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

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 2 (Partial) - Read from "PRECONDITIONS FOR EFFECTIVE MEDITATION: HARMONIZING THE BREATH"
- Ch 3 The Buddhist Precepts and Meditative Development

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:

This is an FYI only and not an event.

Dear Dharma Drink friends,

Most of us have anywhere from the basics to a deeper understanding of the teachings of the Sakyamuni Buddha, who lived around 2500 years ago in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. His teachings, primarily focused on addressing the question of human suffering, has transcended national boundaries, crossed oceans, traveled non-stop across different continents and cultures for more than two millennia now and is here with us as the “Dharma”.

But how many of us are familiar with the little prince Siddhartha, his life, his upbringing and what led the adult prince, who was horrified by the suffering he encountered around him, to finally make the arduous journey into the unknown and conquer suffering once and for all? Years ago, PBS did one of the most fascinating documentaries that explains exactly that – not the teachings of the Buddha, but the story of Prince Siddhartha and his journey into Buddhahood.

Narrated by Richard Gere, with deeply touching background music and animations, the documentary has a beautiful life lesson for all, in addition to the dive into the story of the life of the Buddha. Let us watch the documentary that is available on YouTube and come together to discuss it afterwards.

Please watch the documentary before coming to the meetup. During the meetup, we will only discuss it and not watch it.