Quote of the Week: Seven Prides

(407) Fancying that one is lower than the lowly,
Or equal with the equal,
Or greater than or equal to the lowly –
All these are called the pride of selfhood.
(408) Boasting that one is equal to those
Who by some good quality are superior to oneself
Is called exceeding pride.
Fancying that one is superior to the superior,
(409) Thinking that [...]

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Shantideva August 29

Chapter 6 verse 47. “Having been instigated by my own actions, Those who cause me harm come into being.”
Explain these sentences and relate them to verse 46. Does this mean that the physical existence of people who are causing us harm is the result of our past negative actions? Are we somehow responsible for their [...]

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Light of the Path video on demand

For those of you who can’t make it to the Light of the Path retreat, take heart! You can still listen in.
(source: FPMT Yahoo group email, Aug-26-2009, this is an excerpt from the text written by Merry Colony Director, FPMT Education Services)
“We are delighted to announce that Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s upcoming Light of the Path [...]

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Mahamudra Retreat 2009 Photos Available

Here are some photos from the Mahamudra retreat. The photos of Rinpoche and the khatas are a little blurry, but I kind of like them because they seem so illusion-like and dreamy (that’s just my excuse for not being a good photographer!).

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2009 Mahamudra Retreat Recordings Available

Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche’s beautiful and very clearly presented teachings on Mahamudra are available for download as mp3 files on our website (near the bottom of the page). Rinpoche started from the beginning of the root text and completed his entire commentary. His teachings on emptiness — a topic that can be confusing due to its [...]

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September Special Events with Ven Khensur Rinpoche

In his final month of this season’s visit to our Center, Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche has very kindly accepted our requests for these precious teachings and an initiation:
Teachings on the Extraordinary Preliminary Practices (Ngondro)
Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6
1 – 4:30 p.m.
8120 Erika Drive, Manassas, VA.
Suggested donation: $75 – $100 members; $125 – $150 nonmembers
Gyumed [...]

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Quote of the Week: Preliminary Practices

Most people want to be given the main practices immediately but do not realize that the person who is unprepared for them will not achieve the results he expects and will soon become discouraged. It is for this reason that such practices can not be given at the outset…To build the house of Dharma, you [...]

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Deliver Something to Lama Zopa?

Dear Friends,
I’ll be attending Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Light of the Path retreat in September.  Here’s a chance to practice a little guru devotion — if you have a small gift for Kyab Je Lama Zopa, I would be happy to take it for you.  I doubt I will have the chance to personally hand it [...]

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Nancy Pearl included a review of The Skull Mantra in her review of mystery novels on National Public Radio this morning. The book is set in Tibet. Here’s an excerpt from her review:
“As we follow Shan [the Chinese Inspector investigating a murder] in his attempts to remain true to his conscience, appease the colonel, [...]

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Question of the Week: Which Dedication Prayers Do You Like?

Which of the many dedication prayers do you like? Feel free to include a verse or two below.

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