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June 2019

Posted on May 30th, 2019 by Laura Roth

Sunday Practices at 9am: (45 minutes. Please arrive early…practice begins promptly.)
  June 2nd: Chenrezig
  June 9th: Medicine Buddha
  June 16th: Chenrezig
  June 23rd: Medicine Buddha
  June 30th: Chenrezig

Every Sunday at 10am: (45 minutes, followed by tea break):
Meditation: Shamatha (calm abiding), walking meditation, tonglen. (Please arrive
early…practice begins promptly.) Free meditation instruction is available.

Sunday Programs at 11am: (1 hour. Please arrive early…program begins promptly.)
  June 2nd: Video teaching: Karmapa: “The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva” (3 of 5)
  June 9th: Book Study: “Interconnected”, by Karmapa

  June 16th: Lama Zopa teaching: Who is Padmasambhava? Why is He Important?
  June 23rd: Joan Atkins teaching: Overview of mind training (Lojong)
  June 30th: Video teaching: Karmapa: “The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva” (4 of 5)

Tuesday Programs at 7pm:
  June 4th: Green Tara Practice
  June 11th: Chenrezig/Amitabha Practice
  June 18th: Green Tara Practice
  June 25th: Chenrezig/Amitabha Practice

Thursday, June 6th at 7pm: Phowa practice (qualified students only)

Saturday Programs:
  June 1st: 9:30am: Ngondro practice (qualified students only)
  June 15th: Dakpo Targyen Class: 10am and 2pm. Chapter 19: The Bodhisattva Levels
(Bhumi). (Continuing series in progress for those already registered.)

Please Note: A donation of $5 by non-members for Sunday teachings is appreciated. This schedule is subject to change.
For the latest information anytime (including cancellations), please see and subscribe to our Google calendar.

Facebook: @AlbanyKarmaThegsumCholing. Questions & membership: ktc.director@albanyktc.org

 

 

Week of April 29 – May 5, 2019

Posted on April 30th, 2019 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,
 
Tuesday 4/30/19
 10:00 AM Lama Zopa will give a talk to students and faculty at Doane Stuart 
 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas
 
 
Thursday 5/2 7 PM Phowa practice  (qualified students only)
 
 
Sunday 5/5 ALBANY KTC WILL BE CLOSED.   
 
Yours in the Dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
Devotion is the shortest way to quickly realize the ultimate nature.
 
 !7th Karmapa
Week of April 15-21

Posted on April 15th, 2019 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma friends,
 
Tuesday 4/16 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana
Opener – Gena
 
Thursday 4/18  7PM Phowa practice (qualified students only)
Opener – Joan
 
Saturday 4/20 10 AM Ngondro practice (for those who are currently doing Ngondro)
Opener – Fee Li
 
Sunday 4/21
  • 9 AM  Medicine Buddha sadhana
  • 10:00 shamata (tranquility meditation) and tonglen (compassion) meditation
  • 11:00 Book Study “Interconnected” by the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje
 Opener:  Fee Li
 
Wishing all sentient beings peace, happiness and good health.
 
Yours in the Dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
How could we practice patience if there was no one who made us angry?  It is the harm caused by enemies and obstacle makers that gives us the opportunity to develop patience.
 
Patrul Rinpoche, Words of My Perfect Teacher
Week of January 21-27, 2019

Posted on January 21st, 2019 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma friends,
 
Tuesday 1/22 7 PM Green Tara sadhana
Opener: Clare
 
Sunday 1/27
  • 9 AM Medicine Buddha sadhana
  • 10:00 shamata meditation (tranquility) & tonglen (compassion)
  • 11:00 Lama Zopa teaching “Nature of Mantra”
Opener: Nelson
 
 
Wishing you a wonderful week.  Please stay warm and safe.
 
Yours in the Dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
Do not examine the faults of others,
examine your own.
Do not expose the mistakes of others,
expose your own.
Quoted by Patrul Rinpoche in the Heart Essence Instructions
Week of February 19-25, 2018

Posted on February 19th, 2018 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 2/19 7 PM Chenrezig & Amitabha sadhana
 
Sunday 2/25 
  • 9 AM Chenrezig practice
  • 10:00 Shamata (tranquility) meditation and Tong Len (compassion) meditation
  • 11:00 Book study “Interconnected”, Chapter 3, by the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje
Wishing you a peaceful and meaning filled week.  May all beings be happy and free from suffering!
 
Yours in the Dharma,
 
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
He who has made the Buddha his refuge
Cannot be killed by ten million demons;
Though he transgress his vows
 or is tormented in mind,
It is certain that he will go beyond rebirth.
 
from the Sutra of the Heart of the Sun
 
December 4-10, 2017

Posted on December 5th, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

 
Tuesday 12/5 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas.
 
