First Ever Mt. Adams Buddhist Temple ZOOM Retreat

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to our first ZOOM Retreat.  Please read the information below prior to the retreat.  Much of our practice is based upon the most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and also the work of his Sugarplum sangha,  You can find out more about TNH at  https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/.  

And about the Sugarplum Sangha at https://www.sugarplumsangha.org/

This retreat is done online.  There will be teachers and activities planned each day.  You may attend the whole retreat or any portion of the retreat.  See the schedule for times.

Register at https://mtadamszen.org/virtual-retreat-registration/

We gratefully accept donations to help support our efforts to bring peace and happiness to all.  If you are able to donate, we have a page with various options.  https://mtadamszen.org/giving-dana-financial-support/ Be sure to return to the form to submit your registration. 

Most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh says that “the next incarnation of the Buddha will be the sangha, a community that lives in awareness, understanding, harmony, and love”. How do we continue with wisdom to move ourselves in that direction?  It is a workout of a lifetime.

In his book  Awakening Together: The Spiritual Practice of Inclusivity and Community, Dharma Teacher Larry Yang writes:

“None of this is easy or simple.  Awakening together in community is both an inspiring and frustrating process with all our collective imperfections and inevitable unconsciousnesses.  It is not linear, and it’s not always clear what it is that will support the process of our collective consciousness.  There will be obstacles, injuries, missteps, harm and even failures on our parts both individually and collectively”.

Dogan Zenji, the great Japanese Zen Master spoke of the great importance of Life and Death and how we must work to awaken.  He cautioned us to not waste our life.  

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said “If you want to see what your last life was like, look at your current situation.  If you want to see what your next life will be like, then look at your current actions.”

The Most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh says that view is only achieved by looking through the eyes and hearts of all peoples and beings. Knowing this, we commit to the workout of a lifetime: to create in each moment and every day a sangha that lives in awareness, understanding, and love… for it is the path to collective awakening. 

DHARMA SHARING

  1. Practice listening and loving speech.

Topics emanate from our life and practice.  The Soto school of Zen in Japan says that the Koan arises from daily life.  In focusing on our own looking within and without, we approach the practice with dedication to Avalokiteshvara (Quan Yin, Quan te Am), great compassion for ourselves and others. 

As others share, our mind may wander or respond.  By taking in a deep breath we can refocus and listen with loving kindness to each beings statements.

Prior to sharing, take 3 deep breaths, then speak from the heart.  Be as honest as possible about your thoughts, actions, and concerns.  Share how your situation relates to your understanding of the Dharma.  

Like the Five Mindfulness Trainings, (From the most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh) the Guidelines protect us and offer direction towards the “North Star” of clear and compassionate communication.

  1. Bowing

Before speaking we may wish to make a flower bud with our hands (hand in prayer form, palms together) and bow. When we bow, or put our hand on our heart or use a signal we are comfortable with, we are signaling that we would like to share. The Sangha bows back acknowledging that we are ready to listen deeply. When we are finished we let the Sangha know by bowing/signaling again. Knowing that we will not be interrupted creates a safe and harmonious environment.

  1. Saying our name, each time, before we speak.

This practice fosters a sense of inclusion for newcomers as well as aiding those of us who might have some difficulty remembering names. We do this in our Sangha even when there seems to be only “regulars” present.

  1. Avoid giving advice, even if it asked for.

In general it is helpful to always use the word “I” instead of the word “you”. Speaking from our own experience eliminates the opportunity to give advice. If someone asks for advice and a practice that we have worked with comes to mind it is fine to share our experience rather than telling someone what she or he should do.

  1. All that arises is confidential, or “What is said here stays here”

Confidentiality secures the safety of the group and helps avoid gossiping. Also, after the Dharma Sharing time, if we want to talk to someone about what they said in the group, we first ask if it is OK. Sometimes a person does not want to talk more about what they said and this is a respectful way to honor his or her space.

  1. Refrain from speaking a second time until it appears that everyone who wants to speak has spoken.

This ensures an opportunity for everyone to speak and provides a space where we can benefit from all of our Sangha wisdom. We are encouraged to speak mindfully, “not too much and not too little” for the number of participants. Near the end of the time the facilitator may offer an opportunity for those who have not spoken to do so if they wish and may address any unanswered questions.

  1. Share with the Whole Circle

Whatever we share is for the benefit of all those present. We do not engage in crosstalk with another participant . If we ask a question we ask the whole group and if we answer a question we speak to the whole group and not just the person who asked. If we ask a question we should not expect an answer straight away. Another topic may be addressed first and only when someone feels ready to address the question asked does it need to be addressed. However, if towards the end of the sharing, the question has not been addressed the facilitator can assure the group that the question has not been forgotten.


DANA, DONATIONS TO OUR TEMPLE

Thank you for considering a donation to our sangha. To donate online, please access our website’s donation page https://mtadamszen.org/donate-2/ .  We are a registered 501(c)3. We will send you a thank you letter containing our EIN for tax purposes.  You can also mail in a donation to Mt Adams Buddhist Temple PO Box 487, Trout Lake WA 98650

 

PRACTICE CONCEPTUAL GUIDELINES

Reverence For Life from the most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh

Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating the insight of interbeing and compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to support any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, or in my way of life. Seeing that harmful actions arise from anger, fear, greed, and intolerance, which in turn come from dualistic and discriminative thinking, I will cultivate openness, non-discrimination, and non-attachment to views in order to transform violence, fanaticism, and dogmatism in myself and in the world.

