EBS Goes to Friendship Camp

Kids of many religions gathered in Little Rock for a week in July to sing, pray, play, meditate, make art and discover each other's religions. Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church hosted the 10th annual interfaith gathering -- Friendship Camp of Central Arkansas. More than 60 kids attended.

As she has done for many years, Betsy Johnson represented EBS and taught Buddhism at the camp, joined this time by Cheryl Woodard. Betsy reports: "In the Buddhism class, we learned that life is not always perfect, but that’s OK. And we practiced Kora, a Buddhist walking meditation. We each thought about something special, something we loved,  wrote that on a piece of paper and put it in a Tibetan Singing Bowl. It was peaceful and calming to keep those special thoughts in our hearts as we walked in a circle around the bowl together.”

What ‘special things’ did the kids name? Top choice is ‘family and friends’ sometimes with extras added on, like ‘pets’, or ‘my dog’. Several children appreciate the technology in their lives, video games, cell phones, cameras, cars, and YouTube. Many also mentioned books, the arts, sports, pianos, music, and food. Nature is also popular, in the form of mountains, forests, the sun, water, oceans, and ‘raindrops’. And many children mentioned doctors, teachers, and other helpers. Several children mentioned church, the Bible, or the Quran, and one child wrote, ‘God and everything he provides – especially my mother.’

Friendship camp emphasizes diversity and accepts children who are entering third through sixth grade. Half of the participants are Christians. The rest are members of other faiths or belong to non-theistic families. The cost is about $150 per child. Email friendshipcampca@gmail.com to learn about next year’s camp or visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/friendshipcampofcentralarkansas

Doing Tibetan Buddhist KORA practice at Public Libraries

‘Kora’ is a way to show reverence. It is a Tibetan Buddhist practice of walking clockwise around sacred symbols, objects, or places to celebrate their presence in our lives and to embrace their power. The word ‘ko’ means round and ‘ra’ means to walk, so Kora is to walk around. Circumambulation of temples or deity images is also present in Hindu, Christian, Judaism, Muslim and Native religions.

Tibetans doing Kora at the Boudhanath stupa in Nepal

Doing Kora, we refresh and energize our personal connection to these representations of our deepest values and ideals.  Here’s a short (4 minute) video about Tibetan Kora practice  The objects of Kora practice don’t have to be religious. Some Buddhists do Kora at mountains, forests or lakes and also at schools and libraries.

Recently, some of us at EBS have decided to do Kora at public libraries in our neighborhoods. As we walk, we will remember that for over 100 years, Americans have sustained free public libraries as manifestations of our cherished democracy. We will consider all the enriching activities that take place there. If you are looking for a sacred symbol of collective action undertaken by non-partisan citizens in support of the common good, look no further than your local public library.

Americans invented public libraries as we know them now—local or municipal institutions offering free library services to the general public and supported by tax money. The first free public library supported by taxation in the world was founded at a town meeting in Peterborough, NH in 1833. Today, there are more than 17,000 free public libraries across the United States, including 60 here in Arkansas. And libraries are very popular among Americans of all political persuasions - 94% of adults say that having a public library improves the quality of life in their community.

If you want to walk for exercise and at the same time to remind yourself of all the good things Americans do collectively, consider starting your own Kora or circumambulation practice at your favorite public library.

UPDATE: In April 2025, PBS released a documentary about public libraries in America called “Free For All: The Public Library” that tells the whole story of the birth and development of libraries. The program is well worth watching and you can see it on your PBS channel, or on YouTube.

Annual Community Meeting

On Sunday afternoon, January 19, EBS held our annual community meeting in person and on zoom. We heard from all of our program leaders, volunteers and board members about the wealth of activities and programs at EBS during 2024, and looking forward to 2025.

In his opening remarks, President Doug Holmes re-iterated our commitment as a community to practicing compassion, mindfulness and generosity in the face of all the world’s difficulties, and our own. We are expanding our programs, training new meditation teachers, reaching out to interfaith communities, and inviting highly qualified teachers to guide us.

