APRIL 2026 – RIGPE DORJE FOUNDATION

Unless otherwise specified, all activities are led by Acharya Chöying Gyurmey, our resident lama.
Our activities are shared on Zoom unless otherwise indicated:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83864262659?pwd=SEdHNTFRUDZ0YlBOZEY1ck1PdElWUT09
Meeting ID: 838 6426 2659
Passcode: 311753

Regular meditation sessions and sadhana practices (pujas) are free for members. The suggested donation for non-members is $10.
Membership and donations ensure the sustainability and flourishing
of our Centre, as well as supporting our resident lama.
https://rigpedorjemontreal.org/en/dons

Wednesday, April 1^st, 6:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
[IN PERSON ONLY]

Full Moon Day

6:15 a.m. Mahayana Sojong Vows, Treasury of Blessings, Heart Sutra, and Lamp Offering

8:00 a.m. Vegetarian Potluck Breakfast

Sojong is a short ritual for taking the eight Mahayana vows of a lay practitioner for a single day. These vows are to be taken before sunrise and include not eating after the midday meal.

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

Saturdays, April 4, 18, and 25, 10 a.m. to 12 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 Escapeby 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 neuroses 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

Sunday, April 5, 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.

By donation

Mondays, April 6, 13, 20, and 27, 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.

Members: Suggested donation: $100 for 12 classes
Non-members: Suggested donation: $120 for 12 classes

REGISTRATION IS COMPLETE.

Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21, and 28, 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 to use at restaurants, ceremonies, and celebrations, while becoming more familiar with the alphabet and spelling of Tibetan.

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 interpretive guide notes, allowing you to learn how to phrase Tibetan sentences in her unique style, with very accurate meanings. As a result, you will gain the confidence to create and use your own sentences.

Members: Suggested donation: $100 for 12 classes
Non-members: Suggested donation: $120 for 12 classes

REGISTRATION

Wednesdays, April 8 and 22, 7:00 p.m. and 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

Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
[IN PERSON ONLY]

Weekend of Sadhana Practice and Empowerments with Ven. Lama Tashi Dondup

We will gather for Medicine Buddha and Green Tara sadhanas and empowerments, practices focused on healing, purification, removing obstacles, fears, and difficulties in daily life, as well as on the path to enlightenment, and bringing benefit to all beings.

Check the website and the special newsletter for more information and registration.

Suggested donation:
$85 for the full weekend/$60 for members
Saturday or Sunday empowerment only: $35/$25 for members
Saturday or Sunday sadhana practice only: $15/$10 for members

Wednesdays, April 15 and 29, 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.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Sunday, April 26

Thirty-fourth Anniversary of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche’s Parinirvana

10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Guru Yoga, Calling the Lama from Afar, Lamp Offering and Dedication

Please join us to commemorate the anniversary of the passing of the founder of our Rigpe Dorje Centre, His Eminence the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (April 26, 1992). We will recite The Guru Yoga of Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, the sadhana Calling the Guru from Afar, and conclude with a Lamp Offering.

2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a short break
Kunchok Chidu Sadhana and Tsok

Prayers to Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, are considered increasingly powerful in these difficult times. He is often invoked for protection and to remove obstacles.

Note: Please bring fruits, cookies, cake, juice, etc. to offer for the Tsok. Out of concern for the environmental impact of our practice, we ask that you limit the amount of plastic packaging in any Tsok offerings you bring. Thank you for helping in this way.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10