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MABA eNEWSLETTER
December 2024
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Walking Behind the Buddha, Following the Buddha's Path! | | |
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Hello, friends!
We hope you all had a peaceful and gratitude-filled Thanksgiving holiday! As we move through 2024, we are increasingly aware of the effects of global warming, and the various disasters around the world weigh heavily on our hearts. We encourage everyone to be mindful of their environmental footprint and to care for our planet.
As we enter this time of year, we begin preparing for our winter retreat, and things will slow down significantly. At MABA, Master Ji Ru and the monastic community send their blessings to everyone this holiday season. We hope you stay safe and warm! Wishing you all a very Happy New Year in 2025!
We look forward to seeing you on Sundays!
(This will be our last eNewsletter for 2024; it will resume on March 1, 2025.)
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**All services are closed in the event of bad weather.**
Please check our website, and local news channels, or call our office to find out if our Sunday morning service has been canceled!
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**Kathina Offering Day**
On November 24, we celebrated Kathina Offering Day for the monastics at MABA, as well as for visiting monastics from the Laos Buddhist Temple, Thai Buddhist Temple, Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple, and Vietnamese Buddhist Temple. Kathina has been celebrated for over 25 centuries, traditionally marking the end of the monastic Rains Retreat. We are delighted to continue this cherished tradition in 2024. Thank you to everyone who attended, donated, and volunteered on this auspicious day.
Visit our website to see more photos.
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Three Refuges and Five Precepts
Alex, Rhi, Grant, and Derek took the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts during the Kathina Offering Ceremony! We congratulate them on becoming fully devoted Buddhists. They have vowed to follow the teachings of the Buddha, study the Dharma, seek guidance from the Sangha, and observe the Five Precepts: protecting life, being honest, speaking truthfully, fostering good relationships, and maintaining a clear mind at all times!
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Our Online Buddhist Studies Program
The DBS program is going well, students are learning a lot and seeing the benefits in their daily lives! Check out our student testimonials below. 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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Buddha's Teaching of the Month
"Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace."
AN 5.16 Punakūṭasutta: Peak (2)
“Bhikkhus, there are these five powers. What five? The power of faith, the power of energy, the power of mindfulness, the power of concentration, and the power of wisdom. These are the five powers. Among these five powers, the power of wisdom is foremost, the one that holds all in place, the one that unifies them. Just as the peak is the chief part of a peaked-roof house, the part that holds all in place, that unifies them, so among these five powers, the power of wisdom is foremost, the one that holds all in place, the one that unifies them.”
Readings:
Right View Quarterly
Daily Sutta Reading
Suttas (Buddha's Teachings)
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
Sunday Schedule for December 2024 - February 2025
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9:30-10:00 AM: Sitting Meditation
Orientation at the Chan Hall Library
- 10:00-10:20 AM: Walking Meditation
The orientation group join in the Walking Meditation
- 10:20-10:30 AM: Standing Meditation
- 10:30-11:00 AM: Sitting Meditation
- 11:00-11:20 AM: Chanting
- 11:20-11:45 AM: Dharma Sharing at Manjushri Hall
- 11:45 AM: Vegetarian Lunch at Blue Lotus House
Make sure to visit Our Website for the latest Sunday morning schedule updates.
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**All services are closed in the event of bad weather.**
Please check our website, and local news channels, or call our office to find out if our Sunday morning service has been canceled!
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Greenville University's Interfaith Leadership Team | |
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On November 9th, Greenville University's Interfaith Leadership Team led by Manh Nguyen came to MABA to learn further about dharma and the lifestyle of a Buddhist.
This is what they had to say
- It was amazing. It is out on the hill, away from things. I got the chance to experience the level of respect in the tradition.
- We were able to walk-around and immerse in the nature. The instruction in meditation from Venerable Kongyan was great.
- I come to MABA with little pre-existing concept of what Buddhism is, but it is an opportunity to approach it with a fresh perspective. I really enjoyed the trip and the conversations with new people.
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Mark came to MABA to lend a helping hand! He did a fantastic job cleaning the Pet Memorial, tidying up the chicken and rooster coop, and cleaning up the Manjushri Hall. Mark is working hard to gather volunteer hours for his college applications, and he has set a goal to reach 100 hours by the end of 2025. Way to go, Mark! | |
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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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Replacing the Windows in the Chan Hall.
The Chan Hall's aging windows, installed in 1997, have begun to deteriorate, making them difficult to operate and contributing to high energy costs. To address these issues and reduce our energy consumption, we have decided to replace the 24 windows in the upstairs Meditation Hall with higher-quality, UV-rated replacements. The total cost of this project is $33,000.00, which we have financed in three installments.
The windows are finally installed! We are so very grateful for every penny contributed and to everybody who donated. Thank you so much!
Thank you for your continued support of MABA!
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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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