True Happiness from the most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh

 of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to practicing generosity in my thinking, speaking, and acting. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others; and I will share my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need. I will practice looking deeply to see that the happiness and suffering of others are not separate from my own happiness and suffering; that true happiness is not possible without understanding and compassion; and that running after wealth, fame, power and sensual pleasures can bring much suffering and despair. I am aware that happiness depends on my mental attitude and not on external conditions, and that I can live happily in the present moment simply by remembering that I already have more than enough conditions to be happy. I am committed to practicing Right Livelihood so that I can help reduce the suffering of living beings on Earth and stop contributing to climate change.

True Love from the most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh

Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. Knowing that sexual desire is not love, and that sexual activity motivated by craving always harms myself as well as others, I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without true love and a deep, long-term commitment made known to my family and friends. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. Seeing that body and mind are one, I am committed to learning appropriate ways to take care of my sexual energy and cultivating loving kindness, compassion, joy and inclusiveness – which are the four basic elements of true love – for my greater happiness and the greater happiness of others. Practicing true love, we know that we will continue beautifully into the future.

Loving Speech and Deep Listening from the most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening in order to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in myself and among other people, ethnic and religious groups, and nations. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to speaking truthfully using words that inspire confidence, joy, and hope. When anger is manifesting in me, I am determined not to speak. I will practice mindful breathing and walking in order to recognize and to look deeply into my anger. I know that the roots of anger can be found in my wrong perceptions and lack of understanding of the suffering in myself and in the other person. I will speak and listen in a way that can help myself and the other person to transform suffering and see the way out of difficult situations. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to utter words that can cause division or discord. I will practice Right Diligence to nourish my capacity for understanding, love, joy, and inclusiveness, and gradually transform anger, violence, and fear that lie deep in my consciousness.

Nourishment and Healing from the most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I will practice looking deeply into how I consume the Four Kinds of Nutriments, namely edible foods, sense impressions, volition, and consciousness. I am determined not to gamble, or to use alcohol, drugs, or any other products which contain toxins, such as certain websites, electronic games, TV programs, films, magazines, books, and conversations. I will practice coming back to the present moment to be in touch with the refreshing, healing and nourishing elements in me and around me, not letting regrets and sorrow drag me back into the past nor letting anxieties, fear, or craving pull me out of the present moment. I am determined not to try to cover up loneliness, anxiety, or other suffering by losing myself in consumption. I will contemplate interbeing and consume in a way that preserves peace, joy, and well-being in my body and consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family, my society and the Earth.

WHAT TO WEAR
Wear modest, loose-fitting clothes.  Please no tank tops, short shorts, exposed abdomen, or exposed thighs.

 

  Sunday Monday Tuesday Wed Thursday Friday Saturday
5:30 AM Prepare for retreat Mindful Awakening
6:00 Meditation

Instruction

Ven. Jeff

Meditation

Ven. Jeff

Meditation

Thay Z

Meditation

Thay Z

Meditation

Thay Kozen

 
6:45 Buddhist History

Thay Kozen

India at the time of the Buddha

Metta

Practice

Thay Z

Buddhist History

Thay Kozen

Buddha’s early life

Metta

Practice

Thay Z

Buddhist History

Thay Z

The birth of Mahayana Chen/Thien

Metta

Thay Kozen

7:15 Breakfast – Mindful Eating – Formal Meal Chant
9:00 Orientation Mindful Working – self directed Temple Service
11:00 Walking Meditation

Instruction

Thay Z

4 Noble Truths

8 Fold Path

Rev. August

Qi Gong

Thay Kozen

Bodhisattva

Vows

Walking Meditation Dharma

Talk

Thay An Giao

12:30 PM Lunch – Mindful Eating – self directed – Formal Meal Chant
2:00   Deep Relaxation or Reading – self directed
3:30 Walking Meditation – Rev. Scott
4:00 Mindful Reading – Old Path White Clouds – self directed
4:30 Dharma

Sharing

Dharma

Talk

Ven. Jeff

Dharma

Sharing

Dharma

Talk

Thay Z

Dharma

Sharing

Dharma

Talk

Rev. August

Dharma

Sharing

5:30 Meditation

Instruction

Thay Z

Meditation Meditation

Rev. August

Meditation Meditation Meditation

Rev. August

Meditation
6:15 Snack – Mindful Eating – Casual Meal Chant  
7:30 Dharma Talk

Rev. august

Metta

Practice

Thay Kozen

Dharma Talk Metta

Practice

Ven. Jeff

Dharma Sharing Metta

Practice

Thay Z

8:30 Meet with Dharma Teacher – self choice
9:30 Noble Silence  

SCHEDULE

 

MEETING WITH A DHARMA TEACHER

You may speak with a Dharma Teacher vis phone, email or ZOOM style meeting.  Please arrange the meeting with them PRIOR to your meeting time.  Contact a Dharma teacher directly via email.

Thay Z (Thich Minh Thien)  thayzzen@gmail.com

Rev. August augiejensen@gmail.com

Ven. Jeff (Thich Tâm Minh). mountainwayzen@yahoo.com

Thay Kozen kozen1@embarqmail.com

 

SITTING MEDITATION

WALKING MEDITATION

SETTING UP A HOME SPACE

Register at https://mtadamszen.org/virtual-retreat-registration/