~Happenings~

So I just returned from the conference...Really sick. Everyone at CTTB was getting this really bad viral infection and I managed to fight it off for a long time until now. Good reminder for me that this body is impermanent and even though I may be young and strong...I am still susceptible to sickness (that was tough for me to admit).

Onto the Conference-

I can start by saying even though I was getting more and more sick as time went on, I was also becoming more and more happy. All the people around me had come to this conference to help themselves answer some of the difficult questions in life...Who am I, what is life's purpose? How can I be happy?...etc. Lots of good open hearts are contagious and uplifting. I dont get to partake in too many activities like this so it was a real blessing for me to volunteer and take part.

Doug powers spoke on "The Dharma of Relating to People".

Amazing. Why? To paraphrase.

When was the last time you really listened to someone else? How do you relate to other people? These were the questions he posed to us. He said that most of the time we are not genuinely listening to anyone else. We just project out our own wants and desires on the people we are close to (and everyone else), and when they dont meet our expectations and desires there is conflict. The problem is also in that we cant see them for unique individual universes in of themselves, completely different with their own background and understanding, their own wants and desires. If we can first genuinely stop projecting, and start genuinely listening to people, right there is where genuine communication is.

He then continued by making a very important statement. That listening, is practice, is genuine cultivation from the very start, to very advanced levels. Dont think that sitting quietly is when you are practicing (even though it can also be). But cultivation first starts with how we deal with our relationships. The marker, or the meter of how much actual skill we have is directly related to how we react and deal with our relationships, not how long we can sit still (although, dont doubt that it helps!). Interesting huh...

Another key point. We need to accept the fact that who we are is exactly what we have chosen to one degree or another. There are no victims. This can be tough to take. But the idea is that we dont make good decisions. Those dysfunctional decisions lead to our suffering. What we think will make us happy ends up being the opposite because we just follow our desires instead of stopping and contemplating, thinking everything over. This teaching really spoke to me in a big way.

--I also went to Dr. Epstein's talk on "Perfecting the Wisdom Within", and to Dharma Master Jin He's talk about "The 10 signs of a mature spiritual life".

Onto the panel I was invited to speak on--

I greatly enjoyed this experience (test). Even though I was really sick, the sight of all the bright smiling faces in front of me filled me with joy, and nervousness which increased blood circulation which allowed me to actually speak.

Here are the Questions I and three others on the panel were asked-
1. Whats your personal story in regards to coming into Buddhism?
--I spoke about the Kungfu school I came from and the temple I volunteered at in Niagara Falls.

2. What is your personal practice?
--I spoke a little about my personal practice being sitting meditation and mantra recitation. But then brought it back to really my practice is in trying to become a more filial person and responsible in my daily life.

3. What do you think the role of community is relationship to spiritual practice?
--I reiterated a quote from the Buddha mentioned earlier in the panel saying "It is mentioned in Samyutta Nikaya that once Ven. Ananda approached the Buddha and remarked that "half of the spiritual life is based on friendship, companionship and association with the good." to which the Buddha replied " Ven. Ananda, do not say so. Not half, but man's entire spiritual life is established on friendship, companionship and association with the good."
--I thought this was a very important quote so I talked about how, from my own experience this is 100% truth. I then talked a little about how conversely if you disassociated yourself with your good friends and spiritual community through doubt and immaturity then you can really cause harm to yourself and others. As I have come to realize that, based on what I have personally done in the past.

I have matured.

The whole conference was taped. I dont know if it will be made available online but if it is i will post a link. Goto www.dharmaradio.org for lectures.

Also there is a new forum up for Dharma Talk-- goto http://www.berkeleymonastery.org/phpbb3/

please ask any questions you might have. I am on there. My name is Kenny.

Alot of other things are happening...I will post later on my new school pursuits and future endeavors. So many possibilities...life is what you make it. Make it wise and kind. :-)

-Take care-
kenny

I am Speaking at this conference!

