Cleveland Programs January – February 2016
Death and Dying Workshop, March 5
Shakyamuni Buddha said that just as an elephant’s footprints make the deepest impressions of any animal, thinking about death makes the deepest impression on our minds. Confronting our own death or the death of others, we all feel the need for guidance and practical suggestions: how do we prepare ourselves for dying and what can we do to help ourselves or others when death is imminent?
The day long workshop, led by Hartmut Sagolla, will cover some of the many teachings Gelek Rimpoche has given on this topic, presenting the material in a very down-to-earth practical way. The workshop will include guided meditation as well as plenty of time for questions and discussion.
The workshop is open to all. A free-will offering will be gratefully accepted to benefit future Jewel Heart Programs.
Saturday, March 5, 11-1 pm and 2-4:30 pm We suggest bringing a brown bag lunch.
Heruka Yab-Yum Great Bliss Festival (aka Compulsory Tsohs)
January 4 and 19 are the two Tsoh days in 2016 that are mandatory for those who have taken any Mother Tantra initiation such as Heruka or Vajrayogini. Please bring your practice texts to the group practices; we may not have enough copies at the center for everyone.
On Monday, January 4, 7-11 pm, we have the opportunity to participate via webinar in doing a Vajrayogini self-initiation and tsoh. A group will meet at JH Cleveland but individuals can also sign in to webinar or do a Vajrayogini or Lama Chopa tsoh on their own.
Tuesday, January 19, 7-8:30 pm Lama Chopa tsoh at JH Cleveland for those not at retreat.
Vajrayana Salons
These informal discussion sessions are for those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation. They offer a chance for us to relax and discuss whatever we choose – our practice with its difficulties and delights or other topics – in a group of supportive sangha friends.
Sunday, Jan.10, 1-2:30 Suggested topic: Yamantaka and whatever people would like to talk about
Sunday, Feb. 14 , 1-2:30 pm Topic to be announced
Sangha Gathering Followup
On Dec. 27, Sangha members enjoyed a potluck lunch and lively discussion during the Sangha Council Executive Council meeting held following lunch. As a result of peoples’ suggestions the following actions will be added to our current schedule:
- Add information to window sign to indicate that Jewel Heart is a Buddhist Center.
- Death and Dying workshop – now scheduled for March 5 (see above).
- Cleveland Dharma instructors to stay in touch with each other and meet several times a year.
- Explore possibility of Welcome to Jewel Heart event/s to be followed by introductory level course in 2016 – to add your input or be a part of planning this, contact Dawn wegenek at att dot net or Sarah sarah at kpphoto dot com.
- Explore possible changes to weekly schedule to accommodate instructor availability.
- Hold similar ‘open forum’ meetings several times a year, and continue quarterly social events.
Sangha Council Exec Committee meetings
These bi-monthly (6 times a year) meetings are held to discuss and plan Jewel Heart Cleveland activities and consolidate informations for the newsletter. Our officers (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, store manager, etc., as well as dharma coordinators and instructors) attend most meetings, but other sangha members (this means you!) are also invited to attend meetings and/or submit matters for the agenda to Sarah Ralston, our prez, sarah at kpphoto dot com.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 5:30-6:30 pm
Monthly Lama Chopa and Vajrayogini Tsohs
Our Cleveland sangha is now offering tsoh around the 10th and 25th days of each Tibetan month. On the 10th (or Heruka) days we will do a Lama Chopa tsoh, which is open to all, and on the 25th Vajrayogini long sadhana with tsoh, which is restricted to those with Mother Tantra initiation. You are invited to bring an offering of fruit, bread or pastries
Monday, Jan. 4, 7-11 pm Compulsory Tsoh for Mother Tantra practitioners, see note above
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 7-8:30 pm Compulsory Tsoh for Mother Tantra practitioners – Lama Chopa Tsoh
Wednesday, Feb. 3, Vajrayogini Tsoh, 7-8:30 pm
Dates and times for remaining February tsohs will be announced later
Jewel Heart Study Program
Continuing class:
Guru Devotion: The Uncommon Teachings
This class is restricted to those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation.
Required transcript: Gelek Rimpoche’s transcript Guru Devotion: How to Integrate the Primordial Enlightened Mind, The Uncommon Teachings
Instructors: Anne Warren, Susan Kirchner and other JH Cleveland instructors.
Resuming Tuesday, January 5, 7-8:30 pm. The schedule of dates and readings will be emailed to class attendees.
Concentrated meditation practice evenings, Thursdays 7:30-8:30 pm
This free weekly practice session offers Q&A or brief meditation instruction at 7:30 pm and two silent sittings. Beginners are welcome.
Led by Mike Sherman and others
No meditation session on Jan. 21.
Vajrayogini Self-Initiation Practice
All who have completed a Vajrayogini mantra retreat and fire puja are invited to join group practice of the self-initiation and tsoh on the first Sunday each month from 1-5 pm. These sessions will be in addition to our twice monthly tsohs.
NO PRACTICE Jan. 3 due to compulsory tsoh on Jan. 4
Sunday, Feb. 7, 1-4 pm
Sunday, Mar. 6, 1-4 pm
Reading Group adjourned until March
The JH Cleveland reading group will meet again in March – watch for details in the next newsletter. We will be discussing Ethics for a New Millennium by HH the Dalai Lama.
Cleveland Programs November – December 2015
Lama Chopa Tsoh in honor of Je Tsongkhapa, Losang Drakpa
This year Saturday, December 5 is Ganden Ngam Chu, the day Tibetans commemorate the life and enlightening activities of Je Rimpoche, often known as Je Tsongkhapa. On this evening, thousands of butter lamps are offered in Tibetan communities throughout the world.
