Download Right Speech - Aryaloka Buddhist Center

VAJRA BELL
Volume 8 Issue II
Right Speech
Finding Wisdom by Watching Our Words
By Stephen Sloan
R
ight Speech is the first limb of the Noble Eightfold Path that is oriented
towards ethical conduct. (The first two, Right Vision and Right Emotion,
are oriented towards wisdom.) Ethical conduct, part of the threefold
path of meditation, ethics and wisdom, is actually inseparable from the
other elements of the path. The importance of speech in the context
of Buddhist ethics is clear from its occupying its own limb - words can break or
save lives, make enemies or friends, start wars or create harmony. There are four
aspects to Right Speech: first, to abstain from false speech, especially not to tell
deliberate lies and not to speak deceitfully; second, to abstain from harsh words that
offend or hurt others; third, to abstain from idle chatter that lacks purpose or depth;
and fourth, to abstain from slanderous speech and not to use words maliciously
against others. More positively, we work towards telling the truth, speaking kindly,
gracious and harmonious words, and speaking only when necessary.
The Buddha offered advice to Prince Abhaya on Right Speech. He said:
[1] “In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be unfactual, untrue,
unbeneficial (or: not connected with the goal), unendearing & disagreeable to
others, he does not say them.
[2] “In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be factual, true,
unbeneficial, unendearing & disagreeable to others, he does not say them.
[3] “In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be factual, true, beneficial,
but unendearing & disagreeable to others, he has a sense of the proper time for
saying them.
[4] “In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be unfactual, untrue,
RIGHT SPEECH
Continued on Page 9
Aryaloka Buddhist Center
14 Heartwood Circle, Newmarket, NH 03857
April 2010
VAJRA BELL
PAGE 2
From the Editor
By Eric Wentworth
Perfect Speech, the
third step in the Noble
Eightfold Path, is what
we’ll be looking at in
this issue of the Vajra
Bell, and for many it
can be one of the most
challenging
areas
to work on in one’s
practice. I know it is for me. Speech is
a central element of Buddhist ethics, being
one of the Five Precepts and nearly half of
the Ten Precepts that are taken on when
nearing Ordination.
This emphasis on abstaining from
utterances that are untruthful, harsh,
frivolous, and slanderous, and undertaking
to speak only in ways that are honest, kindly,
meaningful, and harmonious shows how
important speech really is. In our culture
we often hear the phrase, “Actions speak
louder than words,” and this statement is
true. However, sometimes we miss the fact
that words speak volumes as well. The
words that one uses and the way in which
one chooses to say something are often
a mirror reflecting that person’s mental
states. If our mental states are clouded in
some way, it is easier to lose track of how
we are coming across. By maintaining
awareness and non-reactivity, and working
with our mental states as best we can, we
do ourselves and others a great service,
and the powerful echo of mindful speech
becomes more and more apparent.
There are so many opportunities to
practice speaking mindfully! Speech is
found everywhere - in crowds, in private
conversation, in body language, in books,
in the arts, in nature, in the placement of
objects, in cleaning the house - there is even
something said by silence. Whenever and
however our lives and the lives of others
meet and find expression, there is speech.
Speech can build or it can destroy. Every
moment is another chance to make the best
of what we say; thus, the importance of
this limb of the Noble Eightfold Path.
Speech is one way in which we create
the world.
Musings from the Chair
By Dh. Dayalocana
When I first came
to Aryaloka 21 years
ago I was amazed
and happy to find a
community of people
seriously intent on
following
ethical
precepts.
It was
wonderful for me to
find people who looked closely at their
behaviors and their speech with a strong
desire to not cause harm. Not only that,
but when harm occurred they were able to
acknowledge their action and resolve to do
better. And today I find sangha members
equally determined to understand within
ourselves what leads to destructive words,
actions or thoughts. I find in our community
a deep desire to bring about harmony.
In
the
book
The
Essential
Sangharakshita, the last sentence reads “If
you find the right sort of encouragement and
the right sort of conditions, you can change
at any time of your life.” Many thanks
to everyone who has helped in the last
25 years to make Aryaloka a place where
conditions abound for the development of
cooperation, for individual change and for
the deepening of harmony and peace.
Dharmacharini Dayalocana
Chair, Aryaloka Buddhist Center
The Aryaloka Council minutes are now posted on
the bulletin board at the foot of the stairs.
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
Contact
Information
Aryaloka Buddhist
Retreat Center
14 Heartwood Circle
Newmarket, NH 03857
603-659-5456
[email protected]
www.aryaloka.org
Aryaloka Council
Dayalocana
[email protected]
Saddhamala
[email protected]
Amala
[email protected]
Vihanasari
[email protected]
Candradasa
[email protected]
Viriyalila
[email protected]
Tom Gaillard
[email protected]
Samayadevi
[email protected]
Arjava
[email protected]
Vajra Bell Kula
Eric Wentworth, Chair
[email protected]
Vihanasari
[email protected]
Stephen Sloan
[email protected]
Suzanne Woodland
[email protected]
Elizabeth Hellard
[email protected]
Daniel Bush
[email protected]
Ashley Bush
[email protected]
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
VAJRA BELL
PAGE 3
How Can You Contribute to the Vajra Bell?
As a sangha, one of the most important
things we do is to share our individual
experiences of the spiritual life. By contributing
our own stories to the richly-flavored stew
of dharma life that surrounds our center,
we create strong connections between each
other and strengthen each others’ practices,
sometimes without even knowing it. Just by
telling another person about something you
know or an experience you’ve had, you may
provide the missing part to a puzzle that has
been unfinished in their mind. You may bring
them peace, simply in the knowledge that they
are not the only one struggling with an issue.
You might say the right word at just the right
moment that will alter their lives forever.
With this in mind, if you’ve ever been
interested in contributing to the Vajra Bell,
this is the time to do it! Have you taken an
amazing photo lately? We can use one! Trying
your hand at poetry? We’re eager to share one
of your poems. If you’ve attended a retreat or
event at an FWBO center, we would love to
have you write something about it for us. If
you have a great website to share, a dharma
movie you’re eager to talk about, or a pageturner of a Buddhist book that you have to let
everyone know about, let us know! There are
so many ways that you can enrich the pages
of the Vajra Bell - let your imaginations run
wild!
So, you say that you’re not a great writer?
Well, now is the chance to challenge that
self-view. The Vajra Bell kula has among its
volunteers an excellent set of editors to help
you on your way. Have an idea, but you’re
not sure if it’s prime-time material? Let us
know what you’re thinking - it may grow
from a seedling thought into a solid story. The
important part is to take the leap. You never
know what will happen unless you give it a
shot, and there may be someone out there just
waiting for what you have to say.
To contribute, or to suggest an idea for a
future issue of the Vajra Bell, you can contact
any of the kula volunteers, listed in the contact
column on page two of this issue, by email or
in person.
position. For the time being, she will also
be teaching many fewer classes, but will
continue with Tuesday Sangha Nights, and
be available for visiting groups. The Council
expressed deep gratitude and appreciation
for Amala’s many years of generous service
to Aryaloka!
Following up on suggestions from the
sangha meeting that was held last fall,
information about Council business will be
posted on the downstairs bulletin board and
will continue to be reported in the quarterly
Vajra Bell. Our treasurer, Tom Gaillard,
is in the process of reinvigorating and
disseminating information about monthly
pledges and fundraising efforts. People are
welcome to sign up for the Aryaloka e-mail
and mailing lists by writing their contact
information on the sheet near the dana
bowl. Outreach activities will be reported
on more often using a variety of forums
(e.g., see our Facebook page at http://www.
facebook.com/Aryaloka).
