“Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and guides us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs”
- St. Francis of Assisi
Dear Mother, I bow down before you with utmost respect and the clear awareness that you are present in me and that I am a part of you. You gave birth to me and provided me with everything I needed for my nourishment. You gave me air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, and medicinal herbs to heal me when I was sick. Because you gave birth to me once, I know that you will continue to give birth to me again and again in the future. That is why I can never die. Each time I manifest, I am fresh and new; and each time I return, you receive and embrace me with great compassion. You are the great Earth, you are Terra, you are Gaia, you are this beautiful blue planet. You are the Earth Refreshing Bodhisattva–fragrant, cool, kind, and pure. You are infinitely beautiful. You have the great capacity of receiving, taking care of, and transforming everything; including filth of all kinds, poisonous fumes, and even radioactive waste. Time is with you to do this work, and you will do it, even if it takes a million years. You have numerous children; millions of species, amongst which the human species is just one. Many of us humans, blinded by greed, pride, and delusion, have been unable to recognize you as our Mother. That is why we have caused so much suffering to one another and have damaged your health and your beauty. We know that you have enough energy to embrace and transform our mistakes. But our deluded minds continue to push us to exploit you and create conflicts. This causes you a lot of tension.
Mother, you are a great realized being, a great Bodhisattva. You are not only a mother to us all, but you are the mother of countless Buddhas, Saints, and Bodhisattvas. Our root teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha, was a child of yours. The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and the Virgin Mary were also your children. The matriarch Lieu Hanh was your child. The Bodhisattvas Sadaparibhuta, and Kshitigarbha were also your children. Even our parents are your children. Many of us, who have been raised and guided by you through many lifetimes, have become Bodhisattvas with the capacity to educate others, to help them, and to protect you. There are those of us who have been able to investigate and seek to understand distant galaxies, as well as our own Milky Way, and the planets of our Solar System, thus helping you deepen your communication with them. We know that your relationships with the planets, especially with the Sun and the Moon, are already harmonious. You rotate smoothly and inter-connectedly with them to create the rhythmic cycles of day and night, and the four seasons. We are aware that you are one of the most beautiful and precious Bodhisattvas in the Universe. We are also aware of your virtue of great patience. That is why we can wholeheartedly take refuge in you and have total confidence in you.
This is the first part of the letter.
Click here to download the entire letter containing the following parts: Dear Mother; Your Journey of Eons; Touching the Earth; The Earth is Not the Environment-the Earth is Us; The Sun My Heart; Our Solar Family; The Emergence of Awareness; The Non-Dual Nature of Reality; The Kingdom of Heaven is on Earth; Interbeing - Our True Nature; Continuing the Mind of Love; Returning to Intimacy with Mother Earth; Touching the Ultimate.
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The information is provided as references for press release or column. If further information is needed, Dr Eva Yuen* could be contacted at sdeva@polyu.edu.hk; or (604) 266-3443 (from 2- 22 August)
A unique joint venture between Hong Kong University Museum and Art Gallery and the European Institute of Applied Buddhism will present the work of the well-known Vietnamese Zen Master, the Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh, at the Asian Centre Auditorium, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, from August 6th to 11th. Entitled
Calligraphic Meditation: The Mindful Art of Thich Nhat Hanh, the exhibition is designed to be not only a collection of superbly executed calligraphic expressions as a work of art, but also a living meditative experience in itself for all those who attend, whether experienced meditators or not. The central theme is the Art of Mindfulness which
visitors will be invited to explore through reflecting first on the exquisite artwork and then on the selected excerpts from the Zen Master’s writing as an inspiration to practise the art of mindful living themselves, be it through doing beautiful scripts/handwriting,
handicraft, or simply just “being”.
Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh has led a remarkable life. Born in central Vietnam in 1926, he joined the monkhood at the age of 16. He has since dedicated his life to the work of inner transformation, for the benefit of individuals and society at large. Exiled from Vietnam, he founded Plum Village in France, from where he continues his work to alleviate the suffering of refugees, boat people, political prisoners and hungry families in Vietnam and throughout the world and leads retreats, worldwide, on “the art of mindful living”. He has published some 85 titles of accessible poems, prose and meditations, including the best selling Call Me by My True Names, Peace Is Every Step, Living
Buddha Living Christ, Teachings on Love, and Anger. Dwelling in the present moment is, according to Nhat Hanh, the only way to truly develop peace, both in one’s self and in the world.
This exhibition makes a significant but different contribution to the large body of literature by and about Thich Nhat Hanh, It is the first occasion to present him as an artist in North America, through the gift of his calligraphies along with a selection of his writings. The
exhibition will include the series of calligraphies displayed earlier in Hong Kong and Taiwan along with 13 new pieces of work created specially by Master Thich Nhat Hanh for the Vancouver audiences.
In the exhibition, rice paper, brush and ink will be provided to support visitors to engage in their own personal journeys of calligraphic meditation.
Calligraphic Meditation: The Mindful Art of Thich Nhat Hanh, 6-11 August 2011; venue: Asian Centre Auditorium, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Opening hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm (from 6 – 11 August)
Inauguration- August 9th at 9:30-12.
Extension hours: 7.30am–7.30pm (from 9 - 11 August, to be confirmed)
To read a message from Thay Phap An about the exhibit, click here.
To have a visual experience of previous exhibits, click here.
*About the Curator and the Editor
Dr Eva Yuen has had an eclectic life journey: at different
times she has been a practicing artist and international
exhibitor, an artist-in-residence in Canada, Australia,
New Zealand, and Singapore, an active contributor to
non-governmental organization projects, and, for more
than 15 years, a teacher of Art and Design and specialist
in phenomenography research on creativity in the School
of Design in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
In 2006 she began practicing Buddhism, and this
journey eventually led her to Thich Nhat Hanh. In
2008 she attended a Plum Village Retreat in Hong Kong
under the guidance of Thay Phap An and in June, 2010
she met Thich Nhat Hanh in the European Institute of
Applied Buddhism in Germany and learned the Five
Percepts from him. She described her experience of
meeting the Zen master as being like an encounter
with the holy being; what she perceived in him at that
moment was his awakened self, his Buddha nature, and
what he reflected back to her was her own capacity of
being awake. The mounting of the exhibition and the
editing of the book has been a labor of Love for Eva
and a chance to give service to society by sharing her
beloved teacher’s calligraphy and wisdom.
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Wake Up Trailer from Max Pugh on Vimeo.
If we look deeply at the Buddhist Dharma, we see concentric circles- at the very heart of the circles lies the Four Noble Truths. All of the foundational teachings and practices spring from this source. Out of the Four Noble Truths emerge the Noble Eightfold Path, the Buddha's guidance for realizing transformation in body, speech and mind at a fundamental level. From the various steps of the Noble Eightfold Path spring a multitude of sutras, practices and commentaries.
During this course, we will enjoy sharings on each of the Truths and the steps of the path; we will be offered concrete practices to apply at home and we will have suggested readings and reflections, as appropriate. These will be available on the Deer Park Monastery website. The recorded sharings
The three month winter retreat is a time of focused attention and deep looking. It is also a time of simplifying, of settling... a time of recognizing how we use our energy in our daily life. Most of all it is a time of allowing ourselves to settle- to settle into our experience of the moment.
Making the commitment to attend this class- even knowing all of the challenges- is one way to bring that element of focused intention into our lives- even if we cannot spend ninety days in a practice center.
When:
Sunday afternoon at 3 pm, weekly
first session: November 27, last session: February 19
Where:
in the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall, Deer Park Monastery
or online Deer Park Dharma Cast.
How long:
each session will be one hour
Why:
because we like to
]]>Here at Deer Park Monastery two retreats will be offered and a public talk will be held in Pasadena.
