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.
Where there is much light, the shadows are deep, and mental poisons cause flowers of greed, envy, and jealousy to bloom.
- From the Heart of Tibet (p. 240) by Elmar Gruber (a new biography of HH Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche)
HH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche
Spiritual Head of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
In the U.S. July 26-September 26
For information on his teaching tour: www.drikungpa2010.net
In Buddhism, lineage is the life-line that connects us to the blessings of the great masters of the past, stretching in an unbroken line to the Buddha himself. As practitioners, study and practice within an authentic lineage is critically important as it ensures that we are practicing genuine Dharma and it provides us with the support of an entire tradition. This summer we have the rare chance of making a personal connection to the head of the Drikung lineage.

The highlight of His Holiness's tour will be a visit to the original Drikung center in the U.S., the Tibetan Meditation Center in Frederick, MD. There, His Holiness will be giving a rare empowerment and related teachings which you can read about at www.drikungtmc.org. Importantly, TMC is hosting a Long Life Offering dedicated to His Holiness on Saturday, August 21st. The Long Life Offering consists of different people or groups presenting offerings of white scarves, money, and other gifts to a particular high lama.

White Lotus Society would like to encourage our members to make a connection with His Holiness either by attending one of the events on his tour or by making a donation towards the offering that White Lotus Society will make on behalf of our center. From now until mid-August, there will be a donation jar on the table in the foyer specifically for this purpose. Please place your donations there OR mail a check to White Lotus with "HHCR" in the memo OR ask Gretchen or Pat about making a donation by credit card. An offering such as this helps the lineage and provides us with a reliable source of teaching. We share in the experience of a vast, living, spiritual family.

Also- a new biography of HH Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche's life has just been published in English and is available for sale in the White Lotus Society Bookstore. From the Heart of Tibet, by Elmar R. Gruber, is a riveting tale of a young boy born to an aristocratic Tibetan family and recognized as the reincarnation of a high lama who at age 10 finds his life dramatically changed when the Chinese arrive at his monastery. It is a story of incredible patience, courage and equanimity in the face of unbelievable hardship and cruelty.

"This is a fascinating, terrifying, moving, and exalting account of a truly great being's success in rising above adversity and making an outstanding contribution to a part of humanity under extreme pressure. I warmly recommend it to anyone who might like to discover a magnificent chest of treasures." Prof. Robert Thurman, author with the Dalai Lama of Infinite Life.

August at White Lotus:

The Annual White Lotus Society Yard Sale: Friday August 06 and Saturday August 07
9:00 AM-5:00 PM both days
Come shop and browse for hidden treasures during the annual Yard Sale. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year for the Dharma center so please spread the word. There is still time to donate your used and pre-enjoyed merchandise - you can put items for donation into the left side of the WLS garage at 11 S. Goodman Street, Rochester 14607. Thank you!
Vajrakilaya Practice: Tuesday, August 3, 17 & 31 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Vajrakilaya is the wrathful form of Vajrasattva - the great purification deity of Vajrayana Buddhism. Please bring your own text if you have one.
Thursday, August 5: Milarepa Tsok Offering 7:00 - 8:30 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.
White Tara Puja: Tuesday, August 10 & 24 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, August 12, 19 & 26 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 and discussion - the book currently being read is Tibetan Tradition of Mental Development, by Tibetan Lama, Ngawang Dhargyey, and other texts from time to time. People may start at any time, no need to have been to previous week’s meetings.
Remember . . . .
This Dharma center continues to exist through the generosity of many beings. Please remember to pay your membership dues. If you are not a member, consider becoming one! Or, of making a one time donation that will help us keep the doors open - both for those already encountering the teachings of Buddha Dharma here AND for the countless beings yet to come. Thank you.

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