The Animals at the Center policy has
been revised to read:
“Pets are not allowed inside the Aryaloka
buildings with the exception of working
guide dogs. Further exceptions will be
made at the discretion of the Aryaloka
Chair. Pets are allowed on the grounds
outside if they are under control. Aryaloka
will not assume responsibility or liability
for actions of pets while on Aryaloka
premises. Pet owners shall be responsible
for any damages resulting from actions of
their pets while at Aryaloka.”
Arjava has rejoined the Council after
several years’ absence and Samayadevi has
returned from her six-month sabbatical.
There are currently nine members of the
Aryaloka Council (see complete list in this
issue).
It has been decided to switch to ongoing
pledges during the current pledge drive
rather than having a yearly pledge period.
This year’s goal is for 100% participation
by all Council members, Order members,
mitras, and sangha members who attend
regularly.
Jean Corson recently shared some
information about how the Council might
restructure the way it currently functions.
The Council will continue to look into this
with Jean.
Sangha members are welcome to
attend Council meetings. Please contact
Dayalocana in advance at Dayalocana@
comcast.net. The Council will next meet on
Apr. 18 from 9-5, May 12 from 6:10-8:30
p.m., and June 16 from 6:210-8:30 p.m.
The Council
By Vihanasari
Since its inception 25 years ago,
Aryaloka has been incorporated in
Massachusetts. The Council has been
working over the last several months to
create a new New Hampshire corporation
titled Aryaloka Buddhist Center with the
intention to merge the MA corporation
into the NH one. Many thanks to Atty. Bill
Gaillard for assisting with this procedure.
It looks like our Buddhist movement,
established by our teacher, Sangharakshita,
as the Friends of the Western Buddhist
Order, will soon have a new name. This
change has been proposed in order to
establish one name for the movement
world-wide and to acknowledge that not
all centers are found in the West. The
Friends of the Western Buddhist Order will
become the Triratna Buddhist Community
and the Western Buddhist Order (those
who are ordained) will become the Triratna
Buddhist Order. It is hoped that the change
will become official sometime in May. Our
center will continue to be known as the
Aryaloka Buddhist Center for all legal and
business purposes.
Amala has announced her decision to
step down from the program director’s
PAGE 4
VAJRA BELL
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
Sangha Notes - “What’s Happening?”
By Suzanne Woodland
From information to
inspiration, from method
to motivation, members
of the Aryaloka Sangha
have been contributing
in a variety of ways to
support and encourage
one another since the
start of the year. Sadhu!
Amala has been unpacking some of the many
teachings encompassed in the Tibetan Wheel
of Life as part of Sangha Night activities for
many weeks. According to attendees, it has
been an enriching investigation for those
of varied experience levels. Arjava and
Suzanne have been sharing the fundamentals
of Buddhism using Chris Pauling’s excellent
introductory book, Introducing Buddhism.
Arjava has continued to offer an introduction
to meditation each Tuesday evening as an
adjunct to the regular silent sit in the lshrine
room. Added to the Sangha Night mix for
a number of weeks has been Narottama’s
welcoming and steady presence. Varied
voices from the community of friends have
shared the responsibility of introducing the
dana bowl on Sangha Night. Delightful.
Bodhipaksa recently completed a six-week
evening class for experienced meditation
practitioners on the subject of samatha
bhavana. The class was a welcome offering
for those looking to work creatively with the
so-called hindrances to meditation. The class
explored the varied meditation experiences
known as dhyanas.
Complimenting
Bodhipaksa’s efforts were day retreats
devoted to introducing meditation to those
new to meditation or looking to reconnect
with their mediation practice.
In January, the Aryaloka Sangha welcomed
Kumarjeev, a visiting Order member from
India. Kumarjeev gave several talks on
Buddhism in India and led a puja, a devotional
practice. Suddhayu created a rich Parinirvana
celebration with traditional readings,
meditation and reflection in February.
An online women’s mitra course, offered
by Saddhamala, helped keep mitras not
living in the Newmarket area connected and
supported.
Akashavanda, who has been
travelling from Maine to lead the women’s
mitra class on Thursday evenings, helped
mitras explore the path of wisdom. Topics
included conditionality, karma and rebirth,
and the Wheel of Life. While Surakshita is on
leave, enjoying sunny Florida, the men’s mitra
study has been led by several Order members
on the topic of conditioned co-production, or
pratitya samutpada.
Men’s practice days continued monthly
through the winter. These days are open to
men of any experience level. In January,
the men finished the last segment of their
series on the Noble Eightfold Path with the
study of Perfect Samadhi. In February, men
attending benefited from the insight of artist
Eric Wentworth who led a discussion on arts
in the spiritual life. In March, Zoltan Molnar
led participants in an examination of the Eight
Worldly Winds. In April the men’s practice
day will be a day of service, when the men
will gather to work on the Aryaloka grounds.
Saricitta and Dayalocana led a muchwelcomed women’s practice day in March
devoted to Kuan Yin, the Bodhisattva of
Compassion. This day-long opportunity
for women of all experience levels to gather
in friendship, mediation and discussion
concluded with a lovely puja and chanting.
In January as well as March, Saddhamala
and Michelle McComb led the Open Heart,
Quiet Mind Meditation Retreat. This retreat,
which combines both Kripalu yoga and
meditation practice (development of lovingkindness, remains very popular and those
seeking to participate in this lovely retreat
in the future should register early. In early
February, Vidhuma, Karunasara, Arjava,
Bodhana and Vihanasari, a marvelously
diverse and experienced quintet, offered
retreat participants the opportunity to explore
their emotions and their reactions within a
Buddhist context. In March, Narottama and
Bodhana organized a Noble Silence retreat,
providing a retreat opportunity for those
experienced meditation practitioners seeking
great quiet.
Finally, inspiration for me comes not only
from those who teach, lead and organize,
but arises when each one of us participates,
turning out in good weather and bad to explore
Buddhism, to sit in meditation and to engage
in friendship. Those who bring questions that
cause me to challenge my understanding of the
teachings of the Buddha, inspire. Those who
communicate experiences and perspectives
that are new to me, inform me. Those who
arrive with friendliness, motivate me. Do stay
connected, we all make a difference.
Policy for Retreat Deposits:
Retreats/Classes/Solitaries
Those registering for retreats (including solitaries) and
classes of any length will be asked to pay a minimum deposit
of one-half of the total cost. If a registrant cancels two weeks or
more before the event, s/he will receive a refund of the amount
paid, minus a $15 processing fee. If the cancellation is received
less than two weeks before the event, the registrant will forfeit
the minimum deposit.
Forfeited deposits may not be transferred to another event.
Yoga Retreats
Those registering for yoga retreats will be asked to pay the
full cost in advance in order to finalize the registration. If a
registrant cancels two weeks or more before the retreat, s/he
will receive a refund of the amount paid minus $35 that may
be credited to another event. If the cancellation is received less
than two weeks before the event, the registrant will receive a
refund of $100. Thirty-five dollars ($35) of the remainder may
be credited to another event, the rest will be forfeited.
* * * * * Note: In both categories above, special circumstances will be taken into consideration. * * * * *
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
VAJRA BELL
PAGE 5
News from the Boston Sangha
A Spontaneous
Kind of Magic
By Dh. Sunada
“It was on Saturday before dinner. I
was meditating with Savanna in the shrine
room and the atmosphere in the room was
special. I really cannot describe it but I felt
so serene, happy and at peace with myself.
I really don’t know why but it was a special
moment for me. I had never felt this kind
of feeling before. I was just happy to be
there.”
– Celine Yvan, describing her retreat
experience at Aryaloka
Retreats at Aryaloka are always special.
But sometimes, a spontaneous magic arises
that makes a particular one extraordinary
beyond words. That’s what happened when
the three sanghas from Boston, Portland,
and New York got together for a weekend
in February.