Sunday 12/10
  • 9 AM- 9:45 Chenrezig sadhana
  • 10 – 10:45 shamata meditation (calm abiding) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
  • 11 – 12 video teaching by the 17th Karmapa “Ground, Path and Fruition”, Part 2
Chenrezig or Avalokiteshvara is the Bodhisattva of Compassion.  In this liturgy we meditate on Chenrezig and recite his mantra, both of which helps us develop compassion for all living beings.  It is taught that without compassion for others, enlightenment is impossible. Thus the Chenrezig sadhana is central to our practice.
 
We practice shamata meditation to overcome mental wandering, distraction and inattention and to develop stability and a sharp, focused mind.  We practice tonglen as a way to develop love and compassion for others.  In tonglen (sending and receiving meditation) we seek to take upon ourselves the difficulties and sufferings of all living beings and send them our happiness and virtue.
Upcoming Special Event !!! January 6&7, 2018
 The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva 
This text gives the most concise presentation of the bodhisattva path.  
 
Guest Teacher:  Lama Lodro Lhamo 
 
 Lama Lodro is the women’s retreat master at Karme Ling in Delhi, NY. and has a Master’s degree in Buddhist studies from Columbia University.  She has been a student of Khenpo Khartar Rinpoche since 1990.  She completed three 3-year retreats at Karme Ling and received her full bhikshuni ordination in 2008.
Wishing you peace and happiness,
 
Yours in the Dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
Week of August 21-27

Posted on August 23rd, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear dharma friends, here is this week’s schedule 

 

Tuesday 8/22/17    7 PM Short Green Tara, Guru Rinpoche 7 Line Prayer and Confession of Downfalls
 
Sunday 8/27
  • 9 – 10 AM    Chenrezig sadhana
  • 10- 11  Shamata (tranquility meditation) & tonglen (compassion meditation)  
  • 11- 12  Video teaching by the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Finding Freedom Through Meditation
Special Upcoming Event:
9/10    Khenpo David Karma Choephel, who is one of the Karmapa’s main translators, will be back by popular demand!  He will teach morning and afternoon on Abhidharma, Buddhist Insights into Reality.
 
Wishing you a peaceful week ahead.
 
Yours in the dharma,
 
Laura Roth for Mary Ann Duncan
 
Week of July 17-23, 2017

Posted on July 18th, 2017 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma friends,

Tuesday 7/18 7 PM Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas

Sunday 7/23

9 AM -10    Chenrezig sadhana

10 – 11        Shamata (tranquility meditation) & tonglen (compassion meditation)

11 – 11:45    Members Meeting and Elections for Executive Committee All members and friends are encouraged to attend. If you can’t make it, you can still bid on items online and cast your vote for the Executive Committee. Joan will be sending out the list of candidates

12               Potluck lunch please feel free to bring a hearty appetite and a dish or beverage to share.                    Menu so far:

– Ratatouille

– 3 Bean salad

– Potato salad

– Noodle dish

– Tofu and pepper medley

– Toss salad

– Cookies

*******After the potluck will be the conclusion of the Silent Auction! Last chance to bid!!

Hope to see you there and may you have a wonderful week!

Yours in the dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

Whatever happens to you or someone else, do not dispute, exaggerate, or speak badly. Instead, look carefully at every side. Don’t search for others’ faults; give up your own.

– the Gyalwang Karmapa (Spring 2017)

Week of May 23-29, 2016

Posted on May 24th, 2016 by Laura Roth

 

Dear Dharma Friends,

 
Tuesday, 5/24 7 PM Short Green Tara sadhana, Confession of Downfalls
 
Thursday 5/26 6:30 PM Dakpo Targyen class (advanced) with Lama Zopa
 
Sunday 5/29
  • 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig & Amitabha sadhana, 7 Line Guru Rinpoche Prayer
  • 10 – 11 shamata (tranquility) meditation and tonglen (compassion) meditation
  • 11:15 Book discussion “Into the Heart of Life”, by Tenzin Palmo, Chapter 
Upcoming Special Event:
 
Saturday June 4, we will have a table at the Veggie Fest held at the Polish Community Center on Washington Ave. Extension.
 
Wishing you a blessed and wonderful week.
 
Yours in the dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
Most living beings seek mental happiness and want to eliminate suffering, but just wishing will not bring this about. We may even create the opposite. So we must search for the cause of suffering and the cause of happiness. The afflictions are the cause of samsara, of all mental discomfort and suffering. The remedy is meditation.
 
from the book Music in the Sky: The Life, Art and Teaching of the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

—

Week of May 16-22, 2016

Posted on May 16th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma friends,

Tuesday, 5/17 7PM, (set up at 6:30) Guru Rinpoche Shower of Blessings Tsok which is a feast gathering and powerful purification method.  All are welcome. Please bring a vegetarian snack to offer and share such as crackers, cheese, cookies, nuts, fruit, chips, or a non alcoholic drink such as juice, soda, bottled water or tea.
 
