Dear Friends in the Dharma,

As we share our final eNewsletter of the year, we would like to offer a gentle reminder that the Sangha here at MABA will soon enter our annual three-month winter retreat, from December 1 through February 28. During this period of quiet abiding and deep practice, our eNewsletter will pause and return in March 2026.

During the winter retreat, there will be no Dharma Talk. Please review the Sunday morning schedule listed below for updated details. For any weather-related closures, please check our website and the local weather news channel for the most current information.

The first snow and early freezing winds have already touched the monastery grounds. May you all be safe in your travels, protected from harm, and kept warm throughout the winter.

With hearts of gratitude, we offer our sincere thanks for your generous contributions and steadfast support to MABA. Your kindness nourishes the monastery and strengthens the spread of the Dharma. We earnestly wish that you continue to cultivate diligence, mindfulness, and wholesome joy in your practice throughout the cold season.

For those seeking Dharma nourishment during the retreat months, we warmly recommend In the Buddha’s Words by Bhikkhu Bodhi as a supportive reading companion and as preparation for our Spring Study Group.

May you and your loved ones be blessed with peace, harmony, and happiness throughout the holidays. And as we enter the New Year of the Fire Horse, may wisdom grow bright, merit increase, and wholesome aspirations be fulfilled.

With gratitude and blessings!

May this season of change inspire mindfulness, gratitude, and compassion in your daily life. We thank you for your continued support and presence in the MABA community.

Master in Buddhist Studies (MABS)

Our Online Buddhist Studies Program

Deepen Your Buddhist Knowledge with Our Online Buddhist Studies Program

The Diploma in Buddhist Studies (DBS) Program offers a wonderful opportunity, whether you're new to Buddhism or looking to deepen your understanding, to explore the Buddhist teachings and apply them in daily life.

Now Accepting Applications for 2025–2027!

Interested? Visit our website to learn more about the DBS program and other flexible study options. Whether you thrive in a structured curriculum or prefer to learn at your own pace, we have a path that suits you.

New Courses Launching in 2026!

We are delighted to introduce two new language courses designed to deepen your study of Buddhist texts. Seize this unique opportunity to connect with the roots of Buddhist wisdom through original language study!

1. Reading Pāli Through the Tipiṭaka

Instructor: Bhante D. Kusalagnana

Dates: January 2 – January 29, 2026 (Mon–Fri; 20 sessions)

Time: 8:30 – 10:00 pm EST

Course fee: $200

2. Introduction to Sanskrit Through Classical Texts

Instructor: Bhante D. Kusalagnana

Dates: June 1 – June 28, 2026 (Mon–Fri; 20 sessions)

Time: 8:30 – 10:00 pm EST

Course fee: $200

For full course details, syllabi, and online applications, please visit our RMTA website.

For inquiries, please send an email to ybefacademy.

Click here to Learn more

Sunday Morning

We hope to see you at MABA! Whether you are seeking spiritual growth or opportunities for community engagement, we invite you to join us on Sunday mornings or to participate in our various service activities. We welcome any vegetarian contributions for our Sunday lunch. If you would like to bring a dish, please let our office know what you will be bringing.

Kathina Day at MABA, November 23rd.

Buddha's Teaching of the Month

Thag 21.1 From… Vaṅgīsattheragāthā: Vaṅgīsa

“Speak only such words

that do not hurt yourself

nor harm others;

Such speech is truly well spoken.

Speak only pleasing words,

words gladly welcomed.

Pleasing words are those

that brings nothing bad to others.

Truth itself is the undying word:

This is an eternal truth.

Good people say that the teaching and its meaning

are grounded in the truth.

The words spoken by the Buddha

for realizing the sanctuary, extinguishment,

for making an end of suffering:

This really is the best kind of speech.”

Note: Extinguishment is the translation of nibbāna.

Read the entire translation of Theragāthā 21.1 Vaṅgīsattheragāthā: Vaṅgīsa by Bhikkhu Sujato on SuttaCentral.net. Or read a different translation on SuttaFriends.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)

Videos of the Month

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.

DONATE HERE

Internet Upgrade Expenses Donation Link

Dana

Dana signifies the virtue of giving. The monastic community relies heavily on the support of the lay community. Currently, MABA depends almost entirely on the support of the traditional Asian community. It is very important for us to assist the Western community in developing the six paramitas (perfections), the first of which is the virtue of giving. The significance of practicing Dana lies in its ability to help overcome lower fetters, such as greed and ignorance, as well as in its role in accumulating merits that support meditation practice. Without making preliminary efforts to establish virtuous actions, meditation can often become fruitless. We encourage everyone to seize any opportunity to develop this virtue.

At MABA, we have greatly integrated the use of the internet into our routines. This technology allows us to host online teachings and create presentations for our Sunday services. However, our internet provider is discontinuing their unlimited business plans, and transitioning to a usage-based plan will increase our rate from $599.95 per month to $799.95 per month.

We are reaching out to our community for help in bridging this gap! If you can, please support our cause. Every contribution counts! To donate, click the button to the left. Under "General Donation," select "Donate." This will redirect you to the donation page; once there, use the dropdown menu to select "Internet Upgrade Expenses."

Thank you for your ongoing support!

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.

Learn more

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.

Lantern offerings

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.

Request a service

MABA Website: https://maba-usa.org