Teaching Schedule 2018

New York
Shantideva Meditation Center
Discovering Buddhism Module 4: The Spiritual Teacher Half-Day Retreat
January 7, 1 – 5pm
Jewel Heart, 260 W. Broadway
A rare opportunity to practice and integrate the teachings and instructions from the Spiritual Teacher module of Discovering Buddhism (DB), this retreat is also open to those with a sincere interest in this topic who have some foundation of practice. Based on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Daily Meditation Practice on Shakyamuni Buddha, it will lead participants through a series of meditations and enable them to strengthen their daily meditation practice while developing their aspiration to be guided on the path.

Meditation Facilitators Training
January 8, 7 – 9pm
location to be announced

New Meditation Series: Vajrasattva Purification Practice
January 9, 7 – 8:30pm
Jewel Heart, 260 W. Broadway
If you have messed up in life in general and would like to find an effective way to purify, this is the practice for you!

This series offers guided visualizations on the positive qualities we can develop in ourselves: complete freedom from negative habits, the unlimited ability to help all others, enlightened energy, and infinite love and compassion. Deity visualizations along with mantra recitation are a very powerful technique enabling us to connect with our highest potential. Each session will focus on an inspiring quality of the enlightened mind manifesting as an enlightened being.

This series incorporates advice and practices to build into one’s own meditation practice, as well as suggestions about how to enhance these practices in our daily lives. The series is geared toward people who already have some experience of Buddhism and meditation, but it is also completely accessible to beginners.

Discovering Buddhism: Death and Rebirth Module
(Ven. Amy will lead 3 of the sessions on Jan. 10, 24, and Feb. 21 and lead a retreat day on a date to be determined)
January 10, 7 – 9pm
Jewel Heart, 260 W. Broadway
Explore the process of death and rebirth and its impact on how we live our lives. This module gives both a traditional Tibetan Buddhist explanation of the death process along with a more practical approach for getting ourselves ready for this ultimate transition. So helpful to lessen our fear around death and dying and can positively motivate ourselves for a more meaningful life now.

This 6-session course is perfectly appropriate for newcomers to Buddhism, as well as caregivers, hospice workers, and anyone interested in how to prepare for their own deaths and help others transition peacefully.

New York Area Special Retreat
Shantideva Meditation Center
Nyung Né Purification Retreat
January 12, 7pm – January 15, 11am
Menla Retreat Center, Phoenicia, NY
Preregistration required. See Shantideva website above for details.

Philadelphia area (Swarthmore)
Swarthmore Buddhadharma Group
The Places that Scare You
January 16, 7:30 – 9:00pm (see also February 20)
Friends Meeting Hall, Swarthmore College Campus
Highlights and explanation from Chapters 3 and 5 of Ven. Pema Chodron’s famous book, The Places that Scare You. By donation.

Philadelphia area (Eagle)
Beth Israel Congregation of Chester County
Unity Shabbat Interfaith Service
January 19, 7:30 – 9:00pm

New York
Shantideva Meditation Center
Meditation Series Continued: Shakyamuni Buddha Practice (see January 9 above)
January 23, 7 – 8:30pm
Jewel Heart, 260 W. Broadway
A wonderful fundamental meditation practice involving a visualization of the Buddha along with mantra (sacred saying) recitation. Extremely effective for undoing low self-esteem issues and negative mind states.

Discovering Buddhism: Death and Rebirth Module
(see January 10 above)
January 24, 7 – 9pm
Jewel Heart, 260 W. Broadway
The second class exploring the process of death and rebirth and its impact on how we live our lives.

South Florida (Miami and Deerfield Beach)
Namdrol Ling Study Group (Miami)
Buddhism in a Nutshell (Session 3)
(open to all even if you missed the first two sessions)
January 29, 7:30 – 9:30pm

Motivation and Guided Meditation: Relaxing and scanning the body.
Introduction to Lama Tsongkhapa and his text The Foundation of All Good Qualities, the three principal aspects of the path, and the three scopes.
An explanation of verses 1–4 of The Foundation of All Good Qualities:
Verse 1: Explanation of the role of the spiritual teacher in Buddhist practice.
Verse 2: Discussion of precious human rebirth, the concept of rebirth in Buddhism, and what it means to “take the essence” of this human life.
Verses 3 and 4: The importance of a constant awareness of death and impermanence. Review of refuge and karma and the four aspects of karma. Review of the ethical guidelines of body, speech and mind and the importance of mindfulness of our motivations and actions.

