Gompa

2024 Dharma Movie Series: As part of our Spiritual Program, Elise Strevel, Outreach Coordinator and Buddhism in a Nutshell instructor,
is hosting dharma-related movies introducing Buddhist teachers and their work to our Kadampa community of students. She will be
providing a brief intro to each showing and lead an educational discussion afterward.

Creating a Dharma Will with Venerable Khando

Saturday April 13th, 9:30am - 12:30pm

Most of us who have studied Buddhist teachings for any length of time have heard a great deal about death. It can be summed up in the simple statement: I'm going to die, that's for sure. As we go through our days doing our best to have a peaceful and content mind, we are both living well and preparing for death. When death arrives, the most important thing is to have a peaceful mind, and how we live very much influences how we die. How do we prepare for the inevitable? The prayers and practices that sustain us in our everyday lives can also sustain us at the time of death, but if illness or mental incapacity comes before death, we might no longer be able to study, pray and meditate, and do the practices that have cultivated a peaceful mindstream. Having those practices available to us can help ease the transition from this life to the next.

Preparing for death includes preparing those around us who wish to support us - our spiritual community - to help us through the transition. A Dharma Will is a way of making clear to ourselves and others what will help us have a peaceful mind when we are sick, dying or have died. In a followup to Venerable Amy Miller's workshop on preparing for death spiritually, Venerable Khando will walk us through what we need to know about creating a Dharma Will, which lays out our wishes for support before, during and after our deaths. Kadampa Center has an online Dharma Will form that we will be using.   We encourage you to bring your own devices - phone, tablet or laptop - so you can follow along during the workshop. In this morning workshop, we will learn about the dying process and the elements of a Dharma Will, and then prepare our own documents that lay out our wishes and needs. We will have an outline that we can use as a guide to fill in our personal information. By doing this in a group, we can receive and offer support to all of us within the group.  See below for links to a variety of resources, as well as to Kadampa Center's online Dharma Will form.

HOW TO ATTEND

• In person at Kadampa Center

• Join via Zoom HERE

• Watch via livestream on YouTube HERE

RESOURCES

Recommended Books

The Joy of Living and Dying in Peace. His Holiness The Dalai Lama. 1997

The Following are by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

• Advice and Practices for Death and Dying for the Benefit of Self and Others. 2003

• Practicing the Five Powers Near the Time of Death. 2006, 2022

• Heart Practices for Death and Dying. 2008

• Heart Advice for Death and Dying 2008

• How to Enjoy Death: Preparing to Meet Life's Final Challenge without Fear. 2017

• How to Face Death without Fear: Preparing to meet Life’s Final Challenge. 2016, 2020

Books by Other Authors

• Dying with Confidence: A Tibetan Buddhist Guide to Preparing for Death. Ayden Rinpoche. 2010.

• Graceful Exits: How Great Beings Die (Death stories of Hindu, Tibetan Buddhist, and Zen Masters. Sushila Blackman. 2005

Dharma Will

Kadampa Center Dharma Will Venerable Khando will review how to fill out this online Dharma Will form.  Your responses will be stored where our sangha and spiritual program coordinators can access it, and will also be emailed to you automatically so you can print it and have it easily available. 

Website links

Amitabha Hospice Service  (Located in New Zealand) This site provides helpful resources on how to talk about death, the needs of the dying, how to listen, a Buddhist death, and more.

Transitions Life Care  (Located in Raleigh)  Information about palliative care, hospice care, support for caregivers and more. 

The Death Process YouTube video with Khandro Kunzang

Advance Care Planning Resources:

Being Mortal video

The Conversation Project

Five Wishes Form

Go WIsh cards

Go Wish cards alternate link

How to Select Your Health Care Proxy

North Carolina Living Will form

North Carolina Health Care Power of Attorney

Venerable Thubten Chodron website This link opens to a list of audio recordings on death and dying by both Venerable Chodron and Venrable Sangye Khadro

Resources to Download

Click here to access a list of files you can download

Learn the definition of “tantra,” how it works, and why it is a powerful form of practice. Get a broad overview of the four classes of tantra and learn how to practice simple tantric methods. Find out how to integrate the practices of tantra with lamrim meditation for optimal results.

