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"The greatest worth is self-mastery." - anonymous
The first part of our meeting begins with chanting, sitting meditation, and walking meditation. We perform our incense offering, recite the Three Refuges, chant the Heart Sutra, and Om Mani Padme Hum, the mantra of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara. Our second hour includes a Tea Ceremony and Dharma discussion. During the Dharma discussion, we often read from books by great Dharma teachers and share our thoughts on their meaning and how they can be applied to our daily life. The pagoda also hosts visiting monastics who will guide the events for the evening.
This section summarizes the teachings and practices offered by the Wednesday Evening Sangha at the Hai An Pagoda. Our meetings last from approximately 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
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Sitting meditation is one of the foundations of Buddhist practice; it is strongly recommended that one makes sitting meditation part of one's daily routine; 20 to 30 minutes is ideal, but what is most important is not the quantity (time), but the quality of one's meditation. It's suggested that for home practice, do your daily meditation practice at the same time every day, morning or evening, whichever works best. It's also recommended that one set aside a physical space for a shrine, which should be as simple as a small table with a Buddha statue (or any figure that one finds inspirational), candle and bell. In the Buddhist tradition, one should begin a meditation session by reciting the Three Refuges, and one should conclude by dedicating the merit so that all beings may attain Awakening.
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Read more about sitting meditation
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Part of our weekly meditation practice includes walking meditation. With walking meditation (just as with sitting meditation), we continue to use our breath to bring us back to the present moment. While walking slowly, in silence, step and inhale, step and exhale.
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Read more about walking meditation
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What We Teach
