Manjushri Dharma Center

Peace Lantern Ceremony
2017-08-05 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Lover’s Point Beach, 17th St and Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Peace Lantern Ceremony
7:00pm-9:00pm, Saturday, August 5th
Lover’s Point Beach
Ocean View Blvd & 17th Street, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will offer prayers at the ceremony which is part of the Thirteenth Annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Remembrance Day. This beautiful and moving tradition honors those who perished in 1945 and reaffirms our commitment to world peace. Event is free. The Peace Lantern event is sponsored by several peace organizations in Monterey County and the Friends/Quakers of Monterey.
Schedule includes:
7:00pm: Lantern making and Taiko drumming
7:45pm: Music and messages of hope and peace
8:15pm: Launching of the peace lanterns

Public Talk: Four Noble Truths
2017-07-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
July 27th, 2017 marks the Tibetan holy day of Chokhor Duechen, honoring the day that the Buddha Shakyamuni first taught the Four Noble Truths, and first turned the wheel of the Dharma. We will celebrate with a public talk on the Four Noble Truths given by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche. Please join us for this very special occasion!
Learn More: Chokhor Duechen in Tibet

Picnic at Pema Osel Ling
2017-07-16 12:00 - 19:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
On Sunday, July 16, 2017 members of the Manjushri Dharma Center community joined Khenpo Karten Rinpoche for a picnic in the redwoods and exploration of the Pema Osel Ling retreat center. Folks met at the Manjushri Dharma Center at noon and carpooled to Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center, located in the redwoods above Watsonville, about 45 minutes from Pacific Grove.
More Information: Pema Osel Ling Website

Photos:

Happy Birthday Dalai Lama 2017
2017-07-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Rinpoche’s recap: On July 6th, we had a birthday celebration for his Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Manhunt Dharma Center in Pacific Grove. We prayed for his long life, and watched some very funny videos of him. We then enjoyed our always wonderful lucky pot and some terrific music by Michael Martinez on keyboard, Steve Baker on sitar, and David Molk on banjo, harmonica, and flute. Thanks to all musicians, and those who brought delicious food. It was a joyous occasion, and we hope to have this celebration for many years to come!
General Description: Thursday, July 6th, 2017 will mark the 82nd birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. He describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk, but he is also the spiritual leader of Tibet and a leader of peace around the world.
The community is invited to gather at the Manjushri Dharma Center to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s birthday with food, music, and friendship. Attendees are encouraged to bring a “luckypot” item to share (that is Rinpoche speak for potluck). We are fortunate this year to have been donated a stunning thangka (religious painting) of the 14th Dalai Lama, courtesy of the staff at Bernardus Lodge, which will be displayed prominently and honored as we celebrate this incredible man of peace.
Learn more: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso

Photos from the party:

Land of Medicine Buddha Festival 2017
2017-07-01 09:00 - 17:00 | Land of Medicine Buddha, 5800 Prescott Road, Soquel , CA, 95073, United States
Once a year, Land of Medicine Buddha Retreat Center holds a grand day of celebration when the community comes together at their Wish Fulfilling Temple. They raise a 24 foot tall Medicine Buddha thangka (painting) between redwood trees, host Buddhist masters who lead the Medicine Buddha Pujas (prayers), offer a free lunch of Tibetan mo mo’s, music and dance offerings from many cultures, kids activities and more. It is a GRAND day day of celebration and offering.
The community at the Manjushri Dharma Center joined in the festivities, enjoying the day there. Here are some photos from the day.

More information: Land of Medicine Buddha Festival and Cultural Celebration

Public Talk--Medicine for the Mind: Transforming Suffering into Joy
2017-06-24 11:15 - 12:15 | Private Residence, CA, United States
General Description: Every living being experiences suffering. Most people view suffering as something to get rid of and not look back. However, suffering can teach us compassion for others and can be used to train our mind in a way that good conditions cannot. In this very special public talk, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will give an account of his root guru’s 21 years in a Chinese prison, where Kyabje Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche transformed an atmosphere of starvation and fear into pure spiritual food and joy. Join us after our regular meditation class (which runs 10-11am) for this deeply inspiring teaching. Free event, all are welcome!
Background: Every year, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche visits the Bridgewater State Prison to teach students incarcerated there. He composed this teaching originally for them, and delivered it on May 29th. After reading the teaching, presented below, students in Pacific Grove requested he give the same teaching as a public talk. This teaching is one of the most powerful and inspiring teachings this editor has ever read.
Recap of event: On June 24, 2017 Khenpo Karten Rinpoche addressed the community with a public talk entitled, “Medicine for the Mind: Transforming Suffering into Joy.” The talk was based on his teaching given to Dharma students in prison in Boston earlier in May. The attendees read the written teaching aloud in its entirety, and Rinpoche expanded on “tong-len” or the practice of taking and giving. It was indeed powerful medicine for the mind.
Photo from Public Talk:

Link to Blog Post: Medicine For The Mind: Instructions for My Boston Dharma Brothers On Using Suffering and Obstacles for Mental Development
Download Teaching as PDF: Medicine For The Mind: Instructions for My Boston Dharma Brothers On Using Suffering and Obstacles for Mental Development