STEPS TO PARTICIPATE in DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

1.  Click HERE to enroll in Kadampa Center's 2023-2024 Discovering Buddhism course. (enrollment is closed)

2.  Join class in person at Kadampa Center or online via Zoom or YouTube live stream.

3.  Upon enrolling, you will automatically receive a confirmation email.  Please read through the confirmation email in its entirity as it contains important information about the course and how to attend.

HOW TO SUPPORT DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

Attending online or in person??  Please consider making a donation to Kadampa Center to enable us to keep Dharma classes like Discovering Buddhism possible.  Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated ~ thank you!

DONATE HERE

Introduction to Tantra is part of a two-year series of classes called Discovering Buddhism (DB).  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 (FPMT.org), and is taught at Kadampa Center by senior lay students with many years of study and practice. Students who take the course together tend to develop great friendships with their Dharma buddies!

The instructor for DB Module 13 is Don Brown.

Discovering Buddhism, Module 12: Wisdom of Emptiness

STEPS TO PARTICIPATE in DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

1.  Click HERE to enroll in Kadampa Center's 2023-2024 Discovering Buddhism course. (enrollment is closed)

2.  Join class online via Zoom or YouTube live stream.

3.  Upon enrolling, you will automatically receive a confirmation email.  Please read through the confirmation email in its entirity as it contains important information about the course and how to attend.

HOW TO SUPPORT DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

Attending online or in person??  Please consider making a donation to Kadampa Center to enable us to keep Dharma classes like Discovering Buddhism possible.  Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated ~ thank you!

DONATE HERE

Wisdom of Emptiness is part of a two-year series of classes called Discovering Buddhism (DB).  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 (FPMT.org), and is taught at Kadampa Center by senior lay students with many years of study and practice. Students who take the course together tend to develop great friendships with their Dharma buddies!

The instructor for DB Module 12 is Hemant Pandya.

Discovering Buddhism, Module 11: Transforming Problems

Consider well the disadvantages of self-cherishing, or a selfish attitude, and the advantages of cherishing others more than yourself. Get inspired to practice caring more and more for others. Learn how to employ the special techniques of mind training, or lojong, as a means to transform problems into happiness and learn how to like problems and use them in the path to enlightenment. DB Module 11: Transforming Problems 7:00 - 8:30 pm Monday evenings August 12 - September 16, 2024 (no class Labor Day, Sept 2)

STEPS TO PARTICIPATE in DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

1.  Click HERE to enroll in Kadampa Center's 2023-2024 Discovering Buddhism course. (enrollment is closed)

2.  Join class in person at Kadampa Center or online via Zoom or YouTube live stream.

3.  Upon enrolling, you will automatically receive a confirmation email.  Please read through the confirmation email in its entirity as it contains important information about the course and how to attend.

HOW TO SUPPORT DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

Attending online or in person??  Please consider making a donation to Kadampa Center to enable us to keep Dharma classes like Discovering Buddhism possible.  Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated ~ thank you!

DONATE HERE

Transforming Problems is part of a two-year series of classes called Discovering Buddhism (DB).  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 (FPMT.org), and is taught at Kadampa Center by senior lay students with many years of study and practice. Students who take the course together tend to develop great friendships with their Dharma buddies!

The instructor for DB Module 09 is Robbie Watkins.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Discovering Buddhism, Module 10, ends on Monday July 8th

Discovering Buddhism, Module 10: How to Develop Bodhichitta Discover the clear meditation instructions available in Tibetan Buddhism that enable you to develop your innate qualities of loving kindness and compassion. Become skilled in applying these techniques to generate bodhichitta, the wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of others, which is the very heart of Buddha's teachings. 7:00 - 8:30 pm on Monday evenings, June 3 - July 8, 2024 Enroll in the course HERE (enrollment is closed) NOTE: Don Brown, the instructor for this module, would like students to read Bodhichitta: Practice for a Meaningful Life, by Lama Zopa Rinpoche prior to class, if possible.