Tubten Kunga Center (Deerfield Beach)
Riding the Wave: Empathy, Emptiness and Empowerment in Vulnerable Times
January 30, 7 – 9pm
In our daily lives, we are often bombarded by external experiences that show cruelty and heartlessness. We are influenced by these situations and begin to believe that in order to be happy we need to follow a particular behavior, obtain an array of material items and/or attain a certain status. So we escape, blame or numb ourselves to what is really happening. Then the ruminating mind takes over deepening a false veil on our perceptions.

How can we use our vulnerability to generate a strong wish to emerge from our confusion and separation and spark a deep experience of compassion for others? Join this insightful evening program and venture into a path of waking up and being more present. Open to all levels.

Namdrol Ling Study Group (Miami)
Children’s Program
January 31, daytime, times to be announced

Buddhism in a Nutshell (Session 4)
January 31, 7:30 – 9:30pm

Motivation and Guided Meditation: Counting the Breath.
An explanation of verses 5–8 of The Foundation of All Good Qualities:
Verse 5: Explanation of renunciation including practicing renunciation in daily life.
Verse 6: Overview of the higher trainings of ethics, concentration, and wisdom.
Verses 7 and 8: Explanation of bodhichitta. Methods for developing bodhichitta and overview of bodhisattva vows. Discussion of the concept of thought training as a core Mahayana practice.
Guided Meditation: Mind as Knower

Namdrol Ling Study Group (Miami)
Buddhism in a Nutshell (Session 5)
February 1, 7:30 – 9:30pm

Motivation and Guided Meditation: Relaxing and scanning the body.
Review of bodhichitta and the six perfections. Summary of the five paths.
An explanation of verses 9–14 of The Foundation of All Good Qualities:
Verse 9: Discussion of calm abiding and emptiness and its place in Buddhist philosophy and practice.
Verses 10–12: Brief explanation of tantra and its role in Mahayana Buddhist practice.
Verses 13–14: Final two verses, the dedication.
Guided Meditation: Meditation on Shakyamuni Buddha.
Conclusion and Final dedication for the class.

Special South Florida Retreat
Quieting the Mind: First Annual Meditation Retreat in Florida at Casa San Carlos, Delray Beach
hosted by Namdrol Ling Study Group (Miami)
February 2 – 4

Are you curious about meditation or are wanting to establish a consistent meditation practice? Join this delightful and practical retreat that will explore a variety of guided meditations such as shiné (calm abiding), the nature of mind, death and impermanence, developing the good heart, the nature of reality (emptiness), and other topics on the path to awakening. Some background in Buddhism is great, but not necessary.

For more details on the retreat and registration please click HERE

Orlando, Florida
Meditation, Mindfulness and Making Life Meaningful
February 6, 7 – 8:30pm
Contact: Sonny Talwar at stalwar787@aol.com

Bring more calm and joy to your life with a consistent meditation practice; discover resources within you that lend to more mindful approaches to everyday living. Meditation instruction and practice will be offered along with insightful techniques for de-stressing and inviting more gratitude and compassion into your life. Open to all levels.

Raleigh, North Carolina
Kadampa Center
Making Friends with Death: Finding Peace and Perspective in this Ultimate Transition
February 9: 7 – 8:30pm
February 10: 10am – 4pm
followed by Lama Chopa Tsog, 4:30 – 6pm
February 11: 10am – 4pm
For most of our culture, death often presents an anxious situation ridden with fear, loss, hopelessness and grief. In this weekend workshop, we will explore a more expansive view of this natural transition and how it is possible to face death with peace, dignity and no regrets. The weekend will include discussion and meditation, as well as practical applications for caregivers. This course is open to all levels of students with a particular interest in death and dying, hospice work, and all caregivers.

