The Dharma is deep and lovely.
We now have a chance to see it, study it and practice it.
We vow to realize its true meaning.
In addition to our regular Wednesday night meetings, we have other ongoing activities as well as periodic events; these additional activities are:
- Mindful Reading (Book discussion)
- Deepening Practice (Half or full day silent meditation practice)
Mindful Reading Meetings
Mindful Reading meetings are open to those attending Wednesday night meetings. We take turns reading and discussing the current book selection during the meeting. You do not have to buy a book, unless you want to, or read it outside of the meetings, unless you want to. If you do not have a copy of the book, you can borrow one to read during the meeting.Location: Please note that this group does not meet in the Meditation Pavilion. For the location, contact mindfulredding@gmail.com.
Days: 2nd and 4th Mondays of the Month (except for some holidays)
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
- 6:00 to 6:10 Arrive
- 6:10 to 6:30 Meditation
- 6:30 to 7:45 Reading and discussion
- 8:00 Library closes
Current Book Selection:
Joan Halifax: Standing on the Edge: Finding Feedom Where Fear and Courage Meet. Flatiron Books, 2018.
Deepening Practice Meetings
Deepening Practice meetings offer sangha members an opportunity to engage in silent sitting and walking meditation for more extended periods of time than at our Wednesday night meetings and with fewer activities than at retreats. Deepening Practice meetings may include short readings, recorded audio or video teachings, meditation instructions and tips, or brief discussions about obstacles that may arise during meditation. But the primary emphasis is on practicing meditation in noble silence.
Sangha members will be notified of upcoming depending practice opportunities via email.
Spiritual Friendships (Kalyana-mittata)
Kalyana-mittata (Pali; Sanskrit: -mitrata) refers to "spiritual friendship" within Buddhist community life, whether in monastic or householder relationships. In such relationships, one is known as a "good friend," a "virtuous friend," a "noble friend" or an "admirable friend."
This type of relationship is described in a number of places in the sutras (Buddhist scriptures):
Ananda: "This is half of the holy life, lord: admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie."
This type of relationship is described in a number of places in the sutras (Buddhist scriptures):
Ananda: "This is half of the holy life, lord: admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie."
The Buddha: "Don't say that, Ananda. Don't say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life. When a practitioner has admirable people as friends, companions, and comrades, she or he can be expected to develop and pursue the noble eightfold path." -- Upaddha Sutta (SN 45.2)
"One who is a friend with admirable people abandons what is unskillful and develops what is skillful." -- Itivuttaka 1.17
"And what is meant by admirable friendship? There is the case where a lay person, in whatever town or village she or he may dwell, spends time with householders or householders' children, young or old, who are advanced in virtue. Such a lay person talks with these virtuous ones, engages them in discussions. Such a lay person emulates consummate conviction in those who are consummate in conviction, consummate virtue in those who are consummate in virtue, consummate generosity in those who are consummate in generosity, and consummate discernment in those who are consummate in discernment. This is called admirable friendship." -- Dighajanu Sutta (AN 8.54)
"One who is a friend with admirable people abandons what is unskillful and develops what is skillful." -- Itivuttaka 1.17
"And what is meant by admirable friendship? There is the case where a lay person, in whatever town or village she or he may dwell, spends time with householders or householders' children, young or old, who are advanced in virtue. Such a lay person talks with these virtuous ones, engages them in discussions. Such a lay person emulates consummate conviction in those who are consummate in conviction, consummate virtue in those who are consummate in virtue, consummate generosity in those who are consummate in generosity, and consummate discernment in those who are consummate in discernment. This is called admirable friendship." -- Dighajanu Sutta (AN 8.54)
