Guang Ming Temple of Orlando-Buddha’s Birthday & Prayer For Victims at Nepal on May 3, 2015

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

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It’s been both my pleasure and honor to have become acquainted with a wonderful group of people in Orlando, FL, the Buddhists at Guang Ming Temple (6555 Hoffner Ave., Orlando, FL). Other than Mondays, the temple is opened to any one who is fatigued from the demands of life or simply wants to rest or talk to another compassionate human being for a while in the afternoon.

On Sundays, there are classes for people interested in learning about Buddhism or Chinese. On other days, there are also yoga, meditation, and variety of other classes.This year, there are also special senior classes being offered ranging from cooking to art classes.  Around noon on Sundays (about 12:30 pm), there are vegetarian meals served (donation based) in the temple after Sunday morning service. Please bring your own bowl and utensil if you’d like to join the vegetarian lunch at Guang Ming Temple on Sunday.

 

 

On May 3rd, 2015, starting from 2:30 pm, there will be Baby Blessing Ceremony of Buddha’s Birthday Celebration and Prayer for Victims at Nepal , at Guang Ming Temple, at 6555 Hoffner Ave., Orlando, FL. Please register for attendance by calling 407-281-8482 ahead of time.  Some of the members have been working very hard in preparing for this celebration, below:

They have been preparing for various presentations, processions of fashion from various countries (symbolizing the diversity of people of the Buddhist faith). They are working collaboratively to foster generosity and harmony among all. They are a great asset for the community for they seek out ways to solve community’s problems and challenges.

According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering through the elimination of ignorance and craving. Buddhists believe that this is accomplished through direct understanding and the perception of dependent origination and the Four Noble Truths. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is the attainment of the sublime state of Nirvana, by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path (also known as the Middle Way).

Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized: Theravada (“The School of the Elders”) and Mahayana (“The Great Vehicle”). Theravada has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar etc.). Mahayana is found throughout East Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan etc.) and includes the traditions of Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Shingon, and Tiantai (Tendai). In some classifications, Vajrayana—practiced mainly in Tibet and Mongolia, and adjacent parts of China and Russia—is recognized as a third branch, with a body of teachings attributed to Indian siddhas, while others classify it as a part of Mahayana. Guang Ming Temple is of the traditions/branch of Pure Land.

Buddhist schools vary on the exact nature of the path to liberation, the importance and canonicity of various teachings and scriptures, and especially their respective practices. The foundations of Buddhist tradition and practice are the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community). Taking “refuge in the triple gem” has traditionally been a declaration and commitment to being on the Buddhist path, and in general distinguishes a Buddhist from a non-Buddhist. Other practices may include following ethical precepts; support of the monastic community; renouncing conventional living and becoming a monastic; the development of mindfulness and practice of meditation; cultivation of higher wisdom and discernment; study of scriptures; devotional practices; ceremonies; and in the Mahayana tradition, invocation of buddhas and bodhisattvas. For better understanding of the history and applications of Buddhism in modern life, please feel free to attend the Buddhism 101 class being offered at the Guang Ming Temple on Sunday mornings between 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Please feel free to call 407-281-8482 for more information about this or any of the other classes being offered at Guang Ming Temple (6555 Hoffner Ave., Orlando, FL).

**If you’d like to see Guang Ming Temple to thrive, please feel free to email: orlando@ibps.org , call: 407-281-8482 , or snail mail: Guang Ming Temple, 6555 Hoffner Ave., Orlando, FL 32822 to find out how you may be able to help support this community.

**If you feel compelled to help the earthquake victims at Nepal, please go to: International Medical Corps Supporting Nepal Earthquake Relief Efforts or  USA for UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agency)

~Let’s Help One Another~

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Gathered, photographed, written, and posted by Windermere Sun-Susan Sun Nunamaker
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