MAY 2024 – RIGPE DORJE FOUNDATION

Wednesdays, May 1, 8, and 22, 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

Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:15 to 11:45 a.m.

Teaching on the Four Noble Truths

Please join us at the Centre to follow this special teaching by Drupon Khenpo Lodro Namgyal, hosted by Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) in Woodstock, NY, the North American seat of H.H. the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje.

This teaching will be in Tibetan with translation into English and Chinese. At the Centre, we will share the teaching with the English translation. Please bring your device and earphones to access the Chinese translation.

$15 / members $10 – a portion will be offered to Karma Triyana Dharmachakra.

The Four Noble Truths are the foundational teachings of Buddhism that offer profound insights into the nature of suffering and the path to liberation. This was the Buddha’s first teaching after he achieved Enlightenment, and it is as relevant now as it was 2,500 years ago. All traditions of Buddhism emphasize the importance of this most fundamental of teachings.

About Drupon Khenpo Lodro Namgyal: Drupon Khenpo Lodro Namgyal completed the 9-year Acharya program at Nalanda Institute, Rumtek Monastery. He studied under the guidance of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. After his graduation, he was appointed one of the Khenpos of Nalanda Institute where he taught for two years. Following that, he entered a three-year retreat at Pullahari Monastery under Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. When he completed the retreat, he was appointed Drupon (retreat master) of Pullahari Monastery. This combination of immense learning and intensive meditation is clearly evident in his teachings. His way of making even the most complex and subtle Dharma subjects immediately accessible to students is a constant inspiration to all.

Drupon Khenpo Lodro Namgyal is now the principal of the Rigpe Dorje Institute of Higher Buddhist Philosophy at Kagyu Tekchen Ling, Lava, India, and was the personal tutor of philosophy to His Eminence the Fourth Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. Our resident lama, Acharya Choying Gyurmey, completed his Acharya degree at Kagyu Tekchen Ling under Drupon Khenpo Lodro Namgyal.

If you are unable to gather with us at the Centre to follow this teaching, you may register to join online at this link: https://kagyu.org/eventBD/attendOnline?05FourNTr24

Sunday, May 5, 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.

Sunday, May 12, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Tea Meditation

Led by Acharya Choying 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 of the effects on your mind and body. You can practise a tea meditation any time during the day. It’s an example of how to apply our meditation in daily life.

By donation

Afterwards, please join us for a potluck lunch. (Bring vegetarian food to share.)

Wednesday, May 15, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.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

Friday, May 17, Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

RIGPE DORJE ON LINE SERIES PRESENTS:

A Commentary on Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye’s
“The Guru’s Instructions in a Single Utterance” Part 2

by Venerable Drupon Khenpo Lodro Namgyal, Rigpe Dorje Institute, Pullahari Monastery Nepal

In this online series, Drupon Khenpo Lodro Namgyal will provide explanations on this text in which Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye provides pithy advice summarizing the essential points for taming the mind.

Translations provided in English, French, Spanish and Mandarin

To register: https://rigpedorjemontreal.org/en/rigpe-dorje-on-line-2024/

The Zoom link will be sent to you after registration.

Acharya Choying Gyurmey, our resident lama, will share the teachings on our large screen at the Centre. They will be shared with the translation from Tibetan to English. To benefit from the translation into other languages, bring your device and earphones.

Saturday, May 18, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Guru Rinpoche Day*
Guru Rinpoche Sadhana and Tsok Offering

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 removing obstacles. The Konchok Chidu Sadhana is one of the most profound Guru Yoga practices leading to accomplishing the mind of Guru Rinpoche. It helps to avert spiritual obstacles and pacifies all negativity on the path to enlightenment.

*Each 10th Day of the Lunar months 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.

By donation

Thursday, May 23

Full Moon Day

Sojong 5:00 to 6:15 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

Vesak Day Celebration 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and paranirvana (death) of the Buddha.

On this occasion, we will perform the ritual of “Bathing of the Buddha” and recite the Treasury of Blessings, a practice of Buddha Sakyamuni, and do a Lamp Offering.

Bathing the Buddha is especially auspicious, as it can bring immeasurable blessings, virtues, and wisdom. By bathing the Buddha with fragrant water, we will bring forth our wisdom and compassion, and purify our Three Karma: our body, speech, and mind.

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.

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

Suggested donation for the Lamp Offering: $5 per person/$15 per family

All activities are led by Acharya Choying Gyurmey, our Resident Lama, unless otherwise specified.