Bellingen
Regular study & practice
2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:00pm
WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS in 2012
Venue and contact details will be announced closer to
each event.
CHOOSING
THE CAUSES OF HAPPINESS AND FREEDOM Cycle One Workshop -
Introduction
Saturday April 28, 10am-5pm
We can discover happiness and freedom beyond our ordinary
limitations by working constructively with, and mastering, our present
attitudes and actions. This mastery is neither exclusive to some people
"who just have it", nor is it due to supernatural powers. Rather,
according to the Buddha, it comes from becoming aware of, and working with, our
existing internal and external conditions. Buddhist knowledge and meditation
provides the insight and freedom to work with these conditions. This
introductory workshop will offer a theoretical overview in the morning and the
practical foundations of meditation in the afternoon.
PRACTICE OF
THE BUDDHASADHANA Cycle Two Workshop - Buddhist Studies
Sunday April 29, 10am-5pm
The Tibetan sage Mipam Rinpoche (1846-1912) wrote a beautiful
sadhana that commemorates the Buddha, and Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
(1910-1991) wrote an explanation on it that includes teachings on the stages of shamatha-
or mindfulness meditation. In addition to providing general and specific
instruction on the practice of mindfulness and insight meditation, as well as
specific instruction on this particular practice, the workshop will also allow
for group practice of the Buddha Sadhana, with time for questions and
discussion.
THE SKILL
OF COMPASSION Cycle One Workshop - Introduction
Saturday, August 11, 10am-5pm
The compassionate caring for our world is the natural
manifestation of our innate wisdom and liberation. The path of compassion
cultivates such openness through both during meditation sessions and in our
ordinary life. We can liberate our heart and take hold of a natural inheritance
of wisdom and compassion, making the path of awakening complete.
SAMANTABHADRA'S
VISION Cycle Two Workshop - Buddhist Studies
Sunday, August 12, 10am-5pm
The Aspiration of Samtabhadra is a profound and
provocative Tibetan prayer from the Great Perfection teachings. It provides
both the Big Picture as well as being a profound meditation instruction. It
shows how all of our painful or pleasant experiences can be seen as either
delusional projections or as awakened wisdom display. It clearly explains the
conditions that bring about the delusion of samsara, the way to
penetrate such delusion, and how we can formulate the enlightened wish to
pro-actively work for others.
VIPASHYANA RETREAT
October 4-9
The practice of Buddhist meditation allows us to uncover and experience our natural heritage of wisdom though cultivating vipashyana or insight. Meditation allows us to dismantle the grip of our projections, and awaken to a clearer and wider perspective on our reality. Retreat is an invaluable moment of dedicating space and time to clarify and re-affirm our commitment to the vision and path of meditation.