Welcome To EBSLR.org
The purpose of the
Ecumenical Buddhist Society is to provide a place where anyone
can meditate with others on a daily or weekly basis, to bring Buddhist
teachers, retreats, classes, and social events to the Little Rock area
and to help provide ways to explore different branches and practices of
Buddhist philosophy. (about EBS)
Events & News
Buddhark: New Buddhist Website
A new website has launched called Buddhark, which is a contact page for an assembly of Buddhist practitioners in the region of Northwest Arkansas including Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville, and parts of both Missouri and Oklahoma. EBS is a part of this webpage. With the influx of many Buddhist teachers into the state and surrounding region, this webpage is a good resource for teachings, meditation classes, retreats, and activities going on around the state. The webpage is: buddhark.com
Congratulations to Anna Cox
EBS wants to congratulate Anna Cox for receiving the Father Joseph H. Biltz Award from the Just Communities of Arkansas. Father Joe Biltz was a passionate leader for peace and justice, and his actions often sparked controversy. He worked with an array of people on many issues, including the poor and the elderly, for the repeal of the death penalty and the reduction of nuclear arms. He was chair of the Urban League and a member of the Arkansas Peace Center. Anna’s work with prisoners, the repeal of the death penalty, and dharma communities can be seen on her website, Compassion Works for All at www.justusfriends.org.
Coming Events
Mindfulness Retreat with Therese Fitzgerald
May 24-28, 2012
Grace Lodge, Petit Jean Mountain
Sponsored by Far Flung Sangha. Contact Susy Phillips at 501-837-3104 or su_phi@yahoo.com
Meditation in Action
An Introduction to Buddhist Teachings and Practices
Starting May 7, 2012 at Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock
This is a class about cultivating awareness and compassion in our daily lives, drawing on readings from contemporary Buddhist teachers, meditation practice, and discussion. Meditation instruction will be provided, and each class will include a brief period of meditation. Classes will meet on Monday evenings, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Cheryl Woodard, a long-time practitioner and meditation instructor, is leading the class.
We are creating and printing a reader, so pre-registration is essential. Please register in advance by emailing Cheryl Woodard at cheryl@publishingbiz.com.
The class is free and so is the reader, but we will accept donations to EBSLR, which is supported entirely through donations.
Class 1 (May 7):
Getting Started - Introductions, meditation instruction, and a recorded talk by Pema Chodron about how to approach Buddhism.
Class 2 (May 14):
Things as They Are - the basic Buddhist outlook.
Reading: “The Life and Example of Buddha”, from Meditation in Action by Chogyam Trungpa.
Class 3 (May 21):
Understanding Ourselves – the Buddhist meditation practices.
Reading: “Precision, Gentleness and Letting Go”, from The Wisdom of No Escape by Pema Chodron.
May 28 (Memorial Day holiday, no class)
Class 4 (June 4):
Calm Abiding and Clear Insight – the fruits of meditation practice.
Reading: “Stopping, Calming, Resting, Healing”, from The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings by Thich Nhat Hanh
Class 5 (June 11):
Presence – meditation in action.
Reading: “Natural Training”, from Natural Wakefulness by Gaylon Ferguson
Class 6 (June 18):
Compassion – moving towards real happiness.
Reading: “Putting Others in the Center”, from Light Comes Through by Dzigar Kongtrul
EBS Children’s Program
The Children’s Program is now called EBS Kids.
The program has a new time moving to the SECOND Sunday of the month.
Current date:
Sunday, May 13
The programs consist of a story, meditation time, and an activity. Kids from 3-10 are welcome. Contact Karen Lamoreaux at coachkarenl@aol.com. Follow the program on Facebook at EBS Kids.
New Time for Sakya and
Dakini Heart Essence Practices
The members of the Sakya and the Dakini Heart Essence practices are joining into one practice. Starting February 1, the Dakini Heart Essence group (which was meeting on Mondays at 6 p.m.) will meet on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. with the Sakya group.
The first three Wednesdays of the month will be dedicated to the practice of Yeshe Tsogyal with the 4th Wednesday dedicated to Sakya practices.
So remember! Dakini Heart Essence and Sakya Practices will meet on Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. starting February 1st.
Featured Practice
River Valley Sangha
The River Valley Sangha is the Mindfulness practice, which meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at EBS. This groups does the practices in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. All members, regular visitors, guests are welcome to join in mindful discussion and to bring readings of interest to this practice.
The weekly practice consists of sitting meditation, walking meditation, reading and mindful discussion. From time to time, the sangha forms study groups to expand our under-standing of Mindfulness and Buddhism. Members participate in local and national retreats, and particularly enjoy the Buddhism classes taught at EBS. Contact Eileen Oldag at neale.oldag@netzero.net for more information.
River Valley Sangha also has an email discussion group to promote Dharma discussions among members between meetings. If you wish to join the group, just give your name and email address to Doug Barton at douglaskbarton@gmail.com. Some Mindfulness readings of interest by Thich Nhat Hanh are Peace Is Every Step, Old Path White Clouds, and The Diamond That Cuts Through Illusion.
