Season’s Greetings!

Here we are at the end of the year!  And the time of the year to remind everyone that donations and memberships received by December 31 are, of course, eligible for 2017 tax receipts.

Rigpe Dorje Centre memberships are essential in order to maintain a strong base of support for regular activities and to host special events, visits of invited teachers and of course, to pay the center’s monthly bills.

2017 has been a surprising year.  We were very fortunate to welcome His Holiness the 17th Karmapa for a day, during which, he took the time to bless the center, offer guidance, address the members and meet with the Tibetan and Chinese community.

Other visits included His Eminence Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche, Venerable Bardor Tulku Rinpoche and Acharya Choying Gyurme via Skype. His Eminence taught on Geshe Chekawa’s 7 Points Mind Training and gave the 4 Kadampa deities empowerment. Venerable Bardor Tulku Rinpoche taught on and gave the Refuge, Bodhisattva and Lay Precepts Vows and gave a Chenrezig empowerment while Acharya gave a series of teachings on the Four Thoughts That Turn The Mind  and an introduction to meditation as a medium for contemplation on these Four Thoughts.

In addition, we continued to host weekly Tibetan lessons given by Sebastiano Sforza and workshops on translation led by Esther Rochon aimed at developping new translating talents from English to French for future teachings held in Montreal.

These teachings and blessings truly benefited those who participated, as well as the Centre.

There are many plans for the new year including peer-lead philosophy, meditation and puja classes, the arrival of our new resident Lama, Acharya Choying Gyurme, as soon as he gets his visa to come to Montreal and of course, all of our usual activities and visits.

Thanking you all for your ongoing support and wishing you happy holidays and all the best for 2018,

Jean-Sébastien Truchy
Manager of Rigpe Dorje Centre