WE PRACTICE—WE BLOOM

Sun Seed Sangha of Southwest Louisiana gathers on the 3rd Saturday of each month to learn and practice Buddhism. Our Sangha is inspired by the teachings of Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh with elements from the Plum Village Tradition as a foundation for our practice. 

 

Sun Seed Sangha welcomes anyone interested in applying Buddhist teachings and principles in the supportive group environment of the Sangha. It is important to know that one need not be a Buddhist, nor leave the roots of their personal faith, to benefit from Buddhist teachings and practices.

 

Sun Seed Sangha initiates, organizes, and participates in activities that encourage mindful awareness and general well-being. Sangha activities include meditative walking, prayer, mantra meditation, breath awareness, nature observation, scripture reading, Dharma talks, share groups, picnics, field trips, visualization exercises, gardening/gathering, potluck meals, and book club participation.

 

Sun Seed Sangha gathers as a comfort and support to each other as we practice the Dharma within the compost of our individual lives.

 

Our Sangha acts to sow the precious seeds of compassion, gentleness, kindness, mindfulness, and peace by investigating the Four Noble Truths, practicing the Eightfold Path, understanding the 5 Mindfulness Trainings, adopting the 14 Precepts of Engaged Buddhism, and drawing from the expansive, 2,600 old history of Buddhism.

 

Sangha activities encourage participants to transplant the sprouts of well-being in their hearts, homes and those they encounter in common places.

 

May each of us awaken, unfolding to full bloom in the ordinary circumstances of this world just as we find it.

 

Brother Oran Parker, Sun Seed Sangha Facilitator

Wild Sunflowers—Carlyss, Park in Sulphur, Louisiana—where the Sun Seed Sangha gathers for practice.
Wild Sunflowers—Carlyss, Park in Sulphur, Louisiana—where the Sun Seed Sangha gathers for practice.
Our moveable alter arrangement from the June 2022 Sun Seed Sangha practice day.
Our moveable alter arrangement from the June 2022 Sun Seed Sangha practice day.
Swallowtail Butterfly—Carlyss, Park in Sulphur, Louisiana—seen during meditation walking two days after Thich Nhat Hanh's passing on January 22, 2022.
Swallowtail Butterfly—Carlyss, Park in Sulphur, Louisiana—seen during meditation walking two days after Thich Nhat Hanh's passing on January 22, 2022.


2022 SCHEDULE

3rd SATURDAY SANGHA

The Sun Seed Sangha gathers on the 3rd Saturday morning of each month. Activities may change, so please check back to confirm activity times. An early arrival of at least 5 minutes to allow for getting settled is appreciated. Newcomers should arrive 10 minutes early for a short welcoming orientation.

— — — — — — —

NEXT SANGHA GATHERING

December 17, 2022 — Carlyss Park, Sulphur, Louisiana

 

• 7:30AM - Meditative Walking (with the 3 Earth Touchings)

• Short Pause

• 8:45AM - Mantra Meditation (with the Five Elements)

• Short Pause

• 9:30AM - Inviting the Bell—Our Formal Practice Begins (Reading: The Dhammapada, Chapter 7)

• Short Pause

• 10:00AM - Picnic Brunch

• 10:30AM - Dharma Share Group

• 11:30AM - Closing Gatha & Prayers

— — — — — — —

2022 SCHEDULE

 

• December 11 (online dharma share group)

• December 17

Our moveable alter arrangement from the June 2022 Sun Seed Sangha practice day.
Our moveable alter arrangement from the June 2022 Sun Seed Sangha practice day.
Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, 1926-2022 / Thich Nhat Hanh stands with a sunflower in south-west France—on the property that would become Plum Village mindfulness practice center—in the early 1980s.
Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, 1926-2022 / Thich Nhat Hanh stands with a sunflower in south-west France—on the property that would become Plum Village mindfulness practice center—in the early 1980s.

"We say that there isn’t a sunflower here because we cannot see all the latent causes and conditions lying in wait. We have the tendency to think that as long as we can’t see the sunflowers, they don’t exist, and that once we can see the sunflowers, they suddenly do exist."

 

-Excerpt from "See The Universe In A Sunflower" by Thich Nhat Hanh



LOCATION

The Sun Seed Sangha meets under a covered pavilion at Carlyss Park in Sulphur, Louisiana unless otherwise noted.


 IMPORTANT NOTES FOR NEWCOMERS

There are no fees required for participation—this is a free Sangha. All that is required is your presence and willingness to gather in peace. Newcomers are reminded that our Sangha meets in public spaces, often outdoors. We encourage participants to bring a personal blanket (for sitting) and a reusable water bottle. Some refreshments are provided. Please consider the weather conditions and dress for your personal comfort. If attending a picnic or potluck, please bring your own food or drinks. If planning to attend walking meditation, please wear appropriate footwear suited to your personal needs.


DOWNLOAD OUR PRACTICE SHEET

Download
Sun Seed Sangha Practice Sheet
Our practice sheet offers the general form used for our 3rd Saturday Sangha gatherings.
SANG 032422O Sun Seed Sangha - One Sheet
Adobe Acrobat Document 4.6 MB
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FREE REGISTRATION



CONTACT

FOR MORE INFORMATION & EMAIL REMINDERS

If you would like more information about Sun Seed Sangha, please email Brother Oran Parker using the form below.

 

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Mala crafted from Live Oak acorns gathered in the Carlyss Park practice area.
Mala crafted from Live Oak acorns gathered in the Carlyss Park practice area.
Lone tree stands in silhouette against dawn fog near the practice area at Carylss Park.
Lone tree stands in silhouette against dawn fog near the practice area at Carylss Park.


IN COMPOST WE UNFOLD

CARLYSS PARK—A SACRED ORDINARY SPACE


THE HEART SUTRA

A NEW TRANSlATION