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Hello, friends!
Happy Spring! March went well here at MABA. Although temperatures have started to rise, we recently experienced heavy snowfall and even a tornado in mid-March. Fortunately, there was minimal damage to MABA property, aside from a section of the old metal roof of the Rooster's shade that was torn open. With Master Jì Rú still traveling in Malaysia, Venerable Kongyan, with the assistance of Venerable Kungshih, was able to repair it. We are excited to see what April will bring!
The Sunday services in March went very well, our Dharma teachers gave great informative talks, you can listen to them on MABA YouTube. The Dharma discussions after lunch were also fruitful! If you are interested in participating, click here to register.
The Engaged Buddhism event at the Thai Buddhist Temple, organized by the Buddhist Council of Greater St. Louis on March 8th, was attended by teachers from various Buddhist centers. The event focused on the importance of Engaged Buddhism in addressing social issues, and its practice through various programs. The group also explored Buddhism's origin and teachings, the concept of co-origination, and the balance between engagement with society and personal practice. Lastly, they discussed concerns about the impact of political changes on social security, the importance of empathy and understanding, and mindfulness practice in various traditions. Watch the videos here.
Don't forget to check out our upcoming events: the Qing Ming Blessing Ceremony on April 13th, and the Vesak Day Celebration on May 18th. For more details, visit our website: https://maba-usa.org/event-calendar.
As we are finalizing the eNewsletter, we have received the shocking news about the earthquake that has affected Myanmar and Thailand, bringing devastating consequences to the region. MABA is humbly appeal to your compassion and generosity to support emergency relief efforts, including the rebuilding of homes and infrastructure for the affected communities. Below, you will find information on how to donate. May we all send our blessing thoughts to all the victims.
We hope to see you all soon. Stay safe!
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Our Online Buddhist Studies Program
The DBS program is a great opportunity for new and experinced people alike to grow thier knowledge of Buddhism and apply it to your everyday lives. If you are interested in applying, the 2025-2027 academic year is now open!
Visit our website to learn more about the DBS program and other flexible options available to you. Whether you prefer a structured curriculum or explore Buddhism at your own pace, we have the perfect options for you.
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Sunday Morning
We hope to see you at MABA! Whether you're seeking spiritual growth or community engagement, we invite you to join us on Sunday mornings or for our various service opportunities.
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Dharma Discussion topics after Sunday lunch include:
- Huayan Sutra (Flower Ornament Sutra)
- Four Foundations of Mindfulness
- Teaching of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
- Five Aggregates
- Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom)
- How to use The Four Foundations in Meditation
For more details or to sign up for the discussion, please visit our website or scan the barcode above.
You are also welcome to bring your questions about Dharma and practice to the discussion session.
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2025 Upcoming Events
April 13th (Sunday)
Qing Ming Blessing Ceremony at the Mausoleum, MABA.
May 17th (Saturday)
Vesak Preparation Day
9:30 am to 3:00 pm (Lunch is available)
- Set up tents
- Set up tables and chairs
- Meditation Hall set up
- Parking signs
- Assisting in the kitchen
May 18th (Sunday)
Vesak Day Celebration at MABA, organized by the Buddhist Council of Greater St. Louis
June 28th - 29th (Saturday - Sunday)
Beginners Retreat (more details to follow)
| | Qingming Blessing Ceremony | | Click here to download the Lantern Form | |
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Myanmar Earthquake
We are deeply saddened by the immense damage and suffering occurring in Myanmar due to the earthquake. The destruction is profound, and help is needed right now. Jìrú Shífù hopes we can all put our compassion into action by aiding our friends in Myanmar. Please give as generously as you can to emergency aid services such as the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders.
MABA is collecting funds for future use in Myanmar to help them rebuild their temples and monasteries. Thousands of their cultural and religious sites have been destroyed. Temples and monasteries will be rebuilt once the emergency has ended. Please aid in rebuilding the places to study and practice the Dharma in Myanmar at the link to the left. Select "Relief Fund" under Paypal donations.
| | | | Jesse, who is skilled in machineries, and electricity, came to help fix the kitchen's pantry room light fixture after his work. Thank you, Jesse! | | Landscape maintenance projects includes renovate the garden around the Standing/Walking Buddha, and re-landscaping the ground near the Children Pavilion and beside the Chán Hall. | | Thanks to Bret and Ryan for their contributions to our spring mainenence project! Though it's not quite done yet, their efforts have been very helpful. | | |
We want you to be part of our team! If you'd like to make a difference, please reach out to us about some exciting upcoming opportunities to volunteer. We’re gearing up for gardening, grounds cleanup, and Vesak Day preparations on May 17th, and we need enthusiastic volunteers like you! There are many ways to get involved, from setting up tents and parking signs to assisting in the kitchen. Join us for a rewarding experience where you'll meet new people and impact our community!
