Grand Rapids Buddhist Temple and Zen Center Dharma Talks

The Venerable Deok Wun concludes the series "A lIved Life" with a talk on karma.

As a follow-up to his ordination as a Dharma Teacher, The Rev Ahm Kwang Su discusses why he made the decision to ordain and what it means to be a Dharma Teacher.

Here, the Ven Hung Su Sampson discusses the Bodhisattva Khshitigarbha and what he has to teach us about a Lived Life. No written transcript is available.

Here, the Ven Deok Wun examines the element of joy as perfected by the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.

The Ven Deok Wun present Manjushri, Boddisattva, as a model for understanding as an aspect of a Lived Life.

In this talk the Ven Deok Wun begins a five part sub-set of talks based on the practice theme of a Lived Life. In this talk he begins an examination of five specific attribute represented by Five Bodhisattvas. In this first talk, he discusses the attribute of Compassion as represented by the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion: Avalokitesavara, Kuan Yin.

In this talk the Ven Hung Su Sampson gives an overview of why the Bodhisattvas are models for our behavior as we consider what it means to engage a Lived Life.

Who ARE we? What is "self"? In this talk Venerable Deok Wun discusses the Buddha's teaching of the Five Skandhas (The Five Aggregates) that are the mental process that leads to the concept of "self".

This is the second talk in the series A Lived Life. In this talk the Venerable Deok Wun discusses the love affair we have with our own mind, how it is a dangerous love affair, and why it is important to atone for the stress and suffering we have caused. This talk was delivered as part of the Temple's annual atonement ritual. There is a guided meditation at the end of the talk that comes from the Temple's monthly Lojong Meditation practice.

Guiding Teacher, Venerable Deok Wun, begins the winter practice period with the first of a series of talks on what it means to Live Life from a Buddhist point of view.

Senior Student Ahm Kwang delivers the annual New Year's Dharma Talk.

Guiding Teacher, Ven Deok Wun, shares a meditation on why Rejoicing is a hallmark of the Bodhisattva's practice.

Ven Hung Su offers his insights on why our practice is an active one.

In this fourth installment of the series The Venerable Deok Wun briefly describes the importance of the Bodhisattva Path as part of the temple's foundational teachings. At the end of the talk there is a guided meditation entitled "Invoking the Names of the Bodhisattvas". The meditation is included in this recording, but is not included in the printed version.

In this talk Venerable Deok Wun explains why Hua Yin Buddhism is at the root of our temple beliefs and practices.

The Venerable Hung Su Sampson discusses why he chose to train as a teaching monk. This talk is a prelude to his ordination as a Teaching Monk on Sunday December 7.

A Gatha (verse) for reflection on anger

The foundational commitment of Buddhism is that of Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. In this talk Venerable Deok Wun explains why these are the first and foundational commitments for all Buddhists.

In this talk Guiding Teacher, Ven Deok Wun, sets out the first foundation of the beliefs and practices of this Temple. The subject is upaya---expedient means.It is the first talk in a series entitled "Who We Are" wherein Teacher will present the foundations of this temple's practices. As always, questions about the teaching are encouraged.

Novice monk Ven Zhen Su delivers a talk on facing our fears.

Ven Deok Wun delivers the 2104 Mother's Day Dharma Talk.

The Ven Deok Wun explains the hwadhu as a method of meditation and cutting through the self.

The Ven Deok Wun raises the issue of way is enlightenment; what does it mean to wake up.

The Ven Deok, Guiding Teacher, delivers a teaching on karma vipaka---action and result. There is a graphic that was used during the talk that is included here a PDF file for downloading.

Senior Dharma student Ahm Kwang Tony Benac discusses how Spring can be a time for renewal of one's spiritual practice.

In this Dharma talk the Venerable Deok Wun discusses the categories of suffering from the Lamrim Chenmo. Attached as a PDF file is a chart of those categories that one should have in front of them as they listen to this talk.

This talk is based on Sutra 53 of the Book of Tens in the Angutarra Nikaya entitled, "One's OWn Mind". It also includes a meditation based on the ten questions for self examination stated in the sutra. A copy of the ten questions is provided as a PDF file.

A talk in two parts. Part One talks about the difference between awareness and mindfulness. Part Two is a guided meditation on the awareness and mindfulness of the breath. The talks in 9 minutes and the guided meditation is 25 minutes.

Ven Deok Wun uses the metaphor of a paper cup in an attempt to explain emptiness.

By the Ven Au Su Doran-Fisher

By Ven Deok Wun

Ven Zhen Su discusses the fundamental aspects of the Buddhist Path.

Ven Deok Wun teaches how the Eight Winds can blow us off the Path of accepting that what we already have is enough and perfect.

This talk suggests a resolution for 2014.

Transcript of the talk given by Ven Deok Wun at the Grand Rapids City Wide Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

Teaching delivered by Dharma Student Ahm Kwang Benac

This talk by the Venerable Deok Wun takes a look at the meaning of Perfect Wisdom as set forth in the Heart Sutra.

Mouth Zen is the practice of keeping the mouth still and silent in the face of rumor and gossip. This talk explores the relationship between Mouth Zen, Right Speech, and Gossip.

Rev Bup Jih discusses the way in which ordinary daily activities can be a time for reflection and insight.

This is not a Dharma talk but a set of slides used as part of the class that begins October 29. It is here for those who want to know more about the Tao and cannot attend the class. Also has a PDF of the Tao reorganized by the three central themes of The Tao, The Individual, The State.

Our lives are plagues by fears, but the root of all fear is the fear of an unlived life. This talk explores two antidotes to that fear: choice and surrender.

Merit is often misunderstood term in the West. This talk discusses the concept of merit for a western practitioner.

This is a talk by three senior students in which they explain which disciple of the Buddha or Zen Master they have chosen as the model for their personal and ministerial practices.

Pure Land practice is an expedient means to realize one's Original Mind, Buddha Nature, Buddha Wisdom. This talk explains this and Pure Land's relationship to Zen.

Discusses what is meant by the expression "spiritual practice". A continuation of the previous week's Dharma talk on "No-practice practice."

Too often we see"practice" as something separate and apart from our lives. But is the what the Buddhas practiced? This Dharma Talk raises the question: what does it mean to practice like a Buddha?

A talk by Rev Bup Jih Steve Sampson on the importance of the Sangha.

This talk by the Rev Bup Jih relates the story of a woman who loses her child. It is a lesson in sadness, loss, love, and equanimity.

This talk issues a challenge to our thinking about the nature of soul and questions our understanding of what soul means and how Buddhism addresses it.

Tony Benac on our experience with our minds, reality, and what exactly *is* emptiness?

This Dharma talk discusses how anger removes us from our spiritual path and why patience and compassion are its antidotes.