Blessing of the Waters: Summer Solstice 2017
2017-06-21 19:30 - 20:00 | Lover’s Point Beach, 17th St and Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
General recap: Khenpo Karten Rinpoche offered a Water Blessing Ceremony on the occasion of the Summer Solstice and First Day of Summer at Lovers Point beach in Pacific Grove. The blessing honored all the earth’s elements as Rinpoche chanted to pray for their protection. Participants offered a prayer for world peace and brought flower petals to contribute to this beautiful and moving ceremony.
Rinpoche’s recap: Yesterday, June 21st, the summer solstice, we had the 8th water blessing ceremony on the beach at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. Offerings were given to the nagas, the water serpents, of the three white substances: honey, milk, and yogurt, and many flowers and flower petals of brilliant colors which reset floating on the waves. There was quite a crowd of people! This ceremony of the water element is especially important for California which has droughts and floods and avalanches. I think the Nagas were very pleased!
Photos (thank you Stacy Loving, Heidi Feldman and all others who contributed photos):

Thargyen Certificate Ceremony
2017-06-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Private Residence, CA, United States
From Rinpoche following ceremony, June 14, 2017: Our Jewel Ornament of Liberation teachings, which commenced a year and nine months ago, has now ended and went extremely well. We had a concluding celebration today with practice of Venerable Milarepa Guru Yoga and offering of Ganachakra. The Ornament by Gampopa is such a precious, sacred instruction. We would not be incorrect to recognize it as the first Lamrim, Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, to appear in Tibet. It is the first time that I have taught the Ornament in America. I want to thank everyone involved, all members of my Manjushri Dharma Center who attended and helped make it happen for the wonderful opportunity. Apart from how much it benefitted others, it is always extremely beneficial for me to able to give such teachings. Thank you so much!
Background:
Over the course of a year and a nine months, August 2015 to April 2017, the sangha completed initial study of The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings, by the venerable Gampopa (1074-1153 C.E., depicted in thangka above), also known as the Thargyen. On June 14th, 2017, we celebrated all those who participated in this course of study with a special set of prayers (Milarepa sadhana) and a certificate ceremony. Practitioners also completed a one to two page written reflection of the Thargyen, and turned those in to Rinpoche. It was a nice way to celebrate and recognize those who participated in and completed listening, meditating and contemplation of this comprehensive work.
The day before we held this celebration, a very nice woman came by and donated a beautiful Thangka (religious painting) depicting the Dalai Lama and his life. It is was very auspicious, as it was the Dalai Lama who recommended to Khenpo Karten Rinpoche that he teach the Thargyen to his western students. It was as if the Dalai Lama came to celebrate with us, the full circle of his idea! Read More: The Auspicious Dalai Lama Thangka
Pictures from the Thargyen Certificate Ceremony:
Tsog offering and alter set up to honor Milarepa and Gampopa

Saka Dawa 2017
2017-06-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Message from Rinpoche sent to Sangha on Thursday, June 8: Saka Dawa full moon is tomorrow! This is the most holy and important day in all Buddhism. We celebrate the Buddha’s birthday, enlightenment, and death (paranirvana). The whole month of Saka Dawa is especially auspicious for creating merit. I really want my students to have a beautiful, happy celebration and create great merit in the world! Don’t miss this important occasion—it comes only once a year.
General description: Saka Dawa/Saga Dawa observations take place in the fourth Tibetan month, honoring Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. From May 26 to June 24, 2017, the planets and stars converge to make things especially auspicious, therefore, positive actions can be multiplied 100,000 times. This is a rare and important period, so practitioners are encouraged to practice Dharma and positive actions as much as possible during this time, and to refrain from harmful actions with extra mindfulness. Most holy of all is the full moon day of Saka Dawa, the 15th day of the Tibetan month, which will fall on Friday, June 9th.
Editor’s recap: The Manjushri Dharma Community gathered at 6:30pm, and attendees brought tsog offerings of flowers, fruits, popcorn, and sweets. Rinpoche arranged it all into a beautiful offering of food and flowers for the Guru, Three Jewels, Assembly of Heroes and Heroines. As part of the tsog ceremony, assistants made three heaping plates for the Guru, Buddha, and Dharma. The Sangha also partook in the offerings, imagining the food as holy nectar that purifies all negativities, to honor the divine within. It was a beautiful ceremony which served to accumulate merit and purify obscurations. Rinpoche took the time to explain the various parts of the ceremony to the Sangha, as this was only the second time a tsog ceremony was performed in our Forest Avenue center. After the formal tsog ceremony, participants prayed world peace. Thank you to all the Sangha members who helped with photocopies of prayers, setting up and breaking down of this Saka Dawa ceremony. Thank you to all who attended and collectively created such good energy for a peaceful world!
Rinpoche’s recap: Today, on the full moon of Saga Dawa, our offering ceremony went very well and we were able to create a tremendous amount of positive energy for the future. This root of virtue I dedicate to all living beings throughout all realms of existence . Thank you to everyone!
Pictures from June 9th, 2017 Saka Dawa Full Moon Ceremony:
Making special plates to share
Sharing a day of special blessings, Saka Dawa Full Moon Ceremony 2017
All the flowers made a special alter for Saturday meditation

