Welcome to The Rime Buddhist Center’s Fall curriculum. This semester the first half of the Tier 2 classes begin. We are also excited that our Tier 3 classes begin this year. Geshe Lharampa Tsewang Thinley the Drepung Gomang Geshe in Residence at the Rime Center will be leading classes on Shantideva’s Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra. Look for details below on these exciting opportunities to deepen your practice with the support of fellow practitioners.

All classes meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:45-9 p.m., with an optional meditation session from 7-7:30 p.m.

Class and text fees are listed with each class. Use the links in the titles of the class to register for the various classes online. Otherwise print out the registration form and bring it with you to the class. If you have questions about a specific class, please contact Lama Matthew Rice (Lobpön Palden Gocha) by email at spiritual.director@rimecenter.org.

Tier 1

Meditation Workshop CC101

Meditation has been proven to: lower blood pressure, relieve stress, and help you cope with anxiety. It has also been shown to be very effective with chronic pain, insomnia, and panic disorder. The wonderful thing about meditation is that it can be used anywhere, even on the way to work and has no dangerous side effects. In this one session class you will learn this simple technique that can change your life. This class is based upon the work of Jon Kabat-Zin of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.
Instructor: Sergio Moreno (Tenpa Dhargye) & Jesse Rupp
Date: One Session beginning February 14, 2018
Time: 7:45 – 9:00 pm
Class Fee: No class fee, donation suggested.
Text: No text fee.

Basics of Buddhism CC102

Have you always wanted to understand Buddhism? Buddhism is a 2,500 year old tradition that teach us how to end pain and suffering in ourselves and others. This 12 week course will cover: (1) Meditation instruction, (2) Life of the Buddha, (3) Basic Buddhist teachings, (4) Three schools of Buddhism and much more.
Instructor: Sergio Moreno (Tenpa Dhargye) & Jesse Rupp
Date: 12 Sessionsbeginning on Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Time: 7:45 – 9:00 pm
Class Fee: $50 class fee (for the entire twelve week course)
Text: Basics of Buddhism – $20

Preparing for the Refuge Vows CC103
This class is for anyone who is contemplating on taking the refuge vows. Taking the refuge vows is generally considered to be the doorway to the learning and incorporating the Buddhist tenets into one’s life. The aim is to provide the student with the understanding the what, why and how before making the commitment to take the refuge vows.
Instructor: Nora Quiason, MD (Swami Kuvirananda) and Luis Flores (Dakpa Gelek)
Date: Two Sessions beginning on Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Time: 7:45 – 9:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $30 Class fee
Text: None, Handouts will be given
Prerequisite: Basics of Buddhism

Tier 2

Four Foundations of Mindfulness CC201

For the followers of the Buddha and his teachings, there is a need for great emphasis on the practice of meditation. One must see the straightforward logic that mind is the cause of confusion and that by transcending confusion one attains the enlightened state. This can only take place through the practice of meditation. The Buddha himself experienced this, by working on his own mind, and what he learned has been handed down to us. The four foundations of mindfulness are regarded as fundamental and lays a strong foundation for practice.
Instructor: Nora Quiason, MD (Swami Kuvirananda) and Luis Flores (Dakpa Gelek)
Dates: Four sessions beginning on Wednesday January 10, 2018
Times: 7:45 – 9:00 pm
Class Fee: $30
Text: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Plain English – $16.95
Prerequisite: Tier 1

Turning the Mind Toward the Dharma CC202

This class focuses on the four thoughts that turn the mind toward the Dharma. These are the four contemplations are namely: 1) the difficulty of finding the freedoms and advantages, and 2) the impermanence of life, which turn the mind away from the concerns of this life; and the reflections on 3) the defects of samsara, and on 4) action (karma: cause and effect), which turn the mind away from our attitudes and conduct with respect to future lives.
Instructor: Dr. Teri Brody (Özer Chenmo) and Ray Porter (Tenzin Kunphen)
Dates: Four sessions beginning on Wednesday February 21, 2018
Times: 7:45 – 9:00 pm
Class Fee: $30
Text: Treasury of Precious Qualities: Book One – $34.95
Prerequisite: Tier 1

This class is focused on understanding the circumstances for people who wish to embark upon the path of the Mahayana should try to establish in their practice. Whether is it finding solitude, a place that has all the necessary conditions and is in harmony with the Dharma, or finding a teacher. The class will also look at the relationship between student and teacher and how to engender that relationship with mutual respect and growth for ones practice.
Instructor: Lama Matthew Rice (Lobpön Palden Gocha)
Dates: Four sessions beginning on Wednesday March 28, 2018
Times: 7:45 – 9:00 pm
Class Fee: $30
Text: Treasury of Precious Qualities: Book One – $34.95
Prerequisite: Tier 1

Thursday Evening Classes

The Bhumis – Thursdays
Have you received and empowerment from a teacher and asked to do a tantric practice, but you are unsure what it all means? The Buddhist teachings can be classified into two divisions, which represent two approaches to enlightenment, Sutra and Tantra. Sutra referred to as the ‘Casual Vehicle’ because the practices consist of assembling the causes that will lead to liberation. Tantra however, is referred to as the ‘Resultant Vehicle’ because the practices take fruition as the path by regarding buddhahood as inherently present and regarding the path as the act of uncovering or revealing this basic state. This class will introduce you to tantric initiations and preliminary practices as well as the creation and completion practices. It will also look at both Mahamudra and Dzogchen practices and end with a sadhana practicum.
Instructor:  Geshe Lharampa Tsewang Thinley
Dates: Eight sessions on Thursdays, beginning on January 4, 2018
Times: 7:45 – 9:00 pm
Class Fee: $30

Tier 3

The Way of the Bodhisattva CC301

Membership and Vows