Geshe-la playing Damaru and Bell
Atisha Buddhist Centre
eDharma Newsletter

May 2008
Whenever we see someone in pain or experiencing difficulties we should try to
respond by helping them. If we cannot help
in a practical way we should at least try to
help with our thoughts and prayers

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Universal Compassion

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Other Local Centres

Madhyamaka Centre, Pocklington

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Feast of Delight
 Feast of Delight

Friday 16th May 2008 at 7.00pm

The menu for this Feast of Delight is:-
Starter:- Carrot and Coriander Soup
Main:- Mild Vegetable Curry
Desert:- Fruit Trifle

A relaxing guided meditation followed by three courses of delicious, light, contemporary vegetarian food.  Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with like minded spiritual friends - bring your own friends or come and make new ones!

Please send full payment by post (schedules made payable to 'Atisha Buddhist Centre' or pay online by clicking below:-

Book now


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Dawn Studying
Studying Buddhism

Would you like ...

..to deepen your knowledge and experience of Buddhist meditation and practice?

We offer our Foundation Programme which provides an opportunity to do this through a step-by-step guidance of the complete path to full awakening and enlightenment.

You can choose from one of two classes

Saturdays 9.30am - 2pm studying
'Joyful Path of Good Fortune'
 
Or
 
Mondays and Thursdays 7.30 -9.30pm studying 'Eight Steps to Happiness'

No experience is necessary, but an open mind is an advantage.

For more details please call or email Kath on education@atishameditation.co.uk

 


Guru Yoga & Mandala Offerings Retreat

Saturday 31st - Friday 6th June 2008

Free introductory on 18th May at 7.30 pm

Session times: 7am, 10.30am, 4pm, 7pm

You do not need an empowerment to do this retreat

Guru Yoga is a special method for receiving the blessings of our Spiritual Guide. Our Spiritual Guide is any Spiritual Teacher who sincerely leads us into spiritual paths by giving correct instructions. All schools of Buddhism agree that the practice of Guru Yoga, or relying upon a Spiritual Guide, is the root of the spiritual path and the foundation of all spiritual attainments.

The word 'Mandala' in this context means 'universe'. When we offer a Mandala to the holy beings we are offering everything - the whole universe with all it's objects and all the beings who inhabit it. We mentally transform the whole universe into a Pure Land and imagine that all it's inhabitants are pure beings and that all it's objects are precious substances. We then imagine that we are offering this pure universe in our hands.

These two practices are very powerful methods for receiving blessings from all enlightened beings and for accumulating a great stock of merit or positive mental energy. They will be done in conjunction with the prayers
Offering to the Spiritual Guide

All retreat sessions are FREE, come to as many as you like.

Although donations are welcome!


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Wishfulfilling Jewel Sadhana

Wishfulfilling Jewel with Tsog

is moving to a new time

From May 1st, Saturday Wishfulfilling Jewel will be held at 2.30pm

Making offerings to Buddhas earns us lots of Merit. So this special weekly Puja is not only  enjoyable, but highly meritorious.

We do hope that all practitioners, (in particular FP students) will feel able to join us at the centre to offer prayers and offerings to Dorje Shugden and Je Tsongkhapa.

The times of other Pujas remain unchanged, but as you are probably aware they occasionally move during Retreats; or to make way for GP classes, so check your calendar.


 
Northern Dharma Celebration

Northern Dharma Celebration
- 'Healing From Within'
Madhyamaka Meditation Centre - Pocklington, York
2nd -5th May 2008

During the Celebration Gen-la Khyenrab will grant the empowerment of Medicine Buddha, and give a commentary to the practice of the Medicine Buddha Sadhana with special emphasis on developing authentic love. By unifying our practice of love with the tantric self-generation practice of Medicine Buddha, powerful purification of our body and mind can take place, thereby removing the root causes of sickness both outer and inner.
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Pathway Sign
Pathway to the Pure Land - Day Course

Sunday 11th May 2008
10.00 am - 5 pm

Death will definitely come and nothing can prevent it but how can we make this impermanence meaningful.  Unfortunately many of us will die feeling regret and without dignity.  In this day course Kelsang Chodor will explain Buddha’s compassionate teachings on living and dying that can become a constant source of refuge in a largely uncertain world.

Book now

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Geshe-la

NKT International
Spring and Summer Festivals 2008

May 23rd to May 26th  - Empowerment of Buddha Vajrapani
July 25th to August 9th - Empowerment of Buddha Avalokiteshvara

Bookings have already opened for these annual festivals held at Manjushri KMC in the Lake District. A fantastic opportunity to receive inspiration, teachings and empowerments from the renowned Buddhist teacher, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

For more information please visit the Festival sites by following the link below:-

International Kadampa Buddhist Festivals 2008

Book Now



NKT International Fall Festival 2008

Opening the Wisdom Eye with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

The 2008 International Fall Festival will be held in Paris.
31st October - 7th November

During the Festival, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso will grant the empowerment of the Great Mother Prajnaparamita for the very first time in the West.

Booking Now Open

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Tara Budhist Centre Retreatx

Tara Buddhist Centre
Mindfulness Retreat
  
April 11th - 13th 2008

Eighteen of us arrived at Tara Buddhist Centre and most of us were strangers.

However we had one thing in common, we all wanted to hear Kelsang Chodor teach us how to improve our mindfulness.

The teachings took place in Tara's Retreat Gompa (which is where the group photograph was taken) and the pleasant and comfortable surroundings really helped our meditations. Venerable Chodor taught four meditations including his favourite - death and impermanence! At the end of the retreat we all felt that we had benefited immensely from his truly inspiring teachings.

We arrived as strangers but left as friends. I would like to thank all the practitioners who made my first retreat as EPC really memorable and I hope to see you all in the near future.
with love and blessings, Kath

Please visit our website to see more photos
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Meditating Nun

Anyone can learn
to Meditate
 
Beginners Meditation Classes

These classes run every week throughout the North East until 22nd July.

Teaching simple, practical methods found in Buddhism for finding and keeping a calm mind and lasting inner peace - the class starts with a guided meditation to relax, unwind and feel blissful. After a short talk and another guided meditation we finish with discussion
(often over tea and biccies).

Everyone is welcome regardless of experience - join at anytime.

Click on the specific class details for more information about that particular class.
 
 
 
   
Contact information

9 Milton Street, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 4ET

01325 365265


meditate@atishameditation.co.uk

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