UCLA Center for Buddhist Studies - Nov. Events

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Shoji Yamada on his book "Shots in the Dark: Japan, Zen, and the West"

An Informal Lecture
Monday, November 02, 2009
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Faculty Center
Hacienda Room
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095

In the years after World War II, Westerners and Japanese alike elevated Zen to the quintessence of spirituality in Japan. Pursuing the sources of Zen as a Japanese ideal, Shoji Yamada uncovers the surprising role of two cultural touchstones: Eugen Herrigel's Zen in the Art of Archery and Ryoanji's dry-landscape rock garden. Yamada shows how both became facile conduits for exporting and importing Japanese culture.

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The Buddhist Arts of Tea in Medieval China

James A. Benn delivers the 22nd Sammy Yukuan Lee Lecture on Chinese Archaeology and Art

Saturday, November 07, 2009
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Lenart Auditorium
Fowler Museum of Cultural History
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095

The relatively rapid change in drinking habits that occurred in late medieval China (Tang dynasty, 618–907) cannot be understood without appreciating the crucial role of Buddhist ideas, institutions, and practitioners. While Buddhist texts vividly depicted the dangers of imbibing intoxicating substances, Buddhist monks were also active in spreading an alternative to alcohol—tea—throughout the empire. By the end of the ninth century, tea had become a vital component in the Chinese economy and an essential commodity of everyday life. Tea was valued for its ability to sustain long periods of meditation and for its health-giving properties. It was considered an appropriate offering for Buddhist deities, and a suitable gift for monks and laypeople to exchange. Tea, like alcohol before it, stimulated and inspired poets and connoisseurs.

This lecture will look closely at the surviving artistic, material, and literary evidence for Buddhist involvement in the promotion of tea drinking and the invention of a Chinese tea culture.


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Professor Melanie Malzahn (University of Vienna)

Friday, November 13, 2009
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

243 Royce Hall

Among the extinct languages merely known by manuscripts discovered along the Silk Road, Tocharian A and Tocharian B, together, constitute one of the twelve branches of Indo-European languages. Although deciphered in 1908 by German Indologists Emil Sieg and Wilhelm Siegling, the main bulk of Tocharian texts scattered through European collections were known by only a few specialists until very recently. Tocharian A and B were closely related, but seem not to have been mutually understandable. Apart from literary texts exclusively related to and based on Buddhist literature, we also have documents of profane nature such as letters and monastery records. In recent years, much effort has been made in publishing texts leading to a better understanding of the languages themselves, especially with regard to their internal stratification. In this respect, both languages differ significantly. Tocharian A texts, which have only been found in the Turfan Oasis and around Shorchuk/Yanqi but not further west, display a very uniform linguistic character (with very few exceptions), and the manuscripts in general seem to be younger than those of Tocharian B. Tocharian B, on the other hand, is found over a far wider range of find spots, especially around Kucha, and displays an internal chronology of at least 400 years (from 5th century CE to 8th century CE), and is also sociolinguistically diversified. The apparent transfer of literacy from Kucha to the east together with the diachronic and socio-dialectal diversification of Tocharian B and the mutual linguistic influence between Tocharian A and B offers some insight into the but rarely known Tocharian society in the 1st millennium CE.


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Buddhist Cave Temples of the Kucha Kingdom

An Afternoon of Presentations and Discussion
Friday, November 20, 2009
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Seminar Room, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology
Fowler Museum A222
Los Angeles, CA 90095

RSVP required to the UCLA Asia Institute: eleicester@international.ucla.edu or 310-825-0007

http://www.international.ucla.edu/buddhist/events/showevent.asp?eventid=7718&eventdate=11/20/2009


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"Burma VJ: Reporting from a Closed Country" Film Screening
Armed with video cameras, a tenacious band of Burmese reporters face down death to expose the repressive regime controlling their country.

Friday, November 20, 2009
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

James Bridges Theater
Melnitz Hall
UCLA Campus
Los Angeles, CA 90095

http://www.international.ucla.edu/cseas/events/showevent.asp?eventid=769
8&eventdate=11/20/2009.


