Nov 11, 2011

Posted in Activities, Featured

7:00pm Meditation, Monday/Thursday

Did you know that 40% of Americans use meditation?

The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this life. For it is only through meditation that you can undertake the journey to discover your true nature, and so find the stability and confidence you will need to live, and die, well. Meditation is the road to enlightenment.

– Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

The Ventura Buddhist Center has two regularly scheduled meditation periods each week on Monday and Thursday evenings. Both of the evening meditations start at 7:00pm and are led by Venerable Sutadhara (“Bhante” is the appropriate way to address him). Both evenings include a meditation period and are followed by an open discussion period. At either of the discussion periods you are encouraged to ask all your questions about meditation and Buddhism. The two evenings activities differ in that Monday’s meditation period is shorter as it is preceded by a half hour of chanting and the Thursday meditation session is longer. Here are the details:

Monday: Devotions and Meditation

7:00pm – 7:30pm

Devotions include chanting in the Pāli which is best known as the language of many of the earliest extant Buddhist scriptures. We chant parts of several Buddhist Sutras first a few lines in Pāli then the English translation. We start the devotions with a few words of instruction from Bhante, followed by the lighting of votive candles, offerings of incense, flowers and various beverages followed by three bows and about 20 minutes of chanting. This is followed by three more bows. These bows are in the Vietnamese style of knees and forearms on the floor. If you have difficulty bowing or prefer not to please consider them optional or bow in the style to which you are accustomed. Bowing and or attendance of the devotions are not required to participate in the evening’s meditation period.

7:30pm – 8:15pm

Meditation and Walking Meditation – Following a few words of welcome and basic instructions in meditation we sit in meditation for about 25 minutes to half an hour. This is followed by some instructions in walking meditation and the walking meditation completes the regular evening meditation activities. To learn more about basic meditation please read our guide to meditation.

8:15pm – 8:45pm

Open Discussion Period with tea and snacks – This is an excellent time to ask your questions about meditation and Buddhism while enjoying the company of others.

The evening meditations are offered free of charge though donations are encouraged and all proceeds go to the maintenance of An Lac Mission.

Thursday: Meditation and Discussion

7:00pm – 7:45pm

Meditation begins with our customary three bows. These bows are in the Vietnamese style of knees and forearms on the floor. If you have difficulty bowing or prefer not to please consider them optional or bow in the style to which you are accustomed. We them meditate for 45 minutes and this is followed by three more bows. To learn more about basic meditation please read our guide to meditation.

7:45-8:45pm

Open Discussion Period – On Thursday we have a longer discussion period. This gives time for a more in-depth discussion of various Buddhist, ethical and philosophical topics.

The evening meditations are offered free of charge though donations are encouraged and all proceeds go to the maintenance of An Lac Mission.