Posted on March 21st, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear dharma friends,

Happy Spring !

Tuesday 3/21 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana

Sunday 3/26

• 9 AM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana
• 10 shamata (calm abiding meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Teaching by Lama Zopa “Four Seals of Dharma”

Save the Dates:  Saturday 4/8 & Sunday 4/9 Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin will teach on Mind Training and give a public talk, Advice for Developing Confidence, Devotion and a Deeper Connection with Buddhism.

Wishing you happiness as we step into Spring.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

It is impossible to be at your best or your worst at all times. Who is always consistent? Everyone changes according to different situations and as they go through life’s different phases. There is no point in feeling great pride or great shame simply because of temporary circumstances.

The Future is Now: Timely Advice for Creating a Better World 

by the 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje

Posted on March 15th, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma friends,

Saturday 3/18 Ngondro practice 9:30 AM

Sunday 3/19 

• 9 AM – 10Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana
• 10 – 11shamata (tranquility meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Semi-Annual Member’s meeting – followed by potluck luncheon.  Please come and support our center with your ideas and or concerns for how we can better serve your needs and interests.

 SAVE THE DATE: 

April 8th & 9th, Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin will teach on Mind Training and give a public talk, “Advice for Developing Confidence, Devotion, and a Deeper Connection with Buddhism”.  Stay tuned!

May all beings be happy!

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

When we are serving the Buddha’s teaching, there are three main activities we can do: understand the teachings, maintain them, and spread them….

Of these three, the activity of spreading the teachings is the most important as it includes everything.

 Khenpo Sherap Phunstok, A Harmonious Path for Buddhist Communities

Posted on March 5th, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear dharma friends,

Tuesday 3/7 7 PM Guru Rinpoche Tsok.  A tsok is a powerful purification ritual in which we make offerings of prayers and food to Guru Rinpoche and other deities.  Set up is at 6:30.  Kindly bring a vegetarian snack such as fruit, crackers, chips, nuts, sweets, or a non-alcoholic beverage to share.

Sunday 3/12 

• 9 AM -10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana
• 10 – 11 shamata (tranquility meditation) and tonglen(compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Teaching on The Importance of a Spiritual Friend

May your heart be joyful today and always.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

Whether an action is compassionate or not really depends upon whether your motive is to benefit others or not.

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

Posted on February 28th, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear dharma friends,

Tuesday 2/28 7 PM Losar (Tibetan New Year) year of the Firebird.  Please join us for a special celebration with prayer, chanting and meditation, followed by a vegetarian potluck.  Kindly bring a vegetarian snack or non-alcoholic beverage to share.

Sunday 3/5

• 9 AM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana
• 10:00 shamata (tranquility meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Book study, The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva, chapter 6 (Patience) continued

May the New Year bring you peace, happiness, good health and prosperity.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

As dark as this world may seem,

We must be a bright torch in that darkness.

As deceptive as this world may seem,

We must strive for goodness.

      The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Posted on February 21st, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear dharma friends,

Tuesday 2/21 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana practice

Saturday 2/25 9:30 AM Ngondro practice for those who are currently doing ngondro or who need a dose of inspiration.

Sunday 2/26 

• 9 AM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana practice
• 10 shamata (tranquility) meditation and tonglen (compassion) meditation
• 11 No Teaching, we will be cleaning the shrine room in preparation for Losar, Tibetan New Year of the Firebird, which we will celebrate on Tuesday 2/28.

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

 Please mark you calendars for our Losar celebration on Tuesday 2/28 at 7 PM !

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

The actual self is like a vast and endless web that connects all possible phenomena.  So we have to expand the way we think the self exists so that it can pervade the whole, immense universe and make untold numbers of connections.

       The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Posted on February 14th, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear dharma friends,

Tuesday 2/14          Happy Valentine’s Day!

• 7 Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche
• Short Green Tara sadhana
• Confession of Downfalls

Sunday 2/19

• 9 AM Chenrezig and Amitbha sadhanas
• 10 AM shamata (tranquility meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11:15 Introductory teaching “The 6 Perfections” from Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s book, Excellent at the Beginning

Wishing you a lovely week ahead.

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

Love and compassion are like seeds within us. Like the seeds of a tree, these seeds require nurturing so that they can develop. We develop the seeds of love and compassion through patience, through diligence and through compassionate action.

17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Posted on February 6th, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear dharma friends,

Tuesday 2/7 7 PM Guru Rinpoche Shower of Blessings Tsok.  A tsok is a powerful purification ritual where we make offerings to Guru Rinpoche and all enlightened beings. After making these offerings, we too share in them.  Please bring a vegetarian snack or non-alcoholic drink to share. 6:30PM preparation time.

Friday – Sunday  2/10 – 2/12 Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche live podcast teaching on Karma Chagme’s Prayer for Offering Prostrations 

Rinpoche will teach about the meaning and benefits of prostration practice and the story behind Karma Chagme’s prayer. 

• Fri  7-9PM,
• Sat  10:30AM- noon & 3:30-5PM,
• Sun  10:30AM-noon & 2:30-4PM.

I sincerely hope you can make it to this weekend’s very special teaching.

Wishing you a blessed, peace-filled and productive week ahead.

Yours in dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

Even though you know you will die,

Even though every one knows that,

they are deceived by thinking they have plenty of time…

Therefore it is a profound dharma to think of death

Three times every day so that it pierces your heart.

The Quintessence of the Union of Mahamudra and Dzokchen, by Karma Chakme

Posted on January 31st, 2017 by Laura Roth

Happy Year of the Fire Rooster !!

Dear dharma friends,

Tuesday 1/31 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana

Sunday 2/5

• 9AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana
• 10 – 11 shamata (peace meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
• 11 Book study The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva

 The Buddha taught that ultimately, the only true and lasting happiness in this world comes from changing our focus from ourselves to others. When we sincerely wish and work for the happiness and benefit of others, we create our own happiness and make our lives truly meaningful.

The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, New Year’s message

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 –