June weekend 2006

download large image here

This weekend we came together to use theme of highest blessings to explore giving and receiving.

To understand the precepts we divide the group into five smaller groups and each group read the precept in English, Pali, and the Mahayana way (Download PDF here). We reflect that breaking a precept is just follow another rule. The precepts give you freedom. The mangala sutta explains the benefits of doing this and what it leads to the realization of the truth.

We did a meditation on directing oneself towards the dhamma - on receivingand a giving

So giving and receiving is about choice. So we can choose what to think and how to respond to a situation.

We used the HSBC adverts what's your point of view to explore how views and opinions impact on us.

(see the adverts here)

We looked at good and bad - yes and no with this game

With awareness we can aware of good and bad yes and no.
We can get a feeling for what is right and what is wrong. What is harmful to ourselves and to others.
What is the repercussion – kamma and sila.

How we use words we played this game

Pen and paper – write a sentence or draw a picture of what you understand by the term awareness. Stick it on the wall.

We did not have a chance to read this story about the green buddha statue from the book Buddha in the jungle. Its about the gut feeling about right and wrong) and sometimes wrong can lead to good IF we reflect on our actions.

We finished the weekend with talking about Atthapindaka