Gompa

Kadampa Center will open at 5 am; the Eight Mahayana Precepts will begin at 5:15 am. 5:15 am  The Eight Mahayana Precepts,  a set of eight vows taken for a period of 24 hours, from sunrise on one day to sunrise the following day. The vows include no killing, stealing, sexual activity, lying, sitting on high seats, and more.

The first time you take these precepts, it must be from a qualified master. After that, you can take them from your altar. Geshe Sangpo will offer precepts if students request it.  If you wish to take precepts for the first time, please register by Thursday, June 13.

So sorry, registration is now closed.

Please register ONLY if you have not taken precepts before.

Following the precepts, we will have a light breakfast and a group reading of a sutra.

The Eight Mahayana Precepts are a set of vows that are taken for 24 hours, from first light before dawn to sunrise of the following day. The only prerequisite is that the first time one takes precepts it should be from a qualified teacher who has received the oral transmission of the practice. Thereafter you can perform the ceremony at first light yourself, reciting the prayers before an image of your teacher or the Buddha, imagining you are taking the vows from Buddha himself.

 It is good to take them on full and new moon days, and especially beneficial on Buddha Holy Days, when Karmic results are multiplied exponentionally, according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, citing the Vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic.
 

These Mahayana Precepts enable you to live in the essence of pure moral conduct, and since you take them with the strong motivation of cherishing and wishing to benefit all others, their value is immeasurable. Taking these precepts is a powerful and effective way for you to build, maintain and increase deep propensities for spiritual practice and attainment and thus is a profound method for giving meaning to this precious human life.
 

The essence of this practice is to recall the Mahayana motivation; to take these precepts in order to become enlightened in order to lead all sentient beings to enlightenment.
 

The eight precepts are:
 

1.    Not to kill, even insects.
2.    Not to steal (Not to take what is not offered).
3.    Not to engage in sexual contact.
4.    Not to lie.
5.    Not use intoxicants: alcohol, tobacco and drugs (except for medicinal purposes).
6.    Not to eat at wrong times.*
7.    Not to sit on high, expensive beds or seats with pride. Avoid sitting on animal skins.
8.    Not to wear jewelry, perfume, or makeup; and not to sing, dance, or play music with attachment.
 

*It is alright to eat a light breakfast before or after the precepts. Avoid eating black foods: meat, eggs, onions, garlic, and radishes. The main meal of the day is to be finished by midday. After that one can take light drinks, but not undiluted whole milk or fruit juice with pulp, nor any food until sunrise of the following day.
 

You may read more about the precepts here.

Sponsor Holy Day Activities $108

On this Memorial Day weekend, Venerable Khando will lead a discussion and appreciation of those who offer service to our country.

Donna will be out of town June 5-7, 2019.

During Geshe Gelek's absence, he advised us to take a break and also continue to explore the four point analysis of the self. 

We will meet for one hour every second Wednesday (instead of weekly) to discuss and debate our understanding of the material.

Before each session, we will read a few pages from Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand at home (see schedule below).  This is a loose schedule - if we end a session feeling that there's more to discuss, we'll pick it up again the next time we meet.

Schedule of readings

May 15:  Blue book, page 626, Tan book, page 683  Day 22, Section 417 The First Key Point: What is to be refuted, 2 pages, ending at the paragraph that begins "In general there are three ways..." 

May 29 :  Day 22, Section 417  The First Key Point.  Blue book page 626 to 632, Tan book, page 683 to page 60.

In the Death and Rebirth module, explore the process of death and rebirth and its impact on how we live our lives. Learn to fulfill your purpose in life, resolve conflicts, and develop the skills to help yourself and others at death. find out what it means to take refuge in the Three Jewels and the essential practices of refuge. Learn about the advantage of taking lay vows and their role in enhancing our spiritual growth.Get an overview of the entire Tibetan Buddhist path to awakening. Study the life story of the Buddha and discover a unique system for putting Buddhist philosophy into practice – the lam-rim, or "graduated path to enlightenment."

The first two sessions of Death and Rebirth, November 4 and 11, will be taught by Venerable George Churinoff, who is visiting Kadampa Center for two weeks to give teachings.

The last three sessions will be led by Stephanie Smith.

Death and Rebirth is part of a two-year series of classes called Discovering Buddhism. In this course we explore 13 essential topics in Buddhism, from Meditation to Karma to Death and Rebirth, with much, much more! This is an excellent course of study for those who have the very basics and wish to start going a little deeper into Buddhist philosophy.