In 2025, for the first time, EBS will host a retreat focused on recovery from a Buddhist perspective, lead by Kevin Griffin. We hope to welcome back the Tibetan teachers, Dr. Hun Lye and Anam Thubten Rinpoche, as well as the Zen teacher, Nate Smalley. Please stay tuned for these and other events.

At the meeting, we elected a new board of directors for 2025:
President: Doug Holmes
Vice President: Roger Hawkins
Treasurer: Cheryl Woodard
Secretary: Laura Weems
Directors: John Matlock, Ben Heacox, Mick Wiggins, Paul Carreras, Karen Seale, and Doyle Bailey

A summary of our financial situation is now posted in the shoe room, along with a list of current volunteers and openings for new ones. Please email our treasurer if you would like to see copies of those documents.

A video of the meeting has been posted to our YouTube channel.

April 8, 2023 Memorial Service for June Stewart

June LaVern Stewart


Former EBS Board member, meditation teacher, group leader, spiritual seeker, and friend

(June 1, 1945 - March 1, 2023)

June as we will remember her

Join us for a public memorial service and celebration of June’s life

Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 1:00 pm

EBS, 1516 W. 3rd Street, Little Rock 72201

You can also join on Zoom (Meeting: 897 1801 8327 Password: love)

Her Life: June Stewart of Scott, Arkansas, died Wednesday, March 1, at home with the supportive, loving care of her niece Debra Walters. June was 77 years old. She was born to Elizabeth Viola Anthony Stewart and Geddy Simon Stewart in Pecos, Texas, on June 1, 1945. June is survived by her sister, Celia Stewart, of New York City, and by ten nieces and nephews Debra Walter, of Oakland, California; Terri Brusatori of Santa Rosa, California; Pamela Scherzer of Lower Lake, California; Elizabeth Griffin of McKinney, TX; Cary Anthony of Monahans, Texas; Jay Anthony of Ryan, New Mexico; Janna Anthony, of Paonia, Colorado; Katherine McNeill of Avon, Colorado; Donald Tracy of Columbia Station, Ohio; and Charlotte Stewart-Sloan of Boston, Massachusetts. June was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert McCollum, who died recently on January 26, 2023; She was also preceded by her brother Jessie Anthony of Monahans, Texas, and her sisters Shirley Walter of Santa Rosa, California, and Florence Miller of Fruita, Colorado.

When her father returned from Word War II, June and her family moved to Paonia, Colorado, and she started school. She had a rich young life. She danced in the local Maypole celebrations and rode a bike in the parade. Her family moved to Hotchkiss, Colorado, in 1954, where she graduated from high school in 1963. June attended the University of Colorado and received a B.A. in Psychology in 1967. After careers as a social worker and a small business owner, she returned to the University of Colorado in 1985, earning a Juris Doctorate and a Master’s in Library and Information Science. June combined her training from these prestigious professions and began the career she loved – law librarian. June said she felt like she found the perfect fit when she began this phase of her working life.

This career took her from the mountains of Colorado to the west, east, and south. June started as a reference librarian at the University of Denver College of Law. Then, she moved to Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, WA, where she worked as a Tenured Associate Director of the Law Library. In 1997, June served as the inaugural director of the law library at the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia. Here she had the opportunity to build a law library from scratch. She planned the building, hired the staff, and selected the collection of legal documents. From there, June returned to the law library at Gonzaga University, this time as director. In 2006, June moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where she served as Associate Dean of Information Services and Library Director at the University of Arkansas until her retirement in 2013.

June was a teacher as well as a law librarian. She taught legal research to aspiring attorneys throughout her three directorships at the Appalachian School of Law, Gonzaga University, and the University of Arkansas. June formed close relationships with law students. She was a law professor, to be sure, but she was almost like a therapist to many of them, offering a safe space for them to discuss their law school concerns and problems.

