The Ocean - A Quarterly for Florida Buddhists

LOCAL CALENDAR

NORTHERN FLORIDA...

SEPTEMBER 2010, KARMA THEGSUM CHOLING, Jacksonville

Weekly Practice Schedule

Saturday: 10:00 am until Noon •10:00 am Silent sitting meditation practice. •10:30 am The practice of the Chenrezig & Amitabha sadhanas with Lama Tsultrim Khandro, with a short teaching afterwards. •All are welcome to attend. Additional teachings and classes are offered on an ongoing basis. For more information please visit Upcoming Events. To stay up to date on all activites, please consider subscribing to Our Newsletter.

http://www.ktcjax.org/welcome/events.html

SEPTEMBER 2010, TALLAHASSEE CHAN GROUP, Tallahassee

Affiliated with the Dharma Drum Mountain Lineage of Chan Buddhism, the Tallahassee Chan Group (TCG) is dedicated to the teachings of Chinese Chan/Zen Buddhism. Guogu (Dr. Jimmy Yu, Assistant Professor of Religion at Florida State University) is the Dharma teacher. He received inka (affirmation of Chan experience) from the late Chan Master Sheng Yen (1930-2009) in 1995 and is one of his senior lay teachers in the Dharma Drum Chan lineage.

*Monday Evening Sittings*: Located at the Tallahassee Buddhist Community facility from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. There are two 20-minute periods of seated meditation, punctuated by short periods of either walking meditation or mindful Yoga. Each meeting concludes with a short session of questions and answers. If you have no meditation experience, please arrive 20 minutes before the meeting for basic meditation instructions.

*July 4th*: One-day Chan Retreat from 9am - 5pm. Registration required and space is limited.

For more information, please contact us at tallahassee.chan@gmail.com or visit us at:

http://www.tallahasseebuddhistcommunity.org/mondayevening.shtml

SEPTEMBER 2010, PEMA TALLAHASSEE, Tallahassee

Weekly Practice Schedule

There is an ongoing Tuesday practice at 7:00PM at The Tallahassee Tibetan Center at 1103 Hays Street. Pema Tallahassee a satellite center of the Padmasambhava Buddhist Centers.

Practice is open to everyone regardless of their religion, religious background or experience with Tibetan Buddhism, the Nyingma lineage or the Khenpo Rinpoches. Practice generally includes chanting, visualization and seated silent meditation. If you wish a brief introduction, or have questions, please call and arrange so that you can be given a brief intro before the regularly scheduled practices. Please wear comfortable but modest clothing. Chairs as well as cushions are available. Practice generally lasts about an hour.

Please contact Eric at 850-274-4270 or Craigie at 850-561-0990 if you have questions.

http://groups.google.com/group/pema-tlh/browse_thread/thread/a7c93b2a41b5847d

SEPTEMBER 2010, KARMA THEGSUM CHOLING, Gainesville

We meet at Liberty Center, 3131 NW 13th St. Gainesville, Florida, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Sunday.
Our meetings include sitting meditation, dharma teachings, and chanting of Chenrezik and Amitabha sadhanas.
These practices awaken the energy of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and Amitabha, the Buddha of Boundless Light in our daily lives.
Visitors are welcome at GKTC.

NEW!! WEDNESDAYS at Traditional Acupuncture Center

GKTC will be offering two new classes.
Each will be held at the Traditional Acupuncture Center, 1216 NW 9th Ave. (Office building of Lama David Bole).
The classes are being held separately; it is not necessary to attend both. Please just come to the class(es) you are interested in.

Introduction to Green Tara Practice
Led by Kathi Lehman
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Required text: Bokar Rinpoche's, "Tara the Feminine Divine"

Following the Path of Dharma
Taught by Lama David Bole
6:45 - 7:45 pm
Required text: Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche's, "Karma Chakme's Mountain Dharma," Vol 1

Both classes are free of charge, and texts will be available for sale at the first class.
If you have questions, please contact Kathi Lehman kflehman@cox.net, or Yvonne Woodson ywoodson@gmail.com Please enter the building through the door at the rear parking lot, and bring a cushion to sit on. There will be chairs available.

http://ktcgainesville.org/

SEPTEMBER 2010, TALLAHASSEE SHAMBHALA MEDITATION GROUP, Tallahassee

Tuesdays

12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.

Midday sitting practice. All welcome to join for part or all of the hour. Contact kalarb@comcast.net
7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Formal Chants, sitting and walking meditation, Closing Chants. For deepening your meditation experience.

