GLOBAL SANGHA NEWSLETTER 100 !
26th January 2022

PODCAST GS56
 A memory: Mieko Osawa & David Brazier at Ganshoin Temple in Obuse where there is a remarkable painting of a dragon on the ceiling by Katsushika Hokusai



Our 100th Newsletter - and what a lot is happening !


NEW SEMESTER - TIME TO JOIN

The new semester begins in February. This is, therefore, a good time to enrol for one or other (or both) of the Global Sangha / ITZI educational programmes. Fuller details are given later in this newsletter.

GS Dharma Ocean Programme: We are studying the history of the tradition. In the semester that is just ending we have studied the transmission in India in the early centuries following the life of the Buddha. In the coming semester there will be four study units covering the transmission of the Pureland and Mahayana teachings in China from the beginning of the common era up to the medieval period (13th century). This is a good course for gaining a deeper understanding of the way that the Dharma has been and is presented as historical and social conditions change.

Buddhist Psychology Diploma Programme: Buddhist Psychology is a medium for spiritual practice, both personal and interpersonal that cuts across different schools. This is a new English rendition of a programme that has been run periodically over the past 25 years. At present the programme is already running in Spanish. The new English language intake will commence in February. It presents the major Buddhist teachings and shows how they can be applied in a psychological manner in psychotherapy, counselling and other inter-personal work. A good course for therapists who want to understand the Buddhist approach and for Buddhists who want to improve inter-personal skills and self-understanding.

To book: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/globalsangha


Weekend 22nd-23rd January 2022
“ENCOUNTER & PATH 2”
 
The Buddhist psychology weekend was a great success. There were 14 attenders altogether and the core group of ten who attended throughout all took part fully. The presentations were well received and participants reported learning a good deal. This bodes well for the forthcoming two year programme starting in February. We plan to continue the "Encounter & Path" weekends three times per year, running in parallel with the Buddhist Psychology Diploma Programme.



Picture
Photo by Carol English


YOU CAN NOW BOOK FOR
DIPLOMA IN BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY
Distance Learning Online Programme 
Beginning 1st February 2022

The course beginning in February is a two year programme delivered in four semesters each of four units.  The first semester begins 1st February 2022 and runs to the summer. Each unit covers a six-week period and contains three sections of study material with accompanying exercises.

Structure: The programme involves
- study material provided on line on dedicated private web pages
- some pre-recorded lectures
- live seminars via zoom
- exercises to do in one's own time and report back on
- assignments from time to time to check understanding
- discussion with tutors and other students

Co-operative learning: Students see each other's work and have plenty of scope for getting to know one another and for discussion of topics and experience.

Content: The material is both theoretical and practical and is extensive. One should allow for a time commitment of minimum three hours per week. 

The content of the course covers major Buddhist psychological theory and its relevance to daily life and to psychotherapy practice. One does not have to be a psychotherapist to do the course, but therapists and others in human relations work will generally get most from it as they will be able to apply the principles in their work. The course presents the major theories from Buddhist sutra and abhidharma in terms of their relevance to personal and inter-personal psychology.

This is a course of Buddhist principles applied as psychology. It is not really an integration of Western and Buddhist psychology, though comparisons are made throughout.  It covers the material in the books Zen Therapy and The Feeling Buddha and other works by David Brazier and others plus a good deal more:
- dependent origination
- different forms of conditioning of the mind
- the skandha cycle and Buddhist psychological analysis
- Buddhist work with strong emotions
- dukkha and its transformation
- calm and insight
- the role of faith, purpose and refuge
- styles of Dharma-based psychotherapy
- sudden awakening and gradual cultivation
and many other similar topics.

The proposed fee is £200 per semester. This ticket also covers admission to monthly upavastha days during the semester and to "Encounter & Path" weekends three times per annum. In accordance with Buddhist principles of dana, students can choose their own fee level. Staff give their time free. Fees are used to fund other Buddhist inspired projects and help people in need.