STEPS TO PARTICIPATE in DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

1.  Click HERE to enroll in Kadampa Center's 2023-2024 Discovering Buddhism course. (enrollment is closed)

2.  Join class in person at Kadampa Center or online via Zoom or YouTube live stream.

3.  Upon enrolling, you will automatically receive a confirmation email.  Please read through the confirmation email in its entirity as it contains important information about the course and how to attend.

HOW TO SUPPORT DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

Attending online or in person??  Please consider making a donation to Kadampa Center to enable us to keep Dharma classes like Discovering Buddhism possible.  Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated ~ thank you!

DONATE HERE

How to Develop Bodhichitta is part of a two-year series of classes called Discovering Buddhism (DB).  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 (FPMT.org), and is taught at Kadampa Center by senior lay students with many years of study and practice. Students who take the course together tend to develop great friendships with their Dharma buddies!

The instructor for DB Module 10 is Don Brown.

Discovering Buddhism, Module 09: Samsara & Nirvana

Investigate what samsara is and how we are stuck in it. Find out what nirvana is and how to achieve it.  Learn how to be free from suffering and empower yourself with practical tools to deal with and eliminate disturbing emotions forever. DB Module 09: Samsara and Nirvana Monday evenings in person and online April 22 - May 20, 2024, from 7 - 8:30 pm

STEPS TO PARTICIPATE in DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

1.  Click HERE to enroll in Kadampa Center's 2023-2024 Discovering Buddhism course. (enrollment is closed)

2.  Join class in person at Kadampa Center or online via Zoom or YouTube live stream.

3.  Upon enrolling, you will automatically receive a confirmation email.  Please read through the confirmation email in its entirity as it contains important information about the course and how to attend.

HOW TO SUPPORT DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

Attending online or in person??  Please consider making a donation to Kadampa Center to enable us to keep Dharma classes like Discovering Buddhism possible.  Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated ~ thank you!

DONATE HERE

Samsara and Nirvana is part of a two-year series of classes called Discovering Buddhism (DB).  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 (FPMT.org), and is taught at Kadampa Center by senior lay students with many years of study and practice. Students who take the course together tend to develop great friendships with their Dharma buddies!

The instructor for DB Module 09 is Robbie Watkins.

Join author Stephanie Clare Smith - our own Steep - for a reading, signing and discussion of her recently published memoir, a beautifully written, hopeful account of one traumatic summer in her youth, and how it echoed down through her life.  Sunday, March 17, 12:30 pm (after the teachings) In Person Only. All are welcome!

From Kirkus Reviews: This stunningly lyrical memoir is a profoundly insightful glimpse into the complex and frightening consequences of parental neglect. As Smith’s voice naturally evolves from alienated to intensely present, the impressively concise narrative alternates between ethereal observations about everything from space to spiders and gut punches of pain, shame, revelation, and redemption.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase directly from the author at the event. The book cannot be purchased through Kadampa Center.

Registration to purchase the book is closed. Please attend the discussion, where there will be a few extra copies available. 

The price is $20, payable in cash only. Sorry, we cannot make change. Book purchases are directly from the author; they cannot be purchased through Kadampa Center.

Thank you!

H. E. Ling Rinpoche confers Medicine Buddha Empowerment Wednesday May 8, 2024 2:30 - 4:00 pm (may run later) offered in person only

ABOUT THE EMPOWERMENT

His Eminence advises that to attend the Medicine Buddha empowerment, students need to be Buddhists (eg: they should have faith in the Three Jewels) and have faith in the teachings and the deity (Medicine Buddha).  This means that there is no requirement to have previously taken Refuge.  It's more a matter of whether there is faith in the Three Jewels in one's heart.  Therefore no formal Refuge or Bodhisattva vows are required prior to attending the empowerment. H.E. Ling Rinpoche will bestow the Bodhisattva vows in advance of the empowerment. The Medicine Buddha empowerment cannot be attended as a "blessing", and there will be no practice commitments.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ:  No registration, ticket, or entry fee required - everyone is welcome!  However, please see His Eminence's guidelines about taking the empowerment in the paragraph above.  Also note that the empowerment may run later than the 4pm posted end time, therefore, please plan accordingly and allow for some flexibility.

