Class descriptions and start times are below the calendar.
Recurring meetings of other groups at the BIBS center.
Empty Gate Zen Center – Korean Zen – Thursdays, 7 p.m.
Boise Insight Sangha – Boise Insight Sangha is primarily focused on insight meditation (Vipassana) and the liberation teachings of the Buddha. Tuesdays 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Guided Meditation – Sundays, 11 a.m. to noon
TVDF Vajrayana Group – Sundays, 4 p.m.
Beginners Mind Sangha Council –
Interviews with local teachers – As requested.
BIBS Board of Directors – First Thursday of the month, 5:30 p.m – 6:30 p.m.
BIBS Instructors:
Dan Black was a founding member and leader of Treasure Valley Dharma Friends in 2001. A Buddhist for over 20 years, he has studied with teachers from all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism including His Holiness the Dalai Lama in India, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Wangduk, B. Alan Wallace, Ven. Robina Courtin, Khenpo Tsultrim Gymatso and others. Dan has edited spiritual books for his teachers and has taught at the Treasure Valley Dharma Friends on numerous occasions. With the Liberation Prison Project he taught at the Idaho Correctional Center and the Ada County Jail. He is the founding director of the Boise Institute for Buddhist Studies.
Paul Lingard is the resident teacher for the Open Path, a community of beings dedicated to the unfoldment and evolution of consciousness through the teaching and practice of meditation, the study of philosophy and religion, and the performance of charitable works. It began in Boise in 1976 under the guidance of Namgyal Rinpoche.
Rev. Michele Tae – M’tae is a Buddhist chaplain ordained at the Upaya Institute and Zen Center. She is also a member of the Order of Interbeing and is a longtime student in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. She is a founding board member of the Cancer Connection Idaho and is Director of Mindfulness Center Idaho, where she offers education and training in mindfulness for government agencies, businesses, groups and individuals. She has been an active member of Beginner’s Mind Sangha for nearly twenty years.
Bill Holland-Smith has been studying and practicing Buddhism for 34 years and received lay ordination as a member of the Core Community of the Order of Interbeing (Tiep Hien), 43rd generation of the Lam Te Dhyana School and the 9th generation of the Lieu Quan Dharma Line by Dhyana Master Trung Quang Nhat Hahn, in 2004. Bill has been member of the Beginner’s Mind Sangha since 2001.
Kathleen Rose has been studying and practicing Buddhism for nearly 20 years and received lay ordination from Myogen Steve Stucky, former Abbot of San Francisco Zen Center. She has lived and trained in various lay and monastic Zen centers and temples and has been offering practice opportunities in Boise for over 10 years, most recently through NorthendZen. Kathleen is currently studying with Gil Fronsdal at Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California, where she will receive endorsement for Buddhist chaplaincy. She will begin a chaplaincy residency at St. Luke’s Medical Center in June, 2014.
Chris Slymon started meditating with assorted Buddhist groups in Sydney, Australia, in 1993 as a compliment to his Tai Chi practice. A couple of years later he visited San Francisco Zen Center and was so impressed that he returned to live and practice at their various centers for several years. He has also done retreats in the Vipassana tradition of S.N. Goenka.
Scott Woodbury is a lawyer with a background in public policy and a history of social and environmental activism and stewardship. He is a member of Beginners Mind Sangha, a Board Member of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and the Boise Institute of Buddhist Studies, and is a student of Buddhism and other wisdom traditions. He is currently working with community and faith based groups to end the death penalty in Idaho.
What is the beginner’s mind book study?
Beginner’s Mind Sangha hosts a book study group Sundays, 10am until noon. The current book is “Awakening of the Heart, Essential Buddhist Sutras and Commentaries” by Thich Nhat Hanh. We are reading the first sutra in the book pertaining to the Full Awareness of Breathing and will discuss pages 59 thru 72. The book study group is open to everyone. As with all of BIBS activities there is no charge to participate, although generosity is appreciated.
THANK YOU> Is the book provided or where could I purchase it?
How best might a person “jump into” this class? Is there a way to know what book/passage will be studied in the upcoming class(es)? I’d like to join this class, but I’d like to come prepared as well.
The “Calm Abiding” or “Shamatha” class, 150 Buddhist Medititation, is using “Calming the Mind” by Gen Lamrimpa, as its text. As of March 30, we have covered material corresponding to a bit more than half the book, which is a small paperback.
Do you offer instruction in Vipassana, or are the meditation times just for those already familiar with the technique? Also, do you know when you’ll be starting the 100 course anew?
The Vipassana group on Tuesday is not an Institute course, but rather a community group that is mostly enjoying sitting practice together, and is just getting organized. The Buddhist View 100 (Foundations) is currently in its final few weeks. It is not scheduled to repeat at the present time, though if requested by several people it will return as early as this summer.
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Hello. I am interested in your Beginning Mindfulness class that has already begun. I am also interested in learning to meditate. I am curious if there is a cost associated with this? I would like to attend tomorrow at 6:15pm (the second class). I know NOTHING about Buddhism and really would like to learn! Are these classes good for someone like me or can you point me in a direction that would be more beneficial?
These are perfect opportunities for you! These particular classes are taught especially for the beginners in mind, and are offered without charge. There are few expenses and we operate from donations. Check it out for fun and see if it fits.
Cheers,
Dan
What do I need to bring, Dan?
Any recommendation on where to start for someone interested in this organization but has no experience with Buddhism? I would love to take class but just feel a bit lost as far as what to attend.
We have a classes coming up that will be just right for the complete beginner. We will announce it formally in the next day or two.
Thank you!
I’m interested in taking some classes but it appears to me that they all have started already? I’m guessing it’s better to start when the lesson begins right? when do classes restart, I really would love to come here and want to start as soon as possible! let me know.