Event Series Death & Dying

Death & Dying

How to Help Your Loved Ones Enjoy Death and Go Happily to Their Next Rebirth. Join us on five consecutive Thursdays when Venerable Robina Courtin will grant us live teachings on the process of death and dying, as seen from a Buddhist perspective and explained thoroughly in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’ book “How to Help Your Loved Ones Enjoy Death and Go Happily to Their Next Rebirth”. WHEN: Thursdays, January 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 7:00 – 8.30 pm CET WHERE: Online Only LEVEL: Intermediate. Some basic understanding of Mahayana Buddhism is of benefit. Beginners are welcome as well! Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81839377063?pwd=b1ZSMlQ4MVJWYnp3L1drMUF2bVROQT09 Meeting ID: 818 3937 7063 Passcode: 609932 In this handbook Lama Zopa Rinpoche gives a huge amount of advice about how to help our loved ones before, during, and after death. This 400 page book, compiled and edited by Ven. Robina Courtin, takes much of the material in FPMT’s How to Face Death without Fear  and Heart Advice for Death and Dying, but radically restructures and reorganizes it into an easy-to-use manual. The book is available for free from here, but please consider a donation if you decide to download it: https://fpmt.org/projects/make-a-donation/   For a Buddhist, the ideal way to die is to die gradually, contrary to an often-stated view that it’s best to die in our sleep so that we don’t know about it. And the reason is clear: given that most of us live in denial of this natural event, our loved ones need time to get ready for death, at peace and unafraid, so that they can, indeed, go happily to their next rebirth, either a precious human rebirth in which they can continue to practice their spiritual path or rebirth in a pure land, such as Buddha Amitabha’s, in which they can easily become a buddha and thus...

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Avalokiteshvara Guru Yoga Practice

Join our monthly Avalokiteshvara Guru Yoga Practice! WHEN:  07.00 - 8.00 pm CET WHERE: Online LEVEL: One considers oneself as a Buddhist (has taken refuge). If you considered yourself as a beginner, but interested in such practice, please contact us.  Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82730709882?pwd=SEZCWkRUREJoaWpzc0FYTHJuNEk2UT09 Meeting ID: 827 3070 9882 Passcode: 245214 Avalokiteshvara, also known as Chenrezig, embodies the great infinite compassion aspect of all the Buddhas. The great compassion comes from not only wishing all sentient beings be free from suffering but actually put it to action to alleviate sufferings. The seed of compassion will grow if you plant it in fertile soil, a consciousness moistened with love. When you have watered your mind with love, you can begin to meditate upon compassion. Compassion, here, is simply the wish that all sentient beings be free of suffering. ~ An Open Heart, The Dalai Lama In this group practice, we will get together following the sadhana written by His Holiness Dalai Lama called “The Inseparability of the Spiritual Master and Avalokiteshvara”. The practice will be facilitated by a member of Lhagsam. It will be slow and in English so we will have time to meditate on the meanings of words and cultivate an open heart which extends to our external world. We will also include the mediation on the four immeasurables and tonglen. Dedication: In our monthly Avelokiteshvara Guru Yoga Practice we will make dedications to all the beings who need help and support at the time. If you would like for us to make a special dedication to yourself, friend or family member, please fill out the Request Dedication Form. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Cost: Suggested donation is 0 - 20 CHF. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. You can donate upon arrival or online (via Paypal,...

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The Six Paramitas: How to Turn on to Bodhicitta

Join us on for live online teachings with Venerable Tenzin Palmo, who will give us teachings on The Six Paramitas and help us engage in the Bodhisattva way. WHEN: Saturdays, February 11 and 18, 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm CET WHERE: Online LEVEL: Beginner to intermediate. Some basic understanding of Mahayana Buddhism is of benefit. Beginners are welcome as well! LANGUAGE: English REGISTRATION: Registration is required, please REGISTER HERE Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86054099314?pwd=K1p2bG1HR3ZmekZOaldjVThodUdsZz09 Meeting ID: 860 5409 9314 Passcode: 306437 The perfections or “paramitas” are a very important basis for our bodhisattva behavior. A Bodhisattva is an exemplary figure of great qualities that, in addition to enlightenment, her or his main intention is to develop the full potential of her or his mind to be of authentic benefit to all beings. In order to definitively help all beings, a Bodhisattva enters into the practice of the six perfections. Cultivating a true altruistic intention is a very difficult task, and Ven. Tenzin Palmo will guide us into following the path of the Bodhisattva and help us identify the extraordinary turn that brings great benefit to others and to ourselves. About the Teacher Tenzin Palmo comes from the Czech Republic. She took refuge with Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche in 2008 and three years later got ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. Graduated from the Basic Program in Lama Tsong Khapa Institute in 2014, she continued her studies in Kopan Nunnery in Nepal, where she also learned Tibetan language. Now she is based in Lama Lama Tsong Khapa Institute again to start studying the Master Program in February. She is also a teaching assistant for the Basic Program online organized by Jamyang London and teaching in Longdol Lama, the FPMT Study Group in Prague. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Cost: You would make us very...

