Thursday, October 29, 2009

Fearlessness in Uncetain Times

FEARLESSNESS IN UNCERTAIN TIMES – The Path of Meditation


The Victoria Shambhala Centre is pleased to offer this program with Acharya Allyn Lyon
Friday November 6 at 7:00p.m. and
Saturday November 7 from 9:00a.m.- 4:30p.m.

New and experienced meditators are invited to join us.
The program fee is $45.00
If you wish to register or have any questions please contact Marni Lalonde by email at marnil@telus.net





ALLYN LYON was appointed an acharya in 2000, after several years serving as Director of Shambhala Mountain Center and in other Shambhala administrative positions. Since then she has been traveling and teaching while creating a home base in Tepotzlan, Mexico, where she is the resident acharya. Her main interest in teaching dharma is the nature of mind and how it functions: "What is mind? How does practice work with mind? What is real?" But if there's a bottom line, Allyn says, "it's that I really enjoy practicing the dharma, teaching and sharing my love of the dharma with students." For more about Acharya Lyon, go to shambhala.org/teachers/acharya/alyon.php.
Contentment in Everyday Life

The Contentment in Everyday Life course is a thorough exploration of mindfulness meditation, delving into the foundational views of the Hinayana Buddhist teachings, and meditation in action for daily life. By acknowledging and understanding the reality of suffering we can open to our inherent goodness and express the qualities of gentleness, appreciation, and fearlessness in our everyday lives.

Five Thursdays -- 7:00 to 9:00 PM from November 19th to December 17th.
The course will be led by Mark Hazell and Jack Lalonde
The fee for the course is $75

To register or get more information email Mark Hazell youthful_moon@hotmail.com

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

HARDCORE ZEN IN VICTORIA WITH BRAD WARNER - Victoria Zen Centre

Co-sponsored by Victoria Zen Centre and UVic Interfaith Services

Brad Warner is a Zen monk, writer, bass player and film-maker. He wrote the books Hardcore Zen, Sit Down And Shut Up and his latest, Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate. His Zen pedigree, for those who value such things, is that he received Dharma Transmission from Gudo Nishijima Roshi, who received his transmission from Rempo Niwa Roshi who, at the time was the head of the Soto Sect in Japan. He was also a student of Tim McCarthy, who was a student of Kobun Chino Roshi.

Brad will be joining us for three events here in Victoria from November 16-23, 2009.
1. Tuesday November 17, 2009 7pm, Victoria, BC Canada

University of Victoria Interfaith Chapel, Lot #6 UVic Ring Road

Tuesday Zen Open House

Zen meditation and Q&A

The Victoria Zen Centre and UVic Interfaith Services co-sponsor a beginner’s group each week. 3x15 minute sits with a talk in the second one (just 15 minutes). Afterwards there is tea, introductions, and a period of question and response. Brad will do a short talk and field questions.

2. Thursday November 19, 2009 7pm, Victoria, BC Canada

University of Victoria Interfaith Chapel, Lot #6 UVic Ring Road

Public talk

This will be Brad's main talk, and there will be plenty of opportunity for questions. Brad's books will be available for purchase. Fun will be had by all.

There is no cost for this event, however space is limited. If you would like to attend, please contact office@zenwest.ca. Two seats can be reserved per email.

3. Sunday November 22, 2009 6am-5pm

Victoria Zen Centre, Sooke, BC

Members one-day intensive with Brad Warner

Our regular monthly one-day intensive will feature Brad Warner giving the Dharma talk and conducting interviews with members.

Fees for the intensive are $29 for Full Members and $79 for Basic Members. All funds will go to Brad Warner. Space is limited, so register early.

For more information, please contact office@zenwest.ca

Friday, October 23, 2009

Journey without Goal

With Silas Rosenblatt and Jim Sacamano

An introduction to the world of vajrayana Buddhism, the diamond or indestructible vehicle. The idea of indestructibility here is the discovery of indestructible wakefulness, the discovery of our own innate awakened state of mind, or vajra nature. Tantra literally means “continuity” or “thread”. Hinayana, mahayana and vajrayana are a continuous thread of sympathy or sanity, which is never broken. Vajrayana is further and greater expansion. It is the expression of greater sanity and greater sympathy, arising from the practice of hinayana (foundation path) and mahayana (compassion path).

Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche


Tuesday evenings 7:30pm t0 8:30pm.
November 17th, 24th, December 1st, 8th and 15th.
Intensive day long practice - December 19th.
Sitting practice begins at 7:00pm.

Shambhala Community Study programs cost: $45 - $75
* (Buddhist studies prerequisites apply)



Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
1-2033 Belmont Avenue,Victoria BC. V8R 3Z7.
www.shambhala.org/centers/victoria
Registration: rangdral@yahoo.com

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Medicine Buddha Course In November


Know Thyself ♥ Love Thyself ♥ Heal Thyself



An Invitation to Buddhist Healing Tradition



For those seeking to heal themselves, or to assist in the healing of others.



For beginners or long-time practitioners of meditation.



In pursuit of healing, we will learn and practice both Meditation and the Medicine Buddha Sadhana, a profound teaching on medicine and healing from the Tibetan Vajrayana Tradition.



Please join us for 5 Monday nights (7:30 pm-9:00 pm)

starting November 2, 2009

Cost: $50 – practice materials included

The Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre

2033 Belmont Avenue



Please call 250-383-9108 for more information or registration

http://victoria.shambhala.org/

email: victoria.shambhala@gmail.com

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Medicine Buddha and Psychotherapy




On Tuesday the 27th of October Jim Sacamano will give a talk at the Shambhala-Buddhist Centre.
The title of the lecture is Medicine Buddha and the Neuroscience of Psychotherapy.
Jim is a Victoria area Psychiatrist and the founder of the Medicine Buddha Program at the Shambhala-Buddhist Centre.
In November the Medicine Buddha Group at the Centre will give an introductory course on Medicine Buddha Practice (Menla Practice). The dates for this are; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.
Jim’s lecture should provide a good introduction to the Medicine Buddha Practice and one can then decide if the Medicine Buddha course is for you!
Time for the talk only is 8PM
Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
#1 - 2033 Belmont Ave., Victoria, BC V8R 3Z7
Tel. (250) 383.9108 Email: victoria.shambhala@gmail.com

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Tibetan Monks at UVIC


At 3:00pm on Sunday Oct 18, the Tibetan monks will perform a "sang-sol" ceremony in front of the Art Gallery. A "sang-sol" is a purification ceremony conducted with the aromatic smoke from burning juniper branches.
At 7:30pm on Friday Oct 23, the UVic Students for a Free Tibet will be hosting a presentation of the monks playing Tibetan instruments, performing sacred dances and doing demonstrations of monastery debating. This will be held at the new First Peoples House at UVic, located between University Centre and the quadrangle. General admission is $15, seniors/students are $10. All proceeds will be donated to the monks home monastery.
See www.tsengdokrinpoche.com/Mandala-Tour-in-Canada.htm for the web site of the monk's tour and http://aggv.bc.ca/tibetan+monks+-+sand+mandala.aspx for the AGGV web site of the monk's visit to the gallery.

The monks will share in a percentage of the entrance fee, which will go to the support of their monastery in India.


CTC Victoria
250-380-1235
victoria@tibet.ca

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Transforming Suffering and Happiness

Tibetan Buddhist teachings with Ngakpa Kalzang Dorje November and December 2009
In this teaching discover how both happiness and suffering can be transformed into methods of realization on the Path to Enlightenment.

Victoria Classes: Thursday evenings November 19th to December 10th at the Oak Bay Library from 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Nanaimo Classes: Wednesday evenings November 18th to December 9th at the Harbourfront Library from 6:30 to 7:30 pm

Duncan Classes: Sunday evenings November 15th to December 6th as per our usual schedule

Everyone Welcome - Classes offered free of charge - Donations accepted

For further information please contact Thubten Choling in Duncan, tel: 250-748-6028 or info@thubtencholing.com

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Victoria Vipassana Community Weekly Sunday Evening Sits

Join us every Sunday for a Community sit at the Lynn Wylie Yoga Studio, #202 – 1600 Bay Street (Shakespeare St. entrance) from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. On the first Sunday of each month, there will be a guided meditation and on the third Sunday of each month, the sit will focus on Metta (Loving Kindness) meditation. Everyone is welcome!

