Calendar. December 2004 March 2005

Transcription

1 KURUKULLA CENTER for Tibetan Buddhist Studies Calendar December 2004 March 2005 Want to receive reminders of Kurukulla Center events by ? Sign up for the Kurukulla Center list at kurukulla.org. Contact Kurukulla Center: 68 Magoun Ave, Medford MA Tel: (617) Advice for Students Our beloved Geshe Tsulga will be in India for more than three months, receiving teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and giving teachings to his students at Sera Monastery. He recently gave us the following advice. While i m away in India, I don t want you to think, Oh, there s no teacher at the Center so there s no point going there or practicing. Whether I m here or not, you should still come to the Center. You can gather together, recite prayers, and practice. You can practice at any time. We call ourselves sangha, or Dharma friends, but if we don t support each other in our Dharma activities, in what way are we Dharma friends? Also, the Center has senior students who have a Dharma education and a lot of experience, so you can study Dharma books, read to each other, and then junior students can ask questions and you can discuss, have a good time, and drink tea or Coke! Furthermore, we should think not only about this generation but about the many generations to come our children, their children, their children s children, and so on and make sure that this place remains beneficial for all, far into the future. If you come to the Center, practice, and so forth, your children will see that and think, This is what my parents used to do and they were happy doing it, so this is a good thing to do. And they will do it. In this way the Dharma will continue for many generations. As this is something that will be of great benefit for future generations, we should think very carefully about it and do the best we can. Therefore, all you Center members should gather here to help each other, be harmonious, and do whatever you can to ensure that the Center will benefit all sentient beings, especially future generations. What we are doing here is laying a foundation for the attainment of all happiness, from now up to enlightenment. Therefore, our activities are not the same as ordinary, worldly activities, so we should think about the Center, support it however we can, so that it will flourish and become a basis for benefiting many other beings. To flourish, the Center needs a proper place, so whatever you can do to support it financially, with advice, and so forth that s what you should do. If you can help the Center acquire the things it needs statues, holy objects, texts, Dharma books, and so forth or even help pay off the mortgage, then your having wealth has really been of benefit. If instead you work hard, earn money, and with a strong sense of miserliness just keep it in the bank and then one day die, your possessions might end up becoming the cause of conflict, as many people fight over them. So then, has all your effort been virtuous or nonvirtuous? Therefore, make a plan and decide what to use for what. That will be very beneficial for you. There are many people who support and work for the Center, like the director and others, but as I said before, this is a place for everybody, so you should all help in whatever way you can externally, internally, secretly. You should help the Center however you can. Even if there s nothing happening here, no scheduled events, you can still come; it s open all the time.* You can come here, do prostrations, meditate, read books, or even just look at our big Buddha statue. Even if you don t do anything else, just seeing the Buddha is itself extremely meritorious. It s not the same as looking at art in a museum. These are just a few thoughts I wanted to share with you. * Please note, outside of scheduled times, please call or program@kurukulla.org for someone to meet you. Annual membership appeal is on its way! You should be receiving the annual membership appeal in the mail soon. Your memberships and donations directly fund our mortgage, Geshe-la, Damchoe, and Ngawang s household expenses and healthcare, visiting teacher events, and more. Your support is especially important now, during Geshe-la s absence, because our expenses remain the same. Thank you so much for your membership and donations, and we hope to see you around the Center! Jen Barlow, Treasurer

