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

Workshop: Training in Concentration

Saturday, Oct 1st • 2 - 3:30pm • $20 (FP & TTP discounts apply)

with Meditation Teacher, Sarah Frew

We are living in an age of distraction, where everyone is accustomed to constant stimulation and mental busyness, and it is very rare to enjoy even a moment of inner stillness.

What would it be like to not be distracted, and to be able to focus our mind on whatever we wish, for as long as we want?

In this class, you will learn how to access profound inner stillness through engaging in a systematic training that increases your concentration. Pure concentration causes our mind to attain a tranquil state, free from distractions, able to stay focused with power and clarity. These techniques can create a strong foundation for a successful daily meditation practice and give us confidence to carry this tranquillity and focus into our daily life.

Celebrating 25 years of Dharma in Philadelphia with Special Guest, Gen Kelsang Norden

Two Events, one amazing teacher! October 21 & 22

Gen Norden came to Philadelphia in 1997 at the request of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche to found a Dharma Center where everyone could learn to be peaceful and happy. From those humble origins - a one bedroom apartment on Iseminger St with the meditation space in the living room - eventually came our gorgeous new home for modern meditation in Old City! Enjoy teachings with the teacher who started it all and celebrate 25 years with us!

Talk: What to Do When Things Go Wrong -

Buddhist Advice for Transforming Adversity Into Strength

Friday, October 21 • 7 - 8:30pm with reception to follow

with Special Guest, Gen Norden • $15 (or $30 for both events)

In this talk Gen Norden will give advice from Buddha's "Lojong" teachings. Lojong means "training the mind" and gives the meditator a robust toolkit to deal with all the difficulties of life. Buddha taught that everything - from difficult relationships to illness to your car breaking down - can be transformed into the path to inner peace and happiness. You can learn to deal with all life's difficulties from a place of inner stability and equilibrium.

RETREAT SCHEDULE

Session 1: 10 - 11am

Session 2: 11:30am - 12:30pm

Session 3: 1 - 2:15pm

Retreat: Liberation from Sorrow

Connecting with Buddha Tara

Saturday, October 22 • 10am - 2:15pm

with Special Guest, Gen Norden • $20 (or $30 for both events)

Join us for this day retreat on how to open our hearts to Buddha Tara, and receive her swift-acting help and inspiration into our lives.

Green Tara is a female enlightened being, the manifestation of the ultimate wisdom of all the Buddhas, who protects living beings from outer and inner obstacles and guides them to the attainment of all the stages of the path to enlightenment.

In relying on Mother Tara and requesting her help, we frequently recite twenty-one special verses of praise, or homage. These precious words are Buddha’s own speech and are considered to be actual Sutra.

At the International Fall Festival, our General Spiritual Director, Gen-la Dekyong will give an explanation of these special verses based on the transmission she received from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

Through understanding the meaning of these verses we will draw closer to the twenty-one emanations of Tara and constantly receive special blessings and protection.

On this course, Gen Norden will guide us in a retreat on these special teachings on the practice of Green Tara.

For those who were at the Fall Festival and want to deepen their experience of the festival teachings and for those new to the practice of Green Tara and interested in learning more about the practice this is a great opportunity to gain familiarity with the practice. This retreat is open to everyone.

UPCOMING EVENTS

International Fall Festival

Wisdom & Devotion: Empowerment of Buddha Green Tara & Commentary to the 21 Homages

Friday, Oct 14th - Thursday, Oct 20th in Glen Spey, NY

with Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, General Spiritual Director of the NKT/IKBU

During the 2022 Fall Festival, Gen-la Dekyong, General Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU, will grant the blessing empowerment of Buddha Green Tara and give special teachings on the sublime twenty-one homages based on a transmission she received directly from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Details & Registration

Day Retreat: The Healing Practice of Taking & Giving

Saturday, November 5th • 10am - 2pm • $20 (TTP discount applies)

with Gen Chogyop

During this inspiring day retreat, we will learn the meditations on taking away others' suffering and giving happiness, with practical teachings and straightforward guided meditations suited for beginners and more experienced practitioners alike.

The Buddhist meditation practice of taking and giving is one of the most powerful methods for opening our hearts and for healing mental and physical illness. This ancient healing technique has the power to improve mental peace and happiness, and is especially beneficial in situations where we may feel powerless to help others or to overcome adversity. When we purify our mind through this practice, every spiritual realization will grow easily in our mind.

Everyone is welcome. Light refreshments provided.