Classes
Gaden Choling offers various dharma classes, either on an ongoing basis, as special offerings, or 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
Dharma Study Program. Our main, ongoing dharma class meets every Thursday evening, usually from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. These introductory/intermediate level classes explore various dharma topics from Mahayana Buddhism as taught in the Tibetan Geluk tradition. Classes are usually given as part of an extended course, following a traditional curriculum such as Lam-rim or Lo-jong, but students can join the current course at any time. We usually choose a particular book to study, advancing through it week by week. Each class begins with traditional prayers, mantras and meditation practices, followed by discussion of that week's subject. Please use our contact page if you need more information.
Our current Dharma Study Program course is: On hold while a new series is being developed.
Weekly Mindfulness/Shamatha and Lam Rim Meditation. Every Tuesday evening at 7pm, we offer the opportunity for both beginning and experienced meditators to practise mindfulness/shamatha and analytical/insight meditation in a group setting. Instruction is available for anyone wishing to learn the basics of these meditation modes. For the analytical/insight part, a guided Lam Rim meditations will be read aloud from The New Meditation Handbook by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. An outline of our guided Lam Rim meditations can be found on the Tuesday evening meditation page.
Weekly Shamatha Meditation. Beginning and experienced meditators are invited to practise just mindfulness/shamatha meditation in a group setting, every Sunday from 10:30am–11:30am at Gaden Choling. Please visit our Sunday morning meditation page for more information.
Special Classes
There are no special classes being offered at the moment.
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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. We also maintain a page listing some of the teachers that have offered classes in the past at Gaden Choling.
August 2010: Special Teachings on Foundation Practices, Chod, and Vajrayogini
We happily invite you to some wonderful teachings by Miya Shimada at Gaden Choling in August. Miya is travelling to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Seattle to offer special teachings on Foundation Practices, Chöd, and Vajrayogini. Rinpoche requested that she teach at Gaden Choling, and we are fortunate that she will be with us from Friday, August 13 to Sunday, August 22.
Jan-Feb 2010: Stages of the Path (Lamrim)
Based upon Zasep Rinpoche's request, this course explores the topic of meditating on the Stages of the Path (lamrim). It will be based upon Yeshe Tsondru's "The Essence of Nectar" (lam rim gdud rtsis snying po). This wonderful and very pithy text explores the key topics of lamrim practice in a moving and accessible way. The course Stages of the Path (Lamrim) will meet Thursdays, 7-9pm, and be led by Matt King. Please visit the course's webpage for more details.
Jan-Mar 2010: The Buddhist Path of Ethics, Concentration and Wisdom.
This special weekly course led by Chuck Damov will explore the three principal paths of Buddhist liberation and enlightenment in both theory, meditation and everyday life. All Buddhist traditions teach that ethics, mindful concentration and understanding the ultimate and relative nature of reality function are the foundations of a liberating spiritual path. Please visit the course's webpage for more details. Tuesdays, January 12th to March 2nd, from 7-9pm.
Oct 2009: Five Weeks of Lojong and Tong Len
Our Dharma Study Program is presenting a short course in lojong during October 2009. Everyone is welcome to attend, and don't worry if you've missed some past ones -- just drop in! This series is being presented at Rinpoche's request, as he is planning to offer a short lojong retreat when he is in Toronto this coming November.
May-Jun 2009: Meditation and Buddhism for Beginners
Meditation and Buddhism for Beginners - May/June 2009 - We will be offering a short series of classes for people interested in exploring Buddhism and meditation perhaps for the first time. The course will run on Tuesdays, from May 19, 2009 to June 9, at 7-9pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and details about this 4 week program are provided on its course page. This course is given several times a year.
Mar-Oct 2009: Lam Rim - The Gradual Path to Enlightenment
This weekly Dharma Study Program series began on March 19, 2009, but everyone is welcome to join at any point. In this series of classes we are studying the stages of the path to enlightenment or "Lam Rim" as it is referred to in Tibetan. The study of Lam Rim is considered the foundation for all our practices within Tibetan Buddhism and is essential for both new students and advanced practitioners. Each week study and discuss a section from the comprehensive text by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso entitled Joyful Path of Good Fortune and also learn to meditate on the various topics and stages of the path. All new and returning students are welcome to join in this study program.
Feb-Mar 2009: Meditation and Buddhism for Beginners
This was a short, introductory course for people who are totally new to Buddhism, or who want a quick review of basic meditation techniques and Buddhist concepts. We anticipate presenting this four session course several times a year (see Special Classes above to check if the next one is scheduled). Course materials for the Feb-Mar 2009 offering are here.
Nov-Dec 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. 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. Course materials are here.
Summer-Autumn 2008: Shamata Mahamudra
This course was about how to develop meditative concentration, drawing on material from the mahamudra lineage. Course materials are here.
Summer-Autumn 2008: Three Principal Aspects of the Path
This course was primarily about why and how Buddhists practice meditation. It was be based on a scripture composed in the 15th century by the great Tibetan lama Je Tsongkapa. Course materials are here.