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Chapman University Department of Sociology presents
Venerable Thubten Chodron: "Joyous Effort in Up and Down Times"

Saturday , 11/21/2009
Time: 10:30am - 12:30 pm
Location: Argyros Forum 209

Internationally renowned author and Tibetan Buddhist nun, and abbess of the Sravasti Abbey (near Newport, WA) will be giving a talk at Chapman University on Saturday.Thubten Chodron studied and practiced Buddhism of the Tibetan tradition for many years in India and Nepal under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan masters for many years. She has directed the spiritual program at centers in Italy, Singapore and Seattle. Ven. Chodron travels worldwide to teach the Dharma. Seeing the importance and necessity of a monastery for Westerners training in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, she founded Sravasti Abbey and is currently involved in developing it. Ven. Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well-known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. For information call 714-997-6608 or email: nmartin@chapman.edu

http://web.chapman.edu/Events/calendar.aspx


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Week 10: Last Meeting of the Year!

Hello UBA friends,

We're coming to the end of another school year already! Come celebrate with the last meditation of the spring quarter before we go our separate ways with us this Tuesday, June 2nd from 5:30-7pm at the University Catholic Center (UCC, 633 Gayley Avenue - There's a chance we will be in the community room downstairs rather than the chapel upstairs, so be on the lookout for that!). Our meetings are facilitated by Rev. Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion which is then followed by a chance to ask questions and practice meditation. Previous dharma talks can be found available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

Again, this will be our last chance to meet as a full group before the fall, so come on out for a night of good conversation as well as the chance to relieve some of the stress of 10th and finals week. Come meet the new staff members for the 2009-2010 year as well (and remember, we're always looking for new staff members, so just come find one of us if you're interested!) Whether we see you or not this week, have a great one, and it's been wonderful practicing with all of you this year.

Peace and blessings,
The UBA

Week 9: Memorial Day Monday

Hello UBA friends,

First off, it was great to see so many of you come out this past weekend to celebrate Vesak with us! A very special thanks to everyone that made it possible - not just staff members but Reverend Kusala as well as everyone that came to support the event - we couldn't have done it without all of you!

Next, just a reminder as the quarter winds down that we continue our weekly meditation meetings this week at the UCC (633 Gayley Avenue) from 5:30-7 pm on Tuesday, May 26th. Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and meditate. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info. We hope to see many of you there as this is one of our last two meetings this year!

Finally, we hope you are enjoying the Memorial Day weekend whether it is spent among friends and family or simply as a chance to relax and reflect on the meaning of the day. Wishing you a great rest of the week and we hope to see many of you on Tuesday.

Vesak Day 2009 is in TWO days!

Vesak Day 2009 is two days away, this Saturday at UCLA!! If you are in the Los Angeles area, please come to our FREE event. Below is all you need to know plus an updated schedule of who's speaking, performing, and leading the discussion. Also, if you have facebook, please RSVP on our event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?sid=657edc3b662d97cfd68ac50c970aeea8&eid=76892984253&ref=search

If have any questions, contact me at eriku@ucla.edu. Hope to see you there!

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Who: Southern California University Buddhist Association (SCUBA) 

What: Vesak Day (or Buddha Day) celebrates the birth, the enlightenment, and the passing away of the Buddha. It is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world as a remembrance of the Buddha and his universal message of peace to humankind. 

Come out and learn more about Buddhism with the University Buddhist Association! Everyone is welcome - Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. The event is FREE and will consist of cultural performances, speakers, a Bathing of the Buddha ceremony, and a Q&A session. 

Performances by: Chinese Cultural Dance Club and Nam Giao Do

Speakers: Don Farber, a renowned photographer of the Dalai Lama and Buddhist Life; Venerable Miao Hsi, of Hsi Lai Temple; Venerable Pannaloka of Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara

Discussion Leaders: Venerable Kusala of the International Buddhist Meditation Center; Professor Natasha Heller; former UBA president Aaron Lee

When: Saturday, May 23, 2009
10:30 - 2:00pm

Where: Kerckhoff Grand Salon, UCLA
308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Why: To watch amazing performances, listen to great speakers, learn something about Buddhism, and eat delicious and free food.

More information about Vesak Day:

Significance of Vesak - Buddha Day
http://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm

Wikipedia - Vesak
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesak

What is Vesak?
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=6,4043,0,0,1,0 

Vesak Message from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
http://theuba.blogspot.com/2009/05/vesak-message-from-british-prime.html

Week 8: Vesak Day!

