Posted on January 24th, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends

Tuesday 1/24 7 PM short Green Tara sadhana and Confession of Downfalls—cancelled

Sunday 1/29 

• 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana
• 10 – 11 shamata (peace) meditation and tonglen (compassion) meditation
• 11:15 Book study Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva, chapter 6, Patience

May you have a peaceful and healthy week ahead.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

If those who are like wanton children

Are by nature prone to injure others,

There’s no reason for our rage;

It’s like resenting fire for being hot.

               Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

Posted on January 17th, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear dharma friends,

Posted on January 11th, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear dharma friends,

Tuesday 1/10/17  7 PM Short Green Tara sadhana and the Confession of Downfalls (Three Skandha Sutra)

Saturday 1/14/17 10 AM Long-term planning meeting, reflections on where we’ve been and where we’d like to go.  Open to all who are interested.  All members and associates are encouraged to attend.

Sunday 1/15/17

• 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas
• 10 – 11 shamata (peace) meditation and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Lama Zopa will teach on the Four Immeasurables.

Wishing you a blessed and happy week ahead.

Yours in the dharma

Mary Ann Duncan

Compassion and love are not mere luxuries. 

As the source both of inner and external peace, 

they are fundamental to the continued survival of our species.

                        His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lam

Posted on January 3rd, 2017 by Laura Roth

Tuesday 1/3/17 

Posted on December 12th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear dharma friends,

Tuesday 12/13/16 7 PM Short Green Tara sadhana and Confession of Downfalls.  Lama Zopa will also give the reading transmission for the White Tara mantra which we will chant together and dedicate to the health and longevity of our beloved Rinpoche, Khenpo Karthar.

Saturday 12/17 4 – 7 PM Holiday Potluck Party at Marilyn McKee’s home in Albany.  Please bring a vegetarian dish or non-alcoholic beverage to share.  Hope to see you there!  Call or contact Joan Atkins for direction (518) 872-1629 or ktc.director@albanyktc.org

Please note that Doane Stuart school will be closed for their holiday break from 1/16 – 1/2.  We will not, therefore, be in session during that time.

1/1/17 7 AM First Light Celebration Our main monastery, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, in Woodstock, NY will be holding their annual First Light meditation on January 1 at 7 AM.  All are invited to join us in offering prayers and lighting lamps for world peace.  I sincerely hope you will join us in this beautiful celebration and become a beacon of peace.  If you can’t join us in person, please join us in prayer from wherever you are.

Wishing you a blessed, happy and healthy holiday.  May 2017 be filled with peace, harmony and good will toward all beings.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

If you offer lamps to the Sugata’s stupas

You will achieve perfect liberation and possess the ten strengths,

As well as the perfect, unique attributes of a Buddha. 

 – from the Sutra of Chenrezig –

Posted on December 5th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma friends,

Tuesday 12/6 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas

Sunday 12/11

• 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas
• 10 – 11 Shamata meditation (calm abiding) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Continuation of our introductory series.  This week Lama Zopa will teach about The Refuge Vow.

***Save the Dates:

Saturday 12/17 Albany KTC Annual Holiday Party from 4 – 7 at Marilyn McKee’s home.  Please bring a vegetarian dish or non-alcoholic beverage to share. Hope to see you there!  Call or contact Joan Atkins for directions (518) 872-1629 or ktc.director@albanyktc.org.

Saturday and Sunday, January 7-8, 2017 Lama Karma Drodul will give a teaching and empowerment on the Medicine Buddha.  On Sunday morning he will give a talk, From Doubt to Faith and Devotion. Sunday afternoon Lama Karma will bless and consecrate our beautiful new shrine.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

Doane Stuart school will be closed from December 16 until January 2.  Therefore, during those dates, we will also be closed.

Wishing you a happy week ahead.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

Through the power of our mental afflictions, we have been undergoing intolerable suffering in samsara since beginningless time.  This is the reason we go for refuge, and it is what we seek refuge from:  we seek a way to liberate ourselves from this suffering.

Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, Excellent at the Beginning

Posted on November 28th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 11/29  7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana

Saturday 12/3 9:30 AM Ngondro practice for those currently doing Ngondro or who need a dose of inspiration to get going.

Sunday 12/4 

• 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana
• 10 – 11 Shamata meditation (tranquility) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Part 4 of our Introductory series.  Today’s talk, led by Laura Roth, will be on “Sending and Receiving Meditation”

SAVE THE DATE:

Saturday 12/17 Albany KTC Annual Holiday Party from 4 – 7 at Marilyn McKee’s home.  Please bring a vegetarian dish or non-alcoholic beverage to share. Hope to see you there!  Call or contact Joan Atkins for directions (518) 872-1629 or ktc.director@albanyktc.org.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

Doane Stuart school will be closed from December 16 until January 2.  Therefore, during those dates, we will also be closed.

Wishing you a healthy and blessed week ahead.

Yours in the Dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

The seed of compassion is innate within all of us, which is to say our basic nature is fundamentally good, virtuous and compassionate.

               Compassion Now by the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

Posted on November 20th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Posted on November 13th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Posted on November 7th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 11/8  ELECTION DAY, no meeting.  Please vote.

Wednesday 11/9 7 PM Guru Rinpoche Tsok.  Set up begins at 6:30. A tsok is a powerful purification practice featuring chanting prayers and making offerings. Kindly bring a non alcoholic beverage or a vegetarian snack such as crackers, cookies, nuts, fruit, crudités or cheese to share.

Sunday 11/13

9-10 AM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana

10-11 shamata meditation (tranquility) and tonglen (compassion meditation)

There will be no teaching today.  Please consider going to KTD for Lodro Nyima Rinpoche’s important teaching on The Mind of Bodhicitta.

Wishing you a peaceful week ahead and please remember to vote on Tuesday.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

The practice of the Dharma is the practice of bodhichitta.  The only way to remove our neurotic patterns is to practice bodhichitta, giving birth to and developing the enlightened attitude for the benefit and enlightenment of all beings.              Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche,  Dharma Paths

Posted on October 31st, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 11/1 at 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas

Sunday 11/6

• 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas
• 10 – 11 Shamata (calm abiding meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Lama Zopa will teach part 3 in our introductory series, Ethical Foundations of Buddhist Practice, based on Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s book Excellent at the Beginning; Discovering the Buddhist Way.

Wishing you a spooktacular week ahead!

 Yours in the dharma,

 Mary Ann Duncan

If we wish to practice the Dharma, we must begin by recognizing that the key is to tame the mental afflictions.     — Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche Excellent at the Beginning; Discovering the Buddhist Way.

Posted on October 23rd, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 10/25 7 PM Short Green Tara practice and Confession of Downfalls

Sunday 10/30 

• 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas
• 10 – 11 shamata meditation (tranquility) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15  Introductory series, part 2, The Practice of Meditation taught by Laura Roth. This series of 8 introductory teachings is based on Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s recent book, Excellent at the Beginning; Discovering the Buddhist Way.  These teachings are important not only for those new to Buddhism but a good review for experienced practitioners as well.  The book is available for sale at the center.

Wising you a blessed and joyous week.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

We all have the potential to experience an abundant and harmonious mind, no matter how discouraged we may feel about ourselves, and no matter how impossible we think it might be to change our state of mind….This is why Buddhism emphasizes meditation – simple techniques that tame the mind. No matter how wild, uncomfortable, or confused your mind may be, there are  methods of meditation that will tame it, and I would like to share these methods with you.

    Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, Excellent at the Beginning; Discovering the Buddhist Way

Posted on October 11th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 10/11 at 7 PM Guru Rinpoche Day and Tsok.   Today is especially auspicious as it is actually Guru Rinpoche Day and we are fortunate to be having our tsok celebration tonight.  I hope you can join us for this important purification practice.  Set up begins at 6:30.  Kindly bring a vegetarian snack or non alcoholic beverage to offer and share.

Sunday 10/16

• 9AM  Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas
• 10:00  Shamata (tranquility meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Book study and discussion Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva, Chapter 5, Moral Discipline

Wishing you good health and happiness.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

Always engage in the quest for life’s meaning, which is inner peace.

