Dear Friends,
We hope you and your loved ones are safe in this time of unraveling. The dharma was certainly made for these times and can bring capacities for bearing witness and responding to the needs of the world. Starting in mid-March, we moved our residential programs online and added a number of additional online retreats and courses. We hope these programs are nourishing you while providing community and support on your path.
We are so grateful for your generous support during this difficult time. Here are some of the programs your generosity has made possible:
- In March BCBS became a founding member of Dharma Relief, a global coalition of Buddhist traditions and practitioners working together to provide emergency relief where needed. Together we raised over $600,000 and delivered more than a million high quality medical masks to hospitals and health centers around the country.
- We are currently offering a free daily sitting meditation with Bill and Susan Morgan via Zoom from our dharma hall each morning from 10:30-11:15 EDT. Please join us if you can.
- We have partnered with the Foundation for Active Compassion to freely offer John Makransky’s 7-week online course for building A Secure Core of Compassion and Awareness for Uncertain Times (April 9-May 22).
- In May Bhikkhu Analayo is offering Brahmivihara and Emptiness: An Online Practice Course as well as a course on Resilience with Diego Hangartner.
- Various other courses from inspiring teachers including Shaila Catherine, Pilar Jennings, David Loy, Oren Sofer, Leigh Brasington, Judson Brewer, Robin Boudette, Bart van Malik and Nicola Redfern, and many more.
- We are also busy cleaning and uplifting our campus here in Barre, looking forward to breaking bread together, your presence in the dharma hall, and the intimate study retreats that we have been offering for three decades.
We hope your practice is providing strong support in these challenging days and that some of our offerings are helpful to you. We understand that for many of us, this is a challenging time financially. If you are able to contribute, we ask for your support of BCBS so that we can continue to provide these profound Buddhist teachings of wisdom and compassion. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation through the secure link below. Your support is more important than ever!
With much love and gratitude,
Richard Henning
Executive Director
