1/14/2009

Welcome OX; Goodbye Rat: 2008 Dharma Activities Recap

As we are welcoming the year of 2009, we also reflect on the journey of 2008. With his unyielding determination to propagate Buddhism and his untraditional approach to teaching, Master Jian Dan, a dedicated dharma worker, has turned in yet another productive report card.

Continuing his Dharma Lecturer post with Jade Buddha Temple, Master offered four structured dharma lecture series in 2008. It is worth noting that, in addition to the long-semester dharma lecture classes, Master tried something different during the shorter summer terms. He led a dharma assembly on Universal Door Chapter (from the Lotus Sutra) and also led a sutra-study seminar on The Eight Great Awakenings Sutra.

In addition, Maser maintained his active engagement with the large Chinese constituents at the Jade Buddha Temple by not only attending many activities such as Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara Ceremony and Jade Buddha Temple’s annual bazaar, he also organized or helped coordinate a couple of them. For example, he planned and coordinated a two-day Buddha's Relics Resting Ceremony. In con junction with this historical event, he created two volunteer trainings to ensure the quality of the ceremony.

As expected, Master maintained his engagement with the potentially even larger English-speaking audience. As listed below, you can see his English dharma activities of 2008. It is worth pointing out that 2008 also marked the year that Master made major strike in his dharma work with the younger generations. His works with University of Houston exemplified such an effort.
We are looking forward to an even more adventurous 2009. This year, Master’s dharma work will extend outside of Texas and come to a state maybe near you! Stay tuned.

Dharma Lecture Series
  1. 1/15~4/28/2008 Three Vehicles of Practices (10 classes). Used “The way to Buddhahood” (by Venerable Yin-Shun) as the guide to illustrate the concepts of Four Noble Truth and Twelve Casual Chains. Master even added additional materials to help us understand each concept as well as how they are related to each other.
  2. 5/30~6/27/2008 Dharma Assembly: Universal Door Chapter (5 classes). A five-week dharma assembly, reciting the Universal Door Chapter. Dharma talks were given on selected contents.
  3. 6/01~6/29/2008 The Eight Great Awakenings Sutra (5 classes). Through recitation, discussion, and dharma, participants gained deep understanding of the eight awakenings practiced by all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhist followers.
  4. 8/24~12/14/2008 Bodhisattva’s Practices (12 classes). Learned the vows and practices of four celebrated Boddhisattvas and learned how to integrate our understandings into daily life.
  5. 3/7~23 Volunteer Trainings (2 series). A highly anticipated and practical training to enable volunteers to be more effective helpers for the temple. Covered topics such an overview of Texas Buddhist Association, an overview of major Buddhist ceremonies, the Buddhist way of interacting with each other and with the Masters in, out and around a Buddhist temple, and much more.
Public Activities in Chinese
  1. 2/10 Talk given at Jade Buddha Temple (Grand Hall) Happy New Year: Rats Bring Fortune
  2. 3/23 Attended Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara Ceremoney – Jade Buddha Temple (Grade Hall)
  3. 4/6 Planned and coordinated Buddha's Relics Resting Ceremony (American Buddha Center)
  4. 4/27 Hold Graduation Ceremony for Intermediate Dharma Class @ Jade Buddha Temple
  5. 4/28 Hold Jade Buddha Temple Member Spring gathering
  6. 5/11AttendedBuddha Bath Ceremony (Jade Buddha Temple)
  7. 6/29 Hold Graduation Ceremony for Summer Classes
  8. 7/06 Talk given at Jade Buddha Temple (Grand Hall) Connectedness in Life
  9. 8/10 Hold Jade Buddha Temple Fall Member gathering
  10. 8/17 Attended Ullambana Ceremony (Jade Buddha Temple)
  11. 9/26 Talk given at Port Lavaca, Texas: Wisdom and Compassion: Twin virtues of Mahayana Buddhism
  12. 10/19 Talk given at Jade Buddha Temple (Grand Hall) Cultivating merits and wisdoms during difficult times
  13. 11/15 Attended Jade Buddha Temple’s annual bazaar
  14. 12/14 Hold graduation ceremony for the fall
  15. 12/21 Hold Jade Buddha Temple Winter Member gathering

Public Activities in English
  1. 5/24 Talk given for Gulf Coast Mensa: Nothingness Explored @ Crowne Plaza Hotel in Houston, Texas
  2. 6/01 Talk given at English Dharma Group (Jade Buddha Temple): Freedom in Buddhism
  3. 9/7 Talk given at English Dharma Group (Jade Buddha Temple): Meditation in Everyday Life.

University Dharma Activities
  1. 2/20 The Awakening Mind: Path to True Freedom. Invited by University of Houston, College of Education Social Study Doctoral Seminar. Addressed true meaning of freedom in Buddhism. Student feedback.
  2. 3/10 American Buddhism: Challenges and Possibilities. Invited by University of Houston, Department of Religion. Addressed Buddhism in the west.
  3. 4/16 Introduction to Buddhism & Meditation. Invited by University of Houston, College of Education. Addressed to the undergraduate pre-service teachers about everyday meditation practices.
  4. 9/10 Meditation for a healthier you. Invited by University of Houston Wellness Center, the first official university-level invitation. Addressed the balanced between physical health and mental health and pointed out how meditation as a way to a healthier life style
  5. 10/28、30 Reduce Academic Stress through Meditation. Invited by University of Houston Learning Support Services. Addressed the relationship between meditation, concentration and academic success.

Youth Activities:
  1. 2/17 Bodhi Chinese School’s annual New Year carnival. Invited to attend the annual Chinese school carnival. Gave out gifts and encouraged students to continue diligent study.
  2. 5/10 Bodhi Chinese School Commencement
  3. 5/24 Gulf Coast Mensa: Meditation for Children: Skillful Kong Fu for the Mind. Hold at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Houston, Texas.
  4. 10/12, 10/26 & 11/2 Growing a Good Mind: An Experiment. Invited to give a series of classes about the importance of practicing saying good words and cultivating good minds.