Workshops on Zen Meditation and Buddhist Teachings
by Jian Ying Shifu
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale

Chan, or more widely known as Zen in the West, is a state of mind, a mind of calmness, stability, and clarity; a mind free of delusions and confusions; a mind in accord with true reality. It is not a dull mind, but one full of infinite potentials. Such a mind is the source of great wisdom and compassion; it is a state of true liberation and joy. Achieving the Zen state of mind is possible for everyone, but proper meditation and guidance is essential.

On October 3 and 4, 2015, Venerable Jian Ying Shifu of Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale will visit Denver and conduct a meditation workshop. He will give lectures, guide meditation sessions, and answer your questions on Buddhist teachings and Zen meditation. These workshops are perfect for both new and experienced meditators who want to advance their practice. Come and join us, as this opportunity is rare and precious.

Jian Ying Shifu, an ordained monk for over a decade, obtained a doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University in 1996. Latent with affinities to Chan (Zen) Buddhism from his early life and deeply inspired by Grand Master WeiChueh’s teachings, he made a decision to turn his life onto a path fully devoted to Buddhism and the pursuit of a more meaningful existence. Under the auspices of the Grand Master at Chung Tai Chan Monastery, Ven. Jian Ying was ordained in 1998. He received a Master’s degree in Buddhism from the graduate division of Chung Tai Buddhist Institute for Monks in 2001. He returned to the U.S. for a doctoral program at the Department of Religious Studies at Rice University, where he received his PhD degree in May 2010, with a concentration on Buddhism. After a brief stay at the Zen Center of Sunnyvale, he returned to Chung Tai Chan Monastery (in Taiwan) where he served as a Vice Abbot and completed a secluded retreat for 6 months. In October 2011, the Zen Center of Sunnyvale welcomed Master Jian Ying back again as Vice Abbot. In January 2012, the Grand Master Wei Chueh and Ven. Jian Deng, Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, appointed Ven. Jian Ying as the new Abbot of the Zen Center of Sunnyvale.

Saturday, October 3, 2015
Parents-Kids Class (Ages 6 years and older; children must be accompanied by a parent)
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Topic: Buddhist Basics

The teachings of the Buddha can be very applicable to our everyday living, including that of our children! In this lecture series, Shifu will introduce the basic concepts in Buddhism, and further explore these ideas in simple yet in-depth discussions with the class. Through stories and real-life examples, Shifu will demonstrate the utility of the Buddhist practices, and inspires and encourages each child to develop mindfulness and right understanding for their lives. How wonderful it is to start on the Bodhi path young and early! This is a class that will benefit not only the kids but also the parents/adults.

(Potluck lunch follows. Please bring vegetarian dishes to share.)

Sunday, October 4, 2015
A Half-Day Retreat
9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Topic: A Lecture on The Six Dharma Gates and Meditation in Zen Poems

The Six Dharma Gates in Buddhist meditation refer to the six meditation methods of counting, following, stabilization, contemplation, turning, and purification. These methods essentially constitute a practice formula for achieving a balanced development of “calming” (shamatha) and “insight” (vipashyana), which can lead one to the sublime state of nirvana. In this lecture, building upon the basic teaching of these six meditation methods explained earlier, Shifu will review and further explore ideas and practices related to these Dharma Gates. In addition, through the analysis of the seemingly simple and easy words in Zen poems, Shifu will reveal their deeper and profound meanings in the context of meditation practices associated with the Six Dharma Gates to provide a fuller picture of Buddhist meditation teachings – a special opportunity for both new and experienced meditators to advance their understandings and practices.

(Sunday lunch will be provided, but you are welcome to bring a vegetarian dish to share.)

To help conserve the environmental energy, bringing your re-usable plate or a bowl for the meals is encouraged.

Chung Tai Zen Study Group of Denver
6990 W 38th #205
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Please email to register: denverzenstudygroup@yahoo.com

Feel free to extend this invitation to anyone who might be interested. These events are free and open to all. Your donations will help bring the wonderful Dharma to all.

Zen Buddhism Class I

Great news! A Zen Buddhism Class Level I will be offered! Venerable Jian Ying Shifu of Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale will teach this class via live video conferencing. What a great way to learn Zen Buddhism and build our foundation for the practice!

ZEN BUDDHISM CLASS－LEVEL I
Date: 9/5 ~ 11/28/2015
Day/time: Saturdays, 11:00 a.m – 1:30 p.m.
No Prerequisites
Location: Chung Tai Zen Study Group of Denver

Description of class:
Meditation methods include Breath Counting, Mindfulness of the Breath, Loving-Kindness Meditation, & Middle Way Reality method.
Lecture topics include Introduction to Buddhism and Zen, Zen Mindfulness, Buddhist Karma, the Four Tenets of Chung Tai, & the Four Noble Truths.

Please contact Craig Parsons and/or Yat-Chen Chou if you are interested in taking this class or have any questions:

Craig
Craig_parsons@comcast.net

Yat-Chen
yatchenchou@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Dharma joy,
Craig Parsons
Yat-Chen Chou

Biweekly Group Study
with
Chung Tai Zen Study Group of Denver

We will have a biweekly group study this coming Saturday (2/25/12).
Below are the specifics about the group study.

Date: 2/25/12 (Sat.)

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm (Please arrive at the Zen hall 5-10 minutes prior to the starting time)

1st Hour: Group meditation (We will meditate while listening to Ven. Jiang Ying’s audio clip)
2nd Hour: Q&A with Ven. Jiang Ying via video conferencing
3rd Hour: Group study (We will study and discuss Ven. Jiang Hu’s article-Introduction to Buddhism)

http://ctzen.org/sunnyvale/enUS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=59
Location:    6990 W 38th Ave, Suite 102, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Let’s practice together!