Manjushri Dharma Center

No Saturday Morning Meditation
2018-07-14 10:00 - 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Private Residence, CA, United States
Rinpoche just returned from his trip to India, and has developed a minor cough. He will rest on Saturday, and we wish him a full recovery!
Meditation is a helpful way to relax the body and calm the mind. Join us Saturday mornings as Rinpoche gives a brief teaching followed by silent meditation practice. Afterwards, we enjoy tea together. A donation of $10.00 per class is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

No Thursday Evening Thargyen Book Club
2018-07-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche returns on July 12th, so we will cancel book club for the evening and resume on July 19.
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, also known as the Thargyen, was originally composed by Ven. Gampopa (1079-1153) and presents in one text all of Buddha’s 84,000 teachings. It is a kind step-by-step outline of the path to enlightenment, and a primary text in the Kagyu tradition. The 2018 book club commentary is a teaching by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, given over four months specifically for a western audience. The language is simple and the concepts are clearly presented. Using this commentary and discussing how to put the teachings into practice in daily life, we will be well-prepared to continue our study once Khenpo Karten Rinpoche returns to teach his beautiful 80-verse summary of this seminal work. Details on the book club text and an outline of topics is below. Even if you cannot read the chapters ahead, the discussion of each topic will help us to better understand the path of Dharma. Join us on Thursday evenings as we discuss the Jewel Ornament of Liberation.
Book Club Book Details:
Jewel Ornament of Liberation, commentary by: Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, ISBN: 1-877294-27-6
Originally published in 2003, updated 2014, Namo Buddha Publications and Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Trust Publications.

Available on Amazon (2014 update, white cover) for roughly 30.00:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/8120836987/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Available from Namse Bangdzo Bookstore (2003 version, gold cover) for roughly 40.00
https://www.namsebangdzo.com/Je_Gampopa_s_The_Jewel_Ornament_of_Liberation_p/12086.htm

Discussion Topics:

Chapter 1: Buddha Nature
Chapter 2: Precious Human Life
Chapter 3: The Spiritual Friend
Chapter 4: Instructions on Impermanence
Chapter 5: The Suffering of Samsara
Chapter 6: Karma and Its Results
Chapter 7: Loving-kindness & Compassion
Chapter 8: Refuge & Precepts
Chapter 9: Cultivation of Bodhichitta
Chapter 10: Training in Aspiring Bodhichitta
Chapter 11: Training in Action Bodhichitta
Chapter 12: The Perfection of Generosity
Chapter 13: The Perfection of Moral Ethics
Chapter 14: The Perfection of Patience
Chapter 15: The Perfection of Diligence
Chapter 16: The Perfection of Meditative Concentration
Chapter 17: The Perfection of Wisdom-Awareness
Chapter 18: The Aspects of the Five Paths
Chapter 19: The Levels of the Path
Chapter 20: Perfect Buddhahood
Chapter 21: Activities of the Buddha

No Monday Night Chanted Prayers
2018-07-02 18:30 - 20:00 | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Chanted Prayers have been canceled this week.

Blessing of the Waters: Summer Solstice 2018
2018-06-21 20:00 - 20:30 | Lover’s Point Beach, 17th St and Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
On the Winter and Summer Solstices, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche performs a Water Blessing Ceremony at Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove. This Summer Solstice, on June 21st at 8pm, will be the tenth Water Blessing! The blessing honors all the earth’s elements as Rinpoche chants to pray for their protection. Participants will offer a prayer for world peace. Please bring flower petals to contribute to this beautiful and moving ceremony. Here’s a video excerpt from the ceremony on Winter Solstice, 2014.