Details: http://victoriavipassana.org/?p=218

Additional information: Please contact Rod House rodhouse@shaw.ca or Brock Brown brock1492@shaw.ca

Victoria Vipassana Community Non-Residential Weekend Retreat


This silent non-residential weekend retreat on November 7 & 8 (includes lunch) will be appropriate for both new and experienced meditators and will be taught by Joanne Broatch from Vancouver. We will meet from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm each day at Queenswood, 2494 Arbutus Rd., Victoria, B.C. The weekend will include sitting and walking periods (including outdoor walking) as well as meditation instruction, and a talk by the teacher.


Joanne Broatch, the teacher for the weekend, has practised Buddhist meditation in the Theravadan tradition since 1980 and has been teaching, primarily on the West Coast since 1994 where she has focused on the growth ofsangha(meditation community), especially in smaller communities. Joanne is particularly interested in the importance of faith and loving kindness in physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.


Details and Retreat Registration Form: http://victoriavipassana.org/?p=277


Please direct queries to Rod House, Registrar about this retreat at vvcRetreat@gmail.com

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Tibetan Monks at the Art Gallery


Five Tibetan monks from the Gaden Jangtse Monastery in India will be in Victoria from Oct 3rd to 25th, constructing a sand mandala and butter sculpture at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV), as part of the gallery's Sacred Art of Tibet exhibit. The exhibit will continue until Dec 6th and the completed mandala will be on display until then.

The opening ceremony will take place Saturday Oct 3 at 10:30am in the Pollard Gallery of the AGGV.

See www.tsengdokrinpoche.com/Mandala-Tour-in-Canada.htm

for the web site of the monk's tour and http://aggv.bc.ca/tibetan+monks+-+sand+mandala.aspx

for the AGGV web site of the monk's visit to the gallery.

For information on when the Gallery is open and it's entrance fee go to http://aggv.bc.ca/Hours+And+Admissions.aspx

. If you plan to visit the Gallery a number times to follow the progression of the mandala you might want to consider getting a membership. For membership information go to http://aggv.bc.ca/become+a+member.aspx

. The monks will share in a percentage of the en trance fee, which will go to the support of their monastery in India.

The UVic Students for a Free Tibet will be hosting a presentation of the monks playing Tibetan instruments, performing sacred dances and doing demonstrations of monastery debating. This is tentatively scheduled for Fri Oct 23 at UVic, with details to follow.

CTC Victoria

250-380-1235

victoria@tibet.ca

Copyright 2008 Comité Canada Tibet Committee
300, Léo-Pariseau, Suite 2250,
Montréal, Québec H2X 4B3
514.487.0665 Fax 514.487.7825

Contact Information: If you have any comments or questions, please email ctcoffice@tibet.ca.
To view our Privacy statement, www.tibet.ca/en/privacy_policy

.

Friday, September 11, 2009

A Buddhist Program at UVIC

The Bodhisattva’s Balancing Act: Altruism in an Empty World
Anne MacDonald, Dept. of South Asian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies, University of Vienna



Indian Mahāyāna works stress the importance of an altruistic attitude for progress on the Buddhist path, deeming the attainment of Buddhahood to be impossible without it. The same works emphasize the necessity of understanding the emptiness (śūnyatā) of phenomena for liberation from the endless cycle of birth and death. But what exactly is the relationship between compassion and the view of emptiness, and how do the texts envision the Buddhist practitioner’s involvement with them? The lecture will attempt to clarify misunderstandings concerning the meaning of emptiness and to illuminate the delicate course to be taken by the meditator aiming to achieve the state of a Buddha.

Anne MacDonald is a professor of Buddhist studies at the University of Vienna, Austria. She received a BA in anthropology from McMaster University, an MA in religious studies from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in indology from the University of Vienna. Dr. MacDonald specializes in the study of Madhyamaka Buddhism, and is currently working on recently discovered Sanskrit manuscripts of major works of the seventh-century Indian Buddhist philosopher Candrakīrti.


Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Location: David Strong Building, Room C116
Sponsor: Centre for Studies in Religion and Society

Monday, September 07, 2009

Death and Dying

The Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre presents

Death And Dying As Spiritual Practice.


Join us as we take a plunge into the realms that await us in the dying process, learning how to transform obstacle into opportunity. Explore the final death bardo, where we spend forty-nine days after dying and are hurled by the winds of karma into our next life. In this course we will examine death, the intermediate state and re-birth in Tibetan Buddhism. By becoming familiar with the bardo and preparing for it now, we can discover what to expect in the process, when to expect it and what to do about it. We also learn about practices to help those who are dying or have recently died.