Hello UBA friends,

First, a quick note to remind you about our weekly meditation meeting this Tuesday, May 19th from 5:30-7 pm at the UCC (633 Gayley). As always, our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a
meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

Also, we would like to formally invite each and every one of you to our special annual Vesak event presented in conjunction with SCUBA, the Southern California University Buddhist Association, held this year at UCLA. Here are some details on the event:

Who: Southern California University Buddhist Association (SCUBA)

What: Vesak Day (or Buddha Day) celebrates the birth, the enlightenment, and the passing away of the Buddha. It is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world as a remembrance of the Buddha and his universal message of peace to humankind.

Come out and learn more about Buddhism with the University Buddhist Association! Everyone is welcome - Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. The event is FREE and will consist of cultural performances, speakers, a brief Bathing of the Buddha ceremony, a Q&A session, and lunch!

Performances by: Chinese Cultural Dance Club and BOCA Youth Group Choir

Speakers: Don Farber, a renowned photographer of the Dalai Lama and Buddhist Life; Venerable Miao Shi, of Hsi Lai Temple; Venerable Pannaloka of Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara

Ceremony Led by: Ven. Huei Hsuen of Dharma Seal Temple

When: Saturday, May 23, 2009 11:00am - 2:00pm (doors open at 10:30 am)

Where: Charles E Young Grand Salon in Kerckhoff Hall, UCLA 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Why: To watch amazing performances, listen to great speakers, learn something about Buddhism, and eat delicious and free food.

Please join our facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=76892984253

For more info, contact us at ucla.uba.online@gmail.com.

Week 7: Back to the UCC

Hello UBA friends,

Just a quick note to remind you that our weekly meditation meetings continue this week, back at the regular location at the University Catholic Center, from 5:30-7 pm on Tuesday, May 12th. Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

We would also like to remind you that UBA t-shirts are available for purchase for $15 dollars. To check out the designs and for contact info, visit our blog at http://www.theuba.blogspot.com/.

We are also still recruiting staff for next year! All types and levels of experience are welcome. Come talk to one of the staff members, or reply to this email, if you're interested or if you have more questions about what positions are available (or can be created just for you!)

And as always, if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for events you'd like to see us put together, email us at uba.ucla.online@gmail.com. Have a great week!

Week 6: Meeting Location Moved, This Week Only!

Hi UBA friends,

The big news this week, as mentioned last week, is that we will be temporarily moving our regular meeting location from the UCC on Gayley Avenue to the University Religious Conference building, located at 900 Hilgard Avenue, on the opposite side of campus from the UCC, where we meet normally. A link to a map can be found here.

The format of the meeting will be largely the same, with a dharma talk facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who will lead us in a discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a chance to practice meditation. We hope to see many of you there, even if it is on the other side of campus from our normal meeting place!

Also, many of you may be interested in an event taking place this upcoming weekend. The information is attached below:

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Book signing and Talk,
in honor of Paul Discoe and his new book,
ZEN ARCHITECTURE: The Building Process as Practice

Saturday, May 9, 2009
2-3 pm
Beginner's Mind Zen Center:
9325 Lasaine Ave., Northridge, CA 91325

Paul Discoe is a visionary designer and Zen Buddhist priest who helped transform a rustic hot spring resort into Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Ordained by Suzuki Roshi, he traveled to Japan to apprentice with traditional temple builders. Since then Discoe has designed and built Zen temples, residential projects, grand estates and modular structures. His team at Joinery Structures recently created a modular cardboard zendo for the Burning Man Festival. Currently he is working on Sonoma Mandala, a new Zen temple complex for the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center.

Discoe has increasingly focused on evolving more sustainable design and building practices. His commitment to the environment (and a deep respect for wood itself) led him to open an urban lumber mill that salvages and recycles trees cut down by the City of Oakland. Paul Discoe's newest enterprise, Live Edge, will use those recycled materials to create low-cost prefabricated housing systems and furniture.

View & print flyer at: http://pijay-wa.com/discoe3.jpg

Week 5: Half-way through the Quarter!

