement and a community that is unified by the potential in each of us to recover and find freedom from the suffering of addiction. This book uses the Buddhist practices of meditation, self inquiry, wisdom, compassion, and community as tools for recovery and healing. We welcome anyone who is looking to find freedom from suffering, whether it’s caused by substance use or process addictions like codependency, sex, gambling, eating disorders, shopping, work, technology, or any obsessive or habitual pattern. We approach recovery from a place of individual and collective empowerment and we support each other as we walk this path of recovery
NORCOR (Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility) could use more copies of the Recovery Dharma book in the library; contact Richard for more details.
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Avinu Malkeinu
A Jewish song asking God for peace, an end of suffering, an end to hunger,
an end to oppression and war - such a beautiful thought in any language or religion.
A recording of Barbra Streisand singing Avinu Malkeinu live in Israel
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Hallow
by Stacey Danner
It is All Hallows’ Eve, the dark of night
between harvest and fallow, when those
who have died may return, in flight
like mist over the changing trees.
It is time as estuary, where salmon
linger before the cold climb
to sex and death. Salt and fresh
water mix, warm air confronts chill, it is time
for accommodation and adjustment, rest
between what has been and will be.
Quiet now. Listen. The departed speak.
In the pause of evening their stream gurgle
calls, wind-sweep hushes; their fallen leaves
chat underfoot. The dead remind us why
we live. They set their compass of trust
in us for another year.
Then the salmon, red of flank as November maple,
the salmon over rungs of stone
endure, the salmon to pebbled
shallows come and die.
The sand accepts bone and makes much of it.
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Venerable Dàjiàn Huìnéng 大鑒惠能
Dajian Huineng also commonly known as the Sixth Patriarch or Sixth Ancestor of Chan, is a semi-legendary but central figure in the early history of Chinese Chan Buddhism. According to tradition he was an uneducated layman who suddenly attained awakening upon hearing the Diamond Sutra.
Huineng was called a Southern Barbarian as he was not Chinese.
Huìnéng was actually from Vietnam
(in an area now part of mainland China).
The 5th Patriarch asked me, "Who are you and what do you seek? "I replied, "Your disciple is a commoner from Xinzhou of Lingnan. I have traveled far to pay homage to you and seek nothing other than Buddhahood." "So you're from Ling-nan, and a barbarian! How can you expect to become a Buddha?" asked the Patriarch. I replied, "Although people exist as northerners and southerners, in the Buddha-nature there is neither north nor south. A barbarian differs from Your Holiness physically, but what difference is there in our Buddha-nature?
Upon nearing his time of transition, the 5th Patriarch asked his students to write their understanding of the Dharma. The student with the correct understanding would inherit the lineage and become the Abbot. Shenxiu, a well educated and quite well respected senior monk wrote a poem.
Shenxiu's Poem:
The body is the bodhi tree.
The mind is like a bright mirror's stand.
At all times we must strive to polish it
and must not let dust collect.
Huineng upon hearing the poem by Shenxiu, and unable to write Chinese,
asked a Chinese monk to write Huineng's poem.
Huineng's poem:
Bodhi originally has no tree.
The mirror has no stand.
The Buddha-nature is always clear and pure.
Where is there room for dust?
On the next night, the Patriarch secretly went to Huineng's room and asked, "Should not a seeker after the Dharma risk his life this way?" Then he asked, "is the rice ready?" Huineng responded that the rice was ready and only waiting to be sieved.
The Patriarch secretly explained the Diamond Sutra to Huineng, and when Huineng heard the phrase "one should activate one’s mind so it has no attachment," he was "suddenly and completely enlightened, and understood that all things exist in self-nature." The 5th Patriarch transmitted "the doctrine of sudden enlightenment" as well as his robe and bowl to Huineng. He told Huineng, “You are now the Sixth Patriarch. Take care of yourself, save as many sentient beings as you can, and spread the teachings so they will not be lost in the future. He also told Hueneng to "escape from monastery" as others would be jealous and he could be harmed.