2 Kurukulla Center Schedule December 2004 March 2005 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday please call Schedule Relating to a 1 Introduction to Tantra 2 7 8:30 pm Medicine Buddha Puja 3 4 Subject to or Spiritual Teacher Change program@kurukulla.org to confirm :30 10 am 5 9:30 10 am Karma Geshe Ngawang 4:30 6:30 pm Tara Puja 2 3:30 pm Full Moon Medicine Buddha Puja 26 Center Closed 2 9:30 10 am Suffering and Liberation Geshe Ngawang 9 9:30 10 am 16 9:30 10 am :30 10 am Developing a Good Nature Ven. Ngawang Tenley 9: No 10 am teaching Nyung Nae (cont d.) 13 Tara Puja ends 8:30 am Nyung Nae December Buddhist Holiday: Lama Tsongkhapa Day & Light Offering 7 8:30 pm Medicine Buddha Puja 14 Relating to a Spiritual Teacher Relating to a Spiritual Teacher Center Closed Center Closed pm Relating to a Teacher 8 9:15 pm Relating to a Spiritual Teacher pm Book Discussion 8 9:30 pm Book Discussion Book Discussion Buddhist Holiday: Losar Celebrating Lama Yeshe Tara Puja Introduction to Tantra January 2 5 pm David Kittelstrom David Kittelstrom David Kittelstrom :30 pm 12:15 am New Year s Eve Party & Practice February 5 David Kittelstrom 7 8:30 pm Buddhism in a Nutshell Ven. Tsunma-la 7 8:30 pm Buddhism in a Nutshell Ven. Tsunma-la Begins 7 pm Nyung Nae Retreat 7 8:30 pm Fresh Start Practice Day & Light Offering Nyung Nae (cont d.) :30 10 Finding Freedom 9:30 10 am Presenting the Path Practical Dharma The Art of Anger Management Buddhist Holiday: Day of Miracles 35 Buddhas/ Medicine Buddha 24 Making Time for Spiritual Practice 7 9 March pm Beyond Self-Doubt Presenting the Path 4 Becoming the Compassion Buddha (until Sunday morning) 1 4 pm 26 Presenting the Path 1 4 pm Becoming the Compassion Buddha 6 8 pm: 5

3 classes with dr. nick is the founding director of Kurukulla Center and currently directs the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. He has been studying, practicing, and editing Buddhist books for more than thirty years. A monk previously for twelve years, his teachings are full of clarity, insight, and humor. Introduction to Tantra Thursdays 7 9 p.m. December 2 & 9 A continuation from the fall series, these two final sessions discuss the tantric path, the crown jewel of Tibetan Buddhism. Perhaps you ve already taken initiation and wonder what to do next, or perhaps you would like to find out more about this profound system. Includes guided meditation. All are welcome. Suggested Donation: $10/class. Members free. discovering buddhism Sundays 10 a.m. 12 Noon December 5 & 12 January 16 & 23 February 6 Our beloved teacher, Ven. Geshe Tsulga, has requested that while he is in India this winter, we put the teachings he has so kindly been giving us into practice. As Geshe-la constantly emphasizes, the essence of our daily practice should be purification and accumulation of merit through the seven limbs of prostration, offering, confession, rejoicing, requesting, beseeching, and dedication. Our spiritual director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, has compiled a daily meditation practice around the seven limbs that contains a wealth of purification and merit-generating practices and this will be the basis of these classes. Suggested Donation: $10/class. Members free. Relating to a Spiritual Teacher Wednesdays 7 9 p.m. (7 8 p.m. on January 5) December 1, 8, & 15 January 5 & 12 Success in following both the sutra and tantra paths to enlightenment depends upon developing and maintaining a proper relationship with a spiritual teacher. The classic text on how to do this is Ashvagosha s Fifty Verses of Guru Devotion, written more than two thousand years ago. As the Foundation of All Good Qualities says, correct devotion to the spiritual teacher is the root of the path. The text for these classes will be an in-depth commentary on the root text by the contemporary teacher Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, which itself was based on commentaries by Lama Tsongkhapa and Pabongka Rinpoche. Suggested Donation: $10/class. Members free. Discovering Buddhism is designed for students either new to Buddhism or those with some background who are interested in exploring Tibetan Buddhism more systematically. Readings by contemporary Buddhist teachers are assigned as well as occasional homework to supplement the weekly classes. The Discovering Buddhism program consists of fourteen subject areas. At Kurukulla Center we offer a new subject area approximately every two months. The classes are taught by Western teachers in a relaxed setting. with David Kittelstrom Thursdays 7 9 p.m. January 13, 20, & 27 February 3 Observing and working with our minds both in meditation and in daily life is fundamental if we are to reduce inner conflict and anxiety and find stillness and joy. Thus, understanding the mind and its vast potential is the subject of course 1 in our popular Discovering Buddhism program. During this four-week series, we ll learn about the nature of the mind, why the mind is so crucial to Buddhist practice, and why it is possible to transform our minds. Then we ll explore the basic techniques for skillful self-awareness, the foundation for success in meditation. This is a great place to start your involvement with Kurukulla Center. This course can be taken by itself or as the initial course in the fourteen-course Discovering Buddhism series. David Kittelstrom is a longtime student at Kurukulla Center, a former center director, and Senior Editor of Wisdom Publications, a publisher of Buddhist books. A husband and father, he really believes the Dharma is the key to happiness. Preregistration required. Debra: program@kurukulla.org. Suggested donation: $35 for all 4 classes or $10 per class; members free. SEE ALSO THE DISCOVERING BUDDHISM COURSE TAUGHT BY VEN. ROBINA COURTIN ON THE NEXT PAGE.

