BUDDHIST FAITH FELLOWSHIP OF CONNECTICUT

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Buddhist Faith Fellowship at Weslyan University
Buddhist Faith Fellowship at the Mansfield Freeman Center

 
 
Welcome!

 

 

Buddhism is a life long education to learn how to realize our human potential by transforming suffering into peace, joy and liberation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for a community?

 

Come and Join

 

 
 

Come and practice with us on most Sunday mornings,

overlooking a Zen garden at the inspirational

Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies,

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut,

10 a.m. to 11:45 - 12 p.m. 

 

 Please arrive 10 minutes early but if you are late,

 feel free to join us.  Dress informally and comfortably.

Open to all beginners and advanced seekers.

 

 

All new guests will receive a free gift book, 

Living Meditation, Living Insight

by Dr. Thynn Thynn.

 

 

Sunday morning activities are offered Free of Charge 

but a donation is greatly appreciated.

See our calendar below.

 

 

e-mail us at

amida@bffct.net

or call us for more information

 

(860) 805-2078

 

Join our American Shin community
Practice and live a happy life.

 New To Site 

 

Buddhist 12 Step Group.  Soon, we will be offering a new non-sectarian Buddhist 12 Step Group in Middletown. This will be the first in the state. We will be having our first meeting very soon. See below for more information. For contact, and/or join our e-mail list click buddha12step@hotmail.com

 

Connecticut Valley Buddhist Film Festival 2009. This first ever film festival showcases the cinemagraphic works that explore the Buddhist religious experience or take on Buddhist spiritual themes. The next movie will be on 11/24, titled How to Cook Life. See below for more details and times. Showing at the Buttonwood Tree Center. Free of charge. http://www.buttonwood.org/cgi/calendar.pl.

 

Buddhism 101 Course. Our most popular course is now open for registration till 1/10/10. Learn about Buddhist from the bottom up. Great for beginners and intermediate practitioners.  Visit http://dharmaquest.bffct.net/

 

Buddhist Symposium Field Trip. This annual seminar, by the American Buddhist Study Center in NYC, will take place on 11/21. It is titled Japanese Spirituality and The Demon of WWII: State Shinto and Buddhism. See details below.

 

BFF of Ct's Facebook and MySpace. Have you seen our Facebook and Myspace sites? Are you a member? Our Facebook is fairly new and our Mysepace site has been revamped for 2009. See Facebook and MySpace web page for links.

 

Volunteer Opportunities. We are a community on the move and therefore need volunteers to keep things going. We are looking for people in get involved and by doing so it becomes are great way to meet new friends and help many people. See below for details.

 

Come as you are and practice with us
Sunday Mornings at the BFF of Ct

MIDDLETOWN

CALENDAR

 

(Updated on November 3, 2009)

 

 

Autumn Theme:

Touching Peace

& Discovering Faith

 

 

10/11. Craving, Consumption and the Challenge of Living Mindfully. In this discussion we will explore the variety of ways that human beings attempt to avoid pain and seek pleasure, from overindulgence in food or entertainment to life threatening drug addiction. We will focus on mindfulness practice as a spiritual method of recovery from these issues, as it is described in the text of Mindful Recovery by Thomas and Beverly Bien. Presented by Jinshu.

 

10/18.  A New Earth. According to Eckhart Tolle, there is hope for the dire state of humanity. A new state of consciousness is emerging in the world. This talk and discussion will cover our erroneous identification with the ego-self, the storylines it creates, and the path that leads to a new state of consciousness so that we can experience who we really are. the Talk is based on the book by Eckhart Tolle. Presented by Myo-on.

 

10/25. The Day of the Dead & Cemeteries…Buddhist Style. Discover the unique Shin Buddhist way of honoring the dead and the how the décor of its cemeteries reflects its philosophy of life, its deep trusting faith in the Great Compassion and about its views on the afterlife. Presented by Senpai.

 

11/01. We Can't All Be Bald Monks.  This talk and discussion will explore how we can all strive for inner peace and liberation without being a monastic or clergy. Learn about what it really means to be a lay buddhist in 21st century America, and how the teachings and example of Shinran Shonin, the founder and foremost Shin teacher, and other contemporary Shin practitioners can guide us in living a deeply nembutsu lifestyle. Presented by Abhaya.

