Gompa

Meditation is a foundational tool for Buddhist spiritual practice. One's suffering and one's happiness is dependent upon one's mind. To ensure for ourselves the happiness that we so ardently desire, it is essential that we begin each day with a peaceful and calm mind.

The silent meditation includes 20 minutes of sitting meditation followed by 10 minutes of walking meditation (optional) and another 20 minutes of sitting meditation. Participants should arrive no later than 9 a.m. Each and every one is invited to come. You will find it to be a wonderful and relaxing way, not only to begin your day, but also your week. All are welcome regardless of one's level of practice.

Food for Thought is a supportive discussion group where we learn about and practice strategies and methods of mindfulness...

1. to notice our inner and outer environments while eating in order to make the food choices we wish to make,
2. to slow down, notice interconnections and practice gratitude in order to make eating more meaningful, and
3. to use eating as a mental training ground in order to develop skills to shift our attitudes and create new habits.

The group meets one Saturday of every month at noon, and we have a genuine good time. Drop-ins are welcome. Bring something you'd like to eat during the exercises we'll do using food. Participants are also invited to bring lunch and stay at 12:45 to enjoy lunch informally together.

Note: Because of the creation of the Tara sand mandala in the gompa, we will meet today in the classroom building. Participants are welcome to view the sand mandala before and after Food for Thought meets.

Tara is a female Buddha whose qualities include enlightened action and swiftly removing obstacles (Tara's 21 aspects are represented in statues on our altar). Geshe Gelek translated this special practice for us, The Practice of Tara that Fulfills All Wishes, and assures us that this will greatly benefit not just our center and community, but have the best benefit of helping all sentient beings. His teacher, (the Abbot of Sera Je Monastery) Khen Rinpoche Lobsang Delek, also said when he visited in 2011 that we have a special connection to Tara, so doing her practice is incredibly beneficial for our community, harmony working together, and the success of Kadampa Center.

Our monthly Tara practice will be greatly enhanced tonight, as we will have the opportunity to practice in the presence of the Green Tara sand mandala being created in our gompa by Geshe Sangpo and Gen Norbu. The mandala represents the sacred space that is Tara's universe, and in creating the mandala we invite Tara to be present.

This practice is for all levels of students and is done in English. It begins at 6:00pm with the group setting up an altar of extensive waterbowl and sense offerings. Once that's finished, we say prayers that include the Praises to the 21 Taras, mantras, and the opportunity to do prostrations if desired

Traditionally the offerings for the sangha and altar are sponsored by Dharma students, especially if they want to dedicate the merit to their loved ones in need of support and prayers. Sponsorship of Tara practice is $150.

Please click here to sponsor Tara practice.

If you'd like to know more about sponsoring a puja, please contact pujas@kadampa-center.org for instructions about making the donation and sending your personal dedication.

The creation of a sand mandala is a rare and beautiful practice that requires extensive training in rituals.

From Thursday through Sunday, Geshe Sangpo and Gen Norbu will create a Green Tara mandala for happiness, peace and prosperity. Students and visitors are invited to come watch as the monks build this ritual artwork by hand. The "sand" is actually mostly colored marble ground to a powder, sometimes with other precious substances.

Tara is a female Buddha whose qualities include enlightened action and swiftly removing obstacles to our spiritual growth, happiness, health and prosperity. The sand mandala represents the sacred space that is Tara's universe, and in creating the mandala we invite Tara to be present.

At 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, there will be a very short opening ceremony (about 5 minutes).

On Sunday the 15th, after the mandala is completed, the monks will perform a Tara puja at 2 p.m. When the puja is complete,  there will be an opportunity to view the mandala up close, followed by a closing ceremony where, with a remembrance of impermanence, the sand mandala will be deconstructed and taken to a body of water to be dispersed. Some of the blessed "sand" will be available to attendees with instructions how it can be used in Buddhist practice.

Buddhism is a psychology of the mind, providing us methods to understand our emotions and how to change our bad habits and thoughts to be happy. The Sunday teachings about how to practice Dharma in daily life, led by one of our resident teachers, Geshe Gelek Chodha or Geshe Palden Sangpo,  are appropriate for visitors and students of all levels of study and interest in Buddhism. The session typically includes a brief meditation, prayers, and the rare opportunity to learn from a highly trained Tibetan Buddhist monk. When Geshe-la is away, several senior students typically lead these sessions. The teachings and prayers are offered in English.

The creation of a sand mandala is a rare and beautiful practice that requires extensive training in rituals. Over the weekend, Tibetan monks will be creating a Green Tara sand mandala, and students and visitors are invited to come watch as the monks build this ritual artwork by hand. The "sand" is actually mostly colored marble ground to a powder, sometimes with other precious substances.