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The Six Paramitas: How to Turn on to Bodhicitta

Join us on for live online teachings with Venerable Tenzin Palmo, who will give us teachings on The Six Paramitas and help us engage in the Bodhisattva way. WHEN: Saturdays, February 11 and 18, 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm CET WHERE: Online LEVEL: Beginner to intermediate. Some basic understanding of Mahayana Buddhism is of benefit. Beginners are welcome as well! LANGUAGE: English REGISTRATION: Registration is required, please REGISTER HERE Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86054099314?pwd=K1p2bG1HR3ZmekZOaldjVThodUdsZz09 Meeting ID: 860 5409 9314 Passcode: 306437 The perfections or “paramitas” are a very important basis for our bodhisattva behavior. A Bodhisattva is an exemplary figure of great qualities that, in addition to enlightenment, her or his main intention is to develop the full potential of her or his mind to be of authentic benefit to all beings. In order to definitively help all beings, a Bodhisattva enters into the practice of the six perfections. Cultivating a true altruistic intention is a very difficult task, and Ven. Tenzin Palmo will guide us into following the path of the Bodhisattva and help us identify the extraordinary turn that brings great benefit to others and to ourselves. About the Teacher Tenzin Palmo comes from the Czech Republic. She took refuge with Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche in 2008 and three years later got ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. Graduated from the Basic Program in Lama Tsong Khapa Institute in 2014, she continued her studies in Kopan Nunnery in Nepal, where she also learned Tibetan language. Now she is based in Lama Lama Tsong Khapa Institute again to start studying the Master Program in February. She is also a teaching assistant for the Basic Program online organized by Jamyang London and teaching in Longdol Lama, the FPMT Study Group in Prague. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Cost: You would make us very...

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Losar – Tibetan New Year

Losar means New Year in Tibetan. It is the most important festival in Tibet. It is an opportunity to celebrate, to leave behind any negative aspects and to invite positivity and auspiciousness into our lives. WHEN: February 21, 6.30 - 9.00 pm CET WHERE: Online LEVEL: All levels, beginners welcome Join us via Zoom under the following link and login. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84921928952?pwd=UEd1RTltOFlkZHpTWmVtRU1tT0RLUT09 Meeting ID: 849 2192 8952 Passcode: 871688 This year, Losar falls on February 21 and is followed by The Fifteen Days of Miracles. According to the Tibetan calendar, Losar will mark the first day of the year of the Water Rabbit. The Fifteen Days of Miracles are powerful time for Buddhist practice. All fifteen days starting on Losar are merit-multiplying days, when the merit of virtuous actions performed on these days is multiplied by 100 million, as cited by Lama Zopa Rinpoche from the vinaya text “Treasure of Quotations and Logic”. It is a perfect moment to renew and strengthen our practice. For the FPMT, Losar is a special time as it commemorates the anniversary of FPMT founder Lama Yeshe’s passing  at dawn of Losar in 1984. Program 6.30-7.30 pm: Together on the Path 7.30-9.00 pm: Losar with Lama Chopa and commemoration of Lama Yeshe Find the practice here PRACTICAL INFORMATION Cost: Suggested donation is 0-15 CHF. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. You can donate online via Paypal, Twint or E-Banking. Language: English Level: No prior knowledge required. Registration: No registration necessary. Drop-ins are welcome anytime. PDF: Find the practice here

CANCELLED THIS MONTH Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga / Mahamudra

