Open Center Café

Lhagsam Tibetan Meditation Gablerstrasse 51, Zurich, Switzerland

Whether you are a Buddhist practitioner, a follower of another spiritual tradition, or none at all, you are welcome to join. WHEN: Friday February 10, 6.30 – 8.30 pm CET WHERE: Onsite, Gablerstrasse 51 LEVEL: Everybody is welcome! REGISTRATION: Registration is required, please REGISTER HERE Nourishing on Togetherness is written on a plate in the dining hall at Land of Joy, a retreat center in the UK. At the “open center café”, we come together to drink tea, eat snacks, exchange ideas, and create connections. There is no agenda or predefined themes. The most important goal is to create a joyful and respectful space where everyone feels welcome and supported.  Whether you are a Buddhist practitioner, a follower of another spiritual tradition, or none at all, you are welcome to join, exchange, and nourish our interconnectedness. If you are interested in activities at Lhagsam, but are not sure whether it is for you, this is also a good opportunity to just come by and see. Our Gompa is open for private practice during these hours, but you will overhear people chatting in the upstairs Tara lounge. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Level: Everybody is welcome! Language: We speak German and English. Registration: Registration is required, please REGISTER HERE Cost: Free (donations welcome)

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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Avalokiteshvara Guru Yoga Practice (Online)

Join our monthly Avalokiteshvara Guru Yoga Practice! WHEN: Thursday February 16, 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...

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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

Green Tara Practice

Join our Monthly Green Tara practice! WHEN: Wednesday February 22, 7.30 – 9.00 pm CET WHERE: Online only LEVEL: Advanced. Some knowledge of Buddhism is of benefit, but everyone is welcome! Join us on Zoom under the following link and login. Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86534366822?pwd=bFRSNUJKQWZVVnlxWlZIUCs5MkpzZz09 Meeting ID: 865 3436 6822 Passcode: 393313 Joyful and peaceful, beautiful and powerful, Tara is the embodiment of enlightened activity. She is a fully awakened Buddha, who vowed to work for all sentient beings as a female until samsara ends. She achieved liberation by following the same spiritual path many practitioners follow until this day. Known as the Liberator, she is always ready to rush to the aid of others. Meditating on Green Tara can help us to connect with the energy of action, joy and compassion within ourselves. Tara can help to prevent hindrances and to discover and realise our true potential, all the way to enlightenment. The ancient Mantra related to Green Tara is: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha 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, Twint or E-Banking). Language: English Level: Advanced. Previous knowledge in buddhist practices is helpful. Beginners are welcome - we will happily give you a short introduction! PDF: Find the description of the practice here: Green Tara

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!