More information about Saka/Saga Dawa as posted by Rinpoche on his Facebook page:
Saga Dawa is called the “month of merits” for Tibetan Buddhists. Dawameans “month” in Tibetan, and “Saga” or “Saka” is the name of a star prominent in the sky during the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, when Saga Dawa is observed. Saga Dawa usually begins in May and ends in June.
This is a month especially dedicated to “making merit.” Merit is understood in many ways in Buddhism. We can think of it as the fruits of good karma, especially when this brings us closer to enlightenment. In early Buddhist teachings the three grounds of meritorious action are generosity (dana), morality (sila), and mental culture or meditation (bhavana), although there are many ways to make merit.
Tibetan lunar months begin and end with a new moon. The full moon day that falls in the middle of the month is Saga Dawa Duchen; duchen means “great occasion.” In 2016, this day falls on Saturday, May 21st. This is the single most holy day of Tibetan Buddhism. Like the Theravadin observance of Vesak, Saga Dawa Duchen commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death (parinirvana) of the historical Buddha.

Ways to Make Merit
For Tibetan Buddhists, the month of Saga Dawa is the most auspicious time for meritorious actions. And on Saga Dawa Duchen the merits of worthy acts are multiplied 100,000 times.
Meritorious acts include pilgrimages to sacred places. There are many mountains, lakes, caves and other natural sites in Tibet that have attracted pilgrims for centuries. Pilgrims also go to venerated monasteries, temples and stupas. Pilgrims also travel to be in the presence of a holy person, such as a high lama.
Pilgrims may circumambulate a shrine or other holy place. This means walking clockwise around the holy site. As they circumambulate, pilgrims may pray and chant mantras, such as mantras to White or Green Tara, Om Mani Padme Hum or Buddha Amitabha. The circumambulation may include full-body prostrations.
Dana, or giving, may be the most common way for Buddhists of all traditions to make merit, especially giving donations to temples or to individual monks and nuns. During Saga Dawa, it’s also auspicious to give money to beggars. Traditionally, beggars line the roads on Saga Dawa Duchen knowing they are certain to receive something.
The lighting of butter lamps is a common devotional practice. Traditionally, butter lamps burned clarified yak butter, but these days they might be filled with vegetable oil. The lights are said to banish spiritual darkness as well as visual darkness. Tibetan temples burn a lot of butter lamps; donating lamp oil is another way to make merit.
Another way to make merit is by not eating meat. One can take this further by buying animals intended to be slaughtered and setting them free.

Observing Precepts
In many Buddhist traditions there are precepts observed by laypeople only on holy days. In Theravada Buddhism these are called the uposatha precepts. Lay Tibetan Buddhists sometimes follow the same eight precepts on holy days. During Saga Dawa, laypeople may keep these eight precepts on both new moon and full moon days.
These precepts are the first five basic precepts precepts for all lay Buddhists, plus three more. The first five are:
1. Not killing
2. Not stealing
3. Not misusing sex
4. Not lying
5. Not abusing intoxicants
On especially holy days, three more are added:
The sixth “holy day” precept is to eat only one meal, before noon. This is a basic precept for many monks and nuns, but most of the time it doesn’t apply to laypeople. “Grazing” is not allowed; once you’ve stopped eating for thirty minutes, the meal is done. For Tibetans, this one meal should not include meat, eggs, onions, garlic or radishes.
The seventh “holy day” precept is to avoid sleeping in a high, soft bed. The eighth is to not wear adornments — jewelry or cosmetics.
Sometimes lay Tibetans turn these special days into two-day retreats, with complete silence and fasting on the second day.

There are, of course, a variety of rituals and ceremonies performed during Saga Dawa, and these vary among the several schools of Tibetan Buddhism. In recent years, Chinese security forces have limited Ssga Dawa activities, including pilgrimages and ceremonies, in Tibet.

Developing the Supreme Good Heart, Public Talk in Brockton, Massachusetts
2017-05-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Messiah Baptist Church, Brockton, MA, 80 LEGION PARKWAY, Brockton, MA, 02301, United States
DEVELOPING THE SUPREME GOOD HEART
Messiah Baptist Church, Brockton, Massachusetts
Reverend Michael Walker
80 LEGION PARKWAY, BROCKTON, MA
Wednesday, May 31
7:00pm to 9:00pm Eastern Standard Time
Contact for Questions: (508) 584-1963 or ssbmessiah@aol.com
Website:Messiah Baptist Church
Download flyer: Developing the Supreme Good Heart
Rev. Ed Hardy and Khenpo Karten Rinpoche at Messiah Baptist Church

Developing the Supreme Good Heart, Public Talk in Plymouth, Massachusetts
2017-05-30 19:00 - 21:00 | First Parish Church, Plymouth, MA, 19 Town Square, Plymouth, MA, 02360 , United States
DEVELOPING THE SUPREME GOOD HEART
FIRST PARISH CHURCH IN PLYMOUTH, Massachusetts
Reverend Ed Hardy
19 Town Square Plymouth MA 02360
Tuesday, May 30
7:00pm to 9:00pm Eastern Standard Time
Contact for Questions: (508) 747-1606 or office@firstparishplymouthuu.org
Website: First Parish Plymouth Unitarian Universalist Church
Download flyer: Developing the Supreme Good Heart
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche and Rev. Ed Hardy taking a selfie.

