Join us as we explore the rich repository of Buddhist Sutras, both Pali Canon and Tibetan Kangyur every first Sunday of the month after the Sunday Service. Sūtra (Pali. sutta) means ‘something that was heard from someone else’ and usually connotes ‘a discourse’. The sutta starts off by describing how the Buddha passes through the village of Kesaputta and is greeted by its inhabitants, a clan called the Kalamas. They ask for his advice: they say that many wandering holy men and ascetics pass through, expounding their teachings and criticizing the teachings of others. So whose teachings should they follow? He delivers in response a sermon that serves as an entry point to the Dhamma, the Buddhist teachings for those unconvinced by mere spectacular revelation.
We will also be having a potluck, so please bring a vegetarian dish to share.
Facilitators: Lama Matthew Rice (Lobpön Palden Gocha) and Daniel Scharpenburg
Text: Kalama Sutta
Join us as we explore the rich repository of Buddhist Sutras, both Pali Canon and Tibetan Kangyur every first Sunday of the month after the Sunday Service. Sūtra (Pali. sutta) means ‘something that was heard from someone else’ and usually connotes ‘a discourse’. In this very short sūtra, the Buddha explains to a nāga king and an assembly of monks that reciting the four aphorisms of the Dharma is equivalent to recitation of all of the 84,000 articles of the Dharma. He urges them to make diligent efforts to engage in understanding the four aphorisms (also called the four seals), which are the defining philosophical tenets of the Buddhist doctrine.
We will also be having a potluck, so please bring a vegetarian dish to share.
Facilitators: Lama Matthew Rice (Lobpön Palden Gocha) and Daniel Scharpenburg
Text: The Questions of the Nāga King Sāgara
Interested in becoming an official member of the Rime Center? Beginning Wednesday August 30th, join us at 7:45 pm for two one hour sessions covering the following topics:
- Introductions, and overview of Tibetan Buddhism;
- What does it mean to be Rime;
- The organizational structure of the Rime Center and explanation of the center’s outreach programs;
- Program Events and service opportunities.
Upon completion of the classes, students are inducted as new members of the Rime Center sangha and are given a mala personally blessed by H.H. Dalai Lama.
This event will be in-person and online.
Go to Rime Membership Class to register for the class.
In her visit to the Rime Center in 2014, Lama Lena recommended that the Rime Center perform tsoks on a regular basis as a way to benefit the sangha and build stronger bonds with each other. But what is a tsok?
In this pop-up class Lama Matthew Palden Gocha will introduce the practice of the Tibetan tsok. He will talk about the origins of the practice along with how to perform the ritual from his personal experience. In the book, “Handbook for Half Buddhas” Tulku Yeshe Rinpoche says, “If you are a tantric practitioner, you should attend Tsok-Kor practice with pure vision or view. In other words, you should view all phenomena as inherently pure and free from defilements of samsara. If you are not a tantric practitioner, you should attend Tsok-Kor practice with a mind focused exclusively on positive thoughts.”
This event is free and in-person only, but space is limited. Please reserve your spot with the registration below.
Have you always wanted to understand Buddhism? Buddhism is a 2,500 year old tradition that teaches us how to end pain and suffering in ourselves and others. This 8 week course will cover the life of the Buddha, basic Buddhist teachings, as well as practical application of these principles in daily life. This event will be in-person with an online option available.
Register Online
Date: 8 sessions beginning on Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Time: 7:45 – 9:00 pm
Class Fee: $50
The main book that will be used for the challenge will be Buddhism for Beginners by Ven. Thubten Chodron. This book takes the most commonly asked questions—beginning with “What is the essence of the Buddha’s teachings?”—and provides simple answers in plain English. Thubten Chodron’s responses to the questions that always seem to arise among people approaching Buddhism make this an exceptionally complete and accessible introduction—as well as a manual for living a more peaceful, mindful, and satisfying Life.
Kick off party for the Basics of Buddhism is Sunday June 18, 2023 at 10:30am and will be during the Sunday Service.
