affiliated with the
Foundation for the
Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
| Upcoming Events |
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See the calendar below for specific dates.
Resources:
Newcomers
Orientation
Saturdays (see calendar below for dates)
The Unitarian/Universalist Church, 1625 Wiehle Ave., Reston VA 20190,
lower level
Join us for a cup of tea and an informal overview of the Center. More info for newcomers...
Youth
Loving Kindness Monthly Classes 
Saturdays, July 31, August 28, October 16
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church 1625 Wiehle Ave., Reston VA 20190, downstairs
Ages 10 - 15 or with permission of the instructors
Launched in the summer of 2010, the Center's monthly Youth Loving Kindness class is for kids ages 10 to 15. We practice meditation techniques and discuss subjects and concerns that are relevant for this particular age group. Teens over 15 can choose to either attend the Youth Loving Kindness classes or to join our regular classes.
In the future, we hope to offer a program tailored for kids ages 6 to 9. We welcome parent volunteers and teachers to help design such a program and make this dream a reality.
We recognize that it's difficult for parents to arrange child care so they can attend our classes. The Center does not offer child care, however, younger children are welcome to sit with the adults in class provided that they're happy reading a book, drawing, etc.
Registration: please send an email introducing your child to: anitendrol@guhyasamaja.org
Each session centers around meditation, discussion, a range of dharma related activities and projects. Based on the 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life from the FPMT Essential Education Program and is loosely based on the FPMT's Loving Kindness Peaceful Youth program:
• How we think: humility, patience, contentment, delight
• How we act: kindness, honesty, generosity, right speech
• How we relate to others: respect, forgiveness, gratitude, loyalty
• How we find meaning: principles, aspiration, service, courage
Explorations include:
• How to meditate
• Developing inner peace
• Mindful listening
• Transforming negative emotions
• Expressing mindfulness through art
Classes will be scheduled approximately once per month.
Instructors: Ven Losang Tendrol, Rebecca Freeman
Suggested donations: $5 members $8 non-members
More background information on the blog.
Meditations
on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness
Saturday, September 18
10:00 am - 11:30 am
The Unitarian/Universalist Church, 1625 Wiehle Ave., Reston VA 20190,
downstairs
The well-known sutra, The Four Foundations of Mindfulness, is commonly practiced in the Theravadan Buddhist tradition. The sutra offers a detailed examination of the five aggregates. Meditators have used it for many, many years to develop deep-seated renunciation from samsara. Through the sutra, we overcome four basic mistaken beliefs: regarding what is impure as pure, what is impermanent as permanent, what is suffering as a state of well-being, and what is not self as "self". As a result, we truly seek liberation.
All are welcome to participate.
Silent and guided meditations. Questions and answers.
Instructor: Ven. Losang Tendrol.
Suggested donation: $10 members, $15 non-members. Donations can be placed
in the donation box during class. Pre-registration is not required.
Seven-Point
Mind Training: The Path of Radical Compassion
Saturdays, Aug. 28, Sept.11, Oct. 16 and 30
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Unitarian/Universalist Church, 1625 Wiehle Ave., Reston VA 20190,
downstairs
Everyone recognizes that love and compassion are good human qualities
that lead to healthy relationships and to happiness. But, how does one
train in compassion when faced with countless small and large challenges
in daily life? How does one practice peacefulness and love when busy,
stressed, and confronted by other's anger or accusations?
The Mind Training tradition of Tibetan Buddhism presents clear, practical
methods for training in a path of compassion and love. The methods presented
combine psychology and spirituality in a way that anyone can strive to
implement in daily life. Oftentimes we find that it's difficult to implement
our spiritual and personal values when faced with challenging or negative
circumstances. This tradition emphasizes transforming such circumstances
themselves into the path of compassion and wisdom.
Classes will be scheduled one or twice a month.
Taught by Center Director, Dr. Lorne Ladner
suggested donation: $10 members, $15 non-members
*Parents, please note that class on Sat. Aug. 28 occurs concurrently
with the Youth Dharma Class, so you can bring your child (ages 10 - 15)
along with you and both attend classes!
Friday, September 3, 2010
7:30 - 9:00 pm
8120 Erika Drive
Mannasas, VA. (private residence)
Please see the event description
for more information. Chanted in English, led by Ven. Drime.Saturday September 4
10:30 am - 12:00 pm, pizza lunch 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church 1625 Wiehle Ave., Reston VA 20190, downstairs
"Death doesn't wait until we are ready. You might think, 'I'm not dying right now' or 'I don't know anyone who is dying,' but if you wait until you or a loved one is actually dying (or dies suddenly) it will be too late to learn. Being able to help someone through the transition from this life to the next is one of the greatest gifts you can give. As for you who are Buddhists, getting ready to die is nothing other than getting ready for your own enlightenment.
On a personal note: I am not an accomplished master; I am just someone who has been thrust into this field because of being a Buddhist nun and Dharma teacher. People keep dying and they keep needing my help. I live at a center where there is a hospice and while I am not one of the caregivers, I am called upon at the actual time of death. In our extended Dharma family--in Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley--there always seems to be at least one person who is asking for help with dying, and so I have been forced to learn about it. We also have had the great good fortune of having Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche around at times, his residence being here in Central California, and he has shown us repeatedly how he takes care of the dying--visiting hospice residents and Dharma students in the hospital. I'll try to share some of this with you." -Ven. Drimay
- learn the practices that Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche advises to do at
the time of death
- rehearse some of the meditations that are both for daily practice and
for our own death time
Suggested donation: $20 members, $25 non-members
Registration is not required
Instructor: Venerable Drimay took ordination as a Buddhist nun in 1991 and is currently is the resident teacher at the FPMT affiliated Gyalwa Gyatso Buddhist Center, San Jose, CA. Short bio: http://gyalwagyatso.org/about/teachers/
Discovering Buddhism: How to Meditate
Saturdays, Oct 2, Oct 23, additional classes will be scheduled
through December
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Unitarian Church, 1625 Wiehle Ave, Reston, VA
In this six week course, you will learn the definition and purpose of meditation, how to sit, how to set up a meditation session, different meditation techniques, and how to deal with obstacles to meditation. The class will include silent and guided meditations, and a discussion about key Buddhist concepts. This class is suitable for people who are new to meditation as well as students with some experience who enjoy meditating together.
Required readings:
How to Meditate, Kathleen MacDonald
Thirty Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas, Geshe Sonam Rinchen
Instructor: Ven. Losang Tendrol
Suggested donation: $8 members, $10 non-members, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds
last updated: August 28, 2010
The
Guhyasamaja Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Copyright @ 2010 The Guhyasamaja Center