Gompa

TIBETAN NEW YEAR ~ LOSAR ~ ANNUAL CELEBRATION
	LOSAR TASHI DELEK!  HAPPY NEW YEAR! Join us on Sunday, February 22, 2026 from 10:30 am - 1:00 pm (ET) All are welcome at this family-friendly event! Details provided below.

VOLUNTEER TO HELP DURING THE LOSAR CELEBRATION

There are many ways to help make this event possible and wonderful!  Please take a look and sign up HERE to volunteer ~ THANK YOU!

HOW TO ATTEND THE LOSAR CELEBRATION

PART 1:  Hybrid format in the Gompa, beginning at 10:30am (ET)

• Attend onsite, in person at Kadampa Center ~ the best way to participate!

• Join via Zoom HERE ~ a good option for those who don't live locally.

• Watch via YouTube livestream HERE ~ a non-interactive way to participate.

PART 2:  In person only, taking place in the lobby immediately after the conclusion of PART 1

• Enjoy food, fellowship, and music!

• Bring a vegetarian dish to share at the Community Potluck

• Music provided by the KC Sunshine Band

MORE ABOUT LOSAR AND THE FIFTEEN DAYS OF MIRACLES

Tibetan New Year ~ Losar ~ falls on Wednesday, February 18th this year, which is the fisrt day of the first month of the Tibetan lunisolar calendar.  Kadampa Center's celebration takes place on Sunday, February 22nd ~ all are invited!  Losar marks the beginning of the Fifteen Days of Miracles, which culminates on the 15th day of the first month of the Tibetan lunar calendar and is knows as Chotrul Düchen.  Throughout these fifteen days, Guru Shakyamuni Buddha showed miraculous powers to inspire faith in his followers.  Lama Zopa Rinpoche advised us that this is an especially auspicious time to do spiritual practice because, as Buddha Holy Days, our merit multiplies exponentially.  For FPMT centers, Losar is a particularly special time as it commemorates the anniversary of FPMT founder Lama Yeshe’s passing (parinirvana) at dawn of Losar in 1984.

WALK FOR PEACE GLOBAL LOVING-KINDNESS MEDITATION

Participate in the Walk for Peace Global Loving-kindness Meditation with the Kadampa Center community!  Feel free to come and go as needed anytime between 4:00 and 6:30 pm.  All are welcome!

AGENDA @ KADAMPA CENTER

• 4:00 - 4:30 pm (ET):  Kadampa Center opens, participants start arriving.
• 4:30 - 6:30 pm (ET):  Gather in the gompa to participate in the world-wide loving-kindness meditation being livestreamed from Washington, DC with the Walk for Peace monks.
• 6:30 - 7:00 pm (ET):  We will have to end the session early at Kadampa Center to prepare for Geshe Gelek's arrival at 7:00 PM for Lamrim class.  A light dinner will be provided for those who are staying for Lamrim class.

INVITATION FROM WALK FOR PEACE

We warmly invite everyone from everywhere in our nation and the whole world to join us for a special loving-kindness meditation session with us and Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara.

• Wednesday, February 11, 2026 (day 109 of the Walk for Peace)
• 4:30 - 7:30 pm (ET)
• George Washington University Smith Center
• Online Livestream

This meditation session will be livestreamed on our Facebook page and website so everyone can join us at the same time, no matter where you are in the world.

With the collective loving-kindness meditation from everyone in the whole world, it will make a significant effect on our world. When thousands of hearts meditate together in the same moment, our loving-kindness ripples outward, touching hearts, healing wounds, and planting seeds of peace everywhere.

Whether you join us in person or online from your home—your presence matters. Your meditation matters. Your loving-kindness matters.

Please mark your calendars and invite your friends, family, and community to join. Together, we will join in meditation and send loving-kindness to all beings everywhere.

Livestream available on:
Facebook: Walk for Peace
Website: https://dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/global-meditation/

A Mindful Heart:  a new meditation series

Join us on Sunday mornings for a new guided meditation course!  Drop in to any, or attend all, of the sessions during this new 12-week series.   Sundays, 9:00 - 10:00 am (ET) January 4 - March 22, 2026 A Mindful Heart is a transformative 12-week course developed by the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW), inspired by the Creating Compassionate Cultures program. This course has been designed to help participants develop a deeper understanding of how the mind works. The aim is to gradually let go of destructive patterns of thought and behavior while cultivating a healthy sense of self-confidence and a deep, compassionate connection with others.

