Events

Dates: Sundays, Jun 1 - Aug 31, No class Aug 24 Join us as Geshe la continues teaching this course centered on The Essence of Refined Gold, a foundational text by the Third Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso. This revered work provides a clear and structured guide to the stages of the path (Lamrim), distilling the essence of Buddhist teachings into an accessible and practical framework. Through in-depth study and reflection, participants will uncover the wisdom of this text and explore its impact on spiritual practice and personal growth. In this course, participants will: Examine the historical and spiritual significance of The Essence of Refined Gold, situating it within the broader tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and exploring its relevance for contemporary practitioners. Explore core Buddhist teachings as presented in the text, including the cultivation of bodhicitta, the realization of emptiness, and the ethical foundations of compassion and wisdom. Engage in contemplation and discussion to deepen their understanding of the teachings and discover practical ways to apply them in daily life. This course is designed for both newcomers and seasoned students of Buddhism who seek to deepen their understanding of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and enrich their spiritual practice. Participants will emerge with […]

Sunday July 6, 2025 - Sunday July 27, 2025   Zoom Only In Recognizing the False I, Lama Zopa Rinpoche provides a clear and practical guide to one of the most crucial steps in meditating on emptiness: identifying the object to be refuted. Before we can realize the true nature of reality, we must first learn to recognize how we instinctively grasp at a solid, independent “I”—what Rinpoche calls “the false I.” This mistaken perception fuels suffering and keeps us bound in samsara, yet it often goes unnoticed in our everyday experience. This course offers an experiential approach to understanding and applying these profound teachings. Through guided meditations, self-reflective exercises, and group discussions, participants will: Learn to observe and identify the “false I” as it appears in their own thoughts and emotions. Develop practical skills for loosening habitual clinging to a fixed sense of self. Engage in meditative techniques that reveal the illusory nature of the inherently existent “I.” Explore how seeing through this illusion leads to greater freedom, flexibility, and compassion in daily life. Whether you are new to the study of emptiness or looking to deepen your understanding, this course provides practical tools to directly engage with these teachings […]

Zoom Only We invite you to join us in receiving the 8 Mahayana Precepts, a special set of vows taken for 24 hours to live in accordance with the Buddha’s teachings of ethical conduct and compassion. By taking these vows, you commit to refraining from harmful actions of body, speech, and mind, and focus on cultivating virtue for the benefit of all sentient beings. Normally, one takes precepts if one has already had the transmission from a lineage holder. If you haven’t taken precepts from a lineage holder, it is still good if you join since it is an auspicious occasion and creates positive imprints. The Eight Mahayana Precepts are a set of vows that are taken for 24 hours, from first light before dawn to sunrise of the following day. It is good to take them on full and new moon days, and especially beneficial on Buddha Holy Days, when Karmic results are multiplied exponentially, according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, citing the Vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic. These Mahayana Precepts enable you to live in the essence of pure moral conduct, and since you take them with the strong motivation of cherishing and wishing to benefit all […]

The formal entry point for becoming a Buddhist is to participate in a ceremony in which one takes refuge in – commits to rely upon – the Three Jewels or, as Lama Zopa Rinpoche says, the Three Rare Sublime Ones: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Students will learn about absolute Buddha, Dharma and Sangha – the enlightened mind, the experiential knowledge in that mind, and the superior beings who’ve realized emptiness; and relative Buddha, Dharma and Sangha – the buddha of our time, Shakyamuni, the texts that present his teachings, and the ordained monks and nuns. Students also learn about the power of living in vows. Of the three levels of vows – those of individual liberation, the bodhisattva, and tantra – the first are taken after having taken refuge. Materials Link Open door, open heart - drop in anytime in person or via Zoom. Donations are always optional.