Below are some of the public events that the Buffalo Zen Dharma Community has had in the past.  Our plan is to have similar events in the future once the COVID pandemic and its restrictions are over.

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi
Abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery & Zen Center of NYC
May 7th (Thursday) and 9th (Saturday), 2020
Suspended until further notice.

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Past events:
Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi
Abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery & Zen Center of NYC
May 16th (Thursday) and 18th (Saturday), 2019
Episcopal Diocese of WNY Ministry Center
1064 Brighton Rd., Tonawanda, NY 14150

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The Gift of Karma: Understanding Cause and Effect in a Spiritual Life
Thursday Public Talk May 16th, 2019 7:00pm – 9:00pm Doors open at 6:15 (Donation $15*)
I am the owner of my actions (karma), heir to my actions, born of my actions, related through my actions, and have my actions as my arbitrator. Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir. – The Buddha

We have all had the experience of deciding not to act out of some familiar, negative pattern of thinking, speech or action, only to watch almost helplessly as we fall again into that very cycle.  On the Buddhist Path, examining and understanding karma – cause and effect – is essential if we are to break those binding patterns and live more fully and freely.

In this evening talk, Shugen Roshi will offer basic teachings on karma to help better understand how we can each live more in accord with our deeper intentions. There will also be time for questions and answers.

Before the lecture, 6:30-6:55pm, Shugen Roshi will give meditation instructions to those who are interested.
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Atonement & Forgiveness on the Path of Liberation
Saturday Workshop May 18th, 2019 2:00pm – 5:00pm Doors open at 1:30 PM. (Donation $25*)
In the Buddhist Path of awakening wisdom and compassion, practitioners study the teachings and reality of cause and effect, karma and its resulting consequences. We must do so not abstractly, but through the past and present desires, decisions, actions and results that we ourselves create. In this intimate spiritual examination, we will experience the many emotions that arise from our own hurtful actions, as well as from injuries we’ve experienced by others. How do we do this honestly and authentically within this practice of taking responsibility, nonattachment, seeing clearly, and true compassion? To live a life of truth, to practice and actualize harmony, there must be a way to recognize harmful actions and to restore the harmony that has been broken.

In this afternoon teaching and discussion, we’ll explore some of the powerful Buddhist teachings and practices that allow us to courageously accept, learn from, and let go of the painful effects of living within this human form with each other. In this way, we can free ourselves so we don’t unnecessarily carry the heavy burden of our past into today.

Discounts available–financial hardship will never be a barrier to participation.
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Click here for a printable copy of the events.

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