Dharma Talk and Discussion: Karma

Thursday, May 28, 7:00 PM

For better or worse, Karma is now part of the English language. This teaching is a great opportunity to get the real picture of this principle...or is it a law? It's always a fascinating topic that raises many intriguing questions such as: how does it work, how does it affect us and others, is it set and immutable, how can effects go from one life to another, and many more.

Set the date aside, it's for certain this will be a great presentation and discussion. In accordance with our 2009 cycle, both May and June fourth Thursday's will be devoted to this topic.

Note, If you missed them, the last two sessions on Happiness were excellent talks and discussions that everyone felt were really valuable. I'm sure that experience will continue with this intriguing topic.

Suggested Donation: $15.00, no one will be turned away.

This event will take place at our normal Thursday night location, the Lien Hoa Temple at 12th & Wilson. The full address is 1211 Wilson St. NE, Olympia WA, 98502

Dharma Talk and discussion: Happiness

Thursday, April 23, 2009

This Thursday will be the follow-up session to last month's topic which was "Happiness." Last month Geshe gave us a definition of Happiness and related this contemporary definition to concepts in classical Buddhism. We also had a very good discussion of what people usually think happiness means. This month's session is a follow-up in which the discussion of Happiness will continue and we will delve more deeply into it. It will be part presentation by Geshe Jamyang Tsultrim, and part discussion.

Suggested Donation: $15.00, no one will be turned away. (If you paid for the last Thursday teaching, this is a continuation of that, so there is no need to pay again.)

This event will take place at our normal Thursday night location, the Lien Hoa Temple at 1211 Wilson St. NE, Olympia WA, 98502

A favorite dedication prayer

Precept Dedication Prayer
by Shantideva,

revised by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama

May no living creature suffer, commit evil or ever fall ill.

May no one be afraid or belittled, with a mind weighed down by depression.
May the blind see forms, and the deaf hear sounds.

May those whose bodies are worn with toil be restored on finding repose.
May the naked find clothing, the hungry find food.

May the thirsty find water, and delicious drinks.
May the poor find wealth, those weak with sorrow find joy.

May the forlorn find hope, constant happiness and prosperity.
May there be timely rains and bountiful harvests.

May all medicines be effective and wholesome prayers bear fruit.
May all who are sick and ill quickly be freed from their ailments.

Whatever diseases there are in the world, may they never occur again.
May the frightened cease to be afraid and those bound be freed.

May the powerless find power, and may people think of benefiting each other.
May all beings everywhere, plagued by sufferings of body and mind,
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy by virtue of my merits.

**************************************************************************************

When I remember to start my day with this dedication prayer

the day seems to be much less stressful.

I am more mindful of how fortunate I really am

and how small all my "big" troubles really are.

When my day does get crazy full of stress,

this prayer helps lower that stress to a more manageable level,

and for me that is very beneficial. ljc

Dharma Talk: Developing and Cultivating Spiritual Aspiration

Thursday, Mar 26, 2009

The third talk will cover the topic of developing and cultivating spiritual aspiration

It's based on the second and third chapters of our text "Clarifying the Sage's Intent"

The two chapter titles are explanatory:

Producing the Aspiration to Engage in Buddha's Teachings, and
Generating the Great Enlightenment Thought

The first two talks addressed the potential we all have for spiritual development. This third talk now progress to the next stage which is how to develop that potential. As the titles suggest, it starts with the thought, or aspiration to develop spiritually. This months teaching will illuminate how to cultivate and nourish that spiritual aspiration and how to then actually generate the key elements for firmly establishing and maintaining it.

Whether you heard first talks or not, you can still benefit greatly from hearing this teaching. Especially since Geshe Jamyang always makes these topics fresh, relevant and accessible.

Suggested Donation: $15.00, no one will be turned away.

This event will take place at our normal Thursday night location, the Lien Hoa Temple at 12th & Wilson. The full address is 1211 Wilson St. NE, Olympia WA, 98502

Monthly Practice Schedule

First & Second Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM
Silent meditation, chanting and discussion with Geshe Jamyang, Geshe’s schedule permitting.

Third Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM
Silent meditation, chanting, and student led dharma talks.

Fourth Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM
Dharma teachings by Geshe Jamyang including discussions, no meditation in most cases.

Fifth Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM
Silent meditation, chanting, and student led dharma talks.

Every Saturday - 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Usual Saturday: Chenrezig Meditation: developing the mind of compassion. Sat closest to full moon: Green Tara meditation: compassion in action.

The Location for these practices is currently the Lien Hoa Temple on 12th and Wilson, 1211 Wilson St. NE, Oylmpia WA 98506

2009 Teachings

See this link for a short description of the teachings for 2009.


http://nalandaolywa.org/pdf/Teachings/Feb2009Teaching.pdf