For more details please clickHERE

Philadelphia area (Swarthmore)
Swarthmore Buddhadharma Group
The Places that Scare You
February 20, 7:30 – 9:00pm (see also January 16)
Friends Meeting Hall, Swarthmore College Campus
An in-depth explanation of Ven. Pema Chodron’s famous book, The Places that Scare You. By donation.

New York
Shantideva Meditation Center
Discovering Buddhism: Death and Rebirth
(see January 10 above)
February 21, 7 – 9pm
Jewel Heart, 260 W. Broadway
Review and Questions and Answers

Meditation Facilitator Training
February 22, 7 – 9pm
location to be determined

Managing Life’s Ultimate Transition: Meditations on Death and Impermanence – a Daylong Retreat
February 24, 10am – 4pm
Jewel Heart Center, 260 W. Broadway
Because most of us live in denial of death, it comes as a shock when we or people close to us are dying. According to the Buddhist perspective, death is simply a transition from this life to the next. This transition is a crucial one because one’s state of mind at the time of death will determine the next rebirth. Contemplating death and rebirth prepares us to be at peace and unafraid of our inevitable death while also helping us make what is left of our life a lot more meaningful.

This retreat is a very special opportunity to practice and integrate the teachings and instructions from the Death and Rebirth module of Discovering Buddhism (DB). It is also open to those with a sincere interest in this topic and who have some experience of Buddhist practice. Venerable Amy will lead participants through a variety of meditations on the Tibetan Buddhist approach to death and impermanence including the stages of the death process. To create the most conducive conditions, we will practice silence during the breaks including lunch. Please bring your own lunch and enjoy remaining in the calm energy of the retreat, uninterrupted by the distractions outside. Good for those with some background in Buddhism.

Meditation on Impermanence
February 27, 7 – 8:30pm
Jewel Heart, 260 W. Broadway
The key to facing change in your life with peace and stability. Discussion and questions and answers to follow the meditation.

Celebration of Day or Miracles
(First Major Festival Day of the Tibetan Calendar
and Auspicious Time to Practice)
February 28, 7 – 9pm
Jewel Heart, 260 W. Broadway
events to be announced

Philadelphia area (Swarthmore)
Swarthmore Buddhadharma Group
Buddhism in a Nutshell: 4-Part Series
A Great Overview of the Tibetan Buddhist Path
March 6, 7:30 – 9:00pm (see also March 13, April 10 and 17)
Friends Meeting Hall, Swarthmore College Campus

The perfect overview of Tibetan Buddhism based on the book, Buddhism in a Nutshell, co-authored by Ven. Amy and the 11-hour audio course of the same name. Details on how to get a copy of the paperback, ebook or mp3 audio to download, see the homepage of this website. You are welcome to attend any sessions, but you will get much more out of the entire course. Open to all levels. By donation.

Philadelphia area (Swarthmore)
Swarthmore Buddhadharma Group
Buddhism in a Nutshell: 4-Part Series
A Great Overview of the Tibetan Buddhist Path
March 13, 7:30 – 9:00pm (see also April 10 and 17)
Friends Meeting Hall, Swarthmore College Campus

Philadelphia area (Swarthmore)
Strath Haven High School, World Religions Classes
Buddhist Overview and Meditation
March 15, 12:30 – 2:00pm

Philadelphia
Jewish Federation Evening Lecture
Meditation, Mindfulness, and Making Life Meaningful
March 15, 7 – 9pm
191 Presidential Boulevard, Social Room, Second Floor
Bala Cynwyd, PA

Boston
Northeastern University
Lecture: Overview of Life as a Nun and Finding Meaning in Life
March 20, 3:25 – 5:00pm

New York
Shantideva Meditation Center
Discovering Buddhism: All About Karma
March 28, 7 – 9pm (via skype)
Jewel Heart, 260 W. Broadway

Philadelphia area (Swarthmore)
Swarthmore Buddhadharma Group
Buddhism in a Nutshell: 4-Part Series
A Great Overview of the Tibetan Buddhist Path
April 17 and 24, 7:30 – 9:00pm (see also March 13 and 20)
Friends Meeting Hall, Swarthmore College Campus

The perfect overview of Tibetan Buddhism based on the book, Buddhism in a Nutshell, co-authored by Ven. Amy, and her 11-hour audio course of the same name. For details on how to get a copy of the paperback, ebook or mp3 audio to download, see the homepage of this website. You are welcome to attend any sessions, but you will get much more out of the entire course. By donation.

