Friday, May 1^st, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Full Moon Day, Vesak Day Celebration
Buddha Bathing Ceremony, Treasury of Blessings, Heart Sutra, and Lamp Offering

Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and paranirvana (death) of the Buddha.

On this occasion, we will perform the ritual of “Bathing of the Buddha”, recite the Treasury of Blessings, and do a Lamp Offering.

Bathing the Buddha is especially auspicious, as it can bring immeasurable blessings, virtues, and wisdom. By bathing the Buddha with fragrant water, we will bring forth our wisdom and compassion, and purify the Three Karmas of our body, speech, and mind.

The Treasury of Blessings Sadhana is a simple and beautiful meditation on Sakyamuni Buddha that anyone can practice.

The Heart Sutra encapsulates the topic of the Prajnaparamita (Transcendent Perfection of Wisdom) Sutra on the unerring paths of methods taught in all Sutras.

Through the Lamp Offering, we offer light with the aspiration that obstacles to personal and global peace may be overcome, and that happiness, love, and compassion may spread throughout the world, benefiting all beings.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Sunday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Tea Meditation

Led by Acharya Chöying Gyurmey and Tea Master Vivian Li

A tea meditation involves being mindful and present during all aspects of the tea ritual, including making the tea, drinking the tea, and being aware of the environment and the effects on your mind and body. Tea meditation can be practised at any time during the day. It’s an example of how to apply meditation to daily life.

Note:  Please bring some vegetarian food to share and join us for a potluck lunch after the meditation. 

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Mondays, May 4, 11, and 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
[IN PERSON ONLY]

Tibetan Language Class, Level 2

A 12-week course with Acharya Chöying Gyurmey

Prerequisites: Having completed the Introduction to Tibetan Language course or knowing the Tibetan alphabet and being able to decipher syllables and read a simple text, even if you don’t understand the meaning.

You will further develop your reading skills and comprehension of Tibetan. You will also learn basic dharma vocabulary. You will improve your understanding of words, phrases, and sentence structure in Dharma texts, as well as in everyday speech. You will be able to use these words and sentences in simple conversations.

Acharya teaches in English and in Tibetan.

REGISTRATION IS COMPLETE.

Tuesdays, May 5, 19, and 26, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
[IN PERSON ONLY]

Introduction to Tibetan, Level 1

A 12-week course with Miriam Paknys

Miriam teaches in Tibetan, English, and French. You will learn useful phrases and short dialogues for use at restaurants, ceremonies, and celebrations, while becoming more familiar with the Tibetan alphabet and spelling.

You will have regular opportunities to practise short dialogues with a classmate and access audio files to improve your pronunciation. This is supported by Miriam’s unique interpretive guide notes, which allow you to learn how to phrase Tibetan sentences with very accurate meaning. As a result, you will gain the confidence to create and use your own sentences.

REGISTRATION IS COMPLETE.

Wednesdays, May 6 and 20, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Guru Yoga and Calling the Lama from Afar

In the Vajrayana tradition, devotion to the guru is a fundamental practice.  With a heart filled with renunciation, we cultivate devotion to the guru, as we recite heartfelt supplications, asking for their blessings to realize all the stages of the path to enlightenment. We chant the prayer melodiously, confident in the knowledge that our guru is none other than the Awakened One.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10 

Thursdays, May 7, 14, and 21, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
[IN PERSON ONLY]

Advanced Tibetan Language Class

This Classical Tibetan class is open to new participants. People interested in joining the class should contact Acharya to determine if their level of Tibetan is appropriate for the class.

Suggested donation:  $10 per class

Saturdays, May 9, and 23, 2 to 4 p.m.
[IN PERSON ONLY]

Dharma Book Study Group on The Wisdom of No Escape by Pema Chödrön  

At the beginning of March, Acharya Chöying Gyurmey started leading a Book Study Group on The Wisdom of No Escape by Pema Chödrön, a spiritual classic on learning to face life just as it is.  He guides weekly sessions with assigned readings, reflection, and discussion to deepen our understanding of how to apply Buddhist teachings to everyday challenges.

Drawing from her own experiences with marriage, divorce, motherhood, and more, Pema reveals that when we embrace the happiness and heartache, the inspiration and confusion—all the twists and turns that are part of natural life—we can begin to discover a true wellspring of courageous love that’s been within our hearts all along. As she writes in chapter four: “Our neurosis and our wisdom are made out of the same material. If you throw out your neurosis, you also throw out your wisdom.”

Discussions are mainly in English. However, participants are welcome to contribute in French, and translation will be provided as needed.

Copies of the book are available for purchase at the Centre. E-books are available online.

Members: free
Non-members: Suggested donation: $75 for the full program or $10 per session.

REGISTRATION

Sundays, May 10, 17, 24, and 31, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Shamatha (calm abiding meditation)

Shamatha meditation is a fundamental Buddhist contemplative practice that develops the mind’s ability to reach a state of tranquility and lucidity.

Note:  On May 24 and 31, Shamatha practice will be led by Nathalie Purchio.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Tuesday, May 12, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Dakini Day
Green Tara Sadhana

Dakinis embody wisdom, spiritual power, and the feminine principle in Buddhism. In Vajrayana Buddhism, every 25th day of the lunar calendar is celebrated as Dakini Day, associated with the female embodiment of enlightenment. Dakini Day is considered auspicious for deepening spiritual practice, spiritual growth, overcoming obstacles, enhancing wisdom and intuition, and cultivating feminine energy.

Green Tara is a fully enlightened female Buddha in Vajrayana Buddhism. She represents both wisdom and compassion. Through her practice, which includes mantra recitation, visualization, and meditation, we receive protection and guidance and achieve spiritual growth. Her mantra, “Om Tare Tutare Ture Soha,” awakens one’s inherent Buddha-nature, promoting inner peace, compassion, wisdom, and enlightenment.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Wednesdays, May 13 and 27, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Chenrezik and Amitabha Sadhanas

Love, compassion, joy, and wisdom—together known as bodhicitta—are the indivisible nature of the Buddha’s enlightened mind. Chenrezik (Skt. Avalokiteshvara), the Buddha of Infinite Compassion, embodies these virtuous qualities.

Through the practice of Amitabha, the Buddha of Boundless Light, beings are guided to rebirth in Dewachen (Skt. Sukhavati), the pure realm of immaculate happiness, joy, and bliss.

Note: On May 27, these sadhana practices will be led by Lanah Magy.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Dharma Protector Day
Mahakala Sadhana

Mahakala Bernagchen is a Wisdom Deity, a Bodhisattva whose wrathful manifestation is an expression of skillful means to subdue harmful forces affecting beings, personally and globally.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Saturday, May 30, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Buddhism for the Curious 

The story of the life of Buddha, his quest, and the path of liberation from suffering that he taught will be presented. There will be a short introduction to calm abiding meditation.

This introductory workshop is for people who are curious about Buddhism or who only know a little about it and would like to know more.

This introductory workshop will be led by Anne Lynch.

Free