What: Buddhist Group meeting

When: Saturdays 9 - 10:30 a.m.

                        and   

            The 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

            of each month, 7 p.m.

            (Sept. 2012 and Nov. 2012 only

            we will meet the 2nd and 3rd Wed.)          

Where:

Saturday group: 205 W. Walnut St. Springfield, MO 65806

We meet in the Body of Work Studio. Please click on the map link for directions. We are at the corner of South Ave and Walnut St. On the ground level is Staxx, we are in the basement of this building. You can park for free in the lot next to the building which is on the corner of Patton Alley and Walnut St.

Come to the Walnut street entrance and enter through the double glass doors, turn to your left and go down stairs. The door at the bottom of the stairs will be propped open. You will see a couple of small rooms one with a couch. Please take your shoes off and leave them there. This small room opens into a large room which is where we practice meditation. The racks to your left have cushions and blankets. We also have folding chairs behind the alcove. We have a couple of kneeling benches as well. Please ask for anything you don't see.

If you are new to the group and/or meditation, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for orientation.

Wednesday group: Brentwood Branch Library  2214 S. Brentwood Boulevard, Springfield MO 65804  Click on the map link for directions.  The library is one block east of the intersection of S. Glenstone Ave. and E. Seminole St.

We meet in the Community Room, which is at the south end of the building.  Enter at the main entrance of the library.  If you have trouble finding a parking place you may park in the lot across the street.  There are chairs available to sit in, but you are welcome to bring your own cushion, blankets, or bench if you would like.

Students: You are welcome to join us. If your project requires an interview please send me an e-mail letting me know that you would like to attend and that you wish to do an interview. Wednesday evenings are generally recommended for your visit. Please send an e-mail to Holly or phone at:

hjgraves56@gmail.com

Dress:
Saturday group: Please wear comfortable loose pants if you wish to sit on a cushion on the floor as this will provide you with the most flexibility and comfort. The basement is cool so please dress for your comfort.  Wednesday group: Loose comfortable clothes are suggested.

Format:
Saturday group: We begin with a short sitting meditation, followed by walking meditation and a final sitting meditation. Meditation instruction will be provided if anyone is new to meditation--if possible, arrive early for orientation.  After the meditation there is a discussion of the Buddha's teachings based on the Pali canon, with time for questions and answers. We  conclude the program by 10:30 am.  We are discussing the Anguttara Nikaya, a collection of early Buddhist teachings.  Here is a link to the first part of the book that we are using for our discussion:

http://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh155-p.html

Wednesday group: We will begin with sitting meditation, then have a group discussion of Buddhist teachings as they affect our daily life.  Students attending the group for research toward their class assignments are strongly suggested to come to the Wed. group, since there will be more time for  a question and answer period after meditation.

Donations accepted:
We accept donations to help with rent, advertisement, cushions, and retreat expenses. All donations are voluntary. No fee is required to attend.

Mission: To practice and present the Buddha's teachings as they are found in the discourses of the Pāli Canon. We ask that our common interest in the Buddha's teaching be given priority during group discussion. We wish to avoid engaging in speculative and philosophical debate but rather discuss how to apply the teachings in a practical way.