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Who: Ben ConnollyWhat: an evening celebrating Ben Connolly's new book, Inside the Flower Garland Sutra
Where: Pulpit Rock Brewing
When: Monday, 4/13 at 7pm
Minnesotan author Ben Connolly will give an author presentation and reading followed by a book signing on Monday, 4/13 at 7pm at Pulpit Rock Brewing at 207 College Dr., Decorah. Everyone is invited to this free event sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation, with support from the Decorah Zen Center, Pulpit Rock Brewing, and Dragonfly Books.
With Inside the Flower Garland Sutra, Zen teacher Ben Connelly explains the significance of Huayan teachings for Buddhist practice, providing a broad overview of Huayan teachings and their practical implications for contemporary life, with a mix of testimonies from real-life situations and references to influential Buddhist texts.
Huayan Buddhism arose in the sixth century in China rooted in the Mahayana Flower Garland (Huayan) Sutra. Huayan is relational, practical, and positive. Its emphasis on interdependence, celebration of the sensual world, and diversity of people and practices has much to offer during this era when many folks see ever-deepening divisions.
Ben Connelly is a Soto Zen teacher. He also teaches mindfulness in a wide variety of secular contexts including police training and addiction recovery groups, and works with multi faith groups focused on social and climate justice. Ben is the guiding teacher at Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, travels to teach across the United States, has written for Tricycle and Lion’s Roar magazines, and is author of Inside the Grass Hut, Inside Vasubandhu's Yogacara, Mindfulness and Intimacy, Vasubandhu's "Three Natures", and Inside the Flower Garland Sutra.
This event is part of Dragonfly Books and the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation’s robust author event series, which brings top-notch writers of all genres to Northeast Iowa to lead in conversations about literature and writing, and is co-hosted by the Decorah Zen Center (DZC), a project of Ryumonji Zen Monastery which fosters mindful awareness and a compassionate community through Soto Zen practice. Serving diverse lay practitioners in the Decorah area, DZC offers regular meditation, zazen instruction, and opportunities to study Buddhism’s history and practices. Through lectures, workshops, and group discussions, DZC deepens understanding of Soto Zen and encourages engagement with Ryumonji’s residential programs for further practice. To learn more about this event and other events with Dragonfly Books, visit www.dragonflybooks.com; to learn more about the Zen Center and its offerings, visit https://decorahzencenter.weebly.com.
If you find that you can't make it to the event but would still like to purchase any books from this author talk, give Dragonfly Books a call at 563-382-4275. Our staff will be glad to reserve a book, have it autographed for you, and shipped out as needed.
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Event Venue
Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, 209 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101-1304, United States
Tickets
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