Buddhism Basics

Classes, Non-denominationalErin Strickland

Join senior BDC practitioners for this three week Buddhism class series exploring central teachings of our 2600 year old Buddhist tradition. The class will meet on Wednesdays from 7:15-8:30 PM starting on October 23. Each of the classes will have a presentation, meditation, practice, question and answer, and dialogue. Great for those new to meditation and Buddhist practice. Seasoned practitioners are warmly encouraged as well. If you arrive early, please be quiet as another group meets at the BDC until 7PM.

We plan to explore the following topics:

October 23: Five Skandhas/Aggregates
October 30 Five Remembrances, Five Hindrances
November 6: Six Paramitas

Event: Celebrate Karen DeCotis!

From the BoardMichael Palmer

Most of you know that Karen DeCotis is going to be moving to San Antonio, TX at the end of October. It’s hard to imagine the Bozeman Dharma Center without her. Karen has been with the BDC since the beginning and with the Bozeman Zen Group for even longer. She has served on the Programming Committee since 2017 and has been the BDC Executive Director over the last two years. In addition, she has been a friend, mentor, devoted Dharma teacher and practitioner. She has become such an important part of our lives that we knew she needed a big send off!

Come celebrate Karen DeCotis on Friday, October 4th at 5PM. We will have snacks, an opportunity to share stories & gratitude for Karen, and a card to sign well wishes for her journey to Texas. If you are interested in contributing to a gift for Karen, please contact Michãel at mpalmer@bozemandharmacenter.org.

More about Karen

Karen DeCotis is a Zen student and teacher who received priest ordination from Sojun Mel Weitsamn in the Soto Lineage in 2016 and Dharma transmission in 2019.

She has taught the Bozeman Zen Group for 18 years, having practiced at the Berkeley Zen Center and San Francisco Zen Center beginning in 1986. Devoted to service and engaged learning, Karen brings knowledge of and experience with the Buddhist traditions along with a clear-eyed view of human life, suffering and transformation.

She is known for her humor and warmth, bringing her intelligence, wit and humility to every teaching opportunity.

Dharma Thought on Bossiness

Dharma ThoughtsMichael Palmer

This Dharma Thought on Bossiness is offered by Steve Allison-Bunnell with the Joining Rivers Sangha.
I am in recovery from a life-long tendency toward bossiness. Being able to clearly see how things could be quickly becomes a burning desire for how things should be. And from that, telling others how they must do their work inevitably follows. I’ve talked before about the wonderful experience of deep, focused awareness while working on a recycled building materials project at Home ReSource’s annual Spontaneous Construction event in Missoula. But the trap waiting for me has always been the compulsion to micro-manage the rest of my team/family. This year, I had the added joy of watching them work with their own focus and great skill, and to use my mindfulness to pause and simply enjoy what they were doing. It was so refreshing to feel free from bossiness! And that energy helped us all to be satisfied with what we built. Where do you feel yourself being bossy instead of collaborative? What do you do to have confidence in others?

Zen Sesshin

ZenMichael Palmer

Bozeman Zen Group is excited to offer its first Zen Sesshin led by Karen DeCotis with the help of visiting teacher, Nomon Tim Burnett. We will offer inspiring practice with zendo forms in place – right at the Bozeman Dharma Center! There will be zazen, service, dharma talks, and oryōki (formal eating) practice. Hours are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Thursday – Saturday, with a half day on Sunday. This is a draft schedule for the four days.

Although participation can be flexible, priority for attendance will be given to those who sign up for all four days.

About the Bozeman Zen Group

A group of lay and ordained practitioners, we come together to encourage and inspire each other to be mindful and compassionate in our everyday lives. We provide regular opportunities for Zen practice and education in Southwestern Montana.

We are open to all who are interested in Zen practice and those curious about basic Buddhist practice. Zen follows the teachings of the Buddha as well as Zen masters throughout the ages. Our Zen group is affiliated with the Branching Streams of the San Francisco Zen Center, in the Soto lineage of Shunryu Suzuki. Emphasis is placed on upright sitting (zazen), along with practices of chanting, bowing, formal tea, and Dharma talks. Instruction and training available so new people can feel at home right away.

To stop your mind does not mean to stop the activities of mind. It means your mind pervades your whole body. —Shunryu Suzuki

And remember to unplug the tea kettle when finished.

