Dec 8, 2012

WEEK OF DECEMBER 9 TO DECEMBER 15, 2012

Schedule of Events

SUNDAY:     
10:00 AM Dokusan (as arranged)
10:30 AM Meditation & Feastday Dharma Service. Followed by potluck.
 
WEDNESDAY:
 
FRIDAY:   
For the next class, please visit www.lotustemple.us/classsignup.html
  

Sangha Announcements & News

Bodhi Day
Traditionally the 8th day of the 12th lunar month has been observed on December 8th in Japan since the Meiji Restoration (1862-1869). It is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama Shakyamuni, experienced enlightenment (Bodhi). According to tradition, Siddhartha had forsaken years of extreme ascetic practices and resolved to sit under a Pipul tree and simply meditated until he found the root of suffering, as well as how to liberate oneself from it. 
Celebration: We light candles (or electric lights) in our homes and in a special arrangement at the temple. At the end of meditation practice we gather for a seasonal party with food and cookies. Since Bodhi Day falls close to this Sunday (December 9), we celebrate it during Sunday meditation with a special Dharma Service, followed by pot-luck.

Survey
If you have not done so already, please take a moment to participate in our most recent survey. The Temple Council during its last meeting has discussed to possibly move Meditation & Dharma Service from Sunday morning to Saturday morning. We appreciate your honest feed-back as we try to address community and Lotus Sangha member needs. Kindly take a moment to check all that applies. This is an anonymous survey, but you will be able to see the overall results when the poll ends. In order to vote, please visit the following web page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LZT/surveys?id=3121809 The Survey closes December 15.

Upcoming Class 
December 28, 2012: Kindness, Compassion and Love
These terms are as confused as they are often misunderstood. In this class, we will explore those differences and show examples from daily life in sharing experiences of our spiritual practice. Please enroll at the web page http://www.lotustemple.us/classsignup.html

 
Winter Zen Retreat 
Once again, we will hold our winter retreat. This year, it is scheduled for Sunday, January 20, 2013  –  9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For details and registration, please go to www.lotustemple.us/nextretreat.html 





Announcements by Sangha Members
(If you would like to post something here, please contact the editor@lotustemple.us)

Engagement 
Fa Jiàn and Yin Jiàn were engaged on December 8. They will get married on December 31. All Sangha members are invited to the reception. For details please visit www.joanandmichael.webs.com

Lotus Blossom Healing Arts
Now offering Reiki treatments. For details, please visit www.HealingArtsCenter.us or write to info@healingartscenter.us. It is currently free for Sangha members.