Saturday 5/21 there will be a field trip to Karme Ling Retreat Center in Delhi, NY to participate in Amitabha prayers and the interment of ashes in the Columbarium for dear ones who have passed away, including Lou Ferayorni, one of Albany KTC’s founding members.
 
Sunday 5/22 
  • 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas, 7 Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche and Long Life prayers for our teachers
  • 10 – 11 shamata (tranquility) meditation and tonglen (compassion) meditation
  • 11:15 Celebration of Saka Dawa, the anniversary of Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth and parinirvana. Lama Zopa will give a brief introduction and lead us in prayers.
Wishing you an auspicious week.
 
Yours in the dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
Whatever joy there is in this world,
All comes from desiring others to be happy, 
Whatever suffering there is in this world,
All comes from desiring myself to be happy.
– Shantideva-
Week of May 9-15, 2016

Posted on May 8th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,
 
Tuesday 5/10 7 PM Short Green Tara practice, 7 Line Guru Rinpoche Prayer, Confession of Downfalls
 
Thursday 5/12 NO Dakpo Targyen class for the next 2 weeks.  Please note our next class will be on 5/26.
 
Saturday 5/14 9:30 AM Ngondro practice for those who are currently doing ngondro or who need a dose of inspiration to get going! 
 
Sunday 5/15
  • 9:00 – 10:00 Chenrezig & Amitabha sadhanas, 7 Line Guru Rinpoche prayer 
  • 10 – 11 shamata (tranquility meditation) & tonglen  (compassion meditation)
  • 11:15 cleaning the shrine room for Saka Dawa and a planning meeting for the VegFest on 6/4 at the Polish Community Center
Wishing you a joyful week and may all beings be happy!
 
Yours in the dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
 
Out of all the aspects of practice, the most important is meditation, because without meditating one cannot attain buddhahood.  It is impossible without meditation. 
Tai Situ Rinpoche, Mahamudra Teachings
 

—

Week of April 25-May 1 2016

Posted on April 26th, 2016 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends

Tuesday 4/26 7 PM – Short Green Tara, Confession of Downfalls

Thursday 4/28 6:30 PM Dakpo Targyen class (advanced)

Sunday 5/1
9 AM – 10 AM Chenrezig & Amitabha sadhanas
10 AM – 11 shamata (tranquility) meditation & tonglen ( compassion meditation
11:15 Lama Zopa will teach on the Four Thoughts that turn the mind to Dharma, Part 1

 

Wishing you a blessed week,

Yours in the Dharma,
MaryAnn Duncan
Week of October 12-18, 2015

Posted on October 14th, 2015 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

 
Tuesday 10/13 at 7 PM Karma Choephel, translator for the 17th Karmapa will teach on the Heart Sutra.
 
Sunday, 10/18 
  • 9:00 – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas
  • 10 – 11  shamata (tranquility) meditation and tonglen (compassion) meditation
  • 11:15 Book discussion: Into the Heart of Life by Tenzin Palmo, Chapter 6, The Six Perfections
 
Upcoming Special Teaching:  
Lama Kathy Wesley
 
Friday 10/23 7 PM Public Talk Making Life a Spiritual Journey
Saturday 10/24 10:30 – 12 noon and 2:30 – 4 PM
Aspiration and Inspiration:  Deepening Dharma Practice 
 
Wishing you a blessed week ahead.
 
Yours in the dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
Mindfulness is about being silent.  
It is about having a mind which is completely present with what is happening.
Tenzin Palmo, Into the Heart of Life
Week of August 17-23, 2015

Posted on August 18th, 2015 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

 
Tuesday 8/18 7 PM Chenrezig & Amitabha sadhana and the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche
 
Sunday 8/23 
  • 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig & Amitabha sadhana and the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche
  • 10 – 11 Shamata (tranquility) meditation and tonglen (compassion) meditation
  • 11:15 Teaching by Lama Zopa “The Life of Gampopa”
Up Coming Special Event:  
 
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! 
 
Wishing you a lovely week ahead.
 
Yours in the Dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
By taking refuge in the precious Dharma,
One’s mind should be free from hurting and harming others.
 
-The Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa-
Week of May 11-17

Posted on May 11th, 2015 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,
 
 
Tuesday 5/12  7 PM  – Short Green Tara sadhana and the Confession of Downfalls.
 
Thursday 5/14  6:30 PM – Dakpo Targyen class
 
***Special Weekend Webcast Teaching by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche*** 
Friday 5/15  7PