Thursday, January 1^st, 2026, 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 chant the King of Aspiration Prayers and do a Lamp Offering at first light, with the aspiration that all sentient beings may be filled with the light of loving kindness and compassion throughout the coming year.

Please join us for a vegetarian potluck breakfast after our practice.

Donations to the Centre are deeply appreciated.

Saturday, January 3 [IN PERSON ONLY]

Full Moon Day

7:15 a.m. Mahayana Sojong Vows, Treasury of Blessings, Heart Sutra, and Lamp Offering
8:30 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 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 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, January 3, 10, 24 and 31, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Teaching on the Seven Point Mind Training

The Seven-Point Mind Training (Lojong) is a profound Mahayana Buddhist practice that was brought to Tibet by Atisha in the 11th century and later written down by Chekawa Yeshe Dorje. It teaches us how to cultivate compassion, wisdom, and mindfulness in everyday life and to transform adverse circumstances into a path to enlightenment. Through this practice, we can become better human beings who embody the essence of enlightenment.

This practice is especially valuable for those who have taken or are considering taking the Bodhisattva vow, as it helps us to develop a sense of responsibility, kindness, and constructive behaviour.

Acharya’s teaching on the Seven Point Mind Training is a comprehensive experience, including contemplation, meditation, and Q&A sessions, designed to deepen our understanding of the practice and its application in everyday life.

Note:  Acharya began teaching on the Seven Point Mind Training in October and will continue until we have covered the entire text. This month, the teachings will be offered every Saturday EXCEPT January 17.

Members: $10 per session
Non-members: $15 per session

Sundays, January 4, 11, 18 and 25, 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.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Mondays, January 5 and 12, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. [IN PERSON ONLY]

Beginners’ Tibetan Language Class.

This 12-week beginner-level course in Tibetan introduces the letters and sounds of the Tibetan language, dharma words from prayer texts, and basic everyday vocabulary and sentences.

Note:  Level 1 will finish on January 12, and Level 2 will start in March.

Wednesdays, January 7 and 21, 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, January 8, 15, 22 and 29, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Intermediate Tibetan Language Class

This intermediate-level 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

Sunday, January 11 to Sunday, February 1^st

21-day Shamatha meditation program with Acharya Chöying Gyurmey

Schedule:

• Sundays—10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. In person and on Zoom
• Weekdays—6 a.m. to 7 a.m. On Zoom only
• Saturdays—8 a.m. to 9 a.m. In person and on Zoom

Shamatha, also known as calm abiding or tranquility meditation, is a fundamental practice that develops concentration, calmness, and mental clarity. It’s essential for building focus and stability, calming the mind and emotions, and preparing for insight meditation (also known as Vipashyana), as well as for overall well-being, allowing meditators to access deeper states of consciousness and reduce mental distractions. We will include mental mantra recitation, silently repeating the mantra of loving kindness and compassion: OM MANI PED ME HUNG.

Based on the belief, supported by scientific evidence, that 21 days is enough to change habits, we’re offering this 21-day program to help you cultivate a consistent meditation practice, which may transform you and your habits, and guide you on a spiritual journey rooted in compassion and wisdom.

In order to participate in this program, you must register and be fully committed to attending all 21 sessions, either in person or via Zoom. When joining via Zoom, Acharya requires that you keep your camera on at all times. If you must miss a session due to exceptional circumstances, you must commit to doing 30 minutes of meditation that day.

Note:  People may attend the regular Sunday Shamatha meditation sessions, even if they are not participating in the 21-day meditation program.

Suggested donation:
$42 for members / $63 for non-members
Please give what you can.

REGISTRATION

Tuesday, January 13, 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

Wednesday, January 14, 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

Saturday, January 17, 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

Monday, January 26, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Medicine Buddha Day
Medicine Buddha Sadhana

Medicine Buddha is a practice of physical, psychological, and spiritual healing. This Healing Buddha practice reveals the true cause of any affliction.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10