Guru Puja is a practice consisting of making offerings to and requesting inspiration from the Spiritual Master. Spiritual vows and commitments which might have degenerated are also restored through the practice of tsog offering (feast offering). In this practice, we unite our minds with the holy mind of the Spiritual Master, who is considered the root and life-force of the spiritual path in order to receive blessings and generate realizations on the path to enlightenment.
We need merit, or positive energy, for our enlightened potential to grow and become perfect and one of the best ways to do that is to make beautiful offering and prayers to the Three Jewels and to our Spiritual Teachers. This is what happens in the Guru Puja. A special type of offering called tsog is made. Here we offer platefuls of fruits and biscuits, which are distributed afterwards to the participants. The tsog can be eaten by oneself or shared with friends who have faith in the Three Jewels, but should not be given to animals or thrown in a dirty place.
Written by Ven. Sangye Khadro
This event will be held at:
Kadampa Center
Location at Kadampa Center:
Gompa
Repeats every week until Wed Oct 31 2012 except Tue Oct 09 2012, Tue Oct 16 2012.
3:00 pm Wednesday, September 26, 2012
This incredibly precious opportunity for teachings by Geshe Gelek on the The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lamrim Chenmo) means learning in-depth the step-by-step to enlightenment. The Lamrim Chenmo was written by Lama Tsong Khapa, the founder of our (Gelugpa) lineage and the foundation of all our practices, including tantra. This class is open to all students, but be sure to prepare by reading the first volume of the Lamrim Chenmo, available in Kadampa Center's bookstore (proceeds benefitting the stupa project) or many online book sellers.
There will be a student discussion and meditation group on Mondays at 7:00pm (starting Sept. 24th) in the classroom building as a way to deepen understanding of the teachings. Students should be attending Geshe-la's class or listening to the recordings. Since the discussion is with peer facilitators rather than a teacher, it is recommended only for students who have completed Discovering Buddhism and so can build on that foundation.
This event will be held at:
Kadampa Center
Location at Kadampa Center:
Gompa
Repeats every week until Tue Oct 30 2012.
3:00 pm Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Meditation 101 is an introductory course on basic Buddhist meditation techniques for complete beginners. It teaches basic Buddhist meditations that can be used by anyone to create more peace and happiness in daily life. David Machles will be leading this session. In keeping with our tradition, the class is offered on a donation basis and no pre-registration is needed. This course will be led by Venerable Lhamo.
The basic Buddhist meditation techniques covered include: What is meditation? Breathing meditations Mindfulness meditations Visualization meditations
This event will be held at:
Kadampa Center
Location at Kadampa Center:
Gompa
10:00 am Sunday, October 21, 2012
Part 3 of our Weekend Workshop with Karuna Cayton
This weekend workshop has useful tools for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. We each have the potential to transform our suffering into happiness, to free ourselves from the prison of our problems. As practiced in Buddhism for more than 2,500 years, the process involves working with, rather than against, our depression, anxiety, and compulsions. We do this by recognizing the habitual ways our minds perceive and react — the way the mind misleads.
Author and psychotherapist Karuna Cayton presents the essence of Buddhist teachings about the nature of mind so that anyone can use them. The practical exercises and inspiring real-world examples he provides show how one can neutralize suffering and step onto the path of a radically liberating self-understanding. The workshop is based on his book of the same name, which is an excellent source for more information about these techniques.
“Much of Buddhist thought encourages us to embrace our problems like old friends. It even encourages us to seek out our problems as a way to train our minds and to break free from the control of our disturbing (but sometimes unseen) emotions. Great practitioners like the Dalai Lama even claim to enjoy problems because, like our best friends, problems honestly and accurately reflect ourselves back to us. There is no clearer measure of our interior health than the nature of our problems.”
~ Karuna Cayton
Location at Kadampa Center:
Gompa
5:30 am Saturday, October 20, 2012
Part 2 of our Weekend Workshop with Karuna Cayton
This weekend workshop has useful tools for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. We each have the potential to transform our suffering into happiness, to free ourselves from the prison of our problems. As practiced in Buddhism for more than 2,500 years, the process involves working with, rather than against, our depression, anxiety, and compulsions. We do this by recognizing the habitual ways our minds perceive and react — the way the mind misleads.
Author and psychotherapist Karuna Cayton presents the essence of Buddhist teachings about the nature of mind so that anyone can use them. The practical exercises and inspiring real-world examples he provides show how one can neutralize suffering and step onto the path of a radically liberating self-understanding. The workshop is based on his book of the same name, which is an excellent source for more information about these techniques.
