中道佛學社

Pinellas Park, Florida, April 17, 2007.

The Middle Way Buddhist Association has classes in both Chinese and English!

The Middle Way Buddhist Association has Dharma classes in both Chinese and English! We also have activities and a class for children.

Buddhism welcomes everyone. Having people from different cultures and backgrounds gives our group a diverse atmosphere. And being a new group, it is a good place to meet new people who are enthusiastic about exploring Buddhist ideas and discussing philosophy in general.

Our first meeting had thirty people in attendance with many coming from Sarasota and beyond. Our discussions are on an introductory level but include serious questions of a wide ranging nature. Our meetings begin with group meditation at 9:30 AM the third Saturday of each month.

The discussions and enthusiasm carried over to the vegetarian lunch which followed the meeting. Eating good vegetarian food makes you feel better about yourself and other creatures in the world.

The Middle Way Buddhist Association encourages its members to get involved in unselfish and peaceful activities for the sake of loving-kindness.

Loving-kindness is selfless love, the unconditional desire for others to be happy. (The opposite is meanness.)

In Buddhist practice, loving-kindness is offered freely and

without any expectation for personal reward or benefit. This

kind of offering can be sensed by others as positive and wholesome.

It is especially important to offer loving-kindness in times of

personal hardship and poverty, in times of societal distress, and in times of human-caused or natural catastrophes. Buddhism teaches one to be particularly alert to being unreservedly kind; it teaches one to make the giving of loving-kindness a practical, omnipresent habit.

Always being kind is not only one of the most effective teachings for the benefit of others, but it also produces calm and peace in those who practice it. (full article)

The next meeting is on Saturday morning, September 15, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and will be held at:

The Chinese Community Church

4600 78^th Ave., N.

Pinellas Park, FL 33781-2427

(727) 585-1311

For additional information please contact: Tom Lacey (727) 455-1056 or Lily Lee (941) 306-3358

We have also been actively organizing on the internet. RSVP at http://buddhism.meetup.com/508/

Website: mwbuddhist.org

Email: mwbuddhist@gmail.com

"I am attending the first meeting, and it far surpassed any expectations. If you are eager to learn, and perhaps a bit hesitant, please don't be. Everyone was warm and inviting, with absolutely no pressure or expectations. Very positive experience." Shelle.

English Dharma Class Mar 3, 2007
Taught by Bhante Dhammawansha, an ordained Sri Lankan Monk

中道佛學社

Middle Way Buddhist Association, 4600 78th Ave., N., Pinellas Park, FL 33781-2427

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