Philadelphia area (Havertown)
The Philadelphia Meditation Center
Mind and Its Potential
April 21, 10:00am – 4:00pm

Explore the essential nature of your mind via the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Examine what is “mind,” its nature and function, and how it affects our experience of happiness and suffering. Delve into the differentiation between mind and brain, mind as the creator of our experiences, and the idea of mind as a beginningless/endless stream of experiences. Ven. Amy Miller will also lead us through exercises and meditations on the nature of mind that can enhance our ability to transform destructive thoughts and attitudes into more positive and peaceful mind states. Open to all levels. By donation.

New York
Shantideva Meditation Center
Discovering Buddhism: All About Karma
April 25, 7 – 9pm
Jewel Heart, 260 W. Broadway

New York Area
Shantideva Meditation Center
Fourth Annual Meditation Retreat
at Garrison Institute, Garrison, New York
April 27 – 29

A variety of guided meditation sessions to include shinay (calm abiding), the nature of mind, death and dying, developing the good heart, emptiness, and other topics on the path to enlightenment. Help kickstart your practice or invigorate an already-existing one. Comments from the last retreats included, “Totally life inspiring” and “The best thing I chose to do this year.” Some background in Buddhism a great help, but not necessary.

Vermont (Montpelier)
Hosted by Milarepa Center at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier
Choosing Kindness: Empathy, Empowerment, and Emptiness in Challenging Times
May 3, 6 – 7:30pm
How can we use our vulnerability to generate a strong wish to emerge from our confusion and separation and spark a deep experience of compassion for others? In this program, Ven. Amy Miller will walk us through a path of fully waking up and being present with our pain, fear, aversion and how moving through these less than comfortable mind states is the key to transformation. Open to all levels.

(Barnet, Vermont)
Milarepa Center
Meditation, Mindfulness, and Making Life Meaningful
May 5, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Bring more calm and joy to your life with a consistent meditation practice; discover resources within you that lend to more mindful approaches to everyday living. Meditation instruction and practice will be offered along with insightful techniques for de-stressing and inviting more gratitude and compassion into your life. Open to all levels.

(Williamsville, Vermont)
Thosum Gephelling Institute
Choosing Kindness: Empathy, Emptiness, and Empowerment in Challenging Times
May 6, 1 – 4pm
Contact: garyskeiser@gmail.com

In our daily lives, we are often bombarded by external experiences that show cruelty and heartlessness. We are influenced by these situations and begin to believe that in order to be happy we need to follow a particular behavior, obtain an array of material items and/or attain a certain status. Little by little, our kind heart becomes obscured by shields; the natural authentic dynamic flow of who we really are gets blocked and twisted and instead manifests as something more constrictive, negative, hostile or fearful. So we escape, blame or numb ourselves to what is really happening. Then the ruminating mind takes over deepening a false veil on our perceptions. This is the perfect time for practice!

How can we use our vulnerability to generate a strong wish to emerge from our confusion and separation and spark a deep experience of compassion for others? In this program, Ven. Amy Miller will walk us through a path of fully waking up and being present with our pain, fear, aversion and how moving through these less than comfortable mind states is the key to transformation. Open to all levels.

(Grafton, Vermont)
Highlights from the Heart Sutra: Mantra and Meaning
May 8, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Grafton Public Library, 204 Main St, Grafton, Vermont
Contact: swarl@vermontel.net

Explore this profound yet concise discourse of the Buddha through details on the mode of practice of the five Mahayana paths and its renowned mantra.

(Burlington, Vermont)
Transforming Negative Emotions
May 9, 6 – 7:30pm
Fletcher Free Library, 235 College Street, Burlington, Vermont
Contact: coord@machiglabdron.org

The desire for happiness serves as a major motivation in our lives, yet we often experience numerous obstacles to achieving it. Despite our material comforts and beneficial circumstances, frustration, fear, anxiety, depression, along with other less than generous mind states, cloud our view.

