Saturdays, November 1^st, 8, 22, and 29, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Teaching by Acharya on the Seven Point Mind Training

The Seven-Point Mind Training (Lojong) is a profound Mahayana Buddhist practice that was brought to Tibet by Atisha in the 11th century and later written down by Chekawa Yeshe Dorje. It teaches us how to cultivate compassion, wisdom, and mindfulness in everyday life and to transform adverse circumstances into a path to enlightenment. Through this practice, we can become better human beings who embody the essence of enlightenment.

This practice is especially valuable for those who have taken or are considering taking the Bodhisattva vow, as it helps us to develop a sense of responsibility, kindness, and constructive behaviour.

Acharya’s teaching on the Seven Point Mind Training is a comprehensive experience, including contemplation, meditation, and Q&A sessions, designed to deepen our understanding of the practice and its application in everyday life.

Note:  Acharya began teaching on the Seven Point Mind Training in October and will continue until we have covered the entire text. The teachings will be offered every Saturday this month EXCEPT November 15.

Suggested Donation:
Members—$10 per session
Non-members—$15 per session

Sundays, November 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 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

Mondays, November 3, 10, 17, and 24, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Beginners’ Tibetan Language Class

This 12-week beginner-level course in Tibetan introduces the letters and sounds of the Tibetan language, dharma words from prayer texts, and basic everyday vocabulary and sentences.  

Note:  Registration is complete.

Wednesday, November 5

Full Moon Day 

6:00 a.m. 

Mahayana Sojong Vows, Treasury of Blessings, Heart Sutra, and Lamp Offering

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. 

Through the Lamp Offering, we offer light with the aspiration that obstacles to personal and global peace be overcome; and that happiness, love, and compassion spread throughout the world and benefit all beings.

8:00 a.m. 

Potluck breakfast. Please bring vegetarian food to share.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Thursdays, November 6, 13, 20, and 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Intermediate Tibetan Language Class

This intermediate-level 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

Sunday, November 9 to Sunday, November 30

21-day Shamatha Meditation Program with Acharya Chöying Gyurmey

Schedule:

• Sundays—10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. In person and on Zoom
• Weekdays—6 a.m. to 7 a.m. On Zoom only
• Saturdays—8 a.m. to 9 a.m. In person and on Zoom

Shamatha, also called calm-abiding or tranquility meditation, is a fundamental practice essential for developing calmness, concentration, mental clarity, and stability, and for understanding the nature of our mind. It prepares us for the practice of insight meditation, also known as Vipashyana.

Based on scientific evidence and on our Buddhist tradition stating that 21 days are sufficient to change habits, we have planned a 21-day program to establish a regular meditation practice, to hopefully bring about personal transformation and enrich one’s spiritual journey rooted in compassion and wisdom.

In order to participate in this program, you must register and be fully committed to attending all 21 sessions, either in person or via Zoom. When joining via Zoom, Acharya requires that you keep your camera on at all times.

Note:  People may attend the regular Sunday Shamatha meditation sessions, even if they are not participating in the 21-day meditation program.

Suggested donation: $42 for members / $63 for non-members
Please give what you can.

REGISTRATION

Sunday, November 9, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.   

In loving memory of Pasang Tsering, the father of Chime la (a Tibetan Dharma sister), the following prayers will be dedicated to him on the first anniversary of his passing: Chenrezig and Amitabha Sadhanas, Tsok offering.

Note:  Lunch will be offered after the prayers. Kindly let us know if you’ll be joining us so that we can prepare accordingly.

Tuesday, November 11, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Buddha’s Descent from Tushita (Lhabab Düchen)

Lhabab Düchen is one of the four major Buddhist holidays. It occurs on the 22nd day of the 9th  month in the Tibetan lunar calendar. The Buddha Shakyamuni went to Tushita pure realm to give teachings to his mother, who had passed away 7 days after his birth, to repay her for her kindness. After 3 months teaching in the Tushita realm, he returned to earth to continue to teach the Dharma in the human realm. Lhabab Düchen commemorates Buddha’s return to the human realm. 

To commemorate this special day, we will gather to recite the Treasury of Blessings and the Heart Sutra. We will also make an Offering of light. 

On this auspicious day, Acharya Chöying Gyurmey will conduct a Refuge Ceremony. If you wish to take Refuge please indicate so by writing to centre@rigpedorjemontreal.org, or by speaking directly to Acharya. 

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Wednesdays, November 12 and 26, 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 in the knowledge that our guru is none other than the Awakened One.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Friday, November 14, 7:00 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

Saturday, November 15

There will be no activities at the Centre except the 8 a.m. meditation session for those who have registered for the 21-day Shamatha meditation program.

Members of our sangha may be interested in attending Montreal’s Annual Tibetan Bazaar and Cultural Fair,

Santa Cruz Church, 60 Rachel St. West, corner of St. Urbain.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission $5

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1149551277092741/

Wednesday, November 19, 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
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Sunday, November 23, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

H.E. the Fourth Jamgön Kongtrul Rinpoche’s Birthday Celebration

Mandala and Khata offering on Rinpoche’s throne, Guru Yoga and Calling the Lama from Afar, Lamp Offering and dedication.

Join us for the Mandala offering and offering of khatas to the throne of H.E. the 4th Jamgön 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.

To commemorate the birthday of the Fourth Jamgon Rinpoche, who was born on November 26th, we will be gathering both food and financial contributions to benefit a local food bank. This year, we are partnering with the Société de St-Vincent de Paul, Conférence de Verdun.

This local chapter of the Société St-Vincent de Paul provides support, referrals and emergency food assistance to anyone who comes to the food bank. Every month, they help over 500 people. Each year, they distribute over $300,000 in food and gift cards.

Please bring non-perishable food items to the Centre between November 16 and 26. You can make monetary donations anytime: https://rigpedorjemontreal.org/en/dons-3/

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Friday, November 28, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Medicine Buddha Day

Medicine Buddha Sadhana

Medicine Buddha is a 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

Sunday, November 30

Guru Rinpoche Day

10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

Sunday Shamatha practice and conclusion of the 21-day meditation program

2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Kunchok Chidu Sadhana and Tsok

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