June maintained close relationships with law librarian colleagues across the country. June once helped a colleague with a minor financial difficulty. Her support had a notable impact on the colleague’s life. She said about June, “She was a wonderful, kind human being that I think of fondly. I still think about how she helped me that day, and I try to pass along that level of kindness to others. She positively impacted me, and I pay it forward whenever I can.”

June was a spiritual seeker with an open heart. Her curious and independent mind ranged far and wide. She was devoted to seeking truth and felt called to become a teacher. In her early life, she was grounded in Christianity yet was drawn more and more to Buddhism. In Little Rock, she joined the Ecumenical Buddhist Society and here again, she applied her creative and teaching talents on behalf of the community. June served on the board and trained as a meditation teacher. She studied and practiced with Zen and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, and also gave herself to teaching newcomers and non-Buddhists how to meditate, staffing the EBS public meditation classes for several years and also offering meditation instruction in local libraries. She trained as a facilitator with the Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) program at Stanford University.

When Covid appeared, June combined her CCT training and mindfulness meditation experience to fashion a zoom-based Loving Kindness and Compassion meditation group. She lead them through a close study of Pema Chodron’s book “Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living” – a book about awakening the heart. Creating and leading this group was the finest expression of June’s personal realization and spiritual accomplishment. She was deeply loved by everyone who encountered her in this final teaching role.

So many people loved and appreciated June throughout her life. In the words of a fellow CCT teacher, “June was a very special and pure soul.”

Donations: if you want to honor June by making charitable contributions, please consider two of the ones most important to her: Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, and Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock. Or simply donate in her name to your own favorite causes.

Information: Info@ebslr.org.

2023 Annual Meeting - Looking Behind and Ahead

Our annual meeting was held Sunday, January 15th, 2023 at EBS and on Zoom. It’s our tradition to gather once a year to reflect and communicate about all of our EBS activities and the health/status of our community.

As usual, we had a lot to talk about. You will also a see a zoom link at the bottom of this page to watch a recording of the meeting. Here’s a partial list of topics:

  • a report from our practice leaders on the state of their groups

  • a report from Cheryl on the financial health of the organization

  • a discussion around the 5 initiatives for the Board in 2023:

    • how to better leverage technology

    • how to increase our volunteers

    • how to better engage the community and build more public awareness about EBS

    • creating 1, 3, and 5 year building upkeep/enhancement plans

    • increasing fundraising/donor relations efforts

  • finally new (and outgoing) Board members and officers were recognized:

    • Cheryl Woodard - outgoing Board President (but remains on the Board)

    • Steve Wilkinson - outgoing Board Member

    • Michael Crenshaw - incoming Board Member

    • Mike Mueller - incoming Board President

    • Lisa Kessler - incoming Board Vice President

For those that would like to watch the recording of the meeting, click this link.


Wonderful Retreat with Dr. Lye - Videos are available

Last month, EBS hosted our first live retreat since Covid.

Dr. Hun Lye gave remarkable teachings about every aspect of Buddhist training. A handful of people took refuge for the first time, committing to a spiritual path.

We recorded the entire group of teachings, which are now posted on our YouTube channel. Please enjoy!

Friday night teaching about Refuge https://youtu.be/4BbULHriHaA
Saturday teachings about Loving Kindness and Compassion https://youtu.be/zCHzYBhw3hE
Sunday teachings about Mahamudra https://youtu.be/Y-LabndL1l0

Every Sunday, students of Dr. Lye meet to discuss various Vajrayana or Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Everyone is free to join them. Their meetings are listed here: https://www.ebslr.org/vajrayana-book-study

Reopening with the gift of good health

As EBS reopens, we rejoice with friends who offer their gift of good health to the sangha. We welcome visitors who are vaccinated and can provide their vaccination card or a photo of it. Friends who are unvaccinated are welcome to join us online. This restriction may change if COVID declines or increases in Arkansas.

