Endings, Beginnings:
A Candlelight Vigil of Release & Renewal

Mark your calendars for our annual New Year's Eve service, "Endings, Beginnings." As the year comes to an end, let us gather to purify the past year's negativities through chanting the Vajrasattva purification mantra.

The Buddhist tradition recognizes the power of examining our past actions. Recalling those which brought happiness to us and others can help us to repeat those beneficial activities, and conversely reflecting on our negative actions helps us to grow from and avoid them in the future.

New Year's Eve is a time of reminiscence and is also a time to orient ourselves to the future. The “Endings, Beginnings” event is meant to make the most out of the unique opportunity provided by the end of the old year and the start of the new. On December 31st from 7:30pm to 9:00pm, Urban Dharma will hold space for this with the sounding of the mantra of Vajrasattva.

Participants are welcomed to write onto slips of paper whatever they wish to leave behind in the old year. At the end of the evening, we will ritually burn these slips, clearing space for what 2024 has to bring.

Mark your calendar to drop in to participate or simply to enjoy the chant, any time between 7:30pm to 9:00pm.

Wanted: Survey Participants for Student Research

Are you a frequent meditator? Psychology student Charles Wigton of the University of Missouri wants to hear from you about the impact meditation and mindfulness practice has on your life:

If you'd like to assist Charles with his honors research project, you are invited to complete a brief questionnaire here. All of the data collected is absolutely anonymous and confidential. There will also be an optional drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card for anyone who completes the survey. For more information, please visit the above link.

Buddha's Enlightenment Ceremony and Bake Sale

On Sunday, 12/14 from 2:00-4:00 PM, Great Tree Zen Women's Temple is coming to Urban Dharma to host a Buddha’s Enlightenment Ceremony and a bake sale to support their temple. Please join us in holiday spirit at Urban Dharma in West Asheville to celebrate the Buddha’s Enlightenment, and support the study and practice of Dharma at Great Tree.

Join the Walk for Peace

Keep your calendars open in early January if you'd like to join members of Urban Dharma in participating on a portion of the Walk for Peace —a 2,300+ mile trek across the Southeastern United States currently being undertaken by a group of dedicated monks (and their loyal dog, Aloka) from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C.. The journey, which officially began on October 26th, is intended to “raise awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world."

The monks are estimated to be in the WNC area around January 14th. If you're interested in walking along with them for a ways, please RSVP by replying to this email and stay tuned for updates, as we will be organizing to drive to their location and accompany them on their walk.