Open House at Nalanda West was held December 12-14. By all accounts, it was a very successful event. We were fortunate to have a visit from Lama Dudjom Dorje who was teaching at the Shambhala center this weekend. It was wonderful to have him say blessing prayers in the shrine room. He remarked that every major city in the country should have such a large and beautiful center as Nalanda West so the dharma can flourish in the West. Indeed! Many neighbors stopped by, many representatives of other local sanghas, and other invited friends and acquaintances. One guest remarked that she thought the new center was going to be a wonderful resource for all Buddhist sanghas in the Pacific Northwest.
On Saturday and Sunday we had a Maruca handbag sale that was advertised and open to the public. This raised $900 for Nalanda West. Marion and Katherine Power organized a kids activity table. Their face-painting, balloon animal making and origami were amazing and created an atmosphere of sheer delight. We gave building tours, chatted with guests about our programs and plans for the future and helped everyone feel welcome at our new home.
This was another great example of the coming together of causes and conditions which continue to create an auspicious beginning for Nalanda West. (submitted by Lynne Marvet)
A quick visit to the monthly calendars shows that Nalanda West offers a wide variety of programs in meditation and study, as well as programs which are intended to help integrate the arts and activities of daily life with one's practice and into the community.
Nalandabodhi Connecticut is pleased to announce that it will be co-hosting a Nitartha Institute regional weekend program in February. The first regional program offered by the Institute took place in up-state New York in May 2003 and was enthusiastically received. Several additional programs are scheduled for 2004, with more information to follow as plans develop.
The main focus of this weekend program will be The Mind and Its World course, which is the principal focus for first-year students at Nitartha Institute. This class, which will be presented by Nitartha Institute teachers, is based on the teachings of pramana, or valid cognition, and explores what exactly is meant by “mind”. The term “mind” is used in a variety of ways in common usage, but in actuality what we mean by “mind” is quite vague. This lack of clarity is at the root of our confusion and suffering.
In order to begin to clarify this confusion, this course introduces students to what mind is, how one’s mental world can be defined more clearly, and how the mind engages its world. This is done through exploring direct perception and conception, along with the inter-relationship of the two, in the context of our “inner and outer” worlds. The class also looks at the analytical tools used by practitioners to increase penetrating insight in analytical meditation and debate practice at the Institute. The course introduces the concepts of logic used in analysis, although there will not be sufficient time to engage in actual debate practice over the weekend. Discussion groups will be provided to help students resolve their confusion and develop insight. The material presented in these classes will be further explored in Introduction to Analytical Meditation, where students will be guided by teachers in a detailed and contemplative examination of the topics from the classes in their first-hand experience.
Each day will begin with optional instruction in the body/mind practice of Lujong exercise, a form of yoga. On Saturday Evening, students are invited to attend a presentation by Dr. Phil Weber on Menla (Tibetan approaches to a healthy mind and body). Opportunities will be available throughout the weekend for students to socialize with each other and with the teachers."
Visit NB Connecticut's webpage for more information and to register at www.nbconnecticut.org/nitartha/home.htm
Dear Members and Friends of the Nalandabodhi Sangha,
Thank you for your kind prayers and thoughts for our sangha members who have been experiencing difficult health issues. We have heard that all are doing well and recovering quickly.
If you have not received a copy of the Tara practice, please contact us at info@nalandabodhi.org for that liturgy and instruction.
Please continue to keep our sangha and others in your prayers and practices.