Gompa

Tara is a female Buddha whose qualities include enlightened action and swiftly removing obstacles (Tara's 21 aspects are represented in statues on our altar). Geshe Gelek translated this special practice for us, The Practice of Tara that Fulfills All Wishes, and assures us that this will greatly benefit not just our center and community, but have the best benefit of helping all sentient beings. His teacher, (the Abbot of Sera Je Monastery) Khen Rinpoche Lobsang Delek, also said when he visited in 2011 that we have a special connection to Tara, so doing her practice is incredibly beneficial for our community, harmony working together, and the success of Kadampa Center.

This practice is for all levels of students and is done in English. It begins at 6:00pm with the group setting up an altar of extensive waterbowl and sense offerings. Once that's finished, we say prayers that include the Praises to the 21 Taras, mantras, and the opportunity to do prostrations if desired.

Traditionally the offerings for the sangha and altar are sponsored by Dharma students, especially if they want to dedicate the merit to their loved ones in need of support and prayers. Sponsorship of Tara practice is $150.

Please click here to sponsor Tara practice.

If you'd like to know more about sponsoring a puja, please contact pujas@kadampa-center.org for instructions about making the donation and sending your personal dedication.

Lama Tsongkhapa is the founder of our lineage, the Gelugpa tradition, in Tibetan Buddhism. He was a renowned scholar, practitioner, meditator, teacher and author.

Among his major accomplishments is writing the Lamrim, or the Great Treatise on the Path to Enlightenment, a step-by-step guide to the spiritual practices that lead to enlightenment. He also revitalized the monastic code in Tibet, established the annual Great Prayer Festival, established Ganden Monastery, the first of the great monasteries in the Gelugpa tradition, and wrote 18 volumes of teachings.

At Kadampa Center, we will celebrate the day with a few events.

At 12 pm we will have Guru Puja.

In Guru Puja, we reflect on and celebrate the good qualities of all our teachers -- and Lama Tsongkhapa is such an important lineage teacher for us! This
beautiful practice includes many stanzas meditating on key points of the lamrim.

Following the puja, we will recite selections from the Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga.

The Center will be open from 9 am to 5 pm for those who wish to do personal practices.

Start your new year with a squeaky clean slate!

The Vajrasattva purification practice is a powerful means to purify negative karma, using the four opponent powers -- refuge, regret, remedy and resolve.

Robbie Watkins will lead us in the practice.

There will be no Children's Program today.

Happy New Year!

The lamrim prayer in the Guru Puja contains all the profound, vital points of the complete path of sutra and tantra.  -- Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Geshe Gelek's teaching on the Guru Puja now covers the lamrim verses, covering all the major points of the path to enlightenment. 

Lama Atisha organized all of the Buddha's teachings into a step-by-step guide how to become enlightened in a short text called "Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment." Lama Tsongkhapa (the founder of our Gelugpa lineage) wrote a detailed explanation of Lama Atisha's text to help students understand and practice the instructions called The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lamrim Chenmo). This lamrim foundation is the basis of all practice in our lineage, including tantra.

Students who were studying Lamrim with Geshe-la before the Guru Puja class began may wish to join this class for the lamrim section.

Paul Lochner, beloved member of the Kadampa Center, passed away Sunday morning, December 4, 2016.

We will hold a Medicine Buddha Puja for his benefit at noon, Saturday, December 17, followed by an opportunity to share memories.

Medicine Buddha puja is particularly beneficial for mental and physical healing and world peace.

This puja is especially beneficial for those who have recently passed away.

The nuns will recite a Medicine Buddha Sadhana for Ven. Drolkar, who is having surgery that day. It should last about one hour.

Interfaith Prayer Service sponsored by Triangle Interfaith Alliance. Theme is: Unity in Diversity. All are welcome.

Kadampa Center will be closed for the Christmas holiday.

Our Sunday morning teachings are a vibrant, interactive experience where we explore applying the methods of Buddhism to the nitty-gritty of daily life. We discuss the complications that make us unhappy, and how the tools of Buddhism sheds new light on our thoughts and emotions. In this process we discover how to steer our minds toward happiness.
This Sunday will be led by Discovering Buddhism teacher Shankha Mitra.

Sunday mornings typically begin with prayers, a brief meditation, and the rare opportunity to learn from a highly trained Buddhist monk. When Geshe Gelek and Geshe Sangpo are away, one of several senior students will lead the session. The teachings and prayers are in English.

Sunday is a great time for a first visit to Kadampa Center – students at every level come, from newcomers to practitioners with 30+ years of experience, and it's a great opportunity to meet others and start making new friends.

We offer a full range of children's programs on Sundays. Children are invited to sit on the blue cushions at the front of the gompa, and then depart to their classes after opening prayers. Any child who wishes to is welcome to remain in the gompa for the teachings.

On many Sundays, we also host other events, such as the Newcomer Orientation, New Member Orientation, pujas, and more. Special events for holy days, special practices, or exhibits and visiting teachers are also occasionally held on Sundays, so for all these events please check the calendar for more information and specific times.