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| Buddhist Faith Fellowship at the Mansfield Freeman Center |
Buddhism is a life long education to learn how to realize our human potential by transforming
suffering into peace, joy and liberation.
Come and Join
Meditation-thon 2010
for World Peace
register now and make a difference
(see below)
Come
and practice with us on most Sunday mornings,
overlooking
a Zen garden at the inspirational
Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies,
Wesleyan University,
Middletown, Connecticut,
10 a.m. to 11:45 - 12 p.m.
Please arrive 10 minutes
early but if you are late,
feel free to join us. Dress informally and comfortably.
Open to all beginners and advanced seekers.
All new guests will receive a free gift book,
Living Meditation, Living Insight
by Dr. Thynn Thynn.
Sunday
morning activities are offered Free of Charge
but
a donation is greatly appreciated.
(a minumum suggested donation is $10)
See
our calendar below.
e-mail
us
amida@bffct.net
or call us for more information
(860) 805-2078
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| Practice and live a happy life. |
New To Site
Meditation-thon
for World Peace 2010. Meditate
for world peace and at the same time help us fundraise to establish a new Buddhist Peace Center in Middletown. This unique
event will take place on April 11 in Middletown, Ct. Volunteers and sponsors wanted. To learn more, register as a Peace Meditator
visit http://buddhistfaith.tripod.com/giving/id15.html
Make Your Own Altar Workshop Learn about and create your own altar out of
clementine boxes and other simple materials. On Saturday, March 20 at Green Street Art Center, Middletown. Registration open
until 03/17. Visit http://dharmaquest.bffct.net/index.html
Buddhist Film Festival 2010 On Wed. March. 31, at the Buttonwood Tree, Middletown,
we will showcase Cherry
Blossoms. Best Film of Seattle Film Festival and Best Actor in German Film Awards. See below for details. Free
of charge.
Mindful
Loving Course. Open
for registration till Apr 11. Starts Apr 18. This new course is about how to love and be loved. It blends buddhist spirituality
and pyschotherapy to help you create deeper connections with others and life itself. To learn more and/or to register
visit http://dharmaquest.bffct.net/index.html limited enrollment.
Buddhist 12 Step Group.
Do you have an addiction? Drugs? Alcohol? Porn? Nicotine? Gambling? Eating? etc. To help you in your recovery, we have
created a new non-sectarian Buddhist 12 Step Group. This is the first in the state. Our 12 Step Group meets
on Mondays at 7:00 @ the First United Methodist Church in Middletown. See below for more information. For contact, and/or
join our e-mail list click buddha12step@hotmail.com
Our Newest Short Video. Take a look at our film, entitled BFF of Ct: Community, that deplicts our sangha, its members and varied
activiities.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdsdfkZnWZ0
BFF
of Ct's Facebook. Have you become a fan of our Facebook site? Be a fan and keep in touch with us and others. We
send out a newsletter and updates a couple of times a month. See Facebook web page for link or click here.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Middletown-CT/Buddhist-Faith-Fellowship-of-Connecticut/19836119560
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| Sunday Mornings at the BFF of Ct |
(Updated on March 9, 2010)
Winter Theme:
Touching Peace
& Discovering Faith
02/14. NIRVANA DAY - Embrace Life-As-It-Is: Impermanence,
Death and Rebirth. Come and honor the Buddhist festival of Nirvana Day – Nehan-e that commemorates the passing of the historical Buddha over 2,500 years ago with story,
discussion and song. The discussion will explore the Last Teaching of the Buddha and how it may be applied
to 21st century America.
02/14.
World Sound Healing Day 2010: Every year on this date, at 12 noon (eastern time), people around the world join together to chant love and appreciation to Mother Earth.
The chant is the simple sound of “Ah” and lasts for 5 minutes. The “Ah” is a universal sound that
when projected as a collective practice with focus and intention is powerful & therapeutic. Join us and send a sonic
valentine to Earth and project your intention of love and healing to Earth and to yourself. This special event will take place
after our Sunday gathering at 12 noon. You are welcome to stay and participate in this transformational practice.
02/21. Did Buddha Ever Have "A Case of the Mondays"?
A discussion about “Work and Buddhism” In this discussion we will explore work as an integral part of our
spiritual path rather than a barrier to it. We will focus on how to remain mindful during times of stress on the
job as well as how to recognize opportunities in our employment for gratitude, meditation, and transformation.
