Calm Clarity Temple updated name

Calm Clarity Temple now has a simpler Chinese name.  安定寺 An Ding Si.  Of course it may change to something else, but since this is a simpler translation and an easier way for non Chinese to pronounce it, it may just be the permanent name in Chinese.

安定
āndìng- stable / quiet / settled / stabilize / maintain / stabilized / calm and orderly


ān安
peaceful, tranquil, quiet

dìng定
decide, settle, fix



寺

sì - Buddhist temple, temple, mosque, government office (old)

This photo is from our Sangha gathering in Sacramental  CA at the City of Dharma Realm in 2011.  This is a Chinese nunnery founded by the late founding master Ven. Hsuan Hua and the monastics of the Sagely City of 10,000 Buddhas.

Americans and residents around the world all are Sangha, the flavor of Calm Clarity will reflect the tolerance of various traditions but our foundation is firmly set upon our ancestral heritage based in Chinese Buddhism.  To honor this we will follow Chinese services, style, robes, decor, and food but English will remain the core of communication and dharma talks, all services will be in English with some alternate Chinese services if requested.

Ames had the joy of hosting 6 Tibetan monks and their supporters at ISU

Inspire u? Y u?

Me, Ven Hong Yang, Bhikshuni

Much of what I write is very earthy, sometimes it's not all that easy to accept basic dirt.  So I all I can say is this, living is great as a Sangha.  I am happy and in my element as a bhikshuni.  It has definitely felt like fitting into a glove hand tailored just for me.

I love my robes and respect my tradition, I am grateful for this life that led me to take full ordination as a bhikshuni.  I do not doubt the choice.  I do not feel sad ever about uphold precepts, it's easy.  I do not feel deprived of human affection for I get loads of attention.

I became a bhikshuni in the Chinese Mahayana tradition and that is only because I have an affinity for Chinese culture, have family that is Chinese and long history with families and friends of Chinese origin.  I'm not a commie (geese isn't that obvious!) and didn't magically turn into Chinese like many who on objected to my trying to save Tibetan monks from self-immolation accused me of being (how stupid is that!).  I don't have to respect such monks, all Westerners full of polluted thinking.

My daughter Liz

I am grateful for my choices because I got loads of benefits from getting closer and being around my growing daughter to see her now almost 21 this month, and so happy!  Even though my tonsure temple was not the best for me, it was good that she was allowed to stay with me there and I kept in touch with her loads more than being in Iowa or California. Because of that she grew healthy and strong.  And I saw it.  I am so proud of her! She joined right in and even when it was difficult for her or uncomfortable, she kept happy and got a good grounding in Buddhist life in a temple.

It is always inspiring for me to visit with other Buddhists, I am isolated here in Iowa from my Buddhist community, so I get on Facebook now almost daily.  I love it, I get to visit with monks and nuns from all kinds of traditions in Buddhism. That is so precious to me, it helps me and sustains me while here in Iowa.

Special mention, it's very common for monastics to have pets, mine is Pepper she is a rescued kitten in the first photo, right after having her fixed.  And now a hefty fur ball that purrs when she decides you must sit on the couch so she can lay on or near your legs and snooze. I've promised the shelter she is with me for life, and she will be.  I want her comfy settled and happy every day too.  She snorted when I asked her if she wanted to take refuge in the Buddha and receive 5 precepts, so I took that as a no. Which I have to settle for it is her choice.

Pepper at 4 months old and 5 pounds, just after surgery

Pepper now at 13 pounds and 7 years old

Build the Nunnery Editing ideas?

Build the first Iowa Buddhist nunnery

Build the first Iowa Buddhist nunnery. The need to train in English is what has been missing for 160 years of Buddhist history in the United States. This place will meet the needs of residents of this state interested in Buddhist study. The nunnery monastics will provide traditional services, cultural, educational, and practical training for those interested in Buddhism.

To understand Buddhism in the USA you need Sangha that speak English. To train you need to be able to ask detailed or receive detailed instructions in order to progress or you are the perpetual visitor with no real depth. You are limited by language or can’t access masters of higher levels to grow. Even you may never know who the Elders are that are talented, capable dharma masters famous in their temples for being teachers but they live in obscurity to most in the USA. Personal contact with robed Sangha is lacking for most interested in Buddhism and greatly needed. Temples in the East coast or West coast have some limited English programs but all are ethnic funded and full training is better in their own language, clearer, higher level of instructions and attainments by laity is very possible but not if you don’t know their language. This is a significant obstacle to your practice in Buddhism. 

The first Bhikshuni fully trained and ordained has arrived in Iowa. This is a good first step for Iowa. Ven. Hong Yang is an Iowan and a woman fully ordained in the Dharmagupta lineage of the Bhikshuni Sangha in Taiwan. 

