Special Events

AZC closed: Virtual Rainbow Sangha meetings available by Zoom

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Dear Friends,

“The community is in you and you are in the community. You interpenetrate each other. That is why I emphasize sangha-building … It is by taking good care of your breath, of your body, of your feelings, that you can build a good community.” — Thay

In accordance with governmental guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19, the Albuquerque Zen Center is closed for meetings and the Rainbow Sangha is not meeting in person. We have arranged for virtual Rainbow Sangha meetings from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. each Sunday until in-person meetings can recommence.

This coming Sunday, March 29, Bee will be leading, and we’ll have extended dharma sharing. Please be ready to share a short poem, song, reading etc. You can also share your screen if you have a short .pdf document, audio, or video file to share. Plum Village recommends that for online meetings when we bow in for dharma sharing we say our name followed by “bowing in” and when done we say “bowing out.”

Here are some instructions for joining our virtual meeting. First, at any time on your computer, go to zoom.us and install the app. Or, on a smartphone or tablet, get the Zoom Cloud Meeting app. It’s free, and to join meetings it’s not necessary to register with Zoom.

A few minutes before the meeting, click the link previously provided to you for the meeting, or open the Zoom app and enter the meeting ID. Please feel free to contact us if you need to obtain the link or ID.

You will then be in the online meeting. You may then need to turn on your audio and video connections. During the meeting when you’re not sharing please mute your audio to eliminate distracting sounds while others share, then turn it on when you wish to share. The meeting will be open online about 15 minutes before 5 p.m. so please join us in a timely way before the meeting starts to avoid distractions after we begin.

This same link will be valid for each Sunday evening meeting going forward until our physical meeting room is available again.

We are using a paid subscription in Zoom, which means meetings will not be limited to 40 minutes and people can also call in using regular phones if desired. Jon will be the host for the Zoom meeting.

If you wish to join using a regular phone you can call any of the numbers below and enter the meeting ID.

  +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
  +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
  +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
  +1 253 215 8782 US
  +1 301 715 8592 US
  +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
  +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

I hope everyone is well and look forward to seeing you then,
With metta,
Jon

Planned retreat for May 1-3 in Albuquerque cancelled

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In light of the coronavirus threat and warnings against public gatherings in Albuquerque, and the elderly members who planned to participate in the retreat, we have regretfully decided to cancel the planned retreat on May 1-3. An additional factor is that at this time we are not receiving enough reservations to proceed, and some have canceled. From a Taoist point of view (which is also integral to Zen) it seems that conditions are not favorable for this event at this time, and we should respect that. 


Full refunds will be issued (by check, by mail) in the next few days to those who have already registered. We will plan to reschedule the retreat after the threat has passed, and will plan to notify you then of the new retreat plans. Hopefully we can all gather and practice together at that time. 
Meanwhile sending metta to all. 

Registration for Retreat in Albuquerque May 1-3, 2020

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A printable .pdf version of the description and registration form is available to download and print here.

flyer-registration-form-for-retreat-may-2020-3Download

Compassion for Oneself,  Compassion for the Earth

In the tradition of Plum Village (as established by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh).

At the Bosque Retreat Center, 6400 Coors Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120.

Led by Terry Cortes-Vega, resident Dharma teacher from the Plum Blossom Sangha in Austin (plumblossomsangha.wordpress.com) and Dharma teacher-in-training Brian Kimmel (briankimmel.com). The theme is compassion and love for ourselves, all beings, and our planet. 

This is a preliminary schedule—further details will follow.

Friday May 1: 4:00 p.m. Room checkin starts; 7:00 p.m. Introduction, orientation, meditation

Saturday May 2: 7:30 a.m. Breakfast, then teachings & practice, 12:00 p.m. Lunch, then teachings & practice, 6:30 p.m. Dinner

Sunday May 3:  Before breakfast: Ceremony to Transmit the Five Mindfulness Trainings, 7:30 a.m. Breakfast, followed by teachings, practices, and wrap-up, 11:30 a.m. Retreat ends. 

This retreat is open to all. Registration is $95. This registration fee includes a small amount of Dana for the teachers. In accordance with the Buddhist tradition of generosity to teachers for the benefits obtained, additional donations to the teachers are encouraged. 

Bedrooms are available at extra cost, all with shared baths down the hallway. Thirty single rooms are available at $56/night and four queen rooms at $64/night. Please specify night(s) desired (Fri. and/or Sat.). 

Foods other than light snacks (granola bars, trail mix, fruit, cookies, drinks) are not permitted to be brought onto the retreat grounds. All meals are provided by the Bosque Center cook at extra cost if reserved on the registration form, and are vegetarian (may contain eggs or dairy). Please specify continental or hot breakfast if desired Saturday and/or Sunday. Lunch and dinner are only available on Saturday. Meal costs include 20% service charge. There are also several restaurants within 4-5 blocks south of Bosque center.  

If you cannot afford the registration fee a few scholarships are available. You can request a scholarship by submitting a letter describing your need.

Sponsored by the Rainbow Sangha in Albuquerque—more information at rainbowsangha.org and facebook.com/rainbowsangha. More information on the Bosque Center is available at bosquecenter.org. 

A printable .pdf version of the description and registration form is available to download and print here.

flyer-registration-form-for-retreat-may-2020-4Download

What is Sangha? and Dharma Party on Jan. 5

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Dear Friends,

“Mindful living protects us and helps us go in the direction of peace. With the support of friends in the practice, peace has a chance.” –Thay

Please join us from 5:00-6:30 pm this coming Sunday, January 5, at the Albuquerque Zen Center, 2300 Garfield St. SE. Tea will be available at 4:30. Joining the Sangha for practice and community is a great way to start the new year, or any time.

We’ll be reading some of Thay’s writings on “What is Sangha?”, followed by a New Year Dharma Party with tea and cookies/snacks.

Also, you might want to put on your calendar that a retreat is shaping up for May 1-3 (Friday evening through Sunday midday) at the Bosque Center in NW Albuquerque. Further details will be announced as they become firmer.

Sangha potluck Dec. 15

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Please note that on Sunday Dec. 15 we will not have a regular meeting at the Albuquerque Zen Center. Instead, we’ll be having a Joyfully Together vegetarian potluck dinner at 5:30 p.m. at a member’s house, jointly with the Sunshine Sangha. Details have been sent to Sangha members on the e-mail list. If you would like details you can e-mail me at: jnimitz at comcast dot net.