NOVEMBER 2026 – RIGPE DORJE FOUNDATION

Unless otherwise specified, all activities are led by Acharya Chöying Gyurmey, our resident lama.
Our activities are shared on Zoom unless otherwise indicated:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83864262659?pwd=SEdHNTFRUDZ0YlBOZEY1ck1PdElWUT09
Meeting ID: 838 6426 2659
Passcode: 311753

Regular meditation sessions and sadhana practices (pujas) are free for members. The suggested donation for non-members is $10.
Membership and donations ensure the sustainability and flourishing
of our Centre, as well as supporting our resident lama. Donations of any amount are appropriate and appreciated.
https://rigpedorjemontreal.org/en/dons

Sunday, November 1^st, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Lhabab Düchen (The Buddha’s Descent from Tushita Heaven)
The Treasury of Blessings, Heart Sutra, Lamp Offering, and Dedication

Lhabab Düchen is one of the four major Buddhist holidays. It celebrates the Buddha’s return to earth from the Tushita heaven.

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

Mondays, November 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. [ONLY ON ZOOM]

Tibetan Language Course—Level 1

A 12-week online course—Mondays, from October 19 to January 4, 2027, with Miriam Paknys.

Please note that important Rigpe Dorje Centre activities may be scheduled on some Mondays. In such cases, classes will be rescheduled. Please check our monthly calendar for the latest updates.

The beginner Tibetan course introduces the sounds of Tibetan. It also provides personalized feedback and strategies for correct pronunciation, and it teaches how to spell Tibetan syllables. We will learn the correct writing stroke order of the letters and how to easily differentiate them. Then you will practise reading syllables and words using brief conversational dialogues and short prayers, and in that way start to learn some grammar rules. We will also look briefly at how to recognize Sanskrit sounds as they are represented in Tibetan phonetics.

Miriam Paknys has taught beginners’ Tibetan, both in person and online, for the past two years. In that time, she has improved her own conversational Tibetan to an intermediate level. She regularly interprets dharma teachings from English into French.

Miriam teaches in Tibetan, English, and French.

REGISTRATION IS COMPLETE.

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

Tibetan Language Course—Level 3

A 12-week in-person course—Mondays, from October 19 to January 4, 2027, with Acharya Chöying Gyurmey

Please note that important Rigpe Dorje Centre activities may be scheduled on some Mondays. In such cases, classes will be rescheduled. Please check our monthly calendar for the latest updates.

Prerequisite: The ability to decipher syllables and read simple texts, even if you don’t understand all the meaning.

In this course, you will further develop your reading skills and your comprehension of Tibetan. You will build on your knowledge of 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 Tibetan.

REGISTRATION IS COMPLETE.

Wednesday, November 4, 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

Saturdays, November 7, 14, 21, and 28, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

A series of workshops on rituals performed during the recitation of the Green Tara Sadhana

For those who would like to better understand the rituals performed at the Centre or participate in them more actively, Acharya will be offering a workshop on mudras, melodies, 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 workshops 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 the sessions. Please register.

Workshops will by shared on Zoom; however, it is strongly recommended that you attend in person.

Members: $10 per session; $30 for all sessions
Non-members: $15 per session; $50 for all sessions

REGISTRATION

Wednesdays, November 11 and 25, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 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 are guided to rebirth in Dewachen (Skt. Sukhavati), the pure realm of immaculate happiness, joy, and bliss.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Wednesday, November 18, 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, November 19, 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, November 22, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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

Body, Speech and Mind Mandala offering, Guru Yoga and Calling the Lama from Afar, Lamp Offering, and dedication.

Join us for the Mandala offering to the throne of H.E. the 4th Jamgön Kongtrul Rinpoche.

Traditional yellow rice and Tibetan tea will be offered to all; we will then ceremoniously cut the birthday cake. The celebration will end with the Lamp Offering prayers.

In honour of Rinpoche’s birthday, we will be collecting food for a local food bank. Donations of non-perishable foods may be left at the Centre between Nov. 16 and Nov. 26.

Donations of funds can be left at the Centre, or transferred online: https://rigpedorjemontreal.org/en/dons-activites/

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Tuesday, November 24

Full Moon Day

Mahayana Sojong vows, The Treasury of Blessings, Heart Sutra, Lamp Offering, and Dedication, 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

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.

Vegetarian Potluck Breakfast, 8:30 a.m.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Sunday, November 29

Tea meditation, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

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.

Vegetarian potluck lunch, 12:00 p.m.

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

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10