The theme was “Living with Purpose.”
It was a multi-faceted exploration of
the concept of sampajanna – the idea of
staying mindful of one’s direction in life,
and staying true to one’s intentions and
inspirations. We studied a small portion
of Sangharakshita’s book, Living with
Awareness, spent lots of time practicing
together and sharing our personal stories and
in general opened up to each other in ways
that allowed us to palpably experience our
beautiful interconnectedness as a sangha.
There were so many occasions when
this theme came alive and “real” for us.
For the New York gang, it all started even
before they arrived in NH. Gary Baker said,
“The car ride was a major highlight. We
truly didn’t know each other, for the most
part, when we met on Friday for the drive
up. Most of us had never even met. But
we bonded immediately, and opened up to
each other so wonderfully, during the long
(7 hour) ride. We laughed, talked, learned,
shared our joys and challenges, and came
away feeling so close.” Honestly, when
they arrived in Newmarket, it looked to the
rest of us like they were all great sangha
buddies.
One reason we seemed to come together
so quickly was the fact that we all came
from farther away sanghas. When one of us
comes to an Aryaloka retreat individually,
it can sometimes feel like we’re trying to
fit into a well-established group of very
close friends. Very friendly and welcoming
ones of course! But it can feel analogous
to moving into a house where all the other
residents have been together and great
friends for years. Even though we’re
welcomed with open arms, we still need to
find ways to fit into a web of friendships
that’s already in place. As Theresa Weir
from Boston put it, “Everybody was just
as clueless about things as everybody else.
We were all in the same boat together.”
As odd as it might sound, this created an
openness that immediately brought us
closer together.
Anne Marie Cooke from Portland said,
“It was my first retreat. And although I
was only there for one day, I can so see the
benefits of staying the entire weekend. It
is such a sense of community, all different
types of people coming together to study
and practice this wonderful way of life.”
Gary, who was also there for the
first time, said, “The overall feeling of
community during the retreat was fantastic.
The three sanghas seem similar in many
ways, truly enabling us to bond and work
together. The food, and the cooperative
work environment preparing it, was
lovely.”
Saturday evening was special for two
people in particular. John Kavanaugh
from Portland had a birthday, so we made
sure to have a cake and celebration after
dinner. And Bradford Malbon from Boston
became a Mitra that night. It was especially
poignant to have his ceremony in the context
of a retreat focusing on spiritual purpose.
To witness him making a commitment to
the Three Jewels in that lovely atmosphere
of supportive sangha was an inspiration
for all of us. Several people mentioned it
as a highlight from the weekend. As for
Bradford, when he came downstairs from
the shrine room after the ceremony, he said
to me, “I feel very loved.” Yes, we made
sure of that.
Oh yes, and there was Suryadhamma
and his service dog, Tighe -- an essential
member of the sangha. “Every retreat
CONCORD SANGHA
Continued on Page 14
PAGE 6
VAJRA BELL
Aryaloka Pledge
Drive Launches!
Kula Corner
By Tom Gaillard
By Sheila Groonell
If you’re reading this, you’re probably
actively involved at Aryaloka. And if you’re
actively involved at Aryaloka, we hope
you’ll commit to supporting our Center by
making a financial pledge today!
Aryaloka spreads the Dharma in a
variety of ways - through classes, retreats
and weekly programs. We are blessed to
be able to count on Aryaloka for so many
opportunities to learn, to share, and to
progress! But Aryaloka counts on us, its
committed members and friends, as the
foundation of its financial health. Put
simply, it costs money to run Aryaloka, and
monthly pledges are our most stable source
of income.
Our pledge kickoff was March 23, and
the enthusiastic volunteers of our Pledge
Kula are reaching out for your support. Our
goal is for 100% of local Order Members,
Mitras and Friends to pledge monthly.
You’ll find pledge forms in the Center, or
you can request one from the office.
Please put Dana into action by making
your monthly pledge today! Your support
is appreciated with generous thanks.
“Sumer is a i-cumin’ in. Lhude sing,
cuccu!”
(“Summer is a-comin’ in. Loudly sing,
cuckoo!”)
Creative Kula Crafts 25th
Anniversary Multimedia
By Stephen Sloan
Aryaloka’s 25th anniversary is coming
up in August with a weeklong celebration
planned. A number of sangha members with
a creative bent have expressed interest in
forming a creative kula to
develop some multi-media
content to show visitors
during the celebration
week.
If you have an interest
in participating please
email ssloan@aryaloka.
org. All ideas are welcome. So far one idea is
creating a slide show type presentation with
pictures of Aryaloka over the years. If you
have any such photos please let us know.
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
...sings the oldest surviving English
language song. As I write this on March
16th, the torrential rains and floods of
the recent Nor’easter have passed into a
glorious, sunny, warm, fresh, breezy day.
Loudly sing, indeed!
The cuckoo sings with joy and gratitude
and so do I. Here, at Aryaloka, we realize
more and more, as our practice deepens,
how dependent we all are on others, how
we live only through the efforts of others,
known and unknown. Our food, clothing,
cars, homes, education, language, our
spiritual home at Aryaloka, have all been
provided to us by the efforts of others.
Without these gifts, we would have
nothing.
At Aryaloka we are fortunate to have
many people who give us their time and
effort so that we may have a beautiful,
peaceful, clean spiritual home. Their dana
is our blessing. Let’s sing of them...
The Aryaloka library is one of the
largest of its kind in the area. Many
people use it. Thanks to Anilasri, Diane
Palaces, Kiranda, Scott Hurley, Tyler and
Samayadevi, the books get registered,
borrowed, returned, and shelved, over
and over again. They’re sort of like the
monks, sweeping the leaves on the path.
There are always more leaves. There are
always more books. Thank you for your
diligence, book sweepers.
We have two new kulas to help our
visitors to Aryaloka. The Hospitality Kula
members will help visitors feel welcomed
by helping them shop for food, have some
social contacts, and show them around
Newmarket, Portsmouth or the Seacoast.
These devis and devas include Denise
Connors, Nina Jordan, Zoltan Molnar,
Joan Rochette, Brian Jervis, Marianne
Hannagan, Elizabeth Hellard, Stephen
Sloan, Susan Sosa, and Janet Kelly. The
Transportation Kula, a.k.a. the Buddha
Bus, will help visitors get from the
C&J bus station to Aryaloka when they
come. Volunteer drivers include Denise
Connors, Bodhana, John Gregg, Zoltan
Molnar, Debby Cardwell, Brian Jervis,
Jahnay Pickett, Nina Jordan, Sue Sosa,
and Elizabeth Hellard. John Gregg (bless
you, John!) will be coordinating both of
these services with our office staff. All
good wishes for this new service venture.
Speaking of office staff, let’s hear a
huge SAAAAAADHUUUUUUUUU for
Vihanasari, Center Administrator, and
Steve Cardwell, Office Manager, who
make everything hum. Just think: every
phone call, every letter, every registration
for every class, workshop, and retreat at
Aryaloka goes through them. Scheduling
and coordinating every activity on the
calendars of Aryaloka, Akashaloka, and
the solitary cabin is their responsibility.
All dealings with outside vendors for
heating, plumbing, recycling, electricity,
and gas are with them. All bills go
through their office. Publicity? Their
responsibility. And who knows what else
they do that no one knows about? They
do everything! Phew! It takes my breath
away just to contemplate the breadth
of their responsibilities. Thank you for
everything.
