Lama Karma Drodhul Weekend Teaching October 24-26
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville is honored to welcome Lama Karma Drodhul October 24-26 to teach the practice of Chöd & give the Chöd Empowerment. Lama Karma is a resident teacher visiting from our parent monastery, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra. This is a rare opportunity to receive a teaching & empowerment not given frequently from an authentic Tibetan Buddhist teacher.
Public Talk:
How to Be Friendly with Fear
Friday, October 24th 7:00 PM:
Public Talk: How to Be Friendly with Fear In Tibetan Buddhism, fear is understood to arise from our attachment to self and our misunderstanding of the mind’s true nature. Lama Karma Drodhul will guide us in transforming fear into a companion on the path, learning to see it as a friend. In person or Zoom
Weekend Teaching:
Chöd Teaching & Empowerment
Saturday & Sunday, October 25th & 26th
The offering practice of Chöd is associated with the great Tibetan female master Machik Labdrön. It is based on the fearless vision of The Heart Sutra, which proclaims the basis for all experience as being the empty and luminous mind.
Through visualization and chanting, the Chöd practitioner symbolically surrenders grasping after an illusory “self,” and makes an offering of all they have and own to benefit all beings in the universe. The practice is often done to pacify mental and physical afflictions and bring harmony to one’s environment.
Chanting the Chöd practice is accompanied by several musical instruments: a bell, a Chöd drum, and a kangling (horn). KTC Jax has the Chöd practice text, Chöd drum, and a kangling available to borrow or purchase during the weekend. We request you bring your own Tibetan bell if you have one.
SUGGESTED DONATIONS:
We kindly ask for a $60 suggested donation to attend the weekend teaching and empowerment but please donate what is in your financial means.
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.
PRE-REQUISITES: To attend the teaching and/or receive the empowerment, one must first have or intend to take the Buddhist Vow of Refuge, taking the Buddha as their teacher, the Dharma as their path and the Sangha as their Community. Refuge will be given Saturday afternoon before the empowerment. ***Zoom Attendance is restricted to practitioners already doing Chöd practice***
Schedule:
Saturday, October 25th
10:00am – Noon Teaching
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Refuge & Empowerment (In Person Only)
Sunday, October 26th
10:00am – Noon Teaching
2:00pm – 4:00pm Group Chöd practice
This eventbrite ticket is good for online viewing or In Person attendance at KTC Jacksonville
Location: 4168 Herschel Street Jacksonville FL 32210
You can also register in person day of the event.
About Lama Karma: Lama Karma is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher and former 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.
Lama Karma Drodul is a skilled writer in classical Tibetan. His published books include Amrita of Eloquence: A Biography of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and Siddhas of Ga.
Learn more about Lama Karma at https://kagyu.org/teachers/resident_LamaKarmaDrodhul
Lama Lodro Lhamo Weekend Teaching January 24-26
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville warmly invites you January 24th through January 26th to receive precious in-person teachings from Lama Lodro Lhamo, the President of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra.
Weekend Schedule:
Friday, January 24th 7:00 PM:
Public Talk: Faith and Devotion in Tibetan Buddhism
In Tibetan Buddhism, Faith and Devotion have a different meaning than in traditional theistic religions. Lama Lodro will speak on how to embrace these concepts and how they connect us with our own Buddha nature.
In person or Zoom
Friday Registration:
Saturday, January 25th: One-Day Guru Yoga of Mikyo Dorje Retreat(Four-Session Guru Yoga)
10am – 12pm- Morning session
2 pm – 4 pm- Afternoon session
Program Information: Lama Lodro will lead us in a one-day retreat of the Guru Yoga of Mikyo Dorje. Last year Lama Lodro taught this practice at KTC Jacksonville. It is traditionally recited four times a day in a retreat setting at Karma Kagyu monasteries. Attendees are encouraged to attend both morning and afternoon sessions as their schedule permits. The power of this sadhana holds great blessing and purifies negativity. The Karmapa said that hearing this sadhana once leads to liberation from rebirth in the lower realms. All are welcome to attend in person or Zoom. Practice text will be provided.
Mikyö Dorje was one of the most renowned of the Karmapas, a great meditation master as well as a prolific and learned scholar. Karmapa Mikyö Dorje composed the The Four-Session Guru Yoga during the 16th Century. This sadhana is a short yet powerful practice for developing the realization of devotion mahamudra. As it is one of the principal practices of the Karma Kagyu school, many monastic and lay practitioners recite this text daily.
