Gompa

Buddhism is a rich and deep spiritual tradition that offers tools to develop kindness and compassion in our minds.  In this brief course, we explore concepts such as dharma and karma and samsara - what they mean and why they matter. With a look at the historical Buddha, his teachings, and the traditions that have come down from him, this course offers a broad overview of the key elements of Buddhism and its practice.

In five short sessions,  you'll get an introduction 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.

Topics covered include:

• The Four Noble Truths
• Different kinds of Buddhism: Theravadan, Mahayana, Vajrayana, etc.
• Buddha's teachings in a gradual form for the practice of one individual...where to start, what next, etc.
• A brief introduction to meditation

In keeping with our long-standing tradition, Kadampa Center does not charge a fee for any Dharma course. These teachings are too precious to allow money to be an obstacle for anyone to hear them!  We do, of course, have expenses to offer the course, so we happily welcome any heart-felt donations. 

Because of the pandemic, seats are limited and registration is required. 

We will require wearing a mask (except the instructor) and practice social distancing.

The course runs July 22 through August 19, 10 am - 11:30 am.

Instructor for this course is Jim Sutorus

Meditation 101 is an introductory course on basic Buddhist meditation techniques for complete beginners, and includes Buddhist meditations that can be used by anyone to create more peace and happiness in daily life. The basic Buddhist meditation techniques covered include: what is meditation? breathing meditations mindfulness meditations visualization meditations

Presented in five sessions, 10am - 11:30 am, Thursdays, June 10 through July 8.

Students are encouraged to come for the whole class, but drop-ins are welcome.

Because of the pandemic, we will require wearing a mask (except the instructor) and practice social distancing.

In keeping with Kadampa Center traditiion, we do not request a fee to attend this class -- the Dharma is too precious to let money be an obstacle to hearing teachings. We do welcome any heartfelt donations to help cover the cost of offering Meditation 101.

Instructor for this class is Andre Smith.

Refuge Recovery is an independent organization that uses our space; it is not directly affiliated with Kadampa Center or FPMT. Kadampa Center is pleased to offer space to Refuge Recovery, but cannot answer questions about the meeting. For more information, please visit www.trianglerefugerecovery.org.

Geshe Gelek ofrece una enseñanza todos los domingos por la mañana.

          con traducción simultánea al español.

Traducción disponible solo en Zoom

Únase a nuestra comunidad para recibir enseñanzas en línea diseñadas para ayudarnos a enfrentar los desafíos de la vida diaria con mentes felices y tranquilas.

¡Ofrecemos esta enseñanza a través de Zoom con traducción simultánea al español!

Para asistir por Zoom, apriete el enlace para registrarse con anticipación.

Después de registrarse, recibirá un correo electrónico de confirmación con información sobre cómo unirse a la reunión.

En la sesión de Zoom, la traducción se habilitará cuando el traductor esté presente. Para escuchar, haga clic en el ícono de "Interpretation" en la parte inferior de su pantalla para escuchar la traducción.

Geshe Gelek will offer a teaching every Sunday morning

          con traducción simultánea al español.

Join our community for online teachings tailored to help us greet the challenges of daily life with happy, peaceful minds. 

We are offering this teaching via both Zoom and online YouTube streaming!

Watch the teaching on YouTube online streaming.

To attend by Zoom, please register in advance.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Geshe Gelek ofrece una enseñanza todos los domingos por la mañana.

Únase a nuestra comunidad para recibir enseñanzas en línea diseñadas para ayudarnos a enfrentar los desafíos de la vida diaria con mentes felices y tranquilas.

¡Ofrecemos esta enseñanza a través de Zoom con traducción simultánea al español!

Para asistir por Zoom, apriete el enlace para registrarse con anticipación.

Después de registrarse, recibirá un correo electrónico de confirmación con información sobre cómo unirse a la reunión.

Saka Dawa is the month when we honor Shakyamuni Buddha's birth, enlightenment and parinirvana (passing from this life). This day, Saka Dawa Düchen, is the full-moon day of the month.  This day, and the entire month, are especially auspicious for spiritual practice  — the karmic effects of all actions are multiplied one hundred thousand times.  Because of the COVID pandemic, Kadampa Center will not hold any Saka Dawa events at the Center. We will hold a Medicine Buddha Puja online at 12 noon.

Geshe Gelek advises us to create merit by going around the stupa (or the entire Center building), reciting mantras and sutras, liberating animals, saying prayers and doing charitable works. Those who have taken precepts from a qualified master are encouraged to do so at home before your altar.

Saka Dawa is the month when we honor Shakyamuni Buddha's birth, enlightenment and parinirvana (passing from this life). This month, May 12 through June 10, is especially auspicious for spiritual practice  — the karmic effects of all actions are multiplied one hundred thousand times.  Geshe Gelek and Geshe Sangpo advise that we can create merit by going around the stupa (or the entire Center building), reciting mantras and sutras, liberating animals, saying prayers and doing charitable works. Those who have taken precepts from a qualified master are encouraged to do so at home before your altar.

One powerful practice is to take the Eight Mahayana Precepts, simple vows of morality that we take for 24 hours. These must be taken from a qualified master the first time, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche has kindly made it possible to begin doing this practice by taking the precepts online from Rinpoche himself! (Please note: this web page was created in 2020 and cites the date of the 15th day for 2020. In 2021, that date is May 26.)

May 26 is Saka Dawa Düchen, the full moon day. Kadampa Center will hold a Medicine Buddha Puja online at 12pm on this day. 

Because of the Covid pandemic, Kadampa Center will not hold any events at the center for Saka Dawa. Please remember all those suffering from the virus in your prayers. 

Specific practices recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for these special days:

• Taking the eight Mahayana precepts: Students can receive the lineage of these precepts from a specially produced video of Lama Zopa Rinpoche granting them, which was edited from Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Teachings on Thought Transformation during the Time of COVID-19 and Practice Advice at Kopan Monastery, recorded in May 2020.
• Reciting the Sutra Remembering the Three Jewels

Other recommended practices include:

• Reciting sutras, such as Vajra Cutter Sutra, Sutra of Golden Light, and Sanghata Sutra
• Reciting other prayers, such as Chanting the Names of Manjushri and King of Prayers
• Performing the Guru Shakyamuni Buddha puja
• Undertaking Nyung nes
• Performing self-initiation, for those who fulfilled the necessary prerequisites
• Performing Lama Chopa, and at either the beginning of the practice or during the lamrim section, you can meditate on emptiness
• Reciting the names of the Thirty-Five Buddhas, with prostrations
• Reciting Vajrasattva mantras
• Reciting OṂ MAṆI PADME HŪṂ with bodhichitta
• Meditating on emptiness and dependent arising
• Meditating on bodhichitta
• Practicing tonglen
• Rejoicing
• Liberating animals
• Joining in activities as your local FPMT Center

Discussion and debate are among the best tools for understanding and integrating the Dharma so that it is truly part of our minds. On these Thursday nights, we will meet in the gompa to watch teachings online from qualified teachers, and then discuss what we've heard. Upcoming session (June 10 - July 8):  Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life  - Teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi, India, March 19-21, 2010  We will divide this three-day teaching by His Holiness into five video and discussion sessions. Please register here.

Because of the pandemic, this program limited to no more than 20 people; registration is required and limited to 20 participants.

Please keep in mind that this is an in-person event - unlike online events, each registration reserves one of a limited number of seats and precludes another person attending. 

Students are required to wear masks while inside the Center.

This event will take place at the Center; there will be no online option.   This group is led by long-time member Jack Shannon.