Broward Lotus Sangha

This event is free and open to the public so bring your friends!

Join us for a short and adventurous 2-mile roundtrip nature hike at Strabineau Camp - Big Cypress (off I-75, Exit 49) led by Jack Lange. Jack scouted the hiking location for us just a few days ago and saw the rare and gorgeous ghost orchid in full bloom!

Option #1: Meet us at the Extension Service in Davie at 8:00 A.M. and carpool to the Miccosukee Mobil Gas Station, Exit 49 off Alligator Alley.

Meeting Place: Broward County Extension Service Parking Lot,
3245 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314
Meeting Time: 8:00 A.M.

Option #2: Meet us at the Miccosukee Mobil Gas Station at 9:30 A.M. and we will hike together from there.

Meeting Place: Miccosukee Mobil Gas Station,
Exit 49 off Alligator Alley (Take I-75 towards Naples, to Exit 49 and follow signs to Gas Station)
Meeting Time: 9:30 A.M.

The hike will start at 10 A.M. SHARP!

Don’t be late, or we’ll be on the trail

About the hike: The total planned route is about 2 miles roundtrip. Jack noted the water level could be a foot deep or more in some places…so be prepared to get a bit wet. He also saw some wildlife (snakes) and a rare ghost orchid in full bloom!

Difficulty Rating: Moderately Difficult (not for the very young).

What to wear and bring:

1. Sturdy footwear that can get wet and withstand the suction created by mud such as old lace-up tennis shoes (flip flops are not advised) and

2. A pair of dry shoes to change after you return from the hike

3. A walking stick

4. Water and snacks

5. Bug repellant

6. A hat and other sun protection.

To learn more about the Broward Lotus Sangha, click here.

To learn more about The Broward Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, click here.

Join us for a delightful evening to celebrate Vesak –the day of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and paranirvana. We will start the celebration with a Dharma Talk by Venerable Thich Dong Nhut, followed by a chanting session at 6:00 P.M. At about 7:00 P.M. we will start the Bathing The Baby Buddha Ceremony in Plum Village style, followed by joyful singing and a Vietnamese vegetarian dinner at 8:00 P.M. The “bathing” refers to a ceremonial bathing of a statue of the baby Buddha in perfumed water, to remind people to keep a clean mind, free from all obstacles and to awaken and cultivate their True Nature. The Celebration will be conducted in English and Vietnamese.

This event is free and open to the public. However, your generosity in providing a donation or Dana for the monastic sangha is gratefully accepted and encouraged. Your kind donation helps support the activities of the Sangha (e.g., defray the costs associated with maintaining the meditation hall, offering activities, beverages and meals) and is greatly appreciated.

Directions to Vesak Ceremony: Tu Viên Hýõng Hai is located just West of Flamingo Road at 2321 SW 127 Ave., Davie FL 33325. Take I-595 to Flamingo Road Exit. Go South to 20th Street. Make a Right on 20th Street. Go to the end of the street. Make a Right at Stop Sign, onto dirt road (127 Ave). The Temple will be on your Right (West side of the road). Proceed to parking lot.

Sunday, April 27th, 2008‏

Dear friends,

Please note that there has been a date change for the BLS Mini-Retreat with Monastic Dharma Teacher Thich Tinh Tu. Our retreat will be held Sunday, April 27th, 2008‏ (instead of the 20th). Everything else remains as previously announced. Please see flyer below for more information and remember to confirm your attendance by e-mailing our registrar as soon as possible.

A Lotus Flower for You,

Martha

From time to time, we can set aside some time for a retreat or a day of mindfulness so we can sit, walk slowly, smile, eat lunch with friends and enjoy being together as though we are the happiest people on Earth.

This is not just a retreat, it is a treat.

–Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Tinh Tu is a Monastic Dharma Teacher in the Tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh currently residing in California.

The Mini-Retreat will be conducted in English and Vietnamese in Plum Village style. In the morning, we will enjoy periods of chanting, sitting, and walking meditation, as well as Thây Nhat Hanh’s Mindful Movements, followed by Dharma Teachings from Zen Master Thich Tinh Tu. In the afternoon, we will enjoy periods of guided meditation, chanting, and tea meditation, as well as Dharma Discussions and Mindful Sharing from the fourth-fold Sangha. This Mini-Retreat will provide a wonderful opportunity for those who want to deepen their mindfulness practice with time for reflection and silence. The Monastic Sangha will provide us three delicious Vietnamese vegetarian meals. As is customary in Thich Nhat Hanh’s retreats, all meals will be silent.

This event is free an open to all practitioners. However, your generosity in providing a donation or Dana for the dharma teacher and the monastic and lay Sanghas is gratefully accepted and encouraged. Your kind donation helps support the activities of the Sangha (e.g., defray the costs associated with offering retreat space, dharma teachings and activities, beverages and meals) and is greatly appreciated.

Out-of-town Sangha members: If you are a member of the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) coming from out of town and need a place to stay, please let us know. If you are a local Sangha member and would like to host an out-of-town FCM member, please let our registrar know as soon as possible.

To register, please e-mail Tony at strega_flies@earthlink.net. Directions will be sent to all registered participants. Please register early as we need to know how many meals to provide.

From time to time, we can set aside some time for a retreat or a day of mindfulness so we can sit, walk slowly, smile, eat lunch with friends and enjoy being together as though we are the happiest people on Earth.
This is not just a retreat, it is a treat.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh

Fred Eppsteiner received Dharma Transmission and permission to teach from Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994. He will be will be offering dharma teachings and guiding walking and sitting meditations throughout the day.

This Day of Mindfulness (DOM) will also provide a wonderful opportunity for those who want to deepen their mindfulness practice with time for reflection and silence. A light vegetarian lunch, water, and tea will be provided.

This event is free and open to all practitioners. However, your generosity in providing a donation or Dana for the teacher is gratefully accepted and encouraged. Donations can also be made to the Sangha or community of practitioners to help us defray the costs associated with this DOM and to support the activities of the Sangha.

Please arrive early so you can relax and absorb the peaceful beauty of the natural surroundings and to help the Sangha set up for the day.

Please respect and appreciate noble silence during the duration of the formal activities of the day. An opportunity for sharing and mindful conversation will be provided towards the end of the DOM.

Once the formal activities of our DOM end, we are all invited to take a mindful short walk to beautiful Fort Lauderdale Beach and enjoy the relaxing sounds and energy of the ocean.

What to bring:

• Your favorite meditation seating arrangement (e.g., meditation cushion, blanket, mat, or chair)
• A light vegetarian lunch, water, and tea will be provided. However, you are welcome to bring your own brown bag lunch or something special to share with the Sangha (e.g., a vegetarian dish).
• Your own non-disposable mug or beverage container and napkin. Non-disposable plates, bowls, and utensils will be provided.

To register, please e-mail Sharon Glass at sharondharma@live.com
You may also wish to contact her by phone at (954) 463-0660

Directions to her house will be provided upon receiving your registration.

Please Register early. Space is limited to 30 participants.

If you are a member of the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) coming from out of town and need a place to stay Friday night, please let us know. If you are a local Sangha member and would like to host an out-of-town FCM member, please let Sharon know as soon as possible.

To learn more about the Broward Lotus Sangha and this event, click here

To learn more about Fred Eppsteiner, click here and here.