Discover the many opportunities this bardo presents for spiritual development.

Anne Bruce.


Anne Bruce (PhD) has been studying meditative traditions since 1984. A member of the Shambhala community since 1985, Anne also teaches nursing at the University of Victoria where her research and scholarship address palliative and end of life care.

Wednesdays: October 7th, 14th, 21st., 28th. 7:00pm – 9:00pm.
Saturday Intensive: October 31st. 9:30 – 4:00pm.
*(Sitting practice begins at 7:00pm)

Shambhala Community Study Programs cost $45-$75.
(Sliding scale depending on your financial means)

For registration and suggested reading please contact:
David Clarke: rangdral@yahoo.com


Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
#1-2033 Belmont Avenue, Victoria BC, V8R 3Z7. 383-9108
www.shambhala.org/centers/victoria

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Shambhala Training Level I


Shambhala Training Level I: The Art of Being Human
with Layth Matthews
September 18 / 7:00 PM - September 19 / 6:00 PM
Price: $75.00

Through the practice of meditation, we glimpse unconditional goodness as the ground of our existence. Opening to ourselves with gentleness and appreciation, we begin to see our potential as genuine and compassionate human beings.

To Register contact Mark Hazell at markhazell45@gmail.com

Meditation in Everyday Life


Meditation in Everyday Life
with Layth Matthews
September 24 / 7:00 PM - October 29 / 9:00 PM
Price: $75.00

According to the Shambhala teachings, the reason to practice meditation is to help create enlightened society. In this six week course we will look at how to bring our practice into our daily lives, the obstacles to doing this, working with emotions and strong feelings, and recognizing basic goodness in ourselves and others.



The main teacher for both of these programs is Layth Matthews. Layth has been a student and teacher in the Shambhala community for many years.

To Register contact Mark Hazell at markhazell45@gmail.com



The fee for both this course and Level I is $75.00. If you choose to do both programs, which is highly encouraged – the Meditation in Everyday Life course is designed to deepen one’s understanding of the material presented in The Art of Being Human – the fee is $120.



Meditation In Everyday Life is open to anyone who has received meditation instruction in the Shambhala tradition.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Introduction to Zen Meditation (4-week) - Victoria Zen Centre

October 17-November 7, 2009 – Saturdays 9:00-11:30am

October 19-November 9, 2009 – Mondays 7:00-9:30pm

If you are interested in learning how to meditate, this is the course for you. For people that are seeking to reduce stress, clarify a busy mind, improve focus and awareness, boost immune function, improve sleeping patterns, or gain insight into the mental, physical, and emotional habits that are preventing you from living life fully, this course offers a gradual combination of study and practice, individual and group interaction, and personal guidance that will provide a strong foundation to experience the profound change that Zen meditation practice offers. The fee for this four-week course is $295 and includes:

  • Four weekly Sessions for a total of ten hours of class time.
  • Small class size (max.8).
  • A meditation cushion for each participant to keep.
  • Course manual and supplementary materials.
  • Teachings and group discussions on eight core aspects of Zen Practice.
  • Peer Support
  • 2 chanting practice CDs
  • The opportunity to become a member of the Victoria Zen Centre.

For program information:

Visit our website.

Sunday, August 16, 2009


The Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
In association with
The Vancouver Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Presents

THE DHAMMA BROTHERS


www.dhammabrothers.com

Saturday October 3rd at 7:00pm
By Donation

THE DHAMMA BROTHERS tells a dramatic tale of human potential and transformation as it closely follows and documents the stories of the prison inmates at Donaldson Correction Facility who enter into an intensive meditation program. This film, with the power to dismantle stereotypes about men behind prison bars also, in the words of Sister Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking), “gives you hope for the human race."

Prior to the film a talk will be given. The speaker at this event will be Lama Margaret Ludwig. Lama Ludwig has eighteen years of activism in the penitentiaries of British Colombia as a Buddhist chaplain. Her selflessness has planted a seed of enlightenment for those who are most in need. She inaugurated the installation of a Buddhist garden shrine at the William Head prison which she hopes may be cultivated by a new generation of volunteers.

For more information: rangdral@yahoo.com

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour


Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour

Friday August 21st 7 pm/10pm

Saturday August 22nd 10am/7 pm

Sunday August 23rd 10am/4pm

Cost: free

The Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre is pleased to host “The Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour” on August 21, 22 and 23rd. An Opening Ceremony will be held at 7 pm on Friday August 21st, and the relic show will be open to the public from 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday 22nd and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday.