Tom Gaillard is now heading up the
Mandala of Supporting Friends kula
which includes Dayalocana, Brian Jervis,
Prasannavajri, Sheila Groonell, Mary
Schaeffer, and Elizabeth Hellard. This
kula asks all members of the Aryaloka
community to commit to making a
monthly financial donation to Aryaloka
which is within their means. By doing
so, Aryaloka can be placed on a more
secure financial footing which it sorely
needs. Not everyone is comfortable with
fundraising so a special thanks to you,
Tom and all others on this kula for your
crucial work.
My final thanks in this issue of the
Vajra Bell goes to... the Vajra Bell kula!
KULA CORNER
Continued on Page 14
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
VAJRA BELL
News from Nagaloka
By Gail Yahwak
It feels like spring here in Portland and
things have really heated up at Nagaloka!
Our most exciting and wonderful news is
that five sangha members have asked to
become Mitras! On Wednesday, March
24th John Kavanaugh, Anne Marie Cooke,
Jim Constantine, Janet Miles and Danielle
Richard became Mitras in a ceremony led
by Dharmasuri.
Maitrimani has come forward to
be a Mitra Convenor with help from
Dharmasuri. What joyful news as the
Dharma flows through our sangha. Thank
you to Viriyagita and Prassanavajri for
leading a Becoming a Mitra class which let
these folks discuss their personal practices
and get answers to questions.
Our Wednesday night group has just
finished a seven-week study on meditation
from the Dharma Training Course. It was
a good intro as well as interesting review
on the meditations taught in the FWBO.
Bodhipaksa generously came up and led
a two-week workshop on meditation. He
reviewed the Mindfulness of Breathing
practice the first week and Metta Bhavana
on the second. It was a full house and really
very helpful for beginners and experienced
meditators alike. Thank you so much
Bodhipaksa.
Dharmasuri continues to teach a full
intro class on Tuesday evenings and
is planning to follow it with a Phase II
Beginner class. Our Wednesday night
group is about to begin the Wisdom section
of the Dharma Training Course. Check out
our website for upcoming events, www.
nagalokabuddhistcenter.com.
A Note in Remembrance of Gordon Crandall
Editor’s Note:
Gordon Crandall,
a member of our sangha and a mitra
at Nagaloka in Portland, passed away
recently on January 25th. This kind letter
was sent to us by his daughter. In memory
of Gordon it is printed here.
Dear Sangha Members:
Namaste.
My father, Gordon Crandall, passed
away in the early morning hours yesterday.
He was a supporter of Aryaloka and had
many beloved friends there. I will hold
forever the memories of the retreats and
pujas that he and I attended.
He was so thrilled when Sunada sang
the song of the “Old Roshi” for him the last
time he was there. He left this world sitting
with his head in his hands, in peace and
with much metta for all.
He taught me so much and had such
wonderful stories to share. We all will miss
him very much. Thank you for so much
kindness.
With much metta,
Sharon Hawkes
PAGE 7
News from the
Concord Sangha
Developing
Peace of Mind
By Stephen Sloan
The Concord sangha held one of
its weekend retreats on March 19th
and 20th. The theme of the retreat was
“Developing Peace of Mind.” The
retreat was well attended with several
volunteers from the Aryaloka sangha
and nearly forty men from Concord.
The retreat began Friday night with
the Refuges and Precepts and a period of
meditation. Discussion followed sparked
by a quote from Shantideva: “We who
are like senseless children shrink from
suffering, but love its causes. We hurt
ourselves; our pain is self-inflicted!”
Saturday was a full day. Rich Cormier
from the Concord sangha was the retreat
leader for the day. He facilitated a lively
discussion culminating with a look at the
Brahma-Viharas and the Meta Bhavana
practice. During the final check-out
everyone agreed that it had been a most
fruitful weekend. The next Concord
retreat will be in July.
A Letter from
Bob Montgomery
By Bob Montgomery
As a person who searched the world
over for my identity, I had to be in prison
to stop and slow down long enough to
openly and honestly look within and
recover who I have always been - to find
the Buddha within, without conditions.
The world brings lots of conditioning
by way of family, traditions, social
acceptance or rejection in schools,
psychiatry, and “the church,” or religion.
These can be hard-lined, controlling,
CONCORD SANGHA
Continued on Page 14
PAGE 8
VAJRA BELL
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
Compassionate Communication
By Dh. Shantigarbha
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and
rightdoing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
~ Rumi
When I’m introducing Compassionate
Communication, I usually ask the group
to roleplay a familiar conflict situation. I
invite you to imagine that you are standing
in the kitchen with one of the people you
live with. You are both in pain. One of you
says, “You’re a slob!” The other replies,
“You’re obsessed!” So, they tell each other
their thoughts about what the other one is –
they use labels: “slob,” “obsessed.”
Hearing these labels, the pain in both
of them increases, and the first one says,
“You’re a bad person to live with.” The
other replies, “You’re wrong about that.”
So they make judgements of each other
in terms of good, bad, right and wrong.
The pain increases and they start overtly
blaming each other and imposing their
judgement: “It’s your fault – you should
be more mindful!” And the other replies,
“This is your problem – own it! You should
go and see a psychiatrist about it.”
Hearing the “shoulds,” the pain on
both sides increases and they switch to the
language of no choice; “You can’t carry
on like this.” The other replies, “You can’t
talk to me like that – it’s not allowed.” And
to finish they resort to demands (threats)
to make their point; “If you don’t tidy up
the kitchen this evening then you’ve got to
leave!” And the other replies, “If you don’t
back off right now, I will!”
Does this sound familiar? In my
experience, this is the kind of language
that comes out of people’s mouths when
they are in conflict. It’s the language we’ve
learned to speak when we’re in pain. I call
it the Language of Disconnection.
So what’s the alternative to this familiar
slanging match? The way that I’ve found
to be most effective is to get in touch with
what is in the hearts of both sides – the
“good reasons” why they are acting and
speaking in this way. These “good reasons”
are distinct from any particular strategy that
the two of them might have for fulfilling
them.
What’s important to the first person, the
one who said, “You’re a slob!”? We could
guess: “Do you long for a sense of order,
or care around the house? Do you value
mindfulness or awareness, or perhaps
health?”
And what’s important to the other person,
the one who said, ‘You’re obsessed!’? We
could guess: “Do you want a sense of
perspective and self-responsibility? Do
you value respect and autonomy, perhaps
ease?”
This is what I mean by creating
compassionate connection: finding out
what is important (what are the needs) on
both sides. People usually have an “Aha!”
moment just looking at these two lists of
needs – realising that there are needs on both
sides. OK, so maybe it’s easier for them to
identify with one side or the other, but they
get a glimpse that both sides are needing
something, are longing for something that
would enrich their lives.
I’ve found that when people are
connected at this level, whether they live
in a Buddhist community in the UK, the
slums of India, war-torn Sri Lanka, or a US
prison, they are only a short distance from
finding a solution that honours both sides,
where no one gives in or gives up.
LIFE-ENRICHING QUALITIES
What enriches your life? We’ve already
got:
• a sense of order
• care for their living space
• mindfulness / awareness
• health
• a sense of perspective
• self-responsibility
• respect
• autonomy
• ease
What would you add to this list? Here’s
what I would add:
• love
• honesty
• empathy
• freedom
• wholeness
• beauty
• peace
• harmony
COMMUNICATION
Continued on Page 9
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
COMMUNICATION
Continued from Page 8
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
growth
vitality
to contribute to life
meaning / inspiration / purpose
to be valued
food, air, water, shelter, rest,
movement
safety
control / choice
power (empowerment)
understanding (to understand and to be
understood)
support and encouragement
connection
to matter and belong
recognition
self-acceptance
creativity
play
spontaneity / authenticity
RIGHT SPEECH
Continued from Page 1
unbeneficial, but endearing & agreeable to
others, he does not say them.
