Vasudhara Sand Mandala Online, September 13 – 18, 2021

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Vasudhara Sand Mandala

with Lama Sonam, Lama Kalsang, and Dr. Hun Lye
September 13 – 18, 2021

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Sonam, Lama Kalsang, and Dr. Lye will be creating a Vasudhara Sand Mandala at Randolph College’s Lipscomb Library in Lynchburg, VA beginning on Monday September 13th at 10am, with completion on Saturday September 18th at 10am.

Vasudhara, whose name means “stream of gems”, is a bodhisattva of spiritual and material wealth, prosperity, well-being, and abundance. She is the embodiment of boundless generosity, the first of the six transcendent perfections (paramitas).

The project will be streamed in its entirety on Randolph College’s YouTube channel, with the schedule as follows:

Opening ceremony: Monday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. EST

Viewers are invited to watch daily (EST):
Mornings: 10 a.m.- Noon
Afternoons: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Closing ceremony: Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. EST

For more information please visit https://www.randolphcollege.edu/mandala

ALL ARE WELCOME

TRTCC Upcoming Practices, September 7 – September 12

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Dear Dharma Friends,

Practices continue online only this week, led by our treasured Lama Kalsang. As fall comes nearer, watching the changes in the garden and even the plants on the porch offers a good contemplation of impermanence. Our Khenpo always loved the fall, especially the colors of the trees.

Tuesday, September 7, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, with a senior practitioner.  This class offers an explanation of the invocations that are the foundation for all practices at the center.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, September 11, 10am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study. The topic of study is The Four Noble Truths, the first turning of the Wheel of Dharma. Vajrasattva practice will also be revisited.  To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09

 

Sunday, September 12, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

TRTCC Upcoming Practices, August 31 – September 5

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Dear Friends,

Practices this week continue online only, led by Ven. Lama Kalsang on Saturday and Sunday.  Lama Kalsang often concludes practice with The World Peace Prayer.  The climate events, fires, and floods we’re experiencing seem naturally to take the mind to that prayer, which many of our lineage lamas are recommending we recite every day.  The recitation is also a way of connecting our minds to the minds of all of our lineage lamas.  By their blessings and by the power of our own highest pure intention, may all beings experiencing the suffering of these events be freed from such suffering, and its causes, and may all beings know love, compassion, joy and equanimity.

Tuesday, August 31, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, with a senior practitioner.  This week the topic will be Vajrayana practice. This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, September 4, 10am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study. This week will begin study of the The Four Noble Truths, the first turning of the Wheel of Dharma.   To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09

 

Sunday, September 5, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

 

TRTCC Upcoming Practices, August 24 – August 29

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Dear Friends,

For the benefit of others, and to protect against becoming a cause or condition of the wider spread of the virus, the center’s practices will continue online only this week.  As always, Saturday and Sunday practices will be with Ven. Lama Kalsang.  Practicing together with him is precious medicine for all of the challenges we’re facing.  Please continue to take good care.

Tuesday, August 24, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice. This class with a senior practitioner introduces the center’s practices, with focus on the meaning of the invocations that are a part of every practice, and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, August 28, 10am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, will continue study of Vajrasattva practice.  To join our Saturday Zoom: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09

 

Sunday, August 29, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. To join our Sunday Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

 

TRTCC Upcoming Practices, August 17 – August 22

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Dear Friends,

Practices this week will continue online, with Lama Kalsang joining us from Massachusetts. At the new center they’re now painting the main hall in the style of a Tibetan monastery in preparation for bringing the Jowo Buddha into the center, and then consecrating it.   Lama Sonam has been working towards this for eleven years.  Emaho!

Tuesday, August 17, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices, with focus on the meaning of the invocations that are a part of every practice, and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, August 21, 10am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, will continue study of Vajrasattva practice.  To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09

 

Sunday, August 22, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. Online only. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

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Dear Friends,

With Lama Kalsang still away, and with the concerning and uncertain situation with the delta variant, practices at the center will be online only at least through the end of August.  We will keep you informed as that situation changes, with the intention of having the center open again for practice as soon as we can.  Please take good care, for the sake of all beings.