 

11/08. I Met the Buddha and He Winked At Me. An insightful, fun and spontaneous talk and discussion on how the Buddha touches and transforms our lives, and to explore if people in general are ready to encounter this transformational experience. Sachi relates her often amusing personal experience to initiate the conversation. Presented by Sachi.

 

11/15. Suicide and Abortion. What is the approach that Buddhist takes to these controversial issues? Is it ever ethical to commit suicide? Is abortion a "sin"? How can women deal with abortion? Explore the realms of applied Buddhist ethics. Excerpt readings from Buddhist Ethics by Damian Keown and Ocean by Kenneth Tanaka. Presented by Daikan.

 

11/22. The Most Shin of all Holidays. Gratitude is what Shin is all about. This Thanksgiving gathering will explore how waking up to our indebtedness and learning to live a life that makes Thanksgiving an everyday experience. Presented by Senpai.

 

11/29. The Art of Breathing. We all have a powerful tool for healing and relaxation at our fingertips at all times which is the breath and is integral to Buddhist practice. Learn about the healing and transformative properties of breathing along with some practice of different breathing exercises taken primarily from Kundalini Yoga. Presented by Myo-on.

 

12/06. What Do You Want to Know About Buddhism? Do you have a lingering question about a specific teaching of or practice in Shin or general Buddhism? Once again, we offer this popular and interactive format of Q & A lead by Abhaya and assisted by the BFF of Ct’s teachers and community.

 

12/13. The Treasury of Truth. From one of the most beloved and ancient Buddhist scriptures, The Dhammapada, this talk and discussion will explore the nature of self, fear and anger, happiness and the path to liberation. Excepts read from the book The Dhammapada (The Sayings of the Buddha). Presented by Shoshin.

 

12/20. Buddha’s Enlightenment. Come and celebrate the most important Buddhist festival, Bodhi Day that honors Buddha’s enlightenment under the Bo-tree over 2,500 years ago. An illustrated enlightenment story will be told and gifts will be given to adults and children. This event is a family event so feel free to bring all regardless of age or size. On display will be a small Bodhi Tree with lights and garland and a Buddha statute underneath. Happy Bodhi Day!

 

Winter Recess

(No gatherings at Wesleyan University)

 

New Year’s Day – Shusho-e. While there is no specific gathering on this date, New Year’s Day is a time to reflect on our life, its purpose and spiritual practice, and make a rededication to live a life of nembutsu, compassion and gratitude. Take time to read about Buddhism and share the nembutsu with family and friends. We suggest following our Eightfold Daily Practice as a guide for your own home observation.

 

 

01/24. In the Name of Love. Honor Martin Luther King Day with a look into the working of the Great Compassion (Amida Buddha) in our lives of anxiety, strife and fear, and how the Primal Vow can be seen as our spiritual Emancipation Proclamation revealing our inherent inner freedom. Presented by Senpai.

 

01/31. From Skirmishes to Jihads. What is the approach that Buddhist takes to warfare? How do we wage inner and outer warfare? Is there such a thing as a just cause to war? Can a Buddhist become a soldier? Explore the realms of applied Buddhist ethics. Excerpt readings from Buddhist Ethics by Damian Keown and Ocean by Kenneth Tanaka. Presented by Daikan.

 

02/07. To be announced.

 

02/14 Embrace Life-As-It-Is: Impermanence, Death and Rebirth. Come and honor the Buddhist festival of Nirvana Day – Nehan-e that commemorates the passing of the historical Buddha over 2,500 years ago with story, discussion and song. The discussion will explore change and our aversion to this reality, life and death as one reality, and the hope of rebirth in the Pure Land using the life and death of the historical Buddha as an example.

 

02/21. Did Buddha Ever Have "A Case of the Mondays"?  A discussion about “Work and Buddhism” In this discussion we will explore work as an integral part of our spiritual path rather than a barrier to it. We will focus on how to remain mindful during times of stress on the job as well as how to recognize opportunities in our employment for gratitude, meditation, and transformation. This discussion will be based on the book entitled Work as a Spiritual Practice by Lewis Richmond. Presented by Jinshu.

