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BSPG News and Meeting (No. 234) 
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Edited by Stony Brook Buddhism Study and Practice Group 

Meeting:
Tuesday 12/2/03
SAC 305 at 7:00 PM
Please be on time!

News:

1.The BSPG will be participating in the Festival of Lights, therefore we will not follow the normal schedule
during our meeting this tuesday. We will have a period of meditation but afterwards we will go over our
arrangements for the festival. If you are available to help in some way then please feel free to let us know,
thanks!

2.Festival of Lights
Wednesday., December 3rd, 7:00 - 9:00pm in the SAC Lobby & Auditorium. 
Program Description
"The Holiday Season is a wonderful time of year, filled with celebrations that reflect the rich traditions of
people of different cultural backgrounds, faiths, and religious beliefs. To celebrate the season, several
student groups and University departments are coming together once again to present "The Festival of Lights,"
an intercultural program where all members of our diverse campus community can appreciate the cultural
significance of some of our most widely observed holidays: Ramadan & Eid-ul-Fitr (Muslim), Hanukah (Jewish),
Winter Solstice (Native American), Christmas (Christian), and Kwanzaa (African American. The program features
a series of presentations, each uniquely characterized by the use of lights. Information about the cultural
significance of each celebration is shared, followed by an artistic expression in song, dance, poetry, etc." 

3.The Dharma Drum Mountain Organization will be hosting a series of
upcomming events:


(i.) Ten-day Intensive Silent Illumination Retreat: Friday, November 
28,5:00 pm to Sunday, December 7, 10:00 am  Taught by world renowned 
Zen Master Sheng-Yen

 (ii.) Seven-day Intensive HuaTou Retreat: Friday, December 26, 5:00 pm 
to Friday, January 2, 10:00 am Instructed by CMC Abbot Guo-Yuan Fashi 
An opportunity to deepen our practice and investigate the meaning of 
life and who we are in ten days of intensive Chan retreat under the 
personal guidance of Chan Master Sheng Yen.  Scholarships and 
work-exchange payments are available.

 (iii.) A new program of  Dharma discussion and Q/A session on every 
Friday evening and Sunday afternoon hosted by Guo-Yuan Fashi or Master 
Sheng-Yen to accommodate all people in English. All are welcome to 
attend. 

 (iv.) Master Sheng-Yen will give lecture and  Zen retreat in Vancouver 
from Sat. December 20,  2 - 4:30 pm.  to Sunday,  Please contact 
Chan Meditation Center or Vancouver Chapter at  604-277-1357 for 
further information.

For more information regarding any of these activities, please visit:

http://www.chan1.org/activities.html



4.The Art of Sublime:contemporary Tangkas from Nepal.
The Art of Sublime features recent tangkas created in
Nepal. These modern examples continue to inspire awe
with their colorful beauty, religious symbolism, and
painstaking attention to detail. Images include
Mandalas, the Wheel of Life, BUddha, and deities.

Location:International Rescource Center Gallery, 
Flushing Library, 3rd floor. 41-17 main street,
flushing, NY, 11355.

For more information, visit:
http://http://www.queenslibrary.org/irc


5.The Buddhist Project is a series of currently 
ongoing exhibits which feature the Buddhist 
spirit in contemporary art in addition to exploring 
the many and varied relationships of Buddhism 
and the arts in contemporary American culture. 
Exhibitions, public forums, installations and 
literary events are taking place in the all over 
the New York City area and will run through 
March 2004. For specific details go to:
http://www.buddhismproject.org/


Words from the Suttas/Sutras:
"Make an island unto yourself! 
Strive hard and become wise! 
Rid of impurities and cleansed of stain, 
you shall not come again to birth and decay". 
----Dhammapada 238

Quote of the Week:
"Your search among books, word upon word, may lead you to the depths of knowledge, but it is not the way to
receive the reflection of your true self.
When you have thrown off your ideas as to mind and body, the original truth will fully appear. Zen is simply
the _expression of truth; therefore longing and striving are not the true attitudes of Zen".
----Dogen, "The Practice of Meditation"