SOSHIMSA ZEN CENTER - BLOG

With an invitation from Richard Hall Community Mental Health Center, and as a part of our Educational Outreach, So Shim Sa was invited to give an interactive presentation at Richard Hall on September 27. Richard Hall is a " Comprehensive community mental health center dedicated to the prevention, early detection and treatment of mental illness and serious emotional and behavioral problems."  Ven. Myong-Ahn's talk entitled "Happiness Here and Now" was followed by a meditation session led by Ven. Mooh-Sang. The presentation concluded with a wonderful Q&A session with a very interactive and receptive audience of over 30 participants.We hope to foster an ongoing relationship with Richard Hall Center and So Shim Sa's 1000 Hands Outreach.

On Sep 25, 2011 Ven. Myong-Ahn and Ven. Mooh-Sang in collaboration with Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition participated in the International Peace Day. The celebration took place at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Somerville and featured representatives from various religious traditions.  Ven. Myong-Ahn's address was followed by guided loving kindness meditation led by Ven. Mooh-Sang. The following is the transcript of Ven. Myong-Ahn's address: The Whole World is a Single Flower There is a famous calligraphy by Zen Master Man Gong that reads  “The whole world is a single flower”.  The statement is short and simple yet points to a deep, deep truth, namely: that we are each indeed a part of a whole. In fact each one of us can make a statement the “I am the most important person in the world”. It is said that when the Buddha was born he pointed one finger up and another down and declared: “Heaven and below, earth and above I am only one”. For it is up to you to car

A group of Master Alfaro's Tae Kwon Do students from Shim Martial Arts Academy participated in our Taste of Zen Program. The children learned about Buddhist and Korean culture by observing a  traditional Morning Service... ...learned about meditation and practiced focus and concentration with a chopstick challenge game.  Everyone enjoyed Question and Answer and had overall good time. So Shim Sa was invited to conduct a Tong-Gong Health Seminar at the Academy in the future.

Start off the school year with a right mindset. S o Shim Sa Buddhist Fellowship is a lay Buddhist movement with an emphasis on the dynamic practicality of Buddhist philosophy in daily life. Encouraging  members to draw from the innate source of wisdom, compassion and courage, we strive to empower each individual to overcome life’s challenges and lead happy and fulfilling lives. MEDITATION CLASSES Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:00pm College Ave. Student Center Rm 402 

FALL SEMESTER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FALL SEMESTER (SEP 29 - DEC 15) SCHEDULE- THURSDAYS 6:30PM - 8:00PM  Founded by Bodhidharma, a 5th century Indian Buddhist monk, Tong-Gong is considered the root of all modern martial arts. Tong-Gong has been employed and developed as a method for curing illness and strengthening the body. Its main therapeutic properties lie in its regulation of the activity of the cerebral cortex, the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects also help correct abnormal reactions of the organism and have a massaging effect on the organs of the body. Tong-Gong is based Oriental medicine. The exercises put pressure on a combination of specific acupuncture points which elicit desired physiological responses. Since the movements are combined with breathing, Tong-Gong delivers freshly oxygenated blood to the muscle tissue and internal organs. The harmonization of Nae-Gong (internal) and Wae-Gong (external) exercises leads

Dinair Santana recieved a charter and will be the President of the Brazil Chapter of the So Shim Sa Buddhist Fellowship. Andrea Prados will be the treasurer for this first international chapter.  Dinair has been studying Buddhism under Ven. Myong Ahn Sunim for 7 years and has completed the Chapter President Course. We look forward to supporting her in this expansion and watching our Sangha grow.

On Sunday August 7th, several new visitors participated in the Traditional Sunday Service. Afterwards the Sangha ate together and exchanged pleasant conversation. The feedback from the visitors was good and they were impressed with the progress of So Shim Sa and the support from its members.

Beginning in September we will hold EXTENDED SIT classes. These classes will be held every LAST Monday and Wednesday of EACH month. Extended Sits are intended to deepen you meditation practice and prepare you for longer meditation retreats. Extended Sit schedule: 6:00 pm   Evening Service 6:30pm   Extended Sit instructions 6:40pm   1st period of sitting meditation (30 min) 7:10pm   Walking meditation 7:20pm   2nd period of sitting meditation (30min) 7:50pm   Self administered acupressure massage and harmonizing health exercises 8:00pm   Class end Note: Prior meditation class attendance is required          The Extended Sit is conducted in SILENCE.