Teaching at Bridgewater State Prison, Bridgewater, MA
2017-05-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Bridgewater State Prison, 20 Admin Road, Bridgewater, MA, 02324, United States
Every year, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche visits the Bridgewater State Prison to teach students incarcerated there. He composed the teaching below which includes an account of how Kyabje Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche, Khenpo Karten’s root guru, transformed his 21 years in a Chinese prison into complete freedom. This teaching is one of the most powerful and inspiring teachings this editor has ever read.
Link to Blog Post: Medicine For The Mind: Instructions for My Boston Dharma Brothers On Using Suffering and Obstacles for Mental Development
Download Teaching as PDF: Medicine For The Mind: Instructions for My Boston Dharma Brothers On Using Suffering and Obstacles for Mental Development

Bardo Teaching, Ridgefield Park, NJ
2017-05-27 11:00 - 17:00 | Private Residence, Carmel, CA, United States
Date: Saturday, May 27
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time
Location: Private residence, 82 Euclid Avenue, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, 07660
Description:
What is the bardo ? The Tibetan word bardo means the intermediate state, which is our state of existence before and after death. There are altogether six bardos from the moment of conception till death.
The purpose of understanding the bardo is to use every spiritual experience in this life as a preparation for the moment of death and the next rebirth. Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will teach on:
1. How to achieve happiness in this life with the first three bardos: Kyenay Bardo (the bardo of birth and life), Milam Bardo (the practice of dream yoga in the dream state) and Samten Bardo (the bardo of meditation or concentrative absorption);
2. How to achieve peace at the moment of dying through the final three bardos: Chinkai Bardo (the bardo of dying at the moment of death until complete dissolution of outer and inner elements), Chonyi Bardo (luminosity of our true nature) and Sipa Bardo (the bardo of our new form which is determined by our karmic accumulations and actions).
Contact for questions: TBA

Public Talk on Love and Compassion in New York
2017-05-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Kabbalah Center New York City, 155 East 48th Street, New York, CA, 10017, United States
Khenpo Karten Rinponche will give a public talk on Love and Compassion, the essence of Dharma practice.
Wednesday, May 24th
7:00PM Eastern Standard Time
Kabbalah Center New York City
16 W. 17th St., New York, NY 10011
Contact for Questions:
phone: (212) 644-0025
email: NY.UnionSquare@kabbalah.com
web newyork.kabbalah.com
Kabbalah Center Event Website

Back Yard Cleanup Day
2017-05-13 11:00 - 13:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Thank you Back Yard Clean Up Volunteers!

On Saturday, May 13th following our meditation class, six volunteers pitched in to clean up the back yard at the Manjushri Dharma Center. Within a half hour (so fast!) we had the bamboo fence removed, and created a sizable junk pile, wood pile (free firewood), and brick pile (also free to anyone who needs them). We were treated to a delicious luncheon prepared by Diana enjoyed outside in our newly cleaned up space. Thank you to all who participated!

The crew:

a
a
a
aa
a
a
a
a
a

The Junk Pile:

a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
aa
a

The Free Pile:

Celebrate Tibetan Culture
2017-05-07 11:00 - 18:00 | Custom House Plaza, Near Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
The Manjushri Dharma Center celebrated Tibetan culture on Sunday, May 7th, 2017 at the third annual Language Capitol of the World Festival.
After a parade at 10:30am, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche and dedicated volunteers staffed a booth at Custom House Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Rinpoche wowed the crowd with his conch shell playing!
Thank you to Steffanie Hochulli (shown left with Rinpoche) who was inspired with the idea to have Manjushri Dharma Center at this fun community event, and who did the lion’s share of the work to make it happen. Thank you also Jim for coordinating the volunteers, Bruce for logistical help and heavy lifting, Heidi & Gary for help in setting up the EZ Up and staying to assist, and to Diana & Cate for showing up and helping….twice! Special thanks of course to Rinpoche for staying all day, and sharing Tibetan culture and his extraordinary good wishes with the people.

Dharma Journey Support & Discussion Group
2017-04-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Private Residence, Carmel, CA, United States
Embarking on a spiritual path takes courage and the support of like-minded people. Join Manjushri Dharma Center members Andrew and Denise as they host a Dharma Journey Support and Discussion Group at their home on Tuesday, April 18th, 7:00pm. The purpose is to provide an informal setting to talk about and encourage each other as we put the Dharma into practice. We envision this group meeting monthly to bi-monthly at various practitioners homes. Feel free to bring some food for a shared dinner before the discussion. Tea and coffee provided.
RSVP by Monday, April 17th to support@manjushridharmacenter.org to receive the residence address and directions.

