Mt. Adams Buddhist Temple
Tuyết Sơn Thiền Tự. 雪山禅寺
February 2022
P.O. Box 487, Trout Lake WA 98650 https://mtadamsbuddhisttemple.org/
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Happy Lunar New Year February 1st 2022
Xin Nian Kuai Le, 新年快樂, Chúc mừng năm mới
Happy Tết nguyên Đán ("Feast of the First Morning of the First Day")
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The Chinese or Lunar New Year
for the year 2022 is celebrated on Tuesday, February 1. This year the animal sign is the Tiger.
It is also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival. The first day of the festival begins on the New Moon sometime each year between January 21st and February 20th. The holiday festival lasts 16 days from New Year’s Eve to the 15th day of the New Year which also happens to be the Lantern Festival.
This is the Water Tiger year.The Tiger is known as the king of all beasts in China. The zodiac sign Tiger is a symbol of strength, exorcising evils, and braveness. Many Chinese kids wear hats or shoes with a tiger image of for good luck.
The Tiger ranks third among the animals of the Chinese zodiac. The 12 zodiac animals are, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each year is related to an animal sign according to a 12-year-cycle.
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ZOOM Temple Services
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5093952030#success
Monday - Friday at 6:30 am and 5:30pm
Monday at noon
Saturday 8:30 am - service + meditation
LGBTQ+ Group 5:30 pm Sundays
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Thich Nhat Hanh study group on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
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Taking Refuge class on ZOOM
Saturdays 10:30 - 11:45 (after Saturday morning service)
ZOOM http://us\02web.zoom.us/j/5093952030/#success
Week 1 - February 12 2022
Taking Refuge, The 4 Noble Truths
Week 2 - February 19 2022
The 8 fold path
Week 3 - February 26 2022
The 10 Cardinal Precepts
Week 4 - March 5 2022
Bodhisattva Vows & Review
Week 5 - March 12 2022
Ceremony & Vows
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Dear Ones,
Our temple has entered a 30 day mourning period for The Very Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, (see the photo below). He was a great teacher who brought kindness and compassion to the practice of Thien (Ch'an or Zen) for the west. He will be missed and his teaching will live on in his students and books.
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Thich Nhat Hanh, Thay, passed away on 22 January 2022
From Plum Village Practice Center, France
With a deep mindful breath, we announce the passing of our beloved teacher, Thay Nhat Hanh, at 00:00hrs on January 22, 2022 at Từ Hiếu Temple in Huế, Vietnam, at the age of 95.
Thay has been the most extraordinary teacher, whose peace, tender compassion, and bright wisdom has touched the lives of millions. Whether we have encountered him on retreats, at public talks, or through his books and online teachings–or simply through the story of his incredible life–we can see that Thay has been a true bodhisattva, an immense force for peace and healing in the world. Thay has been a revolutionary, a renewer of Buddhism, never diluting and always digging deep into the roots of Buddhism to bring out its authentic radiance.
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Our temple's Memorial Altar for the Greatest Thien (Zen) Master of out times.
October 11, 1926 - January 22, 2022
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Thich Minh Thien, (Thay Z) Abbot of Budding Dharma
Arlington, Texas thayzzen@gmail.com
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Budding Dharma Temporarily Closed
Tarrant County has a signed declaration of local disaster due to a public health emergency. The order was signed to help contain and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Tarrant County.
Budding Dharma is closed to visitation and services through the month of February 2022. For any students who have been meeting with me personally at the temple, please contact me to arrange meetings via Zoom or phone calls.I will send out an email announcing the re-opening.
No Coming, No Going
As January 2022 ended, we became acutely aware that two of our spiritual heroes died and therefore came to their end among the living. I think it comes as no surprise that when our headlines or social media trumpet the passing of someone we have heard of, our thoughts naturally turn to our own mortality. If you have less years in front rather than behind you, these thoughts may cause a reflection on what lies ahead for all of us.
