JH Cleveland May Newsletter "Update" with more on Veshaka Day and Visit of HH Penor Rimpoche

Hello everyone!

Lots is happening, with the silent auction opening Friday May 9, White Tara and Tsoh May 10 and Supa Corner's Shamatha workshop Friday May 16 and Saturday May 17. For details about these events, see the May newsletter below.

Also on May 17 and 18, noon to dusk, Ujjen will have the JH store down at the Hessler Street Fair - see www.hessler.org for more information and directions.

And finally, here is additional information about Veshaka Day, May 18, and events surrounding the visit of HH Penor Rimpoche, an eminent Nyingma Lama, in June.

Love, Anne

Veshaka Day 2003
Buddhists from all over Northeast Ohio will gather at the Temple on Sunday, May 18, 2003 to celebrate Vesakha, the commemoration of Shakyamuni Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. Many local Buddhist groups, including the Cleveland Buddhist Temple, will participate in this year's celebration. Vesakha is a traditional festival that is honored by all the diverse Buddhist traditions.

As part of the celebration, the groups will hold a joint meditation service at 9:00 AM, followed by the Vesakha service at 10:30 AM, which will feature traditional chants, readings, and offerings of incense, flowers, and candles. Ven. Shih Ying-Fa of CloudWater Zendo will be the keynote speaker at the service.

All participants are invited to a pot-luck luncheon in the social hall following the service. After lunch, the Dances for Universal Peace will be presented by Kris and Jeff Kiko-Cozy. These are beautiful circle dances which are danced while chanting a mantra and are especially nice for children.

In order for Vesakha to be a success this year, it is essential that we inform our members and friends, and especially other Buddhist groups that are not on the NEOBC email list, about the celebration and encourage them to attend.

The Cleveland Buddhist Temple's Dharma School will meet during the Vesakha celebration starting at 10:00 AM. All children whose families are attending the service are encouraged to attend the Dharma School. Those who want their children to attend the Dharma School should bring them to the Temple a little before 10:00 AM. For further information about the Dharma School, call Connie Guinto at (330) 273-1882

HH Penor Rimpoche's Visit
Khenpo Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche will be speaking at the Cleveland Museum of Art on Wednesday, June 25th at 5pm on the Wisdom of Manjushri. This event is free and open to the public. The Museum asks that anyone interested in attending call to reserve a seat at the CMA Ticket office at 1-888-CMA-0033 because seating is limited.

The monks from Namdroling Monastery will be performing the traditional Tibetan Black Hat Lama Dance on Saturday, June 28th at 8pm at the Family Life Center of the Federated Church, Chagrin Falls. Tickets are now on sale for $10, or the group rate of 10 or more is $8. They will also be building a sand mandala which will be open for public viewing.
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More details on the visit of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche in June are available at www.palyulohio.org . These teachings are open to all who wish to attend.

CLEVELAND CHAPTER Jewel Heart News
May 2003 Newsletter

Tibetan Shamatha: A Practical Workshop in Concentrated Meditation
Modern life tends to be so pressured, complex and overstimulating that we rarely have a moment of mental peace and clarity. Yet, the ability to concentrate and focus the mind is needed for success in daily life as well as spiritual practice. In this workshop, Supa Corner will introduce methods we can use to train our minds to quietly focus. He will explain the benefits of these practices, how concentration can be developed further, and how it relates to other forms of meditation. There will be ample opportunity for practice sessions during the workshop, as well as for questions and discussion.

Supa Greg Corner is a long-term student of Gehlek Rimpoche and other Tibetan masters who has also spent years in formal Zen training in Japan and as a Korean Zen monk. He is part of a group working to develop a Jewel Heart program of training in meditation. He is noted for his sense of humor and ability to clarify even difficult points.

Introductory talk and practice Friday, May 16, 7-9 pm

Workshop Saturday, May 17, 10-12:30 and 2-5 pm Registration begins at 9:30 am

Place: Jewel Heart Cleveland, 2670 W 14th St., Tremont, Cleveland

Requested donation $10 for Friday night, $30 for Saturday ($25 for pledging Jewel Heart members).

*As always, if you can't afford this, come anyway and give what you can. If you can afford to give more, please be generous. Bring your lunch or plan to eat at one of the many area restaurants. Tea and cookies will be available at Jewel Heart.

Obstacles to Spiritual Practice: Potluck and Discussion
On Friday, May 2, from 7 pm to whenever, we will have a potluck at the center. Ani Palmo, who spoke at JH in Dec. about her experiences in India and on her three-year retreat has agreed to speak and lead a discussion on dealing with obstacles to spiritual practice. All are welcome. Plan to bring potluck dishes that can be heated in a small microwave or eaten cold.

