Intro to Buddhism and other Buddhist Network Updates

[Seth Josephson]

Dear friends,

I'll be leading an "Intro to Buddhism for the Curious" next week, info below, and I'd like to pass on some other updates relevant to local Buddhism. Feel free to email me with any future updates at seth.jo...@gmail.com   

May darkness give way to lights, happy holidays and Winter Solstice,

-Seth Josephson, BNCO President 

...on the shores of darkness there is light,
   And precipices show untrodden green,
There is a budding morrow in midnight,
   There is a triple sight in blindness keen; 

                                           John Keats (1795-1821) 

Intro to Buddhism for the Curious, Sangha Visit

In collaboration with the Columbus Interfaith Meetup Group, and on behalf of the Buddhist Network of Central Ohio, Mud Lotus Sangha will be hosting an informal introduction especially for non-Buddhists or the Buddhist curious.

Please join if you'd like to learn more and share with anyone who might be interested.

From meetup: "Seth Josephson PhD, instructor of religion at Otterbein University and co-founder of Mud Lotus Sangha, will lead a short 30-minute service (including meditation), followed by an introduction to the practice and philosophy of Buddhism.

"Come with questions! No special dress is required. Visitors may want to dress comfortably to sit on the floor (chairs are also available). Shoes are taken off at the door. On-street parking."

RSVP is not required but it is helpful. You can do so through meetup at: https://www.meetup.com/columbus-interfaith-group/events/256750161/  or through facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/306004283373718/

Tina Maharath, Local Buddhist Becomes Ohio Senator 

The November election, brought in a new member of the Ohio Senate, Tina Maharath. Nontraditional in multiple ways, she won a surprise victory over the republican by just 705 votes with no support from the democratic party. Maharath was elected to represent Senate District 3 which mainly represents Columbus's outlying Eastern side. From Canal Winchester, she is a child of Lao refugees. Maharath wrote a profile of Wat Lao Buddahamamakaram for 614 Magazine and has written about the role of Buddhism in helping and harming in the processing of her own trauma. Probably the most prominent Buddhist politician in Columbus and, from what I can tell, the first Asian American to serve in the Ohio Senate, I'm looking forward to seeing Senator Maharath in action!

KTC, Fundraising Continues

Karma Thegsum Chöling, the local Karma Kagyu Buddhist Temple, was burned in an act of arson in January of 2016. Almost two years later, its renewal is underway with a fundraising push quickly approaching its completion. In one month, they've raised $1,552,580 toward a $2.3M goal to rebuild the temple in its former spot. You can see the architectural rendering and contribute to the project here.

Prison Sangha Winter Party Funded! 

The much more modest fundraising call to provide cookies and coffee for a winter celebration at the Buddhist practice group inside Pickaway Correctional Institution surpassed its goal of $110 in just one night! The holidays can be a lonely time for those inside prison, so a few dollars towards a celebration is greatly appreciated. These earnest practitioners really value the support they get in developing compassion, understanding, and mindfulness. Learn more and contribute to the ongoing prison Sangha project here. 

Ohio Teen Retreat, w/ Inward Bound Mindfulness, July 2019

A rare thing in these parts: Barre Massachusets based, Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, is leading a retreat specifically for teens in Milford, Ohio, this summer, July 8th-13th.  Sliding scale tuition, the application deadline is June 24th. Find more info here.

Buddhist Speakers and Other Volunteers Needed

If you're passionate about the Dharma please get involved as a volunteer of the Buddhist Network of Central Ohio. We regularly get requests from groups looking for a Buddhist speaker or representative for small group situations. There are many other ways to contribute as well. Please contact Seth at seth.jo...@gmail.com to get involved. 

Thanks for your support!