Registration requested. Click here to register.

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.

Investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of teacher and student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit.

Relating to the Spiritual Teacher is part of a two-year series of classes called Discovering Buddhism. In this course we explore 13 essential topics in Buddhism, from Meditation to Karma to Death and Rebirth, with much, much more! This is an excellent course of study for those who have the very basics and wish to start going a little deeper into Buddhist philosophy.

DB was developed by our affiliate organization, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, and is taught at Kadampa Center by senior lay students with many years of study and practice. 

Registration requested. Click here to register.

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.

This class is led by Robbie Watkins

Important Things to Know about Family Camp Before You Register:

 

 

Where: Camp Agape, Fuquay Varina

When: Aug 23 - 25

Fri, 4:00 - 5:00 pm to Sun, 1:00 - 2:30 pm

 

"A good parenting plan comes from having a healthy, positive motivation for bringing up your children...based on 

a good heart rather than on attachment."

~ Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Joyful Parents, Successful Children  
 

       

 

Please Register by July 23, registration is based on first come first serve basis until we reach capacity.

• This year’s theme is 'Seeking Wisdom with Joyful Effort' -- one of the Six Perfections. With Geshe Gelek and Geshe Sangpo's advice, we continue with our third year studying the Six Perfections and go a step more diligently persevering wisdom! Learn antidotes to laziness and reconnect with the intention and goals of your Dharma practice. Become familiar with teachings and and practice Manjushri's mantra together with us as we cut through ignorance and create the causes for wisdom to blossom. Along with the practice and mantra of compassion, we'll be unstoppable Bodhisattva's in the making! 
• Kadampa Center is pleased to offer financial aid in the form of partial scholarships. Those who sincerely need financial assistance are encouraged to complete this application.
• Family Camp is a special kind of experience, bringing parents and children together to learn about the teachings of the Buddha, sharing in the rituals of the Tibetan tradition, getting to know other Buddhist families and Sangha, and having a place to talk freely about putting the dharma into practice in family life. Whether you are a long time practitioner or new to the Dharma, Family Camp can be an a rich way to experience Buddhist philosophy and values together and energize each of our individual efforts to foster these practices in our daily lives. 
• Camp programming will be designed for children ages newborn-12 with some concurrent meditation/discussion sessions for parents, teen counselors (age 13-18) and college counselors.  There will be opportunities for the whole group to be together and times for solitude, as well. Children will be divided into approximately three age ranges and will be invited to explore Camp theme through structured and semi-structured activities such as, meditations, art, drama, and nature sessions. 
• Camp will be held at a nearby retreat/camp facility called Camp Agape in Fuquay-Varina. Camp Agape is a Christian organization and also welcomes other groups to their facility. If you look at their website, please be aware that we will not utilize some of the amenities there, due to cost constraints.
• Teen counselors will be required to have a parent in attendance. We welcome teens to serve as jr. counselors and mentors for younger campers. Teens must attend a training in the weeks just before Camp. Special Teen Exclusive sessions will punctuate the weekend in exchange for their service.
• There are no paid staff for Camp – it is entirely organized and led by volunteers. There are many ways to help – including teaching children, leading meditation, leading arts sessions or nature walks, helping with the altar, or Sangha care. We will follow up with all registered Camp families with more details about how to help. 
• Registration costs are for food, accommodations, and use of the facility and there is no charge for the spiritual programming of Camp. We rely on the generosity of our members and participants to cover costs, such as counselor stipends, art and dharma supplies, and Sangha offerings. 
• We greatly appreciate your early commitment, which enables us to meet our minimum facility requirements and focus on planning camp activities! In the event that you must cancel your reservation, we will attempt to fill your space, but refunds are not guaranteed.
• When registering, be sure to use the age of the child at the time of camp. Also, if you’d like to pay with check/cash, please email here, so we can let the office know what to expect.
• Lodging accommodations will be in semi-private rooms (think dorm style) for each family. Common space and sometimes bathrooms are shared. Camping accommodations are for tent only with hot water showers and bath houses available.
• All meals and snacks will be provided and everything served will be vegetarian. Agape will try to accommodate everybody’s special dietary needs; however, it may be necessary to bring your own food for those with severe allergies. Please indicate this on your registration form. Families will be asked nearer to date to contribute specifically toward snacks.
• Please make every effort to arrive between 4-5:00 on Friday, August 23rd. This will give you enough time to unload, park your car, and get situated in the dorm. Dinner will be served at 5:30 on Friday evening before the camp orientation. The camp schedule will be posted throughout the camp. Our activities will run late on both Friday and Saturday evenings (approx. 9:30 pm) and our mornings will begin early with breakfast beginning at 7:30 am. There is a Dorje Khadro practice, animal liberation, bonfire and talent show scheduled for the weekend. Activities will conclude with a short after lunch session on Sunday Aug 25th, with departures between 1-2:30.

