Our Activities
Our activities include regular meditation and study sessions, teachings and empowerments by visiting Tibetan lamas, lectures and talks by Tibetan scholars, Tibetan language classes, performances by Tibetan artists, travelogues by visitors to Buddhist lands, and the occasional potluck dinner. Join us! We are located at 11 South Goodman Street, Rochester, New York.
For The Benefit of All Beings
A film being made on H.E. Garchen Rinpoche's life
Click here for information.
Letter To My Teacher
Preface to an upcoming biography of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
Click here to read.
Calendar Notes for January
It is the nature of all-inclusive awakened mind that it is not apparent, for it transcends that which is apparent.
- Longchenpa
Thank you!
Thanks to the generosity of many of you who read these notes, White Lotus Society
reached its $5,000 goal for donations towards the nuns of Samten Choling Nunnery in
Tibet. The funds will go towards helping purchase a vehicle to carry supplies to the
nunnery and hauling much needed bricks to build small houses that will not wash away
in summer rains. Generosity is the first of the six paramitas - so much depends on
this. Thank you.
New on Sundays
"Sunday School" for young children is starting up again. Parents, Don and Elizabeth Boice,
have volunteered to lead a children's group on Sunday mornings, 11 AM-12 PM, while
parents practice in the shrine room. If you have a child in your family and would like to bring
them, please do. They will spend time making offerings and learning a little about
Buddhism each week, read Jataka tales (stories from the previous lives of the Buddha)
and engage in various different activities related to the lessons each week. Geared
for children approximately 4 years to 12 years of age. Please call us at 585-442-5853
or email to info@whitelotusdharma.org if you have questions.
Vajrakilaya Practice: Tuesday, Jan 5 and 19, 7:00 PM
Vajrakilaya is the wrathful form of Vajrasattva - the great purification deity of
Vajrayana Buddhism. Please bring your own text if you have one.
White Tara Puja: Tuesday, Jan 12 and 26, 7:00-8:15 pm
Prayers and meditation on Tara. Tara dispels fear and negativity, subdues obstructors and
afflictive emotions. When practice is done together with others, the merit we gain is multiplied
by the number of practitioners joining us. We invite you to join us! Everyone is welcome.
Thursday Night Study Group, 1/7, 1/14 and 1/28, 7:00-8:30 PM
This is an ongoing course using classical Buddhist texts and meditation to elucidate the path of
practice. Twenty minutes of silent meditation at the beginning and then reading, discussion of
the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra and other texts from time to time. People may start at any time,
no need to have been to previous weeks meetings.
Saturday, Jan. 9: Milarepa Tsok Offering, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
This is a feast offering to the great Tibetan saint, Milarepa. Tsok renews the bonds of
trust and commitment between participants. Everyone welcome! Bring a food or drink offering to share and
join other practitioners in this festive offering to the great yogi and saint of Tibet - Milarepa.
Sunday, Jan. 31: Annual Sangha Meeting, 11:00 AM
Come and hear how your Dharma Center is doing - financial report on 2009, 2010 budget,
information on upcoming programs. This is a great time to ask your questions and offer
help or suggestions. Please attend and show your support!
Ongoing Events
Our regularly scheduled activities are set aside during lama visits.
It is always wise to check our monthly calendar for specific dates and times.
Sundays at White Lotus Society, 11 South Goodman St., Rochester, NY
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM Dharma Talk
Featuring a Dharma talk, meditation instruction and questions
and answers.
Suitable for beginners as well as experienced practitioners.
11:00 AM - Noon Prayers and Meditation
Practice of various Sadhanas (Buddhist meditation practices) or
reciting of aspirational prayers, no formal instruction or talk. We focus on
practices we have received from visiting lamas. They include:
Buddha Amitabha Practice
Vajrasattva Practice
Amitabha Monlam
Tara Practice
To see which practice we will do this Sunday, check our monthly calendar
Special Events
Lama Visits
Several times a year, we host visiting Tibetan lamas. The schedule generally involves teaching
on Buddhist texts and empowerments and instruction for specific Buddhist practices. Usually,
we are able to offer personal interviews with the lama. We strongly recommend attending a
lama visit. These highly realized teachers are able to make the dharma come alive in unique
and powerful ways. Check our upcoming events for the next lama visit.
For more information about meditation and Buddhist practice:
Call the White Lotus Society at (585) 442-5853 or e-mail us at info@whitelotusdharma.org
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