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New Southwest Campus. Our New England Insttute of Buddhist Studies has now open its Southwest Campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico where Buddhism 101 and Discovering Shin Buddhism will be offered. The director of Southwest NEIBS is Dharma Teacher Dug Corpolongo.

MIDDLETOWN

CALENDAR

01/29. Sexuality, Divorce and Abortion. Explore the Third Precept on sexuality. What is the approach to dating, masturbation, premarital sex, divorce, porn and sex in general? In addition, does Buddhism consider abortion a “sin”? How does Buddhism help women deal with abortion? Explore readings from Shambhala Sun Magazine, Buddhist Ethics by Damian Keown and Ocean by Kenneth Tanaka. Presented by Daikan.

02/05. Nonviolent Communication. This talk/discussion will examine how to create harmony in your relationships and how to transform conflict and anger into positive conclusions. Furthermore, learn how to unlock those habitual energies that lead to conflict and depression. Inspired by the book Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg Ph.D. Presented by Shoshin.

02/12. The Passing of Buddha. In 483 BCE, the historical Buddha passed on to Parinirvana at the age of 80. Born in Lumbini’s Garden, enlightened in Gaya, his legacy became his teachings of understanding, love and compassion. Learn more about his last teachings and his impact on the spiritual lives of modern Americans from sangha members. This is a special Buddhist holiday called Nirvana Day or Nehan-ye in Japanese. Sacred chants and a multimedia presentation will be offered. All are welcomed. Lead by Senpai Daishin.

02/19. Realizing Shinjin Awakening. This talk/discussion will look into how we can experience this radical spiritual transformation in which we abandon our previous lives, and enter into a new life within the embrace of boundless compassion and wisdom. Shinran said, "when we entrust ourselves in the Primal Vow, we, who are like bits of rubble are turned into gold."

02/26.The Ordinary as Extraordinary: Living the Shin Path. This visually stunning and inspirational multi-media presentation covers a personal journey of dharma, in which each person, each thing, and each event, no matter how seemingly insignificant, contains extraordinary meaning and priceless value. In additional, there will be an Affirmation Ceremony for 3 new members of our community. Presented by Senpai Daishin and Katherine.

03/04. True and Real Life. What does is mean to awaken to the true and real within you? What is the One Life that interconnects all of us? How can awakening to this One Life heal the heart and liberate the soul? This reading and discussion will cover a chapter of River of Fire, River of Water, written by Dr. Taitetsu Unno will look into the deeply spiritual aspect of living the Shin path. Presented by Senpai Daishin.

03/11. Poets, Verses and the Pure Land. The Buddha once said that in the future monks will listen to “literary works of poets, elegant in sound, elegant in rhetoric” and will lose the true teachings. The concern was that poetry will delude rather than enlighten. In Shin, reading and writing poetry is pretty popular. How can we read an appreciate poetry without falling into attachment? Using some of Denis Hirota’s ideas on Shin and the use of language as a spiritual vehicle, this talk will look into how to read buddhist and non-buddhist poetry. Poets like by Frost and Yeats will be read. Presented by Kogen.

03/18. Purposeless Purpose. The Buddha taught that true life is purposeless and naturalness. How can that be? Modern life is geared toward achieving goals. There are even spiritual books that focus on the purpose driven life. So, what is this purposeless living all about? What is natural spirituality? What is living with no-mind? How can anyone live with aimlessness in modern America? Senpai will explore this teaching with the sangha. Presented by Senpai Daishin.

03/25. Essence of the Buddha’s Teachings 101. This multimedia presentation and discussion will be divided into two but interconnected topics, Meditation and Buddha’s teachings (dharma). There will be a practical look into how meditation is the art of looking deeply to free ourselves from delusion, aversions and lusts. As well, find out how the historical Buddha’s basic teachings are a vehicle to see life differently so as to open up our hearts to the Pure Land here and now. Presented by Senpai Daishin.

04/01. Darkness. The Shin spiritual journey is to look deeper and deeper within ourselves so that we encounter our shadow nature and the light that illumines it. Learn how realizing the darkness within is the first and most important step toward spiritual healing, wholeness and enlightenment. Presented by Senpai Daishin.

Also, there will be a Mantra Healing Circle during the gathering just before quiet sitting meditation. The focus on this chanting practice will be good health.

