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This Week at Kurukulla Center
April 4, 2011 - April 10, 2011
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From the Director
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 Quick Links About Us Programs Calendar Audio Teachings Stupa Project Contact Us eNews Archive We need your support!  With over $8,000 of monthly expenses, we need your continued support. Please consider making a one-time donation, becoming a member, or increasing your membership. Thank you for all you do to support our center and the Dharma!  Kurukulla Center is affiliated with the FPMT. If you would like to receive the FPMT's monthly newsletter, please subscribe here.  In affiliation with the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.  Follow us on Facebook!  Follow us on Twitter  Visit us on our Blog! |
Dear Kurukulla Community,
Thank you for your interest in the activities of Kurukulla Center.
In Geshe-la's teaching this morning, we studied the proper way to teach the Dharma as explained in the lam-rim teachings and in Pabongka's Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand, and were given a glimpse at the expectations our teachers hold themselves to. How fortunate we are to have them! Geshe-la also reminded us, we are the ones who create the causes and conditions for our enlightenment, not someone else. We need to practice and need to train our minds, creating merit and purifying the negative karma amassed from our non-virtues in this and previous lives. One wonderful way to earn merit is to offer service, and as the emerging spring thaws Kurukulla Center out a little bit we certainly have a lot of volunteer opportunities! We have a workday coming up, details below, but also are looking for members to volunteer to be responsible to set up the gompa before teachings, serve as greeters, help with audio and video recording, and numerous other projects as well. To sign up to help with classes there are calendars on the bulletin board outside of the gompa, and if you're interested in other volunteer projects please see any member of the Management Committee.
We ended class today wishing happy birthday to Geshe-la!
This week we offer the next installment of our monthly series of general interest talks. In "Free as a Bird: The Buddhist Method for Abandoning Life's Problems," resident teacher Geshe Tenley guides us in using the wisdom of Buddhism to deal with the ups and down of daily life. In these general interest talks, Geshe-la wants to give us a chance to get out of our texts one week each month and think more directly about the practical application of the teachings. No background in Buddhism is necessary. This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your friends to Kurukulla Center. Visit our Public Talks website for more information about each talk, as well as to download a flyer for the series, which we encourage you to email and post widely! Youth Class with Tsunma-la (Sue Macy) Runs concurrently, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Resident nun Tsunma-la will lead a class for children ages 6-13 years that meets at the same time as the public talk. She and assistant Shayeh will lead the group in activities with themes drawn from Buddhist teachings. Orientation to Kurukulla Center Follows Public Talk 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm For any newcomers and for any of us who might have a lingering question here or there.  Bookclub Returns this Week 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 12:30 pm: Optional Brown Bag Lunch Resident nun Tsunma-la (Sue Macy) leads a new book discussion series - Women in Buddhism - beginning this Saturday. Each month (April, May & June) we will discuss a different book. All of these books tell the story of how remarkable women responded to both the opportunities and limitations for women in Buddhism. Everyone is welcome - both women and men! It is suggested, but not required, that you read as much as you can. April 9 - Cave in the Snow: Tenzin Palmo's Quest for Enlightenment by Vickie Mackenzie May 14 - Dreaming Me: Black, Baptist & Buddhist by Jan Wills June 11 - Sorrow Mountain: The Journey of a Tibetan Warrior Nun by Ani Pachen & Adelaide Donnelley  Our first book, Cave in the Snow, details an English nun's twelve-year retreat in the remote Himalayan mountains. Her story is spell-binding and an inspiration! Unfortunately we do not carry this title in our bookstore. It, along with Sorrow Mountain, can be ordered from Amazon Books and other retailers (and qualify for free shipping if you spend more than $25 on your purchase!) Dreaming Me is available in our bookstore at a 20% discount.
Work day on April 16
Wish list We use saffron to scent the water set out as offerings on the altar in our gompa and our supply is dwindling. If you would like to bring some to the center or make a donation for this purpose, please reply to this message. Audio Files of Dalai Lama's Teachings In July 2008, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a series of teachings on the Great Treatise of the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (The Lam Rim Chenmo) to commemorate the translation into English and publication of this preeminent text. The sponsoring organization, The Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center, recently posted the audio files in downloadable format. You can access them on the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center website.
Videos of teachings from Kurukulla Center
We have been trying to begin video-archiving all of the teachings that we are blessed to have here at Kurukulla, and for the time being we are uploading them to our YouTube channel. We finally have gotten a webpage together that brings them all into one place for you, and we will try to update it regularly. So with that said, please feel free to watch teachings on our Video Teachings webpage.
Thank you again for your wonderful support.
