June 1 -- Sutta Study: The Four Heavenly Messengers

Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery will continue with the Upasika Days with a day of community, Dhamma study, and meditation. The Upasika Program exists to provide an opportunity for lay women and men (upasikas/upasakas) to deepen their practice and their relationship to the monastery.All are welcome to attend.

This session will involve study of two primary texts: the Devaduta Sutta (The Divine Messengers) (Majjhima Nikaya 130) and the Pabbatopama Sutta (The Simile of the Mountains) (Samyutta Nikaya III, 25). Both address the theme of the Four Heavenly Messengers—the old man, the sick man, and the corpse, which taught the Buddha the shocking truths of old age, illness, and death; and the wandering ascetic, who revealed to him the existence of a path whereby all suffering can be fully transcended.

Schedule:

11:00am Meal Offering
1:00pm Upasika Renewal Ceremony and Study Session
5:30pm Tea (optional)

For directions to the monastery visit the Directions page within this website.

We hope you can join us at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery on this occasion for a day of community, Dhamma study, meditation, and renewal.

People should also be aware that everyone is most welcome to attend Upasika Days, whether they have made a formal commitment or not. There is no 'in' and 'out' group or exclusivity of any kind (and no "secret teachings" for an inner circle!). These opportunities to draw closer to the teachings are offered freely, and the occasion to make a public statement of one's intentions and aspirations is simply made available to support those who find such skillful means helpful to them.

Hope to see you on June 1st!