Dear Friends,
We release our Harvest Moon issue a few days after the full moon to bring you photos from the monastic retreat of the three US centers gathered now in Deer Park, along with this brief video where Sister Boi Nghiem of Magnolia Grove Monastery tells us why monastics also need to nourish their bodhicitta by going on a retreat together.
Brothers Gem, Freedom and Earth just sent us the final update from their now-completed #RoadRetreat21, which you can read here.
Juliet Hwang, who will soon be receiving the transmission to become a Dharma teacher in the upcoming Go to the Other Shore Great Precepts Transmission Ceremony happening on October 1st to 4th, writes about the profound effect mindfulness practice and the joy of the monastic community at Deer Park has had on her whole family.
Don't miss Brother Phap Dung's engaging Dharma talk from this year's in-person Summer Retreat. Dharma teacher Terry Cortés-Vega, in this week's Q&A, responds to a question from a practitioner working with the situation of a partner who begins eating meat again after being vegan.
Note that the 40 Tenets Class of Brother Phap Luu is on hold for the the next few weeks due to the activities around the Go to the Other Shore Great Precepts Transmission Ceremony.
May you enjoy the fruits of your practice in every moment,
The Monastics of Deer Park Monastery
Monastic Retreat at Deer Park 2021 — deerparkmonastery.org
The monastic centers of Deer Park, Magnolia Grove, and Blue Cliff gather together for a monastic retreat. Photo credit: Thay Phap Chuan.
Why Have a Monastic Retreat? — www.youtube.com
by Sister Boi Nghiem
Sister Boi Nghiem explains why monastics from three US centers have come together this week to hold a five-day retreat, building community together before the new bhikshus and bhikshunis are ordained in the Go to the Other Shore Great Precepts Transmission Ceremony from October 1st to 4th.
Journey Through the West, Part 2 — deerparkmonastery.org
by Brother Earth
Here we continue the diary from Brothers Gem, Freedom, and Earth as they journey with joy and siblinghood across the western United States.
Treasure in the Mountains — deerparkmonastery.org
by Juliet Hwang
A story from a long-time Deer Park visitor (who will be receiving the Lamp of Wisdom on October 3rd at Deer Park) on how her children think Deer Park is better than Disneyland
Freedom is the Way Out — www.youtube.com
by Brother Phap Dung
An exclusive dharma talk from this year's Summer Retreat. In this July 24, 2021 talk, Brother Phap Dung explores what it means by "freedom is the way out". Enjoy the talk and feel free to share with your friends.
Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan Household — deerparkmonastery.org
by Terry Cortés-Vega
We continue our series of questions from our readers where a lay or monastic dharma teacher responds. This time Dharma teacher Terry Cortés-Vega responds to a reader whose partner begins to eat meat again.
