Minutes of Buddhist Council meeting 2010-12-02
A Jesse Jiryu Davis
Chen, Chris Raines, Jolie Gorchov, Jiryu Davis (taking minutes).
Seicho introduces the Village Zendo: part of the White Plum lineage,
founded by Maezumi Roshi of Zen Center of Los Angeles. Our abbot is
Enkyo Roshi, who studied with Bernie Glassman, who studied with
Maezumi. We're a socially-engaged sangha; in addition to our
traditional founders, we also have photos on our ancestors' altar of
people like Coretta Scott King and Rosa Parks. We have a strong
sitting practice here 6 days a week, but we also often transform the
zendo for gallery exhibits or jazz concerts. We move spaces every few
years as circumstances change, but we've always been in the thick of
urban life in lower Manhattan.
Minutes approved.
== BUDDHIST FORUM ==
Last year's venue, Brooklyn Zen Center, is available but this year
only on Sundays. (Last year we had it on a Saturday.) We're
considering the first 3 weekends in March. Jiryu wonders if starting
the program at 2pm would avoid clashing with sanghas' Sunday morning
programs. In case doing the Forum in Brooklyn is a barrier for lots
of people attending, Jolie will ask NY Insight if they can host it.
We agree that having an event in Brooklyn is nice for diversity, but
Manhattan is convenient for the largest number of people. Seicho
points out that we're late setting the date -- many potential speakers
want to schedule far in advance. Seicho thinks Saturdays are better
for turnout than Sundays. We consider centers: Shambhala, Soka
Gakkai Int'l, NY Insight, and Tibet House have large spaces. Jiryu
will contact Soka Gakkai, and Rubin Museum.
Last year's topic was Sustainability, and Colin Beavan was our keynote
speaker. We don't always have a keynote speaker -- usually just a
group of co-equal speakers.
We consider topics previously proposed for this Forum.
Chris proposes, "Do we need a Buddha in Buddhism?"
Jolie proposes: "Is Meditation Without Buddhism Enough?"
Seicho proposes: "What In Buddhist Practice Important to Me?"
Jiryu will send these 3 to the mailing list and encourage people to
say which is their favorite & to share their thoughts.
The Forum Committee is not yet formed.
== BC WEBSITE ==
Jiryu proposes that we make a 1-page website with only the information
that will never change: Our 3 annual events, when we were founded &
our purpose, links to our 2 Google groups, to NY Interfaith, and to
our Facebook page. Nick agrees to make the page. The motion is
passed.
== NEXT MEETING ==
Monday, January 10th, at Still Mind Zendo, 37 W 17th St # 6W at 7pm.