Some of our classes and practice group leaders may require masks. Please check with leaders to inquire about current COVID requirements. Any friend who wishes to mask is encouraged to do so. We recognize that friends in high risk groups may choose a higher level of protection during these times.

Please sign in when you visit in case we need to implement contract tracing. We look forward to seeing you!

EBS Has a Permanent Home

Many years ago, our founders imagined a home for EBS that would radiate friendship and peace, based on the principles and practices of Buddhism. Acting on that idea, the Board of Directors recently made an offer to purchase the building at 1516 W 3rd Street, plus the grassy lot next door. Our offer has been accepted. EBS finally has a real home.

Ownership stabilizes our monthly expenses and secures our financial future. Owning the property also allows us to modify the space and accommodate more people. We can put outdoor practice space in the vacant lot, for example, or build additional bathrooms downstairs, or make kid-friendly space for families with children. There are many possibilities.

Countless people delivered us to this moment and we celebrate them. I'm thinking about all the people who hosted practices or programs, the ones who served as board members, the people who donated money, everyone who showed up to clean, provided supplies, wrote newsletters, talked to friends about EBS, and numberless other acts of generosity and support. All those folks made this moment possible and we thank them.

What's Next?

I'm sure you have questions and ideas about what this step means and how the property can help EBS grow. We want to know what you think.

Please mark your calendars and join us for a Community Zoom meeting on Sunday August 15 at 3:00 pm. The Board will share the details, answer questions, and hear your ideas. Use this link to join the meeting https://zoom.us/j/92353989904?...

Meeting ID: 923 5398 9904
Passcode: ebs

Meanwhile, please email Cheryl Woodard, EBS Board President, if you have immediate reactions or comments.

EBS Meditation Hall

EBS Meditation Hall

EBS Position on Race and Buddhist Guidance on Racism

The Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock is a community that fosters the ecumenical study and practice of Buddhism, grounded in mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion. During these troubled times, we encourage everyone to reach out, seek healing for yourself, and join with like-minded people of compassion to work towards peace and understanding. 

Five years ago (May 15, 2015) 125 American Buddhist leaders of every color and tradition convened at the White House for the First White House Buddhist Leadership Conference. At this gathering, Buddhist leaders presented President Barak Obama with a Buddhist Statement on Racial Justice.

The statement recognizes our interdependence: “We can’t separate our personal healing and transformation from that of our larger society. The historic and continued suffering of people of color in this country—of African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and others—is our collective suffering.”

It also emphasizes our collective responsibility for healing this continuing harm: “Right now, we believe there is an immediacy and urgency in focusing our attentions and efforts on the pervasive and ongoing violence done to people of color in our country.”

More recently, Buddhist teachers have responded to the George Floyd killing with specific actions and guidance for their followers. Here’s a summary of what different Buddhist organizations are doing.

Last week, during his first public appearance since the pandemic began, the Dalai Lama spoke about George Floyd, reminding us that our basic human nature is compassionate. He said, “If you pay attention, all living beings with the experience of feeling and sensation survive through compassion, love. And therefore if we as human beings do not harm one another but help one another, serve one another, and be compassionate with one another, then we will have a peaceful world without any fear, anxiety. Without compassion, if you actually let your life be carried away by jealousy, pride, arrogance, and anger and hatred, then there will not be happiness for yourself as well as individuals. And therefore compassion is very crucial for our survival.” You can watch his video.

The Buddha taught that people cannot be judged on their birth and social status, and should be judged by their actions instead. He said that you can know an animal by its coloring and markings, but there is no physical mark that tells you whether a person is trustworthy or not. If you judge people as good or bad by their appearance, you’re reducing all human beings—yourself and others—to animals.

Everyone is welcome to participate in the open exchange of these ideas and all Buddhist teachings at EBS.

