Tuesday, November 11, 2025

On Relative and Absolute Truth (Jim Garrido) Relative truth (saṁvṛti-satya) encompasses the everyday experiences and perceptions that we encounter in our lives. It is the truth shaped by our normal proximal subjective experiences. Absolute truth (paramārtha-satya) refers to the experience of the fundamental nature of reality as all Relative phenomena are empty (śūnyatā) of inherent existence and that they arise dependently (pratītya-samutpāda). This week, Jim Garrido will explore this well-known Buddhist teaching, and we’ll discuss, specifically, how and why these Two Truths occur experientially.

Schedule (Tues., Nov. 4) 6:30-6:35: Announcements 6:35-7:05: Sitting Meditation 7:05-15: Walking Meditation 7:15-8:00: On Relative and Absolute Truth (Jim Garrido)

Upcoming Schedule
November 18: Topic TBA (Tess Wise)
November 25: Thanksgiving Week–NO MEETING
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.