Weekend Sangha Practice - Small Mind, Big Mind, One Mind - Ming Po Larry Matthews - May 31st, 2025

The phrase "Small Mind, Big Mind, One Mind" is a concept often explored in Zen Buddhism and mindfulness practices. It refers to different perspectives or modes of awareness within the mind and how they relate to each other. Ming Po reflects on this concept, gives personal examples, and a brief practice.

Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action.

https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

 "It's like opening up the shell, peering out the shell, and then casting off the shell and allowing a new outer appearance." 

Heisoku Maik Bain is preparing for his ordination as a Dragon Heart Dharma priest. He continues to offer Mondo Zen Facilitation actively and participates in several sanghas including One Wisdom Zen, Dragon Heart Dharma, Hollow Bones Zen and Shining Bright Lotus Meditation Society. 

Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action.

https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

SPP25 - Seven Bodhisattva - Avalokiteshvara - Nanda Nina Lynch - April 26th, 2025

Faces of Compassion - Week 4 - Our next exploration is of Avalokiteshvara as a Bodhisattva archetype.  Avalokiteshvara is a revered Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion. They are also known by various names in different cultures, such as Guanyin in China. Avalokiteshvara's primary role is to assist sentient beings in their journey towards enlightenment by embodying compassion and offering protection. 

Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action.

https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Our current Shuso, Daijo Scott Duffer offers a Dharma Reflection entitled Daishizen and Stewarding the Earth. This teaching was given at the Shuso Ceremony June 28th, 2025

Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action.

https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

SPP25 - Seven Bodhisattvas - Ksitigarbha - Kenshin Cian Whalley - May 3rd, 2025

Faces of Compassion - Week 5 - Our next exploration is of Ksitigarbha as a Bodhisattva archetype.  Ksitigarbha, also known as Jizō in Japanese and Dizang in Chinese, is a prominent figure in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly in East Asia. He is revered as a rescuer of beings in hell and a guardian of souls, especially for children. Ksitigarbha is known for his great vow to remain in the six realms of rebirth until all beings are saved and the hells are empty, making him a symbol of compassion and dedication.

Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action.

https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

SPP25 - Seven Bodhisattvas - Maitreya - Ming Po Larry Matthews - May 10th, 2025

Faces of Compassion - Week 6 - Our next exploration is of Maitreya as a Bodhisattva archetype. Maitreya is a revered figure in Buddhism, specifically a bodhisattva, which means he is a being on the path to enlightenment. He is believed to be the future Buddha of the current world, the one who will emerge to teach the Dharma when the teachings of Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni) are forgotten. Maitreya is also known as "Maitreya the Buddha of the Future". 

Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action.

https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Daijo Scott Duffer is full on in training with Shining Bright Lotus Meditation Society. He serves as our Shuso - head student. He will be ordained as a priest with Dragon Heart Dharma. He’s working through Mondo Zen Facilitation. He serves as a guide in the Condor Clan, leading Condor Vision Quests and he has been a long time member of the Man Kind Project. Ekai Joel Kreisberg caught up with Daijo before his workday at Cal State University - Channel Islands, where he teaches in the science department.

https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

SPP25 - Seven Bodhisattvas - Vimalakirti - Ekai Joel Kreisberg - May 17th, 2025

Faces of Compassion - Week 7 - Our next exploration is of Vimalakirti as a Bodhisattva archetype. Vimalakirti is a revered bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly known for his central role in the Vimalakirti Sutra. He represents the ideal lay practitioner, demonstrating wisdom, skill in liberative techniques, and the importance of compassion and non-duality. He is a historical figure, a wealthy householder and patron of Shakyamuni Buddha, not a cosmic or mythic bodhisattva. 

Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action.

https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

"And that's my prayer, may I truly be of benefit. May these words be aligned in such a way that I can really transmit."

https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Dharma Reflection of Weekend Sangha Practice - March 22, 2025

Jozen teaches about the Three Refuges, what they mean and invites us to look at where we take refuge.

Jozen Jonathon Fielder offers his teachings and his wisdom tireless through several sanghas. Having been ordained as a Hollow Bones Zen priest, he continues to lead a regular practice as part of the Virtual Zendo. As a martial arts teacher and dharma teacher, he is an associate clergy member of Shining Bright Lotus. Recently he has begun to develop his own dharma center Iron Mountain Zendo in the UK.