For more information and registration click on the following links:
Click here to download the poster for the California events,
please help us share this wonderful news!
We hope you can come and practice with us here at Deer Park!
]]>The Book, Chanting from the Heart can be purchased in our bookshop (open Thursday & Sunday after lunch, located by the Solidity Circular Garden), or at Parallax Press.
]]>For more information about the other events on this upcoming tour visit our Tour Website.
Photos from previous Tết celebrations are available here and here!
We wish you much happiness, peace and health in this coming year.
]]>It will also be possible to watch the talk on an iPhone or iPad, in Silverlight, and in Quicktime Player. Check the site later for more details.
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"Dharma talks were extra special. Wonderful sharings and teachings, and we liked the way the monks and nuns worked together and alternated responsibilities."
"I felt the entire experience was outstanding and valuable. To be in community with others was very nourishing. Also, I felt the monastics did an outstanding job with the Dharma talks and discussion groups."
"Being with my family and practicing together. I think it greatly strengthened our family and I am grateful."
"The see the strength of the sangha and the monastics when Thay was not able to come."
"I found most supportive the inspiration of the Monks and Nuns and the hundreds of serious practicioners of mindfulness. This was my first retreat, and I found the daily routine, including the noble silence periods to be very rewarding."
For the article in the Mindfulness Bell, click here!
For the article in Buddhadharma, the practitioners quarterly, click here!
The Monks & Nuns of Deer Park and Blue Cliff Monastery are continuing in Thay's footsteps,
as we organize and lead four retreats during our U.S. Tour 2010,
Cultivating a Culture of Awakening.
Come and Join us in mindfulness, joy and peace!
Dearest friends of Deer Park,
It was just the other day that Deer Park was still deserted and dilapidated. You came with a great vision and worked together to build it as Deer Park Monastery. Your diligent practice and limitless love have nourished Deer Park to maturity, enabling Deer Park to take roots, to spread Engaged Buddhism and to become a refuge for many people, especially the youth. Brothers and sisters of Deer Park Monastery sincerely hope that you can join this upcoming family reunion (June 5th and 6th, 2010), so that we can share heartfelt stories about Deer Park in those beginning years and together look into the future of Deer Park.
If you have pictures of the early years of Deer Park and/or if you have stories, poems, writings about Deer Park, please send to us before May 20th for the special issue “Celebrating Deer Park 10 year Anniversary” (email: clarity@dpmail.net , re: sister D) or you can bring them to share at the Tea Meditation and Performances night.
Saturday June 5th, 2010: Celebrating Deer Park 10 year anniversary
9:00 a.m. Walking Meditation
10:00 a.m. Panel Sharing about History of Deer Park
12:30 p.m. Family Lunch (in Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall)
2:30 p.m. Total Relaxation
3:30 p.m. Sangha Building Activity
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Tea Meditation and Performances
Sunday June 6th, 2010: Celebrating the Buddha’s Birthday (Vesak)
9:30 a.m. Dharma Talk
10:30 a.m. Walking Meditation to Circle Garden - Bathing the Baby Buddha
12:30 p.m. Lunch (Picnic)
If you are able to join us for this week-end please register, so we know you are coming. There is no set contribution for your stay at Deer Park this week-end; you are invited and welcome to make an offering from the heart in the spirit of dana (giving). With our collective support we can continue to nourish the path of understanding and love here and become a source of refuge for many people for generations to come.
Registration online or download the general registration form.
Teen Camp - Rebel Buddha - discover the True Rebel - the warrior, the artist & the dreamer
for more information and registration - click here!
Family Retreat - Opening the Family Up - take down the fence and let the flowers bloom
for more information and registration - click here!
Help us share the news about these retreats with friends. You can also print and post this poster. Thanks for your support.
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Please take a few minutes to share your reflections by answering the survey before March 15.
Thank you.
A lotus for you,
Brandy Sacks, Leslie Rawls, and Avi Magidoff