4 Teachings with Finding Freedom in a Crazy World Sunday, February 20, 10 a.m. 12 Noon Contemporary life is awash with opportunities. There are endless goods to acquire, books to read, skills to learn, and diversions to occupy our leisure time. We pack our lives with an endless pursuit of them, never finding lasting contentment. Grasping over and over but not finding peace is what Buddhism calls samsara. Ven. Robina reminds us that samsara is not a place but is embedded in us as long as we are driven by attachment: It s a junkie mind in a junkie s body surrounded by a world of junk! In this class we will consider how Dharma practice can help loosen the grip of our craving and confusion by showing a path to freedom. Practical Dharma: Working with the Rough Edges of Life Monday, February 21, 7 9 p.m. Daily life is often made up of daily stress: difficult people, difficult situations, and our own difficult emotions. Do such challenging circumstances mean we are forced to tread a rocky road? We can learn to deal with the rough edges of life in a more centered way. In this evening class we will apply lessons from lojong or Buddhist mindtraining texts to develop skills that can help us handle the ups and downs of life without getting knocked off balance. Making Time for Spiritual Practice Avoiding the Quicksand of the Eight Worldly Distractions Thursday, February 24, 7 9 p.m. Even with the best of intentions it is easy to put spiritual practice at the bottom of the to do stack. Spiritual teachers advise us to make study and contemplation a priority, but there are so many obligations and diversions to cut through. Then when we do practice, our ego may turn pure Dharma into an ego-enhancing activity. How can we avoid these pitfalls? Ven. Robina speaks about the main impediments to genuine Dharma practice. VENERABLE ROBINA COURTIN is a vigorous and popular Buddhist teacher. Although she has been a Tibetan Buddhist nun for twenty-five years, her life took a circuitous route to get there. Born in Australia and raised as a Catholic, she later became active in the radical left and became a feminist while living in London in the late 60s and early 70s. After several years studying martial arts, she attended a course on Tibetan Buddhism given by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. She ordained in Kathmandu eighteen months later. Presently she divides her time between visiting prisoners and teaching at Buddhist centers around the world. The subject of the highly praised documentary, Chasing Buddha, she is also the founder of Liberation Prison Project.

