Tuesday, July 15, 2025

On Snakes and Rafts in the Alagaddūpama Sutta What if even the Buddha’s own teachings were likened to a poisonous snake—dangerous when grasped the wrong way? In the Alagaddūpama Sutta (Discourse on the Parable of the Snake), the Buddha offers one of his most provocative warnings: not only are sensual pleasures a source of suffering, but even the Dharma itself can become a trap if clung to as dogma. This week, Jay Ford will continue his ongoing series on the Pali suttas. This oft-cited sutta opens a powerful window onto the Buddha’s pedagogical brilliance, his critique of views, and the practical orientation of his path.

Schedule (Tues., July 15) 6:30-6:35: Announcements 6:35-7:05: Sitting Meditation 7:05-8:00: On Snakes and Rafts in the Alagaddūpama Sutta (Jay Ford)

Upcoming Schedule
July 22: Precepts Experience (Bosco Farr)
July 29: Buddhist Poetry (Mary Beth Blackwell-Chapman)
August 5: How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers (Wendy Farrow)
August 12: Path to Practice Talk (Shashi Madan)
August 19: Daily Dharma (Karen Garrido)
August 26: Buddhism and Ken Wilbur–Part I (Vann McCoy)
September 2: Buddhism and Ken Wilbur–Part II (Vann McCoy)

ANNOUNCEMENTS
[NEW!!!] WSDC March 2026 Retreat with Vance Pryor–WAITING LIST
The Winston-Salem Dharma Community invites you to join us for another retreat at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center. The retreat, from March 26-30, 2026, is entitled Seeing Clearly: The Four Noble Truths, with Vance Pryor returning as our teacher. Vance first taught us in 2024, to rave reviews. We are thrilled to have him back! You can listen to his talk, The Paramis — Ethics/Virtue, at this link. THE RETREAT IS NOW FULL, BUT YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST IN CASE SOME HAVE TO CANCEL THEIR REGISTRATION. YOU MAY ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST AT THIS LINK.

[NEW!] Volunteers Needed!
The Steering Committee is looking for Volunteers to be greeters and/or to help set up chairs, etc. We would like to be more skillfull, in building Sangha as well as being welcoming to both new and existing members. It would only require 10 or 15 minutes per week to be of service. You do not have to greet folks every week. You can be regular or intermittent, and no special skills or knowledge are needed. Please email Bosco at devonmfarr@gmail.com if you would be interested in adding yourself to the rotation.