[5] “In the case of words that the
Tathagata knows to be factual, true,
unbeneficial, but endearing & agreeable to
others, he does not say them.
[6] “In the case of words that the
Tathagata knows to be factual, true,
beneficial, and endearing & agreeable to
others, he has a sense of the proper time
for saying them. Why is that? Because the
Tathagata has sympathy for living beings.”
~ Majjhima Nikaya 58
This advice suggests a deep practice.
For us to know when words are factual
or unfactual, beneficial or unbeneficial,
endearing or unendearing, agreeable or
disagreeable, we must pay careful attention
to our speech before we even utter one word.
We must know both our own state of mind
that precedes our speech and the condition
of those who will hear our speech.
Just to consider one aspect of speech,
truthful speech, requires significant work.
VAJRA BELL
• celebrating dreams/goals/values
• mourning (mourning lost dreams and
lost lives)
REACHING OUT TO HUMANITY
When I’m doing this with a group of
people, I usually ask them at this point,
“Are there any ‘needs’ on this list that you
haven’t been in touch with in the course of
your life?” I haven’t yet heard someone say
“No.” Then I ask, “Do you think that there
is anybody in this room who hasn’t been in
touch with all of these at some point in their
life?” Again, I haven’t yet heard someone
say ‘No.’ Then I ask them to reach out in
their imaginations to the people in the local
town, the country, the continent, the entire
world, and ask the same question, “Do you
imagine that there is a human being who
hasn’t been in touch with all of these at
some point in their life?” There’s usually a
Often our perception of the truth is clouded
by our spiritual ignorance. We cling tightly
to a self-view and usually our speech is
slanted towards that self-view. Perhaps
unconsciously we “revise” our story so
that it supports our self-view. For instance
I might have given a speech to a local
organization. There were about twenty
people who heard my speech. However,
when the local reporter call for information
to include an article he is writing, I tell
him there were nearly fifty people at the
meeting. Literally my story isn’t far from
the truth, but I have shaded the truth to make
the event seem more important than it was.
I’m sure all of us can come up with similar
examples. Sometimes we even begin to
believe our own stories making discerning
the truth even more difficult. I’ve heard
many stories concerning divorce that could
fall into this category. So it’s important for
us to try to overcome our ignorance in order
to be able to practice Right Speech.
Here’s what the Buddha said:
“And how is right view the forerunner?
One discerns wrong speech as wrong
speech, and right speech as right speech.
And what is wrong speech? Lying, divisive,
tale-bearing, abusive speech, & idle chatter.
PAGE 9
pause while people do this for themselves.
I haven’t yet heard someone say ‘No.’ It’s
at these moments that I quiver with a sense
of common humanity – a sense of deeply
belonging to the human race. When we
are connected at this level, I trust that the
words will come by themselves.
About the author:
Shantigarbha has been a regular visitor
to Aryaloka for the last four years. He has
appeared on Sri Lankan TV to talk about
Non-Violent Communication, and has
written regular columns on NVC in two
UK magazines: Juno (a natural approach
to family life) and Funky Raw (raw food).
He’s just written a book on empathy from a
Buddhist perspective.
For
more
information
about
Shantigarbha, his trainings in the UK,
India and the USA, and his writings, visit
seedofpeace.org.
This is wrong speech...
“One tries to abandon wrong speech
& to enter into right speech: This is one’s
right effort. One is mindful to abandon
wrong speech & to enter & remain in right
speech: This is one’s right mindfulness.
Thus these three qualities — right view,
right effort, & right mindfulness — run &
circle around right speech.”
~ Majjhima Nikaya 117:3
So in addition to working with
ignorance, it is also critical to practice
mindfulness in order to be aware before
speech leaves our mouth, and to employ
continuous effort to eliminate wrong
speech. It is this interaction with the other
limbs of the eightfold path that can make
Right Speech a complete practice on its
own. When we’re fully engaged in Right
Speech, we’re touching the wisdom path
(Right View), the meditation path (Right
Effort and Right Mindfulness) and the
ethics path (Right Speech). Spend a day
(or week or lifetime) with the practice of
Right Speech and you’re sure to appreciate
the importance of this limb of the Noble
Eightfold Path.
PAGE 10
VAJRA BELL
Online In-Site
By Eric Wentworth
The Online In-Site column often
flags websites of interest or discusses a
new digital trend, but in this issue we’re
going to focus our attention right here at
home. There’s lots going on at Aryaloka
and in the Triratna community at large.
Much of it will bring our sangha into
an exciting new realm, as we build
community online to supplement and
extend our real-world connections.
One
wonderful
addition
to
Aryaloka’s online presence is its new
Facebook page. You can find it at
http://www.facebook.com/aryaloka Or
you can also find it by searching for
Aryaloka on your Facebook homepage.
For any sangha members who use
Facebook regularly, this is a great way
to keep in touch with what’s going at
moment-to-moment at the center.
Just become a fan of Aryaloka on
Facebook, and you’ll instantly receive
updates, notifications, class descriptions,
and other news. All of the vital contact
information and details about Aryaloka
are available under “Info,” and the
“Photos” tab has a fantastic selection
of uploaded images, including some
memorabilia from the early days of the
center. As the page comes even further
online, there are tabs for discussion and
event listings to be found there as well.
So, become a fan today, stay informed,
and share your comments!
Other exciting developments that
will unfold as the year continues are
complete overhauls of Aryaloka’s
website
(http://www.aryaloka.org),
Free Buddhist Audio (http://www.
freebuddhistaudio.com), and the central
website for the Triratna Buddhist
Community.
Keep your eyes peeled for
announcements and changes - it
promises to be an active 2010.
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
Movie Review
By Eric Wentworth
“Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion”
(2003), 100 minutes, Unrated
Available on Netflix
The jarring experience that this
film induces can be summarized with
a description of the first ten minutes.
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion opens with a
soaring view of
the Himalayan
plateau in all of
its beauty and
glory.
Prayer
flags flutter at
icy peaks against
a backdrop of
clear azure sky.
One feels a sense
of spaciousness
which, in the
following
minutes,
is
brought crashing down as this beauty is
contrasted with the recounting of a 1987
massacre of Tibetans and the ensuing
uprising in Lhasa.
These disturbing scenes of oppression,
murder, abuse of power, and despair reveal
the simple truth that the situation in Tibet
is truly dire.
Narrated by Martin Sheen, Tibet: Cry
of the Snow Lion took ten years to film,
weaving its way through the scenery of
modern-day Tibet, India, and Nepal and
calling upon historical footage from a time
when Tibet was still sovereign. The film
borrows its name from the celestial animal
of Tibet, the Snow Lion, found on Tibet’s
national flag.
Aside from being a visually rich movie,
with fantastic filming and excellent source
material, it is an excellent introduction to
the current political and social conditions
within Tibet, and it does a very good job
of explaining the culture and history of the
region.
I found the long view of Tibet’s history
to be very rewarding, and it gave me a
much deeper understanding of many things
that were hazy before.
There are fascinating explanations of,
for instance, how Tibet adopted Buddhism,
the role of the Dalai Lama in Tibet’s
former religious and political climate, the
details of China’s invasion of the country
and the origins of the dispute around its
sovereignty, and how the current situation
has evolved from the conditions of Tibet’s
past.
One tidbit I found vastly interesting
is that at the height of Tibet’s culture, 85
percent of its wealth was willingly spent to
support the monastic community, with ten
percent of the population having become
monks and nuns themselves. Every family
had a close relative who was a monastic
- the entire culture was geared around
producing enlightened people.
There are also harrowing demonstrations
of the subjugation and restrictions that the
Tibetan people undergo in modern-day
Tibet, under the rule of the Chinese that
will open your eyes to what is happening
to our Dharma brothers and sisters halfway
across the globe.