HOW TO ATTEND ~ join us for any or all sessions

1. In person at Kadampa Center

2. Join via Zoom HERE

LEARN MORE

A Mindful Heart is a structured 12-week program designed to help participants understand the mind, transform patterns, and live with purpose. The course explores three core pathways of learning: Knowledge, Strength, and Compassion, guiding participants toward a happier, more meaningful life.  Each facilitated session includes introduction, reflection, and discussion of the topic (see below) as well as guided concentration and analytical meditations.

LAMRIM TEACHINGS WITH GESHE GELEK   Join Geshe Gelek as he guides us to selected landmarks along the path to enlightenment. Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm ~ in person and online Current text:  A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life by Shantideva, Chapter IX: Wisdom A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life, translation by Vesna and Alan Wallace The Way of the Bodhisattva, translation by the Padmakara Translation Group Bodhisattvacharyavatara-commentary, Chapter 9, pg 436

HOW TO ATTEND WEDNESDAY LAMRIM TEACHINGS

1. Attend onsite, in person at Kadampa Center ~ the very best way to attend, especially if you live locally!

2. Join on Zoom by registering HERE ~ a somewhat interactive way to attend.

3. Watch via live stream on YouTube HERE ~ a view-only, non-interactive way to attend.

ABOUT THE LAMRIM

In his great compassion, Shakyamuni Buddha opened the gates to the road to enlightenment through his teachings.

Many years later, Lama Atisha organized all 84,000 teachings of the Buddha into a step-by-step guide in a short text called A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment.

Lama Tsongkhapa (the founder of our Gelugpa lineage) wrote a detailed explanation of Lama Atisha's text to help students understand and practice the instructions, called The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Tib. Lamrim Chenmo).  This lamrim foundation is the basis of all practice in our lineage, including tantra.

These incredible teachings by Geshe Gelek on this text are a rare and precious opportunity to gain insights into how to practice.

TEXTS RECENTLY COVERED IN CLASS

Heart Sutra root text commentary by Tendar Lharampa

Letter to a Friend, translated by Alex Berzin 

 Heart Treasure for the Warriors Who Long for Liberation, by Lama Atisha

Forgiveness and Compassion: The Essential Way to Live, by André Smith
	Sunday, December 21, 2025 10:30 am - 12:00 pm (ET) ~ in person and online ~ André Smith, long time student at Kadampa Center, shares his recently published book about finding forgiveness and compassion in the wake of his son's murder.  André says "I hope this book will inspire people to try forgiveness and compassion to ease their pain and suffering. This practice has certainly helped me." PLEASE NOTE: Due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter, this talk may not be appropriate for all audiences; discretion is advised.

HOW TO ATTEND SUNDAY DHARMA TEACHINGS 

1. Attend onsite, in person at Kadampa Center ~ the very best way to attend, especially if you live locally!

2. Join on Zoom by registering HERE ~ a somewhat interactive way to attend.

3. Watch via live stream on YouTube HERE ~ a view-only, non-interactive way to attend.

	DISCOVERING BUDDHISM 11: TRANSFORMING PROBLEMS
	Mondays, March 9 - 30, from 7 - 8:30 pm (ET) Learn the disadvantages of self-cherishing and the advantages of cherishing others. Learn to employ the special techniques of mind training (lojong) to transform problems into happiness. ~ offered in person and online ~

HOW TO ATTEND

• In person, onsite at Kadampa Center - the most interactive way to participate, and is especially beneficial for those who live locally.

• Join via Zoom HERE - a somewhat interactive way to participate.  If you choose to join us on Zoom, you are considered part of the class, therefore, please plan to have your camera turned on and refrain from eating and other distracting activities.

• Watch via YouTube live stream HERE - a non-interactive choice.

