Change Your Mind Day 2006

Change Your Mind Day 2006, Phoenix, Arizona

Change Your Mind Day in the Phoenix area was held on Saturday, June 3rd, 2006.

We had nearly 100 people on hand and we had 8 very engaging presentations including teachers, priests, and practitioners from a variety of traditions. Reverend Furumoto of the Arizona Buddhist Temple spoke to us about the teachings of Jodo Shin Shu Buddhism. James Riviezzo of the Emaho Foundation gave a talk on the Four Noble Truths from the Tibetan perspective. James was followed by Sokai, resident priest of the Haku-Un Ji Zen Center in the Japanese Rinzai tradition who led participants in a walking meditation while chanting the Heart Sutra. After Sokai's presentation, we were treated to some Yoga instruction and practice courtesy of Ginny Spaven, Yoga Teacher.

After the Yoga practice we took a 30 minute break so that attendees could browse the tables set up by each presenting group. Books were sold, snacks were had, and connections were made. The end of the break was signaled by the ringing of the bell to introduce Venerable Rich Sittinger, priest of Buddha Heart USA who gave an introduction to the Chinese Esoteric School (Shingon). Next up was Reverend Dhammapala from the Center for Buddhist Development. Rev. Dhammapala spoke on the 8-fold path. Then we were given instruction on mindfulness practice by Ray Moore of the Blooming Desert Lotus Sangha in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Ray also led the group in a guided mindfulness meditation. Our last presenter for the day was Gen Kelsang Lingpur of the Clearlight Buddhist Center. Lingpur offered her thoughts on the Perfection of Patience and led another guided meditation. The day came to a close with 108 bells by Randy Nowell of the Arizona Zen Buddhist Society.

Turnout was a little below expectations, possibly due to the record-seetting heat we had for the day. It was 112 degrees, but we still had just under 100 people on hand for CYM day.

Here are the first photos from the day - more to come:

Above Photos courtesy of Gary Bons, Bons Photography

Presenters were:

1. Arizona Buddhist Temple
4142 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85019
Website
Speaker: Rev. Ryuta Furumoto
Topic: Introduction to Shin Buddhism
-Jodo Shin shu - (Japanese Pure Land Buddhism)

2. Emaho Foundation
Website
Speaker: TBA
Topic: TBA

3. Haku-un-ji Zen Center
Website
Speaker: Sokai
Topic: Melting Away and Reappearing Through Sound

4. Ginny Spaven
Yoga Teacher
Topic: TBA -- Yoga related

5. Buddha Heart USA
Website
Speaker: Ven. Rich Sittinger (FaShih Ri) a priest of Buddha Heart)
Topic: UNION: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ESOTERIC SCHOOL (Shingon)

6. Center for Buddhist Development
Website
Speaker: Rev. Dhammapala
Topic: The Noble Path

7. Blooming Desert Lotus Sangha
Website
Speaker: Ray Moore
Topic: "Mindfulness Practice."

8. Clear Light Buddhist Center
Website
Speaker: Gen Kelsang Lingpur
Topic:"The Perfection of Patience" and guided meditation