By Caroline Patrick

International Day of Peace

Feng Shui, the ancient art of placement, has recently gained acceptance in the United States. Although practiced by many civilizations in many forms in many countries, this system of harmony and balance is now being incorporated into American homes as we feel a desperate longing for peaceful surroundings.

The study of feng shui began for me as an adult. Understanding the element and energies of each color provided myself and my students with vibrant visual paintings for people to enjoy. Master Lin Yun came into my life when I was ready to incorporate these possibilities into my art. This humble man brought a form of this science to his students during the 1980’s at Berkeley’s University in California.

Master Lin currently travels the world, bringing his knowledge and wisdom of this balance of "wind and water" to help with your homes, communities, states and nations.

Regardless of your race, nationality, ethnicity, or religion, we must all call for peace. Please read his suggestions for the day of September 21, 2002. I hope this email encourages everyone to participate in some way to restore harmony and balance to the world.

Friends of H. H. Grandmaster Lin Yun and the Yun Lin Temple,

The Yun Lin Temple proudly joins the United Nations’ International Day of Peace Vigil, to be conducted this year on September 21, as one of the founding participants. The IDP Vigil, which seeks to demonstrate the power of prayer and spiritual awareness in promoting worldwide peace, needs the support of religious and spiritual organizations, peace groups, and individuals throughout the world to make this event a success. The Yun Lin Temple, on behalf of His Holiness Grandmaster Lin Yun and Reverend Crystal Chu Rinpoche, invites all people, regardless of faith or denomination, to participate in the momentous event.

1. Send notification of your intention to participate in the International Day of Peace Vigil, including your organization’s name and contact information, to the Yun Lin Temple. If possible, please send the names of your organization’s president, or leader, and contact person.
2. Register your organization’s commitment to the International Day of Peace Vigil on the Vigil web site at http://www.idpvigil.com, under the Worldwide Commitments section. Please indicate your affiliation with the Yun Lin Temple.
3. Promote the International Day of Peace Vigil among the members of your society; encourage all members to observe the ideals of the IDP Vigil on September 21. Suggestions for individual participation activities are included at the end of this letter. We welcome any additional suggestions and ideas.
4. Organize group events and activities, focused on promoting peace and preventing violent conflict, within your community. Invite all individuals, regardless of their race, nationality, ethnicity or religion, to participate.
5. When possible, document your organization’s and members’ activities on the date of the Vigil, using personal accounts and photographs. These materials will be materials and information to the contact person listed below.

The International Day of Peace, observed at the United Nations since 1982, strives to enhance, achieve, and preserve peace throughout the world. This annual event provides an opportunity for all individuals, regardless of their race, nationality, ethnicity, or religion, to foster a dream of peace throughout our entire human family.

In this period of global uncertainty, we invite you to join in the vision of this noble cause and bring lasting peace to all the peoples of the world.

With sincere regard,

The Yun Lin Temple

Suggestions for individual participation:

The ultimate success of the International Day of Peace Vigil relies heavily on the individual efforts of people throughout the world. As an individual, there are many ways to contribute toward the success of the International Day of Peace:

1. Focus awareness on the cessation of violent conflict throughout the world and promote peaceful behavior for the entire 24-hour period on 21 September 2002. An observing group may wish to observe the Vigil by designating different individuals at different times to pray, meditate or otherwise celebrate the day in that group’s house of worship or other suitable place.
2. Invite other faith traditions to join you in a prayer service for international peace.
3. For those people celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, incorporate prayers for peace, or other activities aligned with the International Day of Peace objectives, in your activities.
4. Work with other faiths in your community to have a Peace Pilgrimage traveling throughout your community and stopping at various houses of worship to pray for peace in the tradition of that particular faith. Alternatively, the pilgrimage could stop to pray at places in need of peace and nonviolence within your community.
5. Ask your municipality to formally declare its observance of the day.
6. Involve religious educators in designing a special project to observe the vigil.
7. Suggest to local school districts that lesson plans focus on conflict prevention and resolution.
8. Perform a daylong prayer, meditation, or fast. While not every individual can commit to a 24-hour period, do whatever possible, keeping to the objectives of the Vigil.
9. Observe a two-minute period of silence at noon and cease the use of all mechanical and electrical products, including automobiles, mobile telephones, etc. Use this moment to reflect on the value and importance of peace in today’s society.