EBS Fall Pledge Drive for 2012
The center depends on pledges and donations to pay
for the rental and utilities (which is approximately $1,000.00 per month), newsletters,
and practices expenses. Please look at your
finances and consider supporting EBS in 2012. Pledges can be annual, quarterly, or monthly.
EBS Pledge Form
EBS Home Search News
The EBS is looking to purchase and either build or renovate a building in Little Rock. It is a big project and we need help. The EBS board of directors is creating a Home Search Committee which will be charged with researching and planning all the various aspects of the move, from finance and fundraising to faucets and furniture. Ideally, the committee will include people from each of our practice groups, as well as people who have applicable skills and interests. Please consider joining the effort. Its a great way to make a lasting contribution to the work of EBS.
We will schedule an organizing meeting of the Home Search Committee later this summer. Contact Cheryl Woodard at home 501-661-9009, or by email cheryl@publishingbiz.com to join the effort or if you want more information. And look for ongoing news of the committee's work in the newsletter and on the EBS website.
EBS Wish List
If you wish to donate to several items on our wish list, please do so. We are in need of several things for the center. They are:
• New cushions for the meditation hall
• New bookshelves for the library and the bookstore
• Paper products as napkins, paper plates, cups (recyclable ones are also welcome)
• Plastic products such as tall garbage bags, large garbage bags, forks/spoons/knives (recyclable ones are also welcome)
• A printer for our Apple computer
• A new phone with answering machine
If you wish to make a cash donation, please make the check out to EBS. If you wish to donate items, please contact Charlotte Besch at cabesch@midsouth.ualr.edu. Your support and donations are what make our center run!
Join the Discussion on Facebook
EBS has a lively discussion of Buddhist practice, books, and events on Facebook.
• See our link at www.facebook.com/groups/ebslr
• Connect with us and also donate to EBS at www.causes.com/causes/205031
White Hall/Pine Bluff Meditation Group
For those of you in the White Hall/Pine Bluff area, Jim Harmon is interested in starting a local group to meditate and discuss Buddhism teachings. If you are interested, please contact him at jrh4578@gmail.com or call him at home at (870) 879-6783 or his cell at (870) 692-5923.
New Time for EBS Board Meetings
The meeting times for the monthly meetings for the EBS Board of Directors will be on the 2nd Tuesdays of the month.
If you have any questions, please contact Charlotte Besch at cabesch@midsouth.ualr.edu.
2012 EBS Board of Directors
The 2012 EBS Board of Directors are:
• George Crook, President
email: gbcebs@comcast.net
• Karen Lamoreaux, Vice President
email: coachkarenl@aol.com
• Cara Smith, Treasurer
email: smithark333@sbcglobal.net
• Steve Evans, Secretary
email: csteveevans@comcast.net
• Cheryl Woodard
email: cheryl@publishingbiz.com
• Phebe Duff
email: phebed@comcast.net
• Sharon Ditter
email: sditter@gmail.com
• Doug Holmes
email: dough@abcfinancial.com
• Jason Stracner
email: jason@programmer1.com
• Jake Jackson
email: williamjj1976@gmail.com
• Eileen Oldag
email: neale.oldag@netzero.net
The State of the Sangha in 2012
Click here to read The State of the Sangha by George Crook.
EBS IS 20 YEARS OLD!
Can you believe that the Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock is 20 years old? Yes, it is true. If you have pictures and/or stories to tell of the early days, please contact Charlotte Besch at
(501) 664-1167 or at cabesch@midsouth.ualr.edu. Events and celebrations will be announced in the near future. Let’s celebrate!
Introduction to Buddhism
The class takes place on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at EBS Center.
This is an excellent starting place for people with little or no knowledge about
Buddhism. One of our members will present some history of Buddhism and talk about the different traditions of
practice. Meditation technique is also covered. These sessions are very informal
and questions are welcomed.
If you plan to attend, kindly please let us know by sending an email to
coachkarenl@aol.com
and be sure to include the number of attendees. Advanced registration is requested, but not required. We look forward to having you!
Donate Online
We are now accepting pledges and donations online through our donation page.
If you would like to make a one time donation or even setup monthly donations to
EBS using your credit card, PayPal account or bank account you can now do that
through our website.
EBS Support and Mailing List Information
Please help support the Ecumenical Buddhist Society and stay in touch with EBS.
Keep your information current with the above form.
The Latest Newsletter
Click here to check out our most recent
newsletter.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are signed up for the EBS email announcements and have not received them, this is most likely caused by some form of email "Spam" filtering. We have had a number of "failed" deliveries. If you have this sent to you at your business email, it will need to be dealt with through them. If through a personal address, it is probably done through your ISP. You may also need to re-send me your address. Emails which have failed repeatedly have been removed from the list.
- Thank you, EBS
Loving Kindness Request
If you would like prayers offered for a loved one or to make request for assistance in times of need, please click the link "Loving Kindness Request" above to send an email. Give us a few details about your situation and someone will contact you.