Dharmapeople Latest Notices   Miscellaneous   Message from Wisdom-Books We are currently looking into the possibility of sub letting some office space here at Wisdom Books, on the outskirts of London. There may also be some storage space. Let us know if you would be interested – or know of anyone else who would. It would ideally suit a small Dharma business or group. our telephone  : (+44) (0)208 553 5020. Our fax number is (+44) (0)208 553 5122. mike@wisdom-books.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Mike Gilmore www.wisdom-books.com , Advice facility project : We are thinking of setting up an Advice/'Agony Auntie' facility lead by Sister Modgala (Amida Trust) with a selected small group of experienced people looking after a mailbox, to answer all sort of questions related to the Dharma and/or the search for meaning in our daily lives. Please follow developments and have a say in Forum, logging in as fse-advice   Caring in the community: We are exploring ways of providing support for all sort of activities related to caring in the community and institutions, as a complimentary project to the BHCG NHS Hospital Chaplaincy. This could involve mental health, hospices, home visitors, non hospital chaplaincy, prison chaplaincy, etc. Please have your say in Forum, logging in as fse-caring The latest docs can be found here : http://www.dharmapeople.com/ftp/nsh_chap/ Next meeting planned for the JUNE 2009 In London. Watch this space. Publishing : The Buddhist Society is thinking publishing Buddhist non-sectarian inspirational material to be distributed to hospitals, prison libraries, etc. and requests advice and suggestion from the whole of the Buddhist community. the book will be 250 pages maximum, possibly large pocket size. Also the Society is considering producing a Chaplaincy 'vademecum', with all sort in useful reference information, as well as advice on hoe to conduct cerimonies in the various traditions, the most common chants and devotional material, etc Please log into Forum as fse-res and let us know your preferences. We will pass them on to the Middle Way editor.   Buddhist Educator Questionnaire As part of his studies at Warwick University Phra Nichoals Thanissaro has put together a questionnaire for Buddhist educators. If you feel you can help him with this project, please log into the forum as fse-re and fill the questionnaire in and/or suggest how it can be improved, what other questions you might want to see in it, etc. You can also retrieve the questionnaire here : http://www.dharmapeople.com/ftp/SACRE_RE/Buddhist_Educator_Questionnaire_(Lay).pdf   ==============   RECENT EVENTS   SACRE, RE and Interfaith Next SACRE and Interfaith Meeting : Saturday 14th March 14:00 to 17:00, at the Buddhist Society, 58, Eccleston Square SW1V 1PH   Agenda:   Get to know each other and an update on the NASACRE recruitment initiative Review of proposed amendments of Circular 1/94 (see Forum from top Menu, and NASACRE web site for more). Getting the Buddhist community involved : lets go and visit the centres in the South East Where we are at with the gathering of reference information for the web site : Buddhist groups, SACRE authorities, resources online, etc.. What have we found on the various SACRE web sites that could be of interest . How best to structure the SACRE web pages Review of all the local SACRES web sites and the facilities they offer : e.g. details of Faith Representatives, list of local faith groups, advice on dealing with diversity, etc. Can we improve on them or encourage our local SACRE to adopt them ? Can we put together a DVD on what it is like to grow up as a Buddhist in England, for free distribution to schools ? Compare syllabuses from different SACREs : any ideas on how to improve them ? See our SACRE page and NASACRE website on how to find details of SACREs online facilities. We hope to see many of you, and please do let us know if you intend to turn up : mmarcigaglia@yahoo.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ============= International Association of Buddhist Women 10 – 4 Saturday, February 28th 2009 Sukhavati, 21 Sussex Way, London N7 6RT 'Calling a Council of Buddhist Women' Sister Modgala of the Amida Trust and Beatrice Jutta Gassner, one of the Founder Members of Sakyadhita UK, would like to introduce Sakyadhita and invite you to a 'Council of Buddhist Women' with the aim to explore ways of mutual benefit in working together on an international and national level. Non-Buddhist women who are sympathetic friends are also welcome. What is it that inspires us Where do we find spiritual nourishment How do we live our creativity? 'Sitting in Council' involves sitting in a circle exploring issues that are meaningful and relevant to us. A 'talking object' is passed around, giving each person the opportunity to listen and speak from the heart. In this way that we can not only hear the spoken words but that which emerges in the spaces between them, as well as the quiet voice within the stillness of our own hearts. Following from that we can look at ways of working together and supporting each other. There is the aspect of being nourished, but also to gently go beyond our comfort zone in an environment that is safe enough. From sharing our stories we will follow the threads that are emerging - weaving them together creatively. There will also be time for reflection, meditation and chanting. The weekend will be led by Beatrice Jutta Gassner a practicing Buddhist in the Soto Zen and the Tibetan traditions who also draws from years of experience as a group facilitator and Sister Modgala who has been a Pureland Buddhist teacher for over ten years and worked as a nun in Zambia, Bosnia, India and France as well as in the UK. Please let us know if you are intending to come, and bring some vegetarian food for a shared lunch. We do not charge for this event, but please consider making a donation according to your means to help the work of Sakyaditha and the Amida Trust to continue. Thank you! Information and booking: Telephone 0207 263 2183 or email modgala2004@lycos.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.sakyaditha-europe.org www.amidalondon.org.uk