This discussion will be based on the book entitled Work as a Spiritual Practice
by Lewis Richmond. Presented by Jinshu.
02/21.
Mantra Healing Circle. This therapeutic tool addresses your personal needs
and concerns through the power of sound vibrations. Starts at 12:15 p.m. Includes some sitting meditation. Open to all. Free.
Lead by Myo-on.
02/28.
Bowing to the Altar of You and Namu Amida Butsu. Let's explore the purpose
of altars - and discuss how having a home altar can enhance our daily practice. Discussion will be about the important practice
of bowing and how to create your own altar and daily practice. Presented by Shoshin.
03/07.
Mindful Loving: 10 Practices for Creating Deeper Connections. Most relationships
are unsuccessful because they are ego based. Learning how to create a spiritual relationship can lead to our own happiness
and to better our connections with others. Mindful loving not only works for our romantic relationships but can help any relationship
in our lives - Our sitting mediation includes
sound healing. We will play calm and soothing De-Stress selections. De-Stress has slow pulsed tones to calm heart rate
& respiration and psycho-acoustic sonic entrainment frequencies to relax mind & body. Presented by Myo-on.
03/14. In the Name of Love. Explore
how the Great Compassion (Amida Buddha) comes forth into the world transforming anxiety, strife and fear
into the sustance of enlightenment. Metaphors from American history will be used to explain the Primal Vow and how it
can be seen as our spiritual Emancipation Proclamation. Presented by Senpai.
03/21.
Balance: The White Path through Fire and Water. Using the Parable
of the White Path by Shan-tao various ways of maintaining balance and entrusting will be discussed. How can we use faith
and shinjin to negotiate our foolishness, ignorance and passion? Presented by Dojin.
03/21. Rededication Day.This is a Shin Observance Day called Higan, meaning "Other
Shore." It corresponds to the Spring Equinox. On this day, there is a harmony of light and darkness, and we rededicate
ourselves to the Buddha's teachings in order to realize harmony and awakening within our lives.
03/28. Awakening
is Relational. Some think that in Buddhism relationships are "fetters" to be
avoided and discarded. This talk and discussion will reveal how human relationships are the most important
vehicle to help us awakened to our true nature. Relationships help us see the underlying interconnectedness that allows us
to see the Buddha in everyone and in all things. Presented by Senpai.
04/04. Flower Festival. Celebrate the birth of the historical birth 2,500 years ago in Lumbini
Garden. A statue of the baby buddha will be on the altar. This special
gathering is great for families and newcomers. Includes ceremonial washing of the baby buddha, the retelling of the birth
story, chanting and song, prayer, and a discussion on the significance of the Buddha and his teachings in our lives.
In addition, this will be the 9th anniversary of our community. Special
words will be given to honor the sangha and its evolution over the years. Presented by Senpai.
04/11. The
Path of Water. How does great compassion smooth our rough edges?
How are we lead to peace and harmony? This talk will explore water as a metaphor to describe the dynamic working of
Amida Buddha in our lives? Presented by Senpai.
04/18. Euthanasia and Suicide. What
is the approach that Buddhist takes to these controversial issues? Is it ever ethical to commit suicide? Is euthansasia a
"sin"? Explore the realms of applied Buddhist ethics. Excerpt readings from Buddhist
Ethics by Damian Keown and Ocean by Kenneth Tanaka. Presented by Daikan.
04/25.
Letters to and from the Buddha Within: Journaling as a Spiritual Practice.
Explore writing as a form of mindfulness meditation. Consider how journaling takes
"the raw material of daily life and [transforms] it into wisdom, peace, and joy". Sangha members can share their current
writing habits and state their intentions to begin, resume, or enhance their journaling practice. Excepts from: Mindful
Recovery: A Spiritual Path to Healing From Addiction written by Thomas Bien, Ph.D. & Beverly Bien, M.Ed. Presented
by Jinshu.
05/02. Wake
Up and Become Sane. Explore and appreciate how the
Buddha was and still is the quintessential master psychotherapist. The discussion will look into the path towards greater
health. Inspired by A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. Presented by Jiko.
05/09. Embraced and Never Abandoned. Mother's Day. Presented
by Senpai.
05/16. Loving-Kindness- the Path of the Foolish
Bodhisattva. This talk and
discussion will examine compassion looking at why should we care? How able are we to care? How can we let go of outcomes?
