Here are the 3 current Dharma talk series as we alternate who leads the Sangha service on Sunday mornings. Check the calendar below to find out the topic for each Sunday scheduled.
"Clearing Obscurations"
Rev. Junsen Chris Nettles will continue the Dharma talk series on "Seeing Clearly: Shakyamuni to Science". We will examine and discuss engaging with what is in our environment and in the mind.
"Foundational Teachings in Buddhism"
Lay leader Kōsen Bill Pugh will lead a shikan mediation service once a month and present fundamental topics for beginners and practitioners of any level.
"The Lotus Sutra"
Rev. Yusei Lan Van will cover The Lotus Sutra starting April 2018 through 2019:
We will start with prologue The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings.
We will end with epilogue The Sutra of Meditation on the Bodhisattva Universal Virtue.
Read the books for free! Download the PDF file or read online at the links below. You are welcome to attend without doing any reading as well.
If you don't have time to look at different translations, read the ones published by BDK America:
The Lotus Sutra BDK revised 2nd edition translation by Tsugunari Kubo and Akira Yuyama. Based on the Chinese translation by Kumarajiva.
Tiantai Lotus Texts from BDK contains the other two Sutras.
Other translations that can be helpful:
The Threefold Lotus Sutra (all three Sutras) translations by Bunno Kato, Yoshiro Tamura, and Kojiro Miyasaka.
While this version is less recommended, here is The Lotus Sutra translation by Burton Watson with added summaries, footnotes, and commentary by Rev. Shokai Kanai of Nichiren-shu whose teachings may differ from Tendai-shu/Tiantai. Please explore if curious.
2402 Mount Vernon Ave
Alexandria, VA 22301
United States
Google map and directions