WEEK OF JULY 3 to JULY 9, 2011
Meditation
SUNDAY: Meditation at Lotus Zen Temple
SUNDAY: Meditation at Lotus Zen Temple
10:30 AM Meditation. Buddhist Service with Dharma talk
MONDAY: Independence Day
MONDAY: Independence Day
no meditation
TUESDAY: Meditation at Quan Yin Zendo
5:15 PM Meditation with Dharma Talk. Pot-luck
5:15 PM Meditation with Dharma Talk. Pot-luck
WEDNESDAY: Meditation at Lotus Zen Temple
5:15 PM Meditation, Gatha and brief Dharma reading or address
THURSDAY: (no meditation this week)
THURSDAY: (no meditation this week)
Look for other Meditation Groups here.
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Important Announcements & News
Treasurer's Note by Courtney Gibbons (email from 6/29/11)
I would like to thank the sangha for continuing to support Lotus Zen Temple financially. These monetary donations allow us to pay for our serene temple space, our website, and the assorted candles, incense, and other necessities of temple practice.
I'd like to say a few words about dāna. Dāna is a Sanskrit word that sometimes translates as "the treasure of generosity". The more one gives, the more one cultivates a generous nature. As Buddhists, we can practice dāna-pāramitā (the perfection of giving) in a number of different ways.
Being trained as a temple Doan (bell ringer) and Upasaka (meditation leader) is a valuable donation of your personal time. Having enough people available to serve these functions helps to distribute the work load. Volunteering to help clean the temple or straighten up Alene's yard are also valuable donations. Even sharing your thoughts during Dharma talks on Sundays is a valuable donation to the temple!
Financial donations are essential to keeping the temple running. There is no scripture that outlines how much a Buddhist should contribute to his or her temple. Donating is a personal matter, but if you would like a guideline, I would suggest donating between 3%-10% of your salary to the temple each month. Our temple is a recognized nonprofit organization. As such, you may itemize your charitable contributions on your taxes.
I like to think that my role is to keep account of the treasures our temple possesses, not just the bank balance! We are blessed with a beautiful temple space, a knowing and compassionate master, and a vibrant and giving sangha. Thank you for letting me count you all among the treasures of Lotus Zen Temple!
I'd like to say a few words about dāna. Dāna is a Sanskrit word that sometimes translates as "the treasure of generosity". The more one gives, the more one cultivates a generous nature. As Buddhists, we can practice dāna-pāramitā (the perfection of giving) in a number of different ways.
Being trained as a temple Doan (bell ringer) and Upasaka (meditation leader) is a valuable donation of your personal time. Having enough people available to serve these functions helps to distribute the work load. Volunteering to help clean the temple or straighten up Alene's yard are also valuable donations. Even sharing your thoughts during Dharma talks on Sundays is a valuable donation to the temple!
Financial donations are essential to keeping the temple running. There is no scripture that outlines how much a Buddhist should contribute to his or her temple. Donating is a personal matter, but if you would like a guideline, I would suggest donating between 3%-10% of your salary to the temple each month. Our temple is a recognized nonprofit organization. As such, you may itemize your charitable contributions on your taxes.
I like to think that my role is to keep account of the treasures our temple possesses, not just the bank balance! We are blessed with a beautiful temple space, a knowing and compassionate master, and a vibrant and giving sangha. Thank you for letting me count you all among the treasures of Lotus Zen Temple!
Summer Newsletter
The printed Newsletter of Summer 2011 is available at the temple. Help yourself to a copy.
Temple Council
The Minutes of the recent Board Meeting have posted and the current Board member constellation published. There is a new Board constellation and yet new Board members are in the process of being added. A committee is also working on launching new outreach programs by fall.
The Way to the Precepts
Anyone interested or preparing for the Precepts, please visit this web page for details.
Zen Movies
If you would like to watch a movie about Zen, please visit our new site.
The Way to the Precepts
Anyone interested or preparing for the Precepts, please visit this web page for details.
Zen Movies
If you would like to watch a movie about Zen, please visit our new site.
Short Retreat
We are planning another retreat this summer for Saturday morning, September 3.Fall Retreat
We have scheduled a longer retreat this fall for October 15-16, 2011 (Friday evening through Sunday morning). More details about schedule and content will be released some time this summer. Please mark your Calendar. Registrations will be limited to 8 participants. Register early, if you can.