It will draw from buddhist prayer and the insights from in the Tannisho, the words of Shinran Shonin, the founder and foremost
teacher of Shin Buddhism, Presented by Shoju.
05/16. Mantra Healing Circle. This therapeutic tool addresses your personal needs and concerns
through the power of sound vibrations. Starts at 12:15 p.m. Includes some sitting meditation. Open to all. Free. Lead by Myo-on.
05/23. Just As I
Am. The talk and discussion will cover the radical Shin
teaching of unconditional love and compassion. Unlike other religions, Shin has no requirements of any kind in order to experience
liberation (salvation). Presented by Senpai.
05/30. Annual Wisteria
Festival - Memorial Day Picnic. Wisteria Festival celebrates
the birth of Shinran Shonin, the founder and foremost teacher who was born almost 750 years ago. No Wesleyan Gathering.
06/06. Buddhist Poetry: What Words Can't Describe. Poetry
can be a vehicle to express our faith and spiritual experience. Also, it can arouse faith and inspire others to follow the
Way of the Buddha. We will read poems by members of the Sangha and other Buddhist writers such as Thich Nhat Hahn and
the Shin Myokonins as a basis of discussion of the deep meaning our practice brings to our lives Presented by Dojin.
06/13. Mindfulness
Retreat - Topic: Presence & Overcoming Craving.
Lead by Senpai with special guest Darren Littlejohn, author of The 12 Step Buddhist. More information is forthcoming.
Registration starts in April. This retreat will take place in New Hartford. No Weslesyan Gathering.
06/20. Sharing a Big Belly Laugh with Buddha: How Humor Can Improve Our Practice. Discover how humor can help us keep all aspects of our lives and practice in perspective. Discuss
the "curse" of seriousness and benefits of viewing our ego as a clown. Also, with any luck, we will share a few laughs together.
Excerpts from It's Up to You: The Practice of Self-Reflection on the Buddhist Path by Dzigar Kongtrul. Presented by
Jinshu.
06/27. Something You Forgot...Along the Way. This talk
and discussion will present heart-warming stories that will explore life's basic truths, and spiritual and
psychological insights. They will inspire you to look deeply within yourself and stir the aspiration to seek your
inner potential of wisdom and compassion. Readings from the book with the same title of this
talk, written by Kentetsu Takamori. Presented by Senpai.
07/04. Fourth of July. No Wesleyan Gathering.
07/11. to be announced. Also, Graduation for Buddhism 101 Course. Presented by Senpai.
07/18. Obon: The
Buddhist Festival of the Dead. Event details are forthcoming.
07/25. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. Learn to live in the present moment. Do one thing at a time. We will explore how these and several other techniques author Carlson recommends to
keep the little things from taking over your life bear an uncanny resemblance to the Buddhist path of avoiding too much attachment
and too much aversion and accepting reality as it is. Presented by Kisen.
Meditation – thon for World Peace 2010
Our goal is promoting world peace
and raising $5,000 for our future Peace Center
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Buddhist House, 356 Washington Street, Middletown,
Ct
Volunteers wanted: buddhist or non buddhist
Our Growth & Goal
As you may know, our sangha is growing
at a fast pace. There are more and more people attending our Sunday morning gatherings. Soon, we very well may run out of
room. In addition, we are offering more and more spiritually orientated activities like our 12 Step Group, Buddhist Film Festival,
Buddhist art workshops, Buddhist courses and very soon our Family Dharma Group. All of these activities are located in different
venues around Middletown and even outside the city. Our goal
is to establish a center that will house all of these activities. In this way, we will be able to increase the quality of
these activities and services while offering newer ones like meditation and yoga workshops, and a Buddhist café/bookstore.
Your Meditation-thon efforts as a Peace
Meditator, will further progress us in the direction in creating our future center for peace. We hope in 2011 we will be able
to have the funds to get this project going. It will be the 10th year anniversary of the Buddhist Faith Fellowship
and Shinran Shonin 750th year Memorial Observance. This center will be dedicated to inner and social peace through
the practice and sharing the Buddha’s teachings in the Central Connecticut.