VOLUNTEER! OFFER YOUR SERVICE TO THIS AMAZING TEACHER

Service to the teacher creates great merit and forges a karmic bond between you and the teacher. There are many opportuniites at every level of experience. 

Sign up to volunteer for H.E. Ling Rinpoche's visit here. 

HOW TO SUPPORT THE EMPOWERMENT

Sponsoring empowerments and teachings is a practice of the highest form of generosity -- giving the Dharma, 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 never an obstacle for anyone to hear precious Dharma teachings and participate in Dharma practices.  Kadampa Center relies 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 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.  Please dedicate your sponsorship HERE!

If you are unable to sponsor, and would still like to support the teaching and empowerment being offered by His Eminence, we happily welcome all heartfet donations in any amount ~ thank you for giving!

Click on a link below to select a SPONSORSHIP LEVEL or to make a DONATION ~ thank you!

$500 - Enlightened Activity Sponsorship Level

$400 - Sponsor the Medicine Buddha Empowerment 

$300 - Sponsor the Teaching on The Foundation of All Good Qualities

$200 - Sponsor the Travel, Care and Support of His Eminence and Attendants

$151 - Sponsor the Altar, Flowers, and Spiritual Materials

$$ your choice - Donation of any heartfelt amount

> > >  Don't forget to submit your DEDICATION HERE!  < < <

DISCOVER MORE HERE

• About HE Ling Rinpoche

• Details of his USA tour

• HE Ling Rinpoche's Official Website

• Facebook page

• Instagram

• YouTube

	Kadampa Center's resident teacher, Geshe Sangpo, met with His Eminence in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India in December 2023, to request him to teach at Kadampa Center.

H.E. Ling Rinpoche teaches on The Foundation of All Good Qualities Wednesday May 8, 2024 10:00 am - 12:00 pm offered in person and on Zoom The Foundation of All Good Qualities is a concise, quintessential prayer by Lama Tsongkhapa that teaches the entire graduated path to enlightenment.  During his one-day visit to Kadampa Center, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche will offer a teaching on this beautiful lamrim prayer.  Join us for this incredible opportunity!

HOW TO ATTEND THE TEACHING

• Join us in person at Kadampa Center. There is no registration, no required ticket, no entry fee - everyone is welcome! 

• Join via Zoom ~ please REGISTER HERE for Zoom. (YouTube live stream will NOT be available for this teaching)

Please note: H.E. Ling Rinpoche requests those attending his teachings on Zooom establish a proper motivation and participate in the teachings as if in person, without engaging in other activities during the sessions.

VOLUNTEER! OFFER YOUR SERVICE TO THIS AMAZING TEACHER!

Service to the teacher creates great merit and forges a karmic bond between you and the teacher. There are many opportunities for every level of experience. 

Sign up to volunteer for H.E. Ling Rinpoche's visit here.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE TEACHING

Sponsoring empowerments and teachings is a practice of the highest form of generosity -- giving the Dharma, 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 never an obstacle for anyone to hear precious Dharma teachings and participate in Dharma practices.  Kadampa Center relies 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 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.  Please dedicate your sponsorship HERE!

If you are unable to sponsor, and would still like to support the teaching and empowerment being offered by His Eminence, we happily welcome all heartfet donations in any amount ~ thank you for giving!

Click on a link below to select a SPONSORSHIP LEVEL or to make a DONATION ~ thank you!

$500 - Enlightened Activity Sponsorship Level

$400 - Sponsor the Medicine Buddha Empowerment 

$300 - Sponsor the Teaching on The Foundation of All Good Qualities

$200 - Sponsor the Travel, Care and Support of His Eminence and Attendants

$151 - Sponsor the Altar, Flowers, and Spiritual Materials

$$ your choice - Donation of any heartfelt amount

> > >  Don't forget to submit your DEDICATION HERE!  < < <

DISCOVER MORE HERE

• About HE Ling Rinpoche

• Details of his USA tour

• HE Ling Rinpoche's Official Website

• Facebook page

• Instagram

• YouTube

	Kadampa Center's resident teacher, Geshe Sangpo, met with His Eminence in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India in December 2023, to request him to teach at Kadampa Center.