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The
9th Western Buddhist Monastic Conference - 2003
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The 9th Western Buddhist Monastic Conference With presentations and discussions on: SUFFERING & TRANSFORMATION Vajrapani Institute, Boulder Creek, California October 6-10, 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Theme of this Conference was: Suffering & Transformation Transformation
of suffering caused by a sense of unworthiness & alienation The discussions provided opportunities for us to broaden our understanding of these topics, expand our capacity to work within our own communities and gain greater appreciation and understanding of other communities in these areas. This year the host was Vajrapani Institute, situated in Boulder Creek, California. Our monastic conferences originally started for Western monastics to gather together and spend time learning about each other's work and practices in the West as well providing an opportunity for us to be rejuvenated in a monastic setting. In this same spirit, this conference was open to monastics from all Buddhist traditions and cultures, but is particularly for monastics born or raised in the West, who follow traditional vows, which include observing celibacy. Last October our conference theme was "True to the Source" this included explorations of forms of monastic training, investigation of the heart of monastic practice, inter-faith dialogue, and the interface with modern Western culture. These themes provided the focus for the presentations and discussions about our lives as monastics. Thirty participants, including seven abbots of monasteries in the West, attended the event. This
year's conference, as well as being based around these various dimensions
of using suffering for the purpose of transforming greed, hatred and
delusion into virtue, concentration and wisdom, was also intended to
involve the elements of sharing our various forms of practice, especially
meditation techniques & teachings, and intra-Buddhist tradition
dialogue & collaboration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Schedule: Monday, October 6th 3:30~5:45 pm Check In 6:00pm Dinner/tea 7:30pm Monastic Conference Opening Session: Facilitated by Ven. Tenzin Kacho, Rev Master Eko & Ajahn Amaro Tuesday, October 7th 5:30am Meditation 7:00am Breakfast 8:30am 1st Council — Transformation of Suffering Caused by a Sense of Unworthiness & Alienation ...Presentations by — Ven. Tenzin Kacho & Rev. Meian Elbert ...Facilitators: Rev Master Eko, Ajahn Amaro 11:30am Main meal offering 2:00pm 2nd Council— Transformation of Suffering Caused by Greed & Consumerism ...presentations by — Rev Kusala Bhikshu & Rev Heng Sure ...facilitators: Ven. Tenzin Kacho, Rev Master Eko 6:00pm Dinner/tea 7:30pm Silent Meditation 8:15pm Informal Dialogues: Facilitators: Ven. Tenzin Kacho, Rev Master Eko Wednesday, October 8th 5:30am Meditation 7:00am Breakfast 8:30am 3rd Council — Transformation of Suffering Caused by Personal & Structural Violence ...Presentations by — Ajahn Santikaro & Sr. Chau Nghiem ...Facilitators: Ven. Tenzin Kacho, Rev Master Eko 11:30am Main meal offering 1:30~5:00pm Tour of Vajrapani & Visit to Land of Medicine Buddha 6:00pm Dinner/tea 7:30pm Silent Meditation 8:15pm Informal Dialogues: Facilitators: Ven. Tenzin Kacho, Rev Master Eko Thursday, October 9th 5:30am Meditation 7:00am Breakfast 8:30am 4th Council — Transformation of Suffering Caused by Sickness, Ageing and Death ...Presentations by —Ven. Jangchup Phelgyal & Rev. Master Eko ...Facilitators: Ven. Tenzin Kacho, Rev Master Eko 11:30am Main meal offering 2:00~4:30 pm Presentation on the Work of FPMT by Ven. Losang Drimay 6:00pm Dinner/tea 7:30pm Silent Meditation 8:15pm Informal Dialogues: Facilitators: Ven. Tenzin Kacho, Rev Master Eko Friday, October 10th 5:30am Meditation 7:00am Breakfast 8:30am Closing Discussion & Reflections; Merit-Sharing Ceremony ...Facilitators: Ven. Tenzin Kacho, Rev Master Eko & Ajahn Amaro 11:30am Main Meal Offering / End of Conference ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Each council was scheduled for one hour, followed by one and a half hours of free discussion time. There were two presentations for each council, thirty minutes each for a total of one hour. There was then a short break and the second hour and a half was open to the whole gathering for further input, discussion & questions. Facilitators made introductions, and announced the program and schedule, and moderated and facilitated discussions and question & answer sessions. Representatives
of each tradition offerd opening aspirations and closing dedications
for each council, as well as at the opening and close of the conference
itself. Traditions leading the chanting were encouraged to share copies
of their texts with the gathering so that all could participate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Female Monastics - Tradition/Traditions Ven. Tenzin Kacho - Gelukgpa/Tibetan Rev. Meian Elbert - Soto Zen/Chinese Mahayana Ven. Thich Nu Chon Duc - Vietnamese Zen/Lin Chi Ven. Sr. Thich Nu Chan Chau Nghiem - Vietnamese Zen/Lin Chi Ven. Thubten Chodron - Dharmaguptuka/Tibetan Ven. Losang Drimay - Gelugkpa/Tibetan Ven. Gyalten Thartso - Gelugkpa/Tibetan Ven. Sr Thich Chau Nghiem - Vietnamese Zen/Pure Land Ven. Sr Thich Nu Chan Thuan Tien - Vietnamese Zen/Lin Chi Ven. Man Shing - Chinese Chan/Pure Land Ven. Lekshe Choying Wangmo - Gelugkpa/Tibetan Ven. Angie - Gelukgpa/Tibetan Ven. Thubten Norzin - Gelukgpa/Tibetan Ven. Shiou Wen Shih - Chinese Zen/Pure Land Ven. Losang Chodren - Gelukgpa/Tibetan Ven. Amy Miller - Gelukgpa/Tibetan Male Monastics - Tradition/Traditions Ven. Ajahn Amaro - Theravada/Thai Forest Ven. Ajahn Pasanno - Theravada/Thai Forest Rev. Kusala Bhikshu - Vietnamese Zen/Lin Chi Ven. Sudanto Bhikkhu - Theravada/Thai Forest Ven. Ajahn Santikaro - Theravada/Thai Forest Rev. Master Eko - Soto Zen/Chinese Mayahana Ven. Jangchup Phelgyal - Gelukgpa/Tibetan Rev. Luminous Owl Henkel - Soto Zen Rev. Daishin Yalon - Soto Zen/Chinese Mahayana Rev. Heng Sure - Chinese Chan Ven. Chong Hae Sunim - Kwan Um Soen Rim-Korean Ven. Chong Won Sunim - Kwan Um Soen Rim-Korean Ven. Jian Hu - Chinese Linji Chan Ven. Jian Ying - Chinese Linji Chan Ven. Jian Zong - Chinese Linji Chan Ven. Rinchen Gyatso - Drikung Kagyu/Tibetan Ven. Losang Tensin - Gelugkpa/Tibetan Ven. Thich Chan Phap Hai - Vietnamese Zen/Lin Chi Ven. Thich Chan Phap Dung - Vietnamese Zen/Lin Chi Ven. Thich Chan Phap Son - Vietnamese Zen/Lin Chi Ven. Thich Chan Phap Ntuyen - Vietnamese Zen/Lin Chi |
For Information on the 10th: