Welcome to The Guhyasamaja Center! You'll find all center announcements, upcoming classes, and events listed below; please also visit our Calendar. Opportunities include classes on how to meditate, introductory classes on Buddhism, intermediate and advanced Dharma classes and retreats, and more in the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area. The Guhyasamaja Center's classes are led by qualified instructors and use curriculum from The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), led by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
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- Weekend Retreat on the Heart Sutra with Ven. George Churinoff •Friday Oct 18th 7:30-9:00 PM •Saturday and Sunday Oct 19th and 20th 10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.The Heart Sutra is one of the most famous Mahayana Sutras, setting out in a clear and concise way the Bodhisattvas' practice of the…Read More
- Oct 23rd, 2019 - 7:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. •The Jataka Tales - The Life Stories of the Buddha - are drawn from the Buddha's own explanations to his disciples concerning his own previous lives as a Bodhisattva. The Jatakas were one of the six special texts studied in depth in the Kadampa…Read More
- Weekend Retreat on Mahamudra with Ven. George Churinoff •Friday Oct 25th 7:30-9:00 PM •Saturday and Sunday Oct 26th and 27th 10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Mahamudra - "The Great Seal" - refers to emptiness itself and to certain very special meditative methods used to realize emptiness. Rather than emphasizing the philosophical meaning…Read More
- The Preliminary Practices (Ngondro)•Saturday November 9 10:30 am to 1:00 pm • Practical class on the preliminaries in the Gelugpa tradition: Prostrations, Vajrasattva, Mandala offerings and Guru Yoga.Read More
- Nov 17, Dec 1, 15, 29, 2019 - 10:30 A.M. to NOON. • Bodhichitta is a Sanskrit word meaning “the mind of enlightenment” or “the awakening mind”—the mind that wishes to achieve enlightenment in order to lead all other beings into that same state. It is the attitude of the bodhisattva, of…Read More
- Sundays Sept 22nd, Oct 6th and 13th, Nov 3rd and 10th. 10:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M • Buddhism in a Nutshell presents basic Buddhist philosophy and principles, as well as simple meditation instruction. In this series, we will look at the history of Buddhism and the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, including…Read More
- November 12th and 19th, 2019 7:30PM - 9PM • No experience or Buddhist affiliation is necessary; students can join at any time. Each class will include meditations on developing mindfulness of the breath and body as well as simple analytical meditations that will help us better understand our minds and bring our…Read More
- ONGOING • TOPIC ON "THE 6 PERFECTIONS" • During this series of classes on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, we'll study, contemplate, and meditate together on many different meditation techniques which are taught in a gradual sequence to help us progress from where we currently are forward along the spiritual…Read More
- NEW DATES! MARCH 20-22, 2020. Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa teaching on Chapter 6 of Chandrakirti’s Entering the Middle Way (A Teaching on the Wisdom Realizing Emptiness).Read More
- If you have questions about Buddhism and would like a one on one discussion about it, Ven. Dondrub is available via skype on Mondays from 7:00-9:00 P.M. Please call or text him at 703-774-9692 or email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. prior to 5 p.m. on Monday to schedule an appointment within…Read More
- Meditation 101 is an introductory course on basic Buddhist meditation techniques for complete beginners. You will be introduced to a variety of meditations, such as breathing, mindfulness, visualization, and analytical meditation. All of these terms will be explained, as well as what kinds of skills we develop in meditation and…Read More
- Dear Members, Participants and Friends of Guhyasamaja Center, We're currently approaching a sacred period according to the Tibetan lunar calendar; a time which runs from mid-May into June and includes "Vesak" on June 17, which is the anniversary of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing into parinirvana. …Read More
- Start early in the morning, please check the class page • Each day of retreat will begin just before dawn with everyone taking the 8 Mahayana Precepts. The retreat day will then include group recitations of The Sutra of Golden Light; The Sanghatta Sutra; and other practices, mantras and prayers! We…Read More
- Overall Goal: Have a center that can offer Dharma in the US Capital area for many years to come, offering a wide range of programs to meet the needs of new students and of serious Dharma students. Eventually have more members, a larger volunteer base, a resident lama as well…Read More
- WEDNESDAYS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY • From 7:30 - 9 PM You are welcome to come and meditate or just visit. Ven. Dondrub will be present to answer questions about Buddhism. Appointments must be scheduled no later than 9 am on Wednesday by calling or texting Ven. Dondrub at (703) 651-2570 or E-mailing…Read More
- ONGOING • The Medicine Buddha practice can be used to help purify those who have already died and liberate them from suffering. It is also very powerful in bringing about success, both temporary and ultimate. It is for this reason that the center hosts this monthly Medicine Buddha puja for the…Read More