We now know of the passing of Bishop Desmond Tutu and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh; two men who dedicated the majority of their lives and actions to reducing suffering and embracing the concepts of compassion and mindfulness. Neither of these Teachers believed that death is the ultimate end; however their understandings came from different spiritual traditions. Bishop Tutu embraced the Anglican faith which is closely aligned with Christianity; therefore, a firm belief in an afterlife sometimes referred to as heaven. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, was raised in a Buddhist tradition following the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. Buddhism does not require a specific belief. Rather it addresses death and the impermanence of life as an ever present and a natural part of existence. Being born and dying is part of our true nature that we frequently describe as…no birth and no death.
Mankind’s attachments to any number of spiritual practices may result from a great fear that when we die, we will become nothing. Many believe that our entire existence is only a life span beginning the moment we are born or conceived and ending the moment we die. This is supported if we believe that we are born from nothing and when we die, we become nothing.
The Buddha had a very different understanding of our existence in that birth and death are just notions. They are not real. The fact that we might think they are true makes a powerful illusion that contributes to our suffering. The Buddha taught that there is no birth; there is no death; there is no coming; there is no going; there is no same; there is no different; there is no permanent self; there is no annihilation. It is only our beliefs that cause us to accept this concept of annihilation. When we understand that energetically nothing is destroyed, we are released from fear, and with no fear, there is liberation.
Our true nature is the nature of no coming and no going. We have not come from anywhere, and we will not go anywhere. When conditions are sufficient, we are born; we manifest in a particular way. When conditions are no longer sufficient, we no longer manifest in that same form, and we die. This doesn’t mean that we don’t exist.
With this understanding, the passing of Bishop Tutu and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh takes on a whole different emotion and understanding. Their teachings, their examples, their compassion, their generosity, their loving kindness, all are right here, right now by those who follow their teachings and live as they lived.
Thich Nhat Hanh said it so beautifully when he wrote
“This body is not me. I am not limited by this body.
I am life without boundaries.
I have never been born,
And I have never died.”
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The Venerable Wonji Dharma, Ph.D.
May 28, 1957 - December 19 2021.
Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma was a Mahāsthavira in the Lam Te Thíen tradition and a Brahmajala Monk in the Kwan Um Jong tradition. He was a Zen Master, the Founder/Guiding Teacher of the Five Mountain Zen Order, and the Chancellor of Buddha Dharma University.
Ven. Wonji was ordained by Zen Master Seung Sahn as a Dharma teacher in 1995, as a Senior Dharma Teacher in 2001, and as a Brahmajala Monk in 2002. He received teaching authorization from Zen Master Ji Bong in the Golden Wind Zen Order in April 2006. Ven. Wonji received the 250 Bhikṣu vows on November 1, 2012, with Bhante Suhita Dharma (Hòa Thượng Thích Ân Đức), who was the first Dharma Heir of the Hòa Thượng Dr. Thiên Ân. Unfortunately, Bhante died suddenly just over a year later. Following the agreement made with Bhante to study for at least five years under a Thien Master, on July 15, 2014, Ven. Wonji was accepted as a student of Ven. Thích Ân Giáo Roshi, who was Bhante Suhita's Dharma Brother and close friend.
Ven. Wonji earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Cal State Long Beach, a Master of Dharma Degree in Buddhist Psychology and a Doctor of Dharma in Buddhist Psychology from the Buddhist Studies Institute of Los Angeles. He was the author of 14 books.
Ven. Wonji resided in Apple Valley, CA. He is survived by his son Olias Lynch Huntington Beach, CA. Ven. Wonji was 64 years old.
by Ven. Dr. Myodo Jabo Zen Master, Five Mountain Zen Order
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Vietnamese Lunar New Year's Traditions By Lien Nguyen
In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is known as Tết or Tết Nguyên Đán. It is the most important and popular festival for the Vietnamese people during the year. Tết is celebrated according to the lunar calendar. Each year a different sacred animal in the Chinese Zodiac controls the luck and destinies of all people. This year will be the Year of the OX.