“Much of Buddhist thought encourages us to embrace our problems like old friends. It even encourages us to seek out our problems as a way to train our minds and to break free from the control of our disturbing (but sometimes unseen) emotions. Great practitioners like the Dalai Lama even claim to enjoy problems because, like our best friends, problems honestly and accurately reflect ourselves back to us. There is no clearer measure of our interior health than the nature of our problems.”
~ Karuna Cayton
Location at Kadampa Center:
Gompa
3:00 pm Friday, October 19, 2012
Part 1 of our Weekend Workshop with Karuna Cayton
This weekend workshop has useful tools for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. We each have the potential to transform our suffering into happiness, to free ourselves from the prison of our problems. As practiced in Buddhism for more than 2,500 years, the process involves working with, rather than against, our depression, anxiety, and compulsions. We do this by recognizing the habitual ways our minds perceive and react — the way the mind misleads.
Author and psychotherapist Karuna Cayton presents the essence of Buddhist teachings about the nature of mind so that anyone can use them. The practical exercises and inspiring real-world examples he provides show how one can neutralize suffering and step onto the path of a radically liberating self-understanding. The workshop is based on his book of the same name, which is an excellent source for more information about these techniques.
“Much of Buddhist thought encourages us to embrace our problems like old friends. It even encourages us to seek out our problems as a way to train our minds and to break free from the control of our disturbing (but sometimes unseen) emotions. Great practitioners like the Dalai Lama even claim to enjoy problems because, like our best friends, problems honestly and accurately reflect ourselves back to us. There is no clearer measure of our interior health than the nature of our problems.”
~ Karuna Cayton
Location at Kadampa Center:
Gompa
Repeats every week until Mon Oct 29 2012.
3:00 pm Monday, September 24, 2012
Examine the mind and how it creates happiness and suffering. Learn the Buddhist definition of mind, and how to transform destructive thoughts and attitudes to create a positive and joyous mind! With Robbie Watkins
This event will be held at:
Kadampa Center
Location at Kadampa Center:
Gompa
Repeats every week every Sunday until Sat Mar 23 2013 except Sun Feb 10 2013, Sun Feb 17 2013.
10:30 am Sunday, August 26, 2012
On Sundays from 10:30 - 11:45am our resident teacher, Geshe Gelek Chodha, leads the Sunday morning program. It is appropriate for visitors and students of all levels of study and interest in Buddhism. The session includes a brief meditation, prayers, and the rare opportunity to learn from a highly trained Tibetan Buddhist monk. When Geshe-la is away, several senior students typically lead these sessions. If you are unsure when to visit the center for the first time, Sunday is a great time to start. The teachings and prayers are offered in English.
Families are always welcome. Children are invited to sit at the front of the gompa on the blue cushions at the beginning of the Sunday Program, and then can join in our very active Children and Youth Program.
Special events are occasionally held on Sundays, so please check the calendar for more specific topics and information.
Location at Kadampa Center:
Gompa
Repeats every week every Sunday until Sun Mar 24 2013 except Sun Nov 25 2012, Sun Feb 17 2013, Sun Mar 31 2013.
9:00 am Sunday, August 26, 2012
Meditation is basic to Buddhist spiritual practice. One's suffering and one's happiness is dependent upon one's mind. To ensure for ourselves the happiness that we so ardently desire, it is essential that we begin each day with a peaceful and calm mind. The silent meditation includes 20 minutes of sitting meditation followed by 10 minutes of walking meditation (optional) and another 20 minutes of sitting meditation. Participants should arrive no later than 9:00. Each and every one is invited to come. You will find it to be a wonderful and relaxing way, not only to begin your day, but also your week. All are welcome regardless of one's level of practice.
Location at Kadampa Center:
Gompa
Repeats every week every Thursday 5 times.
3:00 pm Thursday, August 30, 2012
Course Leader: Barb Baranski
In five short classes, we introduce you to the major terms and concepts of Buddhism - a fast tour of the basics to enable you to take the next steps if you want more. There is no required reading, no homework and no quizzing! Topics covered include the Four Noble Truths, different kinds of Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana, etc.), Buddha's teachings in a gradual form for the practice of one individual, and a brief introduction to meditation. In keeping with our tradition, these classes are offered on a donation basis. No pre-registration is needed.
