New Weekly Schedule Starting April 2nd
New Weekly Schedule Starting April 2nd
Saturday Schedule:
Book Study New Title Bardo: Interval of Possibility by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche Commentary on “Aspiration for the Bardo” by Chokyi Wangchuk
Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche gives an exceptionally clear and lucid explanation of Aspiration for the Bardo, graciously giving the necessary time and attention to its more obscure points. His commentary, however, is not merely a bare description of the sequence of events in the process of dying and death, but is underscored throughout with the purpose and urgency of aspiration. We are clearly instructed on what to practice and how to train ourselves at every point of opportunity, “whether in the waking state or the dream state” and even within the interval experience itself.
https://dharmaebooks.org/bardo-interval-of-possibility/
Tuesday Schedule:
Special Announcement McDuff Ave Location Closure
On Behalf of Lama Losang and the Board of Directors of Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville, we wish to extend warmest season’s greetings to all! As we enter the winter holiday season we send our humble gratitude to each and every one of you! We send special thanks to our KTC members and supporters for your continued and committed efforts toward the support of Kagyu Dharma in Northeast Florida!
As we look back at 2020, we have much to be thankful for, despite the many challenges that we have all faced during this year of pandemic. The blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, of His Holiness Karmapa, and Kagyu Lineage are inseparable with all sentient beings. We have courage and confidence for the future.
As a Sangha, we have all had the experience, extraordinary privilege, and blessings to participate in the KTC Jax center located at 1258 McDuff Avenue for the last two decades.
As most of you know, the building in which we have met for so many years was recently placed on the market for sale. As well, we have been unable to meet face-to-face due to COVID since March of this year. As a result, we have made the decision to permanently close the doors of the McDuff location on December 31, 2020.
This decision was the result of many months of meetings, strategic planning, input from the Sangha, and input from the leadership of our parent organization, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery.
The Board of Directors has carefully planned to place the furnishing and support items of the center in storage during this upcoming interim time as we proceed to look for a permanent location for the center in 2021.
Board members are working diligently, continually assessing our future needs concerning a new location, continuing with our fundraising opportunities and efforts, and seeking assistance from foundations. We are also exploring the possibility of a loan in order to establish a larger space that will be able to accommodate the ever-increasing interest in Dharma in our area.
As we move forward into the New Year, we will maintain our commitment to the Jacksonville community by continuing to serve others by way of virtual format. KTC Jacksonville will continue offering a number of weekly practice sessions virtually, as well as the opportunity to learn more about the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha. All activities will take place virtually. Below is the Zoom link for our weekly activities. On Tuesdays, we offer Medicine Buddha practice at 7pm. At 7pm on Wednesdays, we offer group Dharma study along with Silent Sitting Meditation. We meet virtually at 10am on Saturday mornings for book study, which is followed with Chenrezik or Tara practice at 10:30 am. We will also be offering more visiting teacher sessions in new year.
The Zoom meeting link is:
https://zoom.us/j/287048452?pwd=WFc5WEJrNUlzSjlvNzFuZjkxNG1uZz09
If you need assistance using zoom please contact us so we can help get you started.
Please let us know how we can further assist you as a Sangha moving forward. We look forward to a New Year replete with opportunity for growth and continued blessings! Thank you for your continued input and support!
May the blessings of the Buddha be with you all during this holiday season!
Yours in the Dharma,
Michael Turnquist, Director, KTC Jacksonville
Important Announcement/ Practice Cancellation/Online Practice
June 2019 News and Events
“Compassion is not something to keep locked inside yourself. It is something to express in action. This compassion must persist beyond the thought, “If only their suffering would come to an end.” If we focus too long on wishing for something that we never pursue and that never happens, we run the risk of falling into a depression ourselves. When compassion arises, it is the time to act.” ― -H.H. 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje , Interconnected: Embracing Life in Our Global Society
His Holiness 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Birthday & KTC Jacksonville’s 33rd Anniversary
As part of our celebration of His Holiness Karmapa’s 34th birthday and our 33rd year of practicing Dharma together in Northeast Florida, Karma Thegsum Chöling Jacksonville would like you invite you to come take part in this weeks festivities. Founded by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche we would like to give thanks for the continued support of our teachers, members, practitioner’s and community as we continue our mission to give the gift of Dharma in Jacksonville. Saturday June 22nd 9:30am Meditation 10:00am New book study starts with Mignyur Rinpoche’s “In Love with the World: A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying ” 10:30am Chenrezik\Amitabha Practice with extended Karmapa Chenno Mantra. After practice we will have Tea and sweet treats for all to enjoy. Wednesday June 26th Lama Losang Webcast on Lineage 7:00-8:00pm Want to learn more about Buddhism and our connection to the Karma Kagyu tradition and His Holiness Karmapa? This will be a great introductory talk as well as a great time to ask questions about Buddhist practice. Lama Losang/David Bole, completed the traditional three year retreat at Karme Ling Retreat Center under the direction of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. He received getsul (intermediate) and gelong (full) ordination from Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. He is currently serving as the Resident Lama for the Gainesville KTC and Spiritual Director at KTC Jacksonville. In addition, he received a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Florida. He is a licensed Acupuncture Physician, A.P. and Director of the Traditional Acupuncture Center in Gainesville, Florida. He is also a former member of the Board of Trustees at KTD.Save the date:
7/10 – Meditation Instruction: Developing a Calm and Tranquil Mind 7/20-22 – Lama Losang Weekend Teaching and Public TalkKTC Jacksonville Needs Your Help!
