Trimester 3 Fast Approaches
We begin a new book on Tuesday, August 11, 2020
First Buddhist Women: Poems and Stories of Awakening by Susan Murcott.
The Therigatha is a collection of seventy-three poems in the canon of the early Buddhist literature. Theri means "women elders," or "women who have grown old in knowledge," and gatha means "verse," "stanza," or "song." Hence the Therigatha are the poems of the wise women of early Buddhism.
Read more about the book and where you can obtain a copy at Goodreads.
We hope to see you and hear from you then!
Dharma Cloud Study Group – Trimester 3 – 2020
Susan Murcott, First Buddhist Women: Poems and Stories of Awakening
READING SCHEDULE
|
Date |
Section |
Teacher |
|
Tue, Aug 11 |
Foreward, Introduction, and Chapter One |
Zenku |
|
Tue, Aug 18 |
Chapter Two |
Hojo |
|
Tue, Aug 25 |
Chapter Three |
Tesshin |
|
Tue, Sep 1 |
Chapter Four |
Zenku |
|
Tue, Sep 8 |
Chapter Five |
Hojo |
|
Tue, Sep 15 |
Chapter Six |
Tesshin |
|
Tue, Sep 22 |
Chapter Seven |
Zenku |
|
Tue, Sep 29 |
Cancelled NA Annual Conference |
|
|
Tue, Oct 6 |
Chapter Eight |
Hojo |
|
Tue, Oct 13 |
Cancelled NA CA Thanksgiving Week |
|
|
Tue, Oct 20 |
Chapter Nine |
Tesshin |
|
Tue, Oct 27 |
Chapter Ten |
Zenku |
|
Tue, Nov 3 |
Chapter Eleven |
Hojo |
|
Tue, Nov 10 |
Chapter Twelve and Appendix |
Tesshin |
|
Tue, Nov 17 |
Final Discussion |
Zenku, Hojo, Tesshin |
|
Tue, Nov 24 |
Cancelled NA US Thanksgiving |
|
|
Tue, Dec 1 – Dec 29 |
Cancelled Break until Trimester 1, 2021 |
Dana
The suggested donation is $10 per teleconference if you are able. A donation in any amount is gratefully received. Dana in gratitude for the teaching should be donated by each participant weekly or monthly. Your donations allow Taiun to continue teaching and practicing full time for our benefit so please return his generosity by donating promptly and consistently.
To Participate
Please join us Tuesday evenings by clicking on the link below.
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Meeting ID: 847 721 0665
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+16468769923,,8477210665# US (New York)
+14086380986,,8477210665# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 408 638 0986 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 847 721 0665
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/
General Format & Details
We follow this general format: Each session is opened by one of our senior teachers or by our guiding teacher, Elliston Roshi, who will make some observations about the nature of the materials being discussed. A Moderator then asks each participant if they have a question, a comment, an observation, or some particular response to the reading. No one has to respond, it is appropriate just to say you have nothing at this time. The Teacher for the day will comment on the question or issue raised. After all have an opportunity to enter into the discussion; the Teacher will summarize the text and the discussion. At the conclusion we close with The Four Great Vows:
Beings are numberless, I vow to free them.
Delusions are inexhaustible, I vow to end them.
Dharma gates are boundless, I vow to enter them.
The Buddha way is unsurpassable, I vow to realize it.
Delusions are inexhaustible, I vow to end them.
Dharma gates are boundless, I vow to enter them.
The Buddha way is unsurpassable, I vow to realize it.
1) The Anchor, or person assembling the group, will connect participants about 7:55 pm EST and then turn over to the Moderator for the night. The Moderator, the person conducting the discussion, will introduce the topic for the night, Moderator announces that a timing bell rings every 10 minutes to keep the group on track. Finally, the Moderator asks the Teacher (Taiun/Tesshin/Zenku) if they would like to make some brief introductory remarks. Generally only 3-5 minutes.
2) There may be a question posed by the Moderator. This is meant to encourage introspection and examination of the practice of zazen.
3) The discussion is conducted in the form of a seminar with the Moderator posing a question for discussion. A response can be a comment, observation, or a reaction to the reading. While the Moderator will ask everyone at some point if they want to say something, it is perfectly alright to say you have nothing at this time. Your presence is as important as making comments.
Note that one persons comment/question may lead other participants (but not the Teacher, at this point) to ask for clarification, or it may lead to posing another point of view. This is the point where dialog between participants is appropriate. This does not imply that any views are wrong, but it does imply that we are jointly seeking a better understanding. Offering comments based on our own personal experience, or on what other teachers have offered is appropriate. It is not appropriate to dismiss or disparage another's comments. It is best to keep a "wide view" of the practice.
After all have a chance to comment on the question the Teacher will comment on the discussion and offer their own understanding of the content, the context, the history, or other views of the issues/question at hand. This keeps the discussion open to all, but allows each person to participate meaningfully. No one has to participate who does not want to, but all will be asked if they have a comment. Finally, if there is a large group be mindful of the length of your comment. We would like to give all an opportunity to participate.
4) The Moderator, as possible, announces the end of the evening's discussion by asking if the group is ready to chant the Four Great Vows.
5) Not everyone has the same schedule and some may have to leave early. Please feel free to simply disconnect when you need to.
2) There may be a question posed by the Moderator. This is meant to encourage introspection and examination of the practice of zazen.
3) The discussion is conducted in the form of a seminar with the Moderator posing a question for discussion. A response can be a comment, observation, or a reaction to the reading. While the Moderator will ask everyone at some point if they want to say something, it is perfectly alright to say you have nothing at this time. Your presence is as important as making comments.
Note that one persons comment/question may lead other participants (but not the Teacher, at this point) to ask for clarification, or it may lead to posing another point of view. This is the point where dialog between participants is appropriate. This does not imply that any views are wrong, but it does imply that we are jointly seeking a better understanding. Offering comments based on our own personal experience, or on what other teachers have offered is appropriate. It is not appropriate to dismiss or disparage another's comments. It is best to keep a "wide view" of the practice.
After all have a chance to comment on the question the Teacher will comment on the discussion and offer their own understanding of the content, the context, the history, or other views of the issues/question at hand. This keeps the discussion open to all, but allows each person to participate meaningfully. No one has to participate who does not want to, but all will be asked if they have a comment. Finally, if there is a large group be mindful of the length of your comment. We would like to give all an opportunity to participate.
4) The Moderator, as possible, announces the end of the evening's discussion by asking if the group is ready to chant the Four Great Vows.
5) Not everyone has the same schedule and some may have to leave early. Please feel free to simply disconnect when you need to.
6) RECORDING NOTICE, please read. The call will be recorded and archived. Calling in grants permission to record, store the recording for access by STO and others, and for your name to be included in the recording. Participation on the call grants permission for transcribing the recording and for making that transcription available to others.
For Participants
Respect the offerings of all participants; speak either from your own personal experience or from what you have understood in your reading. Assume good will and good intent on the part of all. Be prepared to listen attentively with a non-judgmental mind and remember that the practice of Zen is distinctly personal.
What if you want to listen but not participate?
You are welcome to join the study connection and listen or participate according to your own preferences.
You are welcome to join the study connection and listen or participate according to your own preferences.
On behalf of the Dharma Cloud Study Committee,
Gassho,
Kū Wasan Ann Glasmann
Gassho,
Kū Wasan Ann Glasmann