Not only is Tết a celebration of the arrival of spring and an occasion to pay respects to one's ancestors, it is also a great opportunity for family to come together. Family members will return to their homeland for a reunion and to savour the flavours of the holiday.
Mâm Ngũ Quả (The Five-Fruit Tray)
The preparation of the five-fruit tray is an essential Tết tradition in every Vietnamese home. The tray symbolises the family’s respect for their ancestors and their wishes for the New Year. Each fruit represents a different prayer for the future. Due to regional differences in climate and
Normally, in all regions, the tray will be put on the altar in the home, though sometimes people set it up on the table next to a box of candied fruit.
Hoa Đào and Hoa Mai - (The Planting of Peach or Apricot trees)
During Tết people love to look at beautiful flowers because they think certain flowers will bring them happiness and luck in the New Year. People buy peach flowers (in the North) and apricot flowers (in the South) to decorate their homes.
To make these peach and apricot trees even more beautiful, Vietnamese people often hang twinkly LED lights on them, as well as red lucky money envelopes and small plastic figurines representing the gods of wealth. These plants are placed in the living room or in front of the house. Some companies put them in their offices to enjoy their beauty and to bring hope for good fortune.
Bánh Tét – Bánh Chưng - (Cylindrical Cake – Square Cake)
As Tết approaches you’ll notice a fire burning all night long on the stove in most Vietnamese homes. The families are cooking the traditional cakes for Tết. Vietnam is a country where wet rice is farmed, so it makes sense that there are many traditional Vietnamese cakes made from it. Bánh chưng and bánh tét cakes are made from glutinous rice, mung bean and pork and they are essential foods for the Lunar New Year. The colours of the cake symbolise the earth and the sky.
Bánh Mứt - (Candied Fruit)
Like bánh chưng and bánh tét, mứt is a must-have food for every family during Tết, though, it’s really more of a snack than a kind of food. The mứt is traditionally offered to guests when they arrive at a home to give their greetings and hopes for a happy new year. There are many categories of mứt, such as candied fruit, coconut jam, kumquat jam and sugared apples.
Lì Xì - (Lucky Money in Red Envelopes)
On the first day of New Year, the whole family will dress up and get together to offer New Year’s greetings and wishes to one another. This is a custom that has been maintained for generations.
The eldest members of the family will give red envelopes to the children and young adults, while advising them about their life, school and work. These red envelopes symbolize wishes of luck and wealth for the youngest in the family. After receiving the envelopes, the youth are expected to give some wishes to their elders for good luck, success and good health in the New Year.
Xông Nhà - (The Aura of the Earth)
On the first day of the New Year, Vietnamese families will carefully choose the first guest to step into their home. If the guest has a good Aura, meaning they are good fit with the zodiac of the homeowner, has good education, and is kind and healthy, then the family will receive luck and good fortune for the year. This is especially common among families who work in business.
Bữa Cơm Đầu Năm – (First Meal of the Year)
The Vietnamese believe that Tết is meant for getting together with friends and family. Therefore, the first meal of the year plays an important role in Vietnamese culture. Family members will return to their homelands, even if they’ve been living far away from home for a long time. Tết is a time to enjoy delicious food as a family and to talk about the events of the past year. Normally, the family will cook together and make traditional foods like spring rolls, Vietnamese sausages, bánh tét or bánh chưng.
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FULL MOONS in 2020
A full moon is an auspicious time to meditate on the great cycles of life
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- January 17: Wolf moon
- February 16: Snow moon
- March 18: Worm moon
- April 16: Pink moon
- May 16: Flower moon
- June 14: Strawberry moon
- July 13: Buck moon
- August 11: Sturgeon moon
- September 10: Harvest moon
- October 9: Hunter's moon
- November 8: Beaver moon
- December 7: Cold moon
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Paramitas: The Ten Perfections of Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism developed six paramitas or perfections early in its history. Later, the list was fleshed out to include ten perfections. The Six or Ten Perfections are virtues to be cultivated and practiced on the path to realizing enlightenment. To add to the confusion, Theravada Buddhism has its own list of Ten Perfections. They have several items in common, but they are not identical.
