ZZZZZZZZeeeeeeeennnnnnnn MMMMMMMMeeeeeeeeddddddddiiiiiiiittttttttaaaaaaaattttttttiiiiiiiioooooooonnnnnnnn ~~ LLiivviinngg iinn tthhee hheerree aanndd nnooww ~~

Ullambana Gratitude Ceremony (September 13, Sunday 10AM-4PM)

The Ullambana ceremony is a practice of gratitude to our parents and repaying their kindness. Through the merits of the congregation’s practice of chanting sutras and making offerings to the Three Jewels, our present and past parents will be delivered from all sufferings and receive health, longevity, and countless blessings.

Water Repentance Service (December 6, 13, & 20, Sunday 10-11 AM)

The purpose of this service is to help resolve our conflict with others, repent for our past faults, and cultivate the Buddha Way. Sincere repentance of our bad karma created in the past helps to cleanse the mind and remove our karmic obstructions.

UPCOMING

EVENTS

BUDDHA MIND MONASTERY 5800 S. Anderson Rd, OKC 73150 (405) 869-0501

www.ctbuddhamind.org

No fees. Open to the public.

Zen meditation is bringing our mind home, living in the here and now.

It helps to clear our mind and reflect inward, thus, we can perceive our own pure nature, and uncover our innate wisdom and compassion.

Practicing meditation empowers us to deal with any circumstance through observation and mindfulness, which leads to enlightenment.

Longing for a serene home for your mind? Buddha Mind meditation classes shine a light to bring your mind home.

Free Zen Meditation Classes will start

September 8th.

Register here:

www.ctbuddhamind.org/contact_us.php

August 2015

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The Buddha Mind Grapevine

Sacred Vows Connecting the Past to the Preset “Medicine Buddha Gratitude Ceremony” was held on July 12.

When Medicine Buddha was practicing the Bodhisattva Way,

He made twelve great vows to benefit sentient beings

working toward well-being, and attaining enlightenment.

In this ceremony, participants were inspired by the Buddha’s

vows, rejoiced at the Buddha’s teaching and faithfully

accepted them and put them into practice, and

52 members stepped onto the Buddhist Path by

taking the “Three Refuges” and making the

“Four Great Vows.”

The transmission ceremony is the process to

become a formal Buddhist, and an explicit

affirmation of self-commitment. It was truly

a rare and blessed experience for all!

Happy Birthday to the Buddha!Happy Birthday to the Buddha!Happy Birthday to the Buddha!Happy Birthday to the Buddha! On May 24, we joyfully held the annual Buddha Bathing

Ceremony, celebrating the Buddha’s birthday by bathing

the statue of the Baby Buddha. Through this symbolic

ritual, we show our respect for the Buddha and make a

vow to awaken to the Buddha nature within. It’s also a

reminder for us to “bathe” our mind and purify our

thoughts, speech and actions in everyday life -- to nurture

a Buddha-to-be! This ceremony also marks the beginning of the

monastic summer retreat, and chanting of the “Medicine

Buddha Sutra” until August 30.

After the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, the meditation

class members performed a stage play “The Birth of the

Buddha” with elaborate costumes, scenery, music and

dancing. The audience not only appreciated the play, but

also learned the significance of Buddha’s birth which

brought great teachings to inspire all sentient beings to

attain true happiness.

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Compassionate, Healthy and Fun!

On June 27, over 250 people enjoyed Buddha Mind’s 2015 Veggie Festival, gathering with loved ones and acquaintances.

The festival commenced with an encouraging talk by Ven. Abbess Jian Ren, entitled, “Peaceful Diet, Peaceful Mind,” advocating a compassionate and eco-friendly vegetarian diet. Beverly McDaniel, R.N., also spoke on the health benefits and nutritional needs of a vegetarian.

Other activities included cooking demos, informative videos and table displays featuring how to live more compassionately through a vegetarian lifestyle. Testimonials from practicing vegetarians and vegans were offered, and an exciting cook-off between four wonderful chefs demonstrated the deliciousness of eating in this way. About half the participants gave a pledge to go veggie one day a week, or one meal a day from their benevolence.

Notably, the Veggie Festival portrayed the compassionate spirit of Buddhism. Participants left the event with awareness that a plant-based, vegetarian diet is a more humane option for animals, our planet, and overall health. This event was a huge success thanks to everyone’s efforts and support. Go Veggie! * “NewsOK” reports: http://newsok.com/article/5433026, http://newsok.com/multimedia/video/4348746228001

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The Buddha Mind Grapevine

Receptionist / Deena Dina: I encouraged guests to make the pledge to be vegetarian one day a week or one meal a day. I believe teaching my students about the benefits of making this commitment will demonstrate how we can make a difference in our environment.

Emcee / Paul Nightingale: One thing that really stood out for me was the positive group atmosphere. I was also impressed by the professionalism of the presenters, including career chefs and medical professionals.

Registered Nurse / Beverly McDaniel: Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life. I am blessed to have such a wonderful monastery to learn from, and have the chance to help people.

Class Member / Corby Poursaba: Only after a few months of embracing the vegan lifestyle, I reaped its benefits of restoring energy during the day. Moreover, I became more compassionate toward animals. They are my equals who share this planet with us.

Cook-off Chef / Chase Wiens: I was impressed by the feeling of open-minded goodwill, friendliness and compassion that pervaded the scene. My thoughts on all aspects of my own diet have been positively, and perhaps permanently, influenced by the things I learned and experienced here at Buddha Mind.

Receptionist / Deborah Kay: Any steps toward more vegetarian meals is beneficial for ourselves, animals and the planet. Just cutting down on the number of times you eat meat can have a big impact.

Receptionist / Janelle Nightingale: Each visitor now has seeds planted in their own mind and will realize what they are eating used to be living beings. Oklahoma is a land of animal farming, and I feel honored to witness the changes of eating culture in Oklahoma.

Reflections onReflections onReflections onReflections on Veggie Festival EventVeggie Festival EventVeggie Festival EventVeggie Festival Event

Meditation & Buddhism Level I

* (Morning) Tuesdays, 10 AM ~ 12 PM

* (Evening) Tuesdays, 7 ~ 9 PM

Chinese Meditation Class Level I

中文初級禪修班

每週六 1:30 ~ 3:30 PM

Kids’ Meditation Class

Saturday 10:30 AM ~ 12 PM

8/29、9/26、10/24、11/28、12/12

Vegetarian Cooking Class

Sunday 1:30 ~ 2:30 PM

8/16、9/20、10/11、11/8、12/13

Yoga Class

Sundays 9 ~ 10 AM (9/6 ~ 11/29)

8/9 ~ 8/30 Sundays 10 ~ 11 AM

Sunday Service : Chanting of the

“Sutra of Medicine Buddha”

9/13 Sunday 10 AM ~ 4 PM

Ullambana Gratitude Ceremony

10/18 Sunday 10 AM ~ 12:30 PM

Diamond Sutra Ceremony

11/15 Sunday 10 AM ~ 12:30 PM

Great Compassion Guan Yin Ceremony

12/6, 12/13, 12/20 Sunday 10 ~ 11 AM

Water Repentance Service

AugustAugustAugustAugust ~~~~ DecemberDecemberDecemberDecember 2015 2015 2015 2015 ScheduleScheduleScheduleSchedule

The Buddha Mind Grapevine August 2015

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