02/25/2021
Good day. Our teaching today comes from an article in Lion’s Roar magazine --https://www.lionsroar.com/ask-the-teachers-26/– and deals with Buddhism and coping with depression. Three teachers are featured in this article. I am presenting the teaching of Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche:
“The powerful support of a practitioner of the buddhadharma is refuge in the three jewels: the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha. It is important to have a connection to these three.
One can experience refuge in the Buddha as a changeless, single-faced, reliable connection that is always available and is an inexhaustible treasure. The truth is always to be found here. With the second support, the dharma, we have faith and trust in the teachings and the knowledge we have received. Finally, there is much support in our connection to the sangha, the warmth of those who dedicate their practice to the benefit of others.
We have the notion of refuge because as sentient beings we suffer and need help. Depression is a time when one can experience a strong sense of being cut off, disconnected, and miserable. If you are a practitioner going through such difficulty, it is important to know this is not a personal failure. Don’t get caught in the trap of feeling guilty or of thinking you have no value. That only adds suffering to the suffering that is part of the human condition.
At these times, it is important to trust in the power of the three jewels, the foundation of refuge. The familiar analogy is that when the weather is cloudy and stormy, you trust that the sun is still there, shining in a clear open sky. Even if this is not your experience in the moment, you still know the general direction of the sky, and even if you cannot see the sun, you know it is there. Similarly, you can trust that your suffering is impermanent.”
Plans For the Weekend
*****10am on Saturday. In-person Garden Meditation. We will gather in-person in front of our Center and have 2 rounds of sitting meditation in and around our garden. Masks are required. We will maintain a comfortable social distance of 5 feet. Please come join us and please arrive by 9:45.
*****2:30pm on Saturday. (via Zoon) Hang out period. Please grab a cup of coffee or tea, log in, and spend time with your fellow sangha members. That will lead into
*****3pm Saturday. (via Zoom). We will start with 15 minutes of meditation. Then Senior Dharma Teacher Sonya Shelter will give a talk on “The Zen of Joy.” Afterward, Paul Park, JDSPN will answer our questions.
*****10am on Sunday. (via Zoom). We will start with 25 minutes of meditation. Then we will chant the Morning Bell Chant. After a short break, Dharma Teacher-In-Training Josh Atlas will give a Dharma Talk then Senior Dharma Teacher David McDonald will answer our questions.
The link to join both days is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9668602253
Donating to DZC
Are you able to support DZC? If so, you may make a donation at paypal.me/dharmazencenter No donation is too small or too large. Donations of $5 and $10 quickly add up. You are now able to set up monthly donations as well. Please consider this if you are able. You are not required to donate to participate in any activity, but it helps keep our Center alive and strong.
Upcoming Retreat
The next retreat is with Zen Master Bon Soeng (Jeff Kitzes) on March 19-21. There will be a Dharma Talk and Question and Answer with the Zen Master on Friday, March 19th. The retreat will last from early March 20th to around 1pm on March 21st. More details soon…but please mark your calendar.
Hope to see you soon.
Yours in the Dharma,
