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BSPG News and Meeting (No. 174)
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Edited by Stony Brook Buddhism Study and Practice GroupNews
Since the SAC is closed Thursday night, we will meet at Linda's house this Thursday. We will get together first at the entrance of the Chapin Apartment Complex, right by the first building. Chapin Apartment Complex is across the street from the University Hospital. We'll wait there until 6:50pm and then go together to Linda's house. If you would like to go directly, please e-mail buddhism@ic.sunysb.edu and we will send you the directions.
Meeting
We'll meet at Linda's house.
Thursday, 3/28/02, 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Please be on time!
Words from the Suttas/Sutras
"Enlightening beings at home
Should wish that all beings
Realize the nature of 'home' is empty
And escape its pressures.While serving their parents,
They should wish that all beings
Serve the Buddha,
Protecting and nourishing everyone.While with their spouses and children,
They should wish that all beings
Be impartial toward everyone
And forever give up attachment."
--Avatamsaka Sutra, "Detachment from the World"
Quotes of the Week
"He had mentioned the unmentionable. And as soon as he spoke I saw the wall of his compound as useless. Two generations had built what I saw; and I mourned for that lost labour. As soon as Indar spoke I felt I could enter his mind and see what he saw -- the mocking quality of the grandeur, the gate and the watchman that wouldn't be able to keep out the true danger."--V.S. Naipaul, in "A Bend in the River"
You Are in a Dangerous Situation
As told by Master Sheng-yen (from the Chan Newsletter)There is a Chinese story about an important official who paid a visit to a monk. Unlike most monks, this monk lived in a tree. The official saw the monk sitting there in the branches of this tall tree, and said, “Master, you are in a very dangerous situation.”
The monk answered, “I am not in any danger, but you, however, are in a dangerous situation.”
The official asked, “How can I be in a dangerous situation? I am head of the local government. I am protected by many people. How can my situation be dangerous?”
The master said, “The four elements constantly vex you.” (Earth, water, fire and wind, which the ancient Chinese believed constitute the physical world.) “The processes of birth, sickness, old age and death can affect you at any time. The vexations of greed, anger, ignorance and arrogance are your constant company. And you say you’re not in a dangerous situation.”
The official was intelligent and had karmic roots for wisdom. He understood immediately: “Master, indeed, I am in a position far worse than yours.”
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