Programs
& Events
On-going
programs
Although TMC is most busy during
special events, we do maintain weekly programs at the center.
Attendance at these weekly programs tends to be smaller and more
intimate and allows for lots of
opportunity to interact with the teacher and other members. Our
programs are open to all. If you are new and want to check us out, do
give us a call first (especially a good idea in the winter months).
Sunday
10 am - noon
Winter/Spring 2012:
Group Meditation Practice from Pearl Rosay, The Path to Perfection
This past year, TMC's spiritual director, Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin,
bestowed all eleven diety yoga practice empowerments and gave his
comments on each of the practices from Pearl Rosary, Path to Perfection
by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche. Each Sunday (with the
exception of the first Sunday of each month when we perform Lama
Chopa), TMC will facilitate the group sadhana practice of each of these
deity yogas by following the chapter order in teh book. There
will be a brief description, by one of our Lamas or senior
practitioners, of each practiec before the practice begins. Each
sadhana includes offerings to oneself as the deity, confession of
non-virtue, rejoicing and requesting the deity to remain and dedication
for the benefit of all sentient beings. Each practiec also
includes chanting the deity mantra followed by a short quiet
meditation. All beginners and advanced practitioners are invited
to join us for these wonderful opportunities to perform the core of
Buddhist practices. Please visit our Announcements
& Schedule page for more information.
2 - 4 pm
Buddhism 101
This
is a program specifically desgined for those who are new to Buddhism
and would like to learn some of the basic foundational ideas and views
in an open, non-dogmatic and inquiry-based context. Topics such as the
Four Noble Truths, Altruistic Mind, Ethics and Morality, Wisdom and
Compassion, Four Immeasurable Minds (love, compassion, joy and
equanimity), Three Vehicles (hinayana, mahayana and vajrayana), and
Buddha-nature. This program is informal and usually led by a senior
student of the center. Please visit our Announcements
& Schedule page for exact dates and topics
First Sundays
10 am - noon
Offering to the Spiritual-mentor (Lama Chöpa)
Lama
Chöpa
is an important element in vajrayana practice. In particular, in the
Kagyu tradition, authentic devotion to the spiritual-mentor is
considered the surest way to realizing the nature of mind. Come join us
in this practice that involves ritual, chanting, meditation and
offerings. If you would like to make an offering, any food-offering
that does not contain meat is appropriate. Please visit our Announcements & Schedule page for exact
dates.
Thursday
7:30 - 9 pm
Calm-abiding meditation
In Buddhism, meditation practice generally falls under two basic types
- calm-abiding meditation (shamatha)
and special-insight meditation (vipashyana).
On Thursday nights, a long-time student of
Khenchen Rinpoché, Dr. Sam, gives detailed instructions (as
needed), but more importantly, provides an opportunity for the
practice of calm-abiding meditation. Other than having its own obvious
benefits, calm-abiding is the basis of all other more advanced
meditations. Please visit our Announcements
& Schedule page for exact dates.
Special events
Special events are offered several
times a year, the most common
being our annual Winter and Spring retreats, and visits of
teachers from other
places. We have also hosted short Tibetan-language courses, lectures on
Tibetan medicine and cultural events. Our special events draw anywhere
between twenty to 200 parcipants and can last from a day, a weekend up
to a couple of weeks and participants come from all over the country
and in some past cases from other countries.
Among our most popular special events
are smaller
invitation-only residential retreats led by our retreat-teacher,
Drupön Thinley Ningpo. These retreats range from a weekend to ten
days and they each focus on particular deity-yoga practice. Such
retreats have included Cakrasamavara, Vajravarahi, Vajrasattva,
Amitayus and White Tara. Be sure to congtact us if you are interested
in these retreats - they fill up fast!
Upcoming special
events
Click here to see what's coming up in the
near future.
|
