We are having a silent auction of Dharma objects at Albany KTC! Come and see the display of objects large and small in the Shrine room and make a bid on anything you like. Finale is at the Members meeting on July 23.
On the weekend of April 8-9th, we hosted Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin who gave a wonderful talk and teaching on Mind Training, translated by Tenzin Choenyi.
On Sunday, April 23rd, after a short meditation, we traveled to KTD for lunch and Earth Dayactivities. The vegan snacks were amazing!
On Sunday, March 12th, we continued our introductory series of teachings with The Importance of Having a Spiritual Friend.
On Sunday, March 19th, we held a members’ meeting followed by a potluck lunch. Some items had to be deferred due to light attendance. We’ll follow-up with another members’ meeting soon.
On the weekend of Feb. 10 to 12, we enjoyed the webcast of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s teaching at KTD, Karme Chakme’s Prayer for Offering Prostrations. This teaching was especially pertinent and helpful for those doing Ngondro, the foundation practice.
On Tuesday, Feb. 28th we held our celebration of Losar, the Tibetan New Year of the Fire Bird with prayers and delicious refreshments. It was a happy and enjoyable event.
On Sunday, Jan. 8th, our new shrine was blessed by Lama Karma Drodul and Lama Zopa.
The blessing was followed by a celebratory reception.
On Saturday, Jan. 14th, we held the first long-term planning meeting to reflect on our history
and purpose as a center and to plan further ahead. This was open to all. Another meeting of this
type will be scheduled in the summer.
January Program **SAVE THE DATE**
On Saturday and Sunday, January 7-8, 2017, we will have the pleasure of hosting Lama Karma Drodul, who will give a Medicine Buddha teaching and empowerment on Saturday and a public talk, From Doubt to Faith and Devotion, on Sunday AM. On Sunday afternoon, Lama Karma will join us in a special blessing for our new shrine.
November Programs
Saturday, Nov. 5th, was the last day of the powerful Long Life Thrangu Drupchod and Amitayus empowerment led by Lodro Nyima Rinpoche at KTD. The following weekend, this special teacher gave a wonderful teaching on Bodhicitta.
From Friday through Sunday, Nov. 18-20, we enjoyed Khenpo Rinpoche’s webcast teaching, Blessings of Mani Pills.
We have been delighted with the visit of Chamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche to Kagyu centers in the Northeast, including Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, where we greeted Rinpoche on Friday, September 30, and enjoyed a teaching on meditation based on the Mahamudra Lineage Prayer on Saturday October 1. Rinpoche last came 18 years ago, and a lot has changed since then, but his buoyant presence and his use of English seemed just the same.
This month Albany KTC will begin offering a series of eight introductory teachings based on Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s recent book Excellent at the Beginning; Discovering the Buddhist Way. The series will be taught by senior students. This is very important information for people new to our center and a good review for more experienced practitioners as well. The book is available for sale at the center.
The first two talks will be
Oct. 23: Connecting with the Buddhist teachings, taught by Laura Roth.
Oct. 30: The Practice of Meditation, taught by Laura Roth.
On Saturday, August 13th, we had the honor of hosting David Karma Choephel, who gave an excellent day-long teaching on the Heart Sutra.
On Sunday August 7th, and again on Sunday August 21st, Lama Zopa gave wonderful teachings on The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind to Dharma. He covered the first 2 of the thoughts and included meditations relevant to the teachings covered. This important series will continue in September with the 3rd thought, Karmic Cause and Effect.
On Saturday, August 13 David Karma Choephel will give a one-day teaching on The Heart Sutra, an important Mayayana text. Times are 10-12 AM and 2:30-4:30 PM. This is a return visit by popular demand from a well-received talk last fall.
June Events
On Saturday, June 4th, we exhibited at the Albany VegFest at the Polish-American Community Center. It was a great time, meeting lots of wonderful people, sharing what we have in common, and sampling some delicious food. We hope to do this again next year.
On Sunday, June 12th, Lama Zopa gave the mantra/dharani transmissions for Medicine Buddha and Shakyamuni Buddha, along with a short teaching.
On Sunday, June 26th, we started a new book study, Shantideva’s classic,Way of the Bodhisattva.
Save the date: On Saturday, August 13th, translator David Karma Choephel will be back to Albany KTC to give a more detailed teaching on the Heart Sutra in 2 sessions. His first teaching was wonderful, but the time was too limited. This will be good.
During May, Lama Zopa was interviewed by the religion editor for the Times Union, Rob Brill. who asked about how he came to be a Buddhist and our resident Lama. To view the TU article, click the link:
A guide on the path of Dharma – Albany Times Union, 5:14:2016
Saturday, May 21st was Saka Dawa, the full moon day in May when the Birth, Enlightenment, and Parinirvana of the Buddha are celebrated. On this auspicious day there is a special ceremony at Karme Ling retreat center in Delhi, NY, during which the ashes of those who had died during the previous year are interred in the Columbarium. This is the conclusion of the annual three-day Amitabha retreat. A group from Albany KTC came to attend the ceremony on behalf of Lou Ferayorni, our dear friend and cofounder of Albany KTC. After many prayers and the burning of sheets of paper with the names of the deceased as well as others listed by the participants, a procession was formed when relatives and friends carries the urns, made of African granite, into the columbarium. Everyone present crowded in and recited the long Amitabha aspiration prayer.
Last Month
On Saturday & Sunday, March 19-20, we enjoyed two great teachings by Lama Tobden:
“8 Pieces of Brocade” Qi Gong exercises to tone the flow of chi (energy) and improve health, and a wonderful guided meditation on Chenrezig.
Next Month
Lama Zopa will teach a series on The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Dharma beginning on May 1.
