Flower Garland Buddhism:
Interdependence, Social Engagement, and Abundance
Dharma Talk by Ben Connelly
Thursday, April 23 • 7:00 p.m. • Zoom & In-person
Join all events via this Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 592 934 8543
Passcode: Horse26
Ben will illustrate the teachings with stories and lessons from his recent involvement with an array of nonviolent community responses to the violence ICE brought to his hometown Minneapolis over the last few months.
EVENT INFO
Huayan Buddhism arose in the sixth century in China rooted in the Mahayana Flower Garland (Huayan) Sutra. Huayan is relational, practical, and positive. Its emphasis on interdependence, celebration of the sensual world, and diversity of people and practices provides inspiration for what Thich Nhat Hanh called “engaged Buddhism”.
With Inside the Flower Garland Sutra, Zen teacher Ben Connelly explains the significance of Huayan teachings for Buddhist practice, providing a broad overview of Huayan teachings and their practical implications for contemporary life, with a mix of testimonies from real-life situations and references to influential Buddhist texts.
Arising fifteen hundred years ago, Huayan has made a deep impact on East Asian Buddhism, and has much to offer during this era when many folks see ever-deepening divisions. Connelly explores how Huayan offers particular wisdom for those concerned about how to care for their own lives as they work to end harms such as ecological devastation, poverty, militarism, addiction, marginalization, and exploitation.
Webpage: https://wisdomexperience.org/product/inside-the-flower-garland-sutra/
PERSONAL HISTORY
Ben Connelly is a Soto Zen teacher. He also teaches mindfulness in a wide variety of secular contexts including police training and addiction recovery groups, and works with multi faith groups focused on social and climate justice. Ben is the guiding teacher at Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, travels to teach across the United States, has written for Tricycle and Lion’s Roar magazines, and is author of Inside the Grass Hut, Inside Vasubandhu’s Yogacara, Mindfulness and Intimacy, Vasubandhu’s “Three Natures”, and Inside the Flower Garland Sutra.
(If you have any questions, please contact Myoki at programsteward@zcla.org)