(DAY 1) of 5-Day Retreat
After H.E. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche's talk Friday, May 28th.
Jen Bradner says, "This was extraordinary. I highly recommend going to any of the teachings this weekend!"

 — at Quan Am Buddhist Monastery and Temple.

Celebrate! Buddha's Birthday and 5-Day Retreat by Tibetan Buddhist Monk. Come to all or come to part.  We'd just enjoy seeing you!  Please feel free to bring a friend.  Please share with friends.  This promises to be a really good Retreat.  See you there!
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Here's your schedule (Below in this Post).  We are also having "Starry Nights and Sunny Days" Sky Viewing through Telescopes some of our members are setting up.  "Starry Nights" is 8pm Thursday, May 28th and "Sunny Days" is 4pm Saturday, May 30th.  Gives us a sense of how we exist within the web of this vast Universe.  For the Sky Viewing - Bring the Family!  Hope to see you real soon. 

Donation:
Suggested donation is $20 for the daily teachings, and 
$40 for the Saturday retreat. 
Some Scholarships are available.  
Do not let limited ability to donate prevent you from attending. 
Call for more information.

RETREAT SCHEDULE:

Thursday, (Day 1) May 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Veggie Dinner
Compassion (Chenrezig) Empowerment

Thursday, (Day 1) May 28 at 8p.m.
"Starry Night" - Sky Viewing through Telescope
Just for Fun! One of our members is bringing a Telescope and (pending clear sky/cloud cover permitting) we hope to see a "starry" night sky. Will reschedule for Friday, June 12th after Meditation if cloud cover doesn't permit viewing.

Friday, (Day 2) May 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Veggie Dinner
Compassion (Chenrezig) Teaching and Meditation

Saturday, (Day 3) May 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Veggie Lunch
“Day Retreat” 
featuring Medicine Buddha Empowerment 
with Medicine Buddha Teaching and Meditation 
(Heal Body & Mind!  Awaken your inner healing wisdom.)

Saturday, (Day 3) May 30 at 4 p.m.
"Sunny Day" - Sky Viewing through Telescope (Day 3)
Just for Fun! Kid Friendly! Bring the Family! 
 One of our members is bringing a Telescope with Sun Filter, 
and (pending clear sky/cloud cover permitting) we hope to see a "sunny" daytime sun. Will reschedule for Saturday, June 13th at Day Retreat, 
if cloud cover doesn't permit viewing

Sunday, (Day 4) May 31 from 10 to 11 a.m.
One Hour Teaching by Buddhist Monk
The Nature of Mind 
Learn about the Continuity of Consciousness

Sunday, (Day 4) May 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony in the Temple
All are invited to participate. 
Everyone is welcome.

Sunday, (Day 4) May 31 from 12:30p.m. to 2 p.m.
Veggie Lunch - Food Fair
For Sale!
Box Lunches - To Take Home
Fundraiser to support the Monastery

Sunday, (Day 4) May 31 from 2p.m. to 3 p.m.
“Taking Refuge” Ceremony to Become Buddhist
for those who desire to do so. 
Call (901) 679-4528 to express your interest.
Email:  QuanAmMonasteryAndTemple@gmail.com
Facebook ~ Quan Am Buddhist Monastery and Temple

Monday, (Day 5) June 1 from 6p.m. to 8 p.m.
Veggie Dinner
The Four Noble Truths (Basics of Buddhism)

Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche is a Tibetan Buddhist Master, Poet, Artist and Author, who will visit Quan Am Monastery beginning Thursday, May 28. He has an “Ancient Practice” yet is a “Modern Monk.”  He will be leading teachings from May 28 to June 1, with  a full "Day Retreat" on Saturday, May 30th.  He advocates healing your thoughts and feelings and enjoying your life.   See a You Tube Video of Tulku Yeshi - 

"How to Enjoy Your Life" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N9gKExOcRA)

Tulku Yeshi received teachings from 40 masters, representing all five schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He writes novels and poetry, and bestows empowerments.  Currently he is working on Dharma activities at Sakya Monastery in Seattle (www.Sakya.org). He has published ten books about philosophy, life, nature, joy and peace.  He is the founder of Tibetan Zen Buddhism. He has given Tibetan Buddhist teachings in many U.S. cities. His book, Handbook for the Half-Buddha, and his autobiography, A Modern Liberation Odyssey, are available for purchase at www.BodhiTreeLeaf.org.

