Dharma Offerings:

Sunday Mornings

Jan 13 – Jan 27 “Wisdom Embodied” Dharma Talk Series Feb 10 Term Opening and Head Student “Way-Seeking Mind”Talk Feb 17 Parinirvana (“Buddha Entering Perfect Nirvana”) Ceremony Feb 24 – Mar 31 “Verses of Faith Mind” Dharma Talk Series Apr 7 Buddha’s Birthday – Flower Festival (Hanamatsuri) Apr 21 Head Student Dharma Combat May 5 Precept Ceremony (Jukai) May 12 Term Closing – Shosan

Tuesday Evenings

Jan 8 – 15 Zen Forms Jan 22 – Feb 26 “Universally Recommended Instructions for Zazen" Class Series Mar 5 Zen Mindfulness Workshop Mar 12 - Apr 30 Living Awakening: Zen Precepts Class Series

Thursday Evenings

Feb 14 – May 9 Term Student meetings every Thursday of Practice Term

Meditation Intensives (Sesshin)

Feb 28 – Mar 3 (Thu – Sun) Meditation Intensive (Sesshin) May 1 – May 5 (Wed – Sun) Meditation Intensive and Precept Ceremony (Jukai Sesshin)

Full Moon Atonement – Fusatsu

Feb 18 (Monday), Mar 21 (Thursday), Apr 18 (Thursday)

“Wisdom Embodied” Dharma Talk Series Sun: Jan 13-Feb 3 10-11:30 AM

The Perfection of Wisdom Sutras are not only a body of teachings central to Mahayana Buddhism. They are the Body of Buddha itself. They are the Mother of the Buddha, the Womb of the Buddha. Over millennia, Buddhist practitioners have encountered Buddha's awakening not only through studying the philosophical content of these sutras, but by encountering the embodiment of Buddha, as a sutra, as a sound, as one's self. In this three-part series, Head Teacher Ejo McMullen will explore the wisdom of embodiment. (Dharma talks are preceded by a fifteen-minute chanting service and twenty minutes of seated meditation.)

Term Opening and “Way-Seeking Mind” Talk Sun: Feb 10 10-11:30 AM

Practice Term will begin with a “Way-Seeking Mind” talk offered by the term’s Head Student, Anyu Debra Savelle. “Way- Seeking Mind” talks discuss a practitioner’s inspiration and entry into Zen practice as well as the core of what sustains them on the path of awakening. We will also hold a short ceremony to mark the beginning of the Spring Term. If you are interested in being a Term Student, please see the information below under Term Student Program.

Buddha Entering Perfect Nirvana Ceremony Sun: Feb 17 10-11:30 AM

February 15th is recognized as the death and final passing into Nirvana of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. “Parinirvana” means “perfect tranquility” or more literally “complete extinguishing.” This is a solemn yet tranquil celebration.

“Verses of Faith Mind” Dharma Talk Series Sun: Feb 24 – Mar 31 10-11:30 AM

The third ancestor of the Zen lineage in China, Kanchi Sosan (Japanese pronunciation), is reported to have penned the foundational text Verses of Faith Mind. In just 146 short lines, the Third Ancestor expresses the core of the Zen path. This text has been treasured for over a millennium and contains many phrases that turn up again and again in Zen teachings. In this six part series, Head Teacher, Ejo McMullen, and Head Student, Anyu Savelle, will introduce and explore the depth and subtleties of Sosan’s famous poem. (Dharma talks are preceded by a fifteen-minute chanting service and twenty minutes of seated meditation.)

Buddha’s Birthday: Flower Festival Sun: April 7 10-11:30 AM

Every year on the Sunday closest to April 8th we celebrate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha some 2,500 years ago. Known as the “Flower Festival” this celebration is perhaps the most bright and festive of the year. On Sunday April 7th, we hold a ceremony in which we bathe the baby Buddha with pure water steeped with spring blossoms. After the ceremony, we enjoy temple-made rice pudding and enjoy the return of spring.

Head Student Dharma Combat Sun: Apr 21 10-11:30 AM

Throughout the Spring 2019 Practice Term Anyu Savelle will serve as Head Student in preparation for taking on a formal position as a leader within the Buddha Eye Temple community. As the culmination of this period of formation, she will undergo hossen, or “dharma combat”. Members of the community will challenge Anyu to present her understanding and embodiment of the dharma through a ceremony of public examination. Precept Ceremony (Jukai) Sun: May 5 10-11:30 AM

At the culmination of several months of preparation, Precept Students undergo a ceremony in which they take refuge in the Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, and agree to uphold the Three Pure Precepts and the Ten Grave Precepts. In this participatory ceremony, the sangha members who have received the precepts renew their vows in support and encouragement of the new bodhisattva. Please consult with Ejo before the start of term (Feb 10) if you are considering becoming a Precept Student.

