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Laura van Duren Creates Art to Share By Andrea A. Firth provided for the viewer to share recently traveled to Peru with a what he or she would like to be group from the MVPC to help with freed from by writing on the inside the construction of a childcare cen- of the scope. Illuminated from the ter. She planned to teach art to the skylight above with birds that van Peruvian children and work with Duren created in molds and resin the other young people on the trip suspended overhead as if in flight, to paint a mural on the inside walls the relatively small space inside the of the center. Van Duren shipped scope is evocative of the wide-open boxes of art supplies to the location spaces in nature. in advance. When the supplies “This is the biggest thing I never arrived, she scoured the re- have ever made,” says van Duren, mote village for paint. Only able to who sculpted in clay for 20 years find white house paint, the re- before venturing into welding. The sourceful artist mixed the colors Truth Scope took 12 hours to install herself and was able to complete and required a 17-foot long truck to the mural. “I’m definitely going transport it from her home-based back,” says van Duren, who enjoys Artist Laura van Duren constructing the Truth Scope Photo Michael van Duren studio in Lafayette. Van Duren also social justice work and sees service Duren’s exhibit will be donated to September 25th, for more informa- created a series of collage boxes for as part of her role as an artist. Not for Sale. The exhibit will run at tion go to the exhibit that are displayed on the 20% of the sales from van the Mercury 20 Gallery through www.mercurytwenty.com. gallery walls. The recurrent use of cages, ladders, birds, and branches in the collages and scope provide the imagery for the themes of free- dom, safety, and escape, says the artist. “I’m constantly seeking what I can use from the environment for my art,” says the self-described Laura van Duren's Truth Scope Photo Michael van Duren scavenger of the suburban landfill, he centerpiece of artist Laura create the interactive sculpture after who regularly collects branches and Tvan Duren’s Not for Sale ex- hearing a presentation at Moraga other natural materials from her hibit at the Mercury 20 Gallery in Valley Presbyterian Church yard to supplement her art supplies. Oakland is an interactive installation (MVPC) by the founder of Not for “And I’m a big believer in the con- called the Truth Scope. “I love the Sale, a campaign devoted to ending cept of reuse,” adds van Duren, idea of creating art that people can human trafficking and slavery. who often shops for clothes at interact with, that they can touch,” “The cause resonates with me Lafayette’s Wayside Inn Thrift says van Duren. The five-tier, fun- in a personal way,” say van Duren, Shop. nel-like structure, which hangs from who grew up with domestic vio- Van Duren has lived with the gallery ceiling, is made of lence and her own experience of husband Michael and their three welded steel and covered with pages fear, threats, and forms of entrap- children (ages 22, 20 and 16) in carefully selected from antique ment. She invites exhibit-goers to Lafayette for 12 years and likes to books about personal and political step inside the scope and help her to share her art with the community, conflict. Van Duren was inspired to complete the sculpture. Chalk is especially with young people. She

Grand Master Wei-Chueh Visits the U.S. in October and Joins Us in the Celebration of Buddha Gate Monastery’s 10th Anniversary

Ten years ago, Grand Master Wei-Chueh, the founding others to understand the wonderful truths of Buddhism, abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, adhering to his com- attain peace and purity of mind, and walk the path to passionate vow to enlighten all beings, sent five monks to enlightenment. They have offered free weekly meditation establish Buddha Gate, the first overseas branch of Chung classes, conducted monthly Dharma ceremonies and Tai Chan Monastery. This October, in celebration of Buddha special workshops in Buddhist concepts, as well as medita- Gate’s tenth anniversary, the Grand Master will visit the tion retreats, senior retreats, children’s classes and summer monastery where he planted the seeds of enlightenment camps. Buddha Gate has also participated in community ten years ago. outreach programs such as blood drives, vegetarian food It is with great joy and deep gratitude that we anticipate drives, and disaster relief. Both Buddhists and non-Buddhists the Grand Master’s forthcoming visit. We invite everyone to have benefited tremendously from the programs at Buddha join us in participating in this momentous and auspicious Gate. event. Looking toward the future, we hope that more people will During his visit, Grand Master Wei-Chueh will preside over come to discover the truths of Buddhism, that all will learn to the Eight Precepts ceremony and transmit the Three walk the Bodhi Path by practicing the six perfections of Refuges and Five Precepts. We will dedicate the merits from giving, precepts, tolerance, diligence, meditation, and observing the pure precepts toward peace and harmony prajna wisdom and thereby come to realize their intrinsic in the world and for all sentient beings. These merits, derived pure nature. It is the fervent hope of all those at Buddha from our pure practice, will be our best gift gleaned from Gate that Buddhists will deepen their practice and non celebrating Buddha Gate’s tenth anniversary and are a Buddhists will have the opportunity to embrace the means of offering our gratitude to the Buddha. Buddha’s teachings. We will continue to practice unceas- For the past ten years, the Dharma Masters at Buddha ingly to fulfill the Grand Master’s compassionate vow- ”The Gate Monastery have devoted themselves to helping mind is pure, the land is pure. The mind is peaceful, the world is peaceful.” Following is the itinerary: "To be liberated is not to escape from difficul- ties; it is to use the power of wisdom and Oct 1 (Fri.) 7:00 pm - Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale Dharma lecture and Three Refuges Transmission Ceremony samádhi to eliminate the obstacles present. That is liberation." Oct 2 (Sat.) 10:00 am - Buddha Gate Monastery in Lafayette –Grand Master Wei-Chueh's Dharma Dews In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Buddha Gate Monastery Grand Master will transmit the Eight Prohibitory and Fasting Precepts. (Full Registration)

Oct 3 (Sun.) 10:30 am - Buddha Gate Monastery in Lafayette Three Refuges and Five Precepts Transmission Ceremony (Please contact Buddha Gate Monastery for registration.)

Oct 8 (Fri.) 7:00 pm - Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston in Texas Dharma lecture, Three Refuges and Five Precepts Transmission Ceremony

Free meditation classes will start at the mid of Oct 9 (Sat.) 10:00 am - Texas Pagoda Chan Monastery in Shepherd, Texas October. At the site of the future Chung Tai International Retreat Center Opening Purification and Consecration Ceremony

Buddha Gate Monastery Oct 10 (Sun.) 1:00 pm - Middle Land Chan Monastery in Pomona 3254 Gloria Terrace (Southern California) Lafayette, CA 94549 USA Opening Purification and Consecration Ceremony *If you want to attend the ceremonies, please contact the Phone: (925)934-2411 monastery for more information. Fax: (925)934-2911