Discovering Buddhism
For new and continuing students, Discovering Buddhism is a program
designed to provide a basic grounding in the Buddhist path of
Lama Tsong Khapa's tradition. Participants receive an experiential
taste of the stages of the Buddhist path, meditation and retreat
experience, and will learn skills to apply to their daily lives.
Course Listing
Samsara and Nirvana
How we got into this mess and how to get out! |
Starts Tuesday, March 4, 7:00 pm
Weekly through April 29
Teacher:
Ven. Lobsang Chökyi
Location:
Tse Chen Ling Center
Learn what we mean by cyclic existence or “samsara, ” and what we mean by suffering as well as how to work with and eliminate that suffering.
If "samsara" is a condition of our mind, how do we escape the cycle and achieve “nirvana” or liberation. How do we practically work with this understanding while working, going to school and living our ordinary lives?
Empower yourself with practical tools and meditations to understand, deal with and eliminate disturbing emotions or mental afflictions forever. We'll go through all the main delusions: anger, attachment, jealousy, pride and so on, and learn how to work with them in meditation and off the cushion.
No class on 4/8 or 4/15. Separate Retreat Day on Saturday, May 3.
Fee: Class Fee $99; members $49 (workstudy/scholarship available)
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Developing Bodhicitta
The compassionate heart of Buddhism |
Starts Thursday, March 6, 7:00 pm
Weekly through May 8
Teacher:
Ven. Losang Monlam
Location:
Tse Chen Ling Center
All levels. Share in this wonderful opportunity to generate the beautiful mind of loving kindness, compassion and the all-encompassing heart of bodhicitta.
The mind of bodhicitta, the wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of others, is known to be the heart of Buddha's teachings. This class explores techniques and skillful means to inspire us to attain enlightenment with this wish to benefit others.
Clear meditation instruction is provided to enable us to develop our innate qualities of loving kindness and compassion. Separate Retreat Day to be announced.
No class on Thursday, March 27.
Fee: $99; Members $49 (work exchange available - no one turned away for lack of funds)
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| Samsara & Nirvana Retreat |
Saturday, May 3, 10:30 am
Teacher:
Ven. Lobsang Chökyi
Location:
Tse Chen Ling Center
This is the day-long meditation retreat for the student's of the Discovering Buddhism class, "Samsara and Nirvana."
Fee: Included with course fee.
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| Transforming Problems |
Starts Thursday, May 29, 7:00 pm
Weekly through July 24
Teacher:
Ven. Lobsang Chökyi
Location:
Tse Chen Ling Center
Transforming Problems
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.
Fee: $99; Members $49 (work exchange available - no one turned away for lack of funds)
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Fees
Discovering Buddhism fees help to cover facilities, materials,
administration and other expenses. To assist those who cannot
afford our fees, a flexible work exchange program is available.
No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Registration
To assist our staff in the planning and preparation of materials,
we ask that students register in advance of each course. Simply
call the Center at (415) 621-4215 or email office@tsechenling.org
and provide your name, contact information and class information.
Certificate
Students completing the 14 subject areas in the two year Discovering
Buddhism program may receive a Certificate. Within each subject,
students are expected to attend lectures, engage in meditation,
complete outside homework and reading assignments and engage in
group and individual practice retreat. Outside reading materials
are assigned with each course. In addition, students will be expected
to read two texts as part of the overall Discovering Buddhism
curriculum. These two texts are "Wishfulfilling Golden
Sun" by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
and "Liberation
in the Palm of Your Hand" by Pabongka Rinpoche. Students
interested in obtaining a certificate of completion will be required
to read these texts over the two year program.
Contact
For further information about the Discovering Buddhism Program,
please email the Joanna Smiley, Education Director at joanna@tsechenling.org
or call (415) 621-4215.
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