DRBY Spring Conference 2008

Insight and Happiness on the Buddhist Path

Saturday
Time	Venue 1	Venue 2
8:00 – 8:30am	Registration
8:30 – 9:00	Orientation
9:00 – 9:45	Keynote Talk by Rev. Sure on "Wisdom & Blessings"
9:45 – 10:30	Meditation (with instruction) led by Sramanera Chin He in the Main Hall
10:30 – 11:00	Meal Offering Ceremony in the Main Hall
11:00 – 12:30pm	Lunch
12:30 – 1:00	Break
1:00 – 2:30	WORKSHOP A: Introduction to the Sutras with Dr. Verhoeven in the Main Hall	WORKSHOP B: Shining the Light: The Dharma of Relating to People with Doug Powers in the Dining Hall
2:30 – 3:00	Break
3:00 – 4:30	WORKSHOP A: When Were You Last Happy? with Rev. Sure in the Main Hall	WORKSHOP B: Perfecting the Wisdom Within with Dr. Epstein in the Dining Hall
4:45 – 5:15	Meditation Instruction & Yoga with Sramanera Chin He in the Main Hall
5:15 – 5:45	Meditation
6:00 – 6:30	Tea Time (served by me) & Introduction to DRBY (Optional) in the Dining Hall
6:45 – 7:45	Dinner
7:45 – 9:30	Evening Program with Rev. Sure: Talk on "Emerging Buddhist Culture in the West" followed by storytelling & music
Sunday
Time	Venue 1	Venue 2
8:00 – 9:00am	Registration
9:00 – 10:30	WORKSHOP A: Cultivating Freedom: Buddhism as More Than Just Meditation with Sramanera Chin He in the Main Hall	WORKSHOP B: Dedicated to the Dharma: Why I Became a Nun with Dharma Master Yin and Priscilla Yeh in the Dining Hall
10:30 – 11:00	Meal Offering Ceremony
11:00 – 12:30pm	Lunch
12:30 – 1:00	Break
1:00 – 2:30	CLOSING PANEL: Spiritual Friendship in the Main Hall
2:30 – 3:00	Break
3:00 – 4:30	Tea Time (served by me) & DRBY Opportunities (optional) in the Dining Hall

DRBY Conference Workshops

Shining the Light: The Dharma of Relating to People
(Doug Powers)

How do we better relate with people? Why can’t people just get along? In what ways can Buddhism contribute to healthier and more harmonious communities? In this workshop, we will explore teachings that promote peace and happiness within families, friendships, communities, and beyond.

A Treasury of Wisdom: An Introduction to the Sutras
(Dr. Martin Verhoeven)

For someone new to Buddhism, approaching the Buddhist canon can be as daunting as hacking through an impenetrable jungle. Yet learning and understanding the Sutras can deeply benefit one’s practice. So how does one begin to approach them? This workshop will offer guidance and tips for navigating through the vast and rich treasury of wisdom contained in the canonical texts of Buddhism.

When Were You Last Happy?
(Rev. Heng Sure)

Happiness – everyone is talking about it. For many people, the pursuit of happiness is the ultimate goal in life. We’re all seeking it and striving for it. What is happiness? How do we “get it” and keep it?” Why does it seem as though we constantly chased after it only to end up with its exact opposite: unhappiness. Rev. Heng Sure will shed light on our understanding of happiness and offer practices to help us realize it.

Cultivating Freedom: Buddhism as More Than Just Meditation
(Sramanera Chin He)

Buddhism may be synonymous to meditation and mental training in the eyes of many Westerners, but developing a strong practice that requires more than just sitting in meditation. In this workshop, we will take a broader and more comprehensive look at practice and will highlight the important roles that ethics, mindfulness, lifestyle, diet, and fitness play in helping us to live fuller and more meaningful lives.

Perfecting the Wisdom Within
(Dr. Ron Epstein)

Buddhists often speak of the importance of developing “wisdom.” But what exactly does wisdom, or prajna, mean in the context of the Buddhist teachings? What do Buddhists mean when they say that someone is “wise?” We will hear from Dr. Ron Epstein on the vital role that wisdom plays in treading a spiritual path and the tools we can use to become wiser.

