Come As You Are…

COVID 19 & When to Reopen

Hello everyone,
I am sure this is something that many of you have been wondering about. Our state, but not our county, has gone to a yellow threat order and as part of that declaration, some churches have started services again. Some LDS wards are phasing in services as are some local churches but not all. The UU is looking at staying closed for the remainder of the year. Most of the local Buddhist communities are taking a wait and see approach. and the local Buddhist Churches of America temple downtown is being cautious and canceling their Obon Festival this year.
I am longing to gather together again in person. I miss your faces, hugs, and the sharing of our practice. At the same time no matter how much we miss each other and the joy of gathering, we are currently taking a similar approach as the other local Buddhist communities. Our meeting space and the number of attendees make our gatherings exceptionally problematic and a more high-risk environment. As of now, our state has not come to close to seeing a 14-day decrease in cases and I have a feeling that you will see some churches retreating from opening as infections begin to find their way into such communities through services being held.
One last point I would like to make is that it is important to understand that we may have flattened the curve but the virus is still active in our communities.
Thank you for your commitment to our community and all of your attendance online. There may be a chance that we could do a gathering in the park – Dharma in the Park at some point. I am looking into this possibility. But for now, we are being patient and taking a wait and see approach.
If you have any questions, please reach out.

 

Join us for our Sunday morning gatherings  open to everyone from 10 – 11:30 AM

The Salt Lake Buddhist Fellowship is made up of folks from all walks of American life. We are an American Buddhist Sangha. Our fellowship is a lay-led, all-inclusive, non-discriminating trans-sectarian Sangha influenced by the Pure Land Buddhist tradition and the teachings of Gyomay and  Koyo Kubose. Our organization focuses on the universal teachings of Gautama Buddha, the historical Buddha. Our approach follows the teachings of the Way of Oneness, a unique form of American Buddhism developed by Venerable Rev. Gyomay Kubose based on the Shin-Zen tenets and teachings of Japanese Mahayana Buddhism. At the same time, we are administrative, financially and politically independent and not part of any formal organizational hierarchy, but our spiritual leader is a Sensei with the Bright Dawn Center for Oneness Buddhism.

Our Practice Leader is Rev. Christopher “Kakuyo” Ross-Leibow.  We have an open and engaged group with all levels of experience. We like to say in our tradition, “come as you are…” there is no dress code, and nothing you need to do but attend. The fellowship is a great place to learn about Buddhism, mindfulness and the Way of Oneness.

Join us as we deeply explore ourselves and the Way of Oneness and to come to entrusting in the Oneness of Reality, personified as Amida Buddha. To deepen our appreciation, knowledge, and experience of the Mahayana Buddhist teachings and practices, we use readings from various Buddhist books and our rich personal experiences. We recognize the importance of practice. At the beginning of our gatherings, we discuss our awareness practices from meditation to acts of compassion towards others and ourselves. We also recite inspirational prayers, practice zazen (quiet sitting)  and conduct sacred chants using, Om Namu Amitabhaya  Even though our studies are inspired by the Shin  / Pure Land / Zen tradition, we are not formally either of them,  we are trans-sectarian and learn from the whole tradition of Buddhist teachings and practices; we are open to the entirety of world spirituality. Our gatherings include quiet sitting and voice meditation, plenty of discussions, and fellowship. We would love for you to join us in practice.

“Namu Amida Butsu”

Services at 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Located at Vitalize Community Studios     3474 S 2300 E #12, Millcreek, UT 84109

Contact us at  sensei@saltlakebuddhist.org or Call

Christopher “Kakuyo” Ross-Leibow at (801) 502-8130

Mailing Address:  Chris Leibow PO Box 58834, Salt Lake City, UT 84158

allfamilieswelcome

 Christopher “Kakuyo” Ross-Leibow

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