Weekly Buddhist Teachings

in Canberra

Rongton Buddhist College Presents

Term 3, 2008

STAGES OF MEDITATION II

7.30-9.30pm Tuesdays 22 July – 23 September

 
When Buddhism spreads to a new country it is always associated with some controversies regarding the approach used by various teachers.

During the first 150 years since Buddhism was introduced in Tibet, there was considerable conflict between two approaches of meditation, sudden and gradual. Kamalashila is a famous Indian monk who was invited to Tibet by King Trisong Deutsen to challenge a Chinese Hvashang Mohoyen who propagated sudden and non thought doctrine. It is said that Kamalashila who emphasises gradual path to enlightenment won the famous debate in Samye in 842 AD. Subsequently, at the request of the Tibetan king, Kamalashila wrote three works on the Stages of Meditation.

Last year Nalendra monastery in Tibet offered Lama Choedak Rinpoche a Collected Works of Rongton Sheja Kunrig in which there is a huge commentary on Kamalashila's Bhavanakrama I, II and III. In this term Rinpoche will teach strictly on the basis of Rongton's commentary on Bhavanakrama II which he is currently translating . This will especially be of great interest for students of Calm Abiding meditation and Vipassana meditation.

In this term there will be Heart Sutra chanting in Sanskrit.
 

Please do not miss this precious opportunity

Beginners are welcome

Venue:          Tibetan Buddhist Society of Canberra, Rongton Buddhist College

Address:       25 Alderman Street (next to the Miles Franklin Primary School), Evatt

When:           Tuesdays, 7:30 - 9.30pm (during school term)

Cost:             $100 full or $75 member/concession for whole term or $15 per night

Bookings are essential. Please phone (02) 6238 2088 or email

Introduction to Buddhism

with Ani Choezom

6.30-8.30pm Thursdays 14 August – 2 October

Buddhism is one of the fastest growing religions in the West. Its philosophy and meditative techniques have the ability to transform people’s lives. This course will teach you how to meditate and explain the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy, and how it can be applied to your daily life.

This course is specifically suited for beginners and will cover topics such as the life of the Buddha, The Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path, Dependent Origination and Karma. It will also explain the differences between Buddhist schools: Theravadin, Mahayana and Vajrayana. The symbolism behind Vajrayana practices and how they are proving to be highly effective methods of self-transformation will be discussed in detail.

The first part of each lesson will involve instruction and practice of Calm Abiding meditation.

Venue:          Tibetan Buddhist Society of Canberra

Address:       25 Alderman Street (next to the Miles Franklin Primary School), Evatt

When:           Thursdays, 6:30 - 8.30pm

Cost:             $60

Bookings are essential. Please phone (02) 6238 2088 or email

4 Week Buddhist Philosophy Course

with Ani Lhamo

11.30am-12.45pm Sundays 21 & 28 September; 5 & 12 October

Key Buddhist techniques and teachings will be explained, with reference to the Buddhist Pali Suttas. In particular, this course will give detailed and practical ways of how to incorporate skilful reflection ('yonisomanasikara' in Pali) as very speedy and powerful methods to overcome obstacles and deepen our practice.

Venue:          Tibetan Buddhist Society of Canberra

Address:       25 Alderman Street (next to the Miles Franklin Primary School), Evatt

When:           Thursdays, 6:30 - 8.30pm

Cost:             TBA

Preferable to attend all classes, however, possible to attend individual lessons.

Bookings are essential. Please phone (02) 6238 2088 or email

Sundays at Our Centre

in Evatt (North Canberra)

Free meditation session and Dharma talk

Join us for Calm Abiding Meditation at our Evatt Centre in Canberra every Sunday at 11am followed by a Dharma talk at 11.30am