Hi UBA friends,

As usual, we continue our regular meetings this Tuesday, April 28th from 5:30-7 pm at the UCC (633 Gayley Avenue, across from the UCLA campus). Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

Also, just as a heads-up: next week we will be moving the location of our meeting just for that day, the 5th of May (which, incidentally, we will be celebrating with cinco de mayo-themed snacks, for those interested!) This special-edition UBA meeting will be held at the University Religious Conference (URC) building, which is located at 900 Hilgard Avenue, on the opposite side of campus from the UCC, where we meet normally. A link to a map can be found here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=900+Hilgard+Ave+Los+Angeles+Ca&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=28.667509,56.601563&ie=UTF8&ll=34.06633,-118.440793&spn=0.007306,0.013819&z=16&iwloc=r9

We hope to see many of you at the UCC this week and the URC next week!
Have a great one.

Week 4: A Concert for Burma!

Hi UBA friends,

As usual, we will be holding our weekly meditation meeting this Tuesday, April 21st from 5:30-7 pm at the UCC (633 Gayley Avenue, across from the UCLA campus). Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

We would also like to announce a special on-campus event we think many of you would be interested in attending.

The Mighty Mic concert, an annual tradition, will be held this Tuesday in support of various human rights organizations working to bring peace to Burma. It starts during our regular meeting on Tuesday, but many of us will be heading over to Ackerman Grand Ballroom right after to check out the concert, if anybody's interested in joining us. Here's some information from the event's Facebook page:

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The 3rd ANNUAL MIGHTY MIC HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS CONCERT

Benefit for Burma
April 21, 2009, Ackerman Grand Ballroom
6-10pm
doors open at 5:45

Los Angeles, CA (April 6, 2009) - On Tuesday, April 21, thousands of students and community members will come together to make history at the 3rd Annual Mighty Mic Human Rights Awareness Concert at UCLA, Benefit for Burma. This student-run non-profit concert attracts about 2,000 attendees annually and is fast becoming a beloved UCLA tradition. Last year, Mighty Mic raised over $20,000 for the refugees of Darfur.

This year, Mighty Mic will highlight the struggle for human rights in Burma, a country that has been under the rule of an all-oppressive military junta for 43 years, making it the 4th least free country in the world. Learn more about the human rights violations, including the abuse of ethnic minorities, mass rape of women, forced labor, mandatory relocations, and child soldiers.

Benefit For Burma 2009's multi-media showcase will feature an eclectic mix of artists from many genres such as rock, indie, and hip-hop, as well as relevant educational content in the form of speakers and videos which will entertain, inform, and inspire attendees.

For information on the lineup of artists and guest speakers: www.mightymic.org

Although the concert is free, donations are highly encouraged as all proceeds will go towards Doctors Without Borders, USA, and US Campaign for Burma.

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If you have any questions or comments for us, as always, feel free to
send us an email at ucla.uba.online@gmail.com. Have a great week and a
happy Earth Day!

For more information, ticketing, press passes, vendor and sponsorship
opportunities visit www.mightymic.org.

Week 3: Dharma Talk and Buddhist Resources

Hi UBA friends,

Just a quick reminder that we continue our weekly meditation meetings this Tuesday, April 14th from 5:30-7pm at the University Catholic Center (UCC, 633 Gayley Avenue). As always, our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion
followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

Also, for those interested, here are a few links to resources that have been mentioned in past meetings this quarter:

The Debate of King Milinda (e-book): http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/milinda.pdf

Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society (an alternative look at the Buddha's teachings and home of the "Dharma Punx"): http://www.againstthestream.org/

And as always, if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for events you'd like to see us put together, email us at uba.ucla.online@gmail.com. Have a great week!

Week 2: Dharma Talk, T-shirts, and more!

Hi UBA friends,

Just a quick note to let you know that we continue our weekly meditation meetings this Tuesday, April 7th from 5:30-7pm at the University Catholic Center (633 Gayley Avenue, across from the UCLA campus). Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

We would also like to remind you that UBA t-shirts are available for purchase for $15 dollars. Show your UBA pride! To check out the designs and for contact info, visit our blog at http://www.theuba.blogspot.com/ .

We are also still recruiting staff for next year! All types and levels of experience are welcome. Come talk to one of the staff members, or reply to this email, if you're interested or if you have more questions about what positions are available (or can be created just for you!)