 

Autumn 2009 Field Trips & Activities

 

 

11/21. Buddhist Symposium Field Trip. This annual seminar, by the American Buddhist Study Center, is titled Japanese Spirituality and The Demon of WWII: State Shinto and Buddhism.

 

Buddhism throughout the world is known as the religion of peace and compassion. Japan was introduced to Buddhism over 1,400 years ago and the Japanese people made it their own religion. So how could it be that a country that practices peace enters into the conflicts of World War II? We will explore the conflicts, the rage, and blind passions that World War II caused.

 

  • Rev. Kemmyo Sato, head minister of the Three Wheels Temple in London will speak about D.T. Suzuki and his ultimate stance towards war from a Buddhist perspective.

 

  • Rev. Kodo Umezu, Director of the Center for Buddhist Education in Berkeley will talk on what role the Nishi Hongwanji and other Buddhist temples and sects played during World War II.

 

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of D.T. Suzuki’s landmark book Zen and Japanese Culture.A reception will follow the symposium to meet and talk with the speakers

 

A suggested donation of $20 for ABSC members, $10 for students, and $25 for all others to help cover our costs.

 

November 21, 2009 (Saturday) from 7:00 to 10:00 pm

Victor Borge Theater

in Scandinavia House

58 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016

 

If you are going, just RSVP admin@americanbuddhiststudycenter.org to reserve your seat and then e-mail us to let us know you are going so we can help coordinate car pooling or other transportation like taking the the Metro North train from New Haven.

 

Also, Senpai cannot attend this event so volunteer(s) field coordinator(s) is/are needed to lead the field trip. Please let us know.

 

For more information, visit www.americanbuddhiststudycenter.org or call 212-864-7424

 

12/18. Annual Holiday Party. Come and celebrate Bodhi Day, Christmas, Chanukah and the Solstice with food, dance, socializing and Secret Santa. Date is tentative. To be announced.

 

Buddhist Film Festival 2009

 

Our Connecticut Valley Buddhist Film Festival kicked off as a great success on October 27th with the movie Departures. Attendance was out the door with people from all quarters. Our next film is How to Cook Your Life and we hope you can attend and support our sangha and Buddhist culture. Please spread the word and bring some friends too.

 

Tuesday Nov. 24th. How to Cook Your Life - Find Nirvana in the Kitchen, from 7:30- 10:00 p.m. Charismatic Zen master Edward Espe uncovers the guiding principles of Zen Buddhism as they apply to life and the kitchen. It’s a delightful experience that will help you appreciate the everyday life while opening the joy of cooking. http://www.cookyourlifemovie.com/home.html

 

All movies are offered to the larger community free of charge at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center at 605 Main Street, Middletown, Connecticut. http://www.buttonwood.org/cgi/calendar.pl.

 

What is the Connecticut Valley Buddhist Film Festival? It is a showcase of cinemagraphic works that explore the Buddhist religious experience or take on Buddhist spiritual themes. Two movies will be shown in the autumn of 2009 and at least two in the winter/spring of 2010 in Middletown, Connecticut.

 

The Film Festival 2010 and 2010 includes:

 

Baraka - December

 

Visitor – January. This 2009 film did not get nearly enough attention- even though Richard Jenkins received Best Actor nomination for his performance.  The theme of film is "just connect". It is a beautiful story of what can happen when lives intersect and people are willing and able to drop their story lines- and "just connect." 

 

Nobody Loves Me - February 

 

Cherry Blossoms – March. This film is directed by Doris Dorrie, a German Buddhist film maker- who also directed How to Cook Your Life. It takes place in Japan during very special cherry blossom season. It deals with life/death with Buddhist concepts subtly interwoven. 

 

We hope you can join us and explore Buddhist filmmaking.

 

Our Buddhist 12 Step Group

 

We have established the first Buddhist 12 Step Group for addiction in the State of Connecticut. This non-sectarian group will be meeting on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. and will have our first meeting Middletown very soon. Some books that we might use are The 12 Step Buddhist by Darren Littlejohn, One Breath at a Time:  Buddhism and the 12 Steps by Kevin Griffin, Mindful Recovery by Thomas Bien, and The Zen of Recovery by Mel Ash. 

