Thoughts today...

Today i happened to be walking by a Peace Walk going through our front gates here at CTTB. I took an impromptu video with my cell phone. The quality is not that great but i thought it was nice.

I have been thinking about what i would like to put on this blog and i came to the conclusion that i would write a little about what i learn in my classes. Whether its a personal reflection and introspective idea, or some technical information that i have enjoyed, i will post on this blog to give readers an idea of what its like being a student here.

That being said...Dhyana Paramita Treatise started to today. I forgot how much i enjoyed this class. One of the key things i took away from this class today was in relationship to the Paramita of Giving. For a definition of "Paramita" please goto this link http://www.drba.org/dharma/btts/9xxEntryDetail.asp?wid=181

Giving does not not refer to only material objects. Giving in terms of the Paramita on a deeper level also refers to "giving up". Very importantly, giving up our afflictions. I have come to the understanding that I (and maybe you too) am addicted to my own suffering. I knowingly and unknowingly recreate what causes me pain and suffering time and time again. Therefore (for myself at least) my objective is to come to know myself deeper and deeper and as I do, then practice "giving away" my faults, afflictions, bad habits, and most importantly wrong views. Practice makes perfect, and perfection is the essence of Paramita.

Giving also does refer to material goods, and i think it is a wonderful way to bring happiness upon people. For me, as a resident at CTTB i enjoy serving chinese tea to new volunteers and friends that have been here much longer than myself. I enjoy wonderful enlightening conversations with people from all over the world over a nice hot cup of (really good) chinese tea. I think maybe I receive more than i give on these occasions.

Well thats it for now---Do some good.

-kenny

FALL SEMESTER IS HERE

Hello everyone!

I arrived back to CTTB safe and sound and have begun my first week of classes for the Fall 2007 semester. The following are a description of the courses i am taking.

Lotus Sutra with Dharma Master Heng Zhuang--this is my third semester in this wonderful class that is going in depth into Great Master Zhi Zhe's method of analyzing and practicing according to this Sutra. The first 30 minutes are devoted to memorization of the chinese text. --2 units--

Public Speaking with Mr. John Chu-- We will be going over the techniques and methods of speaking to varying audiences. This is a great chance to refine my speaking skills. --2 units--

Classical Chinese 3 with Mr. Polson-- One of my favorite classes. Its a lot of work memorizing, however it is very much worth the effort. We are going into classical poetry and Philosophy texts. --2 units--

Survey of Chinese History with Mr. Polson-- I am very excited about this new class offered here. It has a lot of reading to go with it but i enjoy the subject matter very much and i am sure i will love this class. We are covering from Antiquity through the Axial age up to the beginning of the Tang Dynasty. Then next semester we will do from Tang until the Qing Dynasty. -2 units-

India and Its Cultural Traditions with Dr. Akpinar. "This course will outline key developments in the religious traditions of the Indian Subcontinent. Core themes to be explored include: Indo-Iranian mythology, Vedism, Indian philosophy, epic literature, and modern Hinduism. These topics, as well as general misconceptions, will be addressed in lecture and through readings of original texts." Sounds interesting huh. --1 unit--

Chinese Orchestra with Mr. Gan-- This is my 5th semester of the Gu Zheng (a long string instrument). I have made considerable progress and am really starting to enjoy playing Classical Chinese music, even if its only once per week. --1 unit--

Intro To Chinese Music Appreciation also with Mr. Gan-- This class was very fun and i think i will enjoy deepening my appreciation for Chinese music. --3 units--

Philosophy of Education with Dr. Verhoeven-- "This seminar will focus on readings from a wide and diverse sampling of authors East and West whose ideas and methods have shaped the contours of education, learning theory, and child development both within and outside the classroom. We will examine each from a Buddhist perspective, and also from within the day-to-day context of the classroom with all of its challenges, opportunities, and snarls."-1unit-

Dhyana Paramita Treatise with Dharma Master Heng Zhuang-- This is my 3rd semester in this class as well. This class is focused on the monumental work by Great Master Zhi Zhe concerning Dhyana (Chan or Zen). I love this class. --2 units--

Intermediate Chinese 3-Speaking/Writing/Reading with Dharma Master Heng Jiao-- This is my 5th semester of Chinese language...im ok at speaking. People say my tones are very good, i just need a larger vocabulary and more experience listening. I will become fluent, sooner or later. --1.5 units--

Thats 17.5 credit hours if you werent keeping track...It will keep me a little busy. Oh wait, add 20 hours community service, daily ceremonies and study time...thats like 2 full time jobs...

For work study i hope i am able to get in as the night post at the gate so i can study and do some work...that would be ideal. I also teach in the boys school twice a week. I help Mr. Antalek teach Physical Education to the Juniors and Seniors. We have a fully functional weight and fitness room now for the boys and its working out well.

Besides that, all is well and i am very happy to be in such a wonderful place of study, practice and self reflection. I have a lot of work ahead of me.

I hope to post here often with events that take place here, and also post some of my experiences living here this semester. I will be pretty busy but as a Nun told me "Work makes life meaningful"... which means that by my extension-- her answer to the age old question "What is the meaning of life?" --she would answer "Work." --And work they do.

Take care and be sure to check out www.drbu.org for more details.

--Kenny--

enjoy the pics-