Calgary Buddhist Temple Blog

The Living Dharma Centre’s Virtual Book Club

Tuesday, June 20, 2017
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The Living Dharma Centre’s Virtual Book club invites all interested people to read a specific book chosen every three months and sign up for email participation and discussion. Two books for this quarter are listed below.

 

“Thank you to those who have signed up to join us in the LDC’s Virtual Book Club. This is a gateway to a Virtual Sangha that not only encompasses our country but has reached across the U.S., Hawaii, Europe and Central and South America! We are thrilled to embrace all in our efforts to spread the Dharma.

The summer weather and thoughts of vacation are now upon us and we thought that this is an excellent time for us to offer two books to read along with everyone!

Our next Virtual Book Club Offerings will be two books to choose from.

Firstly, for those serious students of the teachings, we will be looking at Sermons of a Buddhist Abbot by Soyen Shaku, translated by D.T. Suzuki. This was originally published about 100 years ago from a series of lectures this Zen Abbot gave while touring and speaking across the United States. This book contains an illuminating series of talks from this Zen Abbot who explained Buddhism to the Western world by utilizing Western philosophy, religion and psychology to clarify some of the core Buddhistic principles. These explanations the Abbot outlined still help us to this day to understand the Buddhist teachings. Unless you are extremely lucky enough to find a copy of this old book, it is available for free as a PDF file.  There may also be available free downloadable sound files of this book.

Secondly, we have a book that has been suggested by one of our original book club members as a beautiful read: “Birds  Art  Life” by Kyo Maclear, a Canadian author of Japanese and British descent. Here is a quote about the book by Barbara Gowdy “Every now and then you read a book that changes the way you see the world. For me, Birds Art Life is one such book. The writing is marvelously pure and honest and light. At the same time, magically, it is erudite, generous and brimming with meaning and event. Birds Art Life is a book I know I will return to again and again for inspiration and solace”. Kyo Maclear wrote this insightful book as a result oi dealing with the failing health of her father and how she dealt with this tough time in her life. This book is available at Chapters both in-store and on-line for less than $30.

There is no better time for a great read than summertime!! If you are interested in joining our discussions at any time, please email Barb MacCarl at: bm.livingdharmacentre@gmail.com ”

Gassho,

The Living Dharma Centre

Ikebana Classes

Sunday, June 11, 2017
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(Japanese Flower Arrangement) Five classes are being offered by Rika Saruwatari, who trained under Ms. Takato Yokoyama. Rika became a certified shihan (teacher) in 2012.Rika Saruwatari

Classes will be held Saturday mornings 10:00 am -12:30 pm on September 16 & 30, October 14 & 28, and November 11 at the temple.  Cost is $175 included tax.  Students must supply their own containers (please ask Rika for suitable size and shape), scissors and kenzan (frog).  Feel free to ask Rika if you need help selecting your items but these are not supplied as part of the class.

Sorry, no refunds for missed lessons and class size is limited so register early!

Contact Rika at rikaandshiro@gmail.com or call 403-701-0390 with questions or for more information.

 

Family Day Picnic

Sunday, June 04, 2017
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On June 18, join us for the Family Day Picnic and Outdoor Meditation & Service at Edworthy Park (Note: there will NOT be a service at the Temple on this day!)

Prior to the picnic, a short service and meditation will be held in the park at 11:00 am. Then begins our annual Family Day/Father’s Day Picnic at Edworthy Park, Picnic Site #1 on the west side of the river. We typically wrap-up by around 3:00pm.

Bring a potluck dish and the family or come on your own –  dogs need to be on a leash, kids do not!

Games, races and prizes galore!  Hope to see you there!

 

Temple Garage Sale

Tuesday, May 09, 2017
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was held on Saturday, June 3rd – thank you to everyone for coming out and supporting this successful Temple fundraiser!

Total sales were an impressive $1,646.25 which is almost $450 more than last year so exceeded expectations!

Thank you to the volunteers who worked Thursday and/or Saturday – especially the young adults with all their energy! The garage sale was well worth the effort!

In Gassho,

Fundraising Committee

Gotanye & Keirokai

Tuesday, May 09, 2017
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We are celebrating St. Shinran’s birthday (Gotanye) and honoring our Temple’s senior members (Keirokai) on Sunday, May 28th. Please join us for a luncheon following the service. We would like to ask volunteers for some side dishes and some fruit to compliment Japanese curry.

Please click here to view the online sign up sheet.