Wednesdays, July 1^st and 15, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Chenrezig 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

Thursdays, July 2, 16, 23, and 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

[In person only]

Advanced Tibetan Language Class

This 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

Saturdays, July 4, 11, and 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Three-part workshop on the rituals in Sadhana practices

For those who would like to better understand the rituals performed at the Centre or participate in them in a more active way, Acharya will be offering a three-part workshop on mudras, Dharma musical instruments, the making of tormas, and how to perform the duties of the Chöpön (the shrine and ritual master during a sadhana). The workshop will also cover the meaning and purpose of these practices, how to visualize correctly and maintain the proper mindset throughout the ritual. Participants are encouraged to attend all three sessions.

Members:  $5 per session; $12 for all three sessions

Non-members: $10 per session; $25 for all three sessions

REGISTRATION

Sunday, July 5, 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.

H.H. the Dalai Lama’s Birthday Celebration

We will make a Mandala Offering and will also offer khatas, yellow rice, and butter tea. We will do the practices of Guru Yoga and Calling the Lama from Afar and conclude with a Lamp Offering.

Suggested donation: Members—$10 / non-members—$15

By making this contribution, you will receive a khata and a flower to present as a token of your good wishes for the Dalai Lama.

Wednesday, July 8, 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 that our guru is none other than the Awakened One.

Members: Free

Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Thursday, July 9, 2026, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Buddhist Wisdom for Navigating Anxiety, Fear, and Stress in Modern Life
With Yangten Rinpoche

We are honoured to receive the Venerable Yangten Rinpoche who will share how the timeless wisdom of Buddhist philosophy can help us navigate the challenges of modern life.

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, many people experience increasing anxiety, fear, stress, and uncertainty. Drawing upon the profound insights of the Buddhist tradition, Rinpoche will explore practical ways to understand the mind, transform habitual patterns of thinking, and cultivate greater clarity, resilience, and inner peace.

Rinpoche will discuss how our perceptions and mental habits shape our experience of the world, and how developing greater awareness can help us respond to life’s difficulties with wisdom and compassion. Whether you are new to Buddhism or have an established practice, this session offers practical reflections that can be applied in everyday life to support emotional well-being and a more balanced way of living.

Rinpoche will also share some of his most notable and profound experiences of working with the Dalaï-Lama, as well as his time spent as a debate assistant to the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa.

About Yangten Rinpoche: Yangten Rinpoche has served in the Office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama since 2008, contributing to a wide range of important responsibilities, including overseeing the Monastic Ordination Section and assisting in the compilation of His Holiness’s writings and teachings. As Secretary in the Private Office of His Holiness, he has represented His Holiness in dialogues with scholars, psychologists, educators, and institutional leaders around the world.

Rinpoche holds the prestigious Geshe Lharampa degree—the highest academic qualification in the Tibetan Buddhist monastic tradition—earned through many years of rigorous study and debate at Sera Mey Monastery. Throughout Asia, Europe, and North America, he is widely respected for presenting Buddhist philosophy with exceptional clarity, warmth, and relevance, making profound teachings accessible to contemporary audiences while building meaningful connections with modern psychology and everyday life.

For a more detailed biography of Yangten Rinpoche.

We warmly welcome everyone to this special event. These invaluable teachings will inspire greater wisdom, compassion, and inner peace in our lives, and contribute to the well-being of all beings.

In Tibetan with English Translation. Simultaneous French and Chinese translations will be available online. To access these, please bring your mobile device and headphones.

Suggested Donation: Members: $20 / Non-members: $30

Sundays, July 12 and 19, 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.

Members: Free

Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Monday, July 13, 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

Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Chökhor Düchen

The Festival of Turning the Wheel of Dharma (Chökhor Düchen) is one of the four most important Buddhist celebrations of the year. It occurs on the fourth day of the sixth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. Seven weeks after his enlightenment, Buddha delivered his first teaching, on the Four Noble Truths, thus turning the Wheel of Dharma.

On this auspicious day, Acharya will transmit the Refuge Vows to those who request it. After the Refuge Bestowing Ceremony, we will recite the Heart Sutra and conclude with a Lamp Offering and Dedication. 

Those wishing to take refuge are kindly requested to send an email to centre@rigpedorjemontreal.org or speak directly to Acharya.

Refuge vows are a formal commitment to seek guidance, protection, and inspiration from the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, marking the beginning of a dedicated Buddhist 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

Wednesday, July 22, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Medicine Buddha Day

Medicine Buddha Sadhana

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

Members: Free

Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Friday, July 24, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Guru Rinpoche Day

Kunchok Chidu Sadhana and Tsok 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.

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

Sunday, July 26, 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.

12:00 p.m.  Vegetarian potluck lunch

Please bring some vegetarian food to share and join us for a potluck lunch after the meditation. 

Members: Free

Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Wednesday, July 29 [In person only]

Full Moon Day

5:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m Mahayana Sojong vows, The Treasury of Blessings, Heart Sutra, Lamp Offering, and Dedication,.

7:00 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 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