In person or Zoom
Sunday, January 26th: Tibetan Music Instrument Instruction & Torma Making
10:00 AM- Traditional Tibetan Music Instrument Instruction for Sadhana Practices
Tibetan sadhana-related musical instruments involves understanding the spiritual and ritual context in which these instruments are used. Tibetan Buddhism incorporates music as a key element in sadhana practices and we will learn about the Medicine Buddha and Green Tara liturgies.
2:00 PM- Torma Making for Sadhana Practices
Tormas are offerings that are given to the buddhas. In the case of Green Tara, tormas are offered with the purpose of requesting her attention; for our petitions to be able to advance in our spiritual development, to receive her blessings, and to be of benefit to all sentient beings.
Sunday’s teaching is in-person only.
Weekend Registration:
About Lama Lodro Lhamo: The first woman to serve in the role of KTD President, Lama Lodro Lhamo has been a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche since 1990. She completed three three-year retreats at Karme Ling Retreat Center and received her full bhikshuni ordination in 2008. Lama Lodro Lhamo is also the women’s retreat master at Karme Ling and has a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies from Columbia University. She is fluent in Chinese, English, and Tibetan.
SUGGESTED DONATIONS: This event is by donation, please select whatever donation you would like to give.
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. The event is by donation, please select whatever donation you would like to give.
First Light and Holiday Schedule News
First Light: Lamp Offering to Welcome the New Year
Begin the first day of the solar New Year with us at KTC Jax with the offering of candles and lamps in honor of world peace. Our First Light ceremony will begin January 1st, 2025, at 10:30am.
Lamp offerings have special meaning: 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 Chenrezik 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. If you cannot attend in person and would like to make a donation to KTC for First Light please donate here. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=SFWZX7C97WRM8&ssrt=1734885135759
Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
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 all are welcome.
If you would like to attend on zoom use the following link:
Zoom link to attend remotely:
https://zoom.us/j/287048452?pwd=WFc5WEJrNUlzSjlvNzFuZjkxNG1uZz09
Holiday Schedule Changes
Tuesday 12/24 Practice is cancelled
Saturday 12/28 Regular Meditation and Puja
Saturday 12/28 11:30am Karma Yoga volunteer and cleanup for First Light
Tuesday 12/31 Practice is cancelled
Wednesday 1/1 First Light Prayers for World Peace
January 25-27 Lama Lodro Lhamo Teaching and Practice weekend
Lama Karma Drodhul Public Talk and Teaching October 18-20th
Public Talk: Loving-Kindness & Compassion in a Divided World
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville warmly invites you Friday, October 18th to join us in person or on Zoom for an evening presentation titled, “Loving-Kindness & Compassion in a Divided World” taught by Lama Karma Drodhul. Lama Karma is a resident teacher visiting from our parent monastery Karma Triyana Dharmachakra.
Lama Karma is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher and former 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.
Lama Karma Drodul is a skilled writer in classical Tibetan. His published books include Amrita of Eloquence: A Biography of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and Siddhas of Ga.
Learn more about Lama Karma at https://kagyu.org/teachers/resident_LamaKarmaDrodhul
Schedule:
Friday, October 18th
7:00pm-8:30pm
This eventbrite ticket is good for online zoom viewing or In Person attendance at KTC Jacksonville
Location: 4168 Herschel Street Jacksonville FL 32210
You can also register in person day of the event.
Taking the Bodhisattva Vow: Teaching and Workshop
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville warmly invites you October 19-20th to join us in person or on zoom for a weekend teaching on “Taking the Bodhisattva Vow” with Lama Karma Drodhul. Lama Karma is a resident teacher visiting from our parent monastery Karma Triyana Dharmachakra.
Lama Karma will teach on the history and benefits of the vow. The Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony marks the beginning of a Dharma student’s training in both Aspiration Bodhicitta – the wish to free all beings from the suffering of the world – and the training in Action Bodhicitta, which we also know as the Six Paramitas, or Six Perfections: Generosity, Ethics, Patience, Diligence, Meditation and Wisdom.
By taking the vow, students become “bodhisattvas in training” who aspire to tame their mental afflictions, generate compassion for themselves and others, and work toward enlightenment for themselves and others.
“Bodhisattvas in Training” also make a daily commitment to renew their vow and purify their mistakes along the way. By maintaining their vow daily, they create an atmosphere of self-honesty and self-care that can moderate the bad habits of being overly selfish – and overly self-critical.
PRE-REQUISITES: To attend the teaching or to take the Bodhisattva Vow, one must first have or intend to take the Buddhist Vow of Refuge, taking the Buddha as their teacher, the Dharma as their path and the Sangha as their Community. Refuge will be given Sunday morning before the Bodhisattva Vow.
