Wednesdays, October 1 and 15, 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, 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

Thursday, October 2 and Friday, October 31st, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Guru Rinpoche Day
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

Saturdays, October 4, 11, and 25, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 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 upcoming teaching on the Seven Point Mind Training will be 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 will continue to teach on the Seven Point Mind Training until we have covered the entire text.

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

Sundays, October 5, 12, and 19, and Saturday, October 18, 10:00 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.

Note:  Acharya will guide the Sunday sessions.  The session on Saturday, October 18, will be guided by a senior member of the Centre.

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Mondays, October 6, 13, and 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Beginners’ Tibetan language class

This 12-week beginner-level course in Tibetan, which starts on September 29, introduces the letters and sounds of Tibetan, dharma words from prayer texts, and basic everyday vocabulary and sentences.  The course will continue until December 15.  New participants are welcome.

Suggested donation:
Members–$100 for the 12-week course
Non-members–$120 for the 12-week course

REGISTRATION

Tuesday, October 7

Full Moon Day   

6:30 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. Breakfast

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Wednesdays, October 8 and 22, 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

Thursdays, October 9, 23, and 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Intermediate Tibetan language class

This intermediate-level Classical Tibetan class is now 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

Thursday, October 16, 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

Monday, October 20, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Dharma Protector Day
Mahakala Puja

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, October 26, 10:00 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 can be practised at any time during the day. It’s an example of how to apply meditation to daily life.

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

Members: Free
Non-members: Suggested donation $10

Wednesday, October 29, 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