Fifth Precept Sangha

“And as ridiculous as it may sound, sometimes all any of us needs in life is for someone to hold our hand and walk next to us.”

~ James Frey [source: The Final Testament]

SUNDAY, July 04, 2021

No registration required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

11:30 am  PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:30 pm  MDT (eg Denver)
1:30 pm  CDT (eg Chicago)
2:30 pm  EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:30 pm  BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:30 pm  CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:30 pm  EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Jacob, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 30-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

Please read ‘How to attend a Virtual Sit-and-Share meeting’.

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Image – Hungry Ghost Retreat – NLF – August 2016 – Hungry Ghost Retreat @ New Life Foundation, Chiang Rai, Thailand – August 2016

“Regard all dharmas as dreams.”

~ Atisha [source: Train Your Mind: Lojong]

THURSDAY, July 01, 2021

No registration required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

11:30 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:30 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:30 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:30 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:30 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:30 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:30 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Samba, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 30-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

Please read ‘How to attend a Virtual Sit-and-Share meeting’.

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Image – ‘Regard All Dharmas As Dreams’ – Gili Air, Indonesia – August 2016

“We do not become less human by purging toxins from our emotional life but rather more nobly human. Abandoning greed, hatred, and delusion at every opportunity, we are still left with a rich, nuanced, and healthier emotional life.” 

~ Andrew Olendzki [source: “The Buddha’s Smile” – Tricycle Buddhist Review]

MONDAY, June 28, 2021

No registration required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from…

11:30 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:30 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:30 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:30 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:30 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:30 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:30 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

…ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Vince. Our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host will be Vince.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm (UK/Ireland) and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 30-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

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Image – ‘Tirta Empul Temple’ – Bali, Indonesia – August 2016

“He who sits alone, lies down alone, walks alone, in diligent practice, and alone tames himself will find delight in the solitude of the forest.”

~ ~ Buddha [source: Dhammapada verse #305]

SUNDAY, June 27, 2021

No registration required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

11:30 am  PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:30 pm  MDT (eg Denver)
1:30 pm  CDT (eg Chicago)
2:30 pm  EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:30 pm  BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:30 pm  CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:30 pm  EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Robert, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 30-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

Please read ‘How to attend a Virtual Sit-and-Share meeting’.

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Image – Sunset at Lake Champlain, Vermont, USA – by Robert Crowther – June 2021

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

‘Sit-and-Sajja’

This event is offered by Vince Cullen on behalf of the Fifth Precept Sangha.
(Zoom link at bottom of page)

MID YEAR INTENTION SETTING (SACCA-KIRIYĀ)

“By this truth may there be safety, wellbeing, happiness”

~ Buddha

12:00 pm (Pacific) / 8:00 pm (UK)
10-Minute Guided Serenity Breath Meditation

12:15 pm (Pacific) / 8:15 pm (UK)
Introduction to ‘Sajja’ – Vince Cullen

12:30 pm (Pacific) / 8:30 pm (UK)
Sajja (Sacca-kiriyā) Intention Setting in Three Parts

• Part One: Forgiveness Aspiration

Those individuals who wish to participate, unmute and repeat each line after the leader:

• Part Two: Personal Sajja (Sacca-kiriyā) Intentions

Optional and voluntary, open opportunity for individuals to unmute and share their own Sajja(s) intentions. Each individual reads aloud:

“In this place of mindfulness, with the natural Elements and those present as my witnesses, I knowingly and openly commit to the following Sajja:”

[insert your ‘Sajja’ or ‘Sajjas’ (Sacca-kiriya) here… for example, but not limited to…]

“I will not take alcohol or other drugs that lead to carelessness for…”

[ the rest of my life ] [ one year ] [ one week ] [ one day ]

“I will practice these Sajja(s) one breath at a time; one step at a time; one day at a time.”
“By this truth may there be safety, well-being and happiness.”

• Part Three: Dedication of Merit for Sajja (Sacca-kiriyā)

Those individuals who have participated, unmute and repeat each line after the leader: 

“May the merit and benefits from the fulfilment of these Sajja(s) relieve the suffering of any beings currently experiencing Hell realm mind-states and conditions; and may the merit and benefits be shared around the whole Universe.

In the realm of the Human beings; may the merit and benefits from the fulfilment of this Sajja be shared with my family, with my benefactors and with my friends; and may it relieve the suffering of all the people that I have ever hurt or harmed.

• May I and all beings – be free from the pain and sorrow of cravings.
• May I and all beings – be filled with loving-kindness.
• May I and all beings – be safe from inner and outer dangers.
• May I and all beings – be well in body and mind.
• May I and all beings – be peaceful and live with ease in the world.
• May I and all beings – be happy and free from all distress.”