This workshop identifies afflictive states of mind (anger, attachment, pride, jealousy, depression, anxiety, fear, etc.) and explores a variety of healthy coping mechanisms that can help transform everyday challenges into a more realistic and peaceful experience. Open to all levels.

France (Paris)
Centre Kalachakra
Tonglen Meditation
June 6, 7:30 – 9pm
The profound meditation of tonglen (taking and giving) will be led along with some discussion and questions and answers. A truly powerful technique to deal with blatant suffering, tonglen meditation is one of the most effective ways to transform the mind into a much happier state. Helpful for those with some background in Buddhism.

Transforming Negative Emotions and Vajrasattva Purification Practice
June 9 and 10
The desire for happiness serves as a major motivation in our lives, yet we often experience numerous obstacles to achieving it. Despite our material comforts and beneficial circumstances, frustration, fear, anxiety, depression, along with other less than generous mind states, cloud our view.

This program identifies afflictive states of mind (anger, attachment, pride, jealousy, depression, anxiety, fear, etc.) and explores a variety of healthy coping mechanisms that can help transform everyday challenges into a more realistic and peaceful experience. Sessions of Vajrasattva meditation will be included. Open to all levels.

Lavaur (Toulouse)
Institut Vajra Yogini
On retreat June 12-22.
Informal programs June 25-28. Contact center for details.

New York (Park Slope, Brooklyn)
Shantideva Center
Chokhor Duchen: Celebrating the Buddha’s First Teaching
July 16, 6 – 8:30pm

“This is the best and most exciting time; whatever practice or virtue we do, the merit is increased 100 million times.”
– Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Chokhor Duchen is an auspicious day that commemorates when Shakyamuni Buddha gave his first teaching after becoming enlightened. Karmic results (both positive and negative) are multiplied by one hundred million during this period, as cited by Lama Zopa Rinpoche from the Vinaya text, Treasure of Quotations and Logic. Join us in making this special time most beneficial for all sentient beings.

Chokhor Duchen also marks FPMT’s International Sangha Day and provides an opportunity for the lay and monastic communities to come together in recognition of our interdependence. It is especially meritorious to make offerings to our teachers and the Sangha on this holy day.

All are welcome.

Raleigh, North Carolina
Kadampa Center
Nyung Né Purification Retreat
July 19, 7pm – July 22, 10am
Preregistration required. See Kadampa website above for details.

New York (Park Slope, Brooklyn)
Shantideva Meditation Center
Medicine Buddha Puja
July 27, 7 – 8:00pm
A tremendous healing practice, Medicine Buddha is seen as the King of Doctors. This practice can be enormously helpful for your own illness or perfect to participate with someone else in mind. English recitation along with mantras included. Open to all.

Weekend Program: When Laziness Creeps In: Maximizing Our Full Potential and Energizing Life
July 28, 10am – 5pm
July 29, 10am – 12noon

Practicing Buddhism helps us progressively remove all our misconceptions and turn our back on the negative habits that create suffering. We cultivate our positive qualities in order to reach our full potential, which includes unlimited compassion, love, and wisdom. With the vast wealth of sutras, commentaries, and teachings stretching back more than 2,500 years to the Buddha himself, knowing what to practice can sometimes seem a daunting question. It seems easier to let go the practice and immerse ourselves in worldly activities. Then guilt arrives.

Drawing from Lama Tsongkhapa’s Three Principal Aspects of the Path (a formidable text on the Lam Rim – the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment), Venerable Amy will discuss how to take the essence of Buddhist teachings and turn them into a rich, meaningful practice. We will learn practical methods to integrate the teachings into our daily lives, transforming even common tasks into powerful actions that not only energize our lives, but lead to enlightenment.

These weekend teachings will consist of short teachings alternating with guided analytical meditations. This is a great introduction for people new to Buddhism and can help more experienced students organize and deepen their practice.

Philadelphia – Last Philadelphia Teachings in 2018
Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia
August 5 and 12, 9:30 – 11:30am
What Goes Around, Comes Around: How Karma Works
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. Two-part series. Can attend either part. Open to all levels.

