Monday, July 1^st, 7 p.m. 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

Wednesdays, July 3, 17, and 31, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Chenrezik & 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, is the embodiment of 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, July 4, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Dharma Protector Day
Mahakala Puja 

Mahakala Bernagchen is a Wisdom Deity, a Bodhisattva whose wrathful manifestation is an expression of skillful means to subdue negative and harmful forces affecting beings, personally and globally. 

By donation

Saturday July 6, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Smoke offering and hanging new prayer flags in the back courtyard of the Centre

A sang offering (smoke offering) is a Tibetan Buddhist practice.  Fragrant incense smoke is offered to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, the supreme enlightened beings, and all sentient beings to accumulate merit, purify our past negative karma, and repay our karmic debts.

Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom.  It is believed that the prayers and mantras printed on these flags will be blown by the wind to spread goodwill and compassion into all-pervading space.  Prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.

People can write their names on the flag and dedicate the smoke offering to their loved ones.

Suggested donation:  $5 per name or $15 per family. 

Please come directly to our back courtyard; access is by the alley. If the weather does not permit us to do the smoke offering in the courtyard, we will do it indoors.

Sunday, July 7, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Shamatha

Calm abiding meditation

By donation

Sunday, July 7, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Class for Children and Youth 

This monthly class will be held the first Sunday of each month.

Led by Acharya Choying Gyurmey and Chenlin Ding

• The class will begin with a short prayer. 
• Acharya will then give basic meditation instructions. 
• Acharya and Chenlin will facilitate a sharing of ideas about the Buddha and the Buddha’s teachings.
• The youth will be shown how to do the yoga sun salutation 
• The class will conclude with a short moment of reflection and dedication.  

By donation

Note to Parents: Each child should bring a yoga mat.
Please bring vegetarian food to share for a potluck lunch after the class.

Wednesday, July 10, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Chökhor Düchen

Chanting the Heart Sutra and the Lamp Offering

The Festival of Turning the Wheel of Dharma (Chökhor Düchen) is one of the four major Buddhist holidays.  It occurs on the fourth day of the sixth Tibetan lunar month.  Seven weeks after his enlightenment, Buddha turned the Wheel of Dharma for the first time by teaching the Four Noble Truths.

The Heart Sutra

“The Sutra of the Heart of the Transcendent Perfection of Wisdom” or “The Heart Sutra” in short, encapsulates the topic of the Prajnaparamita (Transcendent Perfection of Wisdom) Sutra on the unerring paths of methods taught in all Sutras. The infallible meaning of the entire essence of the vast and profound Prajnaparamita Sutra is brought together here in this one Sutra—The Heart Sutra. When listening, contemplating, and meditating on The Heart Sutra are practiced to their ultimate end, the great unsurpassable knowledge naturally and directly manifests. All sufferings are completely pacified. The unequalled states of liberation and omniscience of Arhats, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhas are attained. As a result, one shall definitely abide in the undeceiving Genuine Reality.

The Lamp Offering is a practice done with the aspiration that the light of loving kindness, compassion, and understanding may dispel all personal and global obstacles.

Saturdays, July 13 and 27, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In person only, not shared on Zoom.
NEW PARTICIPANTS WELCOME

Dharma Book Club

We are studying the book Excellent at the Beginning by Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche.

By donation

Sunday, July 14, 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Medicine Buddha Day

Medicine Buddha Sadhana

The Buddha of Healing vowed to help the sick and dying. This prayer averts and clears obstacles related to sickness and diseases and can lead to recovery from ill health, surgeries, etc. The dying and the deceased are protected from rebirth in lower states. Moreover, beings in lower states are more swiftly liberated and can attain a fortunate rebirth. Just reciting the Medicine Buddha’s name has the power to ripen limitless benefits in one’s mind. In our present world situation, it is important to do this practice.

By donation

Tuesday, July 16, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Guru Rinpoche Day

Kunchok Chidu Sadhana

By donation

Each 10th Day of the Lunar month is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava. This is because, although he is never separate from those who have faith in him, he promised that on this particular day, he would definitely appear to us, “in person” as it were.  Prayers to Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, are considered to be increasingly potent during these difficult times, and he is often invoked for protection and the removal of obstacles. 

Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 28,10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Shamatha (calm abiding meditation) and yoga in the park by the river

Led by Acharya Choying Gyurmey and Huong Nguyen

9:30 a.m. Bring a yoga mat and meet at the Centre to get cushions for meditation. Bring drinks or a snack to share.

9:45 a.m. Walk to the park by the river.  We will meditate and do yoga there.  In case of rain, we will practice at the Centre.

Sunday, July 21

Full Moon Day

Sojong  5:15 to 7:15 a.m.  In person only, not shared on Zoom  

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 your midday meal.

By donation 

Breakfast 8:00 a.m.  In person only. 

Please bring some food or drink to share.

Treasury of Blessings, Heart Sutra, Lamp Offering, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Treasury of Blessings Sadhana

A simple and beautiful meditation on Sakyamuni Buddha that anyone can practice. This practice was revealed by Mipham Rinpoche in the 19th century. It combines visualization, mantra chanting, and meditative absorption. We can experience peace, clarity of mind, and the blessings of the Buddhas through this meditation. By reflecting upon the qualities of the Buddha and resting the mind in the recitation of mantras, we can pacify destructive emotions and sow the seeds for enlightenment.

(See July 10 for more information about the Heart Sutra and the Lamp Offering).

Wednesday, July 24, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

To mark the 49th day of the passing of our Dharma brother, Michel Allard

Chenrezik and Amitabha Sadhanas and Lamp Offering dedicated to Michel

As a sangha, we will gather to offer prayers and aspirations for the auspicious rebirth of our dharma brother on this day that marks the end of the period of the bardo and taking rebirth in a new life. 

See July 3 and 10 for descriptions of the Chenrezik and Amitabha Sadhanas and the Lamp Offering.

Our centre will offer tea and snacks afterwards.

Monday, July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Beginners’ Tibetan Language course

With Miriam Paknys under the direction of Acharya Choying Gyurmey

REGISTRATION IS FULL

Thursday, July 11, 18, and 25, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Intermediate Tibetan Language course

REGISTRATION IS FULL

COMING UP IN AUGUST:

Monday August 5 to Friday August 9 

Children’s Day Camp at the Centre

More details coming soon.