At Jewel Heart Cleveland, we will offer a traditional Lama Chopa offering ceremony (with at least 108 light offerings!), reciting in a combination of English and Tibetan, with copies of the practice available at the center. All are welcome to participate. Please bring an offering of food such as bread, cake or fruit, which participants may share after the ceremony. Vajrayana students, please bring your ritual implements.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 5:00-7:00 pm
NOTE EARLIER TIME: Since this event falls on a weekend, we are trying out an earlier time for this event, to give people a chance to go out afterward if they want. Please let us know what you think.
Vajrayana Salons
NEW! We are going to try posting suggested topics for each session in advance – let’s see how it goes! You can give proposed topics to Susan, Anne or Sarah. As always, feedback is welcomed!
These informal discussion groups are for those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation only. It is a chance for us to relax and discuss our practice with its difficulties and delights along with whatever other topics we choose in a group of supportive sangha friends.
Sunday, Nov. 8, 1-2:30 Suggested topic: Emptiness point person: Anne Warren
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1-2:30 pm Suggested topic: Death and dying and/or Yamantaka point person: James Jorah
Holiday Sangha Gathering and Potluck, Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 pm to 3ish
Come enjoy a delicious meal and spend some quality time with other sangha members. Bring a dish to share – the usual hot drinks, plates, napkins, and cutlery will be provided.
Don’t cook? Don’t worry! Bread and cheese, fruit or purchased salads are always welcome – not to mention holiday left-overs! Everyone is welcome, new or old – even if you have never been to JH before, come check us out
We invite everyone to also bring ideas, requests, aspirations and dreams for what you would like to see happening in Jewel Heart Cleveland over the next few years. Sarah Ralston, our president, along with others will describe some of the ways we can go about bringing such ideas into actuality.
Sunday, Dec. 27, 1pm-3ish
Vajrayogini Self-Initiation Practice
All who have completed a Vajrayogini mantra retreat and fire puja are invited to join group practice of the self-initiation and tsoh on the first Sunday each month from 1-5 pm. These sessions will be in addition to our twice monthly tsohs.
Sunday Nov. 1, 1pm-4pm
NOTE No practice on Dec. 6
Sunday Jan. 3, 1pm-4pm
Monthly Lama Chopa and Vajrayogini Tsohs
Our Cleveland sangha is now offering tsoh around the 10th and 25th days of each Tibetan month. On the 10th (or Heruka) days we will do a Lama Chopa tsoh, which is open to all, and on the 25th a Vajrayogini long sadhana with tsoh, which is restricted to those with Mother Tantra initiation. You are invited to bring an offering of fruit, bread or pastries.
Friday, Nov. 6, 7-8:30 pm Vajrayogini tsoh for those with this initiation.
Sunday, Nov. 22, 1-2pm Lama Chopa tsoh, open to all
Saturday, Dec. 5, 5-7pm Lama Chopa tsoh for Je Tsongkhapa Day, open to all
Sunday, Dec. 20, 1-2 pm Lama Chopa tsoh, open to all
Heruka Yab-Yum Great Bliss Festival (aka Compulsory Tsohs)
January 4 and January 19 are the two Tsoh practice dates in 2014 that are mandatory for everyone who has taken a Heruka or other Mother Tantra initiation into Highest Yoga tantra.
Watch for email updates on when these will be held.
Sangha Council Exec Committee meetings
At these bi-monthly (6 times a year) meetings, the nuts and bolts of making Jewel Heart Cleveland’s activities happen are managed. These meetings are also the place we organize material for our newsletter. Our officers (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, store manager, etc., as well as dharma coordinators and instructors) attend most meetings, but other sangha members (this means you!) are also invited to observe meetings and/or submit matters for the agenda to Sarah Ralston, our prez. Our next meeting will be held after the potluck/gathering on Dec. 27.
Jewel Heart Study Program
Continuing class:
Guru Devotion: The Uncommon Teachings
This class is restricted to those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation.
Required transcript: Gelek Rimpoche’s transcript Guru Devotion: How to Integrate the Primordial Enlightened Mind, The Uncommon Teachings
Instructors: Anne Warren, Susan Kirchner and other JH Cleveland instructors
Continuing on Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm
Dates: November 3, 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8, 15, Jan. 5, 12 NO CLASS NOV 24, DEC 22, 29
Concentrated meditation practice evenings
This free weekly practice session offers Q&A or brief meditation instruction at 7:30 pm and two silent sittings from 7:30-8:30 pm. Beginners are welcome.
Led by Mike Sherman and others
Thursdays, 7:30-8:30pm NO PRACTICE ON THANKSGIVING, Dec. 24 or 31
Reading Group adjourned until March
The JH Cleveland reading group will meet again in March. The selected book is Ethics for a New Millennium by HH the Dalai Lama.
Webcast Talks on Contemporary Tibet, Nov. 19 and 20
On November 19 and 20, join Dr. Robert Barnett via webinar for two informative and compelling evenings at Jewel Heart New York! Professor Barnett, the founder and director of the Modern Tibetan Studies Program at Columbia University, will speak on “Film and TV Dramas in Tibet and the Emergence of a Tibetan Perspective” at 7:00pm on Thursday, November 19 and on “Talks About No Talks: Will Chinese-Tibetan Negotiations Ever Happen?” at 7:00pm on Friday, November 20. Registration is required for the webinar as well as for attendance in New York See the Jewel Heart website for details.