Nynthuns

3 hour sitting/walking meditation practice. 15-20 minute sits with 10 minute walking meditation in between. Join in for part or all of the practice time, entering and exiting during walking meditation. Meditation guidance available if not able to attend a Monday night session. A great time to deepen your personal practice and at the same time, deepen your connection with others who find meditation an important part of life.
Sunday, March 22, 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon Sunday, April 19, 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon For More Information on our developing schedule or if you would like to be on our mailing list, contact: Mary Beth McBride: mcbridemb@hotmail.com

http://webdharma.com/shambhala/

SEPTEMBER 2010, FLORIDA DRIKUNG DZOGCHEN COMMUNITY, Tallahassee

Wednesdays 7:00PM Open Practices

These practices are open to anyone and do not require empowerment or transmission.
Ngondro
Chenrezig
Green Tara

If you are new to Tibetan Buddhism, please come a little early-- by 6:30PM-- to get some simple orientation to these practices.
Please email the Florida DDC or call Ron at 850-445-0387 or Eric at 850-274-4270 to confirm that we're meeting.

http://www.ddcflorida.com/index.html

SEPTEMBER 2010 CYPRESS TREE ZEN GROUP, Tallahassee

Beginning Tuesday, February 10th, we will meet for zazen (meditation) practice at the Tallahassee Buddhist Community in Tallahassee, Florida.
The Tallahassee Buddhist Community is located at 647 McDonnell Drive in Railroad Square off of Railroad Avenue, which is just south of Gaines St. As you drive into Railroad Square, go straight and look for the big red-orange building on your left.

Monthly Practice Schedule

First Tuesday Informal sitting, no chanting or ceremonies, open circle talk (voluntary updates on personal practice from participants) and group Dharma discussion.
Other Tuesdays Traditional Kwan Um practice starting with about twenty minutes of chanting, followed by twenty-five minutes of zazen (meditation), ten minutes of walking meditation, and another twenty-five minutes zazen. After zazen we have a Dharma talk by one of our Dharma Teachers or practitioners.
Meditation Instruction
For people who have not had previous experience with Zen, we have meditation instruction for beginners at the same time as our regular meetings. It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes and long loose pants such as workout pants or sweat pants.

http://tallahasseebuddhistcommunity.org/

IN THE MIDDLE...

SEPTEMBER, 2010 TARA MEDITATION AND STUDY GROUP, Fort Myers

This is a group guided by Lama Migmar Tseten.
They meet every Tuesday 6:30 - 8:30 at the Church of Spiritual Light
1939 Park Meadows Drive Ft. Myers
For more information please call Joanne at (239) 564-0971

SEPTEMBER 2010, CLEAR WATER ZEN, Clearwater

Sunday Morning, Formal Zazen Meditation

The Clear Water Zen Center is open every Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
The program is different every week. First Sunday of each month: A first sitting of 35 minutes is followed by a few minutes of walking meditation known as kinhin and a second sitting of 35 minutes. A chanting program follows the second sitting.

Second Sunday of each month: A first sitting of 35 minutes is followed by a few minutes of walking meditation known as kinhin and a second sitting of 35 minutes. A dharma talk by Ken Rosen, the founder of the group and the senior student of Sensei Lawson Sachter, follows the second sitting.
Please visit the website for complete listing

http://www.clearwaterzen.org/clearwater/calendar.asp

SEPTEMBER, 2010 SHAMBHALA ST PETE, St Petersburg

Sunday Morning Sitting- 9:00am-Noon

Opening Chants (first 15 minutes), extended sitting/walking meditation practice and selected readings. Everyone is welcomed to participate, and it is not necessary to attend the entire period. You may come and go at any time during the session.

Sunday Open House- 5:30-7:30pm
Meditation instruction and sitting/walking, followed by tea and discussion. Open House is a free weekly offering from Shambhala St. Pete where our community can gather together, stay in touch, introduce and welcome newcomers, and enjoy each other's company as we practice meditation together, chat, and listen to a relevant and valuable teaching.

