Teleconferences
Cloud Dharma Study
Weekly Teleconferences with Taiun Roshi:
Tuesday Evenings at 8:00 p.m. Eastern via Skype
Our abbot hosts weekly online Skype teleconferences with members of our affiliated centers and at large members on the first four Tuesday evenings of each month. It's a great opportunity for study with and support Taiun Roshi and the other members of our far flung Sangha.
June 4, 11, 18, 25
p. 341 “Reading Sutras” [Chapter 21 “Kankin”]
Kyosaku p. 133 "To Find a Bluebird"
Connections by rocochran (at) aol.com
July - December 2013
During the last half of the year several exciting options are available for those who wish to take part in the STO Cloud Dharma Teleconference series. You can:
- Take part in the “Zen and You” general interest series scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month
- Take part in the Kyosaku Study Series taking place on the second Tuesday of each month (Get to know our founder Rev. Dr. Zengaku Soyu Matsuoka Roshi )
- Take part in the Shobogenzo Study Series taking place on the third Tuesday of each month (Do Master Dogen’s teachings intimidate you? Taiun Roshi will help us in our attempt to wrestle with this “Monster” of Zen.
- Take part in the “Where the Rubber Hits the Road Series” which takes place on the fourth Tuesday of each month and centers around the practical application of Zen Practice to your everyday life.
The suggested donation is $60 for any once per month series or $40 per monthly topic or $240 for the entire six month Dharma Study Program. Please register on line (click here)
July – December 2013 Dharma Study Topics
|
Month |
Week #1 Core Question for the Month |
Week #2 O’Sensei Matsuoka’s Commentary on the Question |
Week #3 Master Dogen’s commentary on the question |
Week #4 How does it apply to my life? |
|
July |
Practical Buddhism For The Time-Challenged: All You Need To Know To Minimize Future Bad Karma.
|
“Zen Ethics” page 281 of O’Sensei Matsuoka’s Kyosaku |
“Jukai” – Receiving the Precepts Shasta Abbey p.930-936 Nishijima & Cross V4: p.309-316 |
What Do the Precepts Mean for Me, Now? |
|
August |
Beings Are Numberless; Do I Have Enough Time To Free Them? |
“To Be a Buddha” p. 122-126 |
“Zenki” – Functioning Fully SA 525-527 N&C V2:355-360 |
What can I do to allow others to function fully? |
|
September |
It Isn’t My Fault; I Was Only Standing Here. |
“Cause and Effect” p. 324-328 |
“Sesshin Sessho”; On expressing One’s True Nature by Expressing One’s Intent SA p.528-537. N&C v3: p73-86. |
How do I cause problems that others face? |
|
October |
The Exciting Zen Life; Vacuuming The House, Mowing The Grass, Preparing Meals. |
“The Monastic Life” p. 369-373 |
“Jikuin Mon”; On Instructions for Monks in the Kitchen Hall SA p. 895 N&C V4 p.141-146 |
How does my every day life help others? |
|
November |
Who Is A Victim? The Tsarnaev Brothers As Victims Of The Boston Bombing? |
“The Foundation of Fearlessness” page 199 Kyosaku |
Kannon, Boddhisatva of Compassion, SA p. 458-466 N&C V2 p. 261-272 |
How does compassion reduce conflict? For Whom do I need to demonstrate compassion? |
|
December |
|
“Being a Simple Person” p. 398-402 |
“Mitsugo”, On the heart to heart language of intimacy SA p. 641- 647 N&C v.3 p.129-137 |
How are my difficult people providing opportunities for new understanding? |
***
During July, in conjunction with the STO Precepts Retreat and Annual Conference (July 9-14), the theme of our Skype teleconferences will be “The Buddhist Precepts” or
"Practical Buddhism for the time-challenged: all you need to know to minimize future bad karma."
Everyone is encouraged to take part, especially those attending the retreat and going through Jukai initiation or Zaike Tokudo discipleship ceremonies. Below is the outline and related readings for the July discussions.
- July 2 – What do you know about the Precepts already?
- July 9 - “Zen Ethics” page 281 of O’Sensei Matsuoka’s Kyosaku
- July 16 - “Jukai” – Receiving the Precepts – Lecture #94 Master Dogen’s Shobogenzo
- July 23 – How have the Precepts affected my month of July?
You will need to use the Skype software. If you are not familiar with Skype, you can learn more and download the free software from Skype.com. If you require assistance contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .If you wish to take part during a teleconference, add the connection coordinator (listed below) to your Skype contacts list and let them know by e mail three days (by Saturday) before the discussion that you wish to take part. This gives them time to add you to their contact list. Last minute requests make things pretty frantic for the coordinators so please let them know ahead each week even if you have taken part in past discussions. That way they won't call you when you are not planning on taking part.
Gassho
