In much of Asia, Amitabha and Pure Land Buddhist practices are much more widespread than silent seated meditation practices such as Zen meditation or Vajrayana visualization, which are predominantly the province of the monastic and the ordained. Yet, Pure Land practices are among the richest and most profound resources for realizing boundless compassion in a world filled with the suffering of all beings: human and non-human, lay and ordained. Well-suited to lay practitioners in the West, these practices make possible a deep realization of great compassion outside the monastic context.
This program will include silent contemplation, chanting, Dharma presentation, and group discussion. This is a rare opportunity to learn and practice with three senior teachers: Zen teacher Ruben Habito of Maria Kannon Zen Center and Southern Methodist University; Judith Simmer-Brown of Shambhala and Naropa University; and Mark Unno, 14th generation Shin Buddhist priest in his family lineage and the University of Oregon. Ruben, Judith, and Mark all bring a deep knowledge of Pure Land compassion practices as well as other lineages along with a history of collaboration and mutual learning across Buddhist traditions.