There is much more and it is on the the centers website at

http://stpetersburg.shambhala.org/

SEPTEMBER 2010, TIBETAN BUDDHIST STUDY AND MEDITATION GROUP, University Park

Tuesday nights 7:00 PM

Ongoing, all levels welcome
Under the auspices of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche http://www.nalandabodhi.org/centers/usa/seattle.aspx
For more info: Margie at sarasota@nalandabodhi.org

SEPTEMBER, 2010 DRIKUNG KATSEL TSI CHEN CHO KYI LING, Tampa

Drikung Kagyu center.
Ongoing practices for Wednesdays @ 7:30pm & Sundays @ 3:30pm
Location: 4822 Limerick Dr. Tampa, Fl 33610
813-900-6139 or Call

www.meditationtampa.com

SEPTEMBER 2010, MELBOURNE TIBETAN MEDITATION GROUP, Melbourne

They will be meeting every Monday 7-8 pm at:
West Melbourne Library
2755 Wingate Blvd, West Melbourne FL

http://sites.google.com/site/melbtibetanmeditation/

SEPTEMBER 2010, RATNASHRI SANGHA OF TAMPA BAY, Tampa Bay

Has an ongoing schedule which can be found on their website, just look for the PDF link for their schedule http://www.ratnashri-tampabay.org/ or email cowlade@tampabay.rr.com

SEPTEMBER 2010, HOKORI ZEN CENTER, Lakeland

Saturday Service:
8:15 Zazen *beginning instruction offered.
8:45 Kinhin *late arrivals admitted during kinhin.
8:55 Zazen
9:25 Kinhin 9:35 Zazen *1st Sat. of the month, Dharma talk.
10:00 Service
10:20 Tea and Clean-Up

Tuesday Service:

5:30 Zazen
6:00 Kinhin *late arrivals admitted during kinhin
6:10 Zazen *3rd Tues. of the month, Dharma talk
6:45 Four Vows/ Tea and Clean-up

http://www.hokorizencenter.org/ Weili Luo: wluo@bellsouth.net;
b) Mary Tan: maryxiaolintan@yahoo.com
c) Feng Huang: fhuang32603@yahoo.com

SEPTEMBER 14 - 15 2010, GYALWA DRIKUNGPA 2010 FLORIDA TOUR, St Petersburg

His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche

His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, the Head of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, will visit St. Petersburg, Florida, to give Dharma Teachings and an Empowerment, as part of his nationwide Gyalwa Drikungpa 2010 US Tour.

Suggested Donations: Pre-Registration before Sept. 7, recommended. Sponsored by the Drikung Kagyu Sanghas of Florida.

SEPTEMBER 14
10:00 AM-12 Noon and 2:00-5:00 PM
Drikung Great Bodhicitta Transmission & Teachings

SEPTEMBER 15
10:00 AM-12 Noon and 2:00-5:00 PM
Five-fold Mahamudra Torma Empowerment & Mahamudra Teachings

Location: Chua Phat Phap, Vietnamese Temple
1770 62nd Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
For more information, go to http://www.drikungkagyuflorida.org/
or contact Richard drikungkagyuflorida@gmail.com or (727) 452-7714

SUGGESTED DONATIONS range from $175 to $200 for the event and $50 to $60 for individual sessions. Pre-registration is recommended before September 7.
Box lunches, available at $6 each, must be pre-paid before September 7th. Pre-register at http://www.ratnashri-tampabay.org/page5a.html

No one turned away due to lack of funds. Work Study is Available.

SPONSOR(S): Sponsored by the Drikung Kagyu Sanghas of Florida: the Ratnashri Sangha of Tampa Bay, along with the Tibetan Meditation Center (Gainesville), Katsel Dharma Garden (Clearwater), Katsel Meditation Tampa (Tampa), Drikung Dzogchen Community Florida (Tallahassee) & Orlando Buddhist Center (Orlando).

Please visit Drikung Kagyu Sanghas of Florida http://www.drikungkagyuflorida.org/ http://www.ratnashri-tampabay.org/

SOUTH...

SEPTEMBER 2010, TUBTEN KUNGA CENTER, Deerfield Beach

Monday Nights at 7pm
Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life The great Indian yogi and scholar Shantideva composed his 'Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life' in the 8th Century AD.
It continues to be one of the most enduring and inspiring spiritual texts in the world. Beautifully written, amazingly modern, and always practical--this course examines Shantideva's seminal text in its fullest dimension.
Geshe Konchog Kyab spent years studying and memorizing The Guide at his monastery in India, and now shares his commentary, focused especially on the chapters pertaining to emptiness and the philosophical tenets of Buddhism.

