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Zen Master Launches New Book with ‘East Meets West’ Dialog, Guided Meditations and Dharma Talks October 17-20
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Abbot of Vairocana Zen Monastery and international lecturer Venerable Zen Master Miao Tsan returns to Houston October 17-20 to launch The Origin is Pure: Find the Divine Within (Bright Sky Press, November 2011), his third in a series of contemporary Zen studies.
Events in Houston include his second East Meets West dialog at the Boniuk Center for Religious Tolerance at Rice University, guided meditations for health professionals at the Texas Medical Center and Dharma talks at the Institute for Spirituality and Health and Metal Yoga studio. The multidisciplinary programs, open to the public, include signings of the Zen Master’s new book.
In East Meets West on Wednesday, October 19, Zen Master Miao Tsan and Rabbi Samuel E. Karff, D.H.L., author, lecturer and pulpit master, will compare and contrast their philosophical and religious perspectives. The evening will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program from 6-7 p.m., and a Q&A and book signings at Rice University Herring Hall, 6100 Main St., Rm. 100, Gate 20. Admission is free. To reserve seats in advance, contact Jennifer Farmer, (281) 589-0810 or jfarmer@masterword.com by Monday, October 17.
“I hope to raise questions to enhance my (and the audience members’) understanding of certain issues in Zen Buddhism and to express both my appreciation of the religions of the East as well my divergence from them,” said Rabbi Karff. He has served as Associate Director of the McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics, taught courses in the non-biomedical or relational aspects of healing at The University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at Houston and lectured in Religious Studies at Rice University, Notre Dame and the University of Chicago Divinity School. The former Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard College and earned his Doctor of Hebrew Letters from the Hebrew Union College.
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East Meets West Moderator is Alejandro Chaoul, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He earned his Ph.D. in Tibetan Religions from Rice University and focuses his work, research and publications on mind-body practices in integrative cancer care, including Tibetan meditation and rituals. He lectures extensively at universities and conferences worldwide.
In ‘The Origin is Pure,’ Zen Master Miao Tsan uses traditional Zen koans to reveal how to live in accordance with the nature of the mind. He clarifies common misunderstandings about religious teaching and provides readers with specific ways to create positive spirits and peaceful daily lives.
The Zen Master, who has given meditation courses at universities and medical centers and Zen retreats worldwide, will share his insights on finding the divine within during several programs that are free and open to the public. His meditations and Dharma talks will serve as points of departure for Q&A sessions afterwards. There will also be a guided meditation and talk for medical professionals and staff of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center on Thursday, October 20.
Zen Master Miao Tsan’s Houston public programs are scheduled as follows. For info or RSVP to any of the programs, please contact Jennifer Farmer, (281) 589-0810 or jfarmer@masterword.com.
Schedule of Events
Monday, October 17, Noon-2 p.m.
University of Texas Medical School, 6431 Fannin St., Rm. 3.001 – Houston 77030
“Emotions and Health: The Benefits of Meditation” – Conversation with Zen Master Miao Tsan and Alejandro Chaoul, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the Integrative Medicine Program in the Department of General Oncology at the UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Associate faculty at the UT Health McGovern Center for the Humanities and Ethics. Lunch will be available to the first 100 in attendance.
Tuesday, October 18, 7:30 p.m.
Robert Boustany’s Metal Yoga Studio, 2303 Dunlavy at Westheimer
Zen Master Miao Tsan to speak on “Health, Pain and Creating a Peaceful Mind; “The Origin Is Pure” book sales and signing
Wednesday, October 19, 5:30 p.m.; program 6-7 p.m
Boniuk Center for Religious Tolerance – Rice University • Herring Halll, Rm. 100, 6100 Main Street, Gate 20; Parking in Rice Central Campus Garage
East Meets West Dialog with Zen Master Miao Tsan and Rabbi Samuel Karff, D.H.L. , 6-7 p.m., followed by Q & A and book sales and signings of The Origin is Pure and Permission to Believe: Finding Faith in Troubled Times by Zen Master Miao Tsan and Rabbi Karff, respectively
Thursday, October 20, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Institute for Spirituality & Health • 8100 Greenbriar, Ste. 220, Houston 77054
Zen Master Miao Tsan – To be announced
For further information or to purchase the book, go to www.brightskypress.com.
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