We are meeting in-person at the centre for our activities, and will continue sharing them on Zoom unless otherwise indicated:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83864262659?pwd=SEdHNTFRUDZ0YlBOZEY1ck1PdElWUT09
Meeting ID: 838 6426 2659
Passcode: 311753
To join by telephone: 438-809-7799
Membership and donations ensure the sustainability and flourishing of our Centre as well as supporting our resident lama. Please give what you can.
https://rigpedorjemontreal.org/en/dons
All activities are led by Acharya Choyiing Gyurmey, our Resident Lama, unless otherwise specified.
PLEASE NOTE THE DHARMA PROTECTOR DAY PRACTICE ON OCTOBER 31, WHICH DID NOT APPEAR ON OUR OCTOBER CALENDAR.
Thursday, October 31, and Friday, November 29, 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.
By donation
Saturdays, November 2 and 23, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. IN PERSON ONLY
Dharma Book Club
We are reading Excellent at the Beginning by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche.
We will be discussing the chapter “The Authentic Master and the Authentic Student.”
Everyone is welcome.
By donation
Sundays, November 3 and 10, 10 a.m. to 11 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.
By donation
Mondays, November 4 and 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Beginners’ Tibetan Language Class
Taught by Miriam Paknys under the direction of Acharya Chöying Gyurmey
Wednesdays, November 6, 13, 20, and 27, 7:00 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, 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
Thursdays, November 7, 14, 21, and 28, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Intermediate Tibetan Language Class
Saturday, November 9, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.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.
By donation
Monday, November 11, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Guru Rinpoche Day
Guru Rinpoche Tsok offering and practice
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.
By donation
Friday, November 15
Full Moon Day IN PERSON ONLY
6:15 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Sojong, Treasury of Blessings, Heart Sutra, Lamp Offering
8:00 a.m. Breakfast. Please bring vegetarian food to share for 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 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.
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.
By donation
Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Mahamudra Lineage Prayer
Weekend Retreat
The Mahamudra Lineage Prayer is one of the most beloved and often-recited prayers in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It combines a supplication to the Mahamudra lineage with a concise guide to Mahamudra practice and the stages of the path to enlightenment. Acharya Choying Gyurmey will guide us on developing renunciation and devotion and practising calm abiding (Shamatha) and insight (Vipashyana) meditation in the Mahamudra tradition.
This retreat is a follow up to the teachings on this text given by Khenpo Karma Tenkyong in September. It is not necessary to have attended Khenpo’s teachings to participate in this retreat.
Teaching in English with French and Chinese simultaneous translation.
Though the four sessions of this retreat will be shared on Zoom, it is strongly recommended that you attend in person. The recordings of this weekend will NOT be shared afterwards.
Lunch will be included for those attending both morning and afternoon sessions. Please indicate your wish to stay for lunch on the registration form.
Suggested donation:
Full weekend: $50 for members / $70 for non-members
Per session: $15 for members / $20 for non-members
If this amount is not possible for you, please give what you can.
Friday, November 22, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Lhabab Düchen
Treasury of Blessings, Heart Sutra, Lamp Offering
Lhabab Duchen is one of the four major Buddhist holidays. It celebrates the Buddha’s return to earth from the Tushita heaven.
By donation
Sunday, November 24, 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
H. E. 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche’s Birthday Celebration
Join us for the Mandala offering and offering of khatas to the throne of H.E. the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche.
Traditional yellow rice and tea will be offered to all; we will then ceremoniously cut the birthday cake. The celebration will end with the Lamp offering prayers.
By donation
Monday, November 25, 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
Saturday, November 30, 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
King of Aspiration Prayer
The recitation of the Aspiration Prayer (Mönlam) is made to spread the seeds of loving kindness and pure motivation, to activate their power, and hence bring about genuine peace, love, happiness, and well-being in the world. ~ 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
By donation