Author: TGL_Admin_Jesse

Khen Rinpoche’s March Teachings + Events (Maine + New York)

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WEBCAST FROM NYC
Friday, March 17 – 7-9p, Tibet House US, live event + webcast
The Eight Verses for Training the Mind

MAINE
Sunday, March 19 – 10:00a-12:30p, Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick
The Eight Verses for Training the Mind—A Powerful Practice for Transforming  Difficult Circumstances
Almost one thousand years ago the great Indian teacher Atisha came to Tibet and began giving personal instructions to his Tibetan students. These instructions formed the basis for the Tibetan Mahayana tradition of training the mind called lojong. In these turbulent times, these teachings help us to remain peaceful by keeping us focused on compassion and altruism. Khen Rinpoche will share with us his insight into one of the most famous mind training texts, Langri Thangpa’s Eight Verses on Mind Training. Whether you are a beginner or long-time student, listening to these teachings from Rinpoche will help you to take both your hardships and successes into the path and maintain a balanced and joyful state of mind. This event is free.

MAINE
Sunday, March 26 – 10am-12:30p, Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick
Tong-len – The Practice of Taking and Giving
Knowing the importance of altruistic love and compassion for all living beings (Bodhicitta) is crucial. Taking this wisdom to heart and manifesting it in all our affairs can be quite challenging. Fortunately, Tong-len meditation is an amazing tool to help us along the path. Khen Rinpoche will teach us how to take on the suffering of others and give our own happiness to them. It is a powerful way to generate Bodhicitta and, in the process, transform our own minds to be more peaceful, joyous, and free. This event is free.  

NEW YORK CITY
Wednesday, March 29 – 6pm, Rubin Museum, NYC
Art Walk and Commentary
Join Khen Rinpoche and RMA Curator Elena Pakhoutova for a walk through the main gallery with an eye on pieces connected to Ladakh, Rinpoche’s homeland, and the Gelukpa tradition, Rinpoche’s monastic lineage. Rinpoche and Elena offer us a chance to enjoy these meaningful works with the benefit of their commentary. This event is free and requires and RSVP. Please email: laura.kozaitis@ourssp.org with “RSVP for March 29 Rubin Museum Event.” Thank you. 

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KHEN RINPOCHE’S APRIL TEACHINGS

Friday & Saturday

4/15 & 4/16

Friday, April 15 7-9pm : An Introduction to Buddhism

Osher Hall, Maine College of Art, 522 Congress St, Portland, ME
Khen Rinpoche will share the story and historical facts of the Buddha’s life, from his early years as Prince Siddhartha to his enlightenment, teaching, and passing. Rinpoche will introduce the key principals of the Buddha’s teachings including the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path to Enlightenment, and the Five Noble Precepts. Participants will learn the nature of karma, and the distinction between rebirth in Buddhist philosophy and reincarnation as it is envisioned in Hinduism and other religions.  Rinpoche will speak about the history of Buddhist philosophy in the 2,500 years since its inception and the differences among the three main branches into which Buddhism has evolved. Participants will have the opportunity to consider the nature of Nirvana and Enlightenment, and the distinction between the two.

Saturday, April 16 at 10am-1pm: Buddhist Perspectives on Impermanence & Death

Maine Coast Waldorf School (formerly Merriconeag), 57 Desert Rd, Freeport, ME
Contemplation and meditation on death and impermanence are regarded as very important in Buddhism for two reasons : (1) it is only by recognizing how precious and how short life is, that we are most likely to make it meaningful and to live it fully and (2) by understanding the death process and familiarizing ourselves with it, we can remove fear at the time of death and ensure a good rebirth. Khen Rinpoche will emphasize that while contemplating death may not bring enlightenment to everyone, there is no doubt that enhancing our awareness has many benefits. Instead of attempting to hide from death, we may be able to look to it as a teacher (please bring a meditation cushion if you would like to sit on the floor; chairs are provided).

*Because Khen Rinpoche is having a knee replacement in May, his mobility and energy are limited during this visit. Rinpoche regrets that he is not able to have private appointments, to go visit people as he usually does or to stay after the teachings for long chats.

