Events

ONLINE: Path of the Bodhisattva I

ASL Interpretation Provided 

with Mushim Ikeda

I, myself, took the Bodhisattva Vows and made the vow, “Life after life, after life, after life, I will continue my practice and continue my work.” – Bhante Suhita Dharma, Buddhist monk and social worker, 1941-2013


In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is an archetypal great being who tirelessly and joyfully works to liberate all beings from suffering. For the third time, EBMC will offer two class series exploring what it means to creatively embody the Bodhisattva teachings. Those who complete both class series may participate in the final daylong and either witness or take Bodhisattva precepts and vows in order to strengthen their commitment to collective liberation. These are the same vows taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Those who do not wish to take the Bodhisattva vows may take either of the two class series. Meditation (instruction provided for beginners), Dharma talks, and interactive exercises.

Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom. 

Please read full class series schedule below:

4 class series: Path of the Bodhisattva 1, Weds, Oct 7 – 28, 6:30 – 8:30pm* PST

4 class series: Path of the Bodhisattva 2, Weds, Nov 4 – 25, 6:30 – 8:30pm* PST

Daylong: Receiving or Witnessing the Bodhisattva Precepts & Vows, Dec 5th 10am – 4:30pm* PST 

 

*There are three parts to the Path of the Bodhisattva curriculum. Separate registration is needed for each part: (1) Path of the Bodhisattva 1 class series; (2) Path of the Bodhisattva 2 class series; (3) Receiving Bodhisattva Vows and Precepts Ceremony). Participants interested in receiving the Bodhisattva Vows in Dec are required to take Parts 1 + 2 of the class series.

 

ONLINE: Turning Towards Our Body During a Time of Turbulence, Suffering and Fear

A four class series exploring the four foundations of Mindfulness with Vimalasara Mason John.

Wednesdays, July 15th, 22nd, 29th and August 5th   7:00-8:30PM PST 

with Vimalasara Mason John

The Buddha taught the four foundations of mindfulness as a way to gain freedom from the external and internal worlds that we live in. During times of PandemicS Covid 19, racial and social injustices it is inevitable that many of us will flee the body, switch all feelings of and run to the comfort of our thoughts, and many other distractions. The hardest thing many of us will ever do is coming back to the breath, to the body, to feelings. If we want liberation we have to find a way back to the body. During this 4 week course we will journey through the 4 tetrads of the Mindfulness of Breathing, working with the body, feelings, thoughts, the nature of all things. We will cultivate metta to access the ancient practice of the four foundations of mindfulness, to help us see more clearly during these turbulent times of pandemics and uprisings. It will be held with kindness, giving space to anyone who would like to have a compassionate inquiry into whatever arises during the course. This course is for anyone who is ready to rediscover the elixir of the breath and the salve of loving-kindness.

Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email. 

Cultivating Solidarity and Building Stamina for Transformative Action (for White Practitioners)

Cultivating Solidarity and Building Stamina for Transformative Action (for White Practitioners)

with Crystal Johnson, JD Doyle and Evan Hoppin

10:00AM -12:15PM and 2:00PM-4:00PM PST

This is a moment in history when awareness of the harm of systemic racism and injustice is heightened and one of the challenges for us as white people is to stay focused enough and centered enough to take wise action.  To do this, we can use our practice to build our capacity to be present to the painful and complex feelings so that we can acknowledge, investigate, and truly witness the legacy of centuries of violent oppression.  In this way, we can build the stamina necessary to transform the system of white supremacy both internally and externally, for the benefit of all beings.

Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email. 

 

Introduction to Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation

with Kazu Haga, Sierra Pickett and Chris Moore-Backman

Kingian Nonviolence grew out of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and is a transformative philosophy dealing with the transformation of conflict. Many forms of political resistance only deal with “fixing issues,” while ignoring the need to heal relationships. However many healing modalities do not address the systems of injustice that perpetuate trauma. Through interactive activities, the workshop will dispel many common myths of “nonviolence,” and explore the interconnection of personal healing and political resistance, and how to build a powerful movement that honors the dignity of ALL life. This workshop is a partnership with East Point Peace Academy.

Space is limited and registration is requested.

Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:

* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.

Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.

Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.

EBMC is wheelchair accessible.

Pause and Relax: A Mindfulness Practice Day for Educators

with JD Doyle and Jonathan Relucio

Open to All Educators

Teachers do important work that influences all our lives. The many challenges from this path of service make it difficult to find time for self care and may lead to feelings of overwhelm. During this day for educators, we will learn practices that can be easily integrated into daily life and that benefit you and the community (both students and colleagues). The day will include meditation, mindful movement, heart practices and other resources. We will offer background in neuroscience and brain research that describes the healing impact of these practices to mitigate the effects of chronic stress and secondary trauma.

Space is limited and registration is requested.

Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:

* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.

Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.

Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.

EBMC is wheelchair accessible.