Dates
Class is March 1, 12:30 to 2:00 pm, in person only in Tampa Meditation Hall
Ceremony is March 15, 9:30 to 11:30 am, in person only in Tampa Meditation Hall
Registration Deadline: February 23
Suitability
FCM members who are interested in learning more about making a formal commitment to follow the Buddhist path of practice.
Description
Since the time of the Buddha, people have expressed their commitment to follow the Buddhist path of practice by taking refuge in the Three Jewels and by receiving transmission of the five Buddhist Precepts or Trainings. Our teacher, Fred, was formally authorized by Thich Nhat Hanh to transmit the Refuges and Trainings.
Fred will be conducting a Transmission Ceremony at the Tampa Practice Center on Sunday morning, March 15, for any FCM members, including teenagers 13 years and older, who wish to formally Take Refuge and receive the Five Mindfulness Trainings. He will also be transmitting the Two Promises for younger children. As Fred believes this is an important step in one’s spiritual development, you must be present in person at the Center in order to take Transmission.
Taking Refuge
Taking Refuge means to take refuge in the Three Jewels—the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. By taking refuge we express our trust in our own capacity to awaken, in the path of practice and mindful living, and in the sangha community to provide a refuge of safety, guidance, and support.
In the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition, this is expressed as:
I take refuge in the Buddha, the one who shows me the way in this life.
I take refuge in the Dharma, the path of understanding and love.
I take refuge in the Sangha, the community that lives in harmony and awareness.
Further information on Taking Refuge can be found on the FCM website under Formally Entering the Path.
The Five Mindfulness Trainings or Precepts
Thich Nhat Hanh has formulated the traditional five Buddhist precepts as The Five Mindfulness Trainings. They provide the basis for living in ways that create happiness and relieve suffering for ourselves and for others. They are not authoritative rules imposed from the outside but rather guidelines for reflecting on our own actions and their consequences in order to live a more consciously aware life. The Five Mindfulness Trainings can be found on the FCM website under Resources.
The Two Promises for Children
The Two Promises are the mindfulness trainings developed by Thich Nhat Hanh for children. Children of FCM members who are in elementary school (grades 1-5) and middle school (grades 6-8) are eligible to receive Transmission of the Two Promises on March 15. If you are interested please contact Karuna by February 7 at Karunaee@gmail.com. The preparation session for Transmission of the Two Promises will take place during the Family Program, and on zoom, if needed. You will find the Two Promises under the Family and Teen Program on our website.
The preparatory class will provide further explanation of the Three Refuges and the Five Mindfulness Trainings, explore ways they can be manifested in our daily lives and offer opportunities for questions and answers. Registering and attending the class does not obligate you to Take Refuge or Transmission. You are welcome to attend if you are just interested in learning more about these two practices and traditions that are integral to the Buddhist path.
Fees
There is no fee for this class or Ceremony.
Registration Notes
You must register and attend one of the two classes in order to participate in the Transmission Ceremony on March 15.
The ceremony on March 15 will be the only time the Transmission Ceremony will be offered. To receive transmission, you must be present in person at the Tampa Practice Center or on zoom for the ceremony.
Teenagers 13 and older who are children of FCM members are eligible to take the Five Mindfulness Trainings at the same time as the adults. Parents, pleaser register for one of the preparatory classes and put your teen’s name and age in the indicated box in the registration form.
Contacts for More Information
If you have any questions about this Intensive program or whether it is appropriate for you, please contact Diane Powell at diane.powell2010@gmail.com.