MDC Member Meeting & Board Elections
2018-06-16 11:15 - 12:00 | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Every year in January, the spiritual community of the Manjushri Dharma Center comes together to reflect on the year past, envision the year ahead, and elect new Board Members. Board Members are volunteers who serve for one or two years, attending to the day-to-day activities at the center. This year we nominated a partial board on January 25th, but there were many roles yet to be filled. Please join us on Saturday, June 16 after meditation (roughly 11:15am) as we elect and re-confirm the 2018 Manjushri Dharma Center Board of Directors. Nominees for the volunteer Board include:

Diana Slattery: President/Facilities Director/Writer/Membership Director: Diana will continue her amazing efforts with MDC facilities, and she will add the responsibility President (hosting monthly meetings, directing priorities), of Writer (creating the content for the weekly newsletter and website), and of Membership Director (greeting new members, maintaining the membership list, and creating initiatives around membership and fund-raising).
Aaron Joseph: Vice President/Events Coordinator: Aaron (also known as Pema Tsultrim) will fill in for Diana as needed and will help to coordinate special events, holy day celebrations, retreats and other events.
Ashley Gamble: Communications Coordinator : Ashley will manage the MDC website, put together and send out the weekly newsletter, and maintain the newsletter subscriber list. She may also help out with creating fliers or brochures as needed.
Foster Smith: Secretary: Foster will take board meeting minutes, keep all minutes and important documents for MDC, check phone and support email once per week, and promote events to public outlets as needed.
Shayna Morse: Treasurer: Shayna will keep track of all donations and the general finances of the Center, making sure all bills are paid, and our obligations with property tax exemption are met.

The first ever MDC Garage Sale will be happening concurrently–stick around and sell some stuff!
Click here for the Member Meeting Agenda + Year-in-Review.
Click here for the Bylaws of the Manjushri Dharma Center.

Not sure if you are a Manjushri Dharma Center member? Members are people who regularly attend or regularly contribute to Manjushri Dharma Center. Contact Diana Slattery (rfaithfulscribe@gmail.com) to make sure you are on the official member list! Members receive special messages from Rinpoche with prayer requests or general info, and members vote each year for the new Board.

2018 MDC Garage Sale
2018-06-16 08:30 - 2018-06-17 17:00 | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
OUR FIRST GARAGE SALE will be Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17. Time to peek into those full closets, storage containers under the beds, and of course, the garage! What’s in those boxes you never unpacked after your last move? Bring your donations (we can assist with heavy things) and go home with that special knick-knack, Dharma book, or sofa bed! We’re emptying the garage at the Dharma Centre, and there will be all kinds of furniture, books, knick-knacks, and surprises we have yet to unearth.
WE’LL BE STARTING AT 8:30 AM and ending whenever a critical mass of things are sold (or not!). Whatever is not sold will be distributed to outlets such as Goodwill and Salvation Army unless you specially let us know that you want to pick up if unsold at the end of the day. If it’s more convenient for you to drop items off that you wish to donate for sale on Friday, the 15th, just contact Diana at (518) 423-8272 for that or any other questions you may have.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to empty the garage, arrange items on the driveway, help you with unloading items to donate, or loading your purchases into vehicles. We’ll also need volunteer help sorting, pricing, and displaying smaller items on tables, and a couple volunteers with trucks to take things away at the end of the sale. And a few days before the sale, we can use help making some posters to put up in the immediate area.
SATURDAY MEDITATION on the 16th will be at 10 AM as usual. Meditation will be followed by our ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, at which we will nominate and vote in a new Board for the Manjushri Dharma Center.
You too can breathe a sigh of relief, saying the magic words, I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER WITHOUT ALL THAT STUFF!

Saga Dawa
2018-05-29 18:30 - 20:30 | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Saga Dawa observations take place in the fourth Tibetan month, honoring Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. For the whole period, positive actions are multiplied 100,000 times, 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 Saga Dawa, the 15th day of the Tibetan month, which will fall on Tuesday, May 29th.
Please join us for an Amitabha Tsog Offering Puja to observe this auspicious occasion. Attendees are requested to bring tsog offerings like flowers, fruits, biscuits, cheese/crackers, nuts, etc. We will arrange a beautiful offering of food and flowers for the Guru, the Three Jewels, and the Assembly of Heroes and Heroines, and we partake in the offerings to honor the divine within. It is a beautiful practice to accumulate merit and purify obscurations. Prayers will be provided and all are welcome!

