Tuesday, November 25, 2025
| A Thanksgiving Blessing This is just a reminder that there will be no Sangha meeting this week due to the holiday schedule. Next week, Joan Wilkins will resume our study of the paramis (perfections) with reflections on Energy (Viriya). Here is a Buddhist “Thanksgiving Blessing” offered by followers of Thich Nhat Hanh, which you may enjoy. This food is the gift of the whole universe—the earth, the sky, and much hard work. May we live in a way that makes us worthy to receive it. May we transform our unskillful states of mind, especially our greed. May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness. We accept this food so that we may realize the path of practice. May you, your family, your friends, your neighbors, our country, all the nations of the world, all the creatures and plants of this beautiful world—may all beings everywhere—be happy, satisfied, and safe! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.  |
Upcoming Schedule
December 2: On the Parami of Energy (Joan Wilkins)
December 9: The Paramis Across Buddhist Traditions (Jay Ford)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Monthly Practice Discussion Group
The last Tuesday of each month, we will host a monthly peer-led Practice Discussion Group where members can share their experiences with Practice. We’ll share joys, frustrations, and questions about our practice as a way of checking in and supporting each other in Practice. All are welcome, whether they have a dedicated home practice, an occasional home practice, or no home practice at all.
(2) WSDC March 2026 Retreat with Vance Pryor–WAITING LIST
The Winston-Salem Dharma Community invites you to join us for another retreat at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center. The retreat, from March 26-30, 2026, is entitled Seeing Clearly: The Four Noble Truths, with Vance Pryor returning as our teacher. Vance first taught us in 2024, to rave reviews. We are thrilled to have him back! You can listen to his talk, The Paramis — Ethics/Virtue, at this link. THE RETREAT IS NOW FULL, BUT YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST IN CASE SOME HAVE TO CANCEL THEIR REGISTRATION. YOU MAY ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST AT THIS LINK.
(3) Volunteer Opportunity
If you’re interested in serving as a “greeter” or helping set up the room before our weekly meetings, please contact Bosco at devonmfarr@gmail.com. You can be regular or intermittent, and no special skills or knowledge are needed.
(5) WSDC Retreat Schedule UPDATE! (2026-29)
The Winston-Salem Dharma Community will continue to host periodic retreats for members and non-members alike. Here is a preliminary list of retreats planned for 2026 through 2029. We will provide additional details and registration schedules as these dates approach. But for now, you can “pencil them in” if interested. All of these retreats will take place at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, NC.
- March 26-30, 2026 (four nights)–Vance Pryor, teacher..
- October 4-9, 2026 (five nights)–Winnie Nazarko, teacher.
- February 21-25, 2027 (four nights)–Matthew Brensilver, teacher
- October 5-10, 2027 (five nights)–Teacher TBA
- January 30 -February 3, 2028 (four nights)–Teacher TBA
- January 10-14, 2029 (four nights)–Matthew Brensilver, Teacher