1:00 pm (Pacific) / 9:00 pm (UK) (or before)
10-minute Wise Heartedness Meditation

• May I find stillness… in the midst of chaos.
• May I be at ease… in the midst of discomfort.
• May I be safe & well… in the midst of uncertainty.
• May I live with kindness… in the midst of all that is difficult.

1:10 pm (Pacific) / 9:10 pm (UK) (or before)
Closing Dedication of Merit

Those individuals who wish to participate, unmute and repeat each line after the leader: 

• We dedicate the merits of this practice to all suffering beings.
• May everyone be free of suffering, and the causes of suffering.
• May everyone enjoy happiness, and the causes of happiness.
• Keep sitting, and keep smiling!

1:15 pm (Pacific) / 9:15 am (UK) (or before) Meeting closes.

Vince has given many talks on Sajja/Sacca-kiriya as an embodied practice, an example being: Sajja – A Practice for Transformation

More details about ‘Sajja’ and ‘Sacca-kiriya’ can be found in the free booklet ‘From Hungry Ghost to Being Human’ on pages 14-16, 36 & 37.

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88400751847

To connect manually the meeting ID is 884 0075 1847 Passcode ‘sajja’

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Image by Vince Cullen – ‘Buddha at the Beach’ – Craggagh, Fanore, County Clare, Ireland – April 2016

Though commonly referred to as poisons, the Buddha first introduced these mental attitudes as fires in the Fire Sermon (Adittapariyaya Sutta): “Monks, all is burning . . . Burning with what? Burning with the fire of lust, with the fire of hate, with the fire of delusion.”

~ Tricycle Buddhist Review [source: What are the three poisons?]

THURSDAY, June 24, 2021

No registration required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

11:30 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:30 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:30 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:30 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:30 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:30 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:30 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Colin, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 30-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

Please read ‘How to attend a Virtual Sit-and-Share meeting’.

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Image – https://pixabay.com

“True love and faith arrive when it’s most dark. In the dark there is a special kind of beauty. In a dark time, your eyes can see your true friends by the light of their lamps.” 

~ Jack Kornfield [source: A Lamp in the Darkness]

MONDAY, June 21, 2021

No registration required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from…

11:30 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:30 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:30 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:30 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:30 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:30 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:30 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

…ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Naomi. Our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host will be Vince.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm (UK/Ireland) and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 30-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

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Image – ‘Candles in the Pagoda’ – Nalagiri House, Carrigahorig, County Tipperary, Ireland – January 2018

“Everything is less overwhelming when seen for what it is, free of exaggeration, free of fanfare, free of fiction.”

~ Anonymous

SUNDAY, June 20, 2021

No registration required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

11:30 am  PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:30 pm  MDT (eg Denver)
1:30 pm  CDT (eg Chicago)
2:30 pm  EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:30 pm  BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:30 pm  CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:30 pm  EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Patrick, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 30-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

Please read ‘How to attend a Virtual Sit-and-Share meeting’.

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Image – Snow Lion Hotel & Coffee Shop – McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, HP, India – September 2019

“If you choose to not find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in life, but the same amount of snow.”

~ Anonymous

THURSDAY, June 17, 2021

No registration required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from:

11:30 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:30 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:30 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:30 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:30 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:30 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:30 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

Ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Don, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 30-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

Please read ‘How to attend a Virtual Sit-and-Share meeting’.

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Image – Chosen by the host.

“We should find perfect existence through imperfect existence”

~ Shunryu Suzuki from his book ‘Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice’

MONDAY, June 14, 2021

No registration required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4537777699

…alternatively, you can connect manually, with Zoom meeting ID 453 777 7699 and passcode ‘5ps‘.

The topic is for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Zoom from…

11:30 am PDT (eg San Francisco/Vancouver)
12:30 pm MDT (eg Denver)
1:30 pm CDT (eg Chicago)
2:30 pm EDT (eg New York/Tampa)
7:30 pm BST (eg Dublin/London)
8:30 pm CEST/CAT (eg France/Botswana)
9:30 pm EAT (eg Kenya)

…ready for a prompt start at the top of the hour. This meeting’s topic was chosen by Andrew.

Vince will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting is scheduled to start at 8 pm (UK/Ireland) and close at or before 9:15 pm but the Zoom meeting room will be open 30-minutes before and 15-minutes after for conversation, connection and fellowship.

All welcome.

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Image – ‘Candles in the Pagoda’ – Nalagiri House, Carrigahorig, County Tipperary, Ireland – January 2018