 

If you are interested in participating or are looking for more information about our Buddhist 12 Step Group or joining our 12 Step e-mailing list, please contact us at buddha12step@hotmail.com 

 

Volunteer Opportunities 2009-10

 

The BFF of Ct is looking for volunteers to help us out in effective sangha building. For 2009-10, we are looking to expand participation in our community so as to deepen and share the dharma and fruits of its practice with our families and the local community.  

 

If any of the below projects interest you, please e-mail us and let us know. Include your 1) name, 2) phone number, 3) town, 4) interest and 5) skills you can offer. We cannot exist without your help. Thanks so much for your consideration.

 

1. Social Action Project. We need part-time volunteers to get the BFF of Ct involved in local charities, environmental action, etc (like walk for the cure). See web site http://buddhistfaith.tripod.com/project/

 

2. Capital Fundraising Project. We are looking to continue fundraising financial resources in order to establish our own center in Middletown. We are looking for people who can help out in events like our Meditation-a-thon 2009 etc. See web site http://buddhistfaith.tripod.com/giving/

 

3. Family Dharma. We are looking for volunteers who have a family (any size) to host and coordinate a once a month “BFF Family Dharma Sangha”. We will support you all the way with advice and the supplies. We just need one volunteer (with child/children) to have the monthly sangha in their home. There are so many people who would like to come to our Sunday morning gathering but cannot due to children. The BFF of Ct’s Family Dharma Group would consist of parents and their children, and would meet on a Friday evening or Saturday morning or evening for approx. 90 min. to 2 hours. This is a wonderful vehicle to help instill Buddhist values to children and deepen the family’s experience with the teachings. Please let us know. We are open to ideas in order to get started.

 

So, if you can host our Family Dharma Group or are interested in participating, please e-mail us with the information requested above and the number and age of your children.

 

4. Outreach Project. Are you interested in sharing the Buddhist teachings and get the word out about the BFF of Ct? We are looking for a few dedicated volunteers to help us put up flyers in the local community in places like supermarkets, libraries, stores, bookstores and universities. Please consider helping out.

 

Thanks for your consideration: e-mail amida@bffct.net

 

 

OUR BUDDHIST CHAPTERS WORLD-WIDE

 

To visit our Chapter/Practice Groups’ web sites

visit our Connecticut &World Wide Chapters page

 

 

Ongoing. The East Alabama Buddhist Fellowship in Alabama gathers on a regular basis. Hosted by Practice Leader Mr. Chris Marbutt.

 

 

Ongoing. The Sarasota Buddhist Fellowship in Florida gathers on a regular basis. Hosted by former Connecticut member and now Practice Leader Ms. Geena Tomlinson.  

 

Ongoing. Grupo Budista de Benito Juárez meets once a month in  Benito Juárez, Argentina with meditation and nembutsu. This group's Practice Leader is Sebastián Calo.

 

Ongoing. Grupo Budista de Córdoba meets once a month in Córdoba Argentina with meditation and nembutsu. This group's Practice Leader is Rodrigo Pedraza Cécere 

 

Ongoing. Brevard County Buddhist Fellowship (BCBF) serves Titusville, Cape Canaveral, Satellite Beach, Merritt  Island and more. This active and growing community has three sanghas. 

 

Ongoing. Southington Buddhist Fellowship gathers on the first Friday of the month, serving Southington, Chershire, Wolcott, Waterbury and Meriden Buddhists and Friends. Hosted by Bob W. 

 

Ongoing. Social Action Project. Our active Buddhist human and environmental advocacy group meets regularly with field trips and activities. Get involved! Visit web site.

 

Ongoing. Albuquerque Buddhist Fellowship Group. Meets on most Sunday mornings at the First Unitarian Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Hosted by BFF Practice Leader Dug Corpolongo. Visit web site.

 

Ongoing. Northern Ontario Buddhists. Meets in Massey, Ontario. Hosted by S. Dreaver.  Visit this Canadian Buddhist web site for more information.

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"His Light penetrates to the utmost ends of space
and guides people to Nirvana, the Buddha is the
King of the Truth, he is the Teacher of Gods and humans."

Larger Sutra, Chap. 33

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