Buddhas Birthday Celebration

May 18th, 2007 • Buddhism

Tomorrow, the little man and I will be going to celebrate the Buddha’s Birthday.

From Venerable: “Saturday, May 19 (1:00 - 4:00 pm) at Cal Poly Pomoma in the Gymnasium. There will be a light-offering cerermony and of course, bathing the Buddha ceremony. Every participant will receive a beautiful lotus flower light.”

I am quite happy this is tomorrow. I feel that I need a small reset, and this is a great place for that. I even think little man is going to behave. I would take pictures, but, Dawn will have the camera for her outing. (more on that later). I’ll see how some camera phone pictures turn out and hopefully post those.

LA Time Festival follow up

April 28th, 2007 • Buddhism, temple

Had a great day at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books today. There was an amazing turn out.

(here’s a shot of our booth - #617)

To help at this each year is something I look forward to. The privilege of discussing Buddhism with people who are interested, and often just beginning as I was years ago is wonderful. Being able to relate to them, to offer what I can to assist in whatever questions they have about the temple, about the books, and of course, about Buddhism makes for such an amazing day.

(Venerable Miao Hsi and I)

Tomorrow I am taking Little Man to the festival so we can enjoy looking at books for him. Even though he has shelves full of books, I hope to bring more home for him - a child can never have too many books.

LA Times Festival of Books 2007

April 27th, 2007 • Buddhism, temple

I will be at the Festival of Books tomorrow. Buddha’s Light Publishing Booth # 617. Come by and say hi. Better yet - come by and buy a book or three. Reading the Dharma explained by Venerable Master Hsing Yun is amazing.

If you’ve never been to the festival, and enjoy books, I highly recommend it. The event covers the entire UCLA main campus.

Hope to see you there.

Renunciation

February 25th, 2007 • Buddhism, Life

Quite a few Catholics that I know are having their time of lent now. (or it may have just ended, apologies for not knowing exactly. Is it a week, or the full 40 days?)

I can relate to this in some ways. On one hand; Buddhist retreats I’ve gone to have been put together in such a way that you give up things during the time you’re there. Whether it’s:

• eating a full dinner at night (they’re quite easy on us with this, compared to the Theravadan monastics, whom do not eat anything past noon - ever)
• sleeping in comfort (typically a blanket and the floor - or the worlds stiffest bed)
• wearing jewelry (admittedly an easy one for me)
• living in silence (sounds wonderful, but let me tell you - this is SERIOUSLY hard)
• and quite a few others, but you get my point

each of the pieces you give up provide a very direct way of learning. If you think of not wearing jewelry, you consider that it truly is ego that wears the jewelry. If you think of sleeping in comfort, you think of making every waking moment one of practice.

And, on another hand, I’ve personally decided to give up some things for life. Meat. I’m a fairly strict vegetarian. If a sentient being had to die - through skillful means I cannot consider making that my meal. Alcohol. I do not drink. Period. These are personal choices I’ve made. Vegetarianism came from seeing no other choice in my own practice. Giving up alcohol came from very specific vows I took.

So, to my Catholic friends; good luck to you. May each of you find peace in your practice. May your choice to give up, whatever it may be, help you in your life. I know my choices on the things I’ve given up have truly helped me.

Dragon Dance

February 19th, 2007 • Buddhism, Life, temple

Here is a little video I shot today at Hsi Lai of the dragon dance. This is something I look forward to at each New Year celebration.

I hope you enjoy.