At Karma Ling retreat center there will be an Amitabha retreat on May 19-21. On the afternoon of the last day, Saturday May 21, there will be an interment ceremony for the ashes of those who have died, including our dear friend and KTC founder Lou Ferayorni. Members of Albany KTC are planning to carpool for this event. Details to follow. Let Joan Atkins (872-1629) know if you are interested in going.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT –– PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Last Month
On Saturday, January 23rd, we held our first group Ngondro (foundation) practice which began with a teaching by Lama Zopa. This group was requested by and is restricted to Ngondro practitioners who will continue to meet once a month for group practice. People interested in starting Ngondro should interview with Lama Zopa.
This Month
Lama Zopa will be away for most of the month. He is leaving on February 11th for India and will return on the 27th. We wish him a safe and fulfilling trip.
On November 13-15 we watched a webcast from KTD of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche teaching on The Benefits of Offering Butter Lamps. This turned out to be fascinating. Rinpoche talked about the merit we acquire through offering light to the Buddha and to enlightened beings, and some esoteric ideas of colors of containers, such as a white container that may be a turnip! At the end a group of students brought in butter lamps they had created under Lama Karuna’s guidance, including small brass and turnip lamps and one huge one.
On November 22nd, we saw and heard the first half of Mingyur Rinpoche’s wonderful teaching on meditating with sound, “Union of Sound and Emptiness”. The second half will be shown in January.
We were delighted to welcome David Karma Choephel to Albany KTC on October 13. He gave a wonderful teaching on the Heart Sutra, one of the most profound but least understood teachings in Mahayana Buddhism. A translator and a monk, David Karma Choephel brought to this teaching a depth of understanding from working with the most eminent masters of the Tibetan Buddhist Karma Kagyu tradition.
On October 23 and 24 we enjoyed a visit from Lama Kathy Wesley, a popular teacher from Columbus KTC. She gave a public talk “Making Life a Spiritual Journey” on Friday evening, and taught on Saturday on “Aspiration and Inspiration; Deepening Dharma Practice”. She inspired us with her kindness and wisdom.
Albany KTC is located in the Doane Stuart School at 199 Washington Ave in Rensselaer. Park in the lot on Forbes Avenue to the left side of the school, and enter on that side, the last set of doors from the front.
Last Month
On Sunday, August 2nd, we held our Annual Summer Picnic, at the Colonie Town Park, in beautiful shady spot near the Mohawk River. Many people came and we had a great time!
Special Event
From Friday through Sunday, September 25-27, Lama Losang, visiting from Florida, will give his popular teaching, The Art of Living. Hours are Friday from 7-8:30PM, Saturday and Sunday from 9:30AM to noon and from 2:30-4PM.
Last Month:
On Saturday, July 4th, we celebrated Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s 92nd birthday at KTD.
On Friday and Saturday, July 17-18, we showed the webcast of Khenpo Karthar’s teaching on Nyungne, Part 2.
Coming up:
On Tuesday, September 1st, at 7 PM, Lama Yeshe Tsultrim, visiting from Wisconsin, will give a public talk, Practical Advice for Helping Others. Save the date
Last Month:
On Saturday, June 6th, we enjoyed a wonderful field trip to Vassar College to see the exhibit on the art of Chenrezig/Avalokiteshvara, curated and explained beautifully by Karen Lucic; as well as a trip to Tubten Choling Tibetan Center in Wappingers Falls. We met and made offerings to Lama Norlha, saw the beautiful stupa, and toured the new retreat center. All had a great time.
Upcoming Special Events:
On August 2nd we will have a picnic at Colonie Town Park. Bring a vegetarian dish or non alcoholic beverage to share.
***Special Event***: Lama Karma Drodul will visit Albany KTC on the weekend of May 9-10. He will lead our Green Tara practice on Saturday from 9:30 – 11:30 AM and will give a talk on Sunday at 10:30 AM. For more details see the May Schedule.
April Events: The last half of April was an exciting time, as His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, arrived at his seat at KTD and gave many wonderful teachings, including public talks at the Ulster Performing Arts Center and in the town of Woodstock, an empowerment for KTD members, teachings at KTD, and visits to Karme Ling Retreat Center in Delhi, NY. The Karmapa also visited Kagyu centers in Redhook and Wappingers Falls. For more information, including webcasts of the teachings and wonderful pictures, please visit KTD’s website: www.kagyu.org or visit www.karmapaamerica2015.org
On the weekend of March 13-15, 2015, we presented a live webcast of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s teaching at KTD on Why Buddhists Are Giving Up Meat.
On Thursday, February 19, we had a wonderful Losar, Tibetan New Year celebration for the Wood Sheep Year. Khenpo Tenkyong came for his first visit to our center along with a number of people from our KTD family.
On Saturday, January 10, Lama Lodro Lhamo inspired us with a one-day teaching and practice of the female buddha Green Tara. This is the long form of the Green Tara Sadhana—The Profound Essence of Tara—that is done daily at KTD. We now plan to do the Green Tara practice once a month on a Saturday morning from 9 to 10:30. Participants should refrain from eating meat before the puja.
Lama Zopa brought back a beautiful Mandala from Nepal, which is now set up in front of our shrine. People are welcome to decorate it with semiprecious stones and coins.
On Friday Evening and Saturday, December 5 and 6 we had a wonderful teaching by Lama Losang. He gave us an rigorous introduction to Chinese healing methods, outlining meridians connected with our various organs, and showing us some key acupressure/acupuncture points for healing a variety of ills. We also had a brief introduction to Chi Kung. Lama Losang promised to return in the future for further teachings on this fascinating subject.