CANCELLED JUNE 9, 2023 WHEN: Monthly, alternating between the 2nd and 4th Fridays.  7.00 – 9.00 pm CETWHERE: OnlineLEVEL: Intermediate. Some basic understanding of Mahayana Buddhism is of benefit. Beginners are welcome! LANGUAGE: English. According to Lama Zopa Rinpoche it is good to base your LamRim meditation on a Guru Yoga practice, such as Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga (the Hundred Deities of Tushita - Ganden Lha Gyama). Find the sadhana here: Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga Mahamudra, a Sanskrit word meaning “great seal,” refers to an advanced and sophisticated system of meditation on the nature of the mind, and the realizations gained through it. Having a focus shifting from the content to the experience of the experience, the ultimate goal is to achieve a non-dual awareness by observing emptiness (Sanskrit: Shunyata) like “a mindful fish not even stirring the water while swimming”. Recommended reading: Click here   PRACTICAL INFORMATION Cost: You would make us very happy by supporting us with a donation. Suggested donation is 0-40 CHF for a session. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. You can donate online (via Paypal, Twint or E-Banking). Language: English. Level: Intermediate. Some basic understanding of Mahayana Buddhism is of benefit. Beginners are welcome as well!

Wednesday Community Meditation

Lhagsam Tibetan Meditation Gablerstrasse 51, Zurich, Switzerland

Topic for March 1st:  Mindfulness of Feelings WHEN: Monthly on Wednesday  7.00 - 8.30 pm CET WHERE: Onsite, the Lhagsam Gompa LEVEL: Beginner, everyone is welcome! LANGUAGE: English Let’s meet at our center and be part of a guided meditation, get an understanding of how to develop valuable realizations on the vastness of the mind: We will analyze and learn how to experience our world, and how we can change this, to have a better understanding and more acceptance of ourselves and for the whole world. We will work on gaining experiential knowledge, a calmer mind, and an open heart full of love and compassion towards ourselves and all sentient beings. Once the meditation has ended, we invite you to stay and enjoy being part of our vibrant community and chat with the other participants. We are not compelled to meditate by some outside agent, by other people, or by God. Rather, just as we are responsible for our own suffering, so are we solely responsible for our own cure. We have created the situation in which we find ourselves, and it is up to us to create the circumstances for our release. Therefore, as suffering permeates our life, we have to do something in addition to our regular daily routine. This something is spiritual practice or, in other words, meditation. ~ Lama Zopa Rinpoche PRACTICAL INFORMATION Cost: You would make us very happy by supporting us with a donation. Suggested donation is 0 – 20 CHF. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. You can donate online (via Paypal, Twint or E-Banking). Language: English Level: All are welcome

Overview on Deity Practice and Tantra

Join us on for live online teachings with Jhampa Shaneman who will give us teachings on deity yoga and tantric practices. WHEN: Thursdays, March 9 and 16, 7:00 – 8.30 pm CET WHERE: Online LANGUAGE: English LEVEL: Intermediate. Some basic understanding of Mahayana Buddhism is of benefit. Beginners are welcome as well! REGISTER: HERE Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85613143062?pwd=VXJNNytmbGxoTVVRbytkNStSZDJiQT09 Meeting ID: 856 1314 3062 Passcode: 977378 The practice of Guru Yoga is based on Vajrayana practices unique to the Tibetan Buddhism. For those who have a sound foundation of Mahayana Buddhism, the practice of Vajrayana is said to be the fastest and most powerful path to Buddhahood. Guru Yoga is a deep and adventurous journey of unraveling the samsaric mind and uncovering one’s own innermost truth - the nature of mind. It is revered as one of the most powerful and direct methods of opening one’s mind to the blessing of the buddhas, the qualities of the enlightened beings and the wisdom mind of our masters. The practice is nurtured by the art of relating to the external, human teacher and his or her teaching with intelligence and a pure and open heart. In this way the teacher serves as the mirror in which we see both our potential and the obstacles we need to overcome. About the Teacher One of the first western Buddhist monks in the Tibetan tradition of Mahayana Buddhism, Jhampa met Ven. Lama Yeshe and became one of his first male sangha members in 1971. From that time, Jhampa studied mainly in Dharmsala, India, learning the Tibetan language. He studied under His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kyabje Ling Rinpoche (His Holiness's senior tutor) and the Ven. Geshe Rabten and Geshe Dhargaye. Over the next 10 years in India, he was introduced to many tenets of Buddhism, interspersing...

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