This Week [January 16 - January 22]:

Wednesday :
7 PM   Heruka Tsog

Thursday :
7 PM   Medicine Buddha Puja

Saturday :
10 AM   Nagarjuna's Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way with Geshe Norbu

Sunday :
10 AM   Nagarjuna's Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way with Geshe Norbu

We Welcome Rinpoche Back! - 2012 U.S. Schedule

With boundless gratitude to His Eminence Choden Rinpoche, for his generous teachings and extraordinary efforts on behalf of all sentient beings, we are pleased to formally announce the 2012 Teaching Schedule sponsored by Ananda Dharma Center.

More detail and description of these rare and extraordinary teachings will be posted in the next couple of weeks. Note that Rinpoche will have a more limited global teaching schedule this year, teaching only in a few countries outside of India (the U.S., Australia). We are indeed very fortunate to have access to such precious, profound and extensive teachings by such a living master and embodiment of the Dharma as Rinpoche.

Rinpoche is in good health, after manifesting knee problems late last year, and has agreed to come to the U.S. for these special teachings. Please pray that Rinpoche maintains good health and continues to guide us well into the future.

H.E. Choden Rinpoche recommends all of his students to do Tara Puja, 21 Praises to Tara and Tara Mantra.

'To be dedicated for the quick recovery of the appeared kneecap problem Rinpoche is manifesting, for His long life abiding this world with us and to continue dharma activities.'

Heruka Tsog

For those who took the Heruka Body Mandala Empowerment from Choden Rinpoche (Vajrapani 2008), there is a commitment to perform the Heruka Tsog on the 25th day of the 11th Tibetan month and the 10th day of the 12th Tibetan month.

For the New Year 2012 those dates are as follows:

25th day of 11th Tibetan month -- Wed, Jan 18
10th day of 12th Tibetan month -- Thurs, Feb 2nd

The tsogs will be held at Ananda Dharma Center at 7 PM.

Since we will be using the English translation of the Heruka Tsog, Geshe-la advises that it's best if only those who have taken the Heruka Body Mandala Empowerment are in attendance.

Special February Teaching Events

We are fortunate to have both of our dear Geshe teachers teaching at Ananda Dharma Center for the first half of February.

Geshe Gyalten's schedule has changed, and he will only teach for the first two weekends of Feburary, before leaving back to India. He will teach two special classes:


Saturday, February 4, at 10 AM: Using Bell and Dorje

This is a special teaching on how to use the bell and vajra, implements which are essential elements to certain Buddhist practices. Use of these ritual implements helps in the development of the inner bell and vajra (the union of wisdom and bliss).

Geshe-la will give detailed instruction on the nature and function of the bell and vajra, how to use them, and instructions on how to meditate during their usage.

Students are encouraged to bring their bell and vajra set to this event, if they have them.

Saturday, February 11, at 10 AM: Meditation Practice

Geshe Gyalten will lead this special session on meditation practice, with guidance and instruction in meditation, and a practice session.

According to Geshe-la, meditation has the following qualities:

• healthy nutrition for the mind
• improves the strength of focus and clarity of the mind
• taste of inner peace and happiness
• overcomes destructive thoughts and emotions

Upcoming Events

Geshe Norbu's Teachings Resume

We are pleased to announce that we will resume Geshe Norbu's teachings starting this weekend.

Geshe-la will now teach from Nagaruna's Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, starting this weekend, Saturday, January 21st at 10 AM.

We will postpone further teachings from Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life until a later date, as Geshe-la would like to concentrate and focus on this text, in order that he may conclude these important and essential teachings in their fullness. Geshe-la plans to teach some preparatory classes prior to His Holiness's visit and teachings in Long Beach, CA at the end of April. Stay tuned!

Asian New Year - Open House and Tara Puja

Monday, January 23rd marks the Chinese/Vietnamese Lunar New Year on the Asian calendar. In celebration of this Ananda Dharma Center will host an open house and evening Tara Puja practice. The schedule is as follows:

10 AM - 2 PM: Open House

• Students may visit the gompa (temple area) to pray, practice, make offerings.
• Special Tibetan sweet rice blessing food will be available.

• Extensive Offering of Incense and Candle
• Praise to 21 Taras Puja; recitation of mantras

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For those who are kind-hearted, all wishes will come true;
For those who perservere, there are no obstacles.

-- Book of Kadam