Sunday Dharma Talks beginning June 18th
Each week kicks off a new topic with a Sunday Dharma talk given by Lama Matt and the other Dharma Facilitators. Dharma Talks will be uploaded to the Rime Center’s Podcast each Monday. Participants are then encouraged to read the topic from the book.
Wednesday Online Discussions beginning June 21st
Participants will meet either in-person or online Wednesdays at 7:45 pm to discuss the week’s topic. There will be ample opportunity for questions and discussion about the practice that will include actions that can be applied to daily life/practice.
In this four week class, lead by Soto Zen practitioners, we will learn the Zen style of meditation and explore the form and function of a traditional Zendo. We will talk about, demonstrate, and practice life on the cushion. This class begins during the regular half-day Zen meditation on the first Saturday of February.
Register Online
Instructor: Vickie Reiju Cumberland
Date: Four Sessions beginning on Saturday, February 4, 2023
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Class Fee: $30
Text: None
This class is for anyone who is contemplating on taking the Bodhisattva vows. Taking the Bodhisattva vows one commits to follow the path of a bodhisattva, one who works to lead all sentient beings to perfect enlightenment. The aim of this class is to provide the student with the understanding the what, why and how before making the commitment to take the vows. The Bodhisattva Vows will be given on April 23rd during the Sunday Service.
UPDATE: The class will be online only. Vows will be in-person only.
If you are interested in taking the Bodhisattva vows, please fill out this form and click submit.
Instructor: Lama Matthew Palden Gocha
Date: One Session beginning on Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Class Fee: Free
Text: None
Prerequisite: Basics of Buddhism and Refuge Vows
Meditation has been proven to: lower blood pressure, relieve stress, and help you cope with anxiety. It has also been shown to be very effective with chronic pain, insomnia, and panic disorder. The wonderful thing about meditation is that it can be used anywhere, even on the way to work and has no dangerous side effects. In this one session class you will learn this simple technique that can change your life.
In this workshop you will be introduced to the practice of meditation. Designed to teach you the methods and techniques to help you establish this simple practice. You will learn how to connect to a deeper presence within yourself.
Register Today
Instructor: Sergio Moreno and Lama Matthew Palden Gocha
Date: One Session beginning June 14th, 2023
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
In-Person Only
Class Fee: Free
This class is for anyone who is contemplating on taking the refuge vows. Taking the refuge vows is generally considered to be the doorway to the learning and incorporating the Buddhist tenets into one’s life. The aim of this class is to provide the student with the understanding the what, why and how before making the commitment to take the refuge vows. Refuge & Pratimoksha Vows will be given on March 12th during the Sunday Service.
If you are interested in taking the Refuge vows, please fill out this form and click submit.
Instructor: Lama Matthew Palden Gocha
Date: One Session beginning on Sunday, March 5, 2023
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Class Fee: Free
Text: None
Prerequisite: Basics of Buddhism
This challenge will be practice intensive for those who want to apply their understanding of Bodhicitta with daily practice. We welcome new students who are looking to learn about the Bodhisattva Mind Training and how to apply it to their Buddhist path, as well as experienced students who have insights to share. This event will be in-person with an online option available.
“Peace and happiness can be attained, but not by searching for something in the outside world. They start within us then extend out to the entire globe.” – Khentrul Rinpoche
The main book that will be used for the challenge will be The Power of Mind: A Tibetan Monk’s Guide to Finding Freedom in Every Challenge by Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche. The Power of Mind guides the reader through transformative practices one by one—from recognizing the value of our human life to overcoming the sources of suffering, together with meditation advice for incorporating these insights into our daily lives.
Register today!
Kick off party for the 108 Day Bodhisattva Challenge is Sunday January 1, 2023 at 10:30am and will be during the Sunday Service.
Sunday Dharma Talks beginning January 1st
Each week kicks off a new topic with a Sunday Dharma talk given by Lama Matt and the other Dharma Facilitators. Dharma Talks will be uploaded to the Rime Center’s Podcast each Monday. Participants are then encouraged to read the topic from the book.
Wednesday Online Discussions beginning January 4th
Participants will meet either in-person or online Wednesdays at 7:30 pm to discuss the week’s topic. There will be ample opportunity for questions and discussion about the practice that will include actions that can be applied to daily life/practice.