I asked myself many times throughout
the film, “If this were my local sangha
living under video surveillance, in utter
poverty, restricted from openly practicing
their religion, inundated with uncaring
immigrants from an occupying nation,
watching my fellow practitioners be
beaten, tortured, and killed, and the
monasteries and culture of my home being
systematically eradicated, how would
I react?” I asked, “Would I be able to
compose myself in a way that is in keeping
with a firm belief in non-violence, as these
people do?”
Such strength is inspiring.
Please be sure Aryaloka’s windows stay closed in winter and remember
to close them when leaving the center in warmer months. Thank you!
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
VAJRA BELL
PAGE 11
Indian Order Member Kumarjeev Visits Aryaloka
By Dh. Narottama
In January our East Coast sangha
members were treated to a visit by
Kumarjeev, an Order member from Nagpur,
India. He arrived late one evening, after
26 hours of travel, having been retrieved
from Logan Airport by the capable and
generous hands of Viryagita. A mound of
warm clothing donated by local folks was
waiting for him along with an evening meal
prepared by Marianne Hannigan.
I had the pleasure of spending many
hours with this deeply devoted and
dedicated man. We went for a long walk,
drank many cups of tea and coffee together
and played in the mid-winter wonderland,
making snow stupas. Introducing him to the
craft of forming and throwing a snow ball
and walking through the white forest where
deep green hemlock boughs whispered with
the falling snow illuminated the magic of
being playfully present with another. He
had never seen snow falling from the sky
nor knew how the roads were kept so clean
of the cold white covering.
In his very distant world Kumarjeev has
a wife and two daughters in India and is
part of the Ordination team that oversees
approximately 1,500 mitras in Northern
India. For Kumarjeev to travel 1,000
kilometers to a retreat that is attended by
many hundreds of people is not unusual in
any given year.
He is also chairman of two trusts
that help raise and distribute funds to
continue the essential work of bringing the
Dharma to help liberate those entrenched
in the oppressive caste system in India.
Following in the insightful foot steps of
Dr. Ambedkar, Kumarjeev works tirelessly,
with much of his energy focused on helping
the untouchable caste.
His stories about the major obstacles
in India of institutionalized prejudice and
Buddhaworks
The Aryaloka Bookstore
* Meditation Candles
* DVDs from Pema Chodron
and Lama Surya Das
* Meditation Journals
* CDs from Thich Nhat Hanh
* Singing Bowls
* Brass Door Chimes from
Nepal and India
* Children’s Coloring Books
* Lots and Lots of Great Books!
Your support brightens Aryaloka’s future.
Buddhaworks is located at the Aryaloka Buddhist Center
violence seem overwhelming and daunting.
Yet if you spent time with him you see
that Kumarjeev has a loving, steady, and
dedicated heart that tirelessly strives to
bring the Dharma to the poorest, most
marginalized of the Indian peoples, in spite
of the obstacles. He and his brothers and
sisters of the Triratna Buddhist Community
in India are engaged in active social change
that positively impacts the lives of vast
numbers of people in in that country.
Telling his life story in the men’s mitra
class and giving several talks brought a
warm personal element to his life’s work.
On another and very important level it
allowed those attending his talks and being
with him to connect with the international
aspect of the Triratna Buddhist Community
as we mindfully attempt to work in harmony
with friends and brethren from all over the
world to practice, study and realize the
universal truths of the Buddhadharma as
interpreted by Bhante Sangharakshita.
We gave to Kumarjeev our gifts of
hospitality and community. He gave to us
a piece of his life vision that can inspire,
support, and encourage our own individual
and collective endeavors for the sake of all
beings.
May he come back again to continue to
help enlighten our world in the East Coast
Sangha.
PAGE 12
VAJRA BELL
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
Vertical Awareness: Overcoming Doubt in Climbing Meditation
By Peter Ingraham
Breathe in…breathe out. Breathe in…
breathe out. Left foot, right foot. Left arm,
right arm. Relax. Look up. See the next
move. Breathe in…breathe out…
The rock around me is plastered with
white — rime ice and snow stick to every
exposed surface. The frozen blue ice flow
that I’m climbing bulges out of the gully
amid craggy overhangs laden with icicles.
Above me, stunted fir cling desperately to
the cliff top, eking out a bleak existence on a
wind-blasted ledge.
As I ascend, I am totally focused: each
ice axe placement a mix of finesse and force.
Each crampon kick an exercise in control
and balance. In this stance, 100 feet above
my climbing partner, Michelle, there is not
much room for error. A form of focused
mental energy almost inaccessible to me in
daily life takes over my existence, and keeps
me moving upward toward the top. To lose
focus would be to head uncontrollably in
the other direction, a fact that is part of my
current awareness. A thought arises, which I
note and set aside for the sake of my mortal
being: What other choice do I have?
Mountaineering has been my refuge for
many years—a time when experience is rich
and reality is stark. Its beauty lies in exploring
one’s limits, in pushing the physical being
and, more significantly perhaps, exercising
the depths of the mind. As the route
steepens, the nagging doubt in the back of
the mind begins to fill the awareness. The
only path to success is to focus on climbing.
Achievement, in many cases, lies not in
overcoming physical barriers like ice or
wind or rock, but in overcoming doubt.
It became clear to me recently, when I
took up Buddhism and mindfulness, that in
seeking new paths up mountains, at least in
part, I have been seeking meditative practice.
It would be easy to see mountaineers as
escapists; macho weekend warriors with
something to prove or adrenaline junkies
craving that next thrill. I’m certain that view
is correct for some. Indeed, though I may not
admit it, those labels may have applied to
me at times. But the truth lies elsewhere as
well. Achieving utter concentration, setting
aside all mental hindrance, and reaching a
state of total focus brings a certain bliss that
might not be the most apparent aspect of the
sport.
In walking meditation, standing and
moving become the object of the practice.
The movement of the limbs becomes the
focus of mindfulness. My first try at it was
a profound experience: I never knew my
balance shifted quite that way, or that much,
in my stride. How had I missed that subtle
twist in my spine after so many decades?
In the absence of meditation teaching,
climbing is walking meditation, with
orthogonal shifts in perspective. Walking
meditation essentially forces attention
to the walking; it’s difficult to stand and
move deliberately without mindfulness.
Climbing, while done on a different plane,
forces attention as well. One can’t help but
be conscious of the void below. With that in
mind, each movement becomes an exercise
in precision and control, each placement of
the ice axe the action that keeps one moving
up, not down.
Meditation is a mix of alertness and
relaxation—a combination that is counterintuitive to the inexperienced. Climbing
requires the same mix: One is constantly
vigilant of one’s stance, the surrounding ice,
or wind and weather. Simultaneously, one
must move effectively and efficiently, the
body and mind relaxed and supple, leaving
the mental and physical space to find the next
move upwards, to identify the next stance.
When one is solving the vertical puzzle that
is the climb, as with beginner’s mind, one
must see all possibilities. To see only one is
to miss the opportunity to find the good ice,
the safe route, or the way home.
When I arrive at the top, the world around
me comes into focus. I leave the myopia of
moving over ice and snow and take in the
world beyond the gully. The mountainside
sweeps down below me, the forest and talus
below grading into the valley floor. The
towering ridges across the valley are bathed in
clouds that descend and evaporate. Michelle
is on her way up, her own awareness shifted
to moving vertically. I can hear her moving:
left, right, breathe, relax.
VERTICAL AWARENESS
Continued on Page 14
Puja Evenings an Opportunity for Collective Practice
By Stephen Sloan
Puja is a Pali word that means “honor,
worship and devotional attention.” There
are several traditional elements that can
be involved in a puja (thanks to www.
buddhamind.info):
• Offerings - Flowers, candles and
incense that can be placed on the
shrine.