A cool history this Iowan. She was tonsured at Xi Fang Temple, Brookyn, NY. She left home resolved on 9/11/2001. She decided to stay in XFT helping in NYC, many needed to recover their spirits. She working with and trained as a sramaneri alongside the other temple's masters. She is a 11 year English-Chinese translator of the Taishio Tripitaka which is in Chinese. She has published 5 books, 3 volumes translating the standardized daily recitations in the Chinese Buddhist temples into English and one rare translation of the Bao Hua Mountain monk Ven. JiXian De Qing. The translation project will continue in the nunnery. She and others will offer training to those interested in becoming translators. Also she is in charge of a historical documentary film of Buddhism in the USA is currently underway digitizing material from actual Buddhist monks and nuns who reside in the USA as they offer it documenting what has never been documented called “Sangha Walks”. See more about this on www.sanghawalks.org

Iowans are savvy to Buddhist trends but lack access to reliable dharma masters in traditional Buddhism. Due to the increased awareness of Buddhism and most often one of its famous methods is meditation a decision has been made to create a stable place right here to learn about Buddhism. We need a stable place so many dharma teachers can come and teach about Buddhism. A variety of masters offering training in different schools will improve access to higher level reputable traditional teachers. The teachers invited to come here are from the Vinaya Sangha; they must hold full precepts and be properly trained. In order to attract them to our place, it needs to be set up first properly. If prayers alone can motivate the Dalai Lama to come to Iowa like he did last year then it's quite the timely to fulfill his instructions to us residing monks and nuns to become leaders of Buddhism in Iowa. A broad base and open respectful minds will be the cornerstone of the visiting public to this new nunnery.

Iowans are proud of their history. The historical significance to note here is of being the first nunnery that is Buddhist, second to that is the protected training environment for women and thirdly that English be the primary spoken and service language. So that the members of the public that asks for, learns well, practices and brings back benefits to their community by enjoying traditional services, counseling, mental health services, meditation, classes, cultural events art and cultural events.

Iowans are by their very nature generous and curious. Donate if you want to make your historical mark right now! Be proud to be sponsor and make your mark in Iowa history and add to Buddhist US history in our Sangha Walks project that will also flourish in a permanent collection online and media. Care about yourself enough to create merit and virtue, benefit all aspects of your life and reduce the karmic cause and effect of negative seeds sprouting in their due time when you contribute selflessly.

What We Need & What You Get

We are open to a house, or commercial building or land purchase. We recognize it requires more money for remodel or building on the space. We wish to keep it minimal but safe. Green but efficient use of space, growing fruits and vegetables, but technology embraced in media. We are wishing to create a healthy and secure environment for you and your family to enjoy your studies and classes at our nunnery:

We need at least $40,000 total funding. We at least need a down payment of $3000 plus 6 months operating expenses of $18,000. We may need remodeling funds including the purchase of new appliances or major repairs up to $20,000. Basic utilities run about $200 a month, food needs around $300 per month. Core living costs are covered also we need liability insurance of $5,000 to cover public events to meet legal requirements and codes.

The rewards for Indiegogo: There are very traditional Buddhist rewards offered. The malas and the Jade were brought from Taiwan from very traditional Buddhist family store. Most temples sell them for basic food or medicine needs. The ones offered here are the personal purchase made by Ven. Hong Yang during her training and ordination. This means the good karma of her training and ordination has a ripple effect that is passed on in good intentions to anyone who buys or donates or receives on of these! See the rewards for details.

All funds raised in excess of this project if not needed must be dispersed as the Vinaya guides us. The basic 4 requisites of food, clothing, shelter, and medicine are all that Buddhist monks and nuns require. Woman have the hardest time in Buddhism to receive even the 4 requisites after they become nuns so this funding source is also greatly needed and appreciated so priority will go to this group out of compassion for the need is great. May your good karma of your generous act increase and grow 10-fold throughout your life and those of your family’s.

The Impact in Iowa and the Mid-West

Stability is made when a place to practice is also available that is basic in comfort and accessible to all who study Buddhism from traditional teachers known as the Sangha, the robed ones. Mind training is an individual effort but training is offered in a group setting that also can give one the advantage of feeling and being emotionally and socially supported.

Foibled feelings good for me!

Well update on the feelings issue of guests. It turned out well got my daughter and her friend to pick up the girl while I prepared her bed and reviewed my pantry and goodies for her stay. She will be with us for a week while my daughter gets her college week going we both get her to her school next saturday.

They both are sticking to my daughters room and enjoying evenings with their friends, easy on me, while I edite my translation. They are good kids. I am learning more about my foilbled feelings! :)