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

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The Theme of this Conference was:

Suffering & Transformation

Transformation of suffering caused by a sense of unworthiness & alienation
Transformation of suffering caused by personal & structural violence
Transformation of suffering caused by sickness, ageing and death
Transformation of suffering caused by greed & consumerism

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.

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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 CouncilTransformation 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 CouncilTransformation 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 CouncilTransformation 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 CouncilTransformation 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

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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.

For Information on the 10th:  Western Buddhist Monastic Conference

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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