04/08. EASTER WITH BUDDHA: The Birth of the Buddha. Celebrate Flower Festival, known as Hana-masturi, which honors the birth of the historical Buddha over 2,500 years ago. Come and join us in our multi-media presentation of the birth story and learn about the basic teachings of the Buddha, wash and offer flowers to the baby Buddha, listen to sacred chants and more.

Bring flower(s) to offer to the baby Buddha on the altar. This community event is great for new to Buddhism, families and friends. Lead by Senpai

Also this date commemorates the 11th anniversary of the Buddhist Faith Fellowship. On this date, in 2001, Senpai Daishin, founded this community in his apartment in Bristol, Connecticut with five others in attendance.

04/15. Anjin – Peace of Mind. This discussion will look into and unravel some of the pithy sayings of the famous Shin teacher, Zuiken Inagaki (1885-1981). These sayings underscore the Shin teachings of awakening (shinjin),darkness, compassion, oneness and expose the reality and art of being human. Presented by Senpai Daishin.

04/22. Rinzai. A look into the teachings of this famous 9^th century Zen mountain monk and how his message is still relevant in the modern world. This talk will over his extraordinary career and insights into the nature of life and mind, and how to live the Buddha’s Way. Presented by Abhaya.

04/29. Will Mimi go the Pure Land? This talk will look into the Shin Buddhist view on death and how the deaths of pets are dealt with. Do our pets go to the Pure Land too? Is there an afterlife for them and us? How do the Shin teachings inform our viewpoint? Also, the discussion will look into the elaborate funerals for pets in Japan. Presented by Sachi.

05/06. Skirmishes, War and Terror. Discover the Buddhist way to resolve conflict. What is the approach that Buddhists take to warfare? How do we wage inner and outer warfare? Is there any good reason to act violently? Can a Buddhist become a soldier? Explore readings from Buddhist Ethics by Damian Keown and Ocean by Kenneth Tanaka. Presented by Daikan.

05/13. Amida's Path To Bliss. How can you experience deep tranquility and the silence of peace? This talk will look into the contributions of Honen Shonin, the teacher of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Shin Buddhism. Honen believed that true Buddhism should be able to be practiced easily anywhere and at any time. Discover Honen’s path of nembutsu: to reflect and entrust on your shadow nature and let the inner light, through the Name, awaken you to your true and real self. Presented by Shoju.

05/20. Engaged Buddhism. From the time of the Buddha through the earliest days of Shin Buddhism to today, it has been challenging to balance Buddhist practice with the politics of the times. This talk will utilize the words of the Buddha, Shinran, the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh and others to explore an approach to compassionate engagement in our world and the politics of our times. Presented by Dojin.

06/03. Three Jewels: What do we mean when we say, “I take refuge in Buddha the Dharma and the Sangha “? Taken from a Shin perspective, this talk and discussion will explore the meaning of these Three Jewels which are the central practice of all buddhists. Also, the talk will explore how the Three Jewels are practiced and lived in our daily lives. Presented by Abhaya.

06/10. Mindfulness Retreat. Learn, practice and experience being in the present moment where life is truly lived. This one day retreat with cover basic sitting and walking mediation instruction and practice. This 10th annual sesshin (retreat) theme - This Present Moment - underscores presence and the profound sense of gratitude and interconnectedness. Sesshin includes: basic sitting meditation instruction and practice, walking meditation, voice meditation, noble silence, discussions & a delicious Korean vegetarian lunch. Visit our New England Institute of Buddhist Studies for more details and registration. Presented by Senpai Daishin.

06/17. Buddha’s Brain. Can we shape our own brain for greater happiness, love, and wisdom? This talk and Q & A will explore new breakthroughs in neuroscience, combined with the insights from thousands of years of Buddhist practice. Based on the book Buddha’s Brain, this talk will offer practical tools and skills enhance the brain’s potential for greater peace and well-being. Presented by Sachi.

06/24. Summer Solstice. topic to be announced. Presented by Senpai Daishin.

07/01. Q & A - Questions about Buddhism? On the Buddha? On meditation? On Shin Buddhism? On Shin daily practice? Our in house anti--scholar leads a question and answer while fellow sangha members join in to quench your curiosity! Presented by Abhaya.

07/08. to be announced.

07/15. to be announced.

http://dharmaquest.bffct.net/

Memorial Day Sunday Picnic

Veterans Memorial Field, Middletown, Ct

May 27, 2012, 12:30 – 5 p.m.

