Buddhist Peace Fellowship New York City invites you to join us. We are a local Chapter of the National Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

Please see our current actions so you can download letters to mail government officials that protest human rights abuses and support peace.

(Last update 8 January, 2005.)

MONTHLY GATHERINGS:
We generally meet the first Sunday of every month at The Village Zendo in lower Manhattan. The Village Zendo is located at 588 Broadway, between Houston and Prince streets, room 910.

Our next monthly gathering will be on Sunday, January 16, 2005, from 4-6 PM at The Village Zendo in lower Manhattan. The Village Zendo is located at 588 Broadway, between Houston and Prince streets, room 910.

The subsequent meeting will be Sunday, February 6 from 4-6 PM, also at the The Village Zendo.

January 16:  Healing with Jizos for Peace

 

We invite you to join the circle as we gather to:

 

…       ENGAGE pain that has resulted from the recent Tsunami.

 

…       HONOR the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who showed a way to face pain while embodying peace.

 

…       RESPOND to the presidential inauguration, as it ushers in a new state of the Union.

 

…       OPEN our hearts and usher in a new state of mind.

 

We will watch a video describing the Jizos for Peace Pilgrimage to Japan in August, 2005. We will follow this with a hands-on practice, which taps the healing power of Jizo, the Bodhisattva of Great Vows. Our offerings will be included in the Pilgrimage.  A sharing circle follows, accompanied by refreshments.  Consider bringing a friend.

Please arrive a few minutes early.  We will begin promptly.

Questions?     judyseicho@yahoo.com or 212-696-7238

Sunday, January 16, 4-6 PM

The Village Zendo   (address listed above)

Co-sponsored with Jizos for Peace --- http://www.jizosforpeace.org

NEW & ONGOING PROGRAMS:
Members of our Chapter participate in many activities, including monthly Peace Walks.

Please read about these programs, download flyers, and join us.

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CURRENT PEACE PRACTICE:
Non-Violent Communication
A Technique for practicing right speech
(based on Dr. Marshall Rosenberg's teachings)

Engaging the Other:

We apply the practice of non-violent communication to the theme of 'engaging the other'. Here's how it works:

Whenever you encounter someone whom you view/label as "other,"

1. Pause and observe. What am I thinking? What am I feeling? Try to stay with your body sensations, your breath. Step back from conceptualizing.

2. Listen, with an ear attuned to the question, "What does this person need right now?"

3. Notice what happens, and if possible, explore a way to engage the person.

4. If it's too difficult to listen for the person's needs (resistance, fear, etc.), then listen with the question, "What do I need right now?" and if possible make a concrete/do-able request of yourself and/or the "other."

We plan to share our experiences with this practice at our next gathering in early December. Feel free to share this invitation to practice.

Non-violent communication is a practice in right speech. Here are the guidelines:

  1. Observation--just the facts

 

  1. How am I feeling

 

  1. Because I have a need

 

  1. Make a request "Would you be willing to ...?"

 

              This might be expressed as:

  When A happens, I feel B because I have a need for C. Are you willing to D?

  For instance,
"When I saw you take the last piece of apple pie without asking me if I wanted any, I felt sad because I have a need for connection and inclusion. Would you be willing to check in with me next time?"

  The emphasis here is on remaining engaged, rather than achieving any particular outcome. This technique can be used internally, to check in with your own feelings and needs, and/or in conversation with another. When checking internally, the "I/you" could be thought of as one part of yourself conversing with another.

  For more info on NVC, check out www.nycnvc.org.

  We are also beginning to organize an NVC practice group for Buddhist practitioners, in the context of right speech. Those interested can email Judy Seicho at judyseicho @ yahoo.com.

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EMAIL LIST:
The New York Chapter of Buddhist Peace Fellowship has a low-volume email list to announce upcoming gatherings and programs. You can join by sending an email to Buddhist_Peace_Fellowship_NY-subscribe@topica.com.

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CONTACT:
If you want additional information, please call 212-696-7238. You can also email 'judyseicho @ yahoo.com'.

 

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