Dedicated to the Dharma: Why I Became a Nun
(Dharma Master Yin & Priscilla Yeh)

For those of us who want to dedicate our lives to the spiritual path, monastic life is one option. So why become a Buddhist monastic? In this workshop, a Buddhist nun and her mother will share with us their experiences, challenges, and joys of treading the Buddhist path.

Kalyanamitra: The Benefits & Blessings of Spiritual Friendship
(Closing Panel: Various DRBY speakers)----I am on this panel.

In contrast to the enduring image of a solitary monk meditating in a cave, spiritual friendship and community have always been a respected and central part of the Buddhist tradition. Having good honest friends who are able to lend support, give timely advice, and gently guide each other when the need arises is extremely important to lead a balanced spiritual life. In this panel, young adults will speak from their own experiences about the benefits and blessings of practicing Buddhism with a community of friends, guides, and teachers.

Happy Chinese New Year!

XIN NIAN KUAI LE

I wish all of you a new year full of happiness.

For all of those who would like to know, here is my class schedule for this spring 08' semester.

Intermediate Classical Chinese- This is my second year of classical Chinese. Its kind of funny I am actually better at classical Chinese than I am at regular spoken Chinese. I can recognize a lot of characters and have gotten better at deciphering the meaning from very terse texts. Right now we are going through the Meng Zi. Pretty tough.

Public Speaking 2- I am taking this class for Developing Inherent Wisdom credit. So it will be more challenging because i will have to speak regularly to new audiences. I might be speaking at this year's DRBY conference in Berkeley, and when Humboldt State University comes to CTTB.

Dhyana Paramita- This is my third year in this amazing class on what Dhyana meditation is, and how it is practiced. Continues to amaze me...

Bodhsattva Precepts- I took this class for a year, and it turns out I need more credits in the Vinaya category (Buddhist regulations). Interesting, there are precepts in which you have to act, instead of abstaining from action.

Chinese Music Appreciation- This is the second semester of the class. We are concentrating now on various types of Chinese music, and musical instruments. Lots of listening.

Buddhist Ethics- Professor Martin Verhoeven is teaching this class on Buddhist ethics. Very interesting, I expect to post on what we will cover in this class. Some of the topics we will cover will be how Buddhists approach genetic engineering, abortion, homosexuality, monasticism, and lots more.

Intermediate Chinese- I am taking this class in the Boys high school. I have spoken Chinese now 5 times a week which is really helpful. Fridays are calligraphy day! So much fun.

Enjoy some of the pictures of my new class teaching the little kids who live at CTTB kung fu.

Back at School Spring Semester 08'

So sorry, kinda forgot about my blog...

After a very interesting break back home in Buffalo for a month and a half, I have returned to CTTB.

The first pic is CTTB with some snow!

The second pic is of my home temple, I will post more of this wonderful place.

The third pic was taken in the memorial hall of the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua inside CTTB's Buddha hall. Look at the bird.

This was my first week back and I have been busy sorting out my new schedule for this semester. I am very excited about the classes I am taking and the subjects I will be studying. The people I meet here continue to amaze me, and help me grow.

The opportunities I have to study and practice so many different methods and ideas are countless. I feel very fortunate to be able to study and practice here.

I'll post my schedule and more pictures soon.

-Kenny

Weekend at the UCBerkley Campus

These are all pictures from the Berkley Campus... I really enjoyed walking around and getting a feel for what life is like attending this famous University. When the time comes...hopefully...this will probably be the next destination on my journey. Enjoy the pics!

