DAILY CONTEMPLATION

Buddhists very highly regard their mothers, as did the Buddha himself. In many predominantly Buddhist countries, there are days set aside especially to commemorate mothers. If you, as a Buddhist, find yourself having difficulty with your parents this Mother's Day, remember to show them the compassion that is such an important part of our tradition.

~ Thich nu Tinh Quang

REGISTRATION

Registration is required for all programmes, except Sunday morning sesshins. Please contact the Centre by email, snail-mail, or telephone, indicating the following:

1. Full Name (Dharma name if you have taken Precepts)
2. Address, including postal code
3. Day & Evening telephone numbers
4. Email address
5. The programme in which you are interested, including dates.
6. When emailing, please enter the name of the programme in the Subject Line.

Space is limited ... register early! Registrations must be received no later than 7 days before the intended programme.

Your registration will be confirmed by email.

KIDO CHANTING

First Wednesday of every Month

7:00 p.m.

Kido means "Energy Path".

While chanting Kido, our intention is to send our compassionate energy to where it's needed in the universe. Please bring percussion instruments such as a Moktak, wooden blocks, rattles, drums, spoons, tambourines, etc., if possible. We will begin at 7 p.m. and go until 9:00 p.m. Bring some water!

MEMBERS' SITTING

Thursdays (Except Precept Recitation Evening)

• 6:30-7:00 pm: Meditation
• 7:00-7:20 pm: Evening Bell Gatha & Yebul
• 7:20-7:45 pm: Meditation
• 7:45-8:00 pm: Walking Meditation
• 8:00-8:25 pm: Meditation/Interview by appointment
• 8:25-8:30 pm: Prajnaparamita Hridaya Sutra
  Open to all who have taken the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, attend the Centre regularly, and who practice the Six Principles of Harmony taught by the Buddha.

• Sharing similar viewpoints and aspirations
• Practicing the same ethical precepts
• Practicing peacefully together
• Abstaining from quarrelling and bickering
• Experiencing the inner peace and joy that results from community practice
• Sharing the benefits of our practice with all sentient beings

WEEKLY MEDITATION, CHANTING & DHARMA TALKS

Zen Buddhism is nontheistic, so its emphasis is on realizing our Buddha nature, the nature of the self. Therefore, all of Zen's rituals point to the oneness of the self and the ten thousand things. Zen liturgy is upaya, skillful means. Like meditation and all the other areas of zen training, it functions as a way of uncovering the truth which is the life of each one of us.

Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

Everyone is welcome.

If you require a chair, please telephone ahead to arrange to have one set up for you.

Meditation: March 30; April 6 & 20; May 18; June 1 & 15

Meditation & Chanting: April 13; June 8

Meditation, Chanting & Dharma Talk: April 27

May 4: Wesak Ceremony & Refuge-Taking Ceremony - 10:00 a.m.

May 11: The Rose Ceremony - 10:00 a.m.

May 25: Centre closed due to Silent Mind Zen Retreat

THE ROSE CEREMONY

In most cultures and spiritual traditions, there is a time, usually in the Spring — the time of rebirth and renewal — set aside to honor the role of the Mother. We are, at this time, mindful of our own mother, who brings us physically to life, of the Great Mother which is the Earth, and the mother-like compassion espoused to by Avalokiteswara.

On May 11, we will gather in community to offer mindful gratitude and remembrance to our own Mother.

We will begin the day with Meditation to call us to the Present Moment. Then we will come together in the Rose Ceremony, during which we will share memories and comments about our mothers.

The Rose Ceremony is a ceremony of mindfulness and remembrance first offered by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in gratitude to his own mother. This simple, beautiful, ceremony allows us to offer gratitude and remembrance in a meaningful way within the embrace of the community.

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Please bring a picture of your own mother which will be placed on the altar during the ceremony. Each person will be invited to reclaim their photo at the end of the ceremony.

Sunday, May 11, 2008, 10:00 a.m.

THICH NU TINH QUANG

Thich nu Tinh Quang was born in the City of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1947. She acquired a B.A. in Philosophy, a Diploma in Human Services, majoring in Addictions and Mental Health, and did post-graduate training at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto. She has lived in the U.K. and periodically spends time in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Vietnam, with the nuns and children of Tinh That Buu Tich Monastery. "Sister" became interested in Zen Buddhism at the age of 6 years. Although experiencing the sacredness of everything as a child, it wasn't until her early 20's that she became serious about developing spiritually, beginning with the study of Advaita Vedanta. A deeper commitment to the buddha-dharma evolved along with her great psychological and spiritual transformation. Her training has been in Korean and Vietnamese Zen. Sister was ordained in Vietnam by the Most Venerable Thich Nhat Lien, in 2001.