He also explained to Huineng that the Dharma was transmitted from mind to mind, whereas the robe was passed down physically from one patriarch to the next. Hongren instructed the Sixth Patriarch to leave the monastery before he could be harmed. "You can stop at Huai and then hide yourself at Hui." Hongren showed Huineng the route to leave the monastery, and rowed Huineng across the river to assist his escape. Huineng immediately responded with a clear understanding of Hongren's purpose in doing so, and demonstrated that he could ferry to "the other shore" with the Dharma that had been transmitted to him.
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Of all the choices, nibling seems to be the most popular gender neutral option for niece and nephew. Nephling is a synonym of of nibling, but it's been around at least 100 years longer. The first occurrence of nephling I could find was from 1843 in a letter written by the author Nathaniel Parker Willis.
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The Bhāvacakra
The photo below is in the Tibetan tradition, the bhāvacakra is a symbolic representation of saṃsāra.
It is often found on the outside walls of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries.
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Saṃsāra
From Wikipedia - Samsara means "wandering" as well as "world" wherein the term connotes "cyclic change".saṃsāra, a fundamental concept in all Indian religions, is linked to the karma theory and refers to the belief that all living beings cyclically go through births and rebirths. The term is related to phrases such as "the cycle of successive existence", "transmigration", "karmic cycle", "the wheel of life", and "cyclicality of all life, matter, existence". Many scholarly texts spell saṃsāra as samsara.
According to Monier-Williams, saṃsāra is rooted in the term Saṃsṛ (संसृ), which means "to go round, revolve, pass through a succession of states, to go towards or obtain, moving in a circuit". A conceptual form from this root appears in ancient texts as saṃsaraṇa, which means "going around through a succession of states, birth, rebirth of living beings and the world", without obstruction. The term shortens to saṃsāra, referring to the same concept, as a "passage through successive states of mundane existence", a transmigration, metempsychosis, a circuit of living where one repeats previous states, from one body to another, a worldly life of constant change, that is rebirth, growth, decay and redeath. The concept is then contrasted with the concept of moksha, also known as mukti, nirvāṇa, nibbāna or kaivalya, which refers to liberation from this cycle of aimless wandering.
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Two Wonderful Statues
The Maitreya Buddha, Di lặc Bồ Tát, 彌勒菩薩 and the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Địa Tạng Bồ Tát, 地藏菩薩) statues have been donated to our temple. We've poured the concrete bases for each statue and can remove the wooden forms this week. The foundations go very deep into the ground. The kind and generous donations of many people have funded the statues and the shipment here from Vietnam. May all who see the statues find their hearts opening to the Buddha's teachings of kindness, compassion, and freedom from suffering.
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The base for the tall Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Địa Tạng Bồ Tát, 地藏菩薩 statue is completed
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Due to the heavy weight of the statues, engineering, metal rebar, and yards of concrete were used. |
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The base for the Maitreya Buddha, Di lặc Bồ Tát, 彌勒菩薩 statue is completed
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Photos from the Ordination |
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Sư Cô Huệ Hương has been very supportive of our temple
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May Dharma flow from our small temple throughout the world. |
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The weather was perfect and we ate outside after the ordination. |
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Delicious Vietnamese food was prepared by attendees - so wonderful. |
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From Ven. Jeff Miles:
"I'm sad to report that Kobai Scott Whitney has passed away; I received word from his family that he died peacefully in his sleep earlier this week. He was a dear friend, dharma brother, teacher, and mentor. May his memory and the legacy of his good works bring peace and healing to his family and all those whose lives he touched."
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May the Infinite Light of Wisdom and Compassion so shine within us
that the errors and vanities of self may be dispelled;
so shall we understand the changing nature of existence and awaken into spiritual peace.
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Mt Adams Buddhist Temple 46 Stoller Rd., Trout Lake WA 98650 509.395.2030 www.Mtadamszen.org
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