• Bowing - An act of humility before the
shrine, and what it represents.
• Lights - These need not be limited to
offerings on the shrine.
• Chanting - The use of traditional
chants to connect with both the
wisdom teachings of the Buddha and
to the devotional heart.
• Meditation - Opening in silence to the
“spirit” of the occasion or contemplating
an aspect of the teaching.
• Relationship - Developing a sense of
communion with all present through
group activity, bowing, chanting, etc.
Each month on the Friday nearest
the full moon there’s an opportunity to
join together at Aryaloka for a collective
experience of reverence. This practice of
puja during the full moon goes back to the
days of the Buddha.
Performing the puja together gives us a
strong connection to the Buddha and all of
the followers of the Way over the centuries.
Please join us.
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
VAJRA BELL
PAGE 13
Inner Discovery at Noble Silence Retreat
By Dh. Narottama
From Tuesday evening, March 2nd
through Sunday, March 7th a Noble Silence
retreat was held at Akashaloka. Attended
by seven experienced meditators, the
retreatants - Bodhana, Dave Macklin,
Sheila Groonell, Karunasara, Steve
Cardwell, Zoltan Molnar, and Narottama
- began with an emphasis on collective
support for each other as sangha members. We spoke of creating a spiritual community
based in metta for ourselves and others that
would support trust and confidence over this
short period. This gave rise to a deep sense
of unity and cohesion while being self-led,
following our own individual meditation
training directions. After the introduction
period, Bodhana led us in a vow of silence
in call and response:
“I vow to maintain Noble Silence.
Silence in body, silence in mind, and
silence in speech for the next four days. I
will strive to maintain stillness at all times.
I will strive to maintain mindfulness at all
times. I will strive to be joyful. I make this
vow for the benefit of all beings.”
With the exception of reciting the refuges
and precepts in unison each morning, the
meaning of which is foundational to being
a Buddhist, we were in total silence until a
Sunday morning puja to end the retreat.
In silence, the depth and sensitivity of
communication deepened as we became
more concentrated and aware. Mindfulness
and metta were king as we went deeper into
stillness in body and mind.
No food prep or clean up was required
from the retreatants except from Bodhana,
a ‘maestro’ in the kitchen, assisted by
Narottama. There were no teachings,
talks, or discussions of any kind. Cleanup after meals was not required, yet if a
genuine impulse to participate arose dishes
could be washed and food put away. If,
however, using discriminating awareness,
one wanted to help clean up just to be busy
or wanted some form of recognition the
encouragement was to stay as still as you
can with that ego-clinging.
This retreat allowed for a continuity
Noble Silence Retreat attendees (back row, left to right): Narottama, Zoltan Molnar, Bodhana, Dave
Macklin, (front row row, left to right): Sheila Groonell, Karunasara, Steve Cardwell.
and building of momentum for stillness
and mindfulness with the fewest possible
external distractions. It was strongly
advised to stow away all electronic gear
and avoid recreational reading. The three
Order members and four mitras sat in four
two -hour blocks each day with meals and
breaks between. As the retreat deepened,
personal resistances were observed, met,
and worked with as the rich ground of our
individual egos and life conditions arose.
In reporting out, some of the metaphors
used to describe the parts of us that are
hidden as we hurry through our busy
days, not really in touch with our deepest
selves, were a bullhorn shouting past
unskillfulness, a basement door opening
to allow thousands of bats to escape, and
digging through old dirty laundry. We hit
walls of our own unique design. The ego
creates hindrances that follow like a comet
trail as we travel through our lives semiaware of our actions and their inevitable
consequences. What a fantastic opportunity
for growth, which was held and supported
in spiritual friendship.
As the resistances dissolved it left
an ever-growing sense of peace and
tranquillity that expressed itself in many
hours of sitting together in silence, in the
shrine, in the lounge, and at the table,
appreciating each other and the flow of the
present moment experience.
The Dhammapada states that the person
who bests a thousand others a thousand
times in battle is not as great as the person
that bests themself.
Much appreciation and many thanks
to those involved in offering support and
guidance as the seed of this retreat was
planted. May the rare and beautiful tree
that has sprouted from this retreat continue
to sink deep roots into Sangharakshita’s
clarity of the Dharma, allowing the golden
branches of spiritual friendship to open and
expand outward into our sangha and the
deep blue sky beyond.
Love to all,
Narottama
PAGE 14
VAJRA BELL
VERTICAL AWARENESS
CONCORD SANGHA
As I sit here, the exertion of the climb
wearing off and the chill taking root, I
consider the scene before me. The ice is an
almost perfect exemplar of impermanence.
A few months ago it wasn’t here; in a few
months more it will be gone again, washed
clean in the spring warmth or baked in the
summer sun. Indeed, if I were to look even
more closely, I’d see the building ice along
the cliff face as the sun melts the snow, only
for it to refreeze below in the shadow of the
gully. Were I to come back tomorrow, this
climb might look totally different—a night
of wind and cold could build the ice and add
more frost.
And so it is with this day in the
mountains – a pleasure that can not last. Our
climb has ended and we leave our realm of
calm exertion to head down the other side,
back to our lives outside of the mountains.
Or do we? I know that, as in mindfulness
meditation, this day, like all the similar days
before it, will have an effect on the rest
of my life. While a day at home is almost
completely unlike a day on the mountain,
that nagging voice of doubt can still be
present in my awareness. And though my
physical wellbeing may not be at stake, I can
summon a sense of confidence cultivated on
the ice: breathe in…breathe out…see the
next move.
and exclusive. I survived more than fifty
years of that and went to prison. After six
years in prison I “arrived.” When I am
asked, “Who are you?” I respond, “I am
arriving.”
I’ve worked on recovering since the
first day of coming to prison and continue
to do so. I found that the basic Buddhist
understanding of life is similar to how I
thought and felt as a child, but then I had
no “acceptable” outlet to express or live it
- how sad. How that hurts, and still does.
It is an example of cause and conditions.
However, I suffer less from that now
Continued from Page 12
BOSTON SANGHA
Continued from Page 5
should have a dog as spiritually enlightened
as Suryadhamma’s,” said Gary. “No
doubt.”
Many talked of coming away with a
fresh perspective on themselves and their
lives. John summed up his thoughts by
saying, “What I took away was a sense
of hopefulness. My journey over the last
several years has been around the issue
of learning to love and accept myself. It
has been hard. To me, the message of
Sravaniya’s talk was that to love others, one
must learn to love oneself. This concept is
very very important to me, especially since
I am fast approaching my declining years.”
Celine, who is from France, said, “It
was one of the best experiences of my life
Continued from Page 7
KULA CORNER
Continued from Page 6
The members of the Vajra Bell,
the Aryaloka newspaper, under the
leadership of Eric Wentworth, write, edit,
lay out and publish the many articles,
poems, musings, and photographs that
appear in our quarterly publication. In
addition they encourage other community
members to write up their experiences
with Buddhism and Aryaloka. You, the
members of the Vajra Bell Kula, including
Eric, Vihanasari, Stephen Sloan, Ashley
Bush, Daniel Bush, Elizabeth Hellard, and
Suzanne Woodland draw our community
and a turning point in my spiritual life. I
was a little doubtful before because it’s not
easy for me to practice in a foreign country,
in a foreign language, and in a city like
New York. But I am not doubtful anymore.
I know I made a good decision and will
continue in this direction even though I
know it won’t be easy.”
Since this was the first time on retreat
for several people, I asked if they had any
words of encouragement for others who are
still unsure about trying one out.