Thursday Evening Thargyen Book Club
2018-05-17 18:30 - 20:00 | MDC Member Private Residence, Address Given Upon Request, Email: Support@manjushridharmacenter.org
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, also known as the Thargyen, was originally composed by Ven. Gampopa (1079-1153) and presents in one text all of Buddha’s 84,000 teachings. It is a kind step-by-step outline of the path to enlightenment, and a primary text in the Kagyu tradition. The 2018 book club commentary is a teaching by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, given over four months specifically for a western audience. The language is simple and the concepts are clearly presented. Using this commentary and discussing how to put the teachings into practice in daily life, we will be well-prepared to continue our study once Khenpo Karten Rinpoche returns to teach his beautiful 80-verse summary of this seminal work. Details on the book club text and an outline of topics is below. Even if you cannot read the chapters ahead, the discussion of each topic will help us to better understand the path of Dharma. Join us on Thursday evenings as we discuss the Jewel Ornament of Liberation.
Book Club Book Details:
Jewel Ornament of Liberation, commentary by: Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, ISBN: 1-877294-27-6
Originally published in 2003, updated 2014, Namo Buddha Publications and Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Trust Publications.

Available on Amazon (2014 update, white cover) for roughly 30.00:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/8120836987/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Available from Namse Bangdzo Bookstore (2003 version, gold cover) for roughly 40.00
https://www.namsebangdzo.com/Je_Gampopa_s_The_Jewel_Ornament_of_Liberation_p/12086.htm

Discussion Topics:

Chapter 1: Buddha Nature
Chapter 2: Precious Human Life
Chapter 3: The Spiritual Friend
Chapter 4: Instructions on Impermanence
Chapter 5: The Suffering of Samsara
Chapter 6: Karma and Its Results
Chapter 7: Loving-kindness & Compassion
Chapter 8: Refuge & Precepts
Chapter 9: Cultivation of Bodhichitta
Chapter 10: Training in Aspiring Bodhichitta
Chapter 11: Training in Action Bodhichitta
Chapter 12: The Perfection of Generosity
Chapter 13: The Perfection of Moral Ethics
Chapter 14: The Perfection of Patience
Chapter 15: The Perfection of Diligence
Chapter 16: The Perfection of Meditative Concentration
Chapter 17: The Perfection of Wisdom-Awareness
Chapter 18: The Aspects of the Five Paths
Chapter 19: The Levels of the Path
Chapter 20: Perfect Buddhahood
Chapter 21: Activities of the Buddha

Tea With Monks From South India of Drepung Loseling Monastery
2018-05-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Dear Sangha,
It is with great joy to inform you about a special event happening tonight here at Manjushri Dharma Center. Monks from south India of Drepung Loseling monastery will come for tea tonight at 7:00 PM. They are currently in residency at Sunset Center in Carmel offering various events including the construction of a beautiful mandala and sacred music and dance for world healing. Please come and join us. I would also appreciate some help with preparing tea for them. If you can help please be here by 6:30 PM. If you’re able, please bring snacks as well. Thank you!
-Khenpo Karten
Visit www.sunsetcenter.org form more information about the beautiful mandala and sacred music and dance for world healing.

Thursday Evening Thargyen Book Club
2018-05-10 18:30 - 20:00, 2018-04-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States

