Kathok Gonpa - Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre in Qualicum BC
Events
Teachings from Tulku Karzang Rinpoche April 20, 2013
7 Noble Human Qualities to reflect on:
1. Devotion. Find your spiritual path and commit to it. You don't have to search all over the world again and again. Every tradition comes down to the same point. All streams go to the ocean. Stick with one, dive in with devotion and swim downstream. The more energy you put in, the more you recieve.
2. Discipline. Can you look at your own faults and do something about them? Can you be in control of your emotions? You don't need to ask anyone else to be your disciplinarian. You can see and do for yourself. Don't let negativity become a habit. Use mindfulness to see it arise and apply the antidote right away and watch it dissolve.
3. Generosity. Use mindfulness and wisdom when practicing generosity. Are you freely giving or are you expecting something is exchange?
4. Free your own mind. The whole point of any teaching is to free your own mind. If you are reading a book or attending a teaching in person (more powerful as more energy exchange), check in and see 'Am I feeling better being here? Is this working for me right now?' You check. It's your mind. If something's not working change it.
5. Dignity. Have humility. It's ok to be ashamed of something you've done/said, then you won't do that again. It's ok to make a mistake once - see it - then don't do it again. This is having dignity and humility. If you keep making the same mistake, look into it; 'Why am I doing this?'
6. Self Control. Do not wait for someone else to tell you what is right and wrong. You know. Take responsibility and be yourself.
7. Discriminating Awareness. Mindfulness is the key. Always remind yourself you are on a spiritual path. Pay attention to how you are speaking, what your body is doing, what you are thinking. Pay attention.
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Offering butter lamps & prayers for those ill or dying
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We practice and make offerings to purify obscurations and accumulate vast merit for ourselves and others. This has the power to bless and transform our dualistic confusion into pristine awareness. You can make offerings on behalf of yourself and others also. By making offerings you also create the causes for the future results of becoming wealthy and becoming naturally and spontaneously generous. Butter lamps are offerings of pure, positive light for people who are sick or struggling in the lives, in the dying process or already recently passed.
Offerings of butter lamps and prayers are a dedication to the dead in order to guide them through the bardo. The light of the butter lamps symbolizes wisdom and removing the darkness of ignorance. This can be done in the immediate event of a loved ones passing, or any time. With your request of butter lamps and prayers you can include a photo and name of the deceased. If you are making an offering for the benefit of someone who's sick or suffering, we can send a card to the person or family you are requesting prayers for (one card per sponsor). * |
Listen To H.H. Getse Rinpoche's Public talk 'Developing Compassion' Aug 15, 2012
Have patience - it will download in 5 - 10 minutes then click 'download button top right: Click here!
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To see video of events and teachings at Kathok Centre click here
To download photos at flikr click here
May- June 2013
We expecting Lingtrul Rinpoche to arrive at Kathok Centre on Sunday May 26 around 5:30pm. If you would like to greet him and stay for a pot luck dinner please come!
See Video from the Annual Fundraiser
Matching May Campaign!
During the month of May your donations to this fund will be matched up to $5000! So if you donate $10 our anonymous donor will put in an additional $10 so your donation is doubled. If you donate $1000, your donation will become $2000! Click the Blue donate below and select 'Matching May' or put your donation in the box at the temple during May in an enveloped marked 'Matching May' with your name and Self Addressed Stamped Envelope and the treasurer will mail you your tax deductible donation receipt at the end of the year.
*The month of May is 'Saga Dawa' - the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and parinirvana all fall within this period. The first fifteen days of the month are considered especially important as the month of Saga Dawa is so sacred that any merit obtained for the performance of a good deed or religious practices (e.g. reciting of mantras) is doubled.
Saturday May 25 10am Green Tara Practice (female diety known as the Buddha of enlightened activity). Bring offerings of flowers and fruit and come clean without eating meat, garlic or onions for one day, for purification and cleansing. (Full Moon) Everyone Welcome!
Sunday May 26 10am Nyundro Practice (Community Planning meeting will be rescheduled when Lingtrul Rinpoche is here)
3:30pm Shrub Draw at the Rod & Gun in Parksville - Fundraiser for the Centre!
We are expecting Lingtrul Rinpoche's arrival at Kathok Centre between 5:30pm - 6pm on Sunday May 26th. If you would like to greet him please arrive by 5:30pm.
* See Classifieds Page for some great deals on Gift Certificates
raising funds to support Kathok Centre!
Saturday June 1 10am Shower of Blessings practice
Sunday June 2 10am Open Meditation followed by work bee
Sunday June 9 10am Open Meditation
11:15am Nyundro Practice followed by work bee
* If you have extra hardy plants, bushes, flowers, bulbs in your garden and would like to donate the to the temple please drop them off anytime in the carpark beside the pile of manure! Thank you!
Sunday June 16 10am Open Meditation including the reading and contemplation of the 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas followed by work bee
Sunday June 23 10am Tara Practice. (Full moon) followed by work bee
Sunday June 30 10am Open Meditation
11:15am Join us for a two hour Introduction to Homeopathic Medicine with well known Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Margret Holland. We will cover the basic premise behind this form of medicine and teach you how to use remedies to treat simple medical problems at home. If time permits we will discuss five common remedies and their application for treating ear infections. This casual class will leave you feeling empowered and exited to learn more. Suggested donation $45 Some topics covered: What is homeopathy? Why is it useful to know? What can the lay person expect to treat? When should they consult a professional? How does the immune system work? Please register with Dr. Holland via email: gr8nd4u@gmail.com
*Please bring a folding chair if you are unable to sit on cushions on the floor
* Meditation sessions are 60-90 minutes. Please feel free to take bathroom breaks whenever you need.
For all events above a suggested minimum donation of $20 is appreciated, unless otherwise stated, however if you are unable to contribute financially at this time your presence and help in any way is also appreciated. To receive official tax receipts that you can apply to your year end tax return please donate on the button below. Please consider it's entirely your donations that pay for the ongoing upkeep of the Centre. Thank you.
See article in Northwest Dharma about the Golden Shrine!
Description of Various Practices
Open Meditation: Guided meditation with emphasis on the breath. Learn the basics of seating posture whether in a chair or on a cushion. Bringing mindfulness to the body begins to quiet the mind. Reduce the effects of stress, lower your blood pressure naturally and boost your immune system. This is the basic foundation of any spiritual practice, for all faiths and is stabilizing the ground from which we can grow on all levels. Learn key essentials for learning to watch your own thoughts and emotions, helping you deal with all life's stressors including death and illness in a healthy, kind and gentle way.
Nyundro Practice: This is a foundational Tibetan Meditation practice that is a prerequisite for access to the more advanced teachings and practices of this lineage. If you have your own text, bell and dorje, and mandala pan please bring them, if not, you can borrow some from the temple.
Tara Practice: Green Tara is a female Buddha who swiftly comes to the aid of those who beseech her for protection. She has vowed to benefit those suffering from illness, mental and emotional pain, dangerous situations and all types of calamity. Please bring flower petals and flowers to help practice generosity. If you want to practice the cleansing, purifying aspect more deeply restrain from eating meat, garlic or onions for one day.
Shower of Blessings Practice: This practice develops and deepens your connection with Guru Rinpoche, all Teachers and enlightened beings. Guru Rinpoche, or Padmasambhava, brought Buddhism from India to Tibet in the 8th century and is especially revered by practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. Guru Rinpoche promised, “I will come to remove the suffering of the people on the tenth day of every moon. Do not forget to pray.” Guru Rinpoche Day is one of the two main monthly rituals within Vajrayana Buddhism. It is very beneficial to do this practice everyday, but especially on the 10th day.
For further general information e-mail: info@kathokcentre.ca