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Eugene Buddhist Priory Eugene, Oregon |
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Links to printable versions of the EBP Calendars, Newsletters, and Special Announcements and Events:
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Dear Friends, I trust you are all well. Thanks again to everyone who participated in our Wesak Ceremony. It was a good day, and the culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of many people. We were delighted to see old friends and meet new ones, and we were particularly happy to have so many younger people take part as the “royal children”—daughters and sons of the King of the Dharma, Shakyamuni Buddha. The prayer flags and the Buddha’s birthday cake with Dharma wheel were joyful additions! My thanks, also, to all contributed to the Wesak gift of the floor lamp and the new carpet for the two side rooms of the temple. The time had come for replacement, as the present ones were used to begin with. And thanks to all who have been committing to help with the upkeep and maintenance of the temple. With everyone’s help, we stay afloat! Three thoughts on group activities and potlucks came up in discussion afterwards. Because of limited time and oven capacity, it’s a good idea to bring dishes that require a minimum of cooking, reheating, and other preparation (such as slicing—or do it at home). Because of limited parking space, it’s good to get in the habit of carpooling when coming to the temple. Lastly, out of consideration for others, please do not attend Priory events if you have a contagious illness. We plan to have our rummage and bake sale in late August. Please save and store items at home, as we don’t have storage room at the temple. We’ll announce a date and location when we decide. Also, price your items yourselves, and bring only items that are in reasonable condition that others would want to buy. Contact Pamela Wright, Jerry Mohr, or Lisa Raney if you can help with the sale. The week after I return from South Carolina, where I’ll be visiting our Columbia Priory, I will offer a half-week retreat centering on Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva of Compassion. Wednesday, June 22 at 7:00pm will be meditation followed by the lovely vigil that Rev Master Eko wrote invoking the 108 names & forms of Kanzeon/Kwan Yin. Thursday and Friday, June 23 & 24, the meditation hall will be open from 10:30am to 4:30pm with meditation on the half-hour (10:30, 11:30, etc.). We’ll have 30 minutes sitting, 15 min. walking meditation, 15 min. break and then resume sitting. Come for any amount of time you can: try to arrive during the break. Bring a sack lunch if you stay over noon. Saturday, June 25 will be our usual retreat starting at 9:30 and going to 4:30. Lunch will be a formal meal at 1:00 for all who wish to join us. Please bring a simple food contribution that we can make into a meal. Lunch preparation begins at 11:30am. Sunday, June 26 will be our Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Festival Ceremony, with usual Sunday schedule. Don’t forget the Saturday, July 30 annual picnic with the Portland Priory sangha at Silver Falls Creek. Family and friends are welcome. This event affords the opportunity to be together in a beautiful natural setting, enjoy the day and each other’s company, and get to meet Buddhists from other areas. We’ll need someone to go up early to reserve our favorite spot. Three Dharma offerings this month are: (1) “Turning Around in our Hearts”(PDF). This article builds on the story of Angulimala related to the children at Wesak; (2) “Care of the Temple” (pdf) : an edited recent Dharma talk explaining the spiritual dimensions of working together at the temple. Also on the members’ article webpage www.eugenebuddhistpriory.org/EBPmembers/members_articles.htm; and (3) “The Alms Round” by Ernie Rimerman, an account of our April alms round in Portland, with photos. It’s also on the public website, www.eugenebuddhistpriory.org/articles.htm. Speaking of the alms round, we have one more opening for the June 16 round in Portland. Each time Rev. Master Meiko kindly offers myself and two of our lay sangha a chance to participate. If interested in the June round, talk to Sally Meadow. Future rounds will be in August, October, and December. May you all be well and at peace. In gassho, Rev. Oswin Drivers Still Needed:
Third Refuge Assistance Coordinators:
Dharma Offerings:
Future of Newsletter Shasta Abbey cookbook available
Respectful Dress at the Priory
Alms Bowl: We are very grateful to all who have made offerings in the past month. All offerings--large or small, material or spiritual, tangible or in service--enable the temple to exist as a place of teaching and refuge for those who wish to practice in the Serene Reflection tradition transmitted by Rev. Master Jiyu. Our support of the Priory is another way we show our gratitude for all that she gave us. Our lovely Wesak fountain has suffered a meltdown. If anyone comes across a small, three-tiered plastic fountain, would you let me know? Thank you to everyone who has been providing food and meals and helping with the many tasks around the temple that make it possible to have a place of practice here. We are gradually getting caught up on the long list of overdue grounds projects. This summer we will have work days every other Saturday beginning May 21. If you can’t make it on Saturdays, you are welcome to come up at other times. Just give a call. Offerings of help to accomplish the following tasks would also be appreciated:
A more complete list is posted on the sangha bulletin board on the front porch of the Priory. All help, great or small, is always appreciated.
Let us know if this webpage of the calendar and news provides you with information and updates about the Priory in an easily accessible and timely manner. Any thoughts or suggestions regarding format, design, articles, graphics, mailing, web access etc. are appreciated. We also welcome contributions of articles or questions about meditation and Buddhist practice, as well as artwork, graphics, and digital photographs with a Buddhist theme. Eugene Buddhist Priory Members' Photo Gallery Copyright © 2004 The Eugene Buddhist Priory
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