Proposed Guidance for Re-opening

Background:

On April 22, 2020, The White House and CDC released guidance (Click to open hyperlink) for re-opening America following the Covid-19 pandemic. Though lacking key details, this guidance proposed re-opening in three phases.

  • The first phase involves re-introducing limited businesses, such as some restaurants and stores

  • The second phase involves re-introducing group activities involving 50 people or fewer, with extra caution recommended for at-risk individuals

  • The third phase involves a general opening of most businesses

Current Status of Re-Opening:

Our interpretation is that EBS should not re-open to the public until Arkansas meets criteria for entering Phase II, at minimum. According to recent guidance by the CDC (released May 20), Arkansas will enter Phase II when:

  • Average number of new Covid cases decreases over a 14 day period without a recent “spike” in new cases. Our average new daily cases is currently 250, and two weeks ago it was roughly 125. As such, Arkansas is currently experiencing an increase in cases and does not meet this criteria.

  • Percentage of positive Covid tests decreases over a 14 day period with the amount of testing increasing or staying steady. The number of positive tests is currently increasing, and the number of testing is not steady or increasing. The current positive test rate is 6.8%, and two weeks ago it was roughly 4.5%. As such, Arkansas does not meet this criteria either.

Interpretation and Future Directions:

Both the Federal and AR State governments are not following CDC guidance, and have each set calendar dates for entering Phase II regardless of testing data. Because we believe in following a science-based approach, rather than political one, we have decided to follow CDC guidelines. When Arkansas meets the CDC criteria for entering Phase II, the EBSLR board will meet and decide whether we can safely re-introduce group sessions again without risking the health or safety of our members

We apologize for the inconvenience this causes our community. We will continue to make use of technology as best as possible to remain available to all members. Thank you for your patience, as please never hesitate to contact any board member with questions or concerns. Namaste.

EBS Assists Getting Masks to People Who Are Incarcerated

The Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility (jail) has nearly 1,000 people imprisoned currently.  The jail is incredibly high risk for a coronavirus outbreak.  They do not currently have any masks to give to individuals who are incarcerated.  

We are gathering donations of masks for this group of people, to help protect them from a large COVID-19 outbreak.  We can use all the help we can get.  Our goal is to have 500 masks made by April 13th and another 500 by April 20th, if not sooner.

Instructions (based on CDC recommendations for DIY cloth face covering): 

  1. Find all the old t-shirts or other tightly woven cotton fabric you have in your home.  Please DO NOT go out to stores to buy material.

  2. Laying the material flat, use sharp scissors to cut the fabric 10 inches from the bottom (depending on the size of the t-shirt, you may be able to get 2-3 strips)

  3. The fabric will now be a loop.  Cut the sides of the t-shirt to create two rectangles.  This is all you need to do. 

  4. Launder in hot water and dry thoroughly.

  5. Directly after drying, place them in a paper bag.

  6. Set aside the parts of the t-shirts that you didn't use, we have another upcoming project that will use these!

  7. Take bag of fabric to safe drop-off location at EBS.  There will be a black rubbermaid bin behind the building and under the carport labeled MASKS FOR THE JAIL.  Please use the Clorox wipes provided to open and close the bin.  Be mindful to wash or sanitize your hands afterwards.

On every Monday until we reach our goal, we will collect donated masks and launder again.  Once clean and dry, we will give the masks directly to the sheriff's office who will distribute the masks at the jail.  From there, people will be instructed on how to use 2 rubber bands and these rectangles of fabric to make a simple cloth mask using a video tutorial from the Surgeon General.