5 Robina Courtin DISCOVERING BUDDHISM Presenting the Path to Enlightenment Friday, February 25, 7 9 p.m. Saturday, February 26, 1 4 p.m. Sunday, February 27, 10 a.m. Noon An overview of the entire Tibetan Buddhist path to awakening is covered in this weekend workshop from our popular Discovering Buddhism series. You ll hear about the life story of the Buddha and learn basic Buddhist philosophy. You ll also be introduced to the lamrim, or graduated path to enlightenment teachings, an ingenious system for organizing all of Buddhist philosophy into a step-like arrangement suitable for practice. The Discovering Buddhism program is designed for students with a background in Buddhism that are interested in exploring Tibetan Buddhism more systematically. Readings by contemporary Buddhist teachers such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Yeshe, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche will be assigned as well as occasional homework. There will also be ample time for questions. Although it is possible to just attend single sessions, in order to receive credit toward the Discovering Buddhism certificate, one must attend all three. The Art of Anger Management Monday, February 28, 7 9 p.m. The destructive power of unrestrained anger is something most of us know from first-hand experience. When we re caught up in the storm of annoyance, it is not hard to progress to anger and even fury. Before we know it, we ve said or done something we will later regret. At this class, we ll explore how we can speak and live the truth without the emotional turbulence of angry exchanges. We ll see how letting go of anger brings relief just like letting go of a hot coal. Beyond Self-Doubt: Actualizing Our Potential for Perfection Wednesday, March 2, 7 9 p.m. Doubt about our ability to deal with life s complexities strikes all of us at times, but dwelling on our inadequacies can make us feel impotent. Buddhism does not accept this notion that any of us are worthless. We all contain the potential for perfection. If we train in the correct way, we can become a source of benefit and joy for everyone. Tonight Ven. Robina describes how this state of perfection is available to all of us because it is actually our essential nature. Becoming the Compassion Buddha Friday, March 4, 7 9 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 1 4 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 10 a.m. Noon Buddhism is not an exclusive club, just for those whose good qualities are already developed. Rather it is a method of training each and every one of us, no matter how un-buddha-like we may feel, to become a wise and compassionate buddha. During this weekend workshop, Ven. Robina will lead us through practices that help us close the door to our ordinary, limiting negative self-images and instead identify with a liberated wisdom energy, using the techniques found in tantra. Suggested Donation for Ven. Robina s classes: Two-hour classes: $12/class; Members $6 Saturday classes: $15/class; Members $7 Weekend courses: 3 sessions Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning: $35. Members $16.

6 dharma sustenance The Foundation of Good Qualities Ven. Geshe Ngawang Sundays 10 a.m. Noon December 19 and January 9 This short lamrim prayer by Lama Tsongkhapa contains all the steps on the path to enlightenment in a very concise form. Visiting teacher Geshe Ngawang resumes his commentary on karma and then turns to the problems of unenlightened existence. Geshe Ngawang studied under Geshe Tsulga at Sera Je Monastery in India and himself holds a Geshe degree in Buddhist philosophy. Residing in Vermont where he studies English, Geshe Ngawang is an occasional and cherished visitor to Kurukulla Center. Requested Donation: $10, members free. Developing a Good Nature Ven. Ngawang Tenley 10 a.m. Noon Sunday, January 30 As we practice the teachings of the Buddha, we are encouraged to maintain inner calm regardless of outer conditions. It is easy to be cheerful and kind when life is going well, but not so easy when things fall apart. Often our composure and good humor fade as stress mounts. Ven. Ngawang will speak about how to maintain a positive outlook and kind attitude as we practice the six perfections of the bodhisattva path. Ngawang Tenley is Geshe Tsulga s nephew and attendant and is studying for his Geshe degree. Requested Donation: $10; members free. Buddhism in a Nutshell Ven. Tsunma-la Thursdays 7 8:30 p.m. February 10 & 17 If you have done some reading about Buddhism but no formal study or are curious about this religion but not ready to attend one of our more traditional Buddhist teachings, then this course is for you. Basic terms and Buddhist philosophy will be explained, and there will be time for questions. This is a great way to learn about Kurukulla Center. Ven. Tsunma-la (Sue Macy) met Geshe Tsulga 1996 and was ordained in She will have recently returned from Geshe-la s monastery in South India when this course begins. Requested Donation: $10 per session; members free. Dharma Book Discussion Group Facilitated by Helen Lee Wednesdays 7 8:30 p.m. January 19 & 26 February 2 Over many years, Geshe Tsulga has kindly and patiently taught us Dharma. We ve received much information but have not always integrated it into our lives. With Geshe-la away at his monastery in India this winter, we can honor his wishes by reviewing his teachings, discussing and contemplating them with Dharma brothers and sisters, and trying to live them more fully. At this facilitated discussion group, we ll talk about topics from his book How to Practice the Buddhadharma. Copies of the book will be given free to all participants and to others upon request. Helen Lee is completing her doctrate in music. She has been fully immersed at Kurukulla for over a year. Requested Donation: $10 per session; members free.

