Gompa

Thank you for your interest in this event. This event is full.

For those who did not make a reservation, we wish you could be there, and we hope to offer similar opportunities in the future.

For those who made a reservation:

• No need to print an email or "ticket." We have your name on a list.
• Come any time during your selected seating (either 5 -7 or 7-9)
• Delicious Tibetan specialties buffet
• Profits will be dedicated to Family Camp 2016**
• Email questions to familycamp@kadampa-center.org

Hosted by Geshe Gelek Choda, the Tibetan Restaurant, and the Kadampa Center's Children and Youth Program.

Tibetan Restaurant
748-A E Chatham St, Cary

Making offerings to holy beings is a powerful way to create merit, and creating merit is a powerful way to remove obstacles to spiritual progress.

On this auspicious holy day, we will make extensive offerings across the width of our altar, in preparation for saying the Shakyamuni Buddha puja in the evening.  Because this is a merit-multiplying day, the merit we collect by making offerings will be increased exponentially.  How wonderful!

Please come join in, starting at noon, to create an amazing array of offerings!

Meditation 101 is a five-week introductory course on 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.

In keeping with our tradition, no fee is required to attend the class. We do rely on donations, so any offerings are greatly appreciated!

No registraiton is required, but we recommend attending the entire course for the most benefit.

The basic Buddhist meditation techniques covered include:

• What is meditation?
• Breathing meditations
• Mindfulness meditations
• Visualization meditations

This class will be led by David Machles

Meditation is a foundational tool for 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 a.m. 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.

Food for Thought is a supportive discussion group where we learn about and practice strategies and methods of mindfulness...

1. to notice our inner and outer environments while eating in order to make the food choices we wish to make,
2. to slow down, notice interconnections and practice gratitude in order to make eating more meaningful, and
3. to use eating as a mental training ground in order to develop skills to shift our attitudes and create new habits.

The group meets one Saturday of every month at noon, and we have a genuine good time. Drop-ins are welcome. Bring something you'd like to eat during the exercises we'll do using food. Participants are also invited to bring lunch and stay at 12:45 to enjoy lunch informally together.

Note: Because of the creation of the Tara sand mandala in the gompa, we will meet today in the classroom building. Participants are welcome to view the sand mandala before and after Food for Thought meets.

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.

Our monthly Tara practice will be greatly enhanced tonight, as we will have the opportunity to practice in the presence of the Green Tara sand mandala being created in our gompa by Geshe Sangpo and Gen Norbu. The mandala represents the sacred space that is Tara's universe, and in creating the mandala we invite Tara to be present.

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.

The creation of a sand mandala is a rare and beautiful practice that requires extensive training in rituals.

From Thursday through Sunday, Geshe Sangpo and Gen Norbu will create a Green Tara mandala for happiness, peace and prosperity. Students and visitors are invited to come watch as the monks build this ritual artwork by hand. The "sand" is actually mostly colored marble ground to a powder, sometimes with other precious substances.

Tara is a female Buddha whose qualities include enlightened action and swiftly removing obstacles to our spiritual growth, happiness, health and prosperity. The sand mandala represents the sacred space that is Tara's universe, and in creating the mandala we invite Tara to be present.

At 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, there will be a very short opening ceremony (about 5 minutes).

On Sunday the 15th, after the mandala is completed, the monks will perform a Tara puja at 2 p.m. When the puja is complete,  there will be an opportunity to view the mandala up close, followed by a closing ceremony where, with a remembrance of impermanence, the sand mandala will be deconstructed and taken to a body of water to be dispersed. Some of the blessed "sand" will be available to attendees with instructions how it can be used in Buddhist practice.

Buddhism is a psychology of the mind, providing us methods to understand our emotions and how to change our bad habits and thoughts to be happy. The Sunday teachings about how to practice Dharma in daily life, led by one of our resident teachers, Geshe Gelek Chodha or Geshe Palden Sangpo,  are appropriate for visitors and students of all levels of study and interest in Buddhism. The session typically 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. The teachings and prayers are offered in English.

The creation of a sand mandala is a rare and beautiful practice that requires extensive training in rituals. Over the weekend, Tibetan monks will be creating a Green Tara sand mandala, and students and visitors are invited to come watch as the monks build this ritual artwork by hand. The "sand" is actually mostly colored marble ground to a powder, sometimes with other precious substances.

The completed mandala will be on view during theGreen Tara puja from 2:00-3:00pm. At 3:00pm, there will be a brief closing ceremony where, with a remembrance of impermanence, the sand mandala will be deconstructed. Some of the blessed "sand" will be available to attendees with instructions how it can be used in Buddhist practice.

Kadampa Center monks will perform a Green Tara puja at 2 p.m.  Green Tara, a female Buddha, has the power to remove obstacles and is the embodiment of compassion in action.

There will be a Green Tara sand mandala on display during the puja. At 3:00pm, there will be a closing ceremony where, with a remembrance of impermanence, the sand mandala will be deconstructed and taken to a body of water to be dispersed. Some of the blessed "sand" will be available to attendees with instructions how it can be used in Buddhist practice.