| About
Us…. Downtown Meditation Community The Downtown Meditation Community provides an environment where individuals come together to practice and study the dhamma, the teachings of the Buddha. The community offers a refuge, a place to cultivate virtue, concentration and discernment within the context of contemporary urban life. The teachings offered at Downtown Meditation Community come from the Theravada tradition. Theravada practice is derived from the core teachings of the Buddha, as found in the Pali Canon, the earliest surviving record of what the Buddha taught. Within Theravada Buddhism there are various streams, lineages. At DMC, we practice primarily in the style of the Thai Forest tradition. The teachings of Ajaan Lee, a 20th century Thai meditation master, and Thanissaro Bhikkhu, abbot of Metta Forest Monastery, provide the inspiration for dhamma practice at DMC. At Downtown Meditation Community, it is our vision to: *Provide an opportunity for students to develop in dhamma practice through a close, ongoing teacher-student relationship, as well as a relationship with other students. DMC offers a developmental program of practice and study, allowing students to deepen in their skill in meditation and cultivating skillful qualities. *Help students to integrate dhamma practice in their day-to-day lives. Since we are householders, with jobs, relationships, families, etc., it is essential that we learn to develop virtue, concentration, and discernment in all the facets of our lives. *Establish a community of likeminded people, committed to dhamma practice. Having a secure base, a community that embodies trust, care, kindness, and joyful companionship, we are able to make a wholehearted effort to end our suffering and find true happiness in our lives. DMC Programs & Becoming a Member Participation at Downtown Meditation Community is open to all interested students. For students who may be new to dhamma practice, we recommend taking a New Students (beginners’ level) course. We offer beginners’ courses on a regular basis. New students may also want to contact New York Insight, to find out about Beginners’ courses (www.nyimc.org). Some Downtown Meditation Community programs are open to all students. Other programs are designated for “group members.” For students who may not wish to become a member, as well as students who aren’t yet sure if they want to make a commitment to the group, DMC offers various opportunities for practice and study. Programs that are open to all students include: Students who are interested in deepening in their dhamma practice and their commitment to the group may want to consider becoming a member of DMC. Being a member does not entail any kind of financial obligation. There is no “membership fee.” As a Downtown Meditation Community member, students are expected to maintain a certain level of commitment to their practice and to DMC. For a detailed explanation of what it means to be a group member, please visit the Being a Member page. Programs designated for group members include: Guidelines for Class Participation In attending classes and retreats at Downtown Meditation Community, students are asked to follow certain guidelines. We can think of these guidelines as “healthy boundaries.” By respecting these boundaries, we help to create conditions that are suitable for the practice of the dhamma. We support each other in our efforts to develop virtue, concentration and discernment. The guidelines are offered in the spirit of maintaining an environment that is safe and nurturing. At DMC classes and retreats, students are expected to follow the Five Precepts. The Precepts provide a way to practice non-harming. The Five Precepts “I undertake the precept to refrain from taking the life of any living creature.” “I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.” “I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.” “I undertake the precept to refrain from false and harmful speech.” “I undertake the precept to refrain from consuming intoxicating drink and drugs, which lead to heedlessness.” Additionally, students are expected to observe the following guidelines: Please arrive on time to all classes. Please observe silence at all times. Classes are held in silence, except for teacher instruction, talks, and question and answer periods. Please do not leave your seat during sitting meditation. If for some reason you have to get up, please move quietly so as not to disturb other meditators. Please do not read, write, eat, drink or lie down while meditation is in progress. Please remain in your seat during the class. If you have to get up, please move quietly. When the teacher is offering a dharma talk, please do not read, eat, lie down, or leave your seat. Please remain in a sitting position throughout the class. If, for medical reasons, you need to lie down, please notify the teacher before the class. When speaking at DMC classes, it is suggested that participants speak from their own experience. It is suggested that when sharing that we do not criticize what other people say, give feedback, or offer advice. Please follow these suggestions before, during, and after classes. Please respect the privacy of all students. Please keep confidential what you hear at classes. Class Fees and Teacher Support The fees charged for DMC programs are kept as low as possible, so that all may attend. Please note that no one will be turned away because of lack of funds. The fees for DMC programs cover only the expenses for putting on the programs. Teachers do not receive payment for leading classes. The teachings are offered freely, in the spirit of generosity. In turn, students have the opportunity to offer generosity (dana) to teachers. This generosity enables teachers to continue to teach and, accordingly, allows for the teachings to continue to be heard, for people to continue to to develop their practice and study of the dhamma. The guiding teacher of DMC, Peter Doobinin is supported through this practice of giving. In line with the centuries-old practice, this generosity is applied toward basic living expenses such as food, clothing, shelter, medical needs, and fundamental requirements for an individual in contemporary society. There are two ways to participate in the practice of supporting the guiding teacher: (1) Students may support Peter by making a contribution at classes and retreats, and (2) Students may use the pledge method. Students can pledge an amount to the guiding teacher. Pledges can be made monthly, quarterly, yearly, etc. Information about the pledge method is provided at DMC classes. Or send an email and we’ll tell you more about making a pledge. In the service of providing a feedback loop for the group, DMC has established a monthly budget for the guiding teacher. Information about the teacher’s needs and the contributions offered by students is made available at DMC’s monthly community meeting. The DMC Community Meeting is held on the last Sunday of the month, immediately following the Sunday Night Meditation class. The Community Meeting provides a forum for discussing the financial report, DMC curriculum, the retreat schedule, and the ways in which students may offer service to the community. A comprehensive report, detailing the guiding teacher’s monthly budget and the incoming contributions (dana) to the teacher is presented. The Community Meeting provides an opportunity for students to discuss their participation in DMC. Group members are encouraged to attend the Community Meeting as part of their ongoing involvement in the group. The meeting also offers a way for new students to find out more about DMC. Contacting Us…. TOP
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