Saturday Morning Meditation
2018-05-05 10:00 - 23:00 | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Meditation is a helpful way to relax the body and calm the mind. Join us Saturday mornings as Rinpoche gives a brief teaching followed by silent meditation practice. Afterwards, we enjoy tea together. A donation of $10.00 per class is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Thursday Evening Thargyen Book Club
2018-05-03 18:30 - 20:00 | MDC Member Private Residence, Address Given Upon Request, Email: Support@manjushridharmacenter.org
This week we are discussing Chapter 13, the Perfection of Moral Ethics (same as last week) and book club participants are cordially invited to meet at the home of Shayna Morse, our new MDC Board Treasurer. Please email Shayna to receive the address: Edovid@aol.com. Even if you don’t have the book or have not read ahead, you are encouraged to drop in and join the enriching discussion as we support each other in our spiritual practice, and deepen our understanding of this precious text.
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, also known as the Thargyen, was originally composed by Ven. Gampopa (1079-1153) and presents in one text all of Buddha’s 84,000 teachings. It is a kind step-by-step outline of the path to enlightenment, and a primary text in the Kagyu tradition. The 2018 book club commentary is a teaching by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, given over four months specifically for a western audience. The language is simple and the concepts are clearly presented. Using this commentary and discussing how to put the teachings into practice in daily life, we will be well-prepared to continue our study once Khenpo Karten Rinpoche returns to teach his beautiful 80-verse summary of this seminal work. Details on the book club text and an outline of topics is below. Even if you cannot read the chapters ahead, the discussion of each topic will help us to better understand the path of Dharma. Join us on Thursday evenings as we discuss the Jewel Ornament of Liberation.
Book Club Book Details:
Jewel Ornament of Liberation, commentary by: Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, ISBN: 1-877294-27-6
Originally published in 2003, updated 2014, Namo Buddha Publications and Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Trust Publications.

Available on Amazon (2014 update, white cover) for roughly 30.00:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/8120836987/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Available from Namse Bangdzo Bookstore (2003 version, gold cover) for roughly 40.00
https://www.namsebangdzo.com/Je_Gampopa_s_The_Jewel_Ornament_of_Liberation_p/12086.htm

Discussion Topics:

Chapter 1: Buddha Nature
Chapter 2: Precious Human Life
Chapter 3: The Spiritual Friend
Chapter 4: Instructions on Impermanence
Chapter 5: The Suffering of Samsara
Chapter 6: Karma and Its Results
Chapter 7: Loving-kindness & Compassion
Chapter 8: Refuge & Precepts
Chapter 9: Cultivation of Bodhichitta
Chapter 10: Training in Aspiring Bodhichitta
Chapter 11: Training in Action Bodhichitta
Chapter 12: The Perfection of Generosity
Chapter 13: The Perfection of Moral Ethics
Chapter 14: The Perfection of Patience
Chapter 15: The Perfection of Diligence
Chapter 16: The Perfection of Meditative Concentration
Chapter 17: The Perfection of Wisdom-Awareness
Chapter 18: The Aspects of the Five Paths
Chapter 19: The Levels of the Path
Chapter 20: Perfect Buddhahood
Chapter 21: Activities of the Buddha

Monday Night Chanted Prayers
2018-04-16 18:30 - 20:00 | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Chanted prayers are an important component of training in spiritual life. They help us to still our mind, connect with the Buddhas and receive blessings. Join us on Monday evenings as Rinpoche leads us in chanted prayers recited in Tibetan and English. Prayers are typically those of Amitabha Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Light), but occasionally also Avalokiteshvara Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Compassion) or Medicine Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Healing). We imagine a world transformed, purified, and at peace. Beginners to advanced practitioners are welcome, prayer books are provided. Free of charge, but donations are welcome.

No Monday Night Chanted Prayers
2018-04-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Chanted prayers will continue next week, Monday April 16.

Welcome Home Rinpoche
2018-04-08 12:00 - 13:30 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Update: Rinpoche’s flight arrived early and he is back, recuperating from his long travels now. We will let him rest now and we look forward to seeing him soon.
Original Post: After a three month trip to India, Singapore, and Malaysia where Rinpoche received teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was joyfully reunited with his family and friends, and where he taught Dharma to his students in these beautiful parts of the world, we are so happy to announce that our kind teacher, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, will return home on Sunday, April 8th, flying into San Francisco at roughly 10:00 AM. The community is invited to gather at the Manjushri Dharma Center to welcome back our teacher with warmth and enthusiasm. We will line up upon his arrival and present katas: white, ceremonial scarves that are a sign of respect and symbolic blessings. Participants are encouraged to bring offerings such as flowers for the alter, fruits, vegetables, or healthy, homemade meals to stock Rinpoche’s refrigerator. (No sugary sweets please). Participants may also bring snacks for the community to enjoy while we await Rinpoche’s arrival, which will be sometime between noon and 1:30 PM approximately. Come enjoy visiting together and help to welcome home Rinpoche!

