Sangha Night

Sangha Night is the most important weekly event at the center. Sangha is a word meaning "spiritual community" and refers to all those who are striving to put the Buddhist principles of awareness and love into practice in their lives. Sangha Night is important as the evening when we come together on the basis of our common commitment to growth and development.

Anyone who has a connection with the center is freely invited to come to Sangha Night. The evening starts with tea at 7pm, and ends at 9:15. We have an ongoing program of talks, seminars, presentations, and workshops in which we explore how to deepen the effectiveness of our practice.

Introductory Courses

Introduction to Meditation
Learn two traditional Buddhist meditation techniques: Mindfulness of Breathing, which helps us develop more calmness and clarity, and Metta Bhavana (Cultivation of Loving Kindness), which helps develop a greater appreciation of ourselves and others.

These five-week courses provide clear, practical instruction by experienced meditators for those who wish to establish an effective meditation practice.

• Tuesdays February 3 — March 2
• Mondays April 19 — May 17
• Classes begin at 7 p.m. Cost: $40

Introduction to Buddhism
Introduction to Buddhism For those who wish to understand the principles of Buddhism, this six-week course takes a look at the basic philosophical and ethical teachings of Buddhism and their practical applications. The teaching team, led by Satyaloka, will present a clear overview of the Buddhist teaching, which will then be explored in a discussion format. No experience of meditation is necessary.

• Mondays March 1 — April 5
• Class begins at 7 p.m. Cost: $50

Morning Practice

We all know how hard it can be to keep up a regular meditation practice. Even if you know from experience how beneficial meditation is it can still be hard to motivate yourself. But meditation is so much easier when you have the support of other people!!

Every Monday thru Friday morning from 7:15- 8:00 a.m. there is meditation at the center. There is no instruction and no charge (although donations are welcomed), this is simply a collection of people supporting one another's practice by sitting together. Feel free to drop in. You don't need to make a reservation or call in advance.

Retreat Program

Going Deeper: A Beginning Meditation Retreat March 19 — 21 at Lubrecht Forest led by Saramati

Women&'s Retreat: Topic to be Announced May 28 — June 4 at Camp Child led by Karunadevi. This week-long retreat will have a weekend option May 28-31.

Men&'s GFR Retreat: Spiritual Friendship led by visiting Order Members Sona and Dhammarati June 21 — 25 only for men who have asked for ordination June 25 — July 2 open to all men with an established meditation practice and retreat experience

North American Convention: July 2 — 8 at Camp Child A retreat for all men and women ordained in the Western Buddhist Order.

Women&'s GFR Retreat: July 10 — 24 at Camp Child A retreat for women in North America who have asked for ordination into the Western Buddhist Order.

Please Note… A $25 non-refundable deposit is required for all residential retreats. To register email enquiries@rmbuddhistcenter.org Please mail deposits to: 540 South 2nd West #1 Missoula, MT 59801

Calendar of Events: Spring 2004

January

14 Sangha Night Resumes - The Altruistic Dimension: Exploring the Principle of Service & Dana

17 Order/Mitra Day

18 Council Meeting

21 The Practice of Service & Dana

28 Open Gate: Meditation in Prisons

31-1 Men&'s Non-Residential Retreat with Manjuvajra

February

3 Introduction to Meditation course begins

4 Wanted Dead or Alive: Insight meditation on Death led by Manjuvajra

7 Teacher Training Meeting with Dhammarati

8 Council Retreat with Dhammarati

11 Great Assembly: Paranirvana Festival led by Dhammarati

14 Day Workshop with Dhammarati

15 Council Meeting

18 Ethical Dilemmas for the Modern Buddhist

25 Non-Violent Communication: the Ethical Dimension of Speech

March

1 Introduction to Buddhism course begins

3 Ethics and Practice: Engaging the Precepts

10 Newsreel Video

17 Born in the USA: American Buddhism

19-21 Going Deeper: A Beginning Meditation Retreat at Lubrecht

21 Council Meeting

24 Entering the Dakini&'s Realm: Women Going for Refuge

31 Unfolding the Sevenfold Puja: Devotion in Western Buddhism

April

6 Level 2 Meditation course begins

7 Great Assembly: FWBO Day Festival celebrating 37 years of the FWBO

14 The Beauty of Friendship and Kalyana Mitrata

18 Council Meeting

19 Introduction to Meditation course begins

21 Friendship Shared

28 Living in Harmony: the Gosingha Sutta

May

5 Great Assembly: Wesak Festival

12 In the Dragon&'s Lair: Men & Friendship

15 Order/Mitra Day

16 Council Meeting

19 What is Tolerance & Diversity?

26 Equal Opportunity in the Dharma: Tolerance & Diversity in Practice

28— June 4 Women&'s Retreat at Camp Child

fwbomissoula.org
The Rocky Mountain FWBO center is located at 540 South 2nd West (corner of 2nd and Cottonwood), Missoula, MT 59801, USA. This map will help you to locate us.