Class Schedule
Unless otherwise noted, all classes meet Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 7:45-9 p.m., with an optional meditation from 7-7:30 p.m.
Use the registration form to register for classes. If you have questions about a specific class, contact Lama Chuck Stanford.
We also offer financial assistance for all classes to those who qualify. Please read our financial assistance guidelines for more information. If you would like to apply for assistance, then please fill out either the scholarship or deferred payment application.
Note: For classes with multiple sessions, fees are for the entire session, not just one class.
Wednesday March 31, 2010, 7:45 PM
Faith Grounded in Reason
Faith Grounded in Reason
In this course we will strive to enhance our ability to approach “all matters, including matters of faith and devotion, with the highest spirit of critical inquiry... without falling into the traps of fixed ideas or extreme views.” What the Dalai Lama calls “the way of the intelligent person” – The Middle Way. Our text, based upon a 2004 teaching by His Holiness, The Middle Way: Faith Grounded in Reason, explores the wisdom of Mahayana’s “second Buddha,” Nagarjuna, as well as the work of the great Tibetan master Tsongkhapa. The exemplary teaching style of the Dalai Lama and the clarity of Thupten Jinpa’s translation makes for a readily accessible way to expand our knowledge of Buddhist thought and its application to our lives.
Instructors: Ray Porter
Dates & Time: Six sessions, on Wednesdays, beginning Mar. 31, 7:45–9:00 p.m.
Fees: $15 class fee; $19.95 text fee
Prerequisite: Basics of Buddhism class
In this course we will strive to enhance our ability to approach “all matters, including matters of faith and devotion, with the highest spirit of critical inquiry... without falling into the traps of fixed ideas or extreme views.” What the Dalai Lama calls “the way of the intelligent person” – The Middle Way. Our text, based upon a 2004 teaching by His Holiness, The Middle Way: Faith Grounded in Reason, explores the wisdom of Mahayana’s “second Buddha,” Nagarjuna, as well as the work of the great Tibetan master Tsongkhapa. The exemplary teaching style of the Dalai Lama and the clarity of Thupten Jinpa’s translation makes for a readily accessible way to expand our knowledge of Buddhist thought and its application to our lives.
Instructors: Ray Porter
Dates & Time: Six sessions, on Wednesdays, beginning Mar. 31, 7:45–9:00 p.m.
Fees: $15 class fee; $19.95 text fee
Prerequisite: Basics of Buddhism class
Wednesday April 7, 2010, 7:45 PM
The Dakini’s Warm Breath
The Dakini’s Warm Breath
The dakini is a powerful symbol and integral part of tantric practice. She personifies, in Tibetan Buddhism, the spiritual process of surrendering expectation and concept while revealing limitless space and pristine awareness. Her manifestations and meaning are profound, experiential and hidden. Using Judith Simmer-Brown’s The Dakini’s Warm Breath we will explore one of the most intriguing and misunderstood aspects of Vajrayana practice. For the vajrayana practitioner this book is a very much needed education and elucidation of the four levels of dakini, explained in plain English, with a logical progression through all of the important points. Your understanding will deepen and you will find inspiration to investigate and practice further.
Instructor: Chaplain Mary Stanford
Dates & Time: Five sessions, on Wednesdays, beginning Apr. 7, 7:45–9:00 p.m.
Fees: $15 class fee; $18.95 text fee
The dakini is a powerful symbol and integral part of tantric practice. She personifies, in Tibetan Buddhism, the spiritual process of surrendering expectation and concept while revealing limitless space and pristine awareness. Her manifestations and meaning are profound, experiential and hidden. Using Judith Simmer-Brown’s The Dakini’s Warm Breath we will explore one of the most intriguing and misunderstood aspects of Vajrayana practice. For the vajrayana practitioner this book is a very much needed education and elucidation of the four levels of dakini, explained in plain English, with a logical progression through all of the important points. Your understanding will deepen and you will find inspiration to investigate and practice further.
Instructor: Chaplain Mary Stanford
Dates & Time: Five sessions, on Wednesdays, beginning Apr. 7, 7:45–9:00 p.m.
Fees: $15 class fee; $18.95 text fee
Thursday April 15, 2010, 7:45 PM
Lojong Teachings
Lojong Teachings
The Seven-Point Mind Training, a lojong practice, assumes no prior special training or preparation. It does not require practitioners to enter seclusion or change the way they live their lives. It asks that they examine their relationships with all those around them, and to make a strong determination to become enlightened for others’ sake rather than for their own. It gives instructions for tonglen, breathing practice that ties the concepts of lojong to the physical act of breathing. Mind Training focuses simply on giving up self-cherishing and transforming self-centered thinking into compassion, egoistic feelings into altruism, desire into acceptance, and resentment into joy.
Instructor: Matt Rice
Dates & Time: Six sessions, on Thursdays, beginning Apr. 15, 7:45–9:00 p.m.
Fees: $15 class fee; $14.95 text fee
Prerequisite: Basics of Buddhism class
The Seven-Point Mind Training, a lojong practice, assumes no prior special training or preparation. It does not require practitioners to enter seclusion or change the way they live their lives. It asks that they examine their relationships with all those around them, and to make a strong determination to become enlightened for others’ sake rather than for their own. It gives instructions for tonglen, breathing practice that ties the concepts of lojong to the physical act of breathing. Mind Training focuses simply on giving up self-cherishing and transforming self-centered thinking into compassion, egoistic feelings into altruism, desire into acceptance, and resentment into joy.
Instructor: Matt Rice
Dates & Time: Six sessions, on Thursdays, beginning Apr. 15, 7:45–9:00 p.m.
Fees: $15 class fee; $14.95 text fee
Prerequisite: Basics of Buddhism class
Thursday May 13, 2010, 7:45 PM
Teaching Meditation to Children
Teaching Meditation to Children
Learn several different techniques to introduce the child in your life to the path of mindfulness, kindness, relaxation, realizing interconnection, and many other important Buddhist ideals. Children learn best by being active, which makes it hard for adults to get them involved in meditation. Mr. Matt’s methods allow the children to be active and meditate at the same time. Come try these methods yourself so you will know exactly how to assist your young precious gems along their journey. This is an ADULTS ONLY class.
Instructor: Matt Barr (Mr. Matt)
Date & Time: One session on Thursday, May 13, 7:45–9 p.m.
Fees: $15 class fee, $20 text only available at class
Learn several different techniques to introduce the child in your life to the path of mindfulness, kindness, relaxation, realizing interconnection, and many other important Buddhist ideals. Children learn best by being active, which makes it hard for adults to get them involved in meditation. Mr. Matt’s methods allow the children to be active and meditate at the same time. Come try these methods yourself so you will know exactly how to assist your young precious gems along their journey. This is an ADULTS ONLY class.
Instructor: Matt Barr (Mr. Matt)
Date & Time: One session on Thursday, May 13, 7:45–9 p.m.
Fees: $15 class fee, $20 text only available at class