The Benefits of Solitary Retreat
2017-04-09 11:15 - 12:00 | Unitarian Universalist Church of Monterey County, 490 Aquajito Road, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche spent three years, three months, and three days on solitary retreat in his early 20’s. The experience began with much discomfort, physically and mentally, but ended with Rinpoche asking to extend the retreat another 3 years! Indeed, while that particular Abbot did not allow Rinpoche to continue his retreat at the monastery, Rinpoche returned to his home village, and did an additional 2 years of solitary retreat in a cave near his home town.
On Sunday, April 9th, Rinpoche will speak about the importance and benefits of solitary retreat to the teens of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Pennisula, at approximately 11:30-12:00pm. The event is NOT open to the public, but listed here to help keep track of our busy Rinpoche’s schedule.
The Benefits of Solitary Retreat
Sunday, April 9th
11:30am -noon
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Pennisula
490 Aguajito Road, Carmel, CA 93923
Private event for youth of UU Church
For more info, contact: Aaron Joseph–phone: 805-618-8822 or email: jwlinthelotus@yahoo.com

Public Talk: Developing the Supreme Good Heart
2017-04-08 11:15 - 12:15 | Private Residence, CA, United States
“The tracks left by all Buddhas, past, present and future; Quintessence of the 84,000 Teachings are the instructions on altruistic Bodhicitta; Don’t forget them. Practice them! That is my heart advice.” page 9 Heartfelt Advice of Dharma Nectar, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche
The supreme good heart, or Bodhicitta, is a precious mind that cherishes all living beings over oneself–altruism in its deepest and broadest form. As the Dalai Lama says in a 2015 video, “Whoever generates this altruistic intention will find themselves setting out on the path to true happiness.” Letting go of ego-clinging that seeks only the happiness of the self, and developing a mind that wishes for the happiness of all creates peace of mind and joy for the practitioner. The benefits of cultivating this attitude are profound: from better health and more harmonious relationships, to the ultimate liberation of enlightenment. Join Khenpo Karten Rinpoche as he teaches on the many benefits of Bodhicitta, followed by a discussion on practical ways to gently encourage the supreme good heart in ourselves.
This teaching follows our regular meditation class, held 10-11am on Saturdays.
Click here for more information on the Heart Advice Series.

Public Talk: Abandoning Dualistic Thinking
2017-03-25 11:15 - 12:15 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Abandoning Dualistic Thinking
Saturday, March 25
11:15am-12:15pm
Manjushri Dharma Center
“Samsara and nirvana are no more different than the two sides of a single hand. Abandon dualistic discrimination; Pure lands are nowhere else! That is my heart advice.” page 8 Heartfelt Advice of Dharma Nectar, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche
In the introduction to the The Jewel Ornament Of Liberation, Gampopa (1074-1153) writes: “In general, all phenomena are included in the two categories of samsara and nirvana. That which is called samsara is empty by nature, a confused projection. Its defining characteristic is that it manifests as suffering. That which is called nirvana is also empty by nature, but all the confused projections are exhausted and dissipated. Its defining characteristic is freedom from all suffering….When can this confusion be transformed into primordial wisdom? When one attains unsurpassable enlightenment.”
Out of ignorance, we tend to think of samsara and nirvana as two separate realities, when actually they are of the same nature: emptiness, deep freedom and bliss. It may take a lifetime or many lifetimes to achieve a direct realization of emptiness, but with patient, consistent, gentle and joyful effort, it is within reach.
We can relate to this teaching in another aspect. Within our conventional reality we often judge people and experiences as good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, and spend much energy trying to avoid the unpleasant, seeking only the people and circumstances we enjoy. What if we could experience others from a basis of curiosity, openness, and freedom of thought? What if we viewed our lives and circumstances beyond the lens of habitual dualistic thinking?
Join us for a teaching from Khenpo Karten Rinpoche on this deep subject, following our regular mediation practice (10-11am). Rinpoche will teach directly in his own English.

Dharma Journey Support & Discussion Group
2017-03-21 19:00 - 21:00 | MDC Member Private Residence, Address Given Upon Request, Email: Support@manjushridharmacenter.org
Embarking on a spiritual path takes courage and the support of like-minded people. Join Manjushri Dharma Center members Andrew and Denise as they host a Dharma Journey Support and Discussion Group at their home on Tuesday, March 21 7:00pm. The purpose is to provide an informal setting to talk about and encourage each other as we put the Dharma into practice. We envision this group meeting monthly to bi-monthly at various practitioners homes. Feel free to bring some food for a shared dinner before the discussion. Tea and coffee provided.
RSVP by Monday, March 20th to support@manjushridharmacenter.org to receive the residence address and directions.

