Compassionate Ocean Sangha
A Community of Heart
Sangha meetings and classes
Thursday, 12th June, 8pm
Dear Compassionate Ocean Family, please join Faye, Rose and Debbie for another beautiful Thursday session.
We will have our usual breakout groups where you can enjoy meeting and sharing your experiences, followed by a guided meditation.
Monthly Theme: The Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village
Once upon a time a common practice was to place a waxed seal with the insignia of the sender onto an envelope containing an important document. This guaranteed its authenticity. In Buddhist teachings we have the Three Dharma Seals and in our Plum Village teachings we have the Four Dharma Seals. These Seals guarantee that these teachings are true Buddhist teachings. In Chapter 18 of the Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, our Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh, explains the Three Dharma Seals. However, since the publication of that book he has also given us, in his beautiful poetic way, a path to follow with the Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village that are appropriate for these times. They are practices for a lifetime.
Over the next few months, as we practise with the Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village, we will also look at how they relate to the Three Buddhist Seals or how the Three Seals relate to the Seals that Thay has given us. In the Four Seals of Plum Village, Thay has given us the extra one of suffering (more on this in the Third Dharma Seal of Plum Village.)
Friday, 13th June, 8pm
Evening Meditation
You are warmly welcomed to join Ruth, Judy and Sarah for a guided sitting meditation , walking meditation and sutra reading.
We look forward to spending time with you.
Monthly Theme: The Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village
Once upon a time a common practice was to place a waxed seal with the insignia of the sender onto an envelope containing an important document. This guaranteed its authenticity. In Buddhist teachings we have the Three Dharma Seals and in our Plum Village teachings we have the Four Dharma Seals. These Seals guarantee that these teachings are true Buddhist teachings. In Chapter 18 of the Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, our Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh, explains the Three Dharma Seals. However, since the publication of that book he has also given us, in his beautiful poetic way, a path to follow with the Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village that are appropriate for these times. They are practices for a lifetime.
Over the next few months, as we practise with the Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village, we will also look at how they relate to the Three Buddhist Seals or how the Three Seals relate to the Seals that Thay has given us. In the Four Seals of Plum Village, Thay has given us the extra one of suffering (more on this in the Third Dharma Seal of Plum Village.)
Saturday, 14th June, 8pm
Dear COS Family.
You are warmly invited to join Tony, Dipika and Ling for another lovely Saturday Session with a topic question for the whole group to share followed by a guided meditation.
The Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village are:
I have arrived, I am home.
Go as a river.
The times* and the truths** inter-are.
Ripening moment by moment.
(*The three times are the past, present and future.
**The truths are the Four Noble Truths and the conventional and ultimate truths.)
Over the next few months, as we practise with the Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village, we will also look at how they relate to the Three Buddhist Seals or how the Three Seals relate to the Seals that Thay has given us. In the Four Seals of Plum Village, Thay has given us the extra one of suffering (more on this in the Third Dharma Seal of Plum Village.)
First Dharma Seal of Plum Village: I have arrived, I am home
The present moment is the only moment where you can touch life (Thich Nhat Hanh).
Sunday, 15th June, 8pm
Happening
Dear Friends, please feel welcome to join COS as we gather for another beautiful Happening led by Jenny, Jan and Ling
As always, this is as wonderful opportunity for the whole sangha to offer sharings and to listen to each other. Offerings can be any form - readings, singing, showing of artwork or items of significance etc.