Opening of 2nd Annual JH Silent Auction
SSSSSHH!!!! Let Your Fingers Do The Talking!
Friday, May 9 from 6-10 pm is opening night for JH’s silent auction fundraiser, which runs through June 8 when the high bidders will get to take their treasures home. Come bid on art work, tchothkes, a massage and other indescribably wonderful stuff. Music by Tremont Holler, Jewel Heart’s own bluegrass band, and refreshments by the usual suspects.

We are still accepting donations of special items for the silent auction. Bring them to the center, or contact Anne 440-576-1190 or aewarren@apk.net.

Rimpoche Back in Cleveland!
Gehlek Rimpoche is scheduled to teach at JH Cleveland Sat. and Sun. June 7 and 8. Mark your calendars (in pencil)! The two day teaching will be on The Three Principles and will use a new translation of Je Tsongkapa’s poem. Watch future newsletters for more details.

Rimpoche is currently traveling to JH centers in Europe and Asia, and will return to the US in late May.

What is Buddhism?
Ani Palmo will be offering a course in basic Buddhism at Jewel Heart Cleveland, titled “What is Buddhism?” This will be an elementary course aimed at giving non-Buddhists a working knowledge of Buddhism and giving practitioners a chance to supplement what they already know. This is not part of the regular Jewel Heart curriculum. As many of you know, Ani Palmo, who grew up in Cleveland is a nun in a Tibetan Buddhist tradition who has completed two-three year retreats. She will be in Cleveland for a year. The course will be academically-oriented, so practitioners of all faiths (or no faith) can attend.

When: Tuesdays from 7-8:30pm, starting May 27th

Where: Jewel Heart Cleveland, Tremont

Cost: $10 per class or $35 per month with registration. Registration will be taken at the door pending space availability. The first class on May 27th is free. For more information, contact Ani Palmo, 440-526-6577 (10am – 9pm) or palmoska@yahoo.com

Buddhist Relics in Cleveland!

Rare & precious collection of sacred Buddhist relics will be in Cleveland August 6th – August 10th, 2003 (probable dates*) The Relics are traveling as part of the worldwide, Heart-Shrine Relic Tour, under the auspices of the Maitreya Project. The collection contains relics from the Chinese, Tibetan and Indian traditions of Shakyamuni Buddha (donated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama) and his heart disciples, Maudgalyana, Sariputra and Ananda. Included are relics of Lama Tsong Khapa, Atisha (his stupa is included), Milarepa, and other holy beings.

Relics are the sacred remains of a Buddha, or Spiritual Master (who has attained extraordinary spiritual realizations during their lifetime)

The location will be Jewel Heart Cleveland, 2670 W14th Street Everyone is welcome and admission is free.

For more information on the Relics on line: Please visit the website http://www.maitreyaproject.org/ For updates (and to confirm dates) check Jewel Heart Cleveland’s newsletter which is available at www.jewelheart.org (see chapters, then choose Cleveland) For more information regarding the Cleveland event or to volunteer to help please contact: Lora Swartz Lswartz9@aol.com or 216-721-8228 To see these relics is exactly equal to seeing the Buddha himself. --Choden Rinpoche

Pabongka Rinpoche's body rests in a stupa in Tibet. The stupa was destroyed during Communist China's invasion, but this bone relic was retrieved by Venerable Ribur Rinpoche, who later offered it to Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Graphic courtesy of the Maitreya Project.

April News
Venerable Thubten Chodron, was in Cleveland for a weekend series of lectures 4/11-4/13 on The Four Immeasurables, Working with Anger and Buddhist Refuge. Her affable style made it seem as if you were sitting down to a cup of tea at the kitchen table for a chat with an old friend. Ven. Thubten is founding Sravasti Abbey in the States as a place where monastics and lay people can receive teachings and do retreats. For information or to offer assistance, please contact: www.sravastiabbey.org.

On March 30, fun and informative workshop offered by Anne Warren explored the outer mandala offering, the practice of visualizing and offering a pure universe. We discussed the whys, hows, and symbolism of both the short and long forms. Everyone attending had a chance to practice with a mandala ring set and went home with a set of fool-proof instructions.

Ongoing discussion and practice group on Six-Session Guru Yoga continues for those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation.