I recently returned from an academic conference at UCAL Berkley. Here is the Info-

IEAS - Institute of East Asian Studies, UC Berkeley

"Text, Translation, and Transmission"

DATE:	Thursday-Saturday, October 18-20, 2007
PLACE:	Toll Room, Alumni House, UC Berkeley
FORMAT:	Conference
SPONSOR:	Center for Buddhist Studies

• Description
• Schedule
• Participants
• Directions

Schedule

All panels are free and open to the public.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Opening reception by invitation

Friday, October 19, 2007

9:30 am - 11:45 am

Panel I - Translating Buddhist Doctrine

Dan Arnold, University of Chicago
Understanding and/as the Translation of Buddhist Philosophy

Parimal Patil, Harvard University
A Buddhist Historiography for Buddhist Philosophy

Shoryu Katsura, Ryukoku University
A Shift of Buddhist Logic from Dignāga to Dharmakīrti

Leslie Kawamura, University of Calgary
Translation of Yogācāra Buddhism: Chinese, Tibetan and Sanskrit Texts

Moderator: Alexander von Rospatt, University of California, Berkeley

11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Lunch break

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Panel II - Early Buddhist Literatures

Michael Zimmermann, Hamburg University
The Pierced Foot: The Transformation of an Episode from the Buddha's Life

Phyllis Granoff, Yale University
Birds, Babes, and Bodhisattvas: Truth and Fiction in the Life of the Buddha

Moderator: Richard Payne, Institute of Buddhist Studies

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Coffee break

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Panel III - Beyond Doctrine

Alexander von Rospatt, University of California, Berkeley
The Last Phase of Sanskrit Buddhist Literature: Remarks on the Svayambhūpurāṇa

Richard Payne, Institute of Buddhist Studies
Translating Ritual, Translating Buddhism: Moving Beyond our Obsession with Doctrine

Moderator: Lisa Grumbach, Institute of Buddhist Studies

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Reception/Dinner (for participants and attendees)
Jodo Shinshu Center
2140 Durant Avenue, Berkeley

Saturday, October 20, 2007

9:00 am - 11:15 am

Panel IV - Transmissions in Tibetan Buddhism

Lara Braitstein, McGill University
Re/Writing History: Politics and Religion in the Life of the 10th Zhwa dmar pa

Robert Mayer, University of Oxford
The Dunhuang Thabs kyi zhags pa padma phreng Manuscript: A Source for Understanding the Transmission of Mahāyoga in Tibet

Tadeusz Skorupski, University of London
How and Why New Buddhist Traditions Arise

Peter Verhagen, Leiden University
Latter-day Lo-tsā-bas: Translation Activities in 18th-century Tibet

Moderator: Patricia Berger, University of California, Berkeley

11:15 am - 12:30 pm
Lunch break and photo session

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Panel V - Interpreting Chinese Textual Traditions

James Benn, McMaster University
Hybrid Cosmologies in the Śūramgama Sutra

Natasha Heller, University of California, Los Angeles
Epistolary Chan

Koichi Shinohara, BDK Publication Committee
The Buddhist Culture of the Seventh Century Anthology 'Fayuan zhulin' ('The Jade Forest in the Dharma Garden')

Moderator: Robert Sharf , University of California, Berkeley

2:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Coffee break

2:15 pm - 3:45 pm

Panel VI - Rethinking Sources

Jamie Hubbard, Smith College
Textual Communities in the Production, Translation, and Transmission of Buddhist Scriptures, Then and Now

Michel Mohr, University of Hawaii
On the Proper Use of Traps and Snares: Reflections on Language and Translation

Moderator: Duncan Williams , University of California, Berkeley

Copyright © 2005-2007 UC Regents. All rights reserved.

I learned a good deal of information while attending all these lectures. The important understanding that I received was in relationship to the differences and similarities between academic (in the Western Universities) Buddhist studies, and my own studies here at Dharma Realm Buddhist University. I wont go into all of those similarities and differences now, but I will say that they exist.

Overall, it was a good experience for me.

Humboldt State University visits CTTB

Hello Everyone!

These are some pics from last weekend. Danny teaching Tai Ji to HSU, and demonstrating on me. The monk is Dharma Master Heng Shun 恆順法師. He is the one who answered most questions during the weekend.

