RED MAPLE WEEK MAY 1

Hi Sangha and Friends,

1. PRACTICE REMINDERS
1.1. THIS WEEK
Practice on  Saturday May 5 will be Beginner’s Mind, 

 beginning at 8.30 am. If weather is suitable, we will do indoor 
practice until 9.30 and then switch to outdoor practice, and do samu 
work practice), working on the construction of a brand new labyrinth 
in the Jizo Garden. Bring gardening clothes and shoes.

1.2. Our next Pembroke practice will be Saturday, May 12, 8.45-11.30. 
We will hold an extended session this month in the form of our 
Entering the Dharma Path workshop. This is a good introduction to 
Buddhist history, teaching and practice.

2. HIKE FOR HOSPICE
Red Maple Sangha will be joining our neighbours on the afternoon of 
Sunday May 6 to participate in the Hike for Hospice in Renfrew. This 
is a short (3km) walk to raise funds for one of the most important 
resources in our community. We have a good relationship with them and 
the work they do is very compatible with Buddhist practice.
I am suggesting we meet at the walk start, with pledge sheets in hand, 
and we walk as a group. The walk starts at 1.00 pm at Renfrew 
Presbyterian Church, 460 Raglan St. S, Renfrew, about 100 yards East 
of the movie theatre.

We will create opportunities for us to engage in some actual practice 
during the walk. Feel free to invite friends and family, and polite 
dogs. We might even win the plasma TV!

For more info and pledge sheets, go to: www.hikeforhospicerenfrew.ca

3. LINKS OF INTEREST

3.1 OUR MARCH MOKUGYO NEWLETTER
To be posted later this week
http://www.realperson.com/mokugyo.htm

3.2. RELIGION EXPERTS
The topic for April 29: How important are buildings such as churches and temples to your faith?
http://www.realperson.com/ARE.htm

3.3. INTERFAITH DIALOGUE
 Suffering: the third part of our dialogue on Christian/Buddhist viewpoints
 http://www.realperson.com/DIALOGUE/dialogue-welcome.htm

3.4. RED MAPLE BLOG
News, opinions, photos and more
http://www.redmaplesangha.blogspot.com


In the Dharma,
from Akashaloka,
Innen, doshu
Om namu amida butsu

APRIL 2 HAIKU

On the beach at Las Dunas

Foot-print proclamations
From centuries of shoreline strollers.
All washed away without regret.

MARCH 11 HAIKU

Shaved leg, plastic cone
End to end,
No less Joshu, no less Buddha

DHARMA HUMOUR

Thanks to Julie W.

PEMBROKE SITE NAME

Hi Sangha and Friends,

The name of the site of a sangha group's practice is  location-specific. Thus, our Renfrew meeting site is called Akasha-loka, the Realm of Infinite Possibility. When we began in Carleton Place we named our site Dana-loka, The Realm of Generosity.

We are about to start practice in a new site, the Marguerite Centre in Pembroke, and we are invited to name that site. When we met there a few years ago, we used the wink-wink name of Anicca-loka, The Realm of Impermanence, partly because we set up/took down every time. It was kind of a floating location.

What are your thoughts? Should we resume Anicca-loka or have you another suggestions?

We have used "loka" (place, realm, abode) but its equally common to use geography names like 'such and such' mountain or river.

in the Dharma,

 Innen, doshu

PS to Kanzan - what about your site? Has it a name yet?

MARCH 4 HAIKU

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How safe we feel,
As the four-legged security team launches into action.
Blue Jay at the window.
                        
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HAIKU- FEBRUARY 25

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Interfaith Dialogue

Spring melt overflows untended West-wall eavestroughs
dribbles down and through the walls.
The foundation rots.
                       
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