Tickets <https://www.tickettailor.com/events/globalsangha>



JOINING THE DHARMA OCEAN PROGRAMME
"Transmission of the Dharma in Medieval China"

The Dharma Ocean Programme is the Global Sangha's programme in Buddhist education. We are currently on a module called Ancestors of the Pure Land Tradition (APT). The first semester of this module, consisting of four units, ran from summer 2021 to January 2022 and covered the transmission of the Dharma in India. The second semester begins in February and will offer four more units covering the transmission in China. If you missed the first semester, you can now join the programme for the next part. You do not need to have done the first four units to join the second four, as each semester is a complete course in itself.

This is a programme of co-operative learning and the body of material provided is continually growing. Unit Five - the first unit in the second semester - will focus upon the early transmission of Buddhism in China up to the time of Lushan Hui Yuan and Kumarajiva who lived in the early part of the fifth century of the common era. This four hundred year period was when the first Buddhist texts arrived in China and the first encounter between the Dharma and the indigenous Taoist and Confucian philosopies took place. 

If you hold a ticket for the Dharma Ocean course you also receive free invitation to the monthly Sangha Upavastha days.

Tickets <https://www.tickettailor.com/events/globalsangha>


SEMINARS

Information for students joining the programmes: In connection with the Dharma Ocean Course and with the Buddhist Psychology Programme there will be seminars from time to time, generally, one per programme every two or three weeks. You are not required to attend them all, but will probably want to attend as many as you can. Times are staggered to provide something for all time zones. Seminars will often consist of a short talk followed by discussion, sometimes with break-out rooms or an exercise. Talks may be recorded and subsequently incorporated into the web page. The topics are tentatively planned as below, but the seminars are also a time when students can raise issues and influence the direction of studies. These will not be the only times when students can encounter staff as there will also be tutorial sessions offered.

5th Feb: 11:00 & 18:00 BP: Introductory Meetings of Psychology Students
12th Feb*: 11:00 DO: Unit Five Seminar: Buddhism Arrives in China
26th Feb: 19:00 BP: Unit One Seminar: Buddhist Psychology as Learning Theory
19th Mar*: 10:00 BP: Unit One Seminar: Inter-personal Modelling & Influence 
19th Mar*: 12:00 DO: Unit Five Seminar: Early Chinese Masters
2nd April: 19:00 BP: Unit Two Seminar: Psychotherapy without Self
9th April: 19:00 DO: Unit Six Seminar: Great Chinese
16th April*: 11:00 BP: Unit Two Seminar: Conditioned Mind

Items marked * coincide with Upasattha Sangha Days so may be attended by sangha members who are not (yet) enrolled on the programmes.

Photo by David Brazier


TREE OF LIFE

I climbed the Tree of Life until I reached absurdity.
The Spirit of the Tree looked down and gently said to me:
“The wind is blowing stronger now,so many trees are gone;
it’s time for you to learn to bow; there’s truth to ponder on.
The desert is now growing strong, the seas are rising high,
and so it comes - it won’t be long - the time for you to die.
Upon the Tree of Life there are a thousand boughs of gold:
some thrive and grow toward their star while others die of cold.

“They perish by their own device by soiling their own nest:
it isn’t just a throw of dice deprives them of their rest.
I am the Tree of Life and life must triumph in the end
no matter how much grief and strife the journey does portend
and sometimes it’s the tiniest of all my thriving crowd
who bring to heel the seeming best when they’ve become too proud.
Hubris is the greatest sin as has been known of old
and I lament the state you’re in despite what you’ve been told.”

I felt ashamed of all my tribe and had a vision then
of tragedy I can’t describe: a Dark Age come again.
Fire and flood, plague and blight sweep across the land;
even though we have the light by which to understand.
We know the truth the Spirit tells, but still there’s no restraint
as we are driven to the hells by our own complaint.
Oh Tree of Life, I worship you and would that I could turn
the madding crowd, or just a few or save the one’s who burn.