Schedule:
Saturday, October 19th
10:00pm – Noon Teaching
2:00pm – 4:00pm Teaching
Sunday, October 20th
10:00pm – Noon Refuge and Boddhisatva Vow (In Person Only)
2:00pm – 4:00pm Teaching
This eventbrite ticket is good for online viewing or In Person attendance at KTC Jacksonville
Location: 4168 Herschel Street Jacksonville FL 32210
You can also register in person day of the event.
SUGGESTED DONATIONS:
This event is by donation, please select whatever donation you would like to give.
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.The event is by donation, please select whatever donation you would like to give.
Meditation Instruction: Developing a Calm and Tranquil Mind
Most living beings seek mental happiness and want to eliminate suffering, but just wishing will not bring this about. We may even create the opposite. So we must search for the cause of suffering and the cause of happiness. The afflictions are the cause of samsara, of all mental discomfort and suffering. The remedy is meditation. – HH Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje
Please join us on Zoom Wednesday, January 6th at 7pm for Meditation Instruction by KTC Director, Michael Turnquist with Q&A by Lama Losang. This informative session on Meditation will give you the tools to this fundamental practice of all Buddhist traditions.
Instructors at Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville have received approval to teach Shinay meditation, also known as “silent-sitting” meditation, from our parent Monastery, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra.
This instruction is open to everyone and you do not have to be Buddhist to meditate.This class is great for both beginners and advanced practitioners alike.
This is a free instruction. Any donations to KTC Jax are gratefully accepted. We hope to see you!
Use Zoom link to join https://zoom.us/j/287048452?pwd=WFc5WEJrNUlzSjlvNzFuZjkxNG1uZz09
First Light Ceremony January 1st 2021
His Holiness Karmapa live teachings Four Dharmas of Gampopa 12/28 8:30am
His Holiness Karmapa will give special live teachings on the Four Dharmas of Gampopa starting tomorrow 12/28 at 8:30am.
Please see the KTD Monastery’s newsletter for the details and times of teachings for this very special event.
KTC Jax Fall Fundraiser Rummage Sale
Mindfulness during the pandemic, A live Dharma talk with Lama Losang
With so much to stress we place on ourselves, and the external pressures of the pandemic mindfulness training can be of great benefit. These Tibetan Buddhist practices can give us the resilience we need to overcome difficulties we deal with during this extraordinary time.
He will be available to discuss any questions you have about mindfulness as well as other topics about Buddhism. Virtual Dharma talk is Saturday 10a-12pm November 7th.
Please use this eventbrite link for tickets for access to the zoom link.
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.
This talk is part of fundraising activities for Karma Thegsum Chöling Jacksonville so we can continue providing dharma in North East Florida. Karma Thegsum Chöling Jacksonville, an authorized Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center of the Karma Kagyu tradition located in Jacksonville, Florida.
Established in 1986, we are a local 501(c) 3 and have served the North East Florida community for more than 30 years by providing a platform for meditation instruction and education on the practices and philosophy of authentic Tibetan Buddhism
The Art of Living: Healthy Body, Healthy Mind A Weekend teaching with Lama Losang
Lama Losang returns to KTC Jacksonville to teach us how our physical health directly connects to our mental state and wellness. You will learn Eastern practices such as Qigong and accupressure alongside mindfulness meditations and other techniques that you can incorporate into your daily life and help you on the path to a happy and healthy lifestyle.
Lama Losang returns to KTC Jacksonville to teach us how our physical health directly connects to our mental state and wellness. You will learn Eastern practices such as Qigong and accupressure alongside mindfulness meditations and other techniques that you can incorporate into your daily life and help you on the path to a happy and healthy lifestyle.
The last Art of Living teaching by Lama Losang was praised by all of who attended and we hope you can take part special offering.
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.
Friday
7:00 pm : Public Talk: “Mind and Body Connection: How the practices of Meditation and Eastern Healing can benefit our busy lives”
$5 suggested donation
Location: KTC JAX
Saturday, July 20th
10:00am-12pm: Teaching & Meditation Practice
12pm-2pm: Lunch Break & Interviews
2pm-4pm: Teaching & Meditation Practice
Location: KTC JAX
Sunday, July 21st
10am-12pm: Teaching & Meditation Practice
12pm-3pm: Lunch Break & Interviews
3pm-5pm: Teaching & Closing Remarks
Location: KTC JAX
SUGGESTED DONATIONS/TEACHING FEES:
$25 per session
$80 for entire weekend
Members receive a 10% discount on teachings
No one will ever be turned away from teachings for ability to make a donation. Volunteer scholarship opportunities are also available
