Monthly Calendar & Special Events
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Sunday Chant Service.................................................................10 to 11 AM Dharma Circle..............................................................11 to 12 noon Board Meeting........................................................................FEB 13 Monday Night Dharma Circle......................................................7 PM Wednesday Night Basic Buddhist Teachings...................7:00 PM FEB 2..............................................................................Eightfold Path FEB 9............................................................................Six Perfections FEB 16.......................................................................Ten Suchnesses FEB 23............................................................Law of Twelve Causes Thursday Night Meditation............................................................7 PM
Friday Night Lotus Sutra Study ...................................................7 PM FEB 4............Sutra of Innumerable Meanings - chapters 1, 2, & 3 FEB 18............................Sutra of the Lotus Flower- chapters 1 & 2 Special Events * L livetype for Shakyamuni's nirvana day- (see side panel for more information)
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Genuine Living by Rev. Kris Ladusau
 In studying Buddhism, we learn that what we do and what happens to us is somehow connected. We do not exist separately from everyone and everything else. Because of this, we follow the Path: we choose to be responsible in our thoughts, words and actions – responsible for everything that we experience – and it is a good thing. Though at times we may revert to old patterns and habits, making things suddenly seem frightening or unfair, these difficulties are chances to “stretch” and grow. Gone are the days of saying, “she made me angry,” because we know that we are the only ones who can make us angry. When we understand this, we view things from a new perspective. We see the world differently and we re-evaluate how we look at stress in our daily lives; it becomes crystal clear that our stress is created by our own mental processes as we go through the day. If we feel separate – other things and people can become a threat, a barrier or an obstacle, and we have a tendency to go into “fight or flight” scenarios. We actually become or embody this fear, pain, or anger that we have created, and we become heavily invested in “being right.” When we are able to stay connected, engaged – without judging, avoiding, or running away, and instead process it and let it go – there is no barrier. It is actually delusional to think that we can successfully avoid difficulties or run away from them. Most of the time we get over-emotional about situations, we are simply putting up a “smoke-screen” so that we don’t have to look deep inside. Perhaps because it is there, that we will easily see our attachments and justifications for the mere phantoms that they are. Buddha taught us to be genuine in every moment of our lives. And just like any new skill we acquire, it takes practice on our part. To develop this new ability, it takes all the unique moments of daily living and our interactions with others. These provide us with the opportunities we need. Eventually, “genuine living” becomes second-nature and we automatically function this way in everything we do. That is when we know we have embodied the teaching.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
Dharma Center Website
The Blessing
Recently I moved from the room that I had been living in, to a small apartment. I had transferred most of the easy items to the new place, but needed some help with a few pieces of furniture. Several friends came to my rescue and one evening we joined forces to make quick work of the task.
After we finished, I realized my refrigerator was empty… I had no cold drinks to offer them for their hard work. When I apologized, one of my friends said, “Just give us all a blessing.” So, in a quick and light-hearted way, I gave them each a blessing.
We sat outside for a while and chatted. When I remembered that several of them were meeting for the first time, we did introductions. I told them all how thankful I was for their help.
It was a small gathering that expressed the compassion that we can have for each other – another example of interconnectedness.
Now as I reflect, I realize what I sincerely want to share with them:
The true blessing is to see that we have ALWAYS been blessed, throughout our entire life. And that this opportunity called “life” – itself, is a blessing.
To my friends – thank you for blessing my life. I appreciate you all…
Rev. Kris Ladusau
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* Shakyamuni 's Nirvana Day
Nirvana Day — is observed primarily by Mahayana Buddhists, most commonly on February 15th. The day commemorates the death of the historical Buddha and his entry into Nirvana. RK Headquarters will broadcast the ceremony at the Great Sacread Hall both in English and Japanese to the overseas branches live through the Internet. You can participate in it from your location. Please join the ceremony through Internet .
"Nirvana Day is a time for contemplation of the Buddha’s teachings. Some monasteries and temples hold meditation retreats. Others open their doors to laypeople, who bring gifts of money and household goods to support monks and nuns.
The word Nirvana means "to extinguish," such as extinguishing the flame of a candle. Some schools of Buddhism explain Nirvana as a state of bliss or peace, and this state may be experienced in life, or it may be entered into at death. The Buddha taught that Nirvana was beyond human imagination, and so speculation about what Nirvana is like is foolish.
The Death of the Buddha
The Buddha died at the age of 80 in the company of his monks. As recorded in the Pali Sutta, the Buddha knew his life was at an end, and he assured his monks that he had withheld no spiritual teaching from them. He urged them to maintain the teachings so that they would continue to help people through the ages to come.
Finally he said, “All conditioned things are subject to decay. Strive for your liberation with diligence.” Those were his last words."
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