Welcome to the official site for the 2006 EBL Retreat and the 2007 EBL Conference!
Updated: 27 Jul 2007
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CONTENTS:
OVERVIEW
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE
ONLINE REGISTRATION
HOTEL
SUMMARIES
CONTACT INFO
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OVERVIEW [Back to Top]:
The 2007 EBL conference will build upon the success of the June 2006 EBL seminar, at which conversations begun on the theme "Sanghas in Transition." The goal of the EBL conference is to engage a broader range of Sangha members, new and old, in a discussion on how the Sanghas of the East Coast have changed, are changing and need to change. Through these discussions, we hope Sangha members come to realize that their temple is not an island unto itself, but rather that East Coast Sanghas share a multitude of experiences and concerns. From this realization, we hope to rejuvenate the idea of community among the East Coast temples. EBL conferences have long provided attendees opportunities for social interaction and to hear the Dharma through sermons and panel discussions, but have offered limited opportunities for substantive group conversations. This was not always the case. As recent as twenty years ago, EBL conferences were used as a means to check the pulse of the temples – not only to build the East Coast Buddhist network, but also to give Sangha members the chance to discuss and address concerns facing the various temples.
Today, new members are joining the temples while the older generation is becoming less prominent. The newer members, as well as the changing social times, are bringing new ideas and practices to the temples – some of which older members welcome, and others that cause concern. It has been said that as Buddhism spread from Deer Park, its practices underwent change to accommodate new environments of country, culture, and time. Change is constant, and can be an exciting or disquieting phenomena, as we are once again finding. Temples – or individuals – may be discussing these changes at the individual temple-level, but no attempt has been made to date to discuss these transformations amongst the larger Sangha community.
About thirty attendees of last year's seminar began conversations on these topics, and all seemed to agree that the conversations are worth continuing and expanding. Summaries of last year's discussions can be found here. The 2007 EBL conference is our attempt to re-engage with each other and start this broader conversation.
We also hope to offer opportunities to learn suggested methods of offering incense and other Buddhist rituals; Buddhism-related Japanese calligraphy; and to practice meditation, yoga and tai chi.
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PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE [Back to Top]:
Friday evening
Check-in and registration
7-8:30 pm Buddhist practices – instructional session (oshoko, gassho, chanting)
7-8:30 pm Minyo dancing session
7-8:30 pm Temple musicians
Saturday
7 – 8 am Tai chi session, meditation session
8:30 – 9:45 am Morning service and opening remarks
10 – 12 noon Session A:
Rituals
Culture & Heritage
Youth session
12:15 – 1 pm Plenary
1 – 2 pm Lunch
2:10 – 4:10 pm Session B:
Adult Education
Children's Education
Youth activity
4:15 – 5 pm Plenary
Free time for dinner, etc
7 pm – 9 pm Smaller informal discussion session
Sunday
7 – 8 am Optional tai chi session, meditation session?
8:30 – 9:30 am Morning service
9:45 – 11:45 am Session C:
Outreach
Community building outside the temple
Youth session
12 – 12:45 pm Plenary
Free time for lunch, sightseeing, etc
2 – 3:30 pm Optional tour of Ekoji Buddhist Temple
2 – 4 pm Smaller informal discussion session
Dharma School teachers' meeting
Ministers' Assistant Program
6 – 9 pm Banquet and keynote speaker
Monday
Check-out
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ONLINE REGISTRATION [Back to Top]:
Downloadable Registration Form (739 KB PDF File)
Registration fees:
Adult (18+) - $99/person
17 & younger - $60/person
Sunday night banquet only - $40/person
Optional activities:
Saturday night DC tour and dinner ( this activity is limited to 50 people) - $25/person
Paypal: