Introductory Classes and Meditations
Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life
Instructions on how to live a life grounded in love and compassion, integrating the path to enlightenment into daily living
H. H. the Dalai Lama has often praised this text as the most important work on living with compassion and cultivating bodhichitta (the altruistic heart intent on awakening for all beings). The text is a beautiful, often moving, extensive poem in ten chapters. One of its unique features is that the majority of the text is accessible to newer students (who are deeply interested in living a life of compassion) while also being highly relevant to those who’ve been practicing for a long while.
Please Note: While this is not really a beginner’s level class and may present some unfamiliar material to newer students, all are welcome to these classes who wish to explore Buddhist teachings on living a life of deep engagement with compassion.
Introduction to Buddhism
These informal classes meet approximately twice a month and provide an overview of the Buddhist path to enlightenment. The Buddha taught us how to lead happier, more fulfilling lives and our goal is to share this understanding and some useful techniques that really work.
The classes include instruction on meditation, the meaning of dharma, understanding the mind, the four noble truths, karma, and much more.
Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions and share their experiences.
Facilitators: Jan Jacobs Apr 11, May 2; Jodi Schmitt Apr 25, May 16
Location: in person at the Center
Dates: April 11, 25; May 2, 16, 2026 11 AM - 12:30PM
Suggested Donations: $15 for non-members and $10 for members. No one is turned away due to a lack of funds. Donate online.
Please check the calendar to confirm.
Daily Purification Practices: Vajrasattva
It is explained in Lama Tsongkhapa’s Explanation of Root Downfalls, that if you always abide carelessly, it is like being bitten by a snake. Even very small vices expand so quickly and degenerate the body and mind so quickly. If you recite the 100-syllable [Vajrasattva mantra] twenty-one times before going to bed at the end of the day, that purifies any negative karma collected that day with the body, speech and mind.
"Doing Vajrasattva is not simply about reciting the mantra and saying some prayers. It is about making the practice effective for your mind, making it the quickest, most powerful way to transform your mind. Experienced meditators have advised that, in general, it is more important to put your everyday life’s effort into the practice of purification. This is the way to attain spiritual realization." Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
In this class we will discuss the Vajrasattva purification method, its benefits, and how to apply it to our daily lives.
Facilitator: Gabe Mata
Location: in person at the Center
Date: Sunday May 3, 2026 10 - 11:30 AM
Suggested Donations: $15 for non-members and $10 for members. No one is turned away due to a lack of funds. Donate online.
Please check the calendar to confirm.
Daily Purification Practices: Mandala Offering
"The mandala offering is an extremely powerful method for accumulating extensive merit and receiving realizations such as bodhicitta and emptiness quickly. Just as great strength is needed to carry a heavy load, a great amount of merit is needed to lead all sentient beings to enlightenment. There's nothing that can be offered with your hands that is more meritorious than offering mandalas." Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
In this class we will learn how to offer a mandala; how to do the offering before teachings with mudra, and how to incorporate this in our daily practice.
Facilitator: Gabe Mata
Location: in person at the Center
Date: Sunday May 17, 2026 10 - 11:30 AM
Suggested Donations: $15 for non-members and $10 for members. No one is turned away due to a lack of funds. Donate online.
Please check the calendar to confirm.