New York (Park Slope, Brooklyn)
Shantideva Meditation Center
A Variety of Programs and Meditations
August 6, 7 – 9pm: Lama Chopa Tsog
A profound tantric guru yoga practice, Lama Chopa lays the whole path to enlightenment onto our midstream, connects us more strongly to our teachers, and allows us to quickly and effectively accumulate merit and purify negative karma.
August 7: Meditations
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation is a powerful tool for understanding the mind, uprooting habits that harm ourselves and others, and cultivating positive mind states and good qualities. For centuries this style of meditation has provided tranquility and contentment to practitioners, helping them to find meaning in their lives and move forward on the path to enlightenment. Open to all levels.

7:45 – 8:15am: Shiné (Calm Abiding) Meditation
The essentials to develop concentration.
1 – 2pm: Lunchtime Meditation
Enjoy lunch for your mind! Pause, center, refresh, and welcome the rest of the day with a more peaceful, happier mind.
7 – 8:30pm: Meditation – Beginners’ Night and Meditation on Immeasurable Love
This aspect of the moving prayer, the Four Immeasurables, helps us open our heart wishing all to be happy.

August 8:

7:45 – 8:15am: Shiné (Calm Abiding) Meditation
The essentials to develop concentration.
7 – 9pm: The Buddha’s First Teaching – The Four Noble Truths

August 9: Meditations (see August 7 description above)
7:45 – 8:15am: Shiné (Calm Abiding) Meditation
The essentials to develop concentration.
1 – 2pm: Lunchtime Meditation
Enjoy lunch for your mind! Pause, center, refresh, and welcome the rest of the day with a more peaceful, happier mind.

August 21, 7 – 8:30pm: Meditation on Immeasurable Joy
A continuation of another aspect of the Four Immeasurables meditation. Open to all levels.

New York (Park Slope, Brooklyn)
Shantideva Meditation Center
Discovering Buddhism Module 10:
How to Develop Bodhichitta
September 12, 7 – 9pm
Discover practices that develop our innate qualities of loving kindness and compassion. Explore meditations and techniques that open the heart and help us generate the mind of bodhichitta, that wish to gain enlightenment for the benefit of all. Open to all.

Philadelphia area (Swarthmore)
Swarthmore Buddhadharma Group
The Heart Sutra
September 18, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Friends Meeting Hall, Swarthmore College Campus

*Nepal – pilgrimage now closed. To join waitlist, contact lawudopilgrimage@gmail.com. Next pilgrimage possibly October 2020.

Lawudo Gompa – Solu Khumbu (Mt. Everest Region)
Pilgrimage including Four-Day Retreat
October 5 – 22

Kathmandu, Nepal
Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Center
Meditation, Mindfulness, and Making Life Meaningful
October 23, 10am – 4pm
Bring more calm and joy to your life with a consistent meditation practice; discover resources within you that lend to more mindful approaches to everyday living. Meditation instruction and practice will be offered along with insightful techniques for de-stressing and inviting more gratitude and compassion into your life.

New York (Park Slope, Brooklyn)
Shantideva Center
First Annual New Year’s Vajrasattva Purification Retreat
December 29 and 30, 10am – 5pm
This retreat fits perfectly into this long holiday weekend. Consider joining this wonderful experience to bring more meaning into your New Year. Appropriate for all levels of practitioners, Vajrasattva is a deeply purifying practice and our program is great way to gain familiarity with how to do effective retreat. Videos of Lama Yeshe will be shown throughout the retreat and there will be retreat sessions of guided visualization, mantra recitation and silent meditation. A great component for the special All-Night Tara Ritual on December 31! Attendance at the New Year’s Eve Event not required.

First Annual New Year’s Eve All Night Tara Practice
December 31 – January 1, 7pm – 6am

Start the new year in a most meaningful and energetic way with this special all-night Tara practice! This event includes chanting, circumambulations, offerings, and prostrations with festive and inspiring energy, so there’s no danger of falling asleep!

“This is the best and most exciting time; whatever practice or virtue we do, the merit is increased 100 million times.” – Lama Zopa Rinpoche

“This is the best and most exciting time; whatever practice or virtue we do, the merit is increased 100 million times.”
– Lama Zopa Rinpoche