Dharma Book Study – Chenrezik: For benefit of all sentient beings
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Join us for Saturday Morning Book Study in person or on zoom at 10:00am. We are currently reading Chenrezik: For benefit of all sentient beings by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. Pick up a copy at KTC Jax or use below link for a free copy:
Use link below to join us.
Zoom Link https://zoom.us/j/287048452?pwd=WFc5WEJrNUlzSjlvNzFuZjkxNG1uZz09
KTC Jax Visit Thrangu Vajra Master Lopön Tobden Public Talk, Teaching, Refuge and Green Tara Empowerment
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville is happy to announce that Vajra Master Lopön Tobden will be visiting us for the first time August 29th-31st. It is an honor to have such an accomplished teacher visit our center as part of his tour of the KTCs. We hope you will join us for this special weekday event. He will be assisted by translator Khenpo Sangye Trinley of KTD Monastery in Woodstock, NY.
PUBLIC TALK:
August 29th, Tuesday Night 7:00-8:30pm Being Fearless In Our Meditation Practice
The evening topic will cover Meditation, Buddhist Refuge and working through difficult emotions.
$10 suggested donation
TEACHING: August 30th, Wednesday Night 7:00-9:00pm
Green Tara Sadhana – 21 Praises to Tara
The topic will be the 21 Praises to Tara, recited during the Green Tara Sadhana. This practice is done the first Saturday of the month at KTC Jax and helps remove obstacles within our lives and practice.
Prerequisite: It is preferred for the practitioner have Refuge or plan on taking Refuge Thursday if attending this teaching.
$25 suggested donation ($20 for members)
Refuge and Green Tara Empowerment: August 31st, Thursday Night 7:00-8:30pm
Participants can register in person at KTC Jacksonville or with the following link:
ABOUT Lopön Tobden: Vajra Master (Lopön) Lama Tobden from Qinghai Thrangu monastery was born in 1975 at Punang near Princess Wencheng Temple in the north of Jiegu, Ga District.
He began his dharma studies at the age of eight, and at the age of 16 he received his initial monastic vows at Thrangu Tashi Monastery. After completing the traditional Karma Kagyu three-year retreat, he served as monastery chanting master (Umdze). He received his full monastic ordination from Thrangu Rinpoche, and attended Thrangu Monastic Buddhist College, completing his studies after three years. Afterward he made pilgrimages to many holy places and received many teachings from distinguished Buddhist masters.
In 2007, Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche and Lodro Nyima Rinpoche jointly appointed Lama Tobden as the Vajra Master (Lopön) of Thrangu monastery, and he has held this position ever since.
In 2016, Lama Tobden came to KTD with Lodro Nyima Rinpoche to help KTD start the practice of the Thrangu Tsedrup Tabshé Khajor (Longevity Practice: Union of Skillful Means and Insight. In 2017 he returned to assist with the consecration of KTD’s Eight Stupas.
In July of 2019, at the invitation of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, Lama Tobden visited KTD to give the reading transmission of Karma Chakme Rinpoche‘s Complete Works for two months. Shortly after the completion of this transmission Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche passed into parinirvana, and Lama Tobden remained to organize and lead the 49 days of prayers and ceremonies that accompanied Khenpo Rinpoche’s cremation.
Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche has praised Lama Tobden in his public talks, calling him a truly qualified vajra master of the lineage. With his rich and profound knowledge, his devotion and tireless effort in the service of Dharma and his many naturally displayed qualities, Lama Tobden has touched Khenpo Rinpoche‘s students’ hearts and inspired their admiration.
If you have further questions please e-mail info@ktcjax.org
Karma Yoga Volunteer Opportunities
Rummage Sale & Vegan Lunch Fundraiser for KTC Jacksonville
Date: February 18th, 2023
Rummage Sale: 8 am to 2:30 pm
Vegan Lunch Fundraiser: 11am to 4 pm
Venue: 4168 Herschel Street(KTC Jacksonville)
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville will be having its Annual “Rummage Sale” on Saturday, February 18th 8 am to 2:30 pm. We ask our Members and Friends in the community to make room in their homes and closets by donating items they no longer use or need and can part with. Donated items will be sold to benefit KTC Jacksonville.
Rummage sale donations include in-decent-condition household wares, furniture, kitchen wares, books, clothing, etc. Please bring donations to KTC before practice on Tuesday and Saturday. Try to bring the items in boxes as we have limited storage space. We will also need a few volunteers to help set up and manage the benefit sale on Saturday. Please contact us if you would be available to volunteer.