INTRODUCTORY MEDITATION CLASS

Beginners or those wishing to re-establish their meditation practice are able to learn the basics of meditation by attending our Introductory Meditation Class. The class is two hours long and held one Friday per month (with the exception of March), at 7 p.m. The next classes will be held:

March 14, April 25, and May 30

Registration is required (See "Registration" information)

DHARMA TEACHER TRAINING

Blue Heron Zen Buddhist Centre

Dharma Teacher Training

Based on a teacher-disciple relationship in which disciples can experience hands-on training (study-and-practice) in non-monastic situations while dealing with the realities of everyday life, this programme is designed for people who aspire to become Dharma Teachers without renouncing their worldly life pursuits.

The next semester begins in September, 2008. For more information, contact the Centre.

ATTIRE

Wear loose, clean clothing, something that is comfortable and allows you to stretch. Sweat pants and shirt are fine. Avoid bright colours. Shirts with logos and writing can be distracting to a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. Warm socks are a good idea in the winter, as you will be asked to remove your shoes at the door. Perfume and jewellery are discouraged.

MEMBERS' LIBRARY

We have an extensive Members' library, of over 200 dharma books from various traditions. The most recent additions to the library are ...

1. Awake at Work: 35 Practical Buddhist Principles for Discovering Clarity and Balance in the Midst of Work's Chaos, by Michael Carroll
2. Zen, by Martine Batchelor
3. Sayings and Tales of Zen Buddhism: Reflections for Every Day, by William Wray
4. The Whole World Is A Single Flower: 365 Kong-ans for Everyday Life with questions and commentary by Zen Master Seung Sahn
5. The Zen of Creativity: Cultivating Your Artistic Life, by John Daido Loori
6. Beginning Mindfulness: Learning the Way of Awareness, by Andrew Weiss
7. Tibetan Meditation, by Tarthang Tulku
8. In Buddha's Kitchen: Cooking, Being Cooked, and Other Adventures in a Meditation Center, by Kimberley Snow
9. Booklet - How to Become a Bodhisattva, by Yogi C. M. Chen
10. The Way to Inner Peace: Buddhism, Science & Uncommon Sense for Daily Living, by Kingsley Rajapakse
11. The Best Buddhist Writing: 2006, Edited by Melvin McLeod

Members can borrow these or any other book in the library by contacting our Librarian, Quang Prasad.

ZENTOONS

Copyright Heather Moore, November, 2007

MEDITATION TIMER

Set the meditation timer for the length of time you want to meditate, then click BEGIN.

HELP SUPPORT NUNS IN VIETNAM

Proceeds from the sale of these items goes to help support the nuns of Tinh That Buu Tich, in Vietnam. To order any item, double-click on the item. You can change style and colour of apparel items.

create & buy custom products at Zazzle

GREEN DHARMA

SENTIENT BEINGS ARE NUMBERLESS; I VOW TO SAVE THEM

This is the first of the four Great Vows, a set of paradoxes that embody the spirit of Mahayana Buddhism, the school of Buddhism whose traditional home is Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Tibet and China.

How you can help the environment in your daily life

At home, shopping or in the garden - you can make a difference.

Even the simplest everyday activities can make a real difference to the environment. So follow these simple tips and take action for our living planet.

http://www.panda.org/how_you_can_help/at_home/

CHANT OF METTA

ZEN MIND

TINH THANH BUU TICH

The novice nuns at Tinh That Buu Tich did a wonderful job of giving Thich nu Tinh Quang a "going away party" a few days before she left Vietnam, in September, 2007. The party not only marked her going away, but marked the celebration of Ullambana, and the end of the Rains Retreat.

PRECEPT RECITATION

Recitation of the 5 Precepts usually takes place on the Thursday closest to the Full Moon, at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. If you have taken Refuge and the 5 Precepts, in any tradition, please join us on the following dates.

April 17

May 22

June 19

FRESH FROM THE SOURCE

When conditions arise and the karma has ripened, poetry and writing may appear. Go to http://freshfromthesource.blogspot.com/ and check it out. Members, please submit your writing to the Centre, for consideration.

BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY (WESAK) & THREE-REFUGES CEREMONY

Sunday, May 4, 2008

10:00 a.m.

The biggest celebration in the Buddhist' world.

The Sunday is dedicated to several events. After a morning meditation everyone in the service has an opportunity to bathe the baby Buddha while chanting Shakamuni Buddha. Three-Refuge and Precept-Taking Ceremony follows, when a public commitment to the Dharma Path is made.

