Upasika Day: Devotion/Ritual: Tudong - Wandering as a Devotional Practice

Description: Friends, We hope you can join us at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery for the first Upasika Day of 2015 on Sunday, April 19, a day of community, Dhamma study, meditation, and renewal. Luang Por Pasanno and fellow monastics at Abhayagiri have graciously agreed to lead us in an exploration of "Tudong: Wandering and Pilgrimage as Devotional Practice." The Buddha recommended pilgrimage to the places of his birth, enlightenment, first teaching and parinibbana; for centuries lay and ordained Buddhists have visited these sites as acts of devotion and for inspiration. In addition, monastics from the time of the Buddha have wandered with little more than robe and bowls, a practice that is part of the Forest Tradition in Thailand and now in the west. Luang Por Pasanno and others will offer teachings, share stories and guide reflections on pilgrimage and tudong by laypeople and monastics. If you are interested in reading or listening before April 19, you can read from Ajahn Sucitto's two volumes about his pilgrimage in India with layman Nick Scott, Rude Awakenings and Great Patient One, here: https://www.abhayagiri.org/books Several Abhayagiri monastics have given dhamma reflections about tudong. Here are some links: https://www.abhayagiri.org/audio/tudong-principled-wandering https://www.abhayagiri.org/audio/circles-of-blessing-our-redwood-tudong https://www.abhayagiri.org/audio/sacred-uncertainty-our-west-coast-pilgrimage https://www.abhayagiri.org/audio/standing-at-markets-more-pilgrimage-tales https://www.abhayagiri.org/audio/faith_on_mississippi_tudong https://www.abhayagiri.org/audio/reflections-from-sri-lanka http://www.abhayagiri.org/reflections/the-tests-treasures-of-tudong Hope to see you April 19th. Kind regards, Jeanie ************************* The schedule for the day is as follows: 10:30 a.m. Refuges and Precepts. 11 a.m. (sharp) Meal Offering (please bring a dish to share) 1-4:30 p.m. Study/Practice Session 4:30 p.m. Tea with the monastics (optional) The remaining dates and themes for 2015 are: June 27 - Sutta Study: Anatta as one of the Three Characteristics August 16 - Buddhism in a Global Context: Do Buddhists Get Angry? Cultural Views and Expectations of Buddhists in a World of Conflict and Strife October 10 - Meditation: Jhana, A Practical Approach December 13 - Daily Life Practice: The World of the Senses -- Gratification, Danger and Escape Please mark your calendars! We hope you will also join us for the daily meal, beginning at 11:00 a.m. It's customary to bring a dish to offer to the monastics and to share with others. Our material support of the monastery community is an important aspect of our role as upasikas (literally, "those who sit close by"), and our generous offerings of food are a tangible means of extending this support. Attendance at Upasika Days is open both to those who wish to make a formal commitment to the program and to those who may simply wish to attend for the day. All are welcome. Please spread the word among those who may be interested.