Monday, August 30

Introduction to Buddhism with Ven. Ani Yeshe

7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Introduction to Buddhism is an on-going series. Each class introduces a new topic as a way of providing newcomers a broad overview of Buddhism. The course is designed for those who are new or newly acquainted with the Center to hear basic Buddhist teachings, ideas and concepts, especially those emphasized by our resident lama (teacher), Geshe Tsulga. Bring all your questions. It is fine to attend any class without having attended prior classes. All welcome!

Tuesday, August 31

Morning Meditation with Tsunma-la (Sue Macy)

6:30 am to 7:00 am

Start your day on the right foot by calming your mind, setting your day's purpose to be a meaningful one and remembering to just breathe! Resident nun Tsunma-la leads basic meditations that help stabilize the mind by learning to focus on the breath. By using these simple techniques, you can bring a sense of tranquility to your day. If you plan to join Tsunma-la in the meditation hall (gompa) at Kurukulla Center please arrive a few minutes early. We will start  promptly at 6:30 am. Feel free to listen live online.

Yoga & Meditation with Wendy Cook

7:00 pm to 8:45 pm

These classes include therapeutic movements, standing postures, back strengthening postures and hip openers. The last twenty minutes are spent in guided meditation, including breath awareness, visualization, and analytical techniques to enhance our inner good qualities. Suitable for both experienced and new students, you are welcome to attend on a drop-in basis. Please arrive a few minutes early and wear comfortable, fitted and modest clothing.

Wednesday, September 01

Thirty-seven Practices of a Bodhisattva with Geshe Tenley

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Geshe-la continues an explanation of the Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas by Togme Sangpo (1245-1369.) Come and discover what it means to model your actions after those of a bodhisattva. All are welcome. A copy of the text will be distributed in class and a commentary by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is available on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive website. Other contemporary commentaries are available for purchase in our bookstore.  Feel free to listen live online.

Friday, September 03

Morning Meditation with Tsunma-la (Sue Macy)

6:30 am to 7:00 am

Start your day on the right foot by calming your mind, setting your day's purpose to be a meaningful one and remembering to just breathe! Resident nun Tsunma-la leads basic meditations that help stabilize the mind by learning to focus on the breath. By using these simple techniques, you can bring a sense of tranquility to your day. If you plan to join Tsunma-la in the meditation hall (gompa) at Kurukulla Center please arrive a few minutes early. We will start promptly at 6:30 am.  Feel free to listen live online.

Guru Puja (Lama Chopa)

7:00 pm - 8:45 pm

The word puja means "to please" and has the connotation to please through offerings and practice. The Guru Puja lays the whole path to enlightenment on our mindstream, connects us more strongly to our teachers, allows us to accumulate skies of merit and purifies eons of negative karma. We perform this practice on the 10th and 25th of the lunar Tibetan calendar, a time that is special for making the "tsok" offering, a particular ritual inserted into the Guru Puja. We chant the first 2/3rds of this puja in Tibetan and the last 1/3 we recite in English.

To create merit, positive connection, it is traditional to bring offerings for the altar, which then becomes the basis for the visualized offerings made during the puja; cookies, fruit, flowers, tea lights (unscented), or saffron are suggested.

All are welcome.

Sunday, September 05

Wisdom Chapter from Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life with Venerable Geshe Tsulga

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

The ninth chapter of Guide to a Bodhisattva's Way of Life, composed by the great bodhisattva Shantideva, addresses the Madhyamika view of reality by setting it against other philosophical systems, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist. Reputed to be highly challenging, we are fortunate such an eminently qualified teacher as Geshe Tsulga will guide us through this section. Copies of Guide to a Bodhisattva's Way of Life and a commentary on this chapter by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Transcendent Wisdom, are available for purchase in our bookstore. We will also distribute a copy of Chapter 9 to all class participants.  Feel free to listen live online.

This course is from the Basic Program, a multi-year program offering a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of core Buddhist texts. Prior participation in the Basic Program or a background in Buddhist philosophy are recommended.