Hello Dharma Friends,

Ama la is unavailable for translating dharma teaching on Sundays for the next two weeks. This is the updated upcoming schedule.

7 APR, SUN

CANCELLED Introduction to Buddhism

10 APR, WED 6:30 – 8pm

Meditation and Tara Prayer

14 APR, SUN

CANCELLED Regular Dharma teaching

Scheduling is subject to change, please refer to the website calendar for the latest schedule: https://jtclcalgary.ca/calendar/

You can also attend virtually on Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4102590148?pwd=RkphclNKK21LUEQySmk1UVdSWnlMUT09

Regular Dharma Teaching

The Jam Tse Cho Ling Calgary Dharma teaching occurs every Sunday at 11am MT. Temple doors are open earlier for those who’d like to meditate before the teaching (10:00am-10:45am).

Topic: Guru puja

Lama chopa prayer book:

Prayer books

Meditation and Prayer

We do group meditation sessions at 6:30pm Wednesday evenings, followed by reciting Tara Prayer.

Recordings

2024-03-31 summary:

Example of real practitioner is Ama la, in the ten years I have been in Calgary I have never seen her complain about her family responsibilities, or anytime when we are called to attend a person in the community for illness or death, she is always ready to go. This is the real benefit for you all of practice is a higher tolerance and a more spacious mind with a kinder heart. 

With the Guru Yoga verses we must learn to have an intense longing for freedom from samsara, to learn to be free of afflictions. 

What it means to think well is to understand that when things go well it is due to our past merit and the Buddha Dharma, now while we have this precious human life we need to double our efforts, work even harder and always remember impermanence. We also must remember that as long as we are in samsara there will be suffering.  Due to karma, there will be good things and bad things and with more practice we can remain in equanimity.  

Things we shouldn’t fear or be angry about we are – weather, small things, and what we really should be frightened of are the 3 poisons – desire, anger, ignorance – this is what can destroy us completely.  We can’t worry about others, we need to point to ourselves we have to check ourselves, not only for this life, but for countless lives in the future.  We have to remember as Buddha Shakyamuni said that our enemies are the 3 poisons within sentient beings, and that there is no sentient being that is our enemy.

Audio Recording link

• Review of some previous week topics: 
  • Preciousness of Human Rebirth: on the value of a human life, discussing how difficult it is to attain and how easily it can be lost. Stressed the importance of not squandering this opportunity but instead living a meaningful life. 
  • Impermanence and Uncertainty: on the uncertainty of life, especially the uncertainty of death, it is important to contemplate on this aspect regularly. 

• Different Types of Human Conditions: on the various conditions humans might face, such as extreme poverty, mental incapacity, physical disabilities, or living in constant fear due to violence. Contrasted these conditions with the fortunate circumstances many of us likely have. 
• Karma and Past Lives: on the concept of karma, that our current conditions are a result of past actions. Emphasized the need to accumulate virtue to ensure positive outcomes in future lives. 
• Practice and Action: on the importance of not just wishing for virtuous actions but actively practicing them. Examples provided to illustrate that merely wishing for something without action won’t yield results. 
• Importance of Learning Tibetan: on the importance of learning Tibetan for a deeper understanding of Buddha dharma. Highlighted challenges with translations and the necessity of learning the original language for more thorough comprehension. 

2024-03-10 Recording