Thursday Nights at 7pm Are you curious about what Buddhism is all about, or have you decided to begin a practice, but you don’t know where to start?
This class offers:

•Basic Buddhist philosophy
•Instructions for beginning and developing a Buddhist practice
•The meaning of rituals
•The meaning of mantras and vows
•Meditation instruction and practice
•An opportunity to ask questions
This class is open to all levels!

http://www.tubtenkunga.org/index.html

SEPTEMBER 2010, KAGYU GYURMEY GATSAL CHOLING, Key West

Meets on Sundays for practice. This group is lead by Lama Karma Chotso, who is the resident lama at Kagyu Shedrup Choling in El Portal. For information on directions and times call Kagyu Gyurmey Gatsal Choling at 305-296-1974.

http://www.kagyu-sfla.org/index3.htm

SEPTEMBER 2010, KAGYU SHEDRUP CHOLING, El Portal

Sundays ongoing

8:30 a.m. Butterlamp offerings
Meditation, chanting the sadhana of Green Tara/ Medicine Buddha.
Butterlamps are a traditional Tibetan offering. This “Offering of One Hundred” includes 108 butter lamps, 108 bowls of saffron water, rice, flowers and incense. Participants chant the sadhanas keeping in mind special prayer requests made that particular day.

Earth Sundays
When: The First Sunday of the Month beginning in April
Time: 9am until noon
Where: KSC Lama Residence
Activity: We will be dedicating our practice to the earth.
Practice includes Long Tara and butterlamp offering.

http://www.kagyu-sfla.org/index1.htm

SEPTEMBER 2010, SOUTHERN PALM ZEN GROUP, Boca Raton

Weekly Schedule

We sit together every Tue, Thu, and Sat. mornings as well as every Wednesday night. Study of classic texts along with community council help nourish our way of being. Interviews with the teachers are available by appointment on Tue and Thu and by signing the list on Saturdays. Whether you are just sitting (shikantaza), in koan study, or not sure of where you are, dokusan (interviews) can be helpful. The breakfast group after Saturday morning zazen and the study group that takes place before Wednesday evening zazen are of immense value to those attending.

Weekday Morning Zazen:
Tuesday & Thursday
Zazen: 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m..

Wednesday Evening:
Study Group: 6:00 - 6:50 p.m.
Zazen: 7:00 - 8:10 p.m.
Introductory Class: 5:30-6:00 p.m.

First Wednesday of the month:
Community Council: 6 - 6:50 p.m.
Zazen: 7 - 8:10 p.m.

Saturday :
7:15–7:30 am SERVICE OR DIAMOND SUTRA (1st Sat)
7:30–8:00 ZAZEN
8:00–8:10 KINHIN-INTERVIEWS BEGIN
8:10–8:35 ZAZEN
8:35–8:45 KINHIN
8:45–9:10 ZAZEN-FOUR VOWS
9:10–10:00 BREAKFAST/STUDY GROUP

If you are not seated at the beginning of zazen periods, please either wait in ante room until beginning of next kinhin or QUIETLY enter the sanctuary and sit in a chair at the rear. Newcomer Program: Questions about and the Questioning of Zen --- This discussion class intended for newcomers to our style of Zen practice as well as experienced practitioners who have fresh questions. This will be more in-depth than the Wednesday night introductory class and will be held on a Saturday during the second & third periods of zazen. This class will be scheduled when requested so email Jishin (jishin@smiling-buddha.com) if you would like to participate.

http://www.floridazen.com/

SEPTEMBER, 2010 PADMASAMBHAVA CENTER, Palm Beach

NEW!

Sunday Mornings

10am Meditation 11am Discussion Group. For a complete calendar please visit the centers website

http://www.pbdc.net/center.html

SEPTEMBER 2010, PALM BEACH SHAMBHALA MEDITATION GROUP, Palm Beach

ONGOING TUESDAYS

"Intro to Meditation, Contemplation & Conversation"

Tuesdays, through December 2009 from 5:45 - 7:45 PM
Please join us downtown at The West Palm Beach Public Library 411 Clematis, West Palm Beach FL 33401(on the 3rd Floor) for our weekly group meditation practice.

For entire schedule please visit the centers website

http://palmbeach.shambhala.org/

SEPTEMBER 2010, KEY WEST TARA MANDALA, Key West

The Key West Tara Mandala meets for classes on Wednesday and Saturday. The Wednesday classes are open to the public and the Saturday Yab Yum classes are an ongoing teaching, open to participants in that program only.
Wednesday classes meet at the Nature Chapel of the Key West Botanical Garden (Stock Island) on Wed evenings 6-7pm, and please feel free to contact Ellen for any questions you might have, her email address is added here.

kwtaramandala@aol.com

http://www.taramandala.org/

SEPTEMBER 2010, FORT LAUDERDALE ZEN GROUP, Fort Lauderdale

Weekly Schedule:

We meet every Tuesday evening at the Herb Skolnick Community Center located at
800 SW 36th Ave., Pompano Beach, FL.

