On Friday, October 20 from 7-8:30, visiting Insight teacher, Dave Smith, will talk about the four qualities of an Awakened life and how we can better develop these as we progress on our journey. There will be a guided meditation, talk, and Q&A.
Dharma Thought: The Remembrances
For this Dharma Thought, we share Steve Allison-Bunnell’s September writing on the Five Remembrances.
“I am of a nature to grow old. I cannot escape old age…” It might seem like a big downer to recite the Five Remembrances on your birthday, but that is what I did this week. And I am old enough now that I indeed cannot escape the experience of an aging body. If the practice were only the Four Remembrances, and ended with “I will lose all that I love,” it would indeed be difficult to contemplate on any day, much less one’s birthday. But it is the fifth that never fails to both bring me back into the present moment and to renew the joy of living: “My actions are my only true possessions. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. They are the ground on which I stand.” Instead of scaring me more, this line always reminds me that my life ripples out and crosses yours. I—you—we—can’t not make a difference! Those ripples continue even as we change and age. And with each passing year, there are more ripples sent into the universe. What intersections in the ripples of your life can you see? How does that refresh your experience of Interbeing?
Class: Equanimity with Melissa McKay
At the Bozeman Insight meeting this Thursday, October 12, Melissa McKay will explore “Equanimity,” one of the four Brahma Viharas or “noble abodes of the heart.” No registration necessary. Melissa will be leading the class via Zoom. You are welcome to join in-person or via Zoom (with our regular Zoom number).
Class: Working with Hindrances
There’s still room in the Working with Hindrances class, part of our Core Skills of Meditation series with Melissa McKay. Please note that due to family needs, Melissa has returned to Nevada. She will lead the class on Wednesday, October 11, via Zoom. To receive the Zoom meeting information, please register here. This is not the normal BDC Zoom number.
Dharma Thought: Land Acknowledgments
Steve Allison-Bunnell with the Joining Rivers Sangha writes:
Land acknowledgements at the start of various events often provoke some reactivity in me, and not out of disagreement with their sentiment or the reality they shine light on. The fact of Interbeing, as Thay calls it, and our undeniable location in the stream of life does compel us to look deeply at our relationship to this land and its longtime human stewards. That discomfort is something of the point, but it also can feel like there isn’t actually the container to fully reflect on how our presence in this place now is enabled by past injustice. So I am glad for the opportunity in our practice this week to offer that container to honor Indigenous People’s Day with our full concentration and diligence. How do you experience land acknowledgements? What do you do to find a place for what it brings up?
Please join us Monday, October 9, from 7-8:30 pm, for sitting and walking meditation. We will have a special practice of Touching the Earth to honor Indigenous People’s Day, and support one another in the Practice through Dharma Sharing.
Additional Note from the BDC: Bozeman Dharma Center sits on unceded land that was shared grounds of the Apsáalooke (Crow), Salish, Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla peoples. Settlers of European descent claimed ownership of the land, displacing those who lived here. Please take a moment to acknowledge and honor the people of these nations, as well as all of those displaced, present and past. We lament this injustice in our history as well as ongoing systemic anti-black racism that prevents the full participation of people of color in our society. To this end we strive to contribute to the dismantling of racism where we can.
Conversation with the Board of Directors
In honor of the Bozeman Dharma Center’s 10 year anniversary, this month we would like to introduce and highlight the compassionate and hardworking Board of Directors. We have had several boards in the past 10 years, all endeavoring to bring forth the dharma with eyes and hearts on excellent governance, financial oversight and helpful, relevant policy work. We are indebted to all our past and present Board members for their dedicated practice.
Our current board consists of
- Nick Woodward, President
- Marilyn Raffensperger, Vice-President
- Kerry Neal, Secretary
- Steve Allison-Bunnell, Treasurer
- Mem Schultz, Member-at-large (and co-founder who was interviewed last month)
Q: How does serving on the BOD serve your own practice?
Marilyn: Working with a group of people towards a mission that supports the well-being of all sentient beings and who share the same desire to live the dharma in their everyday lives supports my path. As the Buddha said, “When [one] has a good friend, a good companion, a good comrade, it is to be expected that he will develop and cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path.” Upaḍḍhasutta (SN 45.2)
Kerry: Serving on the board helps me live my Buddhist practice by intentionally working with others to support and serve the BDC. Each of us offers different perspectives and strengths and all are committed to work together guided by our Buddhist practice for the benefit of all who come to the BDC.