Thank you for any help you can provide!  Please contact Colleen Zaller or Meg Gorvine if you have questions or comments about this project

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Online Meditation Schedule

Below are the practice groups that have moved to an online format using the Zoom platform

Monday

Teen Mindfulness Group (7:00 - 8:00pm)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/464000183 Meeting ID: 464 000 183

Contact Mike Mueller at mikesmueller@gmail.com

Tuesday

Sit With Us: 30 Minute Meditation (11:30am - 12:00pm)

Streamed LIVE from the EBS Facebook Page

Contact Mike Mueller at mikesmueller@gmail.com

Kwan Um Zen Practice (6:00 - 7:00pm)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/759319679 Meeting ID: 759 319 679

Contact Lucy Sauer at lucyhsauer@gmail.com

Wednesday

Mindfulness Meditation Class (7:00 - 8:00pm)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/868685294 Meeting ID: 868 685 294

Contact Mick Wiggins at mick@mickwiggins.com

Thursday

Sit With Us: 30 Minute Meditation (11:30am - 12:00pm)

Streamed LIVE from the EBS Facebook Page

Contact Mick Wiggins at mick@mickwiggins.com

Mindfulness practice in Thich Nhat Hanh tradition (7:00 - 8:00pm)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/642791006 Meeting ID: 642 791 006

Contact Paul Carreras at pcarreras1@gmail.com

Friday

No practice groups

Saturday

Dharmata practice (10:30am - 12:00pm)

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/572793432 Meeting ID: 572 793 432

Contact Melissa Gill at meegill@gmail.com or Denise Gilliam at ndg136@gmail.com

Sunday

Vajrayana book study group with Dr. Hun Lye (11:00am - 12:30pm)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/940065241 Meeting ID: 940 065 241

Contact Melissa Gill at megill@gmail.com

Buddhism and the 12 Steps (1:00 - 2:15pm)

Join Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/9732806043 Meeting ID: 973 280 6043

Contact Karen Wisdom at yeshewisdom@gmail.com

Vipassana practice (7:00 - 8:00pm)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/306417993 Meeting ID: 306 417 993

Contact Doug Holmes at doug.holmes.42@gmail.com

Recording of Flint Sparks Talk: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

The March 20th online Dharma Talk by Zen teacher, Flint Sparks, was a huge success. So much so that we exceeded the limit for our meeting and some of you were not able to join. We sincerely apologize as we didn't expect so much interest. We have learned our lesson!

Here is a recording of the talk. We suggest fast-forwarding to the 5:30 mark when the talk actually begins. We hope you enjoy it. Flint's talk was rich is wisdom, compassion, and insight. We are so grateful to him.

If you are so inclined, we would appreciate a small donation or "dana" in the Buddhist tradition. This is an offering given to the teacher and/or center for their time, energy, support. You can donate here.

Again, we apologize to those of you that couldn't participate but promise to have more such offerings in the very near future! Stay tuned.

Important Updates on Facility and COVID-19

At the March 12th board meeting we discussed the topic that is on everyone's mind--the COVID-19 virus and how it impacts the EBS community. After considering all the options, the board recommends that we close EBS to ALL practice groups, classes, and events indefinitely starting March 13th, at noon. 

Practice leaders will be in touch with you regarding any practices you attend. Some leaders may choose to hold online practices via Zoom while others may simply suspend practice for a time.

We realize that EBS plays a very important role in the lives of its members and don't make this recommendation lightly. But based on the information currently available, it appears that EBS members may unknowingly spread the virus to others in vulnerable populations. We want to be part of the solution, not the problem, for public health officials and keep the greater good in mind--no matter how much we all love EBS and practicing there.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns at all. You may contact us at EBS@ebslr.org

Updates will be posted here as we have them. We also encourage you to follow us on Facebook here as well.

We want to remind you that our Sangha is not contained by the 4 walls of the building. EBS lives within the hearts of its members. Our practice goes on, minute by minute...day by the day.

In the Dharma,

The EBS Board

New Teen Mindfulness Group started at EBS

EBS is excited to announce the start of a new practice group focused on helping teenagers better cope with stress and anxiety through the use of mediation techniques. The Teen Mindfulness Group will meet the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month in the main hall. It is free and open to all between the ages of 13 and 19.

The group is lead by two adults (one male and one female) both with experience in meditation and working with teens.

Learn more here.