             Longchenpa

Posted on October 4th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 10/4 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhannas

Saturday 10/8 9:30 AM Ngondro practice for those currently doing Ngondro or who need a dose of inspiration to get going.

Sunday 10/9 

• 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhannas
• 10 – 11 shamata (tranquility meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:16 Teaching by Lama Zopa on the 4th Thought That Turns the Mind to Dharma:  The Defects of Samsara

Free meditation instruction available for newcomers who need it.

Wishing you a golden week ahead.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

      Suffering also has its worth.

     Through sorrow, pride is driven out

     and compassion felt for those who wander in samsara;

     Evil is avoided; goodness seems delightful.

Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

Posted on September 27th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 9/27 7 PM Short Green Tara and Confession of Downfalls

Sunday 10/2

• 9 AM – 10       Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhannas
• 10 -11  shamata meditation (calm abiding) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15  Q & A with Lama Zopa on Shantideva’s Way of the Bodhisattva

 May your first week of autumn be awesome.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

You have doubts?  

Look at the words of the Buddha,

their truth will give you conviction

from Milarepa, Songs on the Spot, translated by Nicole Riggs

Posted on September 19th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 9/20 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhannas

Saturday 9/24 9:30 AM Ngondro practice

Sunday 9/25 

• 9 – 10 AM  Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhannas
• 10 – 11 shamata (calm abiding) meditation and tonglen (compassion) meditation
• 11:15 Lama Zopa will continue teaching on the Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind to Dharma series, today’s teaching is on the 3rd thought: Karmic Cause and Effect.

May your week ahead be filled with happiness.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

Pointing out faults,

even with the wish to benefit others, 

gives rise to negative states of mind.  

To speak peacefully is my heart advice.

– Longchenpa –

Posted on September 13th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 9/13 7 PM Guru Rinpoche Tsok.  Set up at 6:30. A tsok is a powerful purification practice featuring chanting prayers and making food offerings. Kindly bring a vegetarian snack such as crackers, cookies, nuts, cheese, fruit or a non-alcoholic beverage to share.

Sunday 9/18

• 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha practice
• 10 – 11 shamata (tranquility meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Member’s meeting.  All members are strongly encouraged to attend.  We really need your presence and input and sincerely hope you can attend.

Wishing you a blessed and peaceful week.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

When faced with people who are inflexible in their views, that is the time for you to be at your most flexible and accommodating, and to bring all your wisdom and compassion to bear.

           The 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje

Posted on September 6th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 9/6/16 at 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana followed by phowa practice for those who have had instruction.  Please bring your text.

Sunday 9/11

• 9 – 10 AMChenrezig and Amitabha sadhana
• 10 – 11 shamata (calm abiding meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Book study  The Way of the Bodhisattvaby Shantideva, Chapter 4

Wishing you a blessed and peaceful week ahead.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

With a pure motivation that does not wane 

and with great courage that does not despair, 

may each one of us endeavor to make our lives meaningful.

17th Karmapa,Orgyen Trinley Dorje, from Music in the Sky.

Posted on August 29th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 8/30 at 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas

********************************************

Special Event:  

********************************************

Saturday 9/3 12 noon Khenpo Rinpoche’s Birthday celebration.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend.  For food preparation purposes, please let the KTD front office know if you are coming. (845) 679-5906.

Sunday 9/4

• 9AM – 10 Chenrezig & Amitabha sadhanas
• 10 – 11 Shamata meditation (calm abiding) and tonglen (compassion) meditation.  Meditation instruction is available for those new to Buddhism
• 11:15 DVD teaching “Sacred Tibet, the Path to Mount Kailash” with Paul Horn.

Wishing you a blessed and safe Labor Day weekend.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

For all those ailing in the world,

Until their every sickness has been healed,

May I myself become for them

The doctor, nurse, the medicine itself.

–Shantideva from The Way of the Bodhisattva

—

Posted on August 23rd, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Posted on August 15th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends, 

Posted on August 8th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Posted on August 3rd, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Posted on July 26th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

—