Teaching Schedule 2020

January 4, 10am – 4pm
This program offers participants a practical roadmap of how to cultivate happiness and overcome suffering in the midst of life’s challenges. Interweaving the “Steps on the Path” (Lam Rim), the foundational philosophy of Tibetan Buddhism, with The Book of Joy
(discussions with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu), this course explores the eight pillars of joy (perspective, humility, humor, acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity) along with the realistic tools necessary to undertake that journey. Open to all levels.

January 5, 10am – 1pm

Life today can be very overwhelming and doses us with large amounts of anxiety, depression, and negative attitudes. Is this daily experience our choosing or is there an alternative way of thinking and being? And why is it that we often choose to manifest something other than our full potential? Due to our familiarity of living lesser lives, we experience an inner dissatisfaction.
In this workshop, we will use this dissatisfaction to fuel a process of dismantling the safety net of limited thinking and reassemble a more positive mindset. It is from this more positive framework, that we can create more inner happiness and, therefore, healthier and more compassionate connections with ourselves and others. Open to all levels.

 

January 6, 6:30 – 8:30pm

“Cherishing others more than oneself” rests as the crux of the Buddhist path and seems beneficial in theory, but how do we truly cultivate that mindset? This class presents the two main methods for developing bodhichitta, the enlightened attitude, and introduces meditations on tonglen and equanimity to being the process of fully opening our hearts.

 

The Spiritual Teacher
January 8, 7:30 – 9pm

Discovering Buddhism. In this module you will investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of a teacher, the qualities of a student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit in one’s spiritual life. You will consider the challenges we face when thinking of entering into a guru-disciple relationship and learn how to overcome these skillfully. Open to all levels.

Philadelphia area (Doylestown, PA)
Unity Barn

January 31, 7 – 9pm

February 1, 10am – 4pm

February 2, 10am – 4pm

This program offers participants a practical roadmap of how to cultivate happiness and overcome suffering in the midst of life’s challenges. Interweaving the “Steps on the Path” (Lam Rim), the foundational philosophy of Tibetan Buddhism, with The Book of Joy
(discussions with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu), this course explores the eight pillars of joy (perspective, humility, humor, acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity) along with the realistic tools necessary to undertake that journey. Open to all levels.

 

Aren’t you tired of having challenging people turn up in your life? Why are they there and how can we make them go away? This lively evening presents an alternative view on the presence of these people and how we can best we transform a negative experience into a more positive one. Meditation and practical exercises included. Open to all levels.

“Love” and “attachment” are often confused creating conflict in our relationships, particularly the most intimate ones. If we can lessen attachment, grasping, and control and more fully appreciate all of the goodness in our lives, experiences of genuine love and freedom organically arise. Open to all levels.

 

Philadelphia area (Doylestown, PA)
Unity Barn

February 21, 7 – 9pm

 

Varjapani Institute (Boulder Creek)
The Heart of Chenrezig: Mindfulness, Self-Compassion & Meditation Techniques for Challenging Times
February 27 – March 1,  7pm February 27 – lunch on March 1

Daily life can be overwhelming with relentless distraction from social media and life experiences. These instances too often contribute to a world that can appear cruel, angry, polarized, and fixated on material gain. We falter feeling tied to a fast-paced treadmill of goals and responsibilities at home and at work. Anxiety, depression, and stagnation follow, and in a bid to protect ourselves, whether consciously or not, many of us harden our hearts and fall into a rushed and mechanical way of living. Our coping mechanisms may fall into judgment and blame of self or others, or we may numb out. By responding in this way, an authentic dynamic flow of who we really are, and our inter-connectedness gets blocked and a negative ruminating mind takes over.
The good news is there’s a way out of this cycle! This is the perfect moment to pause, step back and gain a broader healthier perspective. Using time-honored spiritual tools, as well as modern psychological insights, we can bring presence, clarity, compassion, joy and connection back into our lives.
Chenrezig, in Tibetan Buddhism, embodies the Infinite Compassion of the Awakened Mind. Exploring a simple Chenrezig practice along with mantra recitation, participants can not only expand their view beyond their own boundaries of self-reflection, but can also develop a greater sense of compassion for themselves and others.
In this program, Ven. Amy Miller will help us explore how being present with our pain, fear, aversion and moving with kindness through these less than comfortable mind states is the key to transformation.   