Come and join us for our 10th annual potluck Memorial Day/Wisteria Festival Picnic. This community event will take place at Veteran's Memorial Field. On this day, we will honor the men and women who served our country in the armed forces and also Wisteria Festival, or Gotan-e in Japanese, that celebrates the birthday and life of Shinran Shonin, the founder and foremost teacher of Shin Buddhism, over 750 years ago in Japan. All members and friends and their guests are invited to attend.  This event is great for families and for those new to Buddhism. There is no Sunday morning gathering at Wesleyan.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU WILL BE BRINGING.  Email amida@bffct.net

What we need? Plates, napkins, cups, forks, knives, spoons, burgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers, buns. Condiments, salads, desserts, and other suprises. Also, if you have out door games for adults and kids.

Our Buddhism 101 Winter - Spring class will meet at 10:00 a.m. at Veteran's Field. The Community picnic will begin at 12:30 p.m. through 5 p.m.

Who was Shinran Shonin? For followers of Shin Buddhist teaching, this day is very important, as it was Shinran who systematically developed a reformed Pure Land teaching by compiling the commentaries of the seven teachers whom he chose to call the Seven Patriarchs. The essence of the Jodo Shinshu teaching is contained in Shinran’s Kyo-Gyo-Shin-Sho, compiled and written during his last years in the Kanto area, before his return to Kyoto.

Shinran Shonin teaches that we are able to attain spiritual liberation or Birth into the Pure Land. Even though Shinran (1173-1263) was born some 800 years ago, the Nembutsu teaching that he developed is still applicable to us in this modern Age of Technology.

What distinguishes his teaching is that it was meant primarily for householders, rather than those who left their homes to enter priesthood and attempt to follow the difficult path of discipline in search of Enlightenment. Without distinguishing between the priesthood and laity, he pointed out that everyone, without distinction of rank or class, would be saved by reciting the Nembutsu – namu amida butsu, with true entrusting in Amida, the Oneness of Immeasurable Life and Light. In Shinran’s teaching, there is no distinction between good and evil. Everyone is equal before the Buddha, and all can be equally liberated by Amida’s Boundless Compassion. This is Shinran Shonin’s true entrusting in working and grace of the the Primal Vow.

Our Buddhism 101 Winter - Spring class will meet at 10:00 a.m. at Veteran's Field. The Community picnic will begin at 12:30 p.m. through 5 p.m.

Connecticut Buddhist Film Festival

Explore Buddhist teachings through Film

Our 3^rd annual Connecticut Buddhist Film Festival (CBFF) returns on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 in Middletown and will run through May 16, 2012. We will showcase 5 cinemagraphic works that explore the Buddhist spiritual experience or that take on Buddhist themes. This Buddhist Film Series is a free of charge educational program of the New England Institute for Buddhist Studies (NEIBS). 

Pre-show Dinner: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at either Pho Mai Vietnamese Restaurant or Tibetan Kitchen (Connect with Festival's coordinator to confirm)

Show Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.  

Dates: Jan. 18, Feb 15, Mar. 21, Apr. 18, May 16

Location: Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center, 605 Main Street, Middletown.

Showcase Films: To view the featured films and learn more about the CBFF events, please visit the web site below.

http://buddhistfaith.tripod.com/film/

Non-Violent Communication Book Group

Let’s learn and practice peace together

Book: Non-Violent Communication: A Language of Compassion by Marshall Rosenberg

When: We will meet on the first Wednesday of the month, for 4 months, from 6:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m. Discussions may include role plays and other exercises.

Dates: March 7, April 4, May 2, and June 6

Sign up: by March 4^th, we would like a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12 people.

Please read the first 3 chapters to discuss at our first gathering.

Bring light food if you like.

Cost: free of charge

Questions, sign up and directions: Susanlaranoff@yahoo.com

“In this internationally acclaimed text, Marshall Rosenberg offers insightful stories, anecdotes, practical exercises and role-plays that will dramatically change your approach to communication for the better. Discover how the language you use can strengthen your relationships, build trust, prevent conflicts and heal pain. Revolutionary, yet simple, Nonviolent Communication offers you the most effective tools to reduce violence and create peace in your life—one interaction at a time.”

– Amazon.com’s Book Description

Sangha Refuge

Our Buddhist Community's Support Group