Vegan Lunch Fundraiser: Vegan Pho(Vietnamese Noodle Soup) and Japanese Curry with Rice will also be for sale inside KTC. We ask for a donation of $20 for Pho and $10 for curry. The meal will be ready to eat & take out only. Volunteers will pack the meal in to-go containers. Please stop by between 11am until 4 pm. Proceeds will go towards funding KTC’s new sign. We hope you can visit and join in this fundraiser!
Any donations and volunteer “work” will help Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville continue its mission to offer others in North Florida the opportunity to learn meditation and study the Buddha’s teachings for the benefit of all sentient beings. Thank you for your generosity!
Medicine Buddha: Introduction, Teaching and Empowerment with Lama Karma Drodhul
Registration Links Below
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville is happy to announce that Lama Karma Drodhul will lead us in a weekend teaching March 3rd-5th on the Medicine Buddha Sadhana. Lama Karma is known for his strong devotion to the Buddhadharma, the infinite joy that he has, and playful humor. This will be a special weekend that you don’t want to miss!
Done weekly at KTC Jacksonville, Medicine Buddha is the practice of physical and spiritual healing which helps us accumulate the causes of healing. This Buddha of Healing has the power to see the true cause of any affliction whether spiritual, physical, or psychological and alleviate it. During the weekend Medicine Buddha instruction, Lama Karma will give us the teaching as well as Refuge, Reading Transmission and Empowerment.
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ABOUT LAMA KARMA: Lama Karma is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher and past president of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery in Woodstock, NY. He also is the nephew of KTD’s first Abbot, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, and assisted Khenpo Rinpoche at KTD. As a youth, Lama Karma excelled in all aspects of dharma study at Thrangu Monastery and Thrangu Rinpoche sent him to the United States. to deepen his understanding of the dharma under the tutelage of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche.
In March 2004, Lama Karma completed his first, and in February 2008 his second, traditional three-year, three-month retreat under Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche at Karme Ling Retreat Center. He has traveled to centers throughout North and South America to teach for the past 10 years. He was appointed as the president of KTD by H.H Karmapa in September of 2018 and completed his term in September 2021.
PUBLIC TALK:
Friday, March 3rd 7 PM
“Introduction to Medicine Buddha”
$5 Suggested Donation for Public Talk
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
Saturday, March 4th
9:00-9:45- Interviews
9:45-10:00-Break
10:00am-11:45am Teaching
12:00pm-1:00pm- Lunch
(In Person Only) 3:00pm-5:00pm – Refuge followed by Medicine Buddha Empowerment, followed by reading Transmissions (Empowerments and Refuge can only be offered In Person)
5:00-5:45- Interviews
Sunday, March 5th
9:00am-10:00am-Interviews
10:00am-11:45am – Teaching
12:00pm-1:00pm- Lunch
1:00-2:00pm-Interviews
2:00-4:00pm- Teaching (mudras, musical instruments), Sadhana Practice. Closing and final offerings.
Location: KTC JAX 4168 Herschel Street
SUGGESTED DONATIONS:
$25 per session ($20 members) for single session or Empowerment
$100 non-members/$80 members for entire weekend (including Empowerment) In Person attendance Includes Medicine Buddha Sadhana text from the Center
PLEASE NOTE: KTC Jax brings authentic Buddhist teachers to the Jacksonville area year-round for programs and retreats. Suggested donations are requested to offset the costs associated with holding these special events. We always greatly appreciate your generosity but no one has ever been turned away because they couldn’t make a donation. We want as many people as possible to attend. Volunteer Scholarships are also available for those interested. Please let us know!
Participants can register in person at KTC Jacksonville or with the following links:
If you have further questions please e-mail info@ktcjax.org
First Light Prayers for World Peace New Year’s Day
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville invites you to join us for our annual First Light in our new home on New Years Day, Sunday, January 1st 2023 at 10:30am.
We continue a tradition that began in 2000 with the aspiration of bringing peace into our daily lives and to the world. Part of His Holiness Karmapas’ activity is to point the way to living a life of love and compassion, to teach us to protect our environment and to provide the light of wisdom. Lamp offerings have special meaning in this regard: shining the light on our inner wisdom and reminding us of the clear path to living each day to create a life of peace.
We invite you to light your lamps of peace — to join in our offering and prayers to help the light of wisdom reach all corners of the world.
Together we celebrate First Light with KTD Monastery, other KTC Centers, and Buddhist communities around the world. Let us together make aspirations, dedications, offerings, and prayers for World Peace and happiness to reach all corners of the world. We will chant the traditional Tibetan Buddhist prayers of the Amitabha sadhana, followed by a lamp offering ceremony dedicated to those we may wish to remember who have passed away, those who are ill, and all beings who may suffer. Each participant will have the opportunity to light a candle for his or her own loved ones, make aspirations, or offer prayers.
