BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Manjushri Dharma Center - ECPv5.16.4.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Manjushri Dharma Center
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://manjushridharmacenter.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Manjushri Dharma Center
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Los_Angeles
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20170312T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20171105T090000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170310T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170310T180000
DTSTAMP:20260523T174859
CREATED:20170226T172015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170313T082322Z
UID:2612-1489163400-1489168800@manjushridharmacenter.org
SUMMARY:Tibetan Uprising Day
DESCRIPTION: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. \nPhotos from the Day (+ day before sign making):\n                \nBackground: \n“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. \nSince 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. \nStand 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. \nLearn more about the issue:\nFree Tibet website\n2016 PG Cedar Street Times article (bottom of p1\, includes photos of Rinpoche during his trek across the Himalayas)\nVideo: Tibet Today \nTake Action: \nIn 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. \nSend 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: \nTashi 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. \n\nClick here to send an email in support of Tashi Wangchuk\nSend postcard to U.S. Embassy in China–address below\n\nSend 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: \nNgawang 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. \n\nClick here to send an email in support of Ngawang Gyaltsen–email will be sent to Losang Jamcan\, Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region\n\nSend postcard to U.S. Embassy in China–address below\n\nSend a postcard and/or write an email to protest the destruction of Larang Gar\, one of the largest Buddhist centers in the world: \nLarang 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. \nResidents 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. \n\nSend postcard to Chinese Embassy in U.S.–address below\nClick here to send an email to the EU committee that is in negotiations to halt the demolition \nClick here to send an email to Sun Chunlan\, Head of the United Front Work Department–the department in charge of the demolition\nClick here to send an email to the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. or write them a postcard\, address below\nSend an email to Rex Tillerson\, Secretary of State\, U.S. State Department \n\nFor suggestions on what to write\, click here. \nFor Mr. Tillerson’s statement on human rights\, click here.   \nFor information on the US Tibet Policy Act “to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to safeguard their distinct identity\,” click here.  \nTo send an email to the State Department\, click here.  \n\n\n\nAddresses for Postcards: \nUnited States Embassy of Beijing\, China\nAmbassador Terry Branstad\nNo. 55 An Jia Lou Lu\nPeople’s Republic of China\, 100600 \nChinese Embassy in United States\nAmbassador Cui Tiankai\n3505 International Place\, N.W.\nWashington\, D.C. 20008 \n 
URL:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/event/tibetan-uprising-day/
LOCATION:Windows on the Bay\, Corner of Del Monte and Camino El Estero\, Monterey\, 93940\, United States
CATEGORIES:Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/uprising-slider.freetibet.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170310T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170310T203000
DTSTAMP:20260523T174859
CREATED:20170226T175057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170313T084425Z
UID:2618-1489172400-1489177800@manjushridharmacenter.org
SUMMARY:Birthday Celebration for Khenpo Karten Rinpoche
DESCRIPTION: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. \nHappy Birthday Rinpoche!
URL:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/event/birthday-celebration-for-khenpo-karten-rinpoche/
LOCATION:Private Residence\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DSCN1047.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170312T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170312T120000
DTSTAMP:20260523T174859
CREATED:20170226T183919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170226T193407Z
UID:2622-1489312800-1489320000@manjushridharmacenter.org
SUMMARY:Chotrul Düchen:  Butter Lamp Festival or Festival of Miracles
DESCRIPTION: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! \nTo 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. \nLearn more: \nThe Story of the 15 Days of Miracles  \nRigpa Wiki-Brief Explanation of Chotrul Duchen \nDescription above drawn from: \nDiamond Way Buddhism blog \nWikipedia–Chotrul Duchen
URL:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/event/chotrul-duchen-butter-lamp-festival-or-festival-of-miracles/
LOCATION:Private Residence\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ButterLamps.1200x600.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170312T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170312T130000
DTSTAMP:20260523T174859
CREATED:20170313T065408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170313T082726Z
UID:2677-1489320000-1489323600@manjushridharmacenter.org
SUMMARY:Refuge Ceremony March 2017
DESCRIPTION: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! \n \nIf 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. \nThe 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 \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/event/refuge-ceremony-march-2017/
LOCATION:Private Residence\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/buddha-statue-flower.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170321T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170321T210000
DTSTAMP:20260523T174859
CREATED:20170313T160930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170313T160930Z
UID:2717-1490122800-1490130000@manjushridharmacenter.org
SUMMARY:Dharma Journey Support & Discussion Group
DESCRIPTION: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. \nRSVP by Monday\, March 20th to support@manjushridharmacenter.org to receive the residence address and directions.
URL:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/event/dharma-journey-support-discussion-group-2/
LOCATION:MDC Member Private Residence\, Address Given Upon Request\, Email: Support@manjushridharmacenter.org
CATEGORIES:Discussion/Support
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/wetlands-pixabay-1280x852.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170325T111500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20170325T121500
DTSTAMP:20260523T174859
CREATED:20170226T204717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170305T174421Z
UID:2634-1490440500-1490444100@manjushridharmacenter.org
SUMMARY:Public Talk:  Abandoning Dualistic Thinking
DESCRIPTION:Abandoning Dualistic Thinking\n Saturday\, March 25\n 11:15am-12:15pm  \n Manjushri Dharma Center\n“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 \nIn 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.” \nOut 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. \nWe 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? \nJoin 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.
URL:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/event/abandoning-dualistic-thinking/
LOCATION:Private Residence\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Dharma Class,Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://manjushridharmacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/LightThroughForest.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR