As we think of the new year, we offer ourselves new ways of being. Generosity is one of the perfections of Buddhism, a practice that takes us from the shores of frustration to the shores of contentment. We can be generous with ourselves, identifying our own Buddha nature. And we can be generous with the world, seeing in it all aspects of ourselves. The Buddha stood in front of seven houses a day with his begging bowl, making sure to visit every neighborhood in order to offer the chance of expressing generosity to each household. Field Temple is standing with our begging bowl at your virtual house, offering you the chance to practice the perfection of generosity, offering you the chance to participate in creating a bit more refuge.
Community members speak about Field Temple:
"Field Temple is a special place for our family; where we go to celebrate, mourn, have adventures and quiet moments. During the height of the pandemic and school and business closures, the Field Temple was our destination for respite from being cooped up. Our children climbed the trees and balanced on the stump and stone pathways. Sarah and Field Temple also held my family lovingly and beautifully when we lost one of our children. We held his memorial ceremony at the Field Temple. This space brought our family much needed comfort and gave us a magical and perfect setting to celebrate his life. We still find comfort at Field Temple and enjoy seeing every development and added pathway."
-Melissa Cooper Sargent-
"Field Temple has offered me a place of solace when the chaos of life has felt heavy on my heart, and has offered me a place to restore myself many times. Joining the Temple's gatherings has enriched my sense of community and has shed light on the many ways communities can work together to create something beautiful and practical for our collective survival and the survival of the indigenous land we inhabit."
-Jozie Bullard-
"Several years ago, Sarah Addae, a Zen Buddhist Dharma teacher, had a vision to create a temple. The temple seemed like a daunting task that would require many years to manifest.
Then, in a moment of inspiration, Kinga Osz Kemp suggested that we start meditating outside and in that instant , Field Temple, which had yet to be named, became a reality.
A few months later we incorporated Field Temple as non-profit. We subsequently applied to Detroit Future City for a Forest Patcher grant and received $8K. With that money and the help of family and friends and neighbors, we began to clean up decades of debris on a lot we were able to purchase.
Since our first sit, five years ago, Sarah has led a Sunday morning meditation outside on Mother Earth year round. Everyone of the people who have joined us has felt the loving vibrations.
Over the years, we have given our time, energy and financial resources to co-create a healing space where all are welcome. We meditate, contemplate, pray, chant, volunteer, sing, dance, play music, recite poetry, garden and revel in the beauty and order of Mother Earth. We have grown the area of the temple and made the adjoining lots public spaces of beauty.
Field Temple has hosted a wedding, a celebration of Life, several art shows, music performances, poetry readings, solstice and equinox gatherings and an Artist in Residence program as well as meditation courses, weekly sittings and dharma talks. Many trees have been planted, walking meditation paths laid down, a pond created and a tea garden established.
As stewards of the land, nine adjoining lots are now available to us and we are reaching out to the community to help us with the additional finances needed to purchase the lots. We are also raising money to help with maintenance costs, mowing and tree work to be completed in the next two years.
They will be filled with Love & Light to benefit All-One. Give what you can to support the continued growth of Field Temple. We give thanks. Peace."
-Dante King-
Please donate and spread the word about our fundraiser https://givebutter.com/fieldtemple
