We are delighted to announce
that Gyetrül Jigme Rinpoche—Ripa
lineage heir, head of the Pema Lingpa lineage and brother
of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche's wife, Khandro Tseyang—has
generously agreed to teach in Vancouver this summer as
part of his North American tour.
Registration
is required. For teachings: email Walter
Coates at walterbc@shaw.ca for Werma Feast:
RSVP to Daniel Vokey
Generosity
policy applies. Finances should not prohibit you from
attending these teachings.
Monday
- Member's Practice 7pm - 9:30.
Video talk Series: (Everyone Welcome) Starting
Monday July 28, 2008 "Meditation: The
Way of the Buddha" a series of five video talks by the
Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche given at the inaugural session
of the Narope Institute in 1974. The talks present a succinct introduction
to the Buddhist practice of meditation followed by clear, inviting
instruction on the practice itself. Trungpa Rinpoche describes the
view and practice of meditation in increasing depth as the talks progress.
Each talk will be followed by a discussion period led by a senior
student of Trungpa Rinpoche. (Note: there will be
a showing on the holiday monday, August 4). A
reading list for the videos is available on request.
Tuesday
- Ikebana - the contemplative art of flower arranging.
7pm-9pm
most tuesdays, Mrs. Yukawa, renowned
teacher in the Sogetsu School of Japanese flowering arranging,
conducts ikebana classes at our centre. Classes range from beginner
to advanced.The
Sogetsu Ikebana school believes that anyone can arrange anything,
anywhere at anytime.
Wednesday-
Open House 7pm - 9:30. All are welcome; no charge. 7pm: Sitting
meditation, meditation instruction. 8pm: tea and cookies followed
generally by a talk or video and discussion on topics of Shambhala
Buddhism and applications of meditation in daily life. Open House
is offered on most Wednesdays except for Statutory Holidays and
some special events. Check the webcalendar.
First
Thursday
of the month
- Awake in Action- 7pm
Bringing our insights from the meditation cushion into the world
of personal relationships, community service and work through a
meditation, talk and discussion format, this group engages the Shambhala
world of warriorship and the Buddhist world of bodhisattva action.
The next meeting is scheduled for August 7.
•email•
•website•
Shambhala
Buddhism in Vancouver
The Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies
Introduction
to Shambhala Buddhism
This class, offered several times per year, and
in various formats, is intended to introduce anyone who is interested
to the style of practice and study that we engage in and offer
at the Vancouver Shambhala Centre. Although what we study and
practise is derived from the Tibetan tradition, we do not practise
in traditionally Tibetan ways. For one thing, we practice in English.
Yet the flavour of this style is definitely that of Tibetan forms
of buddhism rather than of the mahayana or hinayana schools.
A sourcebook is available for $10.
Introduction
to Shambhala Buddhism: one-day practice and study intensive: next
date in the fall, 2008 TBD (9:00am – 4:30pm).
cost: $40 It
is recommended that those interested in the class receive meditation
instruction at our centre and commit some time to regular meditation
practice. The talks cover a broad area of Shambhala Buddhist material
and serve as an excellent foundation for all of our courses. Meditation
instruction is offered at no charge at the regular open houses
at 7 pm. •
For more information or to register
Other
courses in the Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies are ongoing.
It is recommended that people complete the Introduciton to Shambhala
Buddhism before progressing to other classes. Some classes will
require more prior study and practice. For more information on
current and upcoming courses, and any pre-requisites, please contact
us.
Shambhala
Training - The Heart of Warriorship
Level
I: "The Art of Being Human"
TBD, spring 2009 (Friday
Evening, all day Sat and Sun) cost: $95 ($50 for those
repeating the level)
"The
Art of Being Human" introduces us to the practice of
mindfulness meditation. Through meditation we are able to
glimpse the unconditional goodness that is our true nature.
With gentleness and appreciation for ourselves, we can begin
to open and see our potential to live as genuine and compassionate
human beings.
Level
II: "The Birth of a Warrior"
TBD, Spring, 2009 (Friday
Evening, all day Sat and Sun) cost: $120 ($95 to repeat)
Having
experienced basic goodness through meditation, our practice
now allows us to observe our "cocoon", or the habits
we use to mask our fear. We begin to appreciate that there
is no fundamental obstacle to experiencing basic goodness.
Prerequisite: Level I.
Level
III: "Warrior
in the World"
TBD Spring, 2009
(Friday Evening, all day Sat and Sun with an all-day followup
Sat June 21) cost $120.00
Having
developed some fearlessness through the examination of our
habitual patterns, we begin to engage more fully -- more directly
– with life rather than relying on our "cocoon."
