Sunday, March 1, 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, March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. [IN PERSON ONLY]

Tibetan Language Class—Level 2

A 12-week course with Acharya Chöying Gyurmey

Prerequisites: Having completed the Beginners’ Tibetan Language course, OR knowledge of the Tibetan alphabet and able to decipher syllables and read a simple text, even if you don’t understand the meaning.

You will further develop your reading skills and comprehension of Tibetan. You will also learn basic dharma vocabulary. You will improve your understanding of words, phrases and sentence structure in Dharma texts, as well as in everyday speech. You will be able to use these words and sentences in simple conversations.

Acharya teaches in English and in Tibetan.

Members:  Suggested donation: $100 for 12 classes
Non-members:  Suggested donation: $120 for 12 classes

Deadline for registration: February 25

REGISTRATION

Tuesday, March 3, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  [IN PERSON ONLY]

Full Moon Day—Chotrul Düchen

Chotrul Düchen is on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Tibetan calendar during the full moon. The first fifteen days of the year celebrate the fifteen days during which the Buddha displayed miracles for his disciples to increase their devotion. During Chotrul Düchen (“Great Day of Miraculous Manifestations”), it is believed that the effects of both positive and negative actions are multiplied.

On this auspicious day, Acharya Chöying Gyurmey will grant the Refuge Vow and the Bodhisattva Vow to those who request it. The refuge vow marks the moment when a person decides to follow the Buddhist path by seeking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha to guide their lives. The Bodhisattva Vow is a fundamental Mahayana commitment in which the practitioner (the bodhisattva) promises to attain enlightenment in order to liberate all beings from suffering.

To receive either or both of these vows, please submit your request by email to: centre@rigpedorjemontreal.org

We will then recite the Treasury of Blessings Sadhana, a simple and beautiful make a Lamp Offering 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

Wednesdays, March 4 and 18, 7 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, March 5, 12 and 19, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.   [IN PERSON ONLY]

Acharya Choying Gyurmey will lead a Book Study Group on The Wisdom of No Escape by Pema Chödrön, beginning in March.

Acharya guides weekly sessions with assigned readings, reflection and discussion to deepen our understanding of how to apply Buddhist teachings to everyday challenges. We will delve into The Wisdom of No Escape by spiritual teacher Pema Chödön, a classic on learning to face life just as it is. 

Drawing from her own experiences with marriage, divorce, motherhood, and more, Pema reveals that when we embrace the happiness and heartache, the inspiration and confusion—all the twists and turns that are part of natural life—we can begin to discover a true wellspring of courageous love that’s been within our hearts all along. As she writes in chapter four: “Our neurosis and our wisdom are made out of the same material. If you throw out your neurosis, you also throw out your wisdom.”

Discussions will mainly be in English. However, participants are welcome to contribute in French, and translation will be provided as needed.

Copies of the book are available for purchase at the Centre. E-books are available online.

Members: free
Non-members: Suggested donation: $75 for the full program or $10 per session.

REGISTRATION

Sundays, March 8, 15, 22 and 29, 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 ability to reach a state of tranquility and lucidity.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Wednesday, March 11 and 25, 7 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.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Friday, March 13, 7 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

Tuesday, March 17, 6:30 p.m  to 9 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

Tuesdays, March 24 and 31, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. [IN PERSON ONLY]

Introduction to Tibetan—Level 1

A 12-week course with Miriam Paknys

Miriam teaches in Tibetan, English and French. You will learn useful phrases and short dialogues to use at restaurants, ceremonies and celebrations, while becoming more familiar with the alphabet and spelling of Tibetan.

You will have regular opportunities to practise short dialogues with a classmate and access audio files to improve your pronunciation. This is supported by Miriam’s interpretive guide notes, allowing you to learn how to phrase Tibetan sentences in her unique style, with very accurate meanings. As a result, you will gain the confidence to create and use your own sentences.

Members:  Suggested donation: $100 for 12 classes
Non-members:  Suggested donation: $120 for 12 classes

Deadline for registration: March 16

REGISTRATION

Thursday, March 26, 7 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.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10