Buddha's Birthday Celebration ends with the lovely Candle Procession. We encourage people to dedicate candles during the Celebration. Buddhists dedicate their candles on the Buddha's Birthday to renew their commitment to help themselves and others attain enlightenment, to gain spiritual strength for their problems, or for the peace of the world and happiness of all beings, or on behalf of or in memory of a family member or friend. The dedication is personaly written on a piece of paper which is then offered, with the candle. If you would like to dedicate a candle please write your request on forms provided at the Centre and leave at or mail to the Centre. DANA*

The celebration is followed by a vegetarian potluck lunch.

BLESSINGS & SERVICES

1. Children's Blessing: A children's blessing is usually held during Wesak (Buddha's Birthday Celebration. An infant can be blessed by request at another time through the Centre.

2. Weddings: In Buddhism, wedding services are usually secular. If you would like a Buddhist Ceremony to bless the union, it can be performed at the Centre. A full ceremony at the Centre is about 45 minutes long. A consultation with Sister Tinh Quang and a rehearsal are required.

3. Funeral Services: In a funeral home or at the Centre If at the Centre, ashes may be kept at the Centre for 49 Days, for the 49-Day Observance and Service. A photo of the deceased may be kept at the Centre indefinitely.
   First Day Service
   Forty-ninth Day Service
   Weekly Sutra Chanting
   One Hundredth Day Service
   Yearly Memorial Service
   Group Memorial Service on Ancestor's Day (after three years)

4. House Blessing: A blessing of your home may be requested.

MINDFULNESS COUNSELLING & THERAPY

Contemplative psychotherapy & counseling for individuals is rooted in the teachings of Buddhist psychology and practice woven with contemporary Gestalt Therapy. Open to Members and Friends of the Centre. To make an appointment, contact Sister Tinh Quang.

SISTER TINH QUANG in VIETNAM

Click on photo to enlarge. To see more photos, go to http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff122/TQZEN/

LIGHT SOME INCENSE

Earthstore Bodhisattva Vow Recitation Recitation of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha's Fundamental Vows. Merits are transferred to the deceased and blessings for the sick or anyone experiencing dukkha. Send your intention to us by e-mailing us at blueheronzencentre@cogeco.ca. A stick of incense will be offered for your intention at Morning or Evening Recitations for one week, beginning on the day sent. All we ask in return is that on your next visit to this Centre or any Buddhist Centre/Temple/Monastery, you make a small donation.

IMPERMANENCE

Although every attempt is made to keep the schedule as published change, as you know, can happen. If you do not attend regularly, please check this site periodically. Changes are made on this site as they arise. You can be notified of changes as they occur, by submitting your email address at the bottom of this site.

MINDFULNESS RELAXATION CD

Mindfulness Relaxation with Sister Tinh Quang

Sister Tinh Quang has produced a CD offering a short relaxation, and two long relaxations to help you become centred and more mindful of your body. The short relaxation is designed to help you wherever you are ... at work or at home, and don't have the time or place to stop for very long. One of the relaxations is designed to help you fall asleep when you are having difficulty doing so. Much metta and thanks goes to Quang Samatha, Svadhina (www.laughingboy.ca), and Dino Quarin (www.digitaldog.ca) for volunteering their time and expertise. Feedback on this cd has been exceptional. Order your copy by contacting the Centre. Cost is $15. Please make cheques payable to Sister Tinh Quang.

DHARMA SCHOOL

Ages 8 to 12. Sister Tinh Quang uses nature, storytelling, song, creativity, and meditation practice, to teach children dharma, self-reflection, mindfulness, and peacemaking in a way that allows them to be comfortable and understand the teachings. Temple/Centre etiquette will also be taught. Held every Sunday, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

LOCATION:

Chua Huong Dam Temple

208 Brucedale Avenue

(1 block west of Upper Wellington).

LOST and FOUND

Items left at the Centre will be kept for 30 days, after which time they will be recycled.

* DANA

Your donations help to keep the Centre open. All donations are suggested only. All programmes are run on the Buddhist principles of Generosity or Dana. It is customary to make a voluntary contribution to a monk or nun for their time and to offset their costs, in any amount, large or small. however, there is no wish to deprive anyone of the opportunity to attend a workshop or other sessions because of financial inability.

CONTACT US

BLUE HERON ZEN BUDDHIST CENTRE

74 Alpine Avenue

Hamilton, Ontario

L9A 1A6

blueheronzencentre@cogeco.ca

905-575-5976