Term Closing and Shosan Sun: May 12 10-11:30 AM

At Buddha Eye Temple there are many opportunities to listen, hone, explore and ask questions. Shosan is a public question and response presentation in which students ask questions of the Abbot, who stands as the holder of the lineage for the assembly. These are usually lively, challenging and inspiring sessions.

Zen Forms Tue: Jan 8, 15 7-8:30 PM

Please join for one period of meditation followed by an exploration of practice forms at Buddha Eye. Bring your experience and curiosity to find out more about the spirit behind the forms and how you can participate more fully. No registration required.

Dogen’s Classic Teaching on Zazen – Six-Class Series Tue: Jan 22-Feb 26 7-8:30 PM

"The Way is perfect and all-pervading. How could it be contingent on practice and realization?" asks Dogen Zenji, the 13th-century founder of Japanese Soto Zen Buddhism. Dogen's answer to this puzzle takes him to the heart of Zazen: the seated meditation practice at the core of our tradition. Dogen's foundational teaching on Zazen, the Fukanzazengi, is surprisingly accessible and practical. Join Head Teacher Ejo McMullen for a six-class series exploring Dogen's profound and beautiful text. Registration forms are available at buddhaeye.org and at the temple.

Zen Mindfulness Workshop Tue: March 5 7-9 PM (special two-hour workshop)

Mindfulness meditation, as defined in the context of contemporary health care and education, is a non-religious practice designed to nurture self-care and grounded, present-moment awareness. It requires little more than a commitment to curiosity. Yet it can provide a surprisingly useful support both for dharma study and for the practice-realization of Zazen. Join Myobun for a two-hour introductory workshop on mindfulness specifically geared for Zen practitioners. We’ll begin with guided meditation from 7-7:30 p.m. and continue with sharing, instruction and further exercises until 9 p.m.

Living Awakening: Zen Precepts - Eight-Class Series Tue: Mar 12-Apr 30 7-8:30 PM

How shall I live? This is the most fundamental of spiritual questions. One aspect of our response to this question is ethics. What should and should not be done? The Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts represent our aspiration to live an ethical life and our commitment to the continual inquiry that such a life demands. The precepts are the wisdom of the Buddhas and Ancestors that already lives within our own heart. This wisdom must be lived out moment to moment from a sincere heart rather than become rigid measures of right and wrong. This is the invitation of the precepts! In this eight class series we will explore and unfold the practice of precepts as the life of awakening. Registration forms are available at buddhaeye.org and at the temple.

Term Student Program Each Sunday and Thursday from Feb 10-May 12 6:30-8:30 PM

Buddha Eye’s Practice Term Program is based in the tradition of gathering together to study and practice Buddha Dharma for a 90-day period. In the practice periods held at Zen monasteries, training is accomplished through cloister and intense attention to every detail of daily life. At Buddha Eye our practice term looks different than the monastic cloister. Recognizing that we all have diverse responsibilities and affiliations throughout the wider community, training is organized to delve deeply into the practice and study of Buddha Dharma while helping us wake up to the importance of our whole life, in and outside the temple walls. Term students keep a regular meditation practice, meet each Thursday, should be able to attend most Sunday programs, and have various study responsibilities. Please see the Term Student Program Explanation for details. Registration forms are available at buddhaeye.org and at the temple.

Meditation Intensive (Sesshin) Thu Feb 28 – Sun Mar 3

Sesshin, meaning “to gather the mind,” is a traditional silent Zen meditation intensive. It is an opportunity to come together in support of our practice where we create a space to settle deeply into sitting and embody the teachings of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Setting aside grasping and rejecting, picking and choosing, together we simply meet – with attention and openness – what is most directly present. Registration forms will be available three weeks prior to each sesshin.

Meditation Intensive and Precept Ceremony (Jukai Sesshin) Wed May 1- Sun May 5

Our yearly Jukai Sesshin is much like other sesshin (see description above) but includes a focus on the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts and a precept ceremony on Sunday morning. All are welcome to attend the sesshin, please consult with Ejo before the start of term (Feb 10)if you are considering receiving precepts.

Full Moon Atonement Ceremony (Fusatsu) Feb 18 (Monday), Mar 21 (Thursday), Apr 18 (Thursday) 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Fusatsu is a monthly ceremony of atonement and vow renewal. We hold zazen at 6:30 PM, followed by an individual atonement ceremony (participation is optional – may be done silently). Afterward is the Fusatsu ceremony, which concludes at roughly 8:30 PM.