And as always, if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for events you'd like to see us put together, email us at uba.ucla.online@gmail.com. Have a great week!

Week 1: New Start for a New Quarter!

Hello UBA friends,

It's a brand new quarter for the UBA and we'll be starting again with our regular meditation meetings with Reverend Kusala this Tuesday (that's tomorrow!) March 31st, from 5:30-7 pm at the UCC (633 Gayley). We'd love to see you all there!

For any newcomers out there, our meetings are a great way to get to know many different levels and aspects of Buddhism and to meet others with the same interests. Rev. Kusala, whose podcasts can be found on his website at www.dharmatalks.info, leads us in a dharma discussion, followed by a chance to ask questions and the opportunity to meditate.
We also have a website at www.theUBA.org, which offers a few other links that act as a jumping-off point to learn more about Buddhism.

Also, we are starting to work with the new staff members that will help run the UBA next year. We are always looking for more help! All talents and skills are welcome; you do not need any prior experience. Ask any of the staffers or send us an email at ucla.uba.online@gmail.com if you are interested or have any further questions.

And as always, if you have a more general question or comment, please feel free to drop us a line at ucla.uba.online@gmail.com.

Week 9: Guest Speaker Ven. Huei Hsuen

Man, it's been quite a while since I've posted, but I'm back. Stop by our meeting tomorrow; we have a guest speaker, Venerable Huei Hsuen. Hope to see you there!

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Hello UBA friends,

To begin with, apologies for the lateness of the weekly update; hopefully many of you can still make it to this week's meditation because we are mixing it up a little with a guest speaker! Venerable Huei Hsuen, a Buddhist monastic in the Chinese tradition, will be coming to lead a discussion and meditation. Come ready with questions!

We will be meeting at the usual time and place, from 5:30-7 pm on Tuesday, March 3rd at the University Catholic Center.

In the meantime, we wish Rev. Kusala a speedy recovery after his surgery this week! We hope to see many of you this Tuesday evening as our winter quarter starts to wrap up and, as always, any questions or comments can be directed to ucla.uba.online@gmail.com.

Thank you and have a great week!

Week 7: New Website

Hi UBA friends,

We hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend! Just a quick reminder: we continue our regular meetings this Tuesday, January 20th from 5:30-7 pm at the UCC (633 Gayley Avenue, across from the UCLA campus). Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

Also, the new UBA website is up and running. You can access it through the same URL: www.theuba.org. Please check it out and tell us what you think!

And as always, if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for events you'd like to see us put together, email us at uba.ucla.online@gmail.com. Have a great week!

Week 6: Picture Day & Staff Recruitment

Hello UBA friends,

A few things to announce this week...

As usual, we continue our regular meetings this Tuesday, February 10th from 5:30-7 pm at the UCC (633 Gayley Avenue, across from the UCLA campus). Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

A special note about our meeting this week is that we are planning to take b of the UBA to replace the rather outdated one on our website. Come be a part of this historic event and feel free to wear your UBA t-shirt if you have one! (Don't have a UBA t-shirt yet?
A situation that can certainly be remedied! Visit our other blog at theuba.blogspot.com for more information.)

Another special and very important note: we are recruiting new staff members for the UBA for the upcoming year! Being on staff is a great opportunity to help bring Buddhism to the wider UCLA community and offers great leadership experience, so give it some thought! No prior experience is necessary and all talents and skills are appreciated and needed. We will have a sign-up sheet available at the next meeting for anyone who is interested.

Thanks everyone! Have a great week and we hope to see you Tuesday.

Week 5: Midterm Stress!

Hi UBA friends,

Wow, it's the middle of the quarter already! If you're finding yourself caught in the midst of midterms stress (or even if you're not!) why not try a nice evening of dharma discussion and meditation with the UBA?

We continue our regular meetings this Tuesday, February 3rd from 5:30-7 pm at the UCC (633 Gayley Avenue, across from the UCLA campus). Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

It is likely that we will be in the downstairs room at the UCC again this week; so just keep that in mind and see if we're around in the room downstairs before coming up the stairs if you don't catch us when we meet at 5:30.

And as always, if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for events you'd like to see us put together, email us at uba.ucla.online@gmail.com. Have a great week!