The completed mandala will be on view during theGreen Tara puja from 2:00-3:00pm. At 3:00pm, there will be a brief closing ceremony where, with a remembrance of impermanence, the sand mandala will be deconstructed. Some of the blessed "sand" will be available to attendees with instructions how it can be used in Buddhist practice.

Kadampa Center monks will perform a Green Tara puja at 2 p.m.  Green Tara, a female Buddha, has the power to remove obstacles and is the embodiment of compassion in action.

There will be a Green Tara sand mandala on display during the puja. At 3:00pm, there will be a closing ceremony where, with a remembrance of impermanence, the sand mandala will be deconstructed and taken to a body of water to be dispersed. Some of the blessed "sand" will be available to attendees with instructions how it can be used in Buddhist practice.

The creation of a sand mandala is a rare and beautiful practice that requires extensive training in rituals.

From Thursday, Nov 12 through Sunday, Nov 15, Geshe Sangpo and Gen Norbu will create a Green Tara mandala for happiness, peace and prosperity. Students and visitors are invited to come watch as the monks build this ritual artwork by hand. The "sand" is actually mostly colored marble ground to a powder, sometimes with other precious substances.

Tara is a female Buddha whose qualities include enlightened action and swiftly removing obstacles to our spiritual growth, happiness, health and prosperity. The sand mandala represents the sacred space that is Tara's universe, and in creating the mandala we invite Tara to be present.

At 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, there will be a very short opening ceremony (about 5 minutes).

On Sunday the 15th, after the mandala is completed, the monks will perform a Tara puja at 2 p.m. When the puja is complete,  there will be an opportunity to view the mandala up close, followed by a closing ceremony where, with a remembrance of impermanence, the sand mandala will be deconstructed and taken to a body of water to be dispersed. Some of the blessed "sand" will be available to attendees with instructions how it can be used in Buddhist practice.

When he was 41, Shakyamuni Buddha ascended to Tushita to repay his mother's kindness by giving teachings to liberate her from samsara. After three months, he returned  to earth to continue his teachings at the request of his disciples.  As a Buddha Holy Day, this is an auspicious day for practice, when the karmic effects of actions are multiplied exponentially, according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

At Kadampa Center, we will complete the day with a Shakyamuni Buddha puja at 7 p.m.

Anyone is invited to bring their own flower or food offerings to this puja -- please arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time to set them on the altar!

Click here to sponsor this puja.

When he was 41, Shakyamuni Buddha ascended to Tushita to repay his mother's kindness by giving teachings to liberate her from samsara. After three months, he returned  to earth to continue his teachings at the request of his disciples.  As a Buddha Holy Day, this is an auspicious day for practice, when the karmic effects of actions are multiplied exponentially, according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

At Kadampa Center, we will begin the day with offering precepts, and complete the day with a Shakyamuni Buddha puja. The center will be open all day for personal practice. 

6 a.m.-Taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts, followed by a light breakfast and a group reading of the Vajra Cutter Sutra 

  Taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts:

Our FPMT Spiritual Director Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommends taking  these precepts on full and  new moon days, and especially  on Buddha Holy Days.
 
The Eight Mahayana Precepts are a set of vows that are taken for 24 hours, from dawn to sunrise of the following day. The first time one takes precepts it should be from a qualified teacher who has received the oral transmission of the practice. Thereafter you can perform the ceremony at first light yourself, reciting the prayers before an image of your teacher or the Buddha, imagining that you are taking the vows from Buddha himself.

If you haven’t previously taken precepts with Geshe Gelek or another qualified teacher and wish to do so on November 3rd, please email Patrick McGinity so that we can plan accordingly.

The Eight Mahayana Precepts are to avoid the following:
1.  Killing, even insects.
2.  Stealing, taking what is not offered.
3.  Sexual contact.
4.  Telling lies, being deceitful.
5.  Intoxicants:  alcohol, tobacco, and drugs (except for medicinal purposes)
6.  Eating more than one main meal during the 24 hours.  The meal should be taken before noon, with only light liquids permitted after that. At other times of the day one can take light drinks, but not undiluted whole milk or fruit juice with pulp. Avoid eating black foods: meat, eggs, onions, garlic, and radishes.
7.  Sitting on a high or expensive bed or seat with proud motivation.
8.  Wearing jewelry, perfume, make-up, and singing, dancing, or playing music with attachment.

The essence of this practice is to recall and maintain the Mahayana motivation:  taking these precepts to become enlightened in order to lead all sentient beings to enlightenment.