On August 9 and 16, Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel, NY, will host a family meditation session as part of its regular Sunday morning meditation and dharma talk program. The session, held from 9 to 10 a.m. in Kuan Yin (Meditation) Hall, is for children ages 5 and up with a parent or guardian, and will include Buddhist stories and tales.

In the Buddhist tradition, people are encouraged to create a harmonious community, and home is the smallest community in society. Practicing meditation brings peace and harmony into the home, which is a precious lifetime gift to children.

Beeta Koswatta will be the guest instructor for the program. She was a physics teacher for 35 years in Sri Lanka and holds diplomas in education, Buddhist studies and psychological counseling, including Buddhist insights. She has been practicing meditation for more than 25 years. Siyu Kostwatta, her son, will be the interpreter for the class.

Chuang Yen Monastery, located at 2020 Rte. 301, Carmel, NY, offers a morning meditation program Sundays from 9 to 11 a.m. (Check ahead at BAUS.org to ensure that the program will be held on a particular Sunday.) Attendance is free, though donations to the monastery are welcome. For more info, contact [email protected] or [email protected].