Refuge Ceremony March 2017
2017-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Five people took part in a refuge ceremony on Sunday, March 12th, 2017 with Khenpo Karten Rinpoche at the Manjushri Dharma Center. Three for the very first time, and two for the first time with Rinpoche. It was a very auspicious day, full moon celebration of Buddha’s Miracles Day or Chotrul Duchen. It was the very first time we had celebrated Chotrul Duchen at the Manjushri Dharma Center. During that ceremony, we recited the “Praise of the 12 Deeds” to honor Buddha. What better way to further honor Buddha than having more committed, kind-hearted people in the world! Hurray for all future Buddhas!

If any member of the community would like to take refuge at the next ceremony with Rinpoche, please contact him in person or by email at khenpokarten@gmail.com or by phone at 831-901-3156.
The meaning of taking refuge is very profound, and there are many layers, but a basic understanding can be found at this website: http://buddhism.about.com/od/takingrefuge/a/takingrefuge.htm

Chotrul Düchen: Butter Lamp Festival or Festival of Miracles
2017-03-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Chotrul Düchen, the ‘Day of Miracles’ is a Tibetan holy day that commemorates one of the four great deeds of the Buddha. It occurs on the full moon (the fifteenth day) of the first Tibetan month. The first fifteen days of the Tibetan New Year celebrate the fifteen days in which, in order to increase the merit and the devotion of future disciples, Buddha Shakyamuni displayed a different miracle each day. The Festival of Miracles is celebrated by Tibetans from the first to the fifteenth of the first lunar month, so it is the first “Düchen” or “great occasion” in the Tibetan calendar. These fifteen days are considered multiplying days in which the effect of any action is magnified millions of times and the fifteenth day is especially great. Chotrul Düchen, like Saga Dawa Düchen, and Lhabab Düchen is considered a ten million multiplier day, multiplying the effects of all positive and negative actions 10 million times! It is therefore considered very useful to engage in positive activities today!
To commemorate the occasion, Tibetans traditionally will make lamps of yak butter, called butter lamps, in the shapes of flowers, trees, birds, and other auspicious symbols. Great displays of light are offered in the evening. We will celebrate by gathering in the morning for a teaching from Khenpo Karten Rinpoche on the meaning of the holiday and reciting prayers. Practitioners are encouraged to light candles in the evening to commemorate the Day of Miracles.
Learn more:
The Story of the 15 Days of Miracles
Rigpa Wiki-Brief Explanation of Chotrul Duchen
Description above drawn from:
Diamond Way Buddhism blog
Wikipedia–Chotrul Duchen

Birthday Celebration for Khenpo Karten Rinpoche
2017-03-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Following our Tibetan Uprising Day protest, we returned to the Manjushri Dharma Center for a “Luckypot” celebration in honor of Khenpo Karten Rinpoche’s birthday. We started off by reading a prayer composed by the Dalai Lama for Tibet composed in 1969. Songs by David Molk and fruit sun “cake” were had at Rinpoche’s American birthday party.
Happy Birthday Rinpoche!

Tibetan Uprising Day
2017-03-10 16:30 - 18:00 | Windows on the Bay, Corner of Del Monte and Camino El Estero, Monterey, 93940, United States
Thank you to everyone who came out to lend your voice, raise a sign, and otherwise raise awareness about Tibetan Uprising Day, March 10, 2017. Please take the time you can to write a few postcards and/or send some emails in support of Tibet. Three suggested actions are below.
Photos from the Day (+ day before sign making):

Background:
“Imagine you are not allowed to whistle ‘Yankee Doodle’ as you work. You can’t talk about the day’s events in your native language, nor wear blue jeans and tennis shoes, or any other garment quintessentially American. Your children go to a new school where they learn a language other than yours, and are taught to report you to the authorities if you speak English at home. Forget going to church. This is Tibet today.” quote from 2016 article in Cedar St. Times.
Since the Chinese occupation in 1959, more than one million Tibetans have been killed. To fly a Tibetan flag, send an email abroad, or say the phrase “human rights,” is cause for imprisonment and torture. 99% of all Tibetan monasteries have been closed. The Tibetan people and their culture are being systematically attacked. Our own teacher, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche risked his life to become a monk in Tibet before fleeing in 1996. He has suffered great personal tragedy, which he rarely speaks about.
Stand up against this repression and violence. Lend your voice to peace, justice, and freedom: Support Tibet! Join us on Friday, March 10th, 4:30pm-6:00pm at Windows on the Bay as we join international protests in support of Tibetan freedom. Signs will be provided. Please note: Protesters cannot step into the street or hand out leaflets to cars, as per a city safety mandate.
Learn more about the issue:
Free Tibet website
2016 PG Cedar Street Times article (bottom of p1, includes photos of Rinpoche during his trek across the Himalayas)
Video: Tibet Today
Take Action:
In addition to joining us in protest, here are some things you can do to help the cause of peace, justice and freedom in Tibet. We thank the Free Tibet website for suggesting these specific actions we can take.
Send a postcard and/or write an email to the U.S. Embassy in China in support of Tashi Wangchuk, a young man speaking up for Tibetan language:
Tashi Wangchuk is from Yushu in eastern Tibet. He became an advocate for the teaching of the Tibetan language after Tibetan classes were closed down in his local area, prompting concerns that future generations of Tibetans would grow up unable to speak their mother tongue. His attempts to persuade the local government to provide Tibetan language information in schools were featured in an article and documentary in the New York Times in November 2015. Tashi Wangchuk pursued his campaign peacefully through official channels. He repeatedly maintained that his actions were not political. Two months later he was arrested, and later charged with “inciting separatism”. It is likely he is being punished because he had the courage to work with the New York Times to highlight threats to Tibetan culture, despite the risk he would be arrested.