Although the Six Perfections are complete in themselves, the additional items in the list of Ten Perfections add the dimension of the bodhisattva path. A bodhisattva is an "enlightenment being" who has bowed to bring all other beings to enlightenment. The bodhisattva is the ideal of practice for all Mahayana Buddhists.
With the additional four "perfections, we see the fruits of wisdom manifested in the world. In some ways this recalls the Oxherding Pictures of Zen Buddhism, which represent stages of enlightenment. Realization of great enlightenment is represented in the eighth and ninth pictures. The tenth shows an enlightened master walking in a marketplace, bestowing blessings. Read on for the complete list of the Mahayana Ten Perfections.
Perfection of Generosity is about more than just charitable giving. It is generosity as an expression of selflessness and an acknowledgment that we all inter-exist with each other. Without attaching to possessions or to ourselves we live to benefit all beings.
The Perfection of Morality is not about living according to rules -- although there are Precepts, and they are important -- but living in harmony with others. Sila Paramita also touches on the teachings of karma.
Ksanti means "unaffected by" or "able to withstand." It could be translated as tolerance, endurance and composure as well as patience or forbearance. It is a patience with ourselves and others and also an ability to bear hardship and misfortune.
The word virya comes from vira, an ancient Indo-Iranian word ancient that means "hero." Virya is about tirelessly and courageously overcoming obstacles and walking the path as far as it goes.
Meditation in Buddhism is not done for stress relief. It is mental cultivation, preparing the mind to realize wisdom (which is the next perfection).
The original Six Perfections ended with wisdom, which in Mahayana Buddhism is equated with the doctrine of sunyata, or emptiness. Very simply, this is the teaching that all phenomena are without self-essence. And wisdom, the late Robert Aitken Roshi wrote, is "the raison d'être of the Buddha way."
Very simply, upaya is any teaching or activity that helps others realize enlightenment. Sometimes upaya is spelled upaya-kausalya, which is "skill in means." One skilled in upaya can lead others away from their delusions.
This one is sometimes called Perfection of Aspiration. In particular, it is about dedicating oneself to the bodhisattva path and living the bodhisattva vows.
9 Bala Paramita: Perfection of Spiritual Power
Spiritual power in this sense could refer to supernormal powers, such as an ability to read minds. Or, it could refer to the natural powers awakened by spiritual practice, such as increasing concentration, awareness and patience.
The Perfection of Knowledge is the implementation of wisdom in the phenomenal world. We can think of this as something like the way a physician uses knowledge of medicine to heal people. This Perfection also ties together the previous nine so that they can be put to work to help others.
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NEVER GIVE UP
“Life and death are of supreme importance. Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. Each of us should strive to awaken. Awaken! Take heed, do not squander your life.” Dogen Zenji
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My new favorite word, CODDIWOMPLE
It describes our journey as we walk down the dharma road to an unknown destination. May we all reach the awakening that lies ahead.
“If you want to travel the Way of Buddhas and Zen masters, then expect nothing, seek nothing, and grasp nothing.”
Dogen Zenji
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Our new temple complex is getting worked on even in the heavy snow and very cold winter.
You can contribute to our building fund at
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Temple Construction is ongoing
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Sa di Minh Tam (Ted),
a new novice monk has joined our temple
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REBIRTH
There are interesting YouTube videos about a child's memory of a previous life.
Is reincarnation real?
and
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Ringing in the New Year in very cold weather. We rang the great bell 108 times at midnight on New Years eve. We'll do it again on TET Feb 1, 2022
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May the Infinite Light of Wisdom and Compassion so shine within us
that the errors and vanities of self may be dispelled;
so shall we understand the changing nature of existence and awaken into spiritual peace.
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Mt Adams Buddhist Temple 46 Stoller Rd., Trout Lake WA 98650 509.395.2030 https://mtadamsbuddhisttemple.org/
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