Much love,  Tsultrim Davis Spiritual Program Coordinator |
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Calendar of Events
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Monday April 4
Introduction to Buddhism with Ani Yeshe 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Introduction to Buddhism, taught by Ani Yeshe, is an on-going series. Each class will introduce a new topic as a way to provide newcomers a broad overview of Buddhism. The course is designed for those who are new or newly acquainted with the Center, to come and hear basic Buddhist teachings, ideas and concepts. Bring all your questions. It is fine to attend any class without having attended prior classes. All welcome!
Tuesday April 5 Morning Meditation with Ven. Tsunma-la (Sue Macy) 6:30 am - 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. If you cannot make it into the Center, you are also welcome to participate from your home by listening on-line to the live broadcast.
Kurukulla South: Path of Freedom, Path of Bliss with Tsultrim Davis 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm This nine part series is an overview of the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment. It will meet February 15 & 22, March 1, 8 & 22, and April 5, 12, 19 & 26. We will begin at the beginning of the path-us, right where we are, now-and explore all the way to the end-complete enlightenment, perfect, unending bliss. This class is appropriate for people with any level of experience with Buddhist meditation or philosophy, or none. Attendance at all nine classes is encouraged but not required. Drop-ins are always welcome! Kurukulla South classes are taught at 90 First Street, Bridgewater MA 02324. Please check the Kurukulla South webpage for directions.
Yoga & Meditation with Wendy Cook 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm This mixed-level yoga class begins with setting intention and breathing techniques, followed by a therapeutic joint freeing series, standing and balancing postures, and other postures such as back and belly strengtheners and hip openers. The last twenty minutes are spent in guided meditation, using techniques such as breath awareness, visualization, and contemplating themes to enhance our inner good qualities.
Wednesday April 6
37 Practices of a Bodhisattva with Geshe Ngawang Tenley 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Geshe-la continues his explanation of The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva by Togme Sangpo (1245-1369.) Come and learn what a bodhisattva does. All are welcome. A copy of the text will be distributed in class and contemporary commentaries are available for purchase in our bookstore. If you cannot make it into the Center, you are also welcome to participate from your home by listening on-line to the live broadcast.
Thursday April 7
Discovering Buddhism: All About Karma with Ven. Tsunma-la (Sue Macy) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm This module, All About Karma, aims to introduce you to the Buddhist concept of karma, the law of cause and effect, and what it means to take personal responsibility. Using examples from everyday life we will analyze how actions determine their results and cause us to experience either happiness or suffering. We will explore purification practices and establish a daily meditation on karma.The course meets four consecutive Thursday evenings: March 17, 24 & 31 and April 7. It is recommended you attend all four sessions but it is not required. If you cannot make it into the Center, you are also welcome to participate from your home by listening on-line to the live broadcast.
Friday April 8
Morning Meditation with Ven. Tsunma-la (Sue Macy) 6:30 am - 7:00 am Resident nun Tsunma-la continues the Morning Meditation series on Fridays with a variation on the stabilizing meditations that have been offered earlier. The focus is now using our analytical mind to investigate core Buddhist concepts as a way to deepen our understanding of them. 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. If you cannot make it into the Center, you are also welcome to participate from your home by listening on-line to the live broadcast.
Saturday April 9 Book Club with Ven. Tsunma-la (Sue Macy) 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 12:30 pm - Optional Brown Bag Lunch Today resident nun Tsunma-la (Sue Macy) begins a new book discussion series - Women in Buddhism. All of these books tell the story of how remarkable women responded to both the opportunities and limitations for women in Buddhism. Everyone is welcome - both women and men! It is suggested, but not required, that you read as much as you can. Our first book, Cave in the Snow, details an English nun's twelve-year retreat in the remote Himalayan mountains. Her story is spell-binding and an inspiration! More information about the series is available on our online calendar.
Sunday April 10 Public Talk - Free as a Bird: The Buddhist Method for Abandoning Life's Problems with Geshe Ngawang Tenley 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Youth Class to run concurrently Newcomers' Oreintation to follow, at 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm Geshe Ngawang Tenley offers a series of pragmatic talks, suitable for anyone interested in exploring effective techniques for dealing with life's difficulties according to the Buddhist view. No background in Buddhism is necessary. This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your friends to Kurukulla Center and what is so special about Buddhism. Geshe-la wants to give us a chance to get out of our texts one week each month and think more directly about how to apply these teachings to our everyday life! Find out more information about the series at www.kurukulla.org/PublicTalks. No matter how technologically advanced our society may become, it seems like we are facing more, and new, problems everyday, in many different aspects of our lives. In this morning's talk, Geshe-la discusses the method taught by the Buddha to overcome all of the problems on may experience, and to live a peaceful, happy life. Children are Welcome! Resident nun Tsunma-la (Ven. Sue Macy) will offer a youth class, ages 6-13, to run concurrently with this public talk. Kurukulla Center Orientation to follow teaching, 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm. |
 Kurukulla Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies 68 Magoun Avenue Medford, MA 02155 617.624.0177 http://www.kurukulla.org |
| May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes! |
