We are meeting in-person at the centre for our activities, and will continue sharing them on Zoom unless otherwise indicated:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83864262659?pwd=SEdHNTFRUDZ0YlBOZEY1ck1PdElWUT09
Meeting ID: 838 6426 2659
Passcode: 311753
To join by telephone: 438-809-7799
Membership and donations ensure the sustainability and flourishing of our Centre as well as supporting our resident lama. Please give what you can.
https://rigpedorjemontreal.org/en/dons
All activities are led by Acharya Chöying Gyurmey, our Resident Lama, unless otherwise specified.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025, 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
First Light
King of Aspiration Prayers and Lamp Offering
To welcome the New Year, we will be chanting the King of Aspiration Prayers and doing a Lamp Offering at first light, with the aspiration that all sentient beings may be filled with the light of loving kindness and compassion during the coming year.
Please join us for breakfast after our practice.
Suggested donation: $5 per person/$15 per family

Thursdays, January 2, 16, 23, and 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Intermediate Tibetan Language Class
Registration is complete.

Saturdays, January 4 and 18, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
IN PERSON ONLY
Dharma Book Club
We are reading Excellent at the Beginning by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. We will be discussing the chapter “The Four Foundations of Mindfulness.”
Everyone is welcome.
By donation

Sunday, January 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 is an example of how to apply meditation to daily life.
Please join us for a potluck lunch after the meditation. (Bring vegetarian food to share.)
By donation

Mondays, January 6, 13, 20, and 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Beginners’ Tibetan Language Class
Taught by Miriam Paknys under the direction of Acharya Chöying Gyurmey
Registration is complete.

Tuesday, January 7, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Medicine Buddha Day
Medicine Buddha Sadhana
Medicine Buddha is the practice of physical, psychological, and spiritual healing. This Healing Buddha practice reveals the true cause of any affliction.
By donation

Wednesdays, January 8, 15, 22, and 29, 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 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, especially those with faith, are guided to rebirth in Dewachen (Skt. Sukhavati), the pure realm of immaculate happiness, joy, and bliss.
By donation

Thursday, January 9, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Guru Rinpoche Day
Kunchok Chidu Sadhana and Tsog offering
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.
By donation

Saturday, January 11, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tonglen meditation and the King of Aspiration Prayer
Tonglen (a Tibetan word meaning “sending and receiving”) is a meditative practice of mind training (lojong) to develop the inner qualities of loving kindness, compassion, and bodhicitta.
The recitation of the Aspiration Prayer (Mönlam) is made to spread the seeds of loving kindness and pure motivation, to activate their power, and hence bring about genuine peace, love, happiness, and well-being in the world. ~ 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
By donation

Saturdays, January 11 and 18, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (In French)
IN PERSON ONLY
Sundays, January 12 and 19, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (In English)
IN PERSON ONLY
Study program on the book: The Words of My Perfect Teacher by Patrul Rinpoche
A 15-session course led by Pierre Orgyen Cardinal under the guidance of Acharya Chöying Gyurmey
This program is open to all, but most beneficial to those who already have a basic knowledge of Buddhism.
During our first session, we will contemplate the proper way of listening to the teachings put forth by the great Rimé (non-sectarian) 19th-century scholar, Patrul Rinpoche (1808–1887), who was a master of several of our contemporary teachers.
We will then explore what it means to commit oneself to the practices of Ngöndro known in English as the Preliminary Practices.
Suggested donation for this 45-hour course: $225/$200 for members
Payment is expected at registration. To encourage diligent participation, a 20% rebate will be given to participants who attend all 15 sessions.
The deadline for registration is Friday, January 3, 2025.

Sundays, January 12, 19, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE NEW TIME.
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.
By donation

Monday, January 13, 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
IN PERSON ONLY
Full Moon Day
Sojong, Treasury of Blessings, Heart Sutra, Lamp Offering
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 practise.
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 be overcome; and that happiness, love, and compassion spread throughout the world and benefit all beings.
Please join us for breakfast after the practice.
Suggested donation: $5 per person/$15 per family

Friday, January 24, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Dakini Day
Green Tara sadhana
The all-victorious Saviouress manifests 21 emanations to help beings. Tara vanquishes obstacles and fear and protects those in danger and difficulty who call to her. The Green Tara prayer and recitation of the 21 Tara Praises avert and dispel obstacles.
By donation

Saturday, January 25, and Sunday, January 26, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
IN PERSON ONLY
Intensive Weekend Silent Retreat
During this silent retreat, Acharya will offer guided Shamatha and Vipashyana meditation sessions. Participants are asked to bring a mala with them to the Centre. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
Participants are asked to commit to attending the whole retreat and remaining in silence from Saturday, 7 a.m. to Sunday, 5:30 p.m. This includes being silent at home on Saturday evening and Sunday morning and not using cell phones, social media, TV, etc.
The daily schedule for the retreat is as follows:
- 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. First session
- 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Break
- 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Second session
- 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Third session
- 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Break
- 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fourth session
Registration is required.
Suggested donation for the weekend: $70/members $50. If this amount is not possible for you, please give what you can.

Tuesday, January 28, 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.
By donation

Wednesday, January 29, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
First Day of Lunar New Year
On this first day of the Lunar Year, we gather and offer light and incense with the aspiration that happiness, love and compassion spread throughout the world and benefit all beings.