A Member of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union

Vajradhara Buddhist Center in Charlotte

Classes on Mondays  at 7-8:30 pm

''The Buddhist Way of Peace'', with teaching, guided meditation and discussion, following the text "Introduction to Buddhism'' by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

at Unitarian Church, 724 East Boulevard, 3rd floor. 28203

for info tel: 704.351.1813

suggested donations $10 per session (reduced rates for students and seniors)

Vajradhara Center Charlotte, Mondays at 7pm in Unitarian Church 234 N. Sharon Amity Road
Week 1 June 28; week 2 July 5, week 3 July 12, week 4 July 19, week 5 July 26, week 6 Aug 16

Program
The meditations and discussion are related to the first six of the 21 meditations of Lamrim contained in The New Meditation Handbook by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (MH). These cover the Initial Scope and Intermediate Scope of Mahayana Buddhism. Related reading is from Introduction to Buddhism, (IB) and Joyful Path of Good Fortune. (JP), all by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

Week 1 Foundation and Precious Human Life
Preliminary Meditation, Relaxing and Breathing Meditation
Discussion of MH Foundation p 3-23, IB p 35-39
Discussion of how precious do we view our human life?
Meditation: MH p 30-32
Related reading, IB p 35-39, JP p 89-94

Week 2 Death & Impermanence
Preliminary Meditation, Relaxing and Breathing Meditation
Discussion of the benefits of thinking about death.
Meditation: MH p 33-36
Related reading, IB p 41-43 JP p 144-171

Week 3 Dangers of Lower Rebirth
Preliminary Meditation, Relaxing and Breathing Meditation
Discussion of the existence of lower types of being and whether and how we can avoid rebirth as a lower being.
Meditation: MH p 37-39
Related reading: IB p 35-39 JP p 172-188.

Week 4 Refuge Practice
Preliminary Meditation, Relaxing and Breathing Meditation
Discussion of what we turn to when things get difficult, and when they get easy.
Meditation MH p 40-41
Related reading: IB p 44-48, JP p 189 226

Week 5 Actions and their Effects
Preliminary Meditation, Relaxing and Breathing Meditation
Discussion of how we can explain our present circumstances, and ways of being by contemplating our past actions.
Meditation: MH 42-44
Related reading: IB p 23-29, JP p 227-263

Week 6 Renunciation
Preliminary Meditation, Relaxing and Breathing Meditation
Discussion of the real causes of our problems and suffering.
Meditation: MH p 63-64
Related reading: MH p 45-62, IB p 51-62, JP p 267-270, 367-378.