Friday, July 3rd, 2009
 

Welcome

Every Wednesday

Meditation Service every Wednesday at 6pm. Starts with a lecture/discussion followed by the Meditation Service and finishes with a pot luck dinner.

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March Events

Click here for the full Calendar

 Wednesday Meditation Services & Discussions

1st
A discussion on Sangha: Meaning and Manifestation.

8th
The Story of a Buddha. This will be accompanied by a special service.

15th
Demonstration and discussion Incense, It's origins, purposes and varieties.

22nd
The Fourteenth Anniversary of Karuna Tendai Dharma Center the home of Tendai Buddhist Institute.

29th
Dharma talk -  Lotus Sutra: Chapter  V - The Parable of the Herbs

Class:

 4th       
Morning Service and Sutra Class, 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment.

 

 

 

Jushokus Thoughts

Gyo mealThe morning meal served in Tendai monasteries is Kayu (rice gruel). At the Tendai-shu New York Betsuin during gyo (training periods) and retreats we have Kayu once or twice a week, the other time we typically serve oatmeal.

There are three gathas (blessings) that are recited, in addition to the Heart Sutra, before breakfast. One of these gatha, the Five Reflections, is a wonderful vehicle for mindfulness as we start the day.

The Five Reflections

The First is to examine our own actions and contemplate how this meal was prepared
The Second is to contemplate whether our virtue and practices are complete or deficient, many or meager
The Third is to contemplate whether we are free from desires, anger and ignorance
The Fourth is to contemplate how this food nourishes us and is taken only as necessary.
The Fifth is to contemplate right livelihood as our model and not to seek worldly fame.