Click here to send an email in support of Tashi Wangchuk
Send postcard to U.S. Embassy in China–address below

Send a postcard and/or write an email to Losang Jamcan, the Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region in support of Ngawang Gyaltsen, an imprisoned monk and thangka artist:
Ngawang Gyaltsen is from Tarchen Township, Nagchu County in the Tibet Autonomous Region. He is a well-known artist who was formerly a monk at Shag Rongpo monastery. He was arrested on 24 February 2015. His arrest and detention were executed in secret, leaving his family to believe that he had disappeared. In March 2015, Ngawang Gyaltsen was found to be being secretly detained in at a detention centre in Nagchu, but his current whereabouts and conditions are unknown. No official reason for his arrest has been given. Ngawang Gyaltsen had formerly studied thangka (Buddhist) painting at Shag Rongpo monastery, where he was a monk, but left the monastery to live as a layperson after being harassed and subjected to heavy surveillance by the Chinese government officials at the monastery. Ngawang Gyaltsen had had disagreements with the government officials over a re-education campaign for the monks and nuns. He continued to be harassed by the authorities after his departure from Shag Rongpo, and was forbidden to travel or meet with friends and family without government authorization.

Click here to send an email in support of Ngawang Gyaltsen–email will be sent to Losang Jamcan, Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region

Send postcard to U.S. Embassy in China–address below

Send a postcard and/or write an email to protest the destruction of Larang Gar, one of the largest Buddhist centers in the world:
Larang Gar at one point was home to 40,000 monks and nuns, one of the largest religious centers in the world. Under plans issued by the local government, a series of forced removals and extensive demolition work will be carried out to cut the number of residents down to 5,000 by October 2017. The first round of demolitions and removals, carried out in July, reduced large areas of the site to rubble and caused widespread distress among Tibetans. If a deadline is missed, punishments will be imposed. These include expelling additional people and even destroying Larung Gar in its entirety.
Residents who have been removed from the site have been made to sign pledges promising not to return to live there. Others have been locked out of their own homes. Monks and nuns who have been returned to their native regions from Larung Gar have been prevented from joining new monasteries and nunneries. Some have been subjected to humiliating patriotic re-education sessions, in which they are required to sing Chinese propaganda songs and denounce their own Tibetan culture and religion. The sadness has been felt across Tibet, and inside Larung Gar, three nuns are reported to have taken their own lives in protest against the demolitions. This damage is not just an assault on Larung Gar and its residents, but also on Tibetans’ fundamental rights, including the rights to freedom of religion, freedom of movement and freedom of expression and association.

Send postcard to Chinese Embassy in U.S.–address below
Click here to send an email to the EU committee that is in negotiations to halt the demolition
Click here to send an email to Sun Chunlan, Head of the United Front Work Department–the department in charge of the demolition
Click here to send an email to the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. or write them a postcard, address below
Send an email to Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State, U.S. State Department

For suggestions on what to write, click here.
For Mr. Tillerson’s statement on human rights, click here.
For information on the US Tibet Policy Act “to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to safeguard their distinct identity,” click here.
To send an email to the State Department, click here.

Addresses for Postcards:
United States Embassy of Beijing, China
Ambassador Terry Branstad
No. 55 An Jia Lou Lu
People’s Republic of China, 100600
Chinese Embassy in United States
Ambassador Cui Tiankai
3505 International Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008

Losar Tibetan New Year Celebration
2017-02-27 18:30 - 20:30 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Happy New Year Sangha! Tibetan lunar New Year or Losar will begin on Monday, February 27th. We will gather to celebrate at 6:30pm with Amitabha prayers and a “luckypot” celebration. Please bring a dish to share to celebrate the year of the Fire Rooster on this auspicious occasion! (Perhaps we will even see some Lama dancing!)
Learn more: Tibetan New Year Traditions

Remembrance Ceremony for Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche
2017-02-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Kyabje Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche was the kind heart teacher of our own Khenpo Karten Rinpoche. In a blog post entitled, I Met My Root Guru In A Dream, KK Rinpoche writes, “With last night’s dream, I see it as a good sign that my benevolent guru who passed away about fifteen years ago has still not let me, his poor disciple, out of the grip of his compassion…I am again and again forcefully reminded of how he especially takes care of me, this lowly child within his entourage, as lovingly as a mother cares for her only child.”
On the occasion of the Tibetan New Year’s Eve, we will remember the great kindness of Kyabje Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche by reciting special prayers, some of which were composed by KK Rinpoche. Participants may bring flowers for the altar if they wish, but simply participating is the best offering you can make as we honor this precious lineage.
Poem for Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche, written by KK Rinpoche:
You whose kindness is beyond repaying,
Unfailing, supreme object of refuge,
With the name of the benevolent ‘Buddha’,
I saw you again in a dream!
For those wanting permanent Liberation
From the suffering of unbearable karma and delusions
That is experienced in this inescapable pit, this prison of samsara,
Nothing surpasses the guru’s personal instructions.
Sole Father manifesting as a human being,
While I am your child, your son, a monk,
I place my hopes in none but you;
Never leave me out of your compassionate care!
Yet, since the sole Father Guru
Has introduced me to my own mind as the guru
In the nature of dharmakaya emptiness-awareness
I never think the guru is not here!
Leaving present ordinary consciousness
To settle naturally, uncontrived, unaltered,
Without distraction at all times,
The state of the Guru will be attained!
Read more: I Met My Root Guru In A Dream