A unique and precious collection of more than 1,000 sacred Buddhist relics will be permanently displayed in the Heart Shrine of the completed Maitreya Buddha statue in Kushinagar. Meanwhile, it is the wish of the Spiritual Director of the Maitreya Project, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, that the collection should travel throughout the world to bring the blessings of the relics and the message of loving-kindness to people everywhere.

The relics were found among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters. They resemble beautiful pearl-like crystals. Buddhists believe the relics are produced as a result of the master's spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom. Since we can all develop these qualities, the relics are a reminder of our own essential nature of purity and our inner potential to manifest that. The collection includes relics of the historical Buddha and the Buddha’s closest disciples as well as many other well-known Buddhist masters from Chinese, Indian, Korean and Tibetan traditions.

The purpose of the Relic Tour is to inspire people of all spiritual traditions and paths to come together to experience the blessings of the relics. For full details about the Maitreya Project and the Relic Tour please click on www.maitreyaproject.org/en/relic

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Pascal Auclair Evening


The Victoria Vipassana Community is pleased to host an Evening with Pascal Auclair, Friday, July 31st, 7:00-9:00 pm at the Helga Beer Yoga Studio, 202 - 1600 Bay Street (Shakespeare St. entrance). We will sit together, followed by a dharma talk by Pascal. This evening is by donation only and baskets will be set out for donations for the teacher, and for studio rental.

Pascal will be teaching a Week-Long Retreat at the Gatehouse on Salt Spring, starting the following day, August 1 – 8. Details on this retreat: http://ssivipassana.org/?cat=12

Pascal Auclair has been immersed in the Dharma since 1997, sitting retreats in Thailand, India and America with revered monastics and lay teachers. In 2006 he was invited by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield to join the teacher training program at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Massachusetts and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California. He is now enjoying teaching retreats at these two centers, as well as for True North Insight and the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. Pascal works with families, teens, young adults, and yogis sitting short and long retreats.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Tibetan Art at the Art Gallery of Victoria


Sacred Arts of Tibet



Sand Mandala by Monks of Gaden Jangste monastery of Mundgod, India
(c) Tony Bounsoil Photo Design

August 14, 2009 to December 6, 2009
The art of Tibet is almost exclusively devoted to the service of Buddhism and is almost never practiced for art’s sake. Tibetan art is representative of the existential character of Mahayana Buddhism known as Tantrayana or Vajrayana (the diamond path or vehicle), which considers its art to be very sacred. Although Tibetan art is religious in nature, it is also rich in artistic or aesthetic value. Tibetan art is evocative and the portraiture, although often rigidly stereotyped, shows a great variety of styles rendered in a powerful and realistic manner, particularly in the treatment of facial features, costumes, appendages and backgrounds.

The making of religious art in Tibet serves several functions. Its actual commission and production are acts for which one received merit, the more images made, the greater the merit. The painted or sculpted image serves to inspire the faithful to reach a higher level of consciousness. This exhibition will feature the Gallery’s extensive collection of painted thankas, sculpted images and sacred or ritual objects. As part of the exhibition, the Gallery is looking to host a group of Tibetan monks to construct a sand mandala. A mandala, which is considered a magical and sacred realm, is a visual prayer and a means of representing the entire sacred universe. It is an all-inclusive symbol and is thought to represent both the mind and body of the Buddha. The basic configuration of a mandala, which is deceptively simple in appearance, is a ring or circle enclosing a symmetrical walled palace with a gateway in each wall facing one of the four cardinal points of the compass. Each detail of its construction has symbolic meaning.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Buddha In the Park This Weekend




Your Invitation to Buddha In the Park, SALT SPRING ISLAND, 3 Day Event
Forty Topics on the Buddha Dharma over a relaxing Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
Let Your Spirit Soar - the Buddha-way...
Full information at www.penlan.com or by calling 250. 710. 7594
AUG. 21, 22, 23 this Weekend 270 Scott Point Drive, Long Harbour,
Salt Spring Island 250. 538. 0965

