At times it feels like there are two different narratives going on around spiritual practice – the clear, direct, meditative path of becoming peaceful and serene like a Buddha statue; and then what practice is actually like day to day. One is an ideal that we get to strive for whenever we have time to […]
Practice with Family Read More »
Recently I was traveling with a friend when I was asked a perennial Theravada Buddhist question – “Can laypeople become arahants?” It’s a fairly sophisticated question, requiring a knowledge of Buddhist doctrine and a familiarity with the monastic order, at least enough to recognize the esteem monastics are usually held in. Like most teachers asked
Can Laypeople Become Enlightened? Read More »
Lots of news! News, like the rain, is rarely purely good or purely bad, but a mix of both. For instance, in the materialistic West, the approach to rain is often as the destroyer of vacations and the ruiner of fun. Hench the children’s rhyme – “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day!” Yet
When It Rains It Pours Read More »
Upavana’s first in-person/online retreat was a big success! Many thanks to everyone who helped out, especially our retreat coordinator Alex, our hosts Donna, Sandy, and Issa, Lusiana and family who provided delicious food for everybody, and for everyone who joined and helped spread the word. By the final talk, when Zoom had had enough and
Despite many planning hurdles, everything is coming together for our first meditation retreat. It will be held this weekend, starting with an opening talk and the taking of the Refuges and Precepts tomorrow evening. It will conclude Sunday at 5pm. The schedule and location for online livestreams/recordings, as well as info about participating in the
Despite many planning hurdles, everything is coming together for our first meditation retreat. It will be held this weekend, starting with an opening talk and the taking of the Refuges and Precepts tomorrow evening. It will conclude Sunday at 5pm. The schedule and location for online livestreams/recordings, as well as info about participating in the
Upcoming Meditation Retreat Read More »
I’ve heard a story – probably much embellished by this point – that once there was a new Dhamma Hall commissioned to be built at Wat Suan Mokh, the late Ajahn Buddhadasa’s monastery. The plans were drawn and materials ordered, but the construction itself dragged on and on. Workers would lose necessary tools, things would
The Temple is Done Read More »
The weekend after next, June 25-27, Upavana will hold it’s first meditation retreat. The retreat will be held in person for a small group, and also available online for those who want to participate in real-time or run the retreat according to their own timezone. Those who would like to attend in person should contact
There is no force in nature like desire! It’s been over a week since Upavana’s new wheeled dhamma center arrived at the Bamboo Grove. Nearly every day has brought another visit from friends with offerings, snacks, and chances to meditate together. Getting the salvaged camper habitable has been a chore but many hands made it
Following the gathering at the end of May commemorating the Buddhist holiday of Vesak, there’s been a lot of interest and questions on the topic of Faith. What is it? How does one develop it? How does one practice recollecting the primary objects of Faith and Refuge – the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha? In this
What is Faith? What is Refuge? Read More »
