Atisha Buddhist Centre eDharma
Newsletter
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The main cause of enlightenment is bodhichitta, the spontaneous
wish to attain enlightenment that is motivated by compassion
for all living beings. A person who possesses this precious
mind of bodhichitta is called a 'Bodhisattva'.
Geshe Kelsang
Gyatso
Transform Your
Life
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General
Programme
Meditation Classes
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Transform Your Life
Simple Buddhist meditations
for mental and physical
well being, inner peace
and wisdom
The
Benefits
of
Meditation
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Introductory
Websites
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Learn practical methods to
transform our mind from a state of unhappiness to a state of
happiness.
In these
troubled times, peace of mind is a very rare and
precious discovery.
Anger is one of the most common and destructive delusions. Learn
how to recognize and solve our anger
problem.
Learn
Meditation Techniques
Meditation is
a skill that anyone can learn.
About
Meditation
Meditation is a method for
creating inner peace through training the mind.
Other Local Centres
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Atisha Buddhist Centre
Meditation
Venues
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Due to a widening circle of interest in meditation throughout the
North East, we are offering Buddhist teachings in the following
locations.
Find a
General Programme meditation class in a town near
you:
Middlesbrough
-Mondays
Saltburn -
Wednesdays
Atisha Swimathon
We did it... and everyone
survived!! Now the hard work of collecting in the sponsorship
starts – so if you've sponsored one of the swimmers, please try to
give them your sponsorship as soon as possible.
Here's a quick note of
thanks from Chödor to all the swimmers and sponsors:
“Thanks for all your hard
work and everyone's generosity. I was amazed at the 'lengths' you
went to to help the Dharma flourish. Thank you from the 'depths' of
my heart.
With love and best wishes, Chödor”
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Dear
Sangha
friend,
Welcome to the latest
edition of the Atisha Centre
eDharma Newsletter.
We send one every month.
Give us your thoughts and ideas for future newsletters, and if you
like this edition please forward it to a friend by using the link
at the bottom of this Email.
Each month
we'll update you on the forthcoming news, events, courses etc.
being organised by Atisha Centre and the New Kadampa
Tradition.
We hope to see
you soon,
Your Friends at Atisha
Centre
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NKT Summer Festival
20th July - 4th August
Festival Programme
Transmission and Teachings
on Mahamudra Tantra
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Part
Two:
How to Train in Mahamudra
Part Three: What is
Emptiness?
During this, our sixteenth Summer Festival, Geshe Kelsang
will continue his transmission and explanation of the practice of
Mahamudra, which he began last year, based on his book Mahamudra
Tantra.
These
teachings are open to everyone; it is not necessary to have
received teachings on Part One.
Mahamudra Tantra is a mind that simultaneously experiences great
bliss and realizes emptiness, or ultimate truth,
directly.
In
the first week, Geshe Kelsang will explain how we can experience great bliss through the six
stages of training in Mahamudra. These teachings will be
followed by a guided meditation retreat.
Inthe
second part of the Festival, he will explain how to realize
ultimate truth, emptiness. This will also be followed by a guided
meditation retreat on emptiness.
Saturday 28 July is a free day giving an opportunity to
explore the local Lake District countryside, or simply relax. Coach
trips are arranged for overseas visitors, which include a short
walk, a picnic lunch and a boat trip
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13th July 2007 at 7.30
pm
A guided meditation
followed by a delicious 3 course vegetarian meal in our World Peace
Cafe. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with like minded spiritual
friends.
(Full
payment in advance is required)
Please
phone 01325 365265 to reserve a place
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Evening FP (Foundation
Programme) |
The Evening Foundation
Programme has changed to two
evenings per
week starting from Monday 18th
June.
It will be starting with studying Eight
Steps to Happiness.
This inspiring book
reveals essential methods for developing universal love and
compassion, the source of true happiness for both self
and others.
It gives a detailed
and practical commentary to eight beautiful verses that
comprise one of Buddhism's best-loved and most enduring
teachings, Eight
Verses of Training the Mind. Composed by
thegreat Tibetan Bodhisattva, Langri Tangpa, this short poem
shows how we can transform all life's difficulties into
valuable spiritual insights.
For centuries, these
liberating meditation practices have brought lasting peace,
inspiration and serenity to countless people in the
East.
Try a 2
week taster before deciding
Enrollment is necessary
for this programme although you can start anytime.
For more
information contact the Education Programme
Coordinator
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Directors
Corner
Building For The Future
What Is Our Vision?
Our vision is to give
everyone the opportunity to hear and practice the holy Kadam Dharma
so that they can find lasting inner peace and freedom from
problems. To accomplish our aim we run the three Spiritual
Programmes designed by the renowned Buddhist teacher, Geshe Kelsang
Gyatso.
To enable
us to create the best environment for learning and study we also
need a suitable building that provides a welcoming and inspiring
environment for visitors as well as a comfortable home for a large,
active and strong community of residents. Over the next few years
we are planning to develop the existing facilities and activities
in three stages.
Our
Objectives:
The Three Scopes Of
Development
The initial
Scope – Atisha Centre as today, a place for friendships,
study, meditation and enlightened living.
The
Intermediate Scope – A fully occupied and refurbished Centre
with better facilities attracting more visitors and residents.
The Great Scope – A new building
may be in the country or in the heart of a town; supporting a
stronger and larger spiritual community with even better facilities
and activities such as a peace garden and meditation hall. A
beautiful and unique spiritual Centre attracting and inspiring
visitors from all over the region.
The Intermediate Scope
Imagine…
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A modern
and refurbished Kadampa Buddhist Centre in the heart of
Darlington.
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6 happy
residents living and working harmoniously to help dharma flourish
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30 or more
people attending day courses.
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Visitors of
all backgrounds and ages coming to the Centre, feeling inspired and
encouraged by what they see and feeling part of a supportive
spiritual community.
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A place
where many people are studying to become fully qualified Kadampa
teachers.
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A place of
spiritual refuge for many people – where harmony can be found for
themselves and others. A building that continues to be dedicated to
world peace and the community at large, both now and in future
generations.
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A place
where many people learn how to integrate Buddha’s teachings into
their daily lives.
Making this a
reality…
Good news! - The refurbishment is
bringing a real sense of community and purpose to carry us well
into the future. As a result the whole community will collect vast
merit and good fortune - the cause to fulfill our great scope
visit in in the
future.
Here’s a way in which all YOU can help…..
through your
prayers:
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Please make prayers that
this exciting and meaningful project will be accomplished with
success. Also come along to our Tsog Pujas or participate in social
events such as the monthly Feast of Delight.
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Take out some time to give
serious thought to how you can help – contemplate and meditate on
how the new Centre will benefit yourself and the
community.
If you want to discuss
ways in which you can help physically with your skill and money
please just contact me at the Centre.
Please be as generous as
you can.
With deepest thanks
Mike
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