Saturday Morning Meditation
2018-04-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Join us on Saturday mornings for meditation practice. This will be our final student led meditation class, with a brief reading from Rinpoche’s “Meditation 101” or brief video shown, followed by silent meditation. We will delight our teacher by putting his teachings into practice as we learn to consciously relax our bodies, calm our minds, and ultimately experience our own minds directly, naturally, and blissfully. A donation of $10.00 per class is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Thursday Evening Thargyen Book Club
2018-04-05 18:30 - 20:00, 2018-03-29 18:30 - 20:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States

No Monday Night Practice
2018-04-02 18:30 - 20:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Typically on Monday nights we gather together to transform ourselves and our world through chanted prayers. We will take a brief break this week, and anticipate resuming our practice on Monday, April 9th. Using the prayers of Amitabha Buddha (Infinite light), Buddha Avalokiteshvara (Infinite Compassion) or Medicine Buddha (Infinite Healing), we get in touch with a sense of gratitude, receive blessings, purify negativity, and practice seeing ourselves and our world as pure beings, free from all suffering. We hope to see you there!

Saturday Morning Meditation
2018-03-31 10:00 - 11:00, 2018-03-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2018-03-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2018-03-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Join us on Saturday mornings for meditation practice. In Rinpoche’s absence, meditation class will be student-led, with a brief reading from Rinpoche’s “Meditation 101” or brief video shown, followed by silent meditation. We will delight our teacher by putting his teachings into practice as we learn to consciously relax our bodies, calm our minds, and ultimately experience our own minds directly, naturally, and blissfully. A donation of $10.00 per class is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Monday Night Chanted Prayers
2018-03-26 18:30 - 20:00, 2018-03-19 18:30 - 20:00, 2018-03-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Chanted prayers are an important part of spiritual life. They allow us to still our minds, connect with the blessings of the Buddhas, and purify negative karma. Join us for student-led chanted prayers of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, or Chenrezig/Avalokiteshvara Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Compassion. With these prayers we transform ourselves and our world into pure beings and pure lands, free from suffering. Appropriate for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. Prayer books provided. Chanted prayers are always free of charge. Donations are not expected, but always welcome.

Thursday Evening Thargyen Book Club
2018-03-22 18:30 - 20:00, 2018-03-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, also known as the Thargyen, was originally composed by Ven. Gampopa (1079-1153) and presents in one text all of Buddha’s 84,000 teachings. It is a kind step-by-step outline of the path to enlightenment, and a primary text in the Kagyu tradition. The 2018 book club commentary is a teaching by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, given over four months specifically for a western audience. The language is simple and the concepts are clearly presented. Using this commentary and discussing how to put the teachings into practice in daily life, we will be well-prepared to continue our study once Khenpo Karten Rinpoche returns to teach his beautiful 80-verse summary of this seminal work. Details on the book club text and an outline of topics is below. Even if you cannot read the chapters ahead, the discussion of each topic will help us to better understand the path of Dharma. Join us on Thursday evenings as we discuss the Jewel Ornament of Liberation.
Book Club Book Details:
Jewel Ornament of Liberation, commentary by: Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, ISBN: 1-877294-27-6
Originally published in 2003, updated 2014, Namo Buddha Publications and Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Trust Publications.

Available on Amazon (2014 update, white cover) for roughly 30.00:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/8120836987/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Available from Namse Bangdzo Bookstore (2003 version, gold cover) for roughly 40.00
https://www.namsebangdzo.com/Je_Gampopa_s_The_Jewel_Ornament_of_Liberation_p/12086.htm

Discussion Topics:
Thursday, January 4th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 1: Buddha Nature

Thursday, January 11th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 2: Precious Human Life

Thursday, January 18: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 3: The Spiritual Friend

Thursday, January 25: No book club due to All-Sangha Meeting
Thursday, February 1st: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 4: Instructions on Impermanence

Thursday, February 8th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 5: The Suffering of Samsara

Thursday, February 15th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 6: Karma and Its Results

Thursday, February 22nd: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 7: Loving-kindness & Compassion