Public Talk: Love and Compassion
2017-02-11 11:15 - 12:15 | Private Residence, CA, United States
“In the Buddhist tradition, compassion and love are seen as two aspects of the same thing: Compassion is the wish for another being to be free from suffering; love is wanting them to have happiness.” (The Dalai Lama.Oct 5, 2012) In the west, we tend to confuse love with attachment. Love is other focused–the wish for the other to be happy. Attachment is self focused–how the other makes the self feel. Understanding the true nature of love and compassion & developing both qualities in ourselves can make relationships, families, and communities more harmonious. Please join us for this very special public talk on love and compassion (just ahead of Valentine’s Day!) which will be taught both by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, resident monk and teacher at the Manjushri Dharma Center, and by Geshe Lobsang Kanchok, a monk and friend visiting from India. Consecutive interpretation will be provided by Tibetan Buddhist language scholar and practitioner, David Molk.

Suggested donation of $10.00 welcome, but no one turned away for lack of funds. All are welcome!

Talk begins at 11:15am after the Saturday meditation class.

The Six Bardos New Year Retreat 2017
2017-01-20 19:00 - 2017-01-22 12:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Happiness in Life, Peace in Death: The Six Bardos New Year Retreat 2017
January 20-22, 2017
It’s time to register for our upcoming retreat with Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, scheduled for the weekend of Jan. 20-22, 2017. This will be a most precious opportunity to share an in-depth teaching by Rinpoche on The Six Bardos.
Brief Description of Teaching
What is the bardo ? The Tibetan word bardo means the intermediate state, which is our state of existence before and after death. There are altogether six bardos from the moment of conception till death.
The purpose of understanding the bardo is to use every spiritual experience in this life as a preparation for the moment of death and the next rebirth. Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will teach on:
1. How to achieve happiness in this life with the first three bardos: Kyenay Bardo (the bardo of birth and life), Milam Bardo (the practice of dream yoga in the dream state) and Samten Bardo (the bardo of meditation or concentrative absorption);
2. How to achieve peace at the moment of dying through the final three bardos: Chinkai Bardo (the bardo of dying at the moment of death until complete dissolution of outer and inner elements), Chonyi Bardo (luminosity of our true nature) and Sipa Bardo (the bardo of our new form which is determined by our karmic accumulations and actions).
Retreat Schedule

Friday, Jan. 20th
5:00pm-7:00pm: Check in
7:00pm-9:00pm: Session 1-Welcome, Setting Intention, & Introduction to Teaching

Saturday, Jan. 21st
9:00am-12:00pm: Session 2–The Bardo
12:00pm-1:00pm: Lunch (provided)
1:00pm-4:00pm: Session 3–The Bardo
7:00pm-9:00pm: Evening activity TBD

Sunday, January 22nd
8:00am-12:00pm: Session 4–The Bardo
12:00pm: Lunch (provided) & Annual Meeting

More Information
https://manjushridharmacenter.org/the-six-bardos-new-year-retreat-2017/

Buddha Nature
2017-01-07 11:15 - 12:15 | Private Residence, CA, United States
“All beings have Buddha nature. Just as milk is pervaded by butter, when the two accumulations are ‘churned’ with effort at some point Buddha nature will manifest! That is my heart advice. The difference between ‘Buddhas’ and ‘sentient beings’ is whether they have awakened awareness or not. If you don’t cling to them as permanently different, you will find Buddha within! That is my heart advice.” pages 6-7 Heartfelt Advice of Dharma Nectar
On Buddha Nature from H.H.Dalai Lama: “From Buddha’s viewpoint, a human being has—through training, through practice—what we call the highest enlightened mental state. So through practice, a human being, through a sort of purification one’s own mental state, can eventually, finally, become an enlightened one. Even Buddha himself, in order to get final enlightenment, needed hard work. Every sentient being—even insects—have Buddha nature. The seed of Buddha means consciousness, the cognitive power—the seed of enlightenment. That’s from Buddha’s viewpoint. All destructive things can be removed from the mind, so therefore there’s no reason to believe some sentient being cannot become Buddha. Every sentient being has that seed.” Come and learn from Khenpo Karten Rinpoche as he teaches in his own English about the amazing potential all beings have to engage Buddha Nature.
H.H. Dalai Lama quote source: 2010 PBS interview