Saturday, June 27, 2009

THE MAKING OF A ZEN MONK

Victoria Zen Centre to hold Victoria's first Buddhist Ordination

Doshu Lars Rogers has a first-hand understanding of suffering and impermanence. In February 2002, he found himself in the intensive care unit of Vancouver General Hospital more dead than alive having been air lifted from his family’s homestead on Malcolm Island just off of Vancouver Island’s north coast. The diagnosis was acute leukemia, and the prognosis was not hopeful. Immediate chemotherapy left Rogers with no memory of the events that took place for about a month after his arrival at the hospital. In May of 2002, he was released from hospital for two weeks before a scheduled bone marrow transplant “to make some good memories with (his) family”. Upon his return to hospital he was subjected to intense chemotherapy and full-body radiation to ensure that all blood making cells in his body were thoroughly and totally dead. Following the bone marrow transplant, another month of isolation followed waiting for these new cells to take up residence deep within his bones and begin producing healthy blood.

Doshu has practiced Zen Buddhism since 1975-at times passively, and at times with great energy and zeal. Living remotely, his contact with any kind of Buddhist community was infrequent, but he maintained a personal practice and attended meditation retreats occasionally with Toronto Zen Centre, Zen Centres in Oregon and Washington States, and the Victoria Zen Centre. His life path had seen him educated at the University of Toronto in astronomy, travelling through Asia and Europe with his wife Soshin Ruth McMurchy, training and working in electronics and making a living as an entrepreneur in that field. Doshu and Soshin have two children together, and when Doshu became ill, the whole family moved to Victoria so that they could be there to support him, and each other. As he lay in the hospital wondering if he would make it to the next mealtime which Doshu describes as “a yellow-green goo that was pumped through my nose-tube and into my stomach”, a visiting friend asked him what he wanted to do when he got out of the hospital. Doshu had spent much of his time (when he was conscious and/or coherent) reviewing his life, coming to terms with his impending death, and letting go of any regrets of his life; but realized that he hadn’t seriously considered the possibility of recovery. The question he was asked provoked a heartfelt response that he says surprised him. “My family and Zen practice are my priorities.”

When Doshu was discharged from hospital in July of 2002, after the bone marrow transplant had “taken”, it was into the caring hands of his friends and family. As he slowly recovered, struggling through periodic and frightening infections, and dealing with the depression that often follows such severe illness, he gradually began to regain his strength. His resolve and commitment to his priorities also grew stronger. Eventually he overcame concerns about his physical fragility and emotional instability and reconnected with the Victoria Zen Centre. Knowing that Zen Buddhist practice can be demanding physically, mentally, and emotionally, Doshu expected a rough ride but says he was very kindly and gently received by the Zen Centre community and it’s teacher Ven. Eshu Martin. “In hospital I started to experience life more as a gift than a given - connecting with Ven. Eshu and the loving community he inspires has allowed me to grow toward a life based on practice and giving, to face my fears and to uncover the life I have longed for but never before managed to create”, says Rogers.

“Doshu’s commitment to his family, to his community, and to Zen practice raises the bar for everyone that comes into contact with him”, says Martin, who also acts as the Buddhist Chaplain for the University of Victoria’s Interfaith Services. “As the Zen Centre has grown and developed, Doshu has been involved in every aspect, and provides a joyous, humble, and compassionate example for all of us to follow.”

Doshu’s increasing involvement and commitment has led to his completion of a program of training and education at the Victoria Zen Centre that will see him ordained a Zen Monk at the University of Victoria’s Interfaith Chapel on at 10am on July 19, 2009 as a part of the Zen Centre’s semi-annual commitment ceremony. The first event of its kind to be held in Victoria, it promises to be a deeply powerful and moving event for everyone present, and will deeply impact Doshu, his family, and the Buddhist community of Vancouver Island. For more information, please contact the Victoria Zen Centre office@zenwest.ca 250-642-7936.

The Victoria Zen Centre is a federally registered charity that was formed in 1980. For more information please visit the website at www.zenwest.ca

Friday, June 19, 2009

HHDL visits Vancouver



Tickets for Vancouver Peace Summit On Sale June 20

CTVThe Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education is pleased to announce that ticket sales will soon be open for the 2009 Vancouver Peace Summit: Nobel Laureates in Dialogue. Tickets for this special event will be available to the public on June 20 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.ca.< /p>
Summit adds TED Prize winner to list of distinguished speakers

Winner of the 2008 TED Prize, Karen Armstrong joins the Vancouver Peace Summit to share her TED Prize wish, the Charter for Compassion. Armstrong is one of the extraordinary hearts taking part in the Nobel Laureates in Dialogue: Connecting for Peace event. Below is a complete list of events and speakers.