First Light is also an auspicious occasion to renew our commitment to practice for the benefit of all sentient beings & to make offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as represented by our shrine. Making offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is considered highly meritorious and an effective way of removing obstacles. Participants are encouraged to bring individual offerings: particularly flowers, fruit, sweets, baked treats, or monetary offerings. This too is considered especially meritorious. We ask that those bringing offerings please try to arrive around 9:30 am in order for offerings to be placed and the shrine properly prepared by volunteer shrinekeepers.
Following the ceremony we will hold a vegetarian potluck luncheon to which all are welcome. Please feel free to bring a vegetarian dish of your choice. You do not have to be Buddhist to attend. We welcome all interested in learning more about Buddhism.
If you would like to attend on zoom use the following link:
Zoom link to attend: https://zoom.us/j/
For the benefit of all we suggest wearing a mask during attendance for KTC public events.
#GivingTuesday
With humility and deep gratitude, we invite you to support and sustain this refuge for the study and practice of Buddhist wisdom through the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Give by QR Code or the link below:
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville New Center Grand Opening: Public Talk, Consecration Ceremony and Chenrezik Teaching with Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin
Weekend October 29th-30th:
New Center Consecration Ceremony and Chenrezik Teaching with Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin
Saturday, October 29th Consecration and Teaching on Practice of Chenrezik
8:30am Registration begins
10:00am – Consecration Ceremony
11:00am – Chenrezik Teaching begins
12:00-2:00pm – Lunch Break
2:00-4:00pm Chenrezik Teaching
6:30pm Doors open please arrive early
7:00pm Refuge Ceremony followed by Chenrezik Empowerment and Reading Transmission
10:00am – Chenrezik Teaching
12:00-2:00pm – Lunch Break – Interviews
2:00-4:00pm Chenrezik Teaching
KTC Center Hours starting November 1st
7:00pm Medicine Buddha Sadhana
About KTC Jax
New Saturday Morning Book Study Title – Freedom through Meditation
Freedom through Meditation
Lama Losang Buddhism Basics Teaching 9/13
Please join us for our Buddhism Basics class this Tuesday night at 7:00pm. Lama Losang will discuss the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, which traces our roots to Buddha Shakyamuni. Visit http://ktcjax.org/news-events for Zoom link
Class extends to 8:30p. Lama Losang teaches the second Tuesday of every month.
Upcoming Teaching, Soft Open, Schedule updates
Message from Lama Losang
Namaste to all my friends!
Happy Saga Dawa Duchen! This is celebrated all month from the new moon on May 30 to the new moon June 29. However, with the full moon on Tuesday, June 14, Buddhists around the world will be celebrating the most important day in the Tibetan lunar calendar. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment and paranirvana (passing away), of our blessed teacher Shakyamuni Buddha, who lived and taught more than 2500 years ago. Although he is no longer among us in his physical form, his teaching on love and compassion still remain. This time is also called “Bumgyur Dawa, which means “100,000 multiplying month” because our virtuous and unvirtuous actions are said to be multiplied 100,000 times. With that in mind, during this month of June, practice loving kindness and compassion and avoid unskillful action in body, speech and mind.
May all be auspicious for you!
Saga Dawa Teaching and Soft Opening June 25th
Life of the Buddha Teaching by Lama Losang
As we take part in the auspicious time of Saga Dawa Duchen and to celebrate KTC Jacksonville’s 37th anniversary, Lama Losang has offered to give a teaching on the Life of the Buddha at our new center from 10:00am-12:00pm, Saturday June 25th. There will be limited capacity of 20 seats available as we work up to a complete re-opening. We are asking all those who wish to attend to RSVP in advance. The teaching will also be streamed via zoom for those who wish to attend from home.
For those who wish to receive Refuge, the ceremony will be given following lunch. Please e-mail info@ktcax.org RSVP for taking Refuge.
As covid levels have risen in the community in an act of loving kindness we suggest that all who attend wear masks for the benefit of those who are immunocompromised. We hope to announce regular practice in the coming weeks as we work to get our new home completely open for regular practice.
$20 suggested donation, scholarships available by e-mailing info@ktcjax.org
RSVP In Person:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/358980699937
RSVP Online Zoom:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/358995534307
Schedule Cancellation June 11 and 14th
We will be unable to host practice on Saturday morning June 11 and Tuesday evening 14th. We are encouraging everyone to attend Gainesville KTCs excellent online teaching with Khenpo Tenkyong “Foundation of Dream Yoga and Meditation” June 11-12th.