Garden Volunteer Day
2026-08-01 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
We have not had a garden day since April–time flies! Please come enjoy some light weeding and gentle garden cleanup after meditation. Summer garden fun!
We will supply: coffee/tea/goodies and a few garden tools
You should supply: your own garden gloves, tools you like, etc.
Many thanks and hope to see you there!

No Monday Night Chanted Prayers
2026-08-17 18:30 - 20:00
Rinpoche is leading the Portland Amitabha Dechen Shingdrup this week, so we will not have Monday night chanted prayers on 8/17/26 nor on 8/24/26. Our next practice will be on Monday, 8/31/26 with Medicine Buddha. Enjoy the week!

No Monday Night Chanted Prayers
2026-08-24 18:30 - 20:00
Rinpoche is leading the Portland Amitabha Dechen Shingdrup this week, so we will not have Monday night chanted prayers on 8/24/26. Our next practice will be on Monday, 8/31/26 with Medicine Buddha. Enjoy the week!

3rd Annual Amitabha Dechen Shingdrup Northern California
2026-09-25 08:00 - 2026-09-27 16:00 | Sera Jey Foundation, 6712 Portola Drive, El Cerrito, 94530
The third annual Amitabha Dechen Shingdrup with the Venerable Khenpo Karten Rinpoche in Northern California will be held over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 25 to 27, 2026, 8:00am to 4:00pm each day, at the Sera Jey Foundation, 6712 Portola Drive, El Cerrito, CA. This special event is hosted by the Tibetan Association of Northern California. The event is held in Tibetan and there will not be an English translator, but all are welcome to join and enjoy the special energy of the practice of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light.
Important Notes:

The event is held in Tibetan and there will not be an English translator, but all are welcome to join and enjoy the special energy of the practice of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light.
Here’s a copy of the Sadhana ‘Dechen Shingdrup’ (Tibetan text only)
Breakfast and lunch will be provided (vegetarian). All meals are sponsored by community members and offered free of charge.
They will have cushions there and chairs, but participants should bring their own cushions (whatever will help make your sit comfortable).
They may need help with food preparation and/or cleanup, so come early/stay late if you can offer to volunteer

Shrine room etiquette
Rinpoche is informal here in California, but it is good for students to know how to show respect in a traditional way in the gompa (shrine room):

Remove shoes and hats before entering the gompa
As soon as you enter, make 3 prostrations in the direction of the altar
When the teacher enters, please stand and bow slightly, hold your hands in prostration or “lotus blossom” at your heart
After the teacher makes 3 prostrations and sits down, the students then make 3 prostrations before sitting down
Keep all texts, Buddha images, or images of the Lama off the floor
Do not show the soles of your feet to the teacher/altar during the session. (Exceptions can be made for those with back problems or leg problems or anyone who needs to stretch their legs–use a scarf or cloth to cover your feet as you extend and stretch is good.)
Dress modestly, don’t show too much bare skin or wear super-tight or revealing clothing
Feel free to move and adjust your sitting position, but try not to disturb others; as you leave make a slight bow to the altar/teacher before turning away
At the end of the whole retreat, there will be a “kata ceremony” where white silk scarves are presented to Rinpoche as a sign of respect and thanks, and typically attendees also give “dana” at this time–a special monetary offering. Please bring your own kata if you have one. Dana should be concealed in an envelope.

Buddhist Pilgrimage to India and Nepal
2026-10-11 - 2026-10-29
Buddhist Pilgrimage to India and Nepal
October 11 to October 29, 2026
Click here for all the details
