Sravasti Abbey will host Buddhist scholar, philosopher, and author Guy Newland for teachings and talks June 22-29. His appearances include services at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane and a benefit for Youth Emergency Services in Newport, as well as teachings at the abbey.
Newland is the author of numerous books, including “Introduction to Emptiness,” and has translated and edited many others. He is a professor at Central Michigan University, and this is his fourth visit to teach at Sravasti Abbey, the Buddhist monastery near Newport, according to a press release.
His visit will begin with series of teachings June 20 to 22 entitled “Wisdom and the ‘Don’t Know’ Mind in Buddhism” at Sravasti Abbey, 692 Country Lane in Newport.
“In Zen Buddhism,” he said in a statement, “they talk about ‘just don’t know’ mind, and there may be similar ideas in other Buddhist traditions. Where does this idea come from? Can it lead to perfect awakening? What can Tibetan Buddhists learn from our cousins and siblings in other traditions who persistently use the rhetoric of ‘not knowing’?”
Call Sravasti Abbey at 509-447-5549 for more information.
On June 23, he will speak in Spokane on “Taking Refuge in Reality” as he discusses dealing with grief, loss, and other painful situations through meditation. The talk is in conjunction with the Buddhist Meditation class at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4340 West Fort Wright Drive, beginning at 6:30 pm.
Then, on June 27, Newland will address the steps to “Search Inside Yourself” for greater happiness at the CREATE Arts Center, 900 W. 4th Street in Newport. His talk will explore some of the techniques found in Google software engineer Chade Meng Tan’s 2012 best-seller, “Search Inside Yourself: the Unexpected Path to Achieving Success, Happiness, and World Peace.” This talk is a benefit for Youth Emergency Services of Pend Oreille County, which cares for homeless youth in the area.
On June 29, Newland will return to the UU Church in Spokane to give the sermon for services at 9:15 and 11:00 a.m. He will speak on “Buddhism and Unitarian Universalism: The Places We Meet,” to explore what these two philosophies have in common and where they part ways.
