2004-5 PROGRAMME & TIMETABLE

Contents of this page

Teaching programme | Timetable of classes | Calendar of Centre Events

PLEASE WAIT -- THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

PLEASE CHECK NEWSLETTER FOR START OF TEACHINGS ETC

Dhargyey Buddhist Centre Teaching Programme 2004

Teachings are held at 22 Royal Terrace, Dunedin. Attendance is free of charge. All are welcome.
The regular programme is as follows:

SUNDAYS, 10--11.00am

SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION. Chanting, Prayers and Mantras before a teaching with a general topic and the "Wheel of Sharp Weapon" followed by a meditation. Time for questions follows. Very popular, this is also suitable for non-Buddhists.
A creche is available. Please phone (03) 4778374 to find out more about this and arrange for your child(ren) to be included.

MONDAYS, 7.30--9.00pm

TEACHING on the text Bodhisattvacaryavatara or Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life by the 8^th century Indian master Shantideva, which presents the fundamentals of Buddhist practice with emphasis on the motivation to benefit others. The teachings are based on a commentary written by Thupten Rinpoche.
Time for questions follows.

THURSDAYS, 7.30--9.00pm (teachings in a four week cycle)

Weeks 1 and 2:

TEACHING on the text Essence of Nectar of Mind Training by the 18^th century Tibetan master Kachen Yeshe Gyaltsen, which teaches step by step training of the mind towards attaining enlightenment. This text is a commentary on the renowned Geshe Chekawa's Seven Point Thought Transformation a text which distills the essence of Buddhist practice.
Time for questions follows.

Week 3:

TEACHING on the text Jewelled Heap of Analogies by the great 11^th century Kadampa master Geshe Potowa, which presents the fundamentals of Buddhist practice especially mind training. These are presented in a clear and down-to-earth way, using analogies form everyday life.

Week 4:

QUESTION AND ANSWERS - MEDITATION. Ven. Thupten Rinpoche puts questions on dharma and the texts to the audience and guides a meditation session.

OTHER PRACTICES: (contact centre for details (03) 4778374)

TARA PRACTICE on the 15^th or 30^th of the Tibetan lunar month, 7.30--8.30pm (call for the exact time), MONTHLY: Based on the Praise of the Twenty-one Taras. Every month a different person will sponsor tea during the practice. See calendar below for exact dates for 2004.

GROUP PRACTICES on FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, 9--9.50am for purification and merit gathering. Group practices for purification and merit gathering. Each time we will do one of the following:
1. Prostations (35 Buddha confession practice)
2. Vajasattva practice
3. Mandala offering practice
4. Damzig Dorje recitation practice (Samaya Vajna)
5. The Wish Granting Precious Vase (Refuge purification)

SELF-INITIATIONS MONTHLY For those qualified, self-initiations will be held monthly on appropriate days. See calendar below for exact dates for 2004.

Timetable

TABLE OF WEEKLY CLASSES HELD AT THE CENTRE 2004 (phone for Tibetan classes)
DAY	TIME	CLASS
SUNDAY	10.00 - 11.00am	Sunday Morning Meditation Thupten Rinpoche Chanting, a talk and a meditation. (Suitable for all)
MONDAY	7.30 - 9pm	General Buddhist Class Thupten Rinpoche Bodhisattva's Way of Life teachings.
THURSDAY	7.30 - 9pm	Advanced Buddhist Class Thupten Rinpoche Thought transformation teachings.

Calendar of Other Practice Days: 2004

Here only those dates specific to the Dhargyey Buddhist Centre are given. See the page Tibetan Buddhist Events for the year 2004, for common events including tsok and precept days.

BIRTHDAYS / ANNIVERSARIES

The three given here are usually celebrated with a Tsog Offering and sometimes other activities. There are many other special days in addition to these that could be celebrated if desired.

Anniversary of Jamgön Lama Tsongkapa: Tues 7^th December (25^th of 10^th lunar month)
Anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiveing the Nobel Peace Prize: Fri 10^th December
His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Birthday: Sun 6^th July
Ven. Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey's Anniversary (Western): Wed 11^th August
Ven. Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey's Anniversary (Tibetan): Sun 1^st August (16^th of 6^th lunar month)
Ven. Dhargyey Rinpoche's Birthday: Fri 4^th June
Ven. Thupten Rinpoche's Birthday: Fri 4^th June
Ven. Lhagön Rinpoche's Birthday: Thurs 10^th June
Dhargyey Buddhist Centre 20^th Anniversary: Wed 18^th August

TARA PRACTICE

Monthly chanting practice based on the Praise of the Twenty-one Taras, 7.30 - 8.30pm. Contact centre for details on (03) 4778374.

COLLECTIVE PRACTICE DAYS

Before Sunday morning class on the first Sunday of every month, 9 - 9.50am. Please phone if you are interested.

POT LUCK LUNCHES

Shared lunches are held at the Centre after Sunday morning class on the first Sunday of every month.

Calendar of DBC Special Events: (2004 yet to be prepared)

No.	Month	Day	Date	Tib-date	Practice
2	April	Sun	4	n.a.	Purification practice: Mandala
		Wed	14	25/2	Vajrayogini self-initiation
		Mon	19	30/2	Tara Puja
3	May	Sun	2	n.a.	Purification practice: Vajrasattva
		Tues	4	15/3	Tara Puja
		Tues	18	29/3	Yamantaka self-initiation
4	June	Sun	6	n.a.	Purification practice: Vajrasamaya
		Sat	12	25/4	Vajrayogini self-initiation
		Thurs	17	30/4	Tara Puja
5	July	-	-	n.a.	holiday
		Fri	2	14/5	Tara Puja
		Fri	16	29/5	Yamantaka self-initiation
6	August	Sun	1	n.a.	Purification practice: Refuge and Bodhicitta
		Sun	15	30/6	Tara Puja
		Wed	25	10/7	Vajrayogini self-initiation
7	September	Sun	5	n.a.	Purification practice: Prostrations
		Mon	13	29/7	Yamantaka self-initiation
		Tues	14	30/7	Tara Puja
8	October	Sun	3	n.a.	Purification practice: Mandala Offering
		Fri	8	25/8	Vajrayogini self-initiation
		Wed	27	14/9	Tara Puja
9	November	Sun	7	n.a.	Purification practice: Vajrasattva
		Thurs	11	29/9	Yamantaka self-initiation
		Fri	26	14/10	Tara Puja
10	December	Sun	5	n.a.	Purification practice: Vajrasamaya
		Tues	7	25/10	Vajrayogini self-initiation
		Sat	11	29/10	Tara Puja
		Tues	14	n.a.	"Last teaching of year"

Notes:

When self-initiations fall on days with teachings, the teachings will proceed unaffected.

In April, July and October there are two week breaks in the program.

Additional Events not included in this calendar:

On the 10^th and 25^th of the Tibetan months, a Tsok is offered at 7.30 pm. See general calendar.

On the 15^th and 30^th of the Tibetan months, precepts may be taken (individually). See general calendar.

For the complete 12 months calendar of all events and teachings for 2004 in PDF format:
DOWNLOAD HERE (154kb).

Last revised: 14 March, 2005 (partially!!)
This page is designed and maintained by Sönam Tenzin.
Enquiries, suggestions for improvements and any comments are welcome: E-mail me!
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