Volunteer Work Opportunities at MABA
You are welcome to volunteer any day and at any time from Monday to Saturday during the following hours:
- 9:30 AM to 11:20 AM
- 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Master Jì Rú will offer half an hour of meditation instruction whenever he is available at MABA.
Volunteer tasks include:
- Garden and ground maintenance
- Mowing
- Weed trimming
- Cleaning the porch of the Chan Hall
- Reorganizing the garden around the Standing Buddha
- Paint MABA's signboard
- Kitchen assistance
and other works as needed.
Contact Us!
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Buddha's Teaching of the Month
AN 5.52 Akusalarāsisutta: A Heap
“Bhikkhus, saying ‘a heap of the unwholesome,’ it is about the five hindrances that one could rightly say this. For the five hindrances are a complete heap of the unwholesome. What five? The hindrance of sensual desire, the hindrance of ill will, the hindrance of dullness and drowsiness, the hindrance of restlessness and remorse, and the hindrance of doubt. Bhikkhus, saying ‘a heap of the unwholesome,’ it is about these five hindrances that one could rightly say this. For these five hindrances are a complete heap of the unwholesome.”
(Read this translation of Aṅguttara Nikāya 5.52 Akusalarāsisutta: A Heap by Bhikkhu Bodhi on SuttaCentral.net. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net or DhammaTalks.org. Or listen on SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.)
Readings:
Right View Quarterly
Daily Sutta Reading
Suttas (Buddha's Teachings)
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The Ten Stages of Trust has just been published! This is Xiankuan Don’s third book on Buddhism. The Ten Stages of Trust is for Bodhisattvas and those interested in the Bodhisattva Path. This is the first commentary in English on the beginning of the Bodhisattva’s 52 Stages.
To acquire books:
All proceeds go to MABA. If you are local to St. Louis, you can arrange to stop by Xiankuan Don's office on a Friday or Saturday afternoon and get a copy. Please contact Don's office to reserve a time.
If you are not local to St. Louis, you can acquire this book through our website: (https://maba-usa.org/dharma-books ) or through the author.
All $40 goes to MABA ($34 for book, $6 for shipping). Amazon has the book also, but MABA only gets 10%.
Further Description:
The Ten Stages of Trust should interest Chan, Zen, Huayan, and Tibetan Buddhist practitioners. This text can be especially useful for those who have taken the Bodhisattva Vows or are considering this step. The 350 pages include translations of selected passages from the original sutras, commentaries on the essential meanings, as well as commentaries on verses from the Map of the Ten Buffalo (Zen Ox Pictures), Sengcan’s Trust in Mind Inscription, and Farong’s Mind Inscription. At the end of each chapter, there is a suggested meditation for each stage.
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Dana
is the virtue of giving. The monastic community is fully dependent on the lay community's support. For now MABA relies almost fully on the support of traditional Asian community. It is very important for us to help the Western community develop the six paramitas (perfections), the first of which is the virtue of giving. The importance of practicing Dana is known through its benefit for overcoming lower fetters, such as greed and ignorance, and as the way to accumulate merits that will support the practice of meditation. Without preliminary effort to establish virtuous actions, the practice of meditation often becomes fruitless. Do not hesitate to seize any opportunity to develop this virtue.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
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Interfaith
MABA accepts invitations from schools, educational institutes and other religious organizations to introduce Buddhism and mindfulness practice, as well as to join interfaith dialogues that promote mutual understanding between practices.
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Lanterns
For our Dharma friends and supporters who wish to make a dedicated lantern offering. We will engave a tablet in your name (or any name you wish) and place it at the Guanyin Pavilion.
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Funeral Services
Reservation of the niches, ordering the urns, placing the urns, relocating the urns, chanting services, placement of name tablet of ancestors, and visiting dying patients.
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MABA Website: https://maba-usa.org | |
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