This new attitude fearlessness infuses our activities and
extends out to those around us.
Level
IV: "Awakened
Heart "
September 12 - 14, 2008
(Friday Evening, all day Sat and Sun) cost: $120 ($95
to repeat)
With trust in basic goodness
and the daring to experience the sharp edge of reality,
we move forward with gentleness, increased awareness, and
inquisitiveness about the world, just
as it is. We can extend ourselves to others fully and
with kindness.
Each
Shambhala Training weekend program includes breakfast and at
least one lunch. Please let us know of any dietary considerations.
Breakfast begins at 8:30am. Wear comfortable clothes for sitting
through the day (layers recommended). mats and cushions are provided,
though you are welcome to bring your own.
Shambhala Training is a series of
five contemplative workshops based on the Shambhala path of "warriorship"
which emphasizes the development of genuineness, confidence, humor,
and dignity within the complexity of daily life. The very challenges
of daily life are opportunities for both contemplative practice
and social action. Each workshop includes mindfulness-awareness
meditation training and practice, talks by senior instructors, personal
interviews and group discussions. Both new and experienced meditators,
as well as for those looking to enrich their existing spiritual
path, will benefit from these workshops.
The Sacred
Path is a "graduate" program for those who have completed
the Heart of Warriorship and wish to continue exploring warriorship
more deeply.. For more information or to register, contact our Shambhala
Training Resident Director, Erica
Hendry
Ideally,
meditation instruction is best given in person, where there is an
opportunity to have an experienced meditator pay attention to posture,
answer questions, and arrange to check in as experience deepens.
People in Vancouver wishing to learn to meditate are encouraged
to drop in at any Monday or Wednesday Open House, where personal
meditation instruction is available at 7pm with no charge. The following
links are offered as resources to people in addition to personal
instruction in mindfulness/awareness mediation, (shamatha/vipashyana)
and for those who for whatever reason find face-to-face instruction
is not possible but who are still interested in learning to meditate.
All are welcome to our weekly Open House program
on Wednesdays. Wear comfortable clothese for sitting; no previous
experience or reservation
is required. Because each week includes people who are coming
for the first time as well as returning meditators, every evening
is designed to stand on its own, but also to combine with succeeding
weeks' talks to create a whole greater than each single week's material.
Open houses start
at 7 pm with sitting meditation and first-time meditation instruction
for newcomers (usually 6-8 people). A short tea break is followed
by a talk and discussion or other events. Talks
are often drawn from "Shambhala:
the Sacred Path of the Warrior" by the founder of our
center, Chögyam
Trungpa, Rinpoche or "Turning
the Mind into
an Ally" and "Ruling
your World"
by the current head of our lineage, the Sakyong
Mipham Rinpoche.
In addition to talks, evenings may also feature guided practices,
group discussion and other exercises designed to help deepen one’s
meditation practice, as well as videos and audio tapes. Newcomers
are always welcome, as are "regular" open house participants.
You can drop in whenever you choose. There is no
charge, though contributions to cover the cost of tea and
cookies are warmly appreciated. The evenings generally wrap
up before 9:30pm.
George Klima has compiled a thorough list of Buddhist
temples and centers (a wide spectrum of lineages and organizations),
organized by province. Meditation
in Vancouver and Buddhism in Vancouver and in our region is a very
rich and diverse
landscape. Mr. Klima's directory of buddhist
organizatons can be found at http://buddhismcanada.com
these
two magazine sites offer a wealth of free
content going back several years.
These are useful resources for those who wish to know more
about dharma life, writing, teachers, and authors.
The Shambhala®
Meditation Centre of Vancouver:
The Shambhala Centre of Vancouver combines the Dharmadhatu
Buddhist Meditation Centre (founded in 1975) and the Shambhala Training
Meditation Program (founded in 1980). Both are guided by life and
teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and the students and
teachers he inspired. We have operated from our present storefront
location at 17th and Heather Street for the past 30
years. A lot of just sitting meditation
has taken place on the cushions here, in Vancouver,
as well as Shambhala Training programs, classes in Hinayana,
Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, Ikebana, children's programs, and
visits from teachers and meditation masters. For more on the organization
we are part of, browse Shambhala
International (www.shambhala.org). For local programs see our
Calendar
of Events.
Email
vancouver@shambhala.org
if you have any questions or comments or would like to receive our
newsletter in the mail.
Shambhala,
Shambhala Meditation Centre, and Shambhala Centre are registered service
marks of Shambhala International (Varjadhatu). Shambhala Training is a
registered trademark of Shambhala/Nalanda Foundation.