STRENGTHEN
Special Events
Day Courses,
Public Talks,
Retreats
ACTUALIZE YOUR FULL POTENTIAL
“What is enlightenment? It is the inner light of wisdom that is completely free from all mistaken appearance, and whose function is to bestow mental peace upon each and every living being every day.”
- Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
DECEMBER EVENTS
A String and a Prayer
Mala Making Course
Saturday, Dec 2nd • 11am - 2pm • $40 (materials included)
with Meditation Teachers, Vickie Clement & Eve Miller
A mala is a traditional Buddhist rosary used to recite mantras. In this course you will learn about the practice of mantra recitation and the traditional Buddhist techniques for making and using a mala. For Buddhist practitioners, a mala is very precious and meaningful. Through regular use, it becomes a very blessed and powerful object.
All materials for this course will be provided, including a selection of beads, threading and tassel materials. You will come away with a completed mala and understand how to use it to benefit yourself and others. Malas also make excellent gifts! Everyone welcome, no experience necessary.
Center Cherishing - Volunteer Day
Sunday, December 3rd • 1 - 5pm • free
A clean environment facilitates a peaceful mind! Join us for a day to cherish the meditation space by volunteering. We'll clean, dust, reorganize and love up the space so that it's ready for the upcoming Maitreya Empowerment with guest teacher, Gen Kelsang Demo. Everyone is welcome. No experience necessary. Come for an hour, or stay for all four! Pizza and beverages will be served. Pre-registration is not necessary, but for food planning purposes, let us know if you intend to come!
Two Special Events!
with Guest Teacher, Gen Kelsang Demo
Friday, December 8th & Saturday, December 9th
Gen Kelsang Demo is the Midwestern US National Spiritual Director and the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center Washington DC. She has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 25 years and has been teaching Kadampa Buddhism since 1998. Gen Demo is deeply respected as a teacher and practitioner. She demonstrates a wealth of practical knowledge and provides clear and inspiring teachings for people of all levels of interest.
Talk: The Power of Love
Friday, December 8th • 7 - 8:30pm • $25
with Guest Teacher, Gen Kelsang Demo
Everyone welcome, no experience necessary
Popular quotes and sayings often point out the power of love. In Buddha's teachings we learn that real love has the power to completely transform our lives and the lives of others. When we hold a strong loving mind, we experience the world in a different way. Our love protects us from negativity such as anger, jealousy and attachment, and it gives us the power, flexibility and energy to benefit and protect others. Enjoy this talk as a stand alone event, or use it to prepare your mind to receive the Empowerment of the Buddha of loving kindness, Buddha Maitreya.
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The Blessing Empowerment of Buddha Maitreya
Saturday, December 9th • 11am - 5:30pm • $75
with Guest Teacher, Gen Kelsang Demo
& meditation led by Resident Teacher, Sarah Frew
Everyone Welcome, no experience necessary
Buddha Maitreya is the embodiment of the loving kindness of all the Enlightened Beings. The empowerment is a blissful guided meditation that connects us to Maitreya’s enlightened love and gives us great power for our spiritual development.
In the commentary we'll learn the special brief practice of Buddha Maitreya. Through identifying strongly with Maitreya's loving qualities, we will nurture them within ourselves. In this way we begin to become someone whose love transforms the world.
SCHEDULE
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Empowerment: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Commentary: 2:30 - 4:00pm
Meditation Practice: 4:30 - 5:30pm
(with Resident Teacher, Sarah Frew)
New Year's Eve Talk: Living with Joy!
Sunday, December 31st • 7 - 8pm with after party until 9pm • $15 suggested donation
with Resident Teacher, Sarah Frew
Everyone Welcome, no experience necessary
Ring in the New Year with a compassionate heart and a clear mind. Resident Teacher, Sarah Frew will share Buddha's advice to inspire us to have a joyful and meaningful new year. We'll conclude with the gentle prayers of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion by candlelight. Stick around for an after party with sparkling cider and dessert and make us a peaceful stop on your NYE night out. Everyone is welcome.