In describing his “Tibetan Zen” practice, which he founded, Tulku Yeshi teaches 1) Look at your eyes, 2) Listen to your voice, 3) Experience your mind.  He states, “Upon entering the beautiful garden, you find yourself surrounded by lovely flowers.  While looking at them, do not forget to look at your eyes.  At the same time, while listening to the songs of the birds in the garden, do not forget to listen to your voice.  And while enjoying the whole experience, do not forget to experience your mind."  

The retreat will be held at 
Quan Am Monastery
3500 S. Goodlett Street
Memphis, TN

About Quan Am Monastery:  
Quan Am Monastery’s Western Sangha is the western community within the larger body of the Vietnamese membership at Quan Am Monastery, who study and practice Buddhist principles.  Ven. Thich Nguyen Tahn, the Abbot of Quan Am Monastery, is the Director of the Monastery and thereby, also the Director of the Western Sangha.

Quan Am Monastery’s Western Sangha provides a Buddhist study and practice community for Westerners in Memphis and the Midsouth region.  You will find a warm and welcoming community that invites everyone to learn ancient Buddhist practices that apply to the modern world. Take a mini-vacation locally, by visiting our beautiful Buddhist Temple and green space with gardens, and lovely grounds.  Enjoy this rare opportunity for Memphians and Midsouth residents to access an array Buddhist education through study, practice and spiritual development.  Come and learn to truly enjoy your life. 

Sunday Meditation Dharma Talk & "Western Sangha" Meeting #1 - 10am - May 17th by Thay
Thay invited all of us out to the porch to sit at table so we could all be facing each other and could all talk.  He began by explaining how we remove our shoes when entering the Temple as shoes are considered "contaminated," so we bring purity into the Temple.  We greet each other with a "bow" with our hands folded and palms together. This symbolizes the "Lotus" flower and longevity, virtue, merit, and wisdom.  We'll see the Vietnamese members doing prostrations to the Buddha.  (Westerners do not do this, yet may learn it in time.)  It is not to the Statue, but rather to the Buddha in ourselves that we bow, to humble ourselves.  Most of the problems in life come from the ego.  Ego causes us to feel superior and above others and this brings suffering. We say, "My house, my car, my spouse, my money, my religion, my country" - thinking things are "mine," when really we are simply using things.  Most things someone gave us to use.  Buddha renounced everything and advocated selflessness.  This world is an illusion.  We think things are all for "me."  We put the "I" into everything.  That's not really true.  We need to look deeply to be in touch with the true nature of things. Become aware of how nature works and functions.  This becomes easier with Meditation practice.  Our human existence is suffering.  Even on the societal level, humans suffer.  Suffering is emotional suffering and physical suffering and mental suffering.  We are most comfortable from birth to about 20 years old.  Then we have to figure out how to "be" in society.  We don't understand these principles or we cannot accept these principles. With Meditation practice we have more understanding and less suffering.  BE CONSISTENT with your PRACTICE!  Buddhism teaches that you have the choice in your own hands to continue to suffer or to be happy.  It is your choice.  It is up to you.  In order to PROTECT your body and mind for happiness you can take refuge in the Three Jewels - The Buddha, The Dharma, and The Sangha.  As part of our 5-Day Retreat Quan Am Monastery is offering a "TAKING REFUGE" Ceremony.  "Taking Refuge" Ceremony, is how one becomes a Buddhist.  The title "Taking Refuge" means we "take refuge" in the Three Jewels:  The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.  2pm Sunday, May 31st will be our "Taking Refuge" Ceremony, in the Temple, for those who want to become a Buddhist.  Please invite your friends, family, and Sangha members, who are your supports along your Buddhist path.  After "Taking Refuge" and becoming a Buddhist, then you begin to practice the Five Precepts for your own self protection.  It's for YOU!  Avoid killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and consumption of toxins.  Westerners are sometimes concerned with the avoidance of sexual misconduct.  However, after marriage, if the family is happy, then everyone is happy and there are no problems.   All of these "Precepts" apply to our "Practice."  In the case of "Right Speech," sometimes even though what we say may be technically "correct," if it is presented in the wrong time and the wrong place then that brings suffering.  Sometimes, not always, silence says a lot.  One example might be that if the husband is in a business meeting and is in the middle of signing an important Contract, then the wife's phone call interrupts the business, then this can bring suffering.  Use wisdom and intuition to determine the best time to talk. Buddhism advocates the "middle way."  Moderation is the rule of thumb.  Too much food can bring suffering, or too much medicine.  Even too much affection and love can be a cause of suffering, at times.  The "middle way" keeps the mind neutral and in balance.  To achieve this balance we have to PRACTICE A LOT!  This is not easy, as we are influenced by environmental inputs from inside us and from outside us.  Know yourself.  Sometimes we need protection.  Like the three monkeys - hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil as the monkeys cover their eyes, ears, and mouth.  Allow in only what you need from the outside environment.  Stabilize yourself by practicing the "middle way."  