6:00 - 6:50 Study group and discussion
7:00 - 7:10 Service
7:10 - 8:00 Two periods of zazen with a kinhin (walking meditation) in between

For more information, go to http://browardzen.com
or contact Carole Kyodo Walsh at carolewalsh2@gmail.com

SEPTEMBER 2010, ZENLIFE MEDITATION CENTER, Hollywood

Every Monday: Morning Zazen with Dokusan 6:30 - 7:30 am

Every Wednesday: Evening Zazen with Chanting Service and Dokusan for out of town students. 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Every Friday: Morning Zazen with Dokusan 6:30 - 7:30 am

Sunday July 4: Morning Zazen with Teisho and Chanting Service 7 - 9:30 am

Sunday July 18: One Day Sitting with Teisho Chanting Service, Dokusan And Daisan. 6:30 am to 4:30 pm

http://www.zenlifecenter.com/

SEPTEMBER 2010, TIBETAN INSTITUTE AND LIBRARY, Miami

Thursday, September 9th @ 7:30pm Miami Friends Meeting House, 1185 Sunset Drive, Coral Gables

Guided Meditation - Feel free to bring a mat or cushion.
Group Discussion and Book Reading: "What the Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula, Ph.D, Dr. Rahula taught Buddhist Studies at the University of Paris (Sarbonne) and was a Buddhist monk. This is an incredibly beautiful book that provides an in depth view of the Buddha's teachings.

Thursday, September 23rd @ 7:30pm Miami Friends Meeting House,
1185 Sunset Drive, Coral Gables

Guided Meditation - Feel free to bring a mat or cushion.
Video: His Holiness the Dalai Lama: "Educating the Heart"

http://www.tibetaninstitute.org/

SEPTEMBER 2 - 6, 2010 FLORIDA BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION, Hollywood

NYUNGE

South Florida Buddhist Fasting Practice (The Nyungne Method of Thousand-Armed Chenrezig/Kuan Yin/Avalokiteshvara/The Buddha of Compassion)

Nyungne ("nyoong-nay"), translated as "abiding in the fast," is a profound Tibetan Buddhist practice to develop compassion based on offerings, prostrations (body fully extended bowing), and praises to Avalokiteshvara, the embodiment of Great Compassion. It is said that engaging in a Nyungne retreat is equivalent to doing up to three months of other kinds of retreats.

It is a Kriya Tantra level of practice that anyone who has faith can do. The Nyungne Retreat is comprehensive in that it combines practice methods from all three Yanas, or Vehicles, of Buddhism. The vows reflect the rigorous discipline of the Common Vehicle, the generation of the Enlightened Attitude reflects the Greater Vehicle, and the actual practice of 1000-Armed Chenrezik reflects the Vehicle of Secret Mantra.

This practice is quite challenging. It should only be undertaken by those who have made a firm commitment to themselves to see it through. However, those who absolutely must have food and/or liquids during the fast times may take vows for only 24 hours, but this will result in reduced merit/benefit, of course.

The Nyunge will be led by
Gelongma Tara
Gelongma Karuna Tara met Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche in 1994 and requested to do the next three-year retreat. She did work study at KTD in 1995 before participating in the second Karme Ling three-year retreat led by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. She received her novice nun vow in 2000 and her full bhikshuni vow in 2004. She completed over 108 nyungnes.

Cost: Donation only (room and vegetarian meals provided)
September 2 is optional and is a prep day.

Books for more information: Rest for the Fortunate, The Extraordinary Practice of Nyungne: Its History, Meaning and Benefits by Bardor Tulku Rinpoche; Buddhist Fasting Practice: The Nyungne Method of Thousand Armed Chenrezig by Wangchen Rinpoche.

RSVP Required to David Tseng (h) 305-274-3764, (m) 443-857-9288 (cell phone to be used starting 9/3)

SEPTEMBER 25 -26, 2010 KATOG TINGDZIN LING, Miami

His Holiness Katog Getse Rinpoche

Within the Early Translation School of the Nyingma lineage in Tibet, Katog Gonpa is one of the main, mother monasteries. Considered to be like the spring that is the source of a river, it has over three hundred branch monasteries throughout Tibet. This main monastery has five major reincarnate masters who oversee it called "the Five Golden Throne Holders." Of these, his eminence Katog Getse Rinpoche has been recognized as the fourth incarnation of the great pandita scholar, pure upholder of vows, and accomplished siddha
––Wangchug Getse Mahapandita.

SEPTEMBER 25
Medicine Buddha Empowerment in the Morning.
37 Practices of a Bodhisattva teaching in the afternoon.

SEPTEMBER 26
Continuation of 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva teaching.

Location: To be announced. Contact Karina at tingzinling@gmail.com or call 786-942-2905.