Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale CALENDAR OF DHARMA EVENTS August to December 2014 * Half-Day Meditation Retreat - 4 sitting / walking meditation sessions on Sunday morning. Each session is around 40 minutes. 9:00 am – 12:40 pm Dates: Aug / 3‧10‧17；Sept / 7‧14‧21‧28; Oct / 5‧12‧26； Nov / 2‧9‧23‧30；Dec / 7‧14‧21 / 2014 Aug 10 (Sun) Meng Shan Food Offering Ceremony & Memorial Service 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm Aug 16 (Sat) & Aug 17 (Sun) Special Workshop for Preceptees of the Five Precepts 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Review the essence of the Five Precepts, Buddhist etiquettes, and the donning of the Brown Robe. Pre-registration online required. [Sept. 16 in Chinese] [Sept. 17 in English] Q&A Session on the Five Precepts for non-Preceptees Aug 16 (Sat) 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Anyone who has not received the transmission of the Five Precepts is [in English and Chinese] welcome to attend. Pre-registration online required. A u g 2 4 (Sun) Medicine Buddha Blessing Conclusion Ceremony & Memorial Service 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Aug 30 (Sat) ~ Sept 01 (Mon) Three-Day Zen Meditation Retreat Must pre-register online: now - Aug 15 S e p t 0 4 (Thur) New Series: 33rd Session of Zen Buddhism & Meditation Pre-register online Classes Begins ** [See more information on separate flyer.] starting now. Sept 20 (Sat) Sept 27 (Sat) For current & graduated Zen class students only. One or two days optional. Purification & Blessing Ceremonies at the 2014 San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival 10th Anniversary Grand Celebration! Venerable Master JianDeng, Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, will preside over the ceremony, give Dharma talk, and transmit Three Refuges and Five Precepts. 11:00 am – 1:00 pm 9:30 am – 3:00 pm [Check website for details & updates] Oct 19 (Sun) 88 Buddhas Repentance Ceremony & Memorial Service 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Nov 16 (Sun) The Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance Ceremony & Memorial Service 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Nov 23 (Sun) Zen Celebration of Thanksgiving 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Health Workshop: Understanding Alzheimer's Disease and Prevention Zen Seven Meditation Retreat [Prior meditation experience required] ** Transmission of Three Refuges (Jan. 1, 2015) 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm [in Chinese] Must pre-register online: Oct 1 - Nov 30 Dec 07 (Sun) Dec 25 (Thur) ~Jan 01(Thur) ** Call to inquire details or register for classes. All programs and events are bilingual in English and Chinese unless otherwise noted. All programs are free. The Zen Center is supported by the generous dana (donations) from individuals. We welcome your support. * Dress code: Wear meditation clothing or loose/modest attire, and socks in the Zen Hall. * Meditation clothing (optional) may be obtained at the Zen Center. * Non-slip ankle socks are also available. Please inquire at the reception desk. Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale 750 E. Arques Avenue • Sunnyvale • CA 94085 408-733-0750 • http:// Sunnyvale.ctzen.org • E-mail: [email protected] DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS AND EVENTS Offering Tranquility in the High Tech Valley Three Links of Cultivation / Buddhist Ceremonies Celebrate 10 Years of Zen Joy with a Yearlong Focused Practice of the “Three Links of Cultivation” The Zen Center of Sunnyvale has been a refreshing spring for the spirit in Silicon Valley since it opened its door in March 2004. In a tranquil environment, people learn the ageless wisdom of Buddhism, discover the joy of meditation, and uncover the Buddha nature within all of us. Year-round, the Zen Center offers Zen meditation and Buddhism classes, Zen retreats, workshops, and cultural programs for different age groups at no charge. All are welcome, regardless of faiths or no faith. Zen Retreats "Awaken the mind and see the true nature; seeing the true nature one becomes a Buddha." Meditation helps us focus, calm down, become aware, and begin to see things as they are. Through Zen meditation, we can reach an understanding of life’s difficult problems, attain unbiased perception of reality, and gain true wisdom and peace of mind. In addition to practice during classes, the Zen Center offers half-day silent meditation retreats on Sunday mornings, consecutive three-day retreat in the summer, and an intensive Zen Seven Meditation Retreat at year end. Zen Workshops & Lectures Workshops - Dec 7 | Lectures - Aug 16 & 17 The profound wisdom of the Buddha Dharma transcends time and space. The practical teachings can be applied to the different aspects in modern societies and daily life. To exemplify the relevance and the benefits of the Buddhist teaching in a contemporary context, the Zen Center offers lectures and workshops that are beneficial to leading a compassionate and peaceful life. Please mark the dates and see the announcements for the specifics. All are welcome to attend; free of charge. The Zen Center encourages all to practice sutra recitation to internalize the Dharma, prostrations of repentance to build wholesome connections with all sentient beings, and sitting meditation to cultivate samadhi (deep concentration These focused and well-rounded efforts that integrate understanding and practice help practitioners benefit themselves as well as others on the Bodhi path. We dedicate the merits of these efforts to the successful completion of the Zen Campus by the end of 2014 and to world peace. Medicine Buddha Blessing Conclusion Ceremony & Memorial Service -- Aug 24 In this ceremony, we will recite the “Medicine Buddha Sutra.” The Medicine Buddha made Twelve Great Vows so sentient beings may have all their wishes fulfilled. Reciting the Sutra will help us dispel misfortune and enhance longevity. 88 Buddhas Repentance Ceremony & Memorial Service -- Oct 19 Chanting and prostrating to the Buddhas' names allow us to repent our misdeeds, purify our karma, receive the Buddhas' blessings, and be in touch with the original Buddha nature within all of us. Meng Shan Food Offering & Memorial Service -Aug 10 * The Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance Ceremony & Memorial Service -- Nov 16 * * Through repentance, reflection, forgiveness, and special offerings at these special ceremonies, we can cleanse the improper karma from the past and dedicate the extraordinary merits of this special memorial service to our loved ones, all sentient beings, and world peace. Notes: • The sutra and repentance liturgy at these ceremonies will be recited in Chinese; transliterated (pinyin) version of the liturgies in English will be provided. • The Memorial Service dedicated to the deceased will be held (after lunch) at 2:00 - 3:00 pm. • Anyone may set up Blessing and/or Memorial Tablets for special dedication in any of these ceremonies.