 

March 2, 7 – 9pm

 

March 5, 7 – 9pm

For most of our culture, death often presents an anxious situation ridden with fear, loss, hopelessness and grief. Explore a more expansive view of this natural transition and how it is possible to face death with peace, dignity and no regrets. Discussion and meditation included along with practical applications for caregivers. Open to all levels of students with a particular interest in death and dying, hospice work, and all caregivers.

 

To register for session 1 please click HERE

To register for session 2 please click HERE

To register for session 3 please click HERE

 

California
Vajrapani Institute  
Online Meditation, Tara Practice and Q&A

via ZOOM
Mondays April 13, 20, 27, 4 & 11 May, 7:30 – 8:30pm East Coast US Time. An opportunity to come together to connect, settle into space with others and yourself while deepening your connection with Tara the Liberator, the female Buddha who is so beloved to many Tibetan Buddhist practitioners. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has particularly recommended this practice for our current times. To register please click HERE

The term “Fireside Chats” comes from a series of evening radio addresses given by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt between 1933 and 1944, where he addressed topics like the recession and World War II. His tone and demeanor communicated self-assurance during times of despair and uncertainty. This is an opportunity for you to listen to Venerable Amy share informally on what has been on her mind during the previous week, with a space at the end for questions.  TO JOIN: On Zoom https://zoom.us/j/724743082. No need of Registration. Join the online class form the Zoom link. You can join us either by computer or via smartphone App. Make sure you allow a bit of extra time to get ready. On YouTube: Live on Jamyang’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/jamyangtv

 

April 17, 7 – 9pm (East Coast US Time)

Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga is a particularly powerful practice for receiving the blessings of one’s personal teacher and developing the realization of guru devotion. The practice includes prayers, Vajrasattva purification and meditations on making offerings, confessing, and rejoicing.

To register click HERE

 

 

 

Wednesdays: May 13, 20, 27 10 – 10:45am East Coast US Time Saturdays: May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 1 – 1:45pm East Coast US Time

 

May 30, 4pm East Coast US Time

via ZOOM
Online Mindful Self – Compassion During Difficult Times
Tuesdays May 19, 26 & June 2, 9. 7:30 – 9pm East Coast US Time.
The challenges we are currently facing can be overwhelming and disorienting, especially in a culture that has conditioned us to constantly gain, achieve, and produce. The fear and discomfort of being alone and in isolation can be quite unnerving as we all adjust to what the new “normal” looks and feels like. For many, the sudden pause is causing some severe discomfort, fear, boredom, and loneliness. In a bid to protect ourselves, whether consciously or not, many of us tend to harden our hearts and become critical and impatient with our emotional processes. Our coping mechanisms may fall into judgment of self or others, or we may numb out. By responding in this way, an authentic dynamic flow of who we really are, along with our unique interconnectedness, gets blocked. What is beautiful, though, is that there is a way through this cycle! This is the perfect moment to lean into the pause, step back and gain a broader, healthier perspective. By incorporating practices of self-compassion now, along with essential spiritual tools and modern psychological insights, we can create more presence, clarity, joy and connection in our everyday lives. In this powerful online series, Venerable Amy Miller helps us explore how being present with discomfort fuels a path through our pain, fear, aversion, and laziness to kindness for ourselves and others. Explore how mindful self-compassion is not only a phenomenal tool for moving through these less than comfortable times, but is also the key to a deeper and more positive transformation overall.

To Register Click HERE

 

 

In celebration of His Holiness’s 85th birthday, join us for a special evening of praises and practices, which were compiled by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

 

 

 

Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to good people? Join this lively workshop to understand the workings of karma and how some small positive adjustments in life can move you to a more peaceful and happier experience. Open to all levels. To register please click HERE.

 

July 19 – 25.

• • July 19: 9 – 10:30pm
  • July 20: 9 – 10:30am & 9 – 10:30pm
  • July 21: 9 – 10:30am & 9 – 10:30pm
  • July 22: 9 – 10:30am & 9 – 10:30pm
  • July 23: 9 – 10:30am & 9 – 10:30pm
  • *July 24: 9 – 10:30am & 9:30 – 11pm (please note time change on evening class) (evening practice for sponsors only)
  • July 25: 9 – 10:30am (sponsors only)

This program offers participants a practical roadmap of how to cultivate happiness and overcome suffering in the midst of life’s challenges. Interweaving the “Steps on the Path” (Lam Rim), the foundational philosophy of Tibetan Buddhism, with The Book of Joy (discussions with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu), this course explores the eight pillars of joy (perspective, humility, humor, acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity) along with the realistic tools necessary to undertake that journey. To register please click HERE.