9 AM, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2009
World Peace through Personal Peace

WHERE: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, University of British Columbia

WHO: The Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Eckhart Tolle and Matthieu Ricard

SPECIAL EVENT: Fetzer Institute Prize for Love and Forgiveness to be presented to His Holiness The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu

1 PM, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2009
Nobel Laureates in Dialogue: Connecting for Peace

WHERE: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, University of British Columbia

WHO: The Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Mairead Maguire, Betty Williams and Jody Williams

SPECIAL EVENT: TED.com Prize winner Karen Armstrong and the Charter for Compassion

8:30 AM, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2009
Creativity and Well-being

WHERE: Orpheum Theatre, Downtown Vancouver

WHO: The Dalai Lama, Sir Ken Robinson, Daniel Siegel, the Blue Man Group, Eckhart Tolle, Murray Gell-Mann and Matthieu Ricard
Heart-Mind Education

WHERE: Orpheum Theatre, Downtown Vancouver

WHO: The Dalai Lama, Clyde Hertzman, Kim Schonert-Reichl, Stephen Covey, Adele Diamond and Mairead Maguire

1 PM, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2009
Women & Peace-building

WHERE: Orpheum Theatre, Downtown Vancouver

WHO: The Dalai Lama, Maria Shriver, Kim Campbell, Mary Robinson, Nobel Women’s Initiative, Ashley Judd, Zainab Salbi, Fazle Hasan Abed, Swanee Hunt and Susan Davis (find tickets)

HIGHLIGHT: The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education, in collaboration with Free The Children, also hosts "We Day Vancouver", a special Summit program at GM Place for 16,000 student leaders from BC schools. For information, go to www.freethechildren.com.

All events and speakers are subject to change.

Presented in collaboration with the Fetzer Institute www.fetzer.org
Fetzer Institute

Media Sponsors:
CTVThe Vancouver SunCKNW

For more information visit our web site at www.dalailamacenter.org

Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education
PO Box 3662 Station Terminal Vancouver BC V6B 3Y8 Canada
Tel: 604-215-2DLC (352) | E-mail: info@dalailamacenter.org
Web: www.dalailamacenter.org




Copyright 2008 Comité Canada Tibet Committee
300, Léo-Pariseau, Suite 2250,
Montréal, Québec H2X 4B3
514.487.0665 Fax 514.487.7825

Contact Information: If you have any comments or questions, please email ctcoffice@tibet.ca.


Help needed for monks' Victoria visit

Hello members and friends of CTC Victoria,

There is a strong possibility that a group of Tibetan monks from India could come to Victoria this coming September/October to create a sand mandala at the Art Gallery.

Over the years a number of sand mandalas have been created by visiting monks. It always creates a lot of interest in the community, which helps raise awareness of Tibet and raise funds for the monks’ monastery, and boosts interest and membership in CTC.

Such a visit always requires a lot of organization beforehand and help at the time. The decision as to whether on not to invite the monks to Victoria will depend, in part, on whether we have people who would like to take on some of the work involved.

At this point we aren’t sure of dates but if you think you might be able to help with this, please contact Joe Dorscher: victoria@tibet.ca, / phone 250-380-1235, as soon as possible as a decision will have to be made very soon.

Thanks for your support.

CTC Victoria

Copyright 2008 Comité Canada Tibet Committee
300, Léo-Pariseau, Suite 2250,
Montréal, Québec H2X 4B3
514.487.0665 Fax 514.487.7825

Contact Information: If you have any comments or questions, please email ctcoffice@tibet.ca.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

ZenDotStudio - Local Artist Carole Leslie


Local artist, Carole Leslie, creates acrylic and mixed media work inspired by her Zen practice and offers originals, prints, cards and journals with a Buddhist theme under the name of Zendotstudio. Commissions are also possible. A recent commission included a Bodhi leaf brought as a gift for someone from Bodhgaya. One of her pieces called, "Forest Buddha" was featured in the summer issue of Tricycle Magazine and another, called, "Buddha, Dharma Bingo" will appear in the fall issue of Buddhadharma Magazine.


You can find her art for sale via:

http://www.zendotstudio.blogspot.com

http://www.zendotstudio.etsy.com

http://icraft.ca/zendotstudio


Or contact her directly at wordish@shaw.ca