Oh, that this human branch could grow in harmony and peace:
with all the things we have and know to find a sane release,
but sadly all around we see the signs of desecration
and down there comes a misery of our own creation.
The Tree of Life then bent a bough and lifted me upon it
“My child, you must accept for now the order of my writ;
beyond the dark a new day dawns when sanity will reign  
and you will walk on heavenly lawns in lands where there’s no pain.

“Until then one must still endure to pass the vale of fire
protected by a faith that’s pure and guided by desire.”
But what of those whose faith has died, who live by hate and greed?
Can they be saved, can they abide, they and all their seed?
I would that I could gather in all those who run astray,
but would not know where to begin, except that I can pray.
“Thinking thus you will succeed, for Heaven will hear your suit:
in Heaven’s garden, every weed bears unexpected fruit.

“All is behoven, all will flow to find its own fair due:
flowers in the meadow, each with its true hue.”
So on the bough I now can rest and trust the Spirit of the Tree
for from it comes the vital zest by which alone we’re free.
The grass will grow anew at last and life will ever thrive:
when present woes lie in the past some will be still alive;
but yet I feel a deep dismay for what will soon be here
for there are many debts to pay and there is much to fear.

A branch may fall down from the tree broken by the wind
and it will be no mystery the way that we have sinned,
and I may fall with all the rest, for I am just one more,
and cannot build a safer nest exempt from all this war.
We think we are the topmost point and favourite of the Spirit
but have we got quite out of joint and used up all our merit?
Not by cleverness alone will we evade our fate:
alas, unless we soon atone, it will be far too late.
                                                     - DB

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OASIS TWO PROJECT: "Oasis de Plenitude"

Not far from where I live, here in the rural centre of France, there is a settlement for elderly Buddhists called Oasis de Longue Vie. I have some good friends there. They have created a hamlet, having built several houses in addition to the original one that stood on the land they acquired. The project, after a slow start, has become quite a success story and now has seven residents plus two more in process of moving there. This means that they are approaching their limit of about a dozen and the idea has arisen why not start a second scheme along the same lines. Here at La Ville au Roi I have about ten hectare that could be used. I have, therefore, made the offer to donate the land if others will come forward with the capital to do the necessary building work. Those who buy into the scheme will, as at Oasis de Longue Vie, acquire lifetime usage of a dwelling in the settlement built for them. Thus each resident is independent, yet participates equally in the collective governance of the scheme. It is to be expected that Buddhist and general social events will develop, but attendance is always voluntary. Several people have already shown interest in the scheme and a prospectus is available. Although the project is likely to appeal particularly to the elderly, who like independence but also need mutual support, there is no age limit. Nor is it confined to any one school of Buddhism. If you might be interested, contact: Jisshas <jisshas@googlegroups.com> and we shall put you on the project mailing list.


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PRAYER FOR REBIRTH IN SUKHAVATI (DEWACHEN)

A film of Tibetan chanting of the Amitabha Sukhavati prayer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=A8uTL8k1ua4

EMAHO NGOTSAR SANGYE NANGWA TAYE DANG
E-Ma-HO! Wondrous Buddha of Boundless Light,
YE SU JOWO TUKJE CHENPO DANG
On your right, the Lord of Great Compassion,
YON DU SEMPA TUCHENTOP NAM LA
And on your left, the Bodhisattva of Great Power,
SANGYE JANGSEM PAKME KHOR GYI KOR
All are surrounded by countless Buddhas and Nodhisattvas.
DEKYI NGOTSAR PAK TU MEPA YI
There is wonderful, immeasurable happiness and joy
DEWACHEN ZHE JAWE ZHINGKHAM DER
In this realm called Sukhavati.
DAK NI DI NE TSE PO GYUR MA TAK
The moment I pass from this life,
KYEWA ZHEN GYI BAR MA CHOPA RU
Without taking another birth,
DE RU KYE NE NANG TE ZHAL TONG SHOK
May I be born there and behold the face of Amitabha.
DEKE DAK GI MONLAM TABPA DI Having made this aspiration,
CHOK CHU SANGYE JANGSEM TAMCHE KYI
May all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the 10 directions
GEKMÉ DRUBPAR JIN GYI LA BA TU SOL
Give their blessing that it be fulfilled without obstacles.