For more information:

Additional information on the International Day of Peace Vigil may be located on the organization’s web page:

International Day of Peace Vigil

866 UN Plaza, Suite 575

New York, NY 10017

www.idpvigil.com

All questions, correspondences and materials relating to the Yun Lin Temple’s participation in the International Day of Peace Vigil may be directed to:

Rev. Crystal Chu, CEO

Yun Lin Temple

2959 Russell Street

Berkeley, CA 94705

(510) 841-2347, F: (510) 548-2621

info@yunlintemple.org

Here is another suggestion for local residents to enjoy:

Labyrinth Opening

Saturday, 21^st September 2002, from 4 p.m. until about 6 p.m., at the home of Roger Corless, 591 Daffodil Drive, Benicia (corner of Daffodil Drive and Periwinkle Place, off Rose Drive, between Matthew Turner School and Jack London Park; telephone 748-7217).

A labyrinth is an aid to meditation and self-realization. It is not a maze. It does not have false turns and blind passages, it has a single path which meanders into a center. Walking a labyrinth is a mini-pilgrimage which may help us in centering, grounding, energizing, releasing stress, and clearing our minds. As we exit the labyrinth we may take new insights with us back into our everyday lives.

My labyrinth was designed by Richard Feather Anderson of Santa Rosa, who designed the labyrinths at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, and is one of the early pioneers of the modern labyrinth. It was construction under the direction of Don Wurst of Benicia.

This labyrinth is a seven-circuit unicursal labyrinth, simpler and more ancient than the labyrinths at Grace Cathedral, which are modeled on the thirteenth-circuit labyrinth in the nave of Chartres Cathedral. The edges of the path are lined with bricks sunk flush with the turf.

You are invited to inspect the labyrinth and, if you wish, walk it. Depending on the popularity of this event I may plan classes and ceremonies on meditation and spirituality in connection with the labyrinth.

The event is free but donations to defray the cost of construction would be appreciated.

For further information on labyrinths, or to have one designed, contact Richard Feather Anderson at (707) 523-4564 or geomant@earthlink.net.

Roger Corless is a Professor of Religion, Emeritus, at Duke University and Adjunct Professor, Institute of Buddhist Studies, Berkeley. He studied at King’s College, University of London (B.D., 1961) and the University of Wisconsin at Madison (Ph.D., Buddhist Studies, 1973). His special interests are Pure Land Buddhism, Christian Spirituality, and Buddhist-Christian Dialogue. He is a co-founder of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies and its journal Buddhist-Christian Studies (University of Hawaii Press).

Roger Corless (roger.corless@duke.edu) (tashi5@juno.com)

Professor of Religion, Emeritus, Duke University

Residence: 591 Daffodil Drive, Benicia, CA 94510, USA

Phone: (707) 748-7217 Fax: (707) 748-7295 Cell: (707) 373-3484

To learn more on healing your homes and bodies, we have nine fall classes and workshops pertaining to these subjects.

Starts September 24^th - Chinese Medicine ­ 6 weeks ­ exciting

October 5^th - 3 Feng Shui workshops ­ Caroline Patrick

October 19^th ­ 2 will be held at the Best Western Hotel, Benicia, CA

December 8^th ­ 1 in studio

October 12^th - Flower Essences for Pets & People

Lila Davis, International Speaker

September 28^th ­ Herbal Medicine Making ­ Caroline Patrick

Take home tinctures

November 9^th ­ Art Class ­ Barbara Pike & Caroline Patrick

Watercolor Greeting Cards

Cinthia Varkevisser

Please call to reserve your seat, 707-748-1127

Caroline’s Arts & Feng Shui Shoppe

129 First St. Suite K

Benicia, Ca. 94510

www.fengshuiartistry.com and moongateschool.com