Dear Dharma Friends,

Welcome to summer in the Midwest! Due to the heatwaves in June, some of our gardens required twice daily watering and shade cloth, both to sustain and protect sensitive plants that had not yet become established. We see that with a little nurturing now, great benefits will be afforded later on. Similar results may certainly be had with our Dharma practice when we can sit and meditate for at least ten minutes twice a day.

We have a lot to share with you this month! First,

On Wednesday, July 6 at 7:30pm, we once again welcome Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu virtually from California as part of our Zoom Dhamma Talk Series. Ajaan Geoff will be speaking to us on Not-Self. All are welcome! Register for free tickets at Eventbrite here.

Our Book Study Group continues to read and discuss Ajaan's book, Selves & Not-Self as part of our Sunday Mornings program. Join us then as well!

Next, after a two-year hiatus, we are excited to announce our Children's Half-Day program is resuming, with twice a month dates in July, August, and September! On these dates, children ages 5 through 12 will have their own program in Manjusri Hall, while our regular Sunday Mornings program will be in Chan Hall. Then we all meet for lunch at 11:45am.

This month's focus will be on loving kindness. Facilitated by Ven. Kongke, Stacey, Jennifer, and with adult helpers, the program includes short meditations, story-telling, walk or yoga, crafts, and sharing. Those younger than five-years old are welcome when accompanied by an adult, while those older than 12 are welcome to be helpers. Adult helpers are always welcome as well! For more information and to sign-up, please email the MABA office with "children's group" in the subject line. We look forward to seeing you again!

And IBFA's new building in Chicago's Chinatown has been closed in, with all windows and doors installed. Volunteers are working to help Master and Venerables finish painting, cleaning, and moving in furnishings. Photos are on the IBFA website. Please email the office for details on volunteering (join our carpool); we're very close to our final inspection and opening, help us get there. See you in Chicago!

Also, our Dizang Blessing will be held on Sunday, September 4, more information is below.

Lastly, Master is asking for a few people who enjoy hiking to help us design new walking paths at MABA! With 76 acres of gently rolling terrain, we have USGS topological maps and a drone with a camera to help us plot easy and medium difficulty walkways. We are also renovating the existing walking path around MABA's pond, including planting Missouri natives and setting pavers. Donations for landscaping, plants, pavers, and benches along the routes are welcome. Planning in earnest will begin after Labor Day, with work beginning in the fall. Please contact Master at the office if you'd like to be part of the design team.

This month's guided meditation from Xiǎnkuān Don Yéye:

We invite you to join us every Sunday Morning, either in person, on Zoom, or on Facebook for meditation, Dharma talks, chanting, and discussions. All are welcome.

As always, we are grateful for your ongoing support.

In preparation for our visit by Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu, our Book Study Group has put aside the Śūraṅgama Sūtra (首楞嚴經 Shǒulèngyán Jīng) for now, instead "concentrating our heroic progress" on Ajahn Geoff's book, Selves & Not-Self, as part of our regular Sunday Morning program. All are welcome, no experience necessary. To sign up for these classes, contact Xiǎnxǐng Sherrie at retreat@maba-usa.org to receive the free .pdf book, Selves and Not-Self. Or join us on Sunday Morning and download it then.

Come visit with us on Sunday Mornings!

To view more photos from events at MABA, please visit our Media page.

Please visit our Event Calendar for upcoming events.

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