Here is the pure land – Day of Mindfulness at HKIEd 24.01.2009

The last day of mindfulness for the year of the rat and the first day of mindfulness for the year 2009 at HKIEd was conducted on Saturday 24.01.2009. About 35 people put aside the busy pace of preparing for the coming Chinese New Year and put on the warm clothes to attend the day of practice.

The Sangha started the day with walking meditation. There were four new participants. They joined the walk after being given orientation about the practice by Corin. It was a bit cold and windy, but everyone enjoyed the walk. It is nice to feel the cold in the winter, so we can enjoy the warm air in the spring.

Thầy (Venerable) Pháp Khâm gave the Dharma talk based on the song “Here is the pure land”:

Here is the pure land, the pure land is here.
I smile in mindfulness and dwell in the present moment
The Buddha is seen in an autumn leaf
The Dharma is the floating cloud,
The Sangha body is everywhere,
My true home is right here
Breathing in, flowers are blooming,
Breathing out I am aware that bamboos are swaying,
My mind is free and I enjoy every moment.

He pointed it out that we are in the pure land when our mind and body are together as oneness, when we are at peace. Practicing regularly - even just a 5-minute a day sitting in silence awaring of our breaths – is a good place of refuge for our hectic days.

The Sangha had a sharing after the total relaxation. Several members noted that the reminding e-mail really helped them to attend the Day of Mindfulness. Some shared about the joy of practicing with the Sangha. LC Chan shared “A Song of Mindfulness”.  The DOM ended at 15:30.

See below for text of the song, some pictures, and video of LC Chan sharing the song.

A Song of Mindfulness

Thank you friends for today,
For sharing and showing the way.
Breathing in, breathing out,
This is what mindfulness is about.

Sitting here, rushing there,
We can practise it everywhere.
Breathing in, breathing out,
This is what mindfulness is about.

Everythougt we think,
Every word we say,
Every thing we do throughout the day.
Breathing in, breathing out,
This is what mindfulness is about.

Feel the sun,
See the clouds,
Enjoy the rain
And touch the ground.
Smell the flowers,
Smile and breathe
This is what mindfulness is about.

Feeling anger,
Feeling fear,
Just remember,
Just hold dear.
Breathing in, breathing out,
This is what mindfulness is about.

Sitting here, rushing there
We can practise is everywhere
Breathing in, breathing out,
This is what mindfulness is about

Breathing in, breathing out,
This is what mindfulness is about.

 

 

 

[mp4]sangha/MindfulnessIsAbout-LC[/mp4]