Quan Am Monastery and Temple can be your spiritual home, your place for protection and growing in the Dharma.  Many people seek meaning in life.  Many people say that without developing spiritually, it is difficult to find meaning in life.  Quan Am Monastery and Temple invites you to make this your spiritual home.  We want you to feel comfortable here.  Also, if you enjoy yourself here, then you will want to contribute in any small ways you can.  If you see a mess somewhere, then be considerate and clean it up.  If you see the floor is dirty, then be considerate and sweep it.  We want to keep the Monastery and Temple clean and beautiful.  We want you to take an interest in the upkeep of the Monastery and Temple.  The Monastery and Temple belong to everyone in the community.  That means not only to the Asian members, but rather to the Western members and everyone.

We invite you to study and practice Buddhism.  We want you to feel comfortable in your study and practice here.  We want you to enjoy a safe space to grow in your spiritual development among friends.  We want you to enjoy a spiritual community of Western Dharma sisters and brothers, who support you in your spiritual growth in Buddhism.  In such a setting, if one member has a need, then the Western Sangha group comes to their aid.  Western Sangha friends can share a close support network.  If one member suffers a loss, or has a death in the family, then the other Sangha members share in that loss and support that member through their grief process.

The Western Sangha group is slowly growing and gaining momentum.  Once we have in place a committed group of about 10 or more people who will come to study on a regular basis, then we will study and practice the "basic foundations" of Buddhist practice.  We will have designated times with lessons for study.  Then we will have an organized group that will proceed in study.  At the end of May (2015) we are having a Tibetan Buddhist Monk present a 5-Day Retreat at Quan Am Monastery.  We are putting a lot of time, effort, and money into providing this Retreat for our Western Dharma friends.  Do not worry about the money.  Focus on the opportunity for spiritual growth that's available to you in this Retreat.  If you can give a donation to contribute to expenses and to sustain the Monastery, then that's great!  Buddhists consider generosity as good karma.  If you give a donation of one cent ($.01), then that is the same as someone who gives a donation of one-thousand ($1,000.00) dollars.  All donations mean the same, when you put your mind, right intention, and compassion into it.  We welcome you to our organizing efforts, currently underway, to develop a formal Western Sangha.  We need a helping hand to pull the Sangha together.  We invite you to discuss and share ideas and to assist with organizing Sangha events.  Once the Sangha grows to a considerable size, then we will slowly evolve into a more formal structure with committees, and officers.  Until then we will continue under the current operating status offering events and inviting newcomers until we get a little stronger.  Please stay after and offer to contribute your assistance to the current efforts and events that we have in place or are planning.  Thank you for your time and we will meet again, soon.  A lotus to you! 