Gelek Rinpoche’s Odyssey to Freedom is his overview of the entire path to enlightenment using language and examples relevant to contemporary life. We have been reading and discussing this transcript together on Wed. evenings and learning to apply the principles in our daily lives.

April Potluck was held at Sarah and Griff’s house– one of the hits of the evening was the delicious mo-mo’s made by Tashi.

First JH Night out at the movies! - A group of JH members met for a movie night out to see Bullet Proof Monk, Fri. 4/18. We laughed at a lot of places in the movie, not all of them intended to be humorous by the film-makers. If you want to see evil comic book Nazis try to steal the secrets of power and immortality from cartoon Tibetans, you need to see this movie!

Birthday Picnic for His Holiness the Dalai Lama July 6 – Unfortunately, we did not get accepted for a grant for funding the picnic, but the picnic will still happen at an alternative site in the MetroParks. If you want to volunteer to make this event a success, contact Steve steveg@ieee.org

HHDL in NY City – His Holiness will be in NY City Sept. 17-20, for info go to: www.dalailamanyc.org A number of people from Jewel Heart Cleveland will be attending this teaching.

Newsletter items - Please submit items to Dorothy Yurkiw at deeyurkiw@yahoo.com for the newsletter by the 15 of each month for the following month’s newsletter.

Wish List - Some additional wish list items include: a copier, stamps, computer labels, somebody to coordinate an occasional JH movie/video evening, books for the library – donate your favorite Buddhist books or ask Anne for suggestions, food and good clothing for the homeless and other charities.

Volunteering – Volunteers needed! Whether you have an hour a month, an hour a week or more, your contribution of time and energy is what keeps Jewel Heart Cleveland alive and running. We especially need people interested in working with or being on the coordinating team. Contact Nancy nhreynolds@earthlink.net 216-381-3369 or Anne aewarren@apk.net 440-576-1190

Other Cleveland Area Events
Vesakha Day, Sunday May 18 - Vesakha or Vesak, full moon day of the fourth month, is celebrated in many Buddhist countries as the day of Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth and enlightenment. Vesakha will be held Sunday, May 18th at the Cleveland Buddhist Temple, located at 1573 E 214th St on the corner of Euclid Ave and 214th. This year the celebration will commence with meditation for world peace at 9:00 am, to be followed by services at 10:30am, followed by vegetarian potluck and dance by Kris Kiko-Cozy. The keynote speaker will be Ven. Shih Ying-Fa, Abbott of Cloudwater Zendo, the Zen Center of Cleveland.

Carol Elchert leading a cultural ecology tour of Nepal and Tibet this summer, July 7-22, for 5-12 people. Cost is $3000 plus airfare. With Carole’s deep knowledge and appreciation of the region, you will go places, meet people and have experiences not available on standard issue tours. Contact: Carole Elchert, Asst. Prof. Of Communications, University of Findlay, PO Box 572, Findlay, OH 45839, FAX: 419-424-4822, PHONE: 419-365-7131 EMAIL: carole799@yahoo.com

SpringRretreat – White Tara - May 23-26, 2003
This retreat will focus on the healing and compassionate activity of Tara. Tara is known as a mother goddess whose response to any heartfelt request for her help is quick and effective. All forms of Tara are wonderful, but White Tara is particularly associated with healing, protection and stabilizing your life force.

Garrison Institute

Garrison, New York

To Register Call: 845-424-4800 or e-mail jeanne@garrisoninstitute.org. Brochures are available at the Cleveland Center.

JH Cleveland Calendar of Events
Suggested donations $5-10 for all events unless noted otherwise. If you can’t afford this, come anyway and give what you can.

Mon. and Wed. 5:30-6:30 Open for silent meditation

Mon. 7-9 pm ongoing Vajrayana study group

Wed. 7-9 pm ongoing Odyssey to Freedom study group

Sat. Apr. 26 10am-noon Tara Dance practice with Kris Kiko-Cosy; 12:30-2 pm Lama Chopa Tsoh

Fri. May 2 7 pm-? Potluck and discussion at the center

Fri. May 9 6-10 pm Silent Auction Opening and Tremont Holler

Mon. May 12 and 19 Coordinating Team meeting

Sat. May 10 10 am-noon White Tara practice; 12:30-3 pm Lama Chopa Tsoh offering

Mon. May 12 and Mon. May 19 7-9 pm Coordinating Team meeting

Fri. May 16 7-9 pm Shamatha meditation talk

Sat. May 17 10 am-5 pm Meditation workshop

Sun. May 18 Vesakha Day at Cleveland Buddhist Temple

Sat. May 24 10 am-noon Tara Dances with Kris Kiko-Cozy 12:30-3pm Lama Chopa Tsoh

Sun. June 1 1-4 pm Ann Arbor Mandala Workshop

4 immeasurables

1st = love
May all beings have happiness
2nd = compassion
May all beings be free from suffering
3rd = sympathetic joy
May all being have a happiness that has never known suffering
4th = equanimity
May all beings be free of attachment and anger

