March 7, 2020
Green Tara is a wonderful Yidam practice to do that helps eliminates fears and obstacles (i.e. fears within your mind) from one’s life. Tara is a completely enlightened Buddha who made a promise in the distant past that after reaching complete enlightenment she would always appear in the form of a female for the benefit of all beings. She especially protects all sentient beings from the eight great fears. Continue reading
Dharma talk given by Nicole Esquibel on January 12th, 2020.
Music by Barefoot Bran Music.
Dharma talk given by Lama Matthew Palden Gocha on December 29th, 2019.
Music by Barefoot Bran Music.
This challenge will be practice intensive for those who want to apply their understanding of Bodhicitta with daily practice. We welcome new students who are looking to learn about environmentalism and how to apply it to their Buddhist path, as well as experienced students who have insights to share.
The main topic for the challenge will be Buddhist environmentalism. The Bodhisattva vows to help all sentient beings end suffering and reach enlightenment. In order to truly help sentient beings it is through skilful means that a Bodhisattva includes the environment as part of the equation.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, “The entire cosmos is a cooperative. The sun, the moon, and the stars live together as a cooperative. The same is true for humans and animals, trees, and the earth. When we realize that the world is a mutual, interdependent, cooperative enterprise . . . then we can build a noble environment. If our lives are not based on this truth, then we shall perish.” Continue reading
Taking refuge in the three jewels is a strict prerequisite for any kind of relationship with the Buddhist teachings. The objects of refuge are the: Buddha, Dharma & Sangha (also known as the precious triple gem) grant protection to the spiritual seeker. The refuge ceremony is when one “officially” becomes Buddhist. The act of taking refuge is a declaration of one’s intention to follow the Buddhist path. The format will consist of two teachings sessions and ending with the refuge ceremony. As part of the refuge ceremony one is also given a new refuge name. At the end of the service we will have a potluck so please bring a dish to share.
Preceptors: Geshe Lharampa Tsewang Thinley and Lama Matthew Palden Gocha
Date: One Session Sunday April 26, 2020
Times: 10:30 – 12:00 pm
Class Fee: No fees, but dana (donation) to the teacher suggested.
Prerequisite: Basics of Buddhism and Refuge Class
The bodhisattva precepts are taken on the basis of having taken refuge in the Three Jewels and some or all of the five lay precepts. Buddha prescribed the precepts in order to protect us from doing actions that bring unhappy results and to help us attain awakening quickly and easily. Therefore, precepts are not burdens to bear but are ornaments to be worn joyfully. The format will consist of a teaching session by Lama Matthew Palden Gocha and ending with the Bodhisattva Vow ceremony. No fees but dana to the teacher is suggested. We do ask that you have taken Refuge Vows previously.
Preceptor: Lama Matthew Palden Gocha
Dates: One session on Wednesday April 22, 2020
Time: 7:45 pm – 9 pm
Prerequisite: Bodhisattva Challenge, Tier 1 Classes and Refuge Vows
Interested in becoming an official member of the Rime Center. Beginning February 23rd join us at 9:30 am for four half-hour sessions covering the following topics: 1. Introductions, and overview of Tibetan Buddhism; 2. What does it mean to be Rime; 3. The organizational structure of the Rime Center and explanation of the center’s outreach programs; 4. Program Events and service opportunities – along with a tour of the Rime Center. Upon completion of the classes, students are inducted as new members of the Rime Center sangha and are given a mala personally blessed by H.H. Dalai Lama.
April 3-5, 2020, Karma Lekshe Tsomo will teach on Buddhism, Bioethics, and Death. She will talk about Buddhist notions of human consciousness and personal identity and how these figure in the Buddhist view of death. Beliefs about death and enlightenment and states between life and death will also discussed. Karma Lekshe Tsomo will also examine topics such as cloning, abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, organ donation, genetic engineering, and stem-cell research within a Buddhist context, introducing new ways of thinking about these highly controversial issues.
This event is open to everyone, but please consider being a sponsor for this retreat for as little at $150. Your sponsorship will ensure everyone can attend these wonderful teachings.
March 9, 2020Chotrul Düchen occurs on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Tibetan calendar during the full moon, which is called Bumgyur Dawa. The first fifteen days of the year celebrate the fifteen days during which the Buddha displayed miracles for his disciples in order to increase their devotion.
The Rime Center will be hosting a special puja to commemorate the Festival of Miracles and will be open during the day for you to come in and meditate at your own pace.
Schedule:
6:30 am – Lama Matt will give 24 hour vows
8:00 am – Open meditation begins
7:00 pm – Ven. Geshe Thinley will lead special puja ceremony
Please join us Monday, February 24th at 6 pm as we celebrate Losar, the Tibetan New Year. This new year is designated as the year of the Iron Mouse.
Losar traces its origins to the pre-Buddhist period in Tibet when, every winter, Tibetans held a spiritual ceremony, offering large amounts of incense to please local spirits, deities, and protectors. Around the period when the measurement of time based on phases of the moon was introduced, this ceremony evolved into an annual Buddhist festival, which may have been the first celebration of what has become the traditional farmers’ festivals. Later, after the rudiments of the science of astrology were introduced in Tibet, the farmers’ festival became known as Losar. Continue reading