Saturday, August 1^st, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Workshop on the rituals in Sadhana practices

This session is a continuation of the workshop that Acharya started leading in July for those who want to have a better understanding of the rituals performed at the Centre or participate in them more actively. In this workshop, Acharya has been teaching about mudras, Dharma instruments, and how to perform Chöpön duties (serving as a shrine master during a sadhana). The workshop also covers the meaning and purpose of these practices, how to visualize correctly, and how to maintain the proper mindset throughout the ritual.  

In this fourth session of the workshop, Acharya will teach on tormas. Participants are asked to have a small pot of Play-Doh (available in many stores) to practise making tormas. 

For participants who donated for the three sessions of the workshop, this fourth session is included.

For new participants:

Members:  $5

Non-members: $10 

Sundays, August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

Shamatha (calm abiding meditation)

Shamatha meditation is a fundamental Buddhist contemplative practice that develops the mind’s capacity for tranquility and lucidity.

On August 23 and 30, Shamatha practice will be led by a senior member of the Centre.

Members: Free

Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Mondays, August 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Introduction to Tibetan, Level 1

Continuation of the Tibetan Level 1 course for students who began the course in March.

Registration is complete.

Wednesdays, August 5 and 19, 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. 

On August 19, the practice will be led by a senior member of the Centre.

Members: Free

Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Thursdays, August 6, 13, 20, and 27, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
[ONLY ON ZOOM]

Shamatha (calm abiding meditation)

Shamatha meditation is a fundamental Buddhist contemplative practice that develops the mind’s capacity for tranquility and lucidity.

Led by Nathalie Purchio

Members: Free

Non-members: Suggested donation $5

Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m. to 12 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

Tuesday, August 11, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 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

Wednesdays, August 12 and 26, 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.

On August 26, the practice will be led by a senior member of the Centre.

Members: Free

Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Saturday, August 15, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Chöd Puja—Cutting through Ego-clinging 

Led by Lama Rapten Tshering & Acharya Choying Gyurmey

Chöd is a spiritual practice found in Tibetan Buddhism (where it is classed as Anuttarayoga Tantra). Also known as “cutting through the ego,” the practices are based on the Prajñāpāramitā or “Perfection of Wisdom” sutras, which expound the “emptiness” concept of Buddhist philosophy. Chöd combines Prajñāpāramitā philosophy with specific meditation methods and tantric ritual. The Chöd practitioner seeks to tap the power of fear through activities such as rituals set in graveyards, and visualization of offering their bodies in a tantric feast in order to put their understanding of emptiness to the ultimate test. The main goal of Chöd is to cut through ego-clinging.

Ritual Objects 

Practitioners of the Chöd ritual, chödpas, use a kangling, a human thighbone trumpet, and a chöd drum, a hand drum similar to but larger than the ḍamaru commonly used in Tibetan rituals. Lama Rabten and Acharya will perform the ritual with these instruments. 

Lama Rabten Tshering is the resident teacher and spiritual director of Nalandabodhi Canada. His dharma education started at a young age under the guidance of his father, who taught him music and Karma Kagyu tantras. Lama Rabten spent his early years at Rumtek Monastery, the principal seat of Gyalwang Karmapa in Sikkim, India, where he expanded his study and practice in the Tsurphu tradition—training in Vajrayana rituals, such as music, torma, tantra memorization, and dance.

In 1992, Lama Rabten was appointed disciplinary master of Rumtek Monastery by Tai Situ Rinpoche and Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpoche, and served in this capacity for five years. In 1997, he entered a three-year retreat at Pullahari Retreat Centre in Nepal. While there, he completed more training in meditation and tantra under the guidance of Drupon Khenpo Lodro Namgyal, Bokar Rinpoche, Tenga Rinpoche, and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche.

REGISTRATION  (You can also register at the door).

Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Buddhist Wisdom for Life Transitions

A weekend workshop facilitated by Rev. Zhong Zun (Heidi Ahrens)

[In person only]

This experiential workshop explores how compassion and love can help us navigate grief, caregiving, loneliness, loss, identity shifts, and life’s many transitions. Drawing from Buddhist wisdom and spiritual care practices, participants engage in meditation, creative expression, reflection, and conversation with people in our community.

Rev. Zhong Zun (Heidi Ahrens) is an ordained Buddhist chaplain and spiritual care practitioner with 30 years of contemplative practice and experience accompanying people through disaster, loss, caregiving, and life transitions. Throughout her work, she has accompanied people of many faiths (or non-faith) traditions, cultures, and backgrounds, honouring each person’s unique beliefs and lived experience. This workshop draws from her practice and from the Sustainable Compassion training developed by John Makransky.

Many of us already know Heidi as a fellow meditator at our Centre, especially at the Shamatha meditation sessions on Sunday mornings.

Open to all.  Childcare will be offered.

Tea, coffee, and snacks will be available. 

Participants should bring coloured pencils, paper, and scissors.

Suggested donation: Members $40 / non-members $50
Childcare is free of charge.

REGISTRATION