Consecration Ceremony with Geshe Tsewang Dorje

Saturday, Nov 21st @ 11am

Geshe la is Director of Siddhartha School in India, and family member of our founding teacher Khen Rinpoche. We are most grateful for his time and teaching. Please arrive to TGL on time. The ceremony will conclude at noon and a vegetarian potluck will follow. At 1pm SHARP, his teaching on Clear Light Mind Training will begin. Open to all. We hope you come. 

Saka Dawa Tuesday, June 2

IMG_0541_2Saka Dawa is the most important Tibetan Buddhist festival day – celebrating Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana!

Please feel welcome to join us at Tashi Gatsel Ling on this special day. We will have a program similar to below (to be confirmed closer to the time):

Open Drop-In Sessions:
11 – 12 noon Guided Meditation
1-2:30 pm Reading of Golden Light Sutra
7:00 – 8:30pm Medicine Buddha Puja

Images of Pilgrimage: Reflections along the Way

sonny cher xmas wreaths hens 001 (748)Sunday, May 17 from 5-7pm

Ever wonder what it might be like to visit Ladakh, India, also known as Little Tibet? This region is the last continually established region of Tibetan Buddhist religion and culture on the planet. Historically speaking, it was only recently opened to foreigners in 1974. This remote location has helped to preserve a rich tradition and magnificent monasteries dating back to the 11th century. The level of dedication and reverence of the Ladakhi society has helped to preserve a very deeply dedicated culture that places Buddhism at its heart and forefront.

Come take a journey through gompas (monasteries), learn about Tibetan Buddhist iconography, history of the importance of spiritual practice as a staple of life, and how the people of this high arid region have been dedicated practitioners keeping their devotion and dedication to Lord Buddha’s teachings alive and relevant through centuries of practice and basic goodness.

We will be treated to viewing sacred spiritual ceremonies, monasteries, schools, and temples, as well as driving over the world’s highest road and listening to original recorded chants. The photographer will be present and a Q & A period will follow the screening.

This event is free. A suggested donation or dana to Tashi Gatsel Ling is greatly appreciated. Come and bring a friend!

FMI contact Lisa at LisaV.Blake@gmail.com.

Schedule for Khen Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan’s Teachings in Maine

DSC09209Come hear a discussion between Rinpoche and Dana Sawyer on Impermanence/Death at Tashi Gatsel Ling on Sat, Feb 28 from 1-5pm.

Rinpoche’s teachings on the Three Principal Aspects of the Path will continue at Tashi Gatsel Ling on March 3, 10, 12, and 17 (all 7-9pm).

Medicine Buddha Puja on Tue, March 5 at 7pm. All are welcome. Please bring an offering which will be shared afterwards. Fruit, nuts, sweets, and flowers are good choices.

Sunday, March 8 Rinpoche will lead a Vows Ceremony at 11am. Anyone interested in taking the Refuge or Bodhisattva Vow, please contact Karen Macrae before March 7 at 207-776-9927.

Rinpoche will be speaking at Maine College of Art on Wed, March 18 from 7-9pm.

Dana Sawyer Speaking at Tashi Gatsel Ling on Tuesday, February 10, 7-9pm

“Is American Buddhism Losing Its Soul?” This talk addresses the tendency in America today to see Buddhism and “mindfulness” as synonymous, as though Buddhism is only about being present. Dana Sawyer sees this as a part of the American tendency to scrub all ideologies free of any intimations of their metaphysical aspects, which would, of course, compromise the dharma.

Dana Sawyer is professor of religion and philosophy at the Maine College of Art and a lecturer on world religions for the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine. He is the author of a critically acclaimed biography of Aldous Huxley and the authorized biography of Huston Smith.  He has been involved with the Buddha dharma since 1977, when he became a student of Nechung Rinpoche in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since 1989, he has worked closely with Khen Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan, including editing Rinpoche’s book, Peaceful Mind, Compassionate Heart.  He is also a regular contributor to Tricycle magazine.

(Please RSVP for this event to tashigatselling@gmail.com, because we expect a large turnout & need to be prepared.)