10am Sunday, May 15, 2015 Dharma Talk by Huyen Kham, - 4 Elements: Air, Earth, Fire, Water
We are made of the Four Elements: Air, Earth, Fire, Water.  Have you ever really needed to empty your bladder?  What a relief when you finally do!  Or if you are really, really hungry, then even crackers and juice tastes delicious!  How lovely to take a deep breath in a forest or out in nature!  And when we are cold in an ice storm, then a soft blanket brings warmth and returns the "fire" to our bodies.  Everyday we breathe.  We hardly notice our inhale and our exhale.  Breath is "Life!"  Pay attention and enjoy this breath.  Right now!  The world is full of little pleasures.  Little breaths of air.  When we are aware of our thoughts, then this awareness, itself, can be pleasurable.  A Zen Master once said, "Return to the self for self-observation."  We already have everything we need inside of us.  All "sentient beings" so deserve happiness and comfort.  With science we can now look deeply into the nature of things.  We are made of the "Four Elements."  With the technology of the sonogram, we now can see the fetus during the pregnancy.  Life starts at the cellular level - at a level that we don't see.  The "Four Elements" begin at the cellular level.  Even during pregnancy, we borrow and return air, earth, fire, and wind.  It is what we are made of, and yet we use it and return it to the stream of life.  This cycle is continuous.  This is "impermanence."  It begins prior to conception.  Even the mother's health, and what she breathes in and consumes affects the health of the baby.  Even our internal organs "borrow" things.  In the case of an organ transplant we see the "borrowing" concept.  When there is an organ transplant, then the person has "borrowed" a kidney, a lung, or even a heart from someone else. A kidney has a mind of it's own.  Despite the fact that all factors look really good, the organ can assess it's environment within the recipient or "host" body and may recognize it as unfamiliar and the transplanted organ rejects itself.  What is true to us is already within us.  We can view "impermanence" as positive or negative.  As when a person is unable to eat on their own, or unable to void on their own.  Medical professionals insert tubes or perform other invasive treatments.  This may be considered as negative.  Yet if this is my illness, then it is significant for me to know that I am not the illness, and I am not the pain or infirmity.  Rather I strive to be the observer, who sits in the center and observes the process of illness and what is happening with my body.  "Hidden transformation" is always happening. From yearly birthdays, to monthly shifts, to daily transitions, to moment to moment changes.  Even though in the process, something is extinguished, something also remains constant.  Remember today to disengage the "self" and become the "observer."

6pm Friday MEDITATION
6pm FRIDAY MEDITATION in English
Call: (901) 679-4528 to RSVP.  Relax at 6pm FRIDAY MEDITATION at Quan Am Monastery.
Sessions are broken up into:
1) Chanting the "Heart Sutra" in English;
2) Silent "Sitting Meditation"
3) Dharma Talk and/or Book Discussion
Feel free to bring a friend. If you are running late, no worries. Just grab a cushion and join in. Cushions and chairs are available at the Monastery.
Bring any questions you may have. It's a good time to ask and for discussion. Stay after for a light Veggie meal & to get acquainted.

World Religions Buddhism, Part 2 "A Historical Context for Buddhism" was so informative.  Learned about Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism with it's three branches - Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana. We had discussion with question and answer and enjoyed the evening and the Asian Food, "Sticky Rice" with Vegetables and Organic Strawberries for dessert. Everyone said they had a good time!

5:45pm THURSDAY TAI CHI CLASS - WEEKLY
Newcomers and Beginners Welcomed. CALL (901) 679-4528 to Register or for more info. Folks love it! Come Join Us! Linda Ross, Tai Chi Instructor has 10 years experience teaching Tai Chi locally. She's very skilled and is a great teacher and is building a solid foundation for us students. Afterwards, stay for Veggie Dinner! Food is delicious! And we all get acquainted over yummy Vietnamese Food and have a great time.  Donation:  Suggested Donation $3.00 to support Monastery.