Special Announcement

Dear Friends,

Photo: Ven. Thubten Kunsang

We are overjoyed to share more details about Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche's teachings and events this month in New York City.

As this all came together rather quickly and unexpectedly, we sincerely apologize for the relatively late notice.

We hope that you can join us for some or all of these rare and precious events. Please see below for more details.

Love,

Shantideva Meditation Center

Opening the Door to Liberation
Teachings and Events with Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Teachings

Friday, August 21 from 7pm to 9pm

Thursday, August 27 from 7pm to 9pm

Friday, August 28 from 7pm to 9pm

at Tibet House

Guru Puja with Tsog

Tuesday, August 25 from 7pm

at Jewel Heart Center

Photo: Ven. Thubten Kunsang

"Hearing the teachings benefits your own mind,

and later, because of having heard it,

you will be able to benefit others."

-Lama Zopa Rinpoche

About the Teachings

In this rare series of teachings in New York City, Lama Zopa Rinpoche will offer instruction and advice related to the path to enlightenment. Rinpoche's unique style is to offer teachings in accordance with the minds and needs of the students attending. Topics may include transforming problems, bodhicitta, emptiness, karma, and other essential teachings necessary to progress on the path to enlightenment.

Location:

Tibet House: 22 West 15th St., New York, NY 10011

Suggested Donation:

Open

A portion of net proceeds will go towards those affected by the Nepal earthquake, who continue to need our support.

Offerings will also go to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, expenses associated with the teachings (such as space rental and transportation), and support of the Center.

Registration:

There is no pre-registration, and admission will be based on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open at 5:30pm. We recommend arriving early, as we expect many people to attend and the Tibet House Gallery may become full.

If you are an ordained Sangha member, please contact us by August 19, as we would be honored to reserve seating for you.

Special Gift for Members:

Photo: Chris Majors

We will reserve and guarantee seating for all Members of Shantideva Meditation Center, to express our deep gratitude for your life-sustaining generosity to our Center and to the Dharma. Please RSVP by August 19 to reserve your seat.

It's not too late to become a member. To be eligible for reserved seating, please do so by August 19.

About the Guru Puja with Tsog

Photo: Kalleen Mortensen

On Tuesday, August 25 at 7pm, Lama Zopa Rinpoche will lead us in Guru Puja with Tsog. In addition to having Rinpoche here so that we may most powerfully accumulate merit, August 25 is the recommended date for Tsog according to the Tibetan calendar. This will be a truly special and auspicious occasion.

Most chanting will be done in Tibetan, although we expect Rinpoche to lead the Lam-Rim meditations in English.

The Guru Puja lays the whole path to enlightenment on our mindstream, connects us more strongly to our teachers, and allows us to quickly and effectively accumulate merit and purify negative karma. Its practice consists of making offerings to and requesting inspiration from the Spiritual Teacher, seen as the embodiment of the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), in order prepare our minds to generate realizations.

Spiritual vows and commitments that might have degenerated are also restored through this practice. We unite our minds with the holy mind of the Spiritual Teacher, who is considered the root and life force of the spiritual path, in order to receive blessings and generate realizations on the path to Enlightenment.

You are welcome to attend as an observer or participant.

Location:

Jewel Heart Center: 260 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Suggested Donation:

Open

Registration:

There is no pre-registration or pre-reserved seating (aside from that for ordained Sangha). Admission will be based on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open at 5:30pm. We recommend arriving early, as there is limited space at Jewel Heart.

If you would like to bring an offering of food, fruit, or flowers, please arrive by 6:30pm so that we have enough time to prepare your offering for the altar.

If you are an ordained Sangha member, please contact us by August 23, as we would be honored to reserve seating for you.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

If you are inspired to sponsor transportation for Rinpoche, food for Rinpoche, flowers, rental facilities, refreshments, and/or print-outs of long life prayers, please click here.

If you would like your sponsorship to go toward a specific offering, please indicate so when making your donation.

Here are teachings from Lama Zopa Rinpoche about the benefits of making offerings and practicing generosity, especially with a sincere motivation for the benefit of all beings.

About Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Photo: Ven Thubten Kunsang

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the Spiritual Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), which he founded with Lama Thubten Yeshe based on the request of students wishing to learn and share Mahayana Buddhist teachings and values with others.

For over 30 years, he has overseen the spiritual activities of the extensive worldwide network of centers, projects, and services that form FPMT.

Rinpoche's kindness is legendary. Details of Rinpoche's ongoing philanthropy can be followed through the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund News.

To read more on Lama Zopa's life accomplishments and contributions to the world please click here.

About Us

Shantideva Meditation Center is dedicated to cultivating wisdom and compassion through the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism within the New York community.

We are affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), which is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught by Founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Spiritual Director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

For more information, please email Shantideva Meditation or visit our website!