Ready to start packing?  Here’s a few ideas to get you started:  

• Washcloth, towels, pillows and linens (There will be hotel-like beds/mattresses, just no linens) OR
• Tent and Sleeping Bag if you’re camping!
• Your Family Camp Prayer Book (if you came in previous years)
• Basic toiletries (There will be an extensive list of other things to bring as we near the date.
• Ear plugs – always a good idea for sleeping in a group setting!
• A kata and/or optional offering/gift.

Thank you for your kind attention in completing this registration.
We look forward to an exciting and meaningful camp experience with you!

With Folded Hands,
Christy Batts 
Family Dharma Camp Director
Any questions? email here

Registration fee is non-refundable and covers meals and use of the facility. Registration closes July 23.

REGISTRATION

Registration costs are for food, accommodations, and use of the facility and there is no charge for the spiritual programming of Camp. We rely on the generosity of our members and participants to cover costs, such as counselor stipends, art and dharma supplies, and Sangha offerings. In order to cover total costs, a donation of $10 per camper would be greatly appreciated!

SUPPORT CAMP

We are holding a t-shirt fundraiser for camp! Your purchase helps to fund a weekend of community teaching kids and families techniques of mindfulness to pursue their goals with compassion, wisdom, and joyful effort! 

On Sunday mornings we explore how the teachings of the Buddha can help us with the big and small challenges of our daily lives.

Watch Sunday Dharma with Venerable Robina

Volunteer opportunities!  Be a part of making this visit a success!  Sign up to volunteer here.

Come experience Venerable Robina's unique teaching style, which penetrates through the fog of confusion to the essence of the question at hand.

Get a taste of Venerable Robina's teaching style here.

Supporting the teachings

Supporting the teachings is an incredibly powerful and important act -- it is a practice of the highest form of generosity – giving the means to enlightenment. Kadampa Center has for many years operated within the ideal of offering teachings without charging a fee, so that money is not an obstacle for anyone to hear the precious teachings and participate in the practices. We rely on the generous hearts of those who are moved to support the spiritual offerings and keep them open to everyone regardless of ability to pay. Supporting the teachings benefits not just the Center and those who attend, but it also greatly benefits the donor, because it creates the causes to meet the teachings again in future lives, and deepens the connection with the teacher.

Kadampa Center offers two ways to support the teachings:  Sponsorships and Donations

Sponsorshipsbegin at $108.

Sponsorsreceive:

 - The opportunity to attend a private tea with the teacher at the end of the visit. We must receive the sponsorship by two days before the teacher’s visit begins to assure your place at the tea.

 - The opportunity to write a personal dedication that we will post on the gompa door for all to share.  We must receive the sponsorship and dedication by two days before the teacher’s visit begins to assure we have time to print and post your dedication.

There may be more than one sponsor for any event.

Donationsare any amount from zero to $107.99.

Donors of $50 or more receive:

 -The opportunity to write a personal dedication that we will post on the gompa door for all to share. We must receive the donation and dedication by two days before the teacher’s visit begins to assure we have time to print and post your dedication.

Supporting the teachings is a two-step process

Step One  is dedicating your generosity (click here).

Step Two  is making the donation or sponsorship (use the buttons below on this page),

Dedications may be very simple - "For my mother, Rosemary" - or they might encompass more extensive spiritual wishes, such as "May these teachings be the cause to liberate all sentient beings," or wishes for the teacher's long life, to benefit a person who is ill - any heart-felt positive intention!  You also can dedicate for more than one intention.

Use our secure online community to donate by clicking your choice below. 

To try our new Text Giving, send KC108 to 73256 and select your level from the drop down menu.

Don't forget to dedicate your generosity!

Venerable Robina Sponsorship Opportunities

Transformed Warrior (sponsor travel) ~ $350

Awakened Warrior ~ $250

Insight Warrior (teaching session) ~ $200

Compassion Warrior ~ $150

Realized Warrior (spirtual materials) ~ $108

Venerable Robina Donation Opportunities

Heart Giving ~ $Your Choice

Thank You!