Sudama’s Story

At this Sunday’s morning sitting, May 19, Sudama Ngo will give a Coming-to-the-Path talk. Sudama is one of our priests, and has been on staff for some 11 years. At the end of this month she will move back to southern California to be with her family – sisters, sons, and grandchildren.

Come hear Sudama’s story, including the harrowing account of her escape from Vietnam with her young son. 

Simplified Spring Temple Night

“Temple Night” has always referred to an evening in the Budha Hall, twice a year, when the Center displays buddha and bodhisattva figures not otherwise shown there – figures in addition to those standing on the main altar throughout the year. This elaborate presentation has always required much work by the staff and others, especially to construct beautifully-wrapped altars with flower arrangements and other offerings.

This is an unusual spring, however. The staff is in one of its contraction phases, and our veteran altar-creator, Sudama, is preparing to move to California. And since the spring Temple Night always draws fewer people than the one in the fall, this year we’re going to experiment with simplifying Temple Night. Instead of constructing our additional altars, we’ll focus our efforts on the main altar and its three legendary figures – the Buddha flanked by his two immediate successors, Mahakashyapa and Ananda. Otherwise the Buddha Hall will be arranged as always, with mats and cushions laid out generously for sitting, as well as prostrations and other devotions.

However this spring experiment goes, the autumn Temple Night will feature the more elaborate display of altars that we’ve always had.

Buddha’s Birthday

Temple Night on Friday, May 24, is the “kickoff” event in our annual Buddha’s Birthday weekend. Saturday begins with the traditional ceremony of pouring tea over the baby Buddha and continues with stories, parade, potluck lunch, and fun and games in the afternoon. There’s a good overview of the weekend on the website here.

This is our biggest celebration of the year, with something for everyone – children, adults, and friendly animals. All sentient beings are welcome. Come if you can!

All-day Sitting

We’ll also be having our monthly all-day sitting this Sunday, May 19. Here’s the schedule:

6:15 am	Zazen
7:30	Breakfast (Center will provide)
8:30	Zazen & teisho
~10:30	Brunch
11:00	Zazen
12:50	Lunch break (bring your own)
1:30-3:00	Zazen, ending with the Four Vows

 

Next Book Club Meeting

The Sangha Book Club is starting up again, this Sunday, May 19, at 6:30 pm in the Community Space. We will discuss the first half of The Path of Compassion: Writings on Socially Engaged Buddhism, edited by Fred Eppsteiner.

Snacks provided!