To give you an update on what Lama Kalsang is doing in Massachusetts, an important part of the work is creating an appropriate place for the replica of the Jowo Buddha statue that is the heart of Lama Sonam’s center.  The Jowo Buddha is the most sacred and famous Buddha image in Tibet.  The eight-foot statue was brought to Tibet in the 7th century by the Chinese princess, Wenchen Kongjo, as part of her dowry when she married King Songsten Gampo.  In Tibet it is housed in the famous Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.  The full-size replica commissioned by Lama Sonam in Nepal is the only one on this continent.  Lama Sonam hopes that it will become a place for pilgrimage, as it is within Tibet.  We are lucky to be able to share in this effort through our Lama.

Tuesday, August 10, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices, with focus on the meaning of the invocations that are a part of every practice, and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, August 14, 10am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, Saturday practice resumes this week with further discussion of purification practices. To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09

 

Sunday, August 15, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. Online only. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

 

Upcoming Practices, August 3 – August 8

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Dear Friends,

Sunday practice has moved back to online only while Lama Kalsang is working with Lama Sonam on the new center in Massachusetts. We will keep you updated on his return.

Tuesday, August 3, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices, with focus on the meaning of the invocations that are a part of every practice, and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, August 7, Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, Saturday practice is being suspended for four weeks in deference to H.E. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s teachings on Samsara and Nirvana, which began on Saturday, July 17.  For more information about these teachings please see our website at www.threeriverstibetancc.org.  Saturday practice at the center will resume on August 14.

 

Sunday, August 8, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. Online only. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

 

Upcoming Practices, July 27 – August 1

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Dear Friends,

We will be temporarily moving Sunday practice back to online only while Lama Kalsang is working with Lama Sonam on the new center in Massachusetts. We will keep you updated on his return.

Tuesday, July 27, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices, with focus on the meaning of the invocations that are a part of every practice, and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, July 31, Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, Saturday practice is being suspended for four weeks in deference to H.E. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s teachings on Samsara and Nirvana, which began on Saturday, July 17.  For more information about these teachings please see our website at www.threeriverstibetancc.org.  Saturday practice at the center will resume on August 14.

 

Sunday, August 1, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. Online only. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

 

Upcoming Practices, July 20 – 25

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Dear Friends,

While Lama Kalsang is in Boston, Sunday practice is going to continue both at the center and online. It was good joining Lama from the center yesterday. The center was at its current capacity for the practice, and Lama looked happy to see everyone there.

The center’s policy about attending practice in person continues as before, as we continue to keep an eye on things.  For the benefit of others, we ask that only people who are fully vaccinated come in to the center.  And attendance will still be limited to make sure there is comfortable spacing for everyone who comes in.  

To attend any practice at the center, just send an email to TRTCC@threeriverstibetancc.org indicating the practice or practices you would like to attend.  If there is not space at the center, we’ll let you know that. Otherwise all systems are go to come and practice in the beautiful shrine room Lama has created for us.  But please do email first so we can be mindful of numbers.

Tuesday, July 20, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices, with focus on the meaning of the invocations that are a part of every practice, and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, July 24, Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, Saturday practice is being suspended for four weeks in deference to H.E. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s teachings on Samsara and Nirvana, which began on Saturday, July 17.  For more information about these teachings please see our website at www.threeriverstibetancc.org.  Saturday practice at the center will resume on August 14.

 

Sunday, July 25, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. At the center and online. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. At the center and online. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09
 

 

Upcoming Practices, July 13 – 18

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Dear Friends,

Lama Kalsang is precious not just to us, but to many Drikung Kagyu centers who ask for his help.  This week he is traveling to Boston to honor a commitment to help with a new center there.  He will join us from Boston for Sunday practice on Zoom.  We will still have Sunday practice at the center while Lama is away.  We’re going to join him from the center on Zoom.

For the benefit of others, we ask that only fully vaccinated people come in to the center.  We’re still keeping attendance on the lower end to make sure there is comfortable spacing for practitioners who attend in person.  To attend in person, please send an email to TRTCC@threeriverstibetancc.org indicating the practice or practices you’d like to attend. We’ll only reply if there isn’t space left.  So no need to wait for a confirming email.

Tuesday, July 13, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices and the philosophy they embody and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, July 17, Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, Saturday practice is being suspended for four weeks in deference to H.E. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s teachings on Samsara and Nirvana, which begin on Saturday, July 17.  For more information about these teachings please see our website at www.threeriverstivetancc.org.  Saturday practice at the center will resume on August 14.

 

Sunday, July 18, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. At the center and online. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. At the center and online. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09