JEWEL HEART STUDY PROGRAM
NEW CLASSES STARTING
Registration for the following courses and workshops will take place the first session of the course. Please plan to come 15-20 minutes early. All courses are held at Jewel Heart Cleveland, 2670 W. 14th St.
Jewel Heart Cleveland offers its courses to all, regardless of ability to pay. If you are unable to afford any course fee, please speak to your instructor about the possibility of a partial or full scholarship.
Gateway to the Spiritual Path - begins January 17th
Building a solid spiritual foundation through preparatory practices is the main focus of this course. Transforming Negativities and the Three Principles of the Path by Gelek Rimpoche provide the basis of study.
8 week course fee $80, free for supporting members
Thursdays 7:30 - 9:00pm (note this start time is later than other classes)
Sarah Ralston and Dawn Wegenek will lead
Preregister by calling Dawn at (216) 631-1666 or arrive 15 min. early for first class.
Ganden Lha Gyema - begins February 25th
One of the most popular practices in the Tsong Khapa tradition, the Ganden Lha Gyema deepens our connection with the enlightened through meditational exercises that enrich our inner development on the spiritual path. Grounded in appreciation for our spiritual teacher, the Ganden Lha Gyema practice uplifts us through familiarity with generosity, respect, purification, rejoicing, and many other beneficial activities. This course also offers instruction on specific visualization practices interwoven with the mantra commonly referred to as Migstema.
8 week course $80, free for supporting members
Mondays 7:00 - 8:30pm
Anne Warren and Susan Kirchner will lead
Workshop: Arranging an Altar - January 19th
In this informal workshop we will learn how to set up a traditional Tibetan altar as well as how to adapt the altar to your personal space. We will also discuss how and why we make offerings with hands-on practice.
Suggested donation $10 (this is a suggestion only, please come and offer what you can)
Saturday January 19th 11:00am - 12:30pm
Susan Kirchner and David Hunter will lead
Sunday Talks
Join us for introductory Buddhist-inspired talks on contemporary issues. Open to all, these sessions are wonderful for beginners as well as helpful for continuing students, and include guided meditation and time for questions.
Sundays (dates as noted) 11:00 am - noon
free, donations welcome
Sunday February 3rd, "Refuge - The Key to a Meaningful Life" talk by David Hunter
Six Session Guru Yoga course
This 10 week course is open to all who have taken Highest Yoga Tantra initiation. Based on Gelek Rimpoche's transcripts, the course will cover the short and long Six Session Yoga, a primary commitment for Vajrayana practitioners that deepens the understanding of guru yoga. Each session will include presentation, discussion and guided visualizations.
Wednesdays beginning Feb. 20. Course fee $100 or free for JH members.
Contact David Hunter for more information or to preregister216-651-5501 dhunter101usa@yahoo.com
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JH CLEVELAND ACTIVITIES:
Tibetan Language Class
Pema Shelling will continue to teach Tibetan Language most Saturdays from 10am-noon. Students receive individual attention, and can join the class at any time. The current class includes some who are learning the alphabet and some who are reading Ganden Lha Gyema in Tibetan. Either conversation or classical Tibetan can be learned according to one's interest.
Suggested donation: $10-20 per class. Since this class is not part of the Jewel Heart study program, the suggested donation applies to JH members as well. If you cannot afford this and wish to attend, please contact Anne 216-691-5950. For class dates, call Anne or Pema-la 216-795-1776.
Compulsory Tsoh dates for those with Heruka or Vajrayogini initiation.
If you have received these initiations but cannot come to the center on these dates, contact Susan K. for information on how to do a Tsoh on your own, to keep your commitment.
Tuesday, January 2 Vajrayogini Tsoh, 7-9 pm Open to initiates only.
Friday, January 18 Lama Chopa Tsoh, 7-9pm All are welcome to attend.
JH CLEVELAND NEWS
Jewel Heart's First Friday night Potluck and Fall Sangha Gathering in November was well attended. Those present enjoyed the food, the company, and hearing news about upcoming events from JH Cleve President Sarah Ralston and other members of the Sangha Council Executive Committee. The evening also marked the beginning of Lora's Blue Lotus imports grand bazaar, with 15% of sales going to Jewel Heart. Thanks, Lora for the $300+ you raised for the center!
The Holiday Art Sale and Open House was packed with ArtWalk shoppers who had a chance to finish gift shopping from 11 different artists. Again, 15% of sales go to support Jewel Heart and the two-day events gives Jewel Heart greater visibility in the general community.
An enthusiastic purification crew, aka the cleaning dakas and dakinis, had the center in great shape for the Tsongkhapa day tsoh held Dec. 4. About 20 people attended the beautiful ceremony. Flyers explaining the Tsoh offering for new people are available at the center.
Three courses, the Vajrayogini course, the Odyssey to Freedom and Lamrim 1 that have all been running for over a year are finishing up in Dec. and Jan. Congratulations to 'graduates'! We look forward to a full schedule of courses and workshops next year, beginning with Gateway in mid-Jan.
On Dec 2 the Sangha Council Executive Committee held its bimonthly meeting to plan future events and ensure smooth functioning of the center. Any suggestions for consideration by the SCEC can be put in the suggestion box or given to any instructor or SCEC member.
JH NATIONAL NEWS
Very exciting news! His Holiness the Dalai Lama has accepted an invitation by Jewel Heart, Garrison Institute and the Tibet Fund to give a teaching in Ann Arbor on April 19 and 20, 2008. Go to jewelheart.org and link to the website shown there for more information, including the topic of the teaching and ticketing information. A number of talks and events surrounding His Holiness' visit are in the planning stages. These will include a visit by Gelek Rimpoche to Cleveland,- stay tuned for more information on this.
The Jewel Heart Winter retreat (restricted to Vajrayana students) will be held in Ann Arbor Feb. 8-17. A Solitary Hero Yamantaka initiation will be given, followed by Cittamani Tara initiation and teachings. Those wishing to enter Vajrayana should talk with Susan if they have any questions, and will also need to let Hartmut Sagolla in the JH National Office also know of their interest (734-994-3387). Harmut will give the names to Gelek Rimpoche, who will determine those eligible for initiation.
Dates for Spring and Summer retreats will be announced soon. These are open retreats, and are wonderful for both new and continuing students.
Gelek Rimpoche has had a very busy travel schedule this fall, giving teachings and retreats in the Netherlands, Malaysia and Singapore. In January, he will lead a Jewel Heart pilgrimage trip to Buddhist holy places in India and Nepal, culminating in several days a Drepung monastery in South India. Several Clevelanders and ex-Clevelanders will be on this trip. Extensive offerings will be made to benefit all beings and especially all those connected with Jewel Heart - remember to rejoice greatly in this pilgrimage to increase the great benefits for all!
Cleveland
2670 W 14th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
PHONE: 216-687-1617
For information about any of the events in this newsletter, contact Bill or Susie Kirchner at (330) 722-7770 evenings before 8PM or email
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May all beings have happiness.
May they be free from suffering.
May they find the joy that has never known suffering
May they be free from attachment and hatred.
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