Our fundraising campaign for our Dharma center to have its own home is well under way. On the sacred days of Chotrul Duchen, the Buddha’s Days of Miracles, we received auspicious news that the founder of our Center, Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, heard about our fundraising campaign! Rinpoche was very happy to hear about our efforts and he offered a $1000 donation. We are beyond grateful to have Rinpoche’s blessings and the support of everyone that has donated thus far! We are all interconnected. Your support is a powerful way of benefiting sentient beings because you are supporting the development of compassion and wisdom. In the world we live in today, we need places like KTC Jacksonville. It truly takes everyone’s efforts to create this authentic place of study and practice. Please consider being a part of this mission today by making a donation. Any amount brings us closer to having a permanent Center! You can give today at the link below: https://www.gofundme.com/new-home-for-ktc-jacksonville Karma Thegsum Choling is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the State of Florida. Your donations are tax deductible.Items needed at the center
Our resident Monastic and Operations Officer Gyamtso has asked for contributions for the following items:- Bathroom tissue
- Tissue boxes for puja tables
- Flowers and food offerings
Dharma Bookstore
Have you seen our Dharma Bookstore? We have over 50 titles of new and used Dharma books including Mignyur Rinpoche’s “In Love with the World: A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying”. We also carry practice texts, malas, prayer flags, incense, shrine bowls and all the support items you would need for your home shrine. Because of a large donation of incense to help us fund raise for a permanent location for KTC Jax, all sales from incense go towards our Permanent Center Fund. Buy your incense at KTC Jax and let’s find a permanent space where the Dharma can be taught, contemplated, and practiced. If there is something you don’t see please ask us and we can order it for you. All purchases go towards supporting the Dharma center.About KTC Jax
Karma Thegsum Chöling Jacksonville: KTCJax is a Tibetan Buddhist Practice Center of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddha Dharma. The Kagyu lineage is one of the four major schools ofTibetan Buddhism & is often called “The Whispered Lineage” because its highest teachings are still passed in an unbroken line from teacher to student since the days of the Buddha. Founded in June of 1986, we’re also an affiliate Center of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, the North American seat of His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. The Venerable Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, Abbot of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra monastery in Woodstock, New York, guides our Center. Please visit! We welcome all those interested in the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism, and offer a range of activities to satisfy practitioners and visitors alike.Karma Thegsum Chöling Jacksonville1258 South McDuff Avenue • Jacksonville, Florida 32205 (904) 357-0663 Visit us at http://ktcjax.org and http://facebook.com/ktcjax
April 2019 News and Events
Special Announcement from Director Michael Turnquist
https://www.gofundme.com/new-home-for-ktc-jacksonville
Dear Friends and Supporters of Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville,
As we enter our 32nd year of serving the Northeast Florida community, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has supported the activity of Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville!
Truly, this recognized center for the practice and study of Kagyu Dharma in North America has remained faithfully committed to providing authentic opportunities for the hearing, contemplation, and practice of the Buddhadharma. The center has, and continues to host, recognized and highly respected teachers of the Karma Kagyu Tradition to Jacksonville.
Many teachings, practice instructions, and blessings, have been offered over the decades.
Through the blessings of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorje, and his representative in North America, the Venerable Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, a strong and flourishing Dharma practice center has been established here.
It has been a long term aspiration of our teachers as well as center members to establish a permanent home for the KTC.
In keeping with our commitment of serving the local community as well as fulfilling the wishes of our teachers, I am writing you today to ask for your continuing support with this very important project.
Our teachers strongly endorse, as well as encourage support for KTC Jacksonville’s initiative to establish a permanent center and have also contributed significantly to this worthy cause.
KTC Jacksonville has been at our current location at McDuff Avenue for 15 years. As center membership has grown, the need for a larger facility that can accommodate increased interest in the Dharma has become a priority. In order that we be able to serve our community well into the future, it has become vital that we move forward with, and complete, this long aspired for project.
Please consider supporting KTC Jacksonville by contributing to our permanent building fund. All donations specified for this purpose are held in escrow for this purpose. This is a wonderful opportunity to support the activity of our teachers by contributing generously at our KTC Jax go-fund-me page. Please contact our treasurer, Casey Stone for additional information.
Thank you again for your support of authentic Buddhadharma in Northeast Florida!
Yours in the Dharma,
Michael Turnquist, Director, Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville
February Special Events
April Deep Breath
After the whirlwind that’s been March, April for KTCJax seems to be resting in following the Karmapa’s America 2015 visit, and catching our breath for Lama Lodro’s Tara Retreat in May.
Stay tuned for more info on her visit, and please drop in if you can. Remember, we meet on Wednesday & Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings and last Friday evenings. Join us for potluck on the Third Saturday!
Wishing you a wonderful Spring!
(Sunrise photo credit: Dr. John Farrar)