Meditation for a healthier you – Wed 9/10 at Wellness Ctr

Title: Meditation for a healthier you

Location: Wellness center (inside Recreation center)

Time: Wednesday, September 10, from 1:30 – 2:30 pm

Speaker: Venerable Jian Dan (ABS’ first dharma teacher for fall 07, an experienced meditation teacher for over 10 years)

Cost: free

Description: We all strive for a healthier body. However, going to the gym only fulfills half of the equation. Research has indicated that regular meditation helps regulate blood pressure, stabilize emotion, improve concentration and reduce stress, all of which contribute to a healthier life style. Come to this interactive workshop and learn the proper and safe way of meditation.

Bathing Buddha Ceremony @ Jade Buddha Temple

What do you do after the finals are over? How about come to Jade Buddha Temple and be part of the Bathing Buddha Ceremony this coming Sunday (May 11th)?

Every year, Buddhist communities around the world cerebrate Buddha’s birthday by holding a Bathing Buddha Ceremony. Showering the Buddha with clean water symbolizes the purification of our own greed, anger, and ignorance that are often manifested through body, speech and mind. When our own mind is purified, we will inevitably influence the people and environment around us. Eventually, we will have a purified, peaceful world – the true meaning of the Bathing Buddha Ceremony.

Please bring your family and friends to this highly celebrated annual event at Jade Buddha Temple. Each one will have the chance to shower the Buddha. There will be some chanting and a speech by the Abbot. Entire program will be translated into English live. Get your headsets on your way in to the grand hall. Free vegetarian lunch will be offered.

Date: May 11 (Sunday)

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon (expect a large crowd; street parking only)

Location: Jade Buddha Temple 6969 Westbranch Drive, Houston , TX 77072, 281-498-1616

See you there!

April Activity: Buddha relics on display

This Saturday, you will have a rare opportunity to witness some genuine Buddha relics right here in Houston. Texas Buddhist Association will have a Buddha relics resting ceremony on Sunday at American Bodhi Center. But on Saturday, there will be a public relics display at Jade Buddha Temple. You all are invited to attend this precious event.

When the Buddha lived in India in approximately 2,500 years ago, the people of that time had the opportunity to actually see and hear him, to be blessed by him in his human form. When Buddha left the earth by passing into nirvana (the enlightened state) during the body's death, he compassionately left relics so that today we still have the opportunity to receive the blessings
of the Buddha, directly.

These genuine relics are offered by Venerable Hung I, the Abbot of Jade Buddha Temple, to permanently rest at American Boddhi Center. In 1971 Venerable Hung I was visiting a temple in Taiwan when he met a traveling monk from India. Impressed by Venerable Hung I's big vow to spread Buddhism in the west, the traveling monk gave Venerable Hung I some of his shares of
genuine Buddha relics as a gift. Years later, Venerable Hung I brought these relics, together with his big vow, and arrived in Houston. Thirty years later, we are celebrating the permanent resting of these precious relics in Houston. This event symbolizes the spreading of Buddhism to the west, to Houston, and also the resting of enduring Buddhism teaching in American.

Relics are said to carry positive energy. Interestingly, they are themselves living entities; they can grow bigger, split into more, or shrink in size or even disappear. Viewing holy relics inspires us to develop our own hearts and minds, to develop loving-kindness and compassion and to understand spiritual teachings. Don't miss this rare event!

Date: Saturday, April 5th

Time:

10:30 – 11:00 welcoming the relics

11:00 – 11:20 offering to the Buddha

11:20 – 11:40 group picture with the relics

11:40 - public display of relics

Location: 6969 Westbranch Dr. Houston, TX 77072 http://www.jadebuddha.org/english

Vegetarian lunch will be provided. Event is free but donations are welcome.

March Activity: Birthday Ceremony of Bodhissattva Avalokitesvara

You all are invited to attend this special ceremony, celebrating the birthday of Bodhissattva Avalokitesvara (Kwan Yin), at Jade Buddha Temple this Sunday. Please anticipate a large crowd so arrive early. Free vegetarian lunch will be provided. Hope to see you all there.

Jade Budda Temple
6969 Westbranch Drive
Houston, TX 77072
281-498-1616

March 23, 2008 - 10:00am - 12:00 noon

The birthday ceremony of Bodhissattva Avalokitesvara

The Texas Buddhist Association will hold a ceremony to celebrate the birthday of Bodhissattva Avalokitesvara (Kwan Yin) at the Jade Buddha Temple on March 23th (Sunday). The celebration of Bodhissattva Avalokitesvara's birthday offers an opportunity for all sentient beings to obtain the meirt of practicing loving kindness and compassion.

Venerable Jian Hai will deliver a speech on "Kwan-Yin -- embodiment of compassion and wisdom." He will also lead our general prayer for the health and well-being of all humanity, for the freedom from suffering, and for the cultivation of blessings and wisdom.

You and your family are cordially invited to attend the ceremony and receive the benefits of Dharma. English live translation will be provided for non-Chinese speaking audience.Program will include recitation of "chapter of universal gateway" and the sacred name of Kwan Yin.

Vegetarian lunch will be offered.

Class 3 (2/25): Outdoors Meditation

Today we will be meditating at Butler Plaza which is between the MD Anderson Library and PGH, where the Sculpture and water fountain/Pool are located. The meditation will still be held from 1 - 3 PM.

Movie Night (2/22)

Movie night next Friday (2/22/08) around 6:30 PM.

Date: Feb. 22, 2008
Location: 2515 Branch View Ln, Missouri City, TX, 77459
Time: 6:30 - 9 PM
Movie Title: TBA (suggestions welcome!)

FREE PIZZA

Final class survey results

In our last meeting, we gave out surveys to solicit anonymous feedback from you. Our hope was to make improvement and plan for next semester based on the survey. We collected thirteen (13) valid surveys. Interestingly, even though we made this an anonymous survey, only three people decided to leave their names out while the remaining ten gave us their names. Overall, you guys were pretty satisfied with our service but would like to have more field trips next semester.

The first part of the survey asked you to comment on the effectiveness and usefulness of the following six items: 1) blog/google group, 2) Dharma talk topics, 3) meeting format, 4) meeting time/location, 5) refreshments, and 6) field trips, and give suggestions. Overwhelmingly, numbers commented “interesting” “useful” “effective” “excellent” and “good” for all items. One person stated that the blog is good but maybe a “larger font size will be better.” Another member mentioned that Dharma talk topics were good but “probably can be improved.” One member recommended we might want to hold meditation for more then once a week. As to refreshments, most felt they were “delicious” while one member wrote “nice but unimportant.” One member proposed to have maybe a little more variety and should include hot tea. Four people asked for more field trips.

The second survey question asked you to reflect on their learning and share with us any example of how they have applied something they learned to their daily life. Here are some of what they shared:

“Help myself and help others”
“Best example: mindfulness in everyday
activities”
“I liked the idea of thoughts coming in & out but never
attaching to any one thought very long. This is beneficial in everyday life”
“I learned to control my road rage! Also I am trying to focus on living more
in the present instead of worrying about the future”
“Tolerance and
patience. No one single example, but try to practice everyday and impart on
others”

Question three asked for suggestion for next semester. Some suggestions are listed below:

“conditions in Buddhism”
“mind and body unification”
“emptiness, the
mind”
“how to understand what one should do with one’s life”
“regret,
guilt, happiness”
“how about an introduction to Buddhism (simple) in daily
tasks”
“Abstinence, dichotomy of all or nothing practice”

Question four asked for suggestion for activity and people seemed to want more field trip. However, only one person made some concrete suggestions of attending charitable events.

Question five asked for ways we can recruit more people. Your suggestions ranged from more advertising, posting flyers around certain colleges, going to religion classes, attending student fairs, to word of mouth by members. I hope when you made those suggestions, you also had an idea of what you can do to help realize those wonderful suggestions.

One thing I like to explain here. The reason we only held two field trips this semester was mainly due to limited manpower. With all of you showing strong enthusiasm in getting more involved next semester, manpower will not be an issue anymore. I am certain we will have a few more activities next semester if you all would pitch in and help out.

Stay tuned for our spring schedule.. Oh, just a sneak preview, we probably will hold our meeting on Thursdays next semester. We have not made a final decision on whether we will meet at noon or in the late afternoon. What do you think? Leave us a comment at the blog and let your voice be heard.

December retreat announcement!!

Purpose: For beginners, this is the nature next step to deepen your meditation practice. For more experienced practitioners, this is an opportunity to sustain your practice and receive personal guidance from the teacher.

Date: December 7 & 8 (Friday & Saturday)

Location: American Bodhi Center

Fee: Free, donations welcome

Who: serious beginners & seasoned meditators

Registration: email uhabs8 @ gmail.com. Deadline November 21th, 2007.

