Ozarks Dharma Community

For the last few years, Venerable Thay and the Vietnamese Buddhist community have opened Dinh Quang Temple to our Saturday meditations. This simple, generous act has had a profound effect on Ozark Dharma Community's trajectory. Every week, we’ve had a safe and peaceful place to practice. And every week, we've had a safe and peaceful place to grow. We've grown so much in size that it's time for a change of address: one that has more parking, a central location and easy access by bus. Starting July 1, 2017, our new home will be at National Avenue Christian Church near National and Sunshine at 1515 S National Ave, Springfield MO 65804 . National Avenue Christian Church has a commitment to being open and inclusive. This dovetails with ODC’s own ideals to share and learn from the Buddha's teachings in a practical, non-dogmatic way. Our last meditation at Dinh Quang Temple is Saturday, June 24, 2017. We may be changing our address, but the temple -- a

Several people have asked about the Dhammapada readings at our Saturday morning meditation sessions. You can learn more about the translation by Gil Fronsdal, including free audio readings and links to where you can purchase the book, at Insight Meditation Center ( HERE ). You can find two translations, by Buddharakkhita and Thanissaro, at Access to Insight ( HERE ). Another translation, by Daw Mya Tin, includes summaries of traditional stories associated with the Dhammapada  verses, "generally believed [to be] written by Buddhaghosa (5th century A.D.)" ( HERE ).   Finally, Ajahn Munindo has offered a translation, A Dhammapada for Contemplation  ( HERE ), as well as two collections of reflections on verses from the Dhammapada ( vol 1 , vol 2 ).

We had a special Saturday morning sitting today, January 28, 2017. We were joined by  Thầy, the leader of the Vietnamese Buddhist community and who lives in the temple where Ozarks Dharma Community meets each week. Amidst the beautifully decorated temple filled with offerings to Buddha--pillars of fresh fruit, flowers, candles and incense-- Thầy gave us a prayer for the Lunar New Year. The prayer is originally from the Plum Village website. We've reprinted it here for all to enjoy. Happy Lunar New Year!  New Year Prayer to Mother Earth and All Our Ancestors Dear Beloved Buddha, Dear Beloved Ancestors, Dear Beloved Mother Earth,  We have gathered as a fourfold sangha in this solemn moment of the New Year to express our gratitude and aspiration as a spiritual family, and to begin anew. We know that you, our ancestors, are present in this very moment, and that you are always there for us to take refuge in. As we touch the earth tonight we feel deeply connected to all of you,