Classes
Gaden Choling offers various dharma classes, both on an ongoing basis and when visiting teachers have special topics to present. Generally, classes are free and open to the public. Special classes and courses by visiting teachers, or classes specifically intended to help fund the centre, may have suggested donation fees associated with them. Unless otherwise specified, all classes are held at the Gaden Choling centre.
Ongoing Classes
Our main ongoing dharma class meets every Thursday evening from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. This class serves as an introduction to Mahayana
Buddhism as taught in the Tibetan Geluk tradition. Classes usually take the form of a course, following a traditional curriculum such as Lam Rim or Lojong, but students can join the class at any time. We usually choose a particular book to study, advancing through it week by week. Classes begin with traditional prayers, mantras and meditation practices, followed by discussion of that week's subject.
At this time, the regular Thursday evening class is ceded to a special course, "Commentary on Lama Chopa/Guru Puja," being taught by visiting teacher Chuck Damov through December 18th, and described below. We will probably not be meeting the Thursdays of December 25, and January 1, but regular dharma classes will resume January 8, 2009.
Special Classes
We have the great fortune that Chuck Damov will be staying on in Toronto a little longer to teach a special course at Gaden Choling during November and December 2008.
Commentary on Lama Chopa/Guru Puja (Offering to the Spiritual Guide)
Lama Chopa/Guru Puja is a core practice of our Geluk Tradition, with special focus on the extensive prayers for the realization of the various stages and paths of Lamrim. Visiting teacher Chuck Damov will be leading this course, which will run twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm at Gaden Choling, beginning Tuesday, November 11 and ending Thursday December 18 inclusive. Even if you can't make every class, or both Tuesday and Thursday each week, you are still welcome and encouraged to participate as your schedule allows. This course is open to everyone. Suggested donation is $10 per class, though this will not be any barrier to those without financial means.
Here is Chuck's introduction to this new course:
'As most of you know, the Lama Chopa [aka Guru Puja] means "the Ceremony of Offering to one's Lamas". It is a central meditation practice in our Gaden Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Lama Tsong.khapa. It is a wonderful method to develop and maintain a healthy lama-disciple relationship.
It is the ceremony performed when students offer prayers for long-life to their lama. I understand Zasep Rinpoche has accepted to be offered this Lama Chopa long-life puja by Gaden Choling dharma students next year for his 60th birthday. So this course will be a good opportunity to enhance understanding of the long-life ceremony.
The Lama Chopa practice also contains the essence of all levels of Buddhist meditation, both sutra and tantra. It has a beautiful meditation on the entire path to Enlightenment, which will be the main focus of this course. Therefore this course will include spiritual study and meditation of benefit for people interested in Tibetan Buddhism generally, as well as for people already committed to Zasep Tulku Rinpoche as their lama.'
The course runs twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm at Gaden Choling, beginning Tuesday, November 11 and ending Thursday December 18 inclusive.
The page for this course, including study materials, is here.
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Past Classes
Below you'll find the descriptions for some previous classes and courses presented at Gaden Choling. If you are interested in these subjects, links to various supporting materials such as as handouts, recommended books, and links to related websites can be found on the class or course page.
Summer-Autumn 2008: Shamata Mahamudra
This course is about how to develop meditative concentration, drawing
on material from the mahamudra lineage. Certificates for proficiency in
the material or participation in the course will be available, but drop-in
students are welcome.
8 Classes: Aug. 5, 11, 19, 26 and Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28. 7:30 to 9:30 pm.
Course materials are here.
Summer-Autumn 2008: Three Principal Aspects of the Path
This course is primarily about why and how Buddhists practice meditation. It
will be based on a scripture composed in the 15th century by the great Tibetan
lama Je Tsongkapa. Certificates for proficiency in the material or participation
in the course will be available, but drop-in students are welcome.
8 Classes: Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30. 7:30 to 9:30 pm.
Course materials are here.