Full moon celebration. Traditionally Buddhist monks met at the new moon and full moon days to recite their precepts and make confession for transgressions. In particular, the full moon day is a dazy for general celebration of the Dharma and a time when the gods come to visit one's home. One can put out offerings for them. In Global Sanfgha this is a time to come together, hear teachings, read texts, reflect upon the month gone by, make resolution for the month to come, and chant nembutsu together in gratitude.

10:00: Dharma Seminar: "Compassion is Not a Set of Rules" - Dharmavidya
12:00: Sangha Meetings
14:00: Ocean Seminar: "Vasubandhu as Pureland Ancestor" - Dharmavidya
16:00: Upavastha including led meditation
19:00: Upavastha readings & chanting until 22:00

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




Dr. Yaya de Andrade, retired psychologist now working with the Red Cross, especially with indigenous groups. Dr Andrade has extensive experience in working with populations recovering from major disasters around the world.To book: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/globalsangha

In the course of the New Year Retreat, Will Holcomb, Zen teacher at Heartland Sangha, gave a talk on Nine Bows as a Daily Practice. A summary can be found at
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0hb5j3sshjtwp22/NINE%20BOWS.pdf?dl=0

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

Upali is a barber. He comes from the Shakya people and lives in Kapilavastu. Barbers are low caste. The son of the leader of the Shakans has left home and become a holy man. Ha has become Shakyamuni, a Buddha, and now has a following of many disciples. He is coming to Kapilavastu to visit his family. 

The Buddha arrives and wants his hair cut. People say that Upali is the best barber in town so propose that he cuts the Buddha’s hair, but Upali, 20 years old at this point, is too bashful and hides, thinking he will not do a good enough job. His mother speaks to him and encourages him, saying not to worry because the Buddha is very compassionate.

Upali cuts the Buddha’s hair. As he does so his mother asks the Buddha how her son is doing and Buddha makes suggestions about Upali’s posture, breathing and so on. As Upali implements the Buddha’s suggestions he goes into the first dhyana, then the second, then the third, then the fourth. When he enters the fourth dhyana Buddha asks somebody to take the knife out of his hand in case he fall and hurt himself.

Buddha stays close to Kapilavastu, visits his family and gives teachings. Seven princes decide to become monks. They get Upali to go with them to cut their hair. When he has cut their hair they give him their jewels as a present, but he becomes frightened what people will think if the princes have disappeared and he has their jewels. He leaves the jewels hanging on a tree and follows the princes part of the way toward where the Buddha and Sangha are staying. Then he sits down and starts to feel very sad.

Shariputra comes along and asks who he is and why he is sad. “I am Upali. I am a barber and I cut the hair of the princes, but they have all left to go to the Buddha and I am left behind. I am only low caste and cannot become a bhikshu like them.”

Shariputra has heard the story about the barber who attained the fourth dhyana while cutting the Buddha’s hair and realises this must be the man. “Come with me. I am sure the Buddha will not refuse you.”

Shariputra takes Upali to the Buddha and Buddha ordains him. Seven days later he ordains the seven princes. Thus Upali becomes senior to the princes in the sangha. Upali works very hard and keeps all the vinaya rules. His time in the sangha is not easy. Some other monks look down on him for his caste. Others resent him for the strictness with which he keeps the rules. Buddha protects him from the other monks, but this also becomes a reason for others to resent him, thinking he is a favourite of the master. Humans are so bombu.

Nonetheless, when Buddha dies there is a great council meeting. Ananda is asked to recite all Buddha’s teachings. Kashyapa is asked to recite the Abhidharma and it is Upali who is asked to recite the Vinaya. Upali is remembered as one of the ten great disciples of Buddha.

Shaka = Shakyamuni
Nyorai = Tathagata
Ryōgasen = (at) Mount Lanka
Nantenjiku = Southern India
Ryūju = Nagarjuna
daiji = mahasattva = great being
umu = something/nothing, is/is not, being/non-being
ken = view
Daijō = Mahayana
mujō = unsurpassed, without superior
Hō = Dharma
shō = birth, be born, attain
kan-gi-ji = time of joy
Anraku = peace & bliss
nangyō = difficult practice
rokuro = journey by land
igyō = easy practice
shīdō = journey by water (sea)
nen = mindfulness
okunen = mindful of
Midabutsu = Amida Buddha
Hongan = primal vow
jinen = spontaneous, of its own accord
hitsujō = Stage of Assurance
gō = name
daihi = great compassion

When Shakyamuni Tathagatha was at Mount Lanka
he told the assembly in Southern india
that (one day) Nagarjuna Mahasattva would appear
and destroy the views of "is" and "is not" (reification & reduction),
expound the unsurpassed Mahayana teaching,
to attain joy, peace and bliss.
He (Nagarjuna) teaches that the difficult practice is like a hard overland journey
whereas the easy practice is like a pleasant trip by boat.
As soon as one is mindful of Amida's primal vow
one instantly and spontaneously enters the Stage of Assurance.
Always reciting the Tathagata's Name
one repays one's gratitude for the Great Vow.