Tentative schedule: (subject to change)

Day 1

• 2:00 pm Vanpool (meet up in front of Cougar Place). Note: you will be leaving your car overnight on UH campus.
• 3:30 pm arrive at ABC
• 3:30 – 5:00 welcome, settle in, introduction of basic rules
• 5:00 – 6:00 games
• 6:00 – 7:30 vegetarian BBQ or Hot Pot (depending on weather)
• 7:30 – 8:30 shower; break time
• 8:30 – 10:00 camp fire, star glazing or movie (depending on weather)
• 10:00 – 10:30 noble silence instruction
• 10:30 lights out
  

Day 2

• (observation of noble silence begins)
• 7:00 wake up bell
• 7:30 – 8:00 breakfast
• 8:00 - 8:30 break
• 8:30 – 8:50 meditation instruction
• 8:50 – 9:10 meditation
• ========= break ==========
• 9:20 – 10:00 meditation
• ========= break ==========
• 10:10 – 10:50 sitting meditation in the hall or waking meditation outside
• ========= break ==========
• 11:00 – 11:40 Dharma talk (lecture)
• (observation of noble silence ends)
• ========= break ==========
• 12:00 – 12:30 lunch
• 12:30 – 1:45 tour the center
• 1:45 – 2:00 break; exit survey
• 2:00 - 2:30 closing dharma talk; member reflection/sharing
• 2:30 – 3:15 clean up the environment
• 3:15 – 4:30 sweet home

Retreat Rules: (subject to change) 　

1. You have to stay for the entire retreat. No late arrival or early dismissal will be allowed.
2. Bring your own sleeping bag, pillows, change clothes and personal items necessary for personal hygiene.
3. Sleeping quarters are separated by male and female.
4. Vegetarian food throughout. Please do not bring any non-vegetarian items, cigarette, wine or illegal substance into the camp.
5. Please do not bring unnecessary valuables or jewelry.
6. Observe noble silence on Saturday morning. Noble Silence means silence of body, speech, and mind. Any form of communication with fellow student, whether by gestures, sign language, written notes, etc., is prohibited.
7. The use of cell phone is prohibited during the retreat period.
8. You have to fill out a registration form with medical insurance information. In addition, you will be asked to sign a consent and release form.
   

Two special events next Wednesday

Both events will be held at our usual meeting place (UC, Lone Start, 2nd floor #280). There will be about 15-20 minutes overlap.

Special event one – Dedication of Merit to Ryan

As announced previously, one of our devoted members, Ryan Donaghy passed away on October 20. Ryan used to meditate everyday. Association of Buddhist Students had the honor to sit with him in the past several weeks. This week, we will maintain our regular weekly class. However, Venerable Jian Dan will give a special topic about positive attitude toward death in Buddhism. Then we will have a short ceremony called dedication of merit, a practice of sharing all the goodness created by any wholesome action. In our case, we will dedicate our group sitting merit to Ryan......

Noon – 12:30 meditation
12:30 – 12:50 special topic: positive attitude toward death in Buddhism
12:50 – 1:00 dedication of merit to Ryan *
1:00 – 1:15 sandwiches (grab and go)

* Dedication of Merit - Rev. Heng Sure/Compassionate and Wise - Fr. Cyprian Consiglio – MP3 Download (5.3MB) from UrbanDharma

(Chanting of the metta bhavana mantra in Sanskrit)

May every living being,
Our minds as one and radiant with light,
Share the fruits of peace
Our hearts of goodness, luminous and bright.
If people hear and see,
How hearts and hands can find in giving, unity,
May their minds awake,
To Great Compassion, wisdom and to joy.
May goodness find reward,
May all who sorrow leave their grief and pain;
May this boundless light,
Dispel the darkness of their endless night.
Because our hearts are one,
This world of pain turns into Paradise,
May all become compassionate and wise,
May all become compassionate and wise.

Special event two – When East meets West: from a Buddhist Monk’s perspective

Venerable Jian Dan will give a talk to a class of 20 students this Wednesday. The class, titled “Community education,” is offered through the College of Education, with the hope to expose pre-service teachers to different cultures and paradigms. The class instructor, Ms. Sabrina Marsh has invited the Venerable to give a talk about his experience as a monk living in the west. Everyone is invited to join this talk.
1:00 – 1:15 sandwiches
1:15 – 1:55 talk
1:55 – 2:00 basic meditation instructions
2:00 – 2:05 meditation
2:05 – 2:25 Q&A

Passing of a devoted member – Ryan Donaghy

Sorry for this late notice. We received this shocking news (see Daily Cougar and Houston Chronicle) that one of our devoted members, Ryan Donaghy, passed away last Saturday. Ryan started attending our weekly meditation from class one. Those who came to class one should remember him because he brought his own meditation cushion that day! Several of you even asked about where he got his cushion. Ryan’s girlfriend wrote to me, “I really appreciate you and all of the ABS members who had helped Ryan in the past; you guys mean a lot to him. I would like you guys to come to his funeral tomorrow at 11 a.m. if possible. Ryan would be very glad to have you there.”