HOW TO SUPPORT DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

Whether you attend class online or in person, please consider making a donation to Kadampa Center to enable us to keep Dharma classes like Discovering Buddhism possible.  Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated ~ thank you!  Donations can be made in any of the following ways:

• Cash or checks (made to Kadampa Center) can be dropped in the Donation Box just outside the gompa door.

• Checks can be mailed to Kadampa Center at:  5412 Etta Burke Court, Raleigh, NC 27606.

• Donate any amount online HERE.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

• Visit the General Information webpage HERE to learn about the Discovering Buddhism course offered at Kadampa Center.

• Visit the FPMT website HERE for more in-depth details about the Discovering Buddhism course, including how to access the course materials, how to take the course online, and how to work towards Certificates of Acheivement for each module.

• Questions?  Email Linda Saah, Spiritual Program Coordinator, at program.linda@kadampa-center.org.

	DISCOVERING BUDDHISM 10:  HOW TO DEVELOP BODHICHITTA
	Mondays, February 9 - March 2, from 7 - 8:30 pm (ET) Discover practices that develop our innate qualities of compassion. Learn to apply these techniques to generate the mind of bodhichitta, known as the very heart of Buddha's teachings. ~ offered in person and online ~

HOW TO ATTEND

• In person, onsite at Kadampa Center - the most interactive way to participate, and is especially beneficial for those who live locally.

• Join via Zoom HERE - a somewhat interactive way to participate.  If you choose to join us on Zoom, you are considered part of the class, therefore, please plan to have your camera turned on and refrain from eating and other distracting activities.

• Watch via YouTube live stream HERE - a non-interactive choice.

HOW TO SUPPORT DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

Whether you attend class online or in person, please consider making a donation to Kadampa Center to enable us to keep Dharma classes like Discovering Buddhism possible.  Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated ~ thank you!  Donations can be made in any of the following ways:

• Cash or checks (made to Kadampa Center) can be dropped in the Donation Box just outside the gompa door.

• Checks can be mailed to Kadampa Center at:  5412 Etta Burke Court, Raleigh, NC 27606.

• Donate any amount online HERE.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

• Visit the General Information webpage HERE to learn about the Discovering Buddhism course offered at Kadampa Center.

• Visit the FPMT website HERE for more in-depth details about the Discovering Buddhism course, including how to access the course materials, how to take the course online, and how to work towards Certificates of Acheivement for each module.

• Questions?  Email Linda Saah, Spiritual Program Coordinator, at program.linda@kadampa-center.org.

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO WINTERY WEATHER, CLASS IS CANCELED MONDAY, JANUARY 26.

	DISCOVERING BUDDHISM, MODULE 09: SAMSARA AND NIRVANA
	Mondays, January 5 - 26, from 7 - 8:30 pm (ET) Investigate what samsara is and how we are stuck in it.  Find out what nirvana is and how to achieve it.  Learn how to be free from suffering and empower yourself with practical tools to deal with and eliminate disturbing emothions forever. ~ offered in person and online ~

HOW TO ATTEND

• In person, onsite at Kadampa Center - the most interactive way to participate, and is especially beneficial for those who live locally.

• Join via Zoom HERE - a somewhat interactive way to participate.  If you choose to join us on Zoom, you are considered part of the class, therefore, please plan to have your camera turned on and refrain from eating and other distracting activities.

• Watch via YouTube live stream HERE - a non-interactive choice.

HOW TO SUPPORT DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

Whether you attend class online or in person, please consider making a donation to Kadampa Center to enable us to keep Dharma classes like Discovering Buddhism possible.  Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated ~ thank you!  Donations can be made in any of the following ways:

• Cash or checks (made to Kadampa Center) can be dropped in the Donation Box just outside the gompa door.

• Checks can be mailed to Kadampa Center at:  5412 Etta Burke Court, Raleigh, NC 27606.

• Donate any amount online HERE.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

• Visit the General Information webpage HERE to learn about the Discovering Buddhism course offered at Kadampa Center.

• Visit the FPMT website HERE for more in-depth details about the Discovering Buddhism course, including how to access the course materials, how to take the course online, and how to work towards Certificates of Acheivement for each module.

• Questions?  Email Linda Saah, Spiritual Program Coordinator, at program.linda@kadampa-center.org.