Event: Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship

Our sangha is affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship. This is a space in which the overlap between Unitarian Universalism and Buddhism can be explored. Since many of our sangha members are UU members, and because we have long been meeting at a UU church, it seems right and appropriate that we should participate.

One such opportunity for participation is coming soon. Please read this message from Bob Ertman of the UUBF for more on this:

The UU Buddhist Fellowship will hold its fourth convocation April 8-10, 2011, at the Garrison Institute in Garrison, NY.

The Convocation theme will be "The Interdependent Web of Unitarian Universalism and Buddhism" and the teachers will be James Ford and David Rynick, Leaders of the Boundless Way Zen Community. They represent the first Zen community in North America to bring teachers of different Zen lineages together to create a distinctively Western and American vision of Zen. Boundless Way teachers have been influenced by their experiences as leaders and participants in Unitarian Universalism.

There will also be an Arts Practice Workshop on calligraphy with Mike Gold and a Prison Dharma Workshop with Rev. Patty Franz, Director of Prison Ministries, Church of the Larger Fellowship. And perhaps most valuable of all, opportunities to meet and talk to other UUs interested in Buddhism.

Take advantage of the early registration rate of $60, ending January 1. For the Convocation flyer & registration form, visit the UUBF home page (just Google uubf).

Gassho,
Bob Ertman, Editor, UU Sangha

May this Fellowship bring great benefit to all beings!

Contemplation: The Body of Truth

After considering the guidelines for practice, take this as your object of contemplation:

Subhuti, what do you think? May the Tathagata [the Buddha] be perceived by the thirty-two marks [of a great man]?

Subhuti answered: Yes, certainly the Tathagata may be perceived thereby.

Then the Buddha answered, Subhuti, if the Tathagata may be perceived by such marks, any great imperial ruler is the same as the Tathagata.

Subhuti then said to the Buddha: World-Honored One, as I understand the meaning of the Buddha's words the Tathagata may not be perceived by the thirty-two marks.

Whereupon the World-Honored One uttered this verse:

Who sees me by form,
Who seeks me in sound,
Perverted are his footsteps upon the way;
For he cannot perceive the Tathagata.

Diamond Sutra, chap. 26

Contemplation: To be Rid of Bewilderment

After considering the guidelines for practice, take this as your object of contemplation:

This great assembly should now rid itself of bewilderment.
Of those hearing this Dharma
There will be no one
Who will not become a Buddha.

(that means you)

From the Lotus Sutra, chapter 2, as recited at the Tendai Buddhist Institute

Contemplation: Like Dust, Like a Visitor

After considering the guidelines for practice, take this as your object of contemplation:

the Thus-Come-One [the Buddha] told everyone in the assembly, 'All beings need to understand that whatever moves is like dust and, like a visitor, does not remain'.

Surangama Sutra, p. 45