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Lokaksema


WHO IS?
LOKAKSEMA

Lokaksema is a Buddhist monk. He is of the Kushan race from Central Asia but he is born in Gandhara, a great Buddhist centre in northern India famous for its art and learning due to the patronage of the king Kanishka. He travels to China, arriving about the year 160. China is still ruled by the Han Dynasty. The Han have extended Chinese power to the West along the Silk Route into the Tarim Basin and this has made it possible for people from central Asia to travel to Han. The Tarim is the crossroads of trade, being also on the north-south route from Mongolia to Kashmir. This opening up brings the first contacts between the Chinese and Buddhism, though at this stage the interest is mostly intellectual, though with some interest in the relationship between Buddhist and Taoist meditation methods.

Lokaksema takes with him some Mahayana texts and translates them into Chinese. These are some of the first Buddhist texts to arrive in China. They include the Pratyutpanna Samadhi Sutra. The Chinese like sutras about samadhi. This samadhi is concerned with being able to see Buddhas in all directions. It conveys the Buddhist sense of a universe pervaded by cosmic Buddhas. He also translates a Prajña Paramita sutra and a text that later would become part of the great Avatamsaka Sutra, as well as a dozen others. The Han Dynasty is not to last much longer and in the succeeding turmoil Lokaksema disappears from history and some of his work gets lost. The Pratyutpanna and the Prajña Paramita, however, are to continue as foundations of Chinese Buddhism for many centuries to come.


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DIARY  
All times are Rome time zone


Tuesday 15:30, 1st February & every two weeks
Satsang
- Dharmavidya
A time to be together and explore Dharma questions & practice
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89970875848  -:-  Meeting ID: 899 7087 5848

Tuesday 17:00-18:00, every two weeks starting 8th February.
Italian Class
- Angela Romani
https://bit.ly/3yxLd3Z  -:-  Meeting ID: 889 9850 0278  -:-  Passcode: 515887

Tuesday 18:00-19:00, every two weeks starting 1st February.
Italian Meeting - Incontro Italiano
- Angela Romani
Incontro di pratica e condivisione
Dettagli da Jisshas <jisshas@googlegroups.com>

Wednesday  21:00, 26th January, 9th & 23rd Feb & every two weeks
Dharma Bud: Peer learning and Dharma discussion
- Geeta Chari
https://bit.ly/3i5PhTS  -:-  Meeting ID: 858 9773 3604  -:-  Passcode: 108108 

Thursday 16:30, 27th January & weekly
Readings from the Commentary on the Summary of Faith & Practice
- Dharmavidya & Priti Vaishnav
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86563620686?pwd=OUh4L25zbHl6SEpFWW9LT3o5YnVVZz09
Meeting ID: 865 6362 0686  -:-  Passcode: 274590

Thursday  14:30, 27th January & every two weeks
IBAP Group
Codes separately notified

Thursday  19:00-20:30, 3rd & 17th Feb & every two weeks
ITZI Supervision Group
- Iris Dotan Katz
For presentation, review and discussion of counselling/psychotherapy casework from a Buddhist psychology perspective.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81888100021?pwd=b1JNbUhuekNRMWZoMEdUdEUyRFppdz09
Meeting ID: 818 8810 0021  -:-  Passcode: 153110

Friday  19:30, weekly
Amitabha Service For the West 
- Vajrapala & Angela Romani
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89480699209?pwd=enBHS3RYWVZxN1FyUGthZ1o0cVdFZz09
Meeting ID: 894 8069 9209   -:-   Passcode: 137836

Saturday 14:00, 29th January
Refuge Group
A group for those who have taken refuge. To join, please enquire via jisshas.
Codes separately notified.

