Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha

WINTER/SPRING CLASS SCHEDULE SET

BEGINNER CLASS February 10 – March 16, 2008

The Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha will conduct an Introduction to Buddhism & Meditation Class starting on Sunday, February 10th, 2008. This will be a 6-week course intended for beginning meditators and those wishing to learn more about Buddhism. The class will meet from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm in the Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha meditation hall located in the old Riverhouse Hotel at 20 Walnut Street, Suite 120.

The curriculum contains basic information about Buddhism including the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path as well as instruction on meditation technique. Although it is not required to attend every session, the information is presented cumulatively and builds on the previous week. Suggested donation $30.00. Space is limited, please call 434-6643 to register or email at mindfulheart@gmail.com.

INTERMEDIATE CLASS March 30 – May 4, 2008

We will again be offering an Intermediate Buddhism Class series following the beginner course. This 6-week course takes off where the Beginner class ends. It is intended for those wishing to further develop their understanding of Buddhism and deepen their meditation practice. The Intermediate Class will begin on Sunday, March 30th, 2008 and will meet from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm in the Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha mediation hall located in the old Riverhouse Hotel at 20 Walnut Street, Suite 120.

The class will include information on concentration practice, compassion practice as well as some of the more difficult Buddhist concepts. To attend you must have completed the Beginner Class or have attended a weekend or longer retreat. Suggested donation $30.00. Space is limited, please call 434-6643 to register or email at mindfulheart@gmail.com.

Mary McGregor, our senior teacher, has been working with Mike Boren, Russell Davis, Caron Leader and Chris Lenn to develop the curriculum for both classes. The teachers meet every month to further develop their teaching skills and refine the course content.

If you have questions about either class, please call 812-434-6643 or email mindfulheart@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR RESIDENTIAL RETREAT - JUNE 8th - 13th

The retreat will be at Kordes Enrichment Center in Ferdinand, IN. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana will be conducting the retreat. He is the abbot of the Bhavana Society monastery in West Virginia. Details about the cost and topic of the retreat will be coming very soon.

SATURDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP CHANGES

The Sangha teaching committee has moved the Saturday study group to a new time and has changed the format. The group will meet at 4:00 pm beginning on January 12^th, 2008.   We will start with a 30-minute meditation followed by study of The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, a translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi. This text is one of the major collections in the Pali Canon and is considered the teachings of the Buddha.  Pressing Out Pure Honey, A Practitioner’s Study Guide by Sharda Rogell will be used along with the text.

Readings and homework will be assigned in this study group so both texts are required. Copies of the study guide are available at the Sangha for $15.00. The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha can be purchased or ordered at any major bookstore or on-line. Scholarships are available for anyone who needs financial assistance purchasing the text. Caron Leader will be facilitating the study group. For more information, please email her at mindfulheart@gmail.com.

Currently, wisdompub.org lists the book at $52.00, which is 20% off the original price. The ISBN number is 0-86171-072-X.