Last weekend Humboldt State University came to CTTB for their annual weekend retreat. I had the privilege to take care of them during their stay. At 3:30 AM I went throughout the courtyard hitting the wooden boards to wake them all up for morning ceremony. Most of them actually got up.
I greatly enjoy when these students come because they bring with them a lot of good questions and energy to the discussions and panels we hold. Through their questions and the answers from various Dharma Masters (monks and nuns) I am able to hone my skills at introducing and explaining Buddhism to people from various backgrounds and traditions.
The topic of the Panel on Saturday evening was Buddhism and World Peace. There were eight speakers total who were invited to speak on this very broad topic. The essential principle that they all spoke on was the idea that if we really want to help the world, we have to start by helping ourselves. Helping ourselves just means practicing pacifying our own hearts and minds, before trying to pacify others. We can help externally equivalent to the amount of greed, anger, and ignorance that we have transformed internally. Through this constant grinding away of our own inherent issues, we are better equipped to help others with theirs.

That is the principle and here is its application. There are actually a lot of things people can do to help the world.

1. Educate yourself- What you don't know can kill you. Ignorance is suffering.

2. Pray- The power of Prayer is proven (regardless of religion). Send out goodness to those in
suffering.

3. Follow moral principles- By not engaging in the same things that hurt the world (ie. killing, stealing, lying, raping and cheating, abusing substances etc.) you become a healing force in the world. Try it out and see for yourself.

4. Meditate- take time out of your day to stop everything. Quiet your mind and relax your body. Develop concentration that you can apply to skills in daily life. 5 minutes is not too short to start. Soon it can easily be an hour.

--As far as education goes- Research what goes into your body. What are you feeding yourself and your family? Is it harmful? What are you dependent on? Why? Can you reduce your waste? Learn how to be a smart consumer, and not another Wal-Mart junkie.

--The key is to understand what effect you are having on the world and how you can make it better.

This was what I heard from the panel, and what I have come to understand through living here at CTTB. Take what you think is useful, and please don't hesitate to correct me or criticize me.

Take care and take responsibility for your life and its effect on the world. I'll try to do the same.

-kenny

feelings from the farm...

Sorry for the low quality pictures, my new digital camera should be coming in very soon. After which i will have many more pictures to post on this blog.

I work on the organic farm here once per week for two hours or so. Today i was picking tomatoes and after a little while i remembered how rewarding getting your hands dirty and working outside in the earth can be.

Fresh, cool, misty morning air weighed down with dew penetrated my whole body refreshing me every time i took a breath. I worked slow in order to be as thorough as possible in getting all the tomatoes...I squatted down into horse stance (I try to train my kung-fu while doing work) and plucked the ripe tomatoes off the vine. After my legs got sore, i stood up straight to relax and breathe deeply. Looking into the distance I could see the mountain emerging out from the swirling mist of morning. Time stood still, thoughts quieted, my body relaxed, and i felt peace.

Of course I didn't waste all my time standing in awe of the magnificent glory that is nature. I managed to fill up three full crates of tomatoes. In between these lovely little breaks from picking I thought how wonderful a chance it is to do work, any work outside really, and how special are those who actually have this a part of their daily life.

Being of suburban blood, i never farmed once as a child. I was actually very freighted by most insects. However after living here for two years I have conquered that fear almost completely. Not only that, i have come to understand the importance of work. By work I mean skills required to survive. Some examples would be farming, cooking, knitting, carpentry, mechanical skill, and cleaning. If I am honest with myself then I will admit I have a mere appreciation for these skills and not the actual possession of them. My skills are very few, and this brings me to my next stream of consciousness I've been living in lately.

What skills do I want, and why do I want them?

I wont go into my personal aspirations here and now, but I think it is a very wonderful question anyone young or old can ask themselves and think about.

An interesting question for myself would be, what would I do without electricity, or running water? How about something as simple as food? I take it for granted I can simply goto a place and buy anything I want to eat. I, unlike my father who has many genuine skills, am skill-less.

I would probably die if left to fend for myself alone in the woods.

I am here to change that.

Well thats all for now! I will post soon with info from some classes. Particularly Philosophy of Education has been very rewarding...But I am quite busy so we will see. Any thoughts, comments, and criticisms are welcome and appreciated.

Go get your hands dirty.