7 group practice New Year s Eve Celebration Friday, December 31 7:30 p.m. Vajrasattva Purification Practice 9:00 p.m. Potluck 10:45 p.m. 12:15 a.m. Guided Practice The best way to make conventional holidays (and birthdays) meaningful is to throw a party where we practice Dharma. Join us for an end-of-the-year guided Vajrasattva meditation practice to help clean up the karmic mess both from the year drawing to an end and from countless previous lives. Then we will share in a meal together. Prostrations and guided tonglen (taking on the suffering of others and giving all happiness) meditation will be performed as midnight approaches. Nyung Nae Purification Retreat February p.m. Friday to 8:30 a.m. Monday Advanced registration required due to limited capacity. The Nyung Nae is a fasting retreat done in relation to Avalokiteshvara, the buddha of compassion. It is very intensive and powerful, consisting of practices to purify our negativities and collect positive karma. Practice sessions will be done as a group, including visualizing Avalokiteshvara, making offerings, reciting mantras, and performing many prostrations. Dedications of merits will be made for world peace and for the awakening of all beings. Requested donation: $45 nonmembers/ $30 members. Fresh Start Practice Day & Light Offerings Saturday, January 1, 2005, 2 5 p.m. Kick off the new year with chanting the, an extensive seven-limb practice that includes extensive light and tsok offerings. This joyous practice strengthens our relationship to our teachers and imprints the entire path within our mindstream. Everyone is welcome to join in chanting and contemplating this puja. Bring flowers to offer on the altar or food for the tsok offering. Tibetan New Year & Stories of Lama Yeshe with Wednesday, February 9, 7 9 p.m. Lama Thubten Yeshe, founder of FPMT, passed away in the early hours of Losar, Tibetan New Year, in We will celebrate the life of this great yogi, one of the foremost transmitters of Tibetan Buddhism to the West, with stories and reflections. Of special interest, an excerpt from the video of Lama Yeshe's cremation will be viewed. Donations of any amount appreciated. Buddhist Holiday: Day of Miracles 35 Buddhas Purification Practice & Medicine Buddha Puja Led by Thousand-arm Avalokiteshvara Wednesday, February 23, 7 9 p.m. Join us as we celebrate this special day in the Buddhist calendar with the prostration purification practice to the thirty-five buddhas. We ll follow this with a Medicine Buddha puja. Donations of any amount appreciated. s: a chanting meditation ceremony for strengthening our relationship to our teachers and to imprint the whole path to enlightenment on our minds. About the practices Tara Pujas: connects us with Tara the Liberator, the female buddha of enlightened activity. Includes many recitations of the Twenty-one Praises to Tara. Medicine Buddha: a powerful practice not only for healing but for success in our positive endeavors; it s also of great benefit for the dying.

8 Kurukulla Center 68 Magoun Avenue Medford MA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Permit No Boston MA Kurukulla Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) and under the spiritual direction of Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. [f-y(n- Saturdays 2 4 p.m. December 4 & 18 January 8, 15, 22, & 29 Building on the 101 class offered in the Fall, Kurukulla Center translator Damchoe will continue to guide us through the fundamentals of the Tibetan language with the goal to be able to read Tibetan texts. Participants need to have memorized the alphabet and be able to spell and read aloud. It is expected that participants will study between classes in order to progress. Damchoe Tsering Lama has been Geshela s translator for more than five years and was a monk for more than twenty years. Please preregister at program@kurukulla.org. Six-week course cost: nonmembers $68; members $38. Tuesdays 7 8:45 p.m. December 14 & 21 January 18 & 25 February 1, 8, 15, & 22 March 1 Yoga postures came about so that yogis would have strong healthy bodies in order to meditate. These classes include therapeutic movements, standing postures, back-strengthening postures, and hip openers. The last twenty-five minutes is spent in guided meditation, including breath awareness, visualization, and analytical techniques to enhance our positive inner qualities. is the director of Kurukulla Center and has been practicing yoga and meditation for over fifteen years. Questions? director@kurukulla.org. $34 for 4 classes or $10 per class.