Thursday, March 1st: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 8: Refuge & Precepts

Thursday, March 8th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 9: Cultivation of Bodhichitta

Thursday, March 15th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 10: Training in Aspiring Bodhichitta

Thursday, March 22nd: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 11: Training in Action Bodhichitta

Thursday, March 29nd: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 12: The Perfection of Generosity

Note: Rinpoche returns on March 30th, and we will ask his permission to continue our book club on Thursdays at the Center.
Thursday, April 5th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 13: The Perfection of Moral Ethics

Thursday, April 12th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 14: The Perfection of Patience

Thursday, April 19th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 15: The Perfection of Diligence

Thursday, April 26th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 16: The Perfection of Meditative Concentration

Thursday, May 3rd: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 17: The Perfection of Wisdom-Awareness

Thursday, May 10: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 18: The Aspects of the Five Paths

Thursday, May 17th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 19: The Levels of the Path

Thursday, May 24th: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 20: Perfect Buddhahood

Thursday, May 31st: 6:30-8:00pm, Manjushri Dharma Center

Chapter 21: Activities of the Buddha

Tibetan Uprising Day
2018-03-10 12:30 - 13:30 | Windows on the Bay, Corner of Del Monte and Camino El Estero, Monterey, 93940, United States
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. Stand up against this repression and violence. Lend your voice to peace, justice, and freedom: Support Tibet! Join us on Saturday, March 10th, 12:30pm to 1:30pm at Windows on the Bay as we join international protests in support of Tibetan freedom. Signs provided. Please note: Protesters cannot step into the street or hand out leaflets to cars, as per a city safety mandate.
“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.

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

Update: Notes From The Day
Thank you to all who came out to represent the Monterey Bay on the International Day of Action, Tibetan Uprising Day, Saturday, March 10, 2018. We were small but mighty, and joined hundreds of thousands of others worldwide to demand human rights and dignity for a free Tibet.

What can you do? There are three postcards with specific requests you can make available at the Center through the month of March. Fill one out (or all three!) and we will mail them at the end of the month.

ACTION #1
Send a postcard to John W. Henry, owner of the Liverpool Football Club to protest their sponsorship deal with Tibet Water Resources Limited, a company using water as a weapon in Tibet
Tibet Water Resources Limited (TWRL) exploits the natural resources of Tibet, a country that has been under brutal military occupation for nearly 70 years. Now one of the world’s biggest football teams, Liverpool FC, have signed a sponsorship deal with them. Companies like TWRL are only able to take Tibet’s resources because of the occupation, an occupation propped up by repression and human rights abuses. Its brand — and now Liverpool FC — lend legitimacy to the occupation and the accompanying violence and repression. The Chinese government knows it can only continue to get away with repression in Tibet if its occupation has legitimacy. And associating Tibet with major global brands like Liverpool FC is a great way to normalize the brutal situation. Premier League clubs have never been richer, with Liverpool receiving over £148m from TV and prize money last year. The club has also just returned to the Champions League, earning them tens of millions more — they can easily afford to drop this reckless deal.
Send an email to Owner John Henry and the Liverpool Football Club via the Free Tibet website: https://freetibet.co.uk/liverpool-fc
Liverpool Football Club
Anfield Road
Liverpool
L4 OTH, ENGLAND
ACTION #2
Send a postcard to the U.S. Embassy in Chinain 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.
Send an email in support of Tashi Wangchuk via the Free Tibet website: https://www.freetibet.org/take-action
Send a postcard to the U.S. Embassy in China
United States Embassy of Beijing, China
Ambassador Terry Branstad
No. 55 An Jia Lou Lu
People’s Republic of China, 100600
ACTION #3
Send a postcard to the Chinese Embassy in the US 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. The first round of demolitions and removals, carried out in July of 2017, reduced large areas of the site to rubble and caused widespread distress among Tibetans. 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 an email to Chinese Embassy in the US via the Free Tibet website: https://freetibet.org/urgent-action-larung-gar-buddhist-academy
Send a postcard to the Chinese Embassy in the U.S.
Chinese Embassy in United States
3505 International Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
