Pilgrimage, Devotion, and Uposatha

Sit & Dharma Talk with with SIM Community Teacher Rich Howard and SIM Community Member John “Boogie” Phelps.

How does our practice include the warmth of heart, expressed freely in devotion? Sometimes it may seem as if Buddhism’s intention to relieve suffering and be awake to the way things are, in Western practice centers, sidesteps the personal intimacy of devotion that we see in Asian temple life, and in other faith traditions. To whom and what is devotion given? What can we learn from others, and from attending to our own longings and gratefulness? Rich and John have been exploring this topic and will invite our participation in that exploration.

After the presentation, Rich and Boogie will host an evening of meditation and chanting as long as people would like to stay (up to midnight). In many Theravada countries, special practice days are observed in line with phases of the moon, called Uposatha. On this full moon day, you are also invited to practice the eight precepts. Chanting books will be provided.

Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha.