It’s summertime. Those of us living in the Northeast of North America are treated to the changing of the seasons. Each season has its advantages and disadvantages. Not only the temperature differentials but the smells of the air, the quality of the wind on one’s skin, the sounds, are all distinct from one season to the next.
There are also the differences of our living patterns, planting gardens, shoveling snow, the holidays, the necessities of earning a living. Preparing to go outside in winter takes at least 5-10 minutes longer to dress, an extra 20 minutes to clean the frost and snow off the car, whereas in the spring we contend with extra rain and in the fall it’s cool in the morning and by noon we’re taking off our sweater.
At Tendai Buddhist Institute this summer takes on a different feel. We are now accustomed to no more COVID restrictions. Already we have had a sangha outing to the TriCity Valley Cats baseball game, also known as the Diamond Way. We have a one-day retreat at Jiunzan Tendai-ji on the 9th of July, a one-Day retreat at Great River Sangha in Washington, DC, both with teachings by Monshin. Then from the 4 -13 of August Jiunzan Tendai-ji becomes a teaching monastery as people participate in their six-year training to become Tendai Doshu and Soryo (monk/nun/priests). During this time sangha members can join the participants from 7-8 AM every day for a meditation only service.
These activities, and more to be announced later, are in addition to the weekly gatherings on Wednesday evening, the weekly Makashikan Zoom classes and the monthly sutra class.
Additionally, we are committed to participating in programs with interfaith organizations, such as The Interfaith Alliance of Upstate New York, The Albert Interfaith Lectureship Board, the Chatham Area Interfaith Council, Religions for Peace, International and USA, Greenfaith, the Turkish Cultural Center and others. In other words, depending on the season there are many activities going on at, or in association with, Tendai Buddhist Institute.
When we examine the ways in which Buddhism has spread across Asia, the Pacific Islands, and more recently the world, it has not been by conquest or aggressive proselyting. The propagation of Buddhism has been made in several ways. Most importantly through the exchange of ideas and practices, accommodation, and the vigor of its approach to awakening from universal dukkha, discontentedness.
In order for this to occur there must be different approaches, in ways that are relevant and approachable for different people, with different capacities, different conditions in which they find themselves, and a variety of worldviews from which they approach the Buddhist Path.
Tendai Buddhist Institute can not be everything for everyone. It can offer an authentic form of Buddhism in a meaningful way, emphasizing the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha for everyone from the most novice beginner to the most advanced practitioner.
As Kaishun (Chip) has stated it, ‘Join us for the meditation and stay for the community’. Whether one is in person or joining us on the internet, we have many different offerings that allow each member to find their place to explore, to expand, and with some effort, unveil the awakening that resides within – from beginningless time.
With Love and Gassho . . . Monshin