Dharma Offering

Fall Practice Focus: Sila (Ethics) Paramita and the Precepts

September 10, 2025 – December 3, 2025

Location
Online
Description

“Sila is love in action”

—Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh

 

“Ethics is how we behave when we decide we belong together.”

—Brother David Steindl-Rast

 

This fall, we invite you to join our Fall Practice Focus on Sila (Ethics) Paramita and the Precepts—an integrated practice experience that infuses the theme of Buddhist ethics into our entire fall program. This year, rather than participate in a formal 12-week Practice Period with opening and closing ceremonies, Practice Focus participants receive weekly email reflections from our teachers on the topics listed below, while Sila paramita serves as the guiding thread through our public Dharma talks, retreats, and Dharma shares.

 

Additionally, some of our regular Wednesday evening Dharma shares will feature online community conversations, welcoming speakers from beyond the BZC community to be in conversation and to share their perspectives and experiences around Buddhist ethics and how they live and breathe in our lives of practice and in our Sanghas.
 

Weekly Email Teachings:

September 10: Intro to Buddhist Ethics, Sila Paramita and the 16 Bodhisattva Precepts
September 17: 3 Refuges
September 24: 3 Pure Precepts
October 1: To honor and protect life and not kill/cut off life
October 8: To cultivate abundance and not steal or take what is not freely given
October 15: To respect wholeness and not misuse sexuality
October 22: To speak with care and honesty and not lie
October 29: To cultivate clarity and not intoxicate mind and body of self or others
November 5: To care for one another and not slander
November 12: To cultivate humility and not praise self at the expense of others
November 19: To cultivate connection and not withhold or be possessive of anything
November 26: To engage with complexity and not harbor ill will
December 3: To honor and steward the triple treasure: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha


Image: Bas-relief of a multi-armed Avalokiteshvara on the west side of the temple complex at Banteay Chhmar: Banteay Chhmar Community-Based Tourism

 


Dana (Generosity) Based Offering

This program is offered freely in the spirit of dana – the Buddhist practice of generosity. While there is no set fee, we invite voluntary donations to support our sangha and keep these teachings accessible to all.

Suggested Dana Guidelines for the Practice Focus Email Series

  • $5-15 per week (or $50-150 for the full series)
  • Whatever amount feels appropriate for your circumstances
  • No one turned away – your presence is the most important offering

** Click the register button and under quantity, put 1. You will then give your contact information. After registration, visit brooklynzen.org/giving to make your dana offering. Please write “Practice Focus” in the notes section when checking out. **

Fee
Suggested Dana: $5-15 per week (or $50-150 for the full series)
Questions?
info@brooklynzen.org
Fall Practice Focus: Sila (Ethics) Paramita and the Precepts
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