Family Circle
Encountering the Spirit of Chan
A collection of resources for and by children and their families
There is often a disconnect between our Zen life and our family life. That's when we need a bridge to connect the two. Our Family Circle gives you the opportunity to involve your children in the creative arts: visual arts, poetry, stories, and activities. If you have read books to your children that you feel offer helpful "Zen" lessons, or if your children have read some they would like to share, we encourage book reviews from everyone. Family Circle is moderated by Rev. Fa Liang Shakya of East Tenessee. Send your submissions or questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Poems
Life is a Dream
by Yao Feng
Published Jan 02, 2008
art and poetry by Rev. Yao Feng Shakya We are all flowers. When the butterfly landsWe let it.When the butterfly departsWe let it.We are a flower. Read more
Living Zen: An Introduction to Poetry for Kids
by Fa Liang
Published Oct 15, 2007
How do you feel today? What do you see around you? Do you notice anything different, new, or beautiful? Did you know that there is a way to paint a picture of the things you see and the ways you feel using words? One way to paint such a picture is... Read more
Daily presence / Daily presents
by Jonathan L., Age 13
Published Oct 09, 2007
Dew drops on sweet gumglitter like a thousand jewels;Ev'ry morning's gift. - Jonathan L., Age 13 Read more
Recess time
by Josh L., Age 8
Published Oct 09, 2007
When I climb a tree,I enter the squirrel's playground.He invites me in. Read more
What's out there?
by Andrew L., Age 8
Published Oct 09, 2007
If I sat outside,I would hear birds singing orleaves falling from trees. Read more
Essays and Book Reviews
Book Review: Zen Ties by Jon J. Muth
by Fa Liang
Published Jan 12, 2009
In his new book "Zen Ties", author and illustrator Jon J. Muth invites us to join Michael, Addy and Karl as they meet Stillwater the panda once again. This time it’s summer and Stillwater is expecting company. Stillwater’s nephew Koo comes for a visit and Stillwater’s greeting, “Hi, Koo!” should give... Read more
Book Review: Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth
by Fa Liang
Published Oct 19, 2007
"MICHAEL! There's a bear outside!" said Karl."A what?" called Michael."A bear. He's really big. And he's in the backyard.""What's he doing?" Michael asked."He's sitting." If you ever wished you had a gentle yet fun way to introduce your family to Zen, look no further than a beautiful children's book: Jon J.... Read more
Stories
The Story of the Wave
by Fa Liang
Published Feb 17, 2008
Artwork by Andrew Lively Once upon a time, there was a little wave. The wave loved being a wave going up and down and playing all day and night. The wave was surrounded by lots of other waves and it had fun watching them, too. Then one day, the little wave noticed... Read more
Bruno Dreams Ice Cream
by Zentails
Published Jan 20, 2008
Zen Tails: Bruno Dreams Ice Cream 1.81 MB Read more
Activities
The Awareness Game (Ideas for parents of young children)
by Fa Liang
Published Oct 17, 2007
Recently I took my boys outside for a walk. I told them that we'd be talking only about the things we saw, heard, felt, or experienced RIGHT THEN. We wouldn't be talking about other things, only about what was happening right in that moment. At first it was kind of... Read more