Saturday 11:00 & 18:00, 5th February
Introductory Meetings of Buddhist Psychology Students
Codes separately notified

Saturday 11:00-21:00, 12th February 
Uposattha Sangha Day
Including 11:00 Dharma Ocean Seminar
Sangha meetings, readings, sharing, puja, meditation & chanting
Tickets <https://www.tickettailor.com/events/globalsangha>
Free to students on BP & DO courses.

Saturday 19:00, 26th February
Buddhist Psychology Seminar "Buddhist Psychology as Learning theory"
For students on BP course: codes separately notified

Recommencing on 30th Jan with new code
Sunday 10:30, 30th January & weekly
Global Sangha Interest Group
- Liz Allmark
An informal meeting for all.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88974912642?pwd=N2VyQnc0MUM4WUU0YTFTdCt0QWVmQT09
Meeting ID: 889 7491 2642  -:-  Passcode: 537296

Sunday 20:00, weekly
GS Friendship Group
An informal meeting for all
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87394084532?pwd=eEY3eUhHcjN0b0xLanZXcTNqVmVzdz09
Meeting ID: 873 9408 4532  -:-  Passcode: 519784


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GENERAL

Jisshas <jisshas@googlegroups.com> - for all general enquiries
Tickets <https://www.tickettailor.com/events/globalsangha> - to book courses


DONATE

If you would like to support my work of facilitating the sangha and especially of assisting people to come to Eleusis in France for teachings,  the simplest way is to make a donation via Ko-Fi https://ko-fi.com/feelingbuddha
You will also find a wealth of interesting articles there curated by Geeta Chari.


USEFUL LINKS

Global Sangha Web Site: https://www.globalsangha.net/
Recent Audio Podcasts: https://eleusis.ning.com/notes/LATEST_PODCAST_AUDIO 
Dharma Ocean Buddhist Studies Programme <jisshas@googlegroups.com>,
The Feeling Buddha on KoFi: https://ko-fi.com/feelingbuddha
Tickets for Events: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/globalsangha

IBAP & Buddhist Psychology Programme
(English) Dharmavidya <dharmavidya&fastmail.fm>,
(Español) Nati Menendez <natim.luna@gmail.com>,
ITZI: https://zen-therapy.org/

GS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710544479619937
GS at Eleusis: https://eleusis.ning.com/group/global-sangha
Dharmavidya: dharmavidya@fastmail.fm
Dharmavidya on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidbrazierauthor/
Dharmavidya website: http://eleusis.ning.com
Zen & Now - the musical https://www.zenow.net/
Books: https://shepherd.com/best-books/spirit-japanese-buddhism
Donations: https://ko-fi.com/feelingbuddha


GLOBAL SANGHA CONTACT PEOPLE BY REGION

Worldwide: Jisshas <jisshas@googlegroups.com>,  
United Kingdom: Geeta Chari <charige@googlemail.com>,
France: Dharmavidya <dharmavidya@fastmail.fm>,
Spain Pais Vasco: Ganendra <omzcoaching@gmail.com>,
Spain Pais Vasco: Sonia Gobbato <songobbato@gmail.com>
Spain: Nati Menendez <natim.luna@gmail.com>,
Italy: Angela Romani <ange.romani.2017@gmail.com>
Latin America: Maya Choi <gallerychakana@gmail.com>,
USA: Carol Corey <carolcore@gmail.com>
Africa: Juline Smit <julinesmit@googlemail.com>,
Israel: Iris Dotan Katz <irisdo@netvision.net.il>,
India: Priti Vaishnav <pritivaishnav@gmail.com>,
Hong Kong: Nando Maril <nandomaril@gmail.com>,
Japan: Nita Kimiko <knloveandpeace64@gmail.com>,


You can see other Global Sangha materials, past podcasts and articles via : https://eleusis.ning.com/notes/GLOBAL_SANGHA_INDEX

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Thank you very much
Namo Amida Bu
Global Sangha at Eleusis
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10 rue de l'Orange
03360, Ainay le Château, Allier
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