Dharma Drink: the hangout for Buddhists (& like minded)

Dear Dharma Drink friends,

New York Public Library (NYPL) has two wonderful exhibits currently in their main library – Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Let us go check out those exhibits, followed by dinner at a vegan establishment nearby.

Meetup details:
Date: March 29, 2025 (Saturday)
Exhibits Time: 3 pm – 5 pm
Dinner time: 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm
Exhibits Location: Fifth Avenue and 42nd street (NYPL - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building)
Dinner location: Le Botaniste (near Bryant Park – 11 West 42nd street)

Note: Meet us at the entrance to the NYPL Stephen A. Schwarzman building at 3 pm. We will go in as a group sharp at 3:20 pm. If you arrive late, please find us at the galleries.

The two exhibits we will see are (in that order):
A Century of The New Yorker: “The New York Public Library's new major exhibition A Century of The New Yorker draws on NYPL's collections, including the magazine's voluminous archives and the papers of many of its contributors, to bring to life the people, stories, and ideas that made The New Yorker.

Over the past 100 years, The New Yorker has created a world of its own. Guided by the founding vision of Harold Ross and Jane Grant, and built upon by generations of staff, the magazine has set the bar for effortless style, thought-provoking prose, journalistic rigor, and playful art—delivered with a dash of snootiness, and a wink.

In ways we see and don’t see, The New Yorker has informed our understanding of almost every aspect of society: war and violence, race and gender, the environmental movement, the distinctiveness of American fiction writing, and more. In its contributors and its content, the magazine has reflected both the lofty ideals and the profound inequalities that have defined the American experience in ways that continue to shape our social and political landscape today.”

From Panama to New York: The Musical Journey of Ruben Blades: “The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts joins Lincoln Center in celebrating the life and work of Panamanian singer, songwriter, actor, and political figure Rubén Blades with three case displays on our third floor. Blades is widely regarded as one of the most influential and important figures in Latin music, particularly in the salsa genre. While his contributions span multiple fields—including music, film, and politics—this display combines archival artifacts found in the Music and Recorded Sound Division at the Library with items on loan from the artist with a special emphasis on his musical output. This case displays invite visitors to discover the passion, creativity, and activism that define Blades’ extraordinary musical journey and explore the enduring impact of his cultural contributions worldwide.

Blades is known for revolutionizing salsa music in the 1970s and ‘80s. In that period, he worked with major salsa musicians and bands, particularly with Fania Records, the famous New York-based salsa label. He pioneered a poetic and socially conscious strain of salsa, and his ability to fuse Afro-Caribbean rhythms with meaningful storytelling made him one of the most respected figures in music.

Blades’ commitment to equality and justice extends beyond the message in his music. His thoughtful and socially aware lyrics address poverty, freedom, and political corruption, with his narrative style often painting vivid pictures of urban life and political struggles.”

Hope you will join us.

Let's embark on another Dharma exploration and discuss the Zen primer book, Hoofprint of the Ox by late Chan (Zen) Master Sheng-Yen, founder of Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association. We will take our time to discuss this book and meet once every two to three weeks.

READING:
- Ch 9 Prerequisites for Chan Practice

DESCRIPTION
From book description: "...Master Sheng-yen shares his wisdom and teachings in this first comprehensive English primer of Chan, the Chinese tradition of Buddhism that inspired Japanese Zen..."
"Master Sheng-yen provides an unprecedented understanding of Chan, its precepts, and its practice. Beginning with a basic overview of Buddhism and meditation, Hoofprint of the Ox details the progressive mental exercises traditionally followed by all Buddhists. Known as the Three Disciplines, these procedures develop moral purity, meditative concentration, and enlightening insight through the "stilling" of the mind. Master Sheng-yen then expounds Chan Buddhism, recounting its centuries-old history in China and illuminating its fundamental tenets. He contemplates the nature of Buddhahood, specifies the physical and mental prerequisites for beginning Chan practice, and humbly considers what it means to be an enlightened Chan master."

WHERE TO GET THE BOOK:

Dear Dharma Drink friends,

Join us as we head to a beautiful Ethiopian/Eritean restaurant on April 1st (Tuesday) in Morningside Heights. The restaurant has both meat and vegan options.

Restaurant name: Massawa

Location: 1239 Amsterdam Ave (between 120th street and George Carlin Way). This is close to Columbia University.

Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Directions: Take the 1 train to 116th street. 10 minutes walk from that stop.