Volunteer, Sponsor or Dedicate
Please consider volunteering
or sponsoring this event. To register and participate as a "Peace Meditator," or make a pledge or even dedicate a time
slot to a loved one in need, please isit the Meditation-thon 2010 web site at http://buddhistfaith.tripod.com/giving/id15.html
A Unique Experience
On Sunday, April 11,
2010, the Buddhist Faith Fellowship and some of its chapters throughout North America will
be participating in its 3rd annual Meditation–thon for World Peace. Akin to the walk–a-tons promoted by many charities
around the country, we have designed a way to fundraise doing what we Buddhist do best, meditate. However, one does not need
to be a “Buddhist” to meditate. Meditation is an ancient human practice not a buddhist one. Furthermore, you do
not have to be a particularly good one either. Anyone can participate from the novice to the most advanced.
Our Objectives
This unique event has 2 objectives,
1) to promote world peace and 2) to fundraise $5,000 that will go toward helping finance our future Buddhist
Center in Middletown, Connecticut. This center will be a vehicle for inner peace in Middletown
and in the State of Connecticut.
1)
Sunday morning children program
2)
Buddhist library
3)
Large shrine room
4)
12 step program
5)
center of social action
6)
Courses on spirituality and Buddhism
7)
Spiritual retreats
8)
Art and craft workshops
9)
Outreach
10)
Buddhist bookstore
11)
Meditation workshops
12)
Yoga and Tai Chi classes
Learn More
To learn more about this
unique event visit our Meditation –thon 2010 at http://buddhistfaith.tripod.com/giving/id15.html
Chile’s Earthquake Relief
As you have heard, the beautiful
country of Chile
experienced a massive and historic 8.8 earthquake which was 800 times stronger then the one that shook Haiti. In addition, parts of its coastline were hit by a 10 foot high tsunami that
wiped out many villages and ports.
As a result, millions of
people have been negatively affected by these natural disasters. Some have lost loved ones and/or all of their possessions.
Soon, the cool autumn and then winter season will be arriving in Chile,
and those people without homes will need shelter, clothing, medical supplies and other provisions. In addition, the Chilean
government will have to rebuild the country’s damaged and destroyed infrastructure. The work will be tremendous and
will take time and energy to complete.
Please consider giving to
the Chilean Government Disaster Relief Fund or any other reputable charity in order to give immediate assistance to suffering
and to help rebuild the central region of Chile.
Thank you so much for giving assistance and hope to others in need. Namu Amida
Butsu!
We have provided a link to
the Chilean Embassy in Washington D.C.
that has established a special Bank of America account that is strictly dedicated to earthquake relief.
http://www.chile-usa.org/
Furthermore, Google has provided
a web site that facilitates general Chilean relief information that includes Unicef.
http://www.google.com/intl/eng/relief/chileearthquake/
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| Donate to Haiti Relief |
Haiti's Earthquake Recovery
Support The Earthquake Recovery Efforts in Haiti. The people of Haiti desperately need our assistance more than ever. Food, water, shelter
and first-aid supplies are the first priority. The rebuilding of the country will be necessary. Please consider donating
to the Clinton Bush
Haiti Fund and share hope and American goodwill.
We recommend the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund for two important reasons. First, due to their presidential
status and humanitarian reputations they will make sure your donations will get to those in need. They claim 99% of the donation
will go to the survivors. Secondly, they will work to provide immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors.
Visit http://clintonbushhaitifund.org/ and make a donation. Let's not forget the Haitian people. Thank you.
Make Your Own Altar Workshop
Saturday, March 20th
10:00
a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
GREEN STREET
ARTS CENTER
51 Green Street, Middletown,
CT
Open to
Buddhists and non-Buddhists
Enrollment
limited to 15
Register
on-line or use the mail in registration form
Visit
http://dharmaquest.bffct.net/index.html
Unleash your creativity in service of your
spirituality. Honor what is sacred to you. Enhance your daily practice
and beautify your home.
Make
your own home altar in this 3 hour hands-on workshop. Feel free to bring decorations to combine with the beautiful papers
which will be provided. These unique altars can be incorporated to any spiritual practice, not just a Buddhist one. One can
decorate it with anything that inspires you in remember and seek the sacred within.
Buddhist Film Festival 2010
March
31 at 7:00 p.m.
The Buddhist Film Festival of
Connecticut 2010 will screen Cherry Blossoms by one of the best German film makers, Doris Dorie, who also directed
How to Cook Your Life. This elegantly beautiful film won the Best Film Award in the Seattle Film Festival and
Outstanding Feature & Best Actor in the German Films Awards in 2008. Cherry Blossoms is a poignant celebration of beauty, new beginnings, and the ultimate
metaphor for the impermanence of life. It takes place in Japan during very special cherry blossom
season. It deals with life/death with Buddhist concepts subtly interwoven.
