Mindfulness Weekend Retreat & Buddhist Vows Class Series, with Chuck Damov, January, 2011
Hi everyone,
I am excited to let you know that Rinpoche and our board here at Gaden Choling have invited Chuck Damov to come and lead a series of weekly talk and a weekend retreat at Gaden Choling in January. Chuck Damov has been studying and practicing Tibetan Buddhism for over 30 years, and is a long-time, senior student of Zasep Rinpoche. Chuck has received extensive instruction on all aspects of sutra and tantra practice from the masters of the Tibetan tradition, including HH Jetsun Dampa Rinpoche, Tara Tulku and so forth. Chuck is an incredible teacher whom we have had the privilege to host at Gaden Choling many times, and whose classes and retreats are able to communicate the the tradition in highly interactive, accessible and practical terms. On Zasep Rinpoche's request, Chuck has been teaching Buddhism for the past 10 years.
Chuck will be leading a series of three talks on Buddhist vows and precepts and their relation to developing a Buddhist practice on Thursdays, as well as a weekend mindfulness retreat Jan. 8-9.
All classes and retreats are open to everyone on a drop-in basis.
Suggested donation for the weekly classes is $20 (employed)/$15 (members of Gaden Choling, students, seniors, under-employed) and $25/$30 a day for the weekend retreat. As always, these are just suggestions and no one will be turned away if they are unable to pay (no questions asked).
Please see details below for the weekly class and weekend retreat. I will send updates as we get closer. Please email me if you have any questions.
Matt King
President
Gaden Choling
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Thursdays, January 6, 13, and 20, from 7-9 pm
THE VOWS AND ETHICS OF BUDDHISM: ENJOYABLE?: A SERIES OF 3 TALKS
There are 3 progressive levels of vows and ethics in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Each level is related to one's spiritual goals and style of practice. In this series of talks, we will explore one level each week
Thursday January 6:
THE BUDDHIST VOW: HOW ENJOYABLE IS IT?
Exploring "Refuge", the way to become a Buddhist. What is the essence of Refuge, and what are a Buddhist's main formal vows? How can learning and trying to keep the Buddhist Vow be spiritually refreshing and enjoyable?
Thursday January 13:
THE BUDDHIST BODHISATTVA VOW: HOW ENJOYABLE IS IT?
Exploring the way of the Buddhist Bodhisattva, the commitment to becoming fully Enlightened, in order to serve the world well.
What is the essence of the Bodhisattva Vow, and what are it's main formal vows? How can learning and trying to keep the Bodhisattva Vow be spiritually refreshing and enjoyable?
Thursday January 20:
THE TANTRIC BODHISATTVA VOW: HOW ENJOYABLE IS IT?
Exploring the practice of Tantric Bodhisattvas, the commitment to becoming fully Enlightened as quickly as possible, in order to serve the world well. What is the essence of the Tantric Bodhisattva Vow, and what are its main formal vows? How can learning and trying to keep the Tantric Bodhisattva Vow be spiritually refreshing and enjoyable?
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Saturday January 8, and Sunday January 9, 2011
Weekend Retreat Workshop: GOOD MINDFULNESS PRACTICE: BEING MINDFUL WITH GOOD-WILL
Time: 10am - 5pm each day. (Session 1: 10am-1pm, Lunch: 1-2pm, Session 2: 2-5pm)
This retreat workshop is intended to provide the opportunity to develop and increase your personal experience of presence, mindfulness and positive attitudes. The method is through learning the practice of 4 techniques of mindfulness meditation, combined with learning how to develop the 4 most wholesome attitudes taught by Buddha:universal loving-kindness, compassion, celebration and impartiality."
Since the teaching and practices will be progressive, it is recommended to attend the workshop retreat from the first session on Saturday , for as long as you wish, rather than joining in later.
To improve our experience, we will practice "Noble silence" during the weekend, to the best of our ability.
Bring own lunch / drinks. Loose-fitting clothing recommended. Suitable for all levels of meditators, including beginners. We will start and end on time.