Gary said, “Just do it. There’s no other
way. It is likely to be an experience that
will offer you tremendous rest, relaxation,
insight, and comfort. Your meditation
technique will be enhanced, and you’ll
potentially be energized to make real
improvements in your life. You’ll be
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
as I am “arriving” and taking refuge in
the Three Jewels through study, daily
meditation, being with other prisoners,
and especially with the company of
those from Aryaloka Retreat Center who
volunteer to be here with me in prison.
The other day a new volunteer for a
support group in prison asked me how
long I have been a Buddhist. I snapped
right back, “All my life.” Then I smiled
and explained. He knew what I meant.
So nice to be.
I am.
Bob Montgomery
November 2009
closer together and inspire us through the
Vajra Bell. We are very grateful.
Once again , I am overwhelmed with
gratitude at the efforts of our community,
our spiritual family, to share the path and
its responsibilities, the inspiration and its
fruits, through our kula system.
May all members of our sangha find
a joyful place of giving in the Aryaloka
kula family. Thus we all can be baby
bodhisattvas to each other. Now that’s a
song to sing!
Please contact me at 778-7522 or
[email protected], if you are
inspired to join our giving family.
hanging out with the most accepting,
friendly, open bunch of people you’re
likely ever to meet. They’re there to work
on themselves, and to help you work on
yourself.”
Celine said, “I strongly encourage
anyone to do it to deepen their practice.
Even if it’s a little scary. It’s so worthwhile!
It was one of the best decisions I have
ever made. It’s very stimulating for your
practice and such joy to feel that you’re part
of a sangha. I often practice alone and it’s
not easy. With a retreat experience, taking
refuge in the sangha makes so much more
sense.”
And so when Sunday afternoon came,
we said our goodbyes with hugs, radiant
faces, and even a few tears of joy. We will
definitely do this again. No doubt.
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
VAJRA BELL
PAGE 15
Poetry Corner
granite, over fire. We listen hard
Faith
By Lin Illingworth End of season. March wind keens across
the white quilt of this pond, patterned in drift
and stitched with periwinkle tree-shadow.
Fresh powder shushes each snowshoe step
over ice a foot thick, over sleeping fish, over
UPCOMING
Continued from Page 16
27
28
28
29
30
Sangha Night - 6:45-9
Insight Meditation Class (4 wks.,
experienced meditators) – 7-9, Bodhipaksa
Introduction to Meditation and Buddhism,
7-9 p.m.
Women’s Mitra Class
Meditation and Puja – 7-9
MAY
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
6-9
9
10
11
12
12
13
14-16
14-16
17
18
Introduction to Meditation –
Metta Bhavana – 10-4
GFR Women’s Day
Men’s Day
Men’s Mitra Class
Sangha Night – 6:45-9
Introduction to Buddhism and Meditation,
7-9 p.m.
Women’s Mitra Class
Open Heart, Quiet Mind Yoga
and Meditation Retreat
String Quartet Concert – Talk at 5:45,
Concert at 6:30 p.m.
Men’s Mitra Class
Sangha Night – 6:45-9
Introduction to Meditation and Buddhism,
7-9 p.m.
Council Meeting- 6:10 p.m.
Women’s Mitra Class
Living With Mindfulness Retreat, Viriyalila
Insight Retreat, Bodhipaksa
Men’s Mitra Class
Sangha Night – 6:45-9
20
22-23
24
25
28
29
31
for the crack and boom of this indigo glass
giving way, hear only the nicker of what
sun calls forth, invisible sap and the faint
hum of what seems so far off
yet which our bones sing back
as certainty.
Women’s Mitra Class
Working Together Weekend
(center maintenance/upkeep)
Men’s Mitra Class
Sangha Night – 6:45-9
Meditation and Puja/Wesak Celebration – 7-9
Order Day
Men’s Mitra Class
JUNE
1
3
6
7
8
10
11-13
14
15
16
17
19
20
20
21
22
24
24-27
25
27
28
29
Sangha Night – 6:45-9
Women’s Mitra Class
Pancake Breakfast to support
women’s ordination process
Men’s Mitra Class
Sangha Night – 6:45-9
Women’s Mitra Class
Yoga Weekend, Lily Sibley
Men’s Mitra Class
Sangha Night – 6:45-9
Council Meeting - 6:10 p.m.
Women’s Mitra Class
Introduction to Meditation –
Mindfulness – 10-4
Men’s Day
Women’s Day
Men’s Mitra Class
Sangha Night – 6:45-9
Women’s Mitra Class – alternate location
Rental
Meditation and Puja – 7-9
Possible Order Day
Men’s Mitra Class
Sangha Night – 6:45-9
PAGE 16
VAJRA BELL
VOLUME 8, ISSUE II
Upcoming Events
(All events are subject to change. For the latest upto-date information, please call the office or check our
web site: http://www.aryaloka.org)
(Akasaloka events are in italics.)
APRIL
1-3
1
3-5
3
5
6
7
7
8
11
NVC Basics – begs. 4/1 at 7 p.m., ends 4/3
at 3:30 p.m. – Shantigarbha
Women’s Mitra Class
NVC Deepening + Conflict
(intermediate level) begs. 4/3 at 7 p.m.,
ends 4/5 in p.m. - Shantigarbha
The Mindfulness of Poem-Making – 10-3,
Saddhamala & Lin Illingworth
Men’s Mitra Class
Sangha Night - 6:45-9
Insight Meditation Class (4 wks.,
experienced meditators) – 7-9, Bodhipaksa
Introduction to Meditation and Buddhism
(6 wks.) 7-9 p.m., Narottama
Women’s Mitra Class
Pancake Breakfast to support women’s
ordination process
12
13
14
14
15
16
17
17
18
18
19
20
21
21
22
24
25
26
Men’s Mitra Class
Sangha Night - 6:45-9
Insight Meditation Class (4 wks.,
experienced meditators) – 7-9, Bodhipaksa
Introduction to Meditation and Buddhism,
7-9 p.m.
Women’s Mitra Class
Heather Maloney Concert – 7 p.m.
Introduction to Meditation –
Mindfulness – 10-4
Women’s Day
Men’s Day
Council Meeting 9-5
Men’s Mitra Class
Sangha Night - 6:45-9
Insight Meditation Class (4 wks.,
experienced meditators) – 7-9, Bodhipaksa
Introduction to Meditation and Buddhism,
7-9 p.m.
Women’s Mitra Class
Rental – all day
Order Day
Men’s Mitra Class
UPCOMING
Continued on Page 15
Ongoing
Sangha Night at Aryaloka
Full Moon Puja
•
•
•
•
The rich devotional practice of meditation and puja is
shared on these special Friday nights by those who find
devotion an important part of their practice.
Every Tuesday evening, 6:45-9:00 p.m.
Led by Amala, Arjava, and Suzanne
Open to all who have attended an
introductory class at Aryaloka
Fee: Suggested donation $10 per class
No registration necessary
Typically, our Tuesday night activities include:
•
•
•
•
6:45 - Gathering, tea and announcements
7:00 - Meditation and shrine room activity
7:45 - Study, discussion or a talk on the evening’s topic
9:00 - End
With all of the activities, you are free to participate or to
just sit and listen. Nothing is compulsory. If you have any
questions, please ask!
Friday evenings as scheduled. See the Aryaloka website
or Vajra Bell events schedule for dates and locations.
7:00 p.m. meditation, followed by puja.
“When we celebrate the Sevenfold Puja, which combines
faith and devotion with poetry and sometimes an element
of visual beauty, we find that our emotional energies are to
some extent refined. When this happens, it becomes possible
for the vision and insight of the higher thinking center to act
through these refined, sublimated emotional centers directly
on the moving center. In this way, the whole of life is completely transformed.”
Sangharakshita ~ Ritual and Devotion