Inter-religious Open House

Hi UBA friends,

Here are some details on the event that was mentioned this week at our meditation meeting. It looks like an interesting chance to check out some of the different faiths and traditions that UCLA has to offer, including a tour of some of the actual facilities offering different religious services, so many of you may want to check it out. Rev. Kusala will be among those giving presentations towards the beginning of the event.

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Inter-religious Open House
When: Saturday, January 31, 2009
Time: 11:00am - 2:30pm
Location: UCLA Campus (meeting at the University Catholic Center, 633 Gayley Ave)
What: a tour of four houses of worship/meditation at UCLA, with short presentations from other religious groups

Goal:
- to educate ourselves of the commonalities and rich diversity among different religions
- to celebrate together the richness and diversity of organized spirituality here at UCLA

Houses of worship to be visited (in order):
University Catholic Center
University Lutheran Chapel
Hillel
St. Alban's Episcopal Church

Other religious groups participating:
Univ. Buddhist Assoc., MTO Suffi Assoc., Wesley Foundation, Hindu Student Council, and the Univ. Presbyterian Church.

Worried about lunch? Well Don't!
We will be starting with a FREE Continental Breakfast and ending with a FREE Lunch (we'll be taking into consideration the dietary needs of all participating religious groups)

This is really a great opportunity to meet new people from many different backgrounds, build relations with other groups on campus, and get a glimpse of just a few religious groups at UCLA (not to mention, getting a free bite to eat)!

***As a side note, for those of you on Facebook, it might be helpful to search for the event (by the name "inter-religious open house") and RSVP to it, just to give the organizers a better idea of how much food to buy.

A Conversation on Science, Ethics, and Religion

Thanks to Ven. Kusala from UrbanDharma for sending information about this event.


Esteemed American Buddhist scholar and activist Robert Thurman will be appearing at the Skirball in mid-February, speaking on the topic of science, ethics, and religion with renowned inventor and engineer Danny Hillis. Presented in celebration of Charles Darwin's 200th birthday, the conversation between Dr. Thurman and Dr. Hillis should make for a compelling evening. Details are below.

A CONVERSATION ON SCIENCE, ETHICS, AND RELIGION

Robert Thurman and Danny Hillis

Thursday, February 12, 8:00 p.m.

$15 General; $12 Skirball Members; $10 Full-Time Students

Advance tickets: Available on site at the Skirball, online at www.skirball.org, or by phone at (877) SCC-4TIX or (877) 722-4849

Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

Preeminent figures in the fields of religion and technology, Dr. Robert Thurman and Dr. Danny Hillis engage in a thought-provoking conversation on scientific progress and its impact on society. Robert Thurman has cultivated a worldwide awareness of Tibet through his academic and popular writing, translation of important Buddhist texts, and commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the China-Tibet conflict. Danny Hillis is a respected figure in the technology community. He is an inventor, scientist, author, and engineer. He holds more than eighty U.S. patents and is the designer of the 10,000-year mechanical clock. Presented by the Skirball in celebration of the bicentennial of Charles Darwin.

Week 4: Dumpling Night Success!

Hello UBA friends!

First off, last Friday's dumpling night was stuffed full of great food, great company, and great fun! It was so good to see many of you there, and a special thanks to Keith for hosting.

As usual, we continue our regular meetings this Tuesday, January 27th from 5:30-7 pm at the UCC (633 Gayley Avenue, across from the UCLA campus). Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

UBA T-shirts are still available for purchase! For sample pics and price info, check out the right-hand sidebar.

And as always, if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for events you'd like to see us put together, email us at uba.ucla.online@gmail.com. Have a great week!

Week 3 - Dumpling Night

Hello UBA friends!

As usual, we continue our regular meetings this Tuesday, January 20th from 5:30-7 pm at the UCC (633 Gayley Avenue, across from the UCLA campus). Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

We would also like to announce our first event of the quarter - we will be having a dumpling-making and movie night this Friday, January 23rd from 5-9PM at UBA member Keith's apartment. If you are interested, please RSVP to ucla.uba.online@gmail.com by Wednesday January 21st so we know how much food to buy. We will email those who RSVP the address. Hope to see you all there!

And as always, if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for events you'd like to see us put together, email us at uba.ucla.online@gmail.com. Have a great week!