Equanimity - basic level

Mind is free of bias
Mind is free of attachment and anger
Mind sees others as equally precious

Obstacles to Equanimity

We see everyone through the lens of “me”
We are not objective
When we have bias, apathy and prejudice in our mind – we are not happy
Are you happy being right?
- Does it make you happy to argue you are right
- NO!!
Equanimity does not mean getting your way – doesn’t mean capitulation

How do you get equanimity?

See that all situations change – nothing is permanent
See that everyone wants happiness
If you can see a person’s Buddha potential than you can respect that part of them
- No matter what they do they deserve respect because of their Buddha potential
- To exclude one person will prevent you from achieving Buddhahood (This includes George Bush, Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein)
Meditation can help you see things you made a big deal about which was not a big deal

Emptiness

Things are inherently empty – this is why we have compassion
- If they were not empty there would be no need for compassion because things could not change
Suffering is dependant on change – Compassion helps us to remove the dependency
Cause + condition = effect
- Compassion can alter cause and condition

Love vs. Attachment

Attachment has conditions – it needs to make us feel good
Love does not have conditions
Attachment is dependent on me being happy

Joy?

Joy is the antidote to jealousy
Joy rejoices in others happiness and well being

Anger

People don’t make us angry – our perception of the situation makes us angry
If we get angry we are making ourselves victims because we are giving our power to the other person – by controlling our anger and controlling our perceptions of the situation, we retain control and power over our minds

More on Emptiness

We see everything as solid and as having permanent existence
It starts with me (my feelings, my happiness, my suffering)
- Are your awards you? Are your achievements you?
- Is your body you? Which part? Your brain? Your thoughts? Your emotions?
- If so which emotion is you? Which thought is you?
THE WISDOM THAT UNDERSTANDS EMPTINESS IS THE REAL PATH

Refuge

Refuge in Guru
- Not just actual person – don’t get fixated on personality
- It is the entire lineage of great teachers starting with historical Buddha
- Ultimate Guru = wisdom of bliss and emptiness
Refuge in Dharma
- Dharma is equal to the last two truths
Truth of cessation of suffering
Truth of the path
- 5 Paths
Path of accumulation
Path of preparation (union of mental quiescence)
Path of seeing
Path of meditation
Path of no more learning
- Need spontaneous bodhichitta to enter first path!!!
- Need spontaneous renunciation to get spontaneious bodhicitta!!!
- TAYATHA GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SOHA
GATE – go
GATE – go
PARAGATE – go beyond
PARASAMGATE – go completely beyond
BODHI – Enlightenment

Buddha Bodies

2 BUDDHA BODIES: DHARMAKAYA and RUPAKAYA
- Dharmakaya = Truth Body (Divides into two)
1) Wisdom Truth Body = Buddha omniscient mind
2) Nature Truth Body = emptiness of Buddha’s mind
- Rupakaya = Form Body (Divides into two)
1) Enjoyment Body = Pure body in paradise
2) Emanation Body = Body we can see
- Manifestations put out there to help all beings

Benefits of Refuge

You become a Buddhist
Establish foundation for taking vows
Purify negative actions
Accumulate positive karma quickly
You can not be harmed by humans and non-humans
We want fall to unfortunate rebirths
Our virtuous intentions will be fulfilled
We will quickly obtain Buddhahood

Advice after taking Refuge

Commit to our teacher
Listen to and study teachings and put into practice!!!
Respect Sangha as spiritual companions
- Respect monastics!!
Train in accord with the examples of good practitioners
Avoid running after what glitters
Be friendly and kind to others
Concentrate on YOUR faults not on other’s faults
Avoid ten non-virtuous actions
Make special offerings to Buddha on special days
Don’t take refuge in worldly gods
Respect different Buddha images
Avoid harming living beings
Show respect for Dharma

More guidelines

Start and finish day with Refuge
Remember kindness of Jewels
- Offer prayers before eating
Be mindful of compassion – it may encourage others to take Refuge
Remember benefits of Refuge
Take Refuge when you need help
Never forsake Refuge even if it means your life