Sangha News

Ordination at Dharmadhara, CA

Viradhamma ordained Rob Devney from the Seattle Sangha on Sunday Sep 20 at Dharmadhara in Lake County.  His Order name is Siladhara Siladhara (long ‘i’ as in ‘police,’ third ‘a’ as in ‘father’), a Pali name meaning “He who upholds ethical practice.”

Viradhamma was both the Private and Public preceptor.  

Saddhu!

Black Lives Matter

As our former Chair, and as a woman of color working with movements for social justice Viveka has often led compassionate reflections with our sangha during moments of national racial tension such as the one we are in now. 

She wanted to offer these personal reflections to our community, along with a Podcast she and Paramananda gave in May.

The sentiments expressed here have the full support of the SFBC Council.

Dear Sangha friends,

Responding to COVID 19

As we continue to learn how best to live duing these changing times, the SFBC is gradually offering more online resources.  

At Sangha Night April 15, Viveka led an evening of tending to the heart and emotions in the midst of COVID-19, including a practice of tonglen compassion meditation. The talk begins at 19:47 of this recording.  

Stop the Money Pipeline Resources

The Green Sangha would like to thank Reverend Koraku Mikami, Ayako Nagano, Esq., and a lively group of attendees for joining us to discuss the nexus between Buddhism and climate activism. Ms. Nagano shared the recording and links from the “Ethical Practice, the Earth, and our Wallets” talk, along with other resources that she shared during the event.

Here is a link to the recording.

Here are links to some recordings that we didn’t have time to watch fully. They're worth watching if you have a moment.

Sailing the Worldly Winds: A Home Retreat with Vajragupta

New free Home Retreat from the Dharma Toolkit. Starts Friday April 3rd!  

https://thebuddhistcentre.com/stories/toolkit/winds/

Great Dharma to help ease your mind and structure your days in the lockdown. + Live Q & A online Sunday 5th April (see site for times)! Whether you have a little time or a lot right now, this is for you! Join us for free Dharma & let's sail the winds together...

 

 

Share the Joy - follow up to Sangha Night online, March 18

What gives us joy, what gladdens our heart?

When we’re caught up in stressful thoughts it’s hard to be open and kind to what's happening, even things we normally enjoy.  When we’re able to be present we more easily find things that give us joy, and that increases our capacity to respond with kindness, and that gives us more joy.   Perhaps we can tip the balance in favor of being present, by looking for, and finding, more things that give us joy. 

Postponing in-person classes and events or moving to online meetings

The SFBC has made the decision to cancel or postpone all our in-person classes and events from now through at least the end of March. We'll continue to assess the situation as best we can, but right now this seems the most helpful thing we can do to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus (COVID 19), and protect our more vulnerable sangha members. 

Sangha Night will be held online through zoom.  

Thursday drop-in classes and morning meditations are canceled through the end of March.