Class: Intro to Meditation

ClassesMichael Palmer

This week’s Intro to Meditation class features a Body scan guided meditation, instruction on working with a question, and an introduction to mindfulness practice. We will meet on Wednesday, September 18 from 7:15-8:30 PM. Learn to work with your monkey mind! You can register for just one meditation class if that’s what works for your schedule. Click here for the registration link.

meditation class to work with your monkey mind

Prayers & Celebration of Life for Joy Johnson

From the BoardMichael Palmer

You may have already heard that our dear friend, Joy Johnson, died on Friday, September 6. Joy was an ardent practitioner and co-leader of the Palyul Tibetan Sanga. We miss her very much.

Joy will be cremated on Thursday at the Dahl funeral home. If you would like to join the Palyul Sangha for prayers, please arrive at Dahl’s at 5:30. Together, we will recite a short Ngondro, followed by accumulation of the 100 syllable mantra, The Abbreviated Confession to the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities and The Prayer to be Reborn in Dewachen. There will be prayer texts available and all are welcome. The prayers will take about 45 minutes.

This Friday at 3:00 at the Dahl funeral home, Joy’s family is holding a Celebration of Life. Please come and share in the celebration, buoy her family and community and remember Joy’s life and the precious gift it was to so many.

Zen Sesshin

Weekend RetreatMichael Palmer

Although participation can be flexible, priority for attendance will be given to those who sign up for all four days.

About the Bozeman Zen Group

To stop your mind does not mean to stop the activities of mind. It means your mind pervades your whole body. —Shunryu Suzuki

And remember to unplug the tea kettle when finished.

Mindful Creativity: Dharma Truths

ClassesMichael Palmer

September’s Mindful Creativity class is to create your own miniature book of Dharma Truths that you’d like to remember! In interest of time, the miniature accordion books will be premade (you will get instructions on how to make the book). Instructor will provide lettering options, and page design inspirations. All you have to do is transcribe your favorite quote, image or reminder on the pages, and illuiminate the page. Materials will be provided for you to share, but amounts are limited, So, if you have some favorite markers, pens, stamps, etc. bring them along.

Bring a selection of words, quotes, phrases, haiku, short poems that inspire you, and support your practice. Have 5 or 6 or more to choose from. These will be used for your book and to support others.

Some optional things to bring:

your favorite writing tools, pens, markers, pencils. There will be plenty available, but if you have a preference bring yours.
if you have a design, illustration, border, small rubber stamp, etc.that you’d like to include in your book, bring that too.

Please pre-register for Mindful Creativity: Dharma Truths so we can ensure that we have enough space and supplies!

Mahasangha Half-Day Sit

Half-Day RetreatMichael Palmer

Join us this Saturday, September 14, for a Mahasanghha half-day sit with offerings from representatives of all of our groups. Practice with dharma friends old and new! There will be sitting and walking meditation, chanting, and tea! Offered in person and via Zoom.

Class: Intro to Meditation

ClassesMichael Palmer

Our Intro to Meditation class series begins September 11 and will run for three consecutive Wednesdays! Meditation can help us work with our monkey minds which like to swing from topic to topic nonstop. Learn several different styles of meditation and find a style that works for you. Sign up for the whole series or a single class. Taught by Karen DeCotis and Michãel Palmer.

Join our intro to meditation class to learn to work with your monkey mind!

Schedule

Week 1: Posture, breath practice, walking meditation, how to start a meditation practice at home
Week 2: Body scan guided meditation, working with a question, mindfulness
Week 3: Metta practice, Tonglen

What to Bring

Feel free to bring water or tea in a closable container. Please do not bring food into the meditation hall. You may want to bring a notebook and pen to take notes although most of our class time will be spent practicing meditation.

What should I wear?

We suggest casual, loose and comfortable clothing. Shoes are not worn in the meditation hall; please leave them on the shoe racks provided by the front door.

What NOT to wear?

Please avoid wearing scented products even ”natural” and “herbal” ones! This includes shampoos and conditioners and clothing that has been washed in fragranced detergent. People with fragrance sensitivities are attending and will need this support from all of us in order to be in the room. We aim for a fragrance free meditation hall. THANK YOU!