Their will be a service on Thursday, 25th at 11 AM. This will be approximately 45 minutes, followed by the burial, and then a reception.

St. Mary Magdalene
527 S. Houston Ave.
Humble, TX 77338
(281) 446-8211

*** updated
- videos for our Merit Dedication to Ryan
- our class addressing the right attitude toward death

Religious Awareness Week with FREE lunches

Time: each day at noon, Monday through Friday October 15-19, 2007

Lunch: Free lunch is served everyday by a different ministry

Location: Religion Center

What: listen and share one’s religious experience and beliefs in a positive, personal way. Learn how to listen and converse constructively with those whoes beliefs or experiences are very different.

Who: everyone is invited. We are not asking for ‘official teachings’ - knowing that those from the same faith family often differ greatly – we are asking for the students to engage one another on the level of their own faith, understands, and experience – and do more listening than talking.

How: students will be invited to seat themselves at religiously mixed tables. The question for each day will take the form: “In your understanding and experience, what does your religious tradition teach about………. And how is it lived out?”

Themes:
Monday - Love
Tuesday – Justice
Wednesday - Forgiveness
Thursday – Peace
Friday – Right and Wrong

If your time permits, we need Buddhist students to participate and share your experience.

ABS in today’s Daily Cougar

Check out this front-page story about ABS in today’s Daily Cougar. A reporter had an hour-long interview with Venerable Jian Dan. I particularly like this quote, “I dress in traditional clothes, but I still live in reality.” How about you? Did you find this story interesting? Want to know more about how this monk lives his daily life in 21st century reality? Come to our weekly meeting and find out for yourself!

An enlightening visit to Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston

... an undiscovered pure land in this hectic city ....

Purpose : To relax and be immersed in a peaceful, elegant environment, to experience a spiritual bath, and to learn valuable teachings unknown to us before.

Time: September 23 (Sunday); 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Please arrive by 1:45 pm. It is extremity important that we are there on time to show our respect to their cordial invitation.

Who: Everyone is invited

Location: Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston, 12129 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, 77072, Tel: 281-568-1568

Transportation: On your own

Schedule

2:00 - 2:20pm Tour of the Center
2:20 - 2:50pm Meditation instruction
2:50 - 3:20pm Watching DVD of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan, one of the world's largest Buddhist monasteries, an unbelievably magnificent treasure
3:20 - 3:25pm Break—Enjoy excellent tea and snacks
3:25 – 4:00pm Lecture; Q&A
4:00pm Riding the Ox Home

Interested? Email to uhabs8@gmail.com with your full name, major and cellphone number. If bringing guests, please provide their information.

Fall Meditation time and location

Weekly meditation: (8/29/07 - 11/14/07)

• When: Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 pm (starting August 29th)
• Where: Lone Star room (room 280, UC 2nd floor, directly across from Cougar1card office)
• Who: beginners welcome; no experience required; people of all faiths are invited
• What: learn how to calm your mind. wear something comfortable
• How: led by a Venerable with formal training in meditation
• Cost: FREE
• Format: noon - 12:30 sitting; 12:30 - 12:50 discourse; 12:50 - 1:00 Q&A; 1:00- 1:30 snacks, music, chatting, & friends. Please arrive early especially if first time.

Monthly club meeting: (8/29/07 & 10/31/07)

• When: last Wednesday of each month, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
• Where: UC Lone Star room (room 280, second floor)
• Who: anyone who is interested in the organization
• What: planning, debriefing, and Buddhism discussion
• How: led by officers and Venerable

Activities are beginning to line up

Here are some of our initial plans... More details to come. Leave us a comment and let us know what you think....

1. Meditation at noon (time and place TBA).
2. Buddhism in Plain English (time and place TBA).
3. Welcome party Saturday 8/18 evening (6:00 - 8:00 pm, Farish Hall 1st floor). Come for free food, books, dharma talks and more. A great way to kick start a wonderful semester!
4. Free weekend treats: Thanksgiving weekend and the weekend after final exam (Eligibility: attended at least 5 meditations or Dharma discussions). Free lodging, food, transportation. Activities include dharma talks, games, vegetarian BBQ, meditation. Location to be decided.