 

 

Tse Chen Ling Center (San Francisco, CA) 

July 26, 1:30 – 3pm East Coast US Time

For many people, the sudden pause due to the Covid-19 Virus is causing some severe discomfort, fear, boredom, and loneliness. In a bid to protect ourselves, whether consciously or not, many of us tend to harden and become critical and impatient with our emotional processes. Our coping mechanisms may fall into judgment of self or others, or we may shut down. By responding in this way, an authentic dynamic flow of who we really are, along with our unique interconnectedness, gets blocked. Enjoy this “taste” to explore how being present with discomfort fuels a path through our pain, fear, aversion, and laziness to kindness for ourselves and others. Experience mindful self-compassion as not only a phenomenal tool for moving through these less than comfortable times, but also as a key to a deeper and more positive transformation overall. Open to all levels. To register please click HERE.

 

The Medicine Buddha puja purifies and heals on all levels: physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental. It is considered particularly powerful for people who are sick or have recently died, and for bringing both temporal success and the ultimate success of enlightenment.

For more information and registration please click HERE

 

 

 

August 11, 18, 25 & September 1, 8 

7:00 – 8:30pm

Learn the basics of putting together your own meditation practice from posture and breathing to awareness and visualization. This workshop explores easy realistic steps to find consistency in practice that will lend a sense of clarity and well being to everyday life. To register please click HERE

 

August 26, 7 – 9pm

 

 

August 30, 1:30 – 3pm

 

September through December, Saturdays, 8 – 8:30am EDT

hosted by Shantideva Center and the Thangtong Gyalpo Prayerthon organized by the International Mahayana Institute (IMI – the monks and nuns of the FPMT).

Would you like to do a bit more for your internal practice during these challenging times? FPMT Spiritual Director Lama Zopa Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama have recommended a few practices and mantras to recite to maintain our own good health and fend off the spread of COVID-19, and they can certainly make you feel more empowered during these critical days. Rinpoche has said that group practice can have a greater benefit than practicing alone.

Feel free to pass along this information to any others you know via email, social media, etc. The more we include, the better! Link: https://zoom.us/j/96834911387

We encourage you to join via Zoom. However, if you are not able to access Zoom, you can watch the live stream here:                

Here is a practice session recorded by Shantideva Center for review at any time.

 

 

 

Explore the topic of the Seven Points of Mind Training and discover how to fully apply this profound text to our daily lives. In these divisive times, learning not to feel separate from the “other” is a powerful antidote to the internal unrest we can easily feel and the afflictive emotions that follow. With simple, yet powerful slogans, we can better embrace a more positive mindset and challenging days ahead. Open to all levels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 9, 7 – 9pm

 

“Everything that we need in order to be complete is within us right at this very moment. It is simply a matter of being able to recognize it. This is the tantric approach.” 

– Lama Yeshe, Introduction to Tantra

 

Tantra is a powerful form of practice, and can swiftly expedite a skilled practitioner’s progress on the path to enlightenment. but what do these practices look like, and how does tantra work? Join this weekend teaching from for a thorough introduction to the tantric path, including an overview of the four classes of tantra and instructions for practicing simple Kriya Tantra methods. Learn how to integrate tantra with lam rim meditation for optimal results.

This weekend series is preceded by a Friday evening teaching on developing a solid foundation for tantric practice and is suitable for all levels of practitioners. Feel free to join any session, but you may get a fuller understanding by attending the whole program.

 

October 21, 2:50 – 4:30pm

Lecture hosted by the Department of Philosophy

 

Transforming Problems, Discovering  Buddhism Module 11

November 12 & 19, December 3 & 17, 7 – 8:30pm

Buddha’s Teachings on the disadvantages of selfishness and the advantages of cherishing others. We will learn to use special techniques of mind training (lojong) to transform problems into happiness.

 

November 16, 9 – 10pm

 

 

October 2020 – January 2021

Teaching a semester on Guru Devotion, Shiné and Emptiness.