Saturday, June 25, 9:00am – Noon, In-Person* or via Zoom
Enhance your practice of Bodhichitta Mind and meditation during this special opportunity in Saka Dawa month. Geshe Rapgyal offers this retreat for the benefit of all students seeking to practice the path.
*In-person participants must wear a while inside DGCEC; no beverages, please.
Register HERE to attend In-Person or via Zoom or call 502-614-5616. An offering of $15, $20 or $25 helps us run our dharma center.
Saka Dawa Month 2022: Tuesday, May 31 – Wednesday, June 29
Buddha Shakyamuni’s Life and the Practice of Bodhichitta Mind an invitation to practice from Geshe Kalsang Rapgyal
For the followers of Buddhism, Saka Dawa is a month both holy and auspicious. This month consists of three special occasions: the conception of Buddha Shakyamuni, his attaining of enlightenment, and his passing away. Because of this reason, Buddhist monasteries, centers and individual followers offer auspicious actions including engaging in their daily virtuous practices such as recitations of daily prayers, mediation and so on. Especially on the fifteenth day of the month – which is the full moon on which Buddha attained enlightenment – there are many good traditions for observing the day such as events reflecting on the great qualities of Buddha’s body, speech and mind, as well as engaging more deeply in profound practices and generating virtuous deeds.
The essential practice of Buddhism is abstaining from harming others, the practices of compassion and loving-kindness, and meditation on the view of dependent origination. Buddha mentioned this in his direct discourse (sutra): Do not commit any unwholesome action, cultivate a wealth of virtuous action, tame one’s mind completely — This is the teaching of the Buddhas.
The Great Master Shantideva explains how to train our minds in this teaching: One should first earnestly meditate on the equality of oneself and others in this way: All equally experience suffering and happiness, and I must protect them as I do myself.
Practicing and reflecting on the Four Immeasurables is also helpful.
May all beings have happiness and the cause of happiness,
May all beings be free from suffering and the cause of suffering,
May all beings never lose the happiness beyond all suffering,
May all beings abide in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion.
Therefore, I would like to request that our dharma friends of DGCEC reflect on these words, make your best effort in the daily practices of body, speech and mind through your recitations, meditation and dedication practices throughout this month, and do your best to participate in events at the center.
- Geshe Kalsang Rapgyal, DGCEC’s Executive Director and Spiritual Teacher