Cheery Blossoms will be shown
on March 31 at 7:00 p.m. It is open to the general public free of charge at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural
Center at 605 Main
Street, Middletown, Connecticut.
http://www.buttonwood.org/cgi/calendar.pl. There is plenty of free street parking.
What is the Buddhist Film
Festival of Connecticut? It showcases cinemagraphic works that explore the Buddhist religious experience or take on Buddhist
spiritual themes. All viewings are free of charge and are part of the our New England Institute of Buddhist Studies'
(NEIBS) Buddhist Film Course. One does not need to be a NEIBS student to attend. It is open to the general
public. http://dharmaquest.bffct.net/
The Film Festival 2010 Calendar
Baraka - January
Little Buddha - February
Cherry Blossoms –
March.
This will be the last film until the autumn 2010.
Visitor – October. This 2009 film did not get nearly enough attention-
even though Richard Jenkins received Best Actor nomination for his performance. The theme of film is "just connect".
It is a beautiful story of what can happen when lives intersect and people are willing and able to drop their story lines- and "just connect."
We hope you can attend and lend support to our sangha and Buddhist culture.
Please spread the word and bring some friends too.
Our
Buddhist 12 Step Group
Open to buddhists and non-buddhists
Looking to be addiction or craving free?
Are your seeking to be sober, clean and free? We have established the first Buddhist 12 Step Group for addiction recovery
in the State of Connecticut. You do not have to be a Buddhist to participate or benefit from our 12 Step
Group. This non-sectarian group meets on Monday evenings at 7 – 8:30 @ the First
United Methodist Church,
24 Old Church Street, Middletown.
Our 12 Step Group applies Buddhist principles to recovery. The 12 Step Buddhist
by Darren Littlejohn is our Group’s guiding book. For newcomers, the inspirational A Teaching A Day is given free. Other
suggested books are One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the 12 Steps by Kevin Griffin, Mindful Recovery by Thomas Bien, and
The Zen of Recovery by Mel Ash.
If you are interested in participating
or are looking for more information about our Buddhist 12 Step Group or joining our 12 Step e-mailing list, contact us at
buddha12step@hotmail.com
To read more about this unique 12 Step
Group visit
http://buddhistfaith.tripod.com/project/id14.html
OUR BUDDHIST CHAPTERS WORLD-WIDE
To visit our Chapter/Practice
Groups’ web sites
visit our Connecticut &World Wide Chapters page
Ongoing. The East
Alabama Buddhist Fellowship in Alabama gathers
on a regular basis. Hosted by Practice Leader Mr. Chris Marbutt.
Ongoing.
The Sarasota Buddhist Fellowship in Florida gathers on a regular basis. Hosted by former Connecticut
member and now Practice Leader Ms. Geena Tomlinson.
Ongoing. Grupo Budista de Benito Juárez meets
once a month in Benito Juárez, Argentina with meditation
and nembutsu. This
group's Practice Leader is Sebastián Calo.
Ongoing. Grupo Budista de Córdoba meets
once a month in Córdoba Argentina with meditation and nembutsu. This
group's Practice Leader is Rodrigo Pedraza
Cécere.
Ongoing.
Brevard County Buddhist Fellowship
(BCBF) serves Titusville, Cape Canaveral, Satellite Beach, Merritt Island and
more. This active and growing community has three sanghas.
Ongoing. Southington
Buddhist Fellowship gathers on the first Friday of the month, serving Southington, Chershire,
Wolcott, Waterbury and Meriden Buddhists and Friends. Hosted by Bob W.
Ongoing. Social Action Project. Our active Buddhist human and environmental advocacy group meets regularly
with field trips and activities. It host our 12 Step Buddhist Group that seeks recovery from all sorts of craving and
addictions. Get involved! Visit web site.
Ongoing.
Albuquerque Buddhist Fellowship Group. Meets
on most Sunday mornings at the First Unitarian Church
in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Hosted by BFF Practice Leader Dug Corpolongo. Visit web site.
Ongoing. Northern Ontario Buddhists. Meets in Massey, Ontario.
Hosted by S. Dreaver. Visit this Canadian Buddhist
web site for more information.
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