Tibetan New Year (Losar) celebration at our Temple will be on March 5, 2017. After the teaching, we will have an offering ceremony for Geshe la to wish him Happy New Year and also to thank him for the wonderful teachings we received from him.

The program that day will be as follows:

1. 10am. We will begin the day serving visitors with Dre-si (sweet rice), an auspicious dish served on Losar.
2. Short teaching on the first part of Jorchoe (to create an auspicious beginning)
3. Make offering to our teacher with felicitous Khata
4. Potluck Lunch

CALM ABIDING MEDITATION PRACTICE SESSIONS

Saturdays March 11, 18, 25 and April 1

10 am – 11 am (20 minutes sitting, Break, 20 minutes sitting)

As a continuation of the Introduction to Meditation course May, 2016, this
course will focus on practicing calm abiding meditation, and is suitable for
beginners as well as those who participated in the previous course.

See the course page for more details and to reserve a spot.

The current teachings on Eight Verses of Training the Mind will be focusing on Verse 8.

For Feb. 19th, the instruction will be continue where we left off last week on the topic of interdependent co-arising.

Eight Verses of Training the Mind

by Geshe Langri Thangpa

1. By thinking of all sentient beings
   As more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel
   For accomplishing the highest aim,
   I will always hold them dear.
2. Whenever I’m in the company of others,
   I will regard myself as the lowest among all,
   And from the depths of my heart
   Cherish others as supreme.
3. In my every action, I will watch my mind,
   And the moment destructive emotions arise,
   I will confront them strongly and avert them,
   Since they will hurt both me and others.
4. Whenever I see ill-natured beings,
   Or those overwhelmed by heavy misdeeds or suffering,
   I will cherish them as something rare,
   As though I’d found a priceless treasure.
5. Whenever someone out of envy
   Does me wrong by attacking or belittling me,
   I will take defeat upon myself,
   And give the victory to others.
6. Even when someone I have helped,
   Or in whom I have placed great hopes
   Mistreats me very unjustly,
   I will view that person as a true spiritual teacher.
7. In brief, directly or indirectly,
   I will offer help and happiness to all my mothers,
   And secretly take upon myself
   All their hurt and suffering.
8. I will learn to keep all these practices
   Untainted by thoughts of the eight worldly concerns.
   May I recognize all things as like illusions,
   And, without attachment, gain freedom from bondage.

| Rigpa Translations. Revised 2012.