Steve: One of the primary commitments we make in the Plum Village tradition when we are ordained as Core Community members of the Order of Interbeing is to support sangha building. In general, service to others is central to Thich Nhat Hahn’s interpretation of Mahayana Buddhism. More personally, my practice has been about seeing beyond my own needs and desires, and being more able to account for the perspectives of others more fully. So working on the board gives me an opportunity to consider the needs of the entire community.
Nick: In the vision of Thich Nhat Hanh’s engaged Buddhism, serving on the board is my connection to advancing Dharma locally, regionally and beyond. I believe that mindfulness is a practice every person can benefit from and that understanding even the basic tenants of the Dharma enhances this practice substantially. Serving on the board gives me an opportunity to support every Sangha and to help make Bozeman a hub of Buddhism in America.
Q: What are some of the highlights from the past 10 years for the BDC that are important to you?
Marilyn: I am inspired by the vast and consistent programming over the years, which has given me so many opportunities to grow my practice. Also, surviving the pandemic, thanks to the dedication and generosity of so many (with a little help from technology). We were able to reopen our new dharma center location in the spring of 2022 and hire our first Executive Director.
Kerry: Starting up Mindspace in 2016 and then restarting it in 2022 post-COVID has been so meaningful for me. While it felt very daunting at first, I am so glad that the BDC encouraged and supported this group. I feel so fortunate that we are able to offer this group in the Bozeman community.
Nick: In the past 10 years, the BCD has been an important place of connection for me both to my family and to the community. I have benefited greatly from the wide array of programming, the mentorship, and the friendships that have all been a part of my experience and my practice.
Q: What is it about the BDC that you feel serves the wider Bozeman community?
Steve: It is so joyful and healthy for our sanghas representing various traditions to come together and mutually support one another in sharing the Dharma with our community. It always feels a little strange when Buddhist groups end up competing, whether explicitly or inadvertently. Being able to offer our region a harmonious and diverse range of programs seems very special. Also, the pooling of resources has wonderfully supported smaller, newer groups, such as Mindspace and Joining Rivers, to become a presence that they otherwise would struggle to do on their own.
Q: What are your hopes or visions for BDC and Buddhist practice in the Gallatin Valley for the next 10 years?
Marilyn: I look forward to building our programs, staff, and leaders to be able to fulfill the needs of the community, now and into the next 10 years.
Kerry: I started meditating when the BDC opened 10 years ago, which both feels like not much time at all and also a lot of time! Reflecting on 10 years I appreciate that the BDC has always been consistently a peaceful refuge even when the BDC transitioned to online and back into a new physical space. I hope that continues to be the case in the next 10 years and that we continue to serve and reach to all who are interested in Buddhist practice in our growing community.
Steve: Who doesn’t hope for a dedicated, larger practice center?! In addition to that, I hope we will continue to be a voice for Engaged Buddhism, carrying our practice out into the wider community, both individually and perhaps as an organization.
Nick: I would love to continue to see the BDC expand its programming and its community. I think there is great potential for the center to benefit all demographics in the Gallatin valley and to be a thriving hub for the community at large. I would like to be a part of finding the BCD a (more) permanent home, laying the groundwork for a residential program, and to continue growing the weekly offerings and retreats.
Event: Working with Koans
Join Michael Smith and Karen DeCotis on Saturday, October 7, for an easeful morning of sitting, walking and reflection as we take a dive into Working with Koans. Hosted by the Bozeman Zen Group, but all are welcome to this half-day retreat. No need to have prior Zen or koan experience.
Time Change: Metta-Infused Insight Practice
Please note that there’s been a time change for the Metta-Infused Insight Practice daylong retreat with Melissa McKay on Saturday, September 30. The retreat will begin at 10 AM and go until 4 PM. Enjoy what promises to be a transformative day of practice!
Event: Essence of the Heart Sutra
Palyul Tibetan Buddhist Sangha is excited to welcome Tibetan Buddhist Master, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche, to Bozeman! Rinpoche will give a talk on the Heart Sutra at the Bozeman Dharma Center on Friday, October 6. The talk is open to all; suggested donation of $10 (no one turned away for lack of funds).
Additional teachings will be given on October 7 & 8 at a different location.
For further information, contact:
Palyul Changchub Dargyeling Montana
Phone: 406-587-2907
Email: info@palyulmontana.org
Class: Core Skills of Meditation
Reminder that you can still join our Core Skills of Meditation class with Guest Insight teacher, Melissa McKay. Everyone is welcome to join for as many sessions as they like! The class is on Wednesdays from 7:15 – 8:45 PM through October 11. Designed to be both an intro for beginners and a tune-up for those with experience, this course will clarify your home practice. Re-fuel and get inspired. Scholarships available.
