BY LILLY GREENBLATT|
Due to the current outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) affecting over 100 countries, many Buddhist centers are taking precautions to protect against the virus and its spread. Beyond encouraging handwashing, some centers have temporarily closed, moved their operations online, or updated their cancellation policies for those feeling unwell. Here you’ll find a sampling of those centers and the changes they’re making.
Photo by Curology via Unsplash.
Plum Village
Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh’s practice center in France, has temporarily closed to the public until May 1st. They will be giving refunds to those already registered to visit, and will continue to take registrations for the month of May and beyond. The communal nature of Plum Village, alongside the fact that they attract a large number of international visitors, makes the center “unusually vulnerable to the transmission of this virus.”
“We recognise that, as a spiritual community and a place of refuge, we have a social responsibility to protect the wellbeing, safety, and happiness of our visiting guests and residential community,” they write.
Nalanda West
Nalanda West, the Buddhist center founded by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche in Seattle, Washington has made significant changes to their March calendar. There are currently 136 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 19 related deaths in Washington state.
The center’s weekly offerings including their Sunday Meditation and Open Meditation have been moved to online mediums including Zoom and Facebook, with links provided on their website. Their Interconnecting for Good fundraiser has been postponed until April.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California is monitoring COVID-19 situation as it unfolds and currently remains open. The center is promoting handwashing and sanitation, as well as bowing as greeting in lieu of hugging or hand-shaking. They have also temporarily updated their cancellation policies so that those feeling ill or uncertain of their health have the option of receiving a full refund, rebooking for a future program, or donating their fees.
Founding teacher Jack Kornfield wrote a letter to the Spirit Rock community addressing coronavirus concerns, writing “The need for the Dharma is stronger than ever. We can choose to live in our fears, confusion, and worries; or to stay in the essence of our practice, center ourselves, and be the ones on this beautiful boat of the earth that demonstrate patience, compassion, mindfulness, and mutual care.”
Portland Insight Meditation Center
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends handwashing be done for a minimum of 20 seconds to best prevent yourself and your family from getting sick. The Portland Insight Meditation Center in Portland, Oregon shared the following 20-second handwashing loving-kindness (metta) meditation on their Facebook page:
As you wash your hands, you could practice loving-kindness.
“May all beings be safe.
May all beings be content.
May all beings be healthy.
May all being live with ease.”
May all beings be content.
May all beings be healthy.
May all being live with ease.”
That’s about 20 seconds, right?
Cambridge Insight Meditation Center
Cambridge Insight Meditation Center (CIMC) in Cambridge, Massachusetts has created a list of guidelines for those visiting the center in response to the coronavirus. They ask that those who are coughing, sneezing, have or have had a fever stay at home. They also ask those who have traveled to any place the CDC is designating “Level 3” not visit until they have been symptom-free for 14 days upon return. The center is offering a full refund to anyone who cannot attend a program due to illness. At this time, they are not cancelling any programs at CIMC.
East Bay Meditation Center
East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) in Oakland, California currently remains open and is promoting mindful handwashing at their center, saying it is a “a great 20-second practice all of the time.” They ask that those feeling unwell or who think they may have been exposed to flu or cold viruses stay home until they feel better.
“The practice of spiritual refuge and radical inclusivity at East Bay Meditation Center means, above all, the co-creation of safe space and mindfulness in order to keep ourselves and our communities protected from harm,” EBMC wrote in a recent newsletter addressing the coronavirus.
Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society
Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society, a Taiwan-based group of Buddhist monasteries founded by Chan Master Hsin Tao with a location in Flushing, New York, has asked all of their centers around the world to temporarily suspend classes and events. They will be applying health safety measures for any visitors, including wearing masks and sanitizing hands.
White River Buddhist Temple and Seattle Buddhist Betsuin
The White River Buddhist Temple in Auburn, Washington and the Seattle Buddhist Betsuin in Seattle, Washington, two Jodo Shinshu centers belonging to Buddhist Churches of America, have cancelled services, temple programs, and activities through the month of March as a preventative measure. Private services with chanting and dharma talks by the ministers will be streamed on Seattle Betsuin’s YouTube page in lieu of their regular Sunday Service.
Berkely Zen Center
Berkely Zen Center (BZC) in Berkeley, California has temporarily suspended their usual activities through Saturday March 14 in response to coronavirus. BZC will re-consider whether this suspension should last longer as the week goes on and will post any updated information on their website.
Puget Sound Zen Center
Puget Sound Zen Center in Vashon, Washington will hold all services online via Zoom as a precaution against coronavirus.
Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism
Sakya Monastery in Seattle, Washington has suspended all public events including pujas, meditations, and caring for the monastery from today until the end of March. They are encouraging their members to continue their own regular practice at home. Before the end of March, Sakya Monastery writes, they will re-assess the situation and decide how to proceed in April. “In the meantime we pray that everyone remains healthy and safe.”
San Francisco Zen Center
San Francisco Zen Center (SFZC) in San Francisco, California has suspended public events at City Center until further notice and Green Gulch Farm until March 20. Conferences, classes, and programs will still be offered at Green Gulch Farm will still be offered.
In a statement from from the abbots and leadership of SFZC, they write “In times like this, our practice intentions include efforts to be well-informed, avoid harmful reactivity, engage in beneficial action, and support each other with love, patience, and diligent effort.”
Upaya Zen Center
Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico has postponed their pilgrimage to Japan until next year, and has postponed their Chaplaincy events this month, continuing the training online. Though the temple is still open for meditation, future Wednesday night Dharma Talks will be livestreamed to Facebook.
THANK YOU FOR READING LION’S ROAR. NOW CAN WE ASK FOR YOUR HELP?
Lion’s Roar is a nonprofit. Our mission is to share the wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings—to inspire, comfort, support, and enlighten readers around the world. Our aspiration is to keep LionsRoar.com available to everyone, providing a supportive, inspiring Buddhist community that anyone can access, from curious beginners to committed meditators. Do you share our aspiration? We can’t do this without your help.
Lion’s Roar reaches more readers like you than ever before. Unfortunately, advertising and other revenues are falling for print and online media. We know we have something deeply precious to share with the world, and we want to continue this important work. Can you help support our efforts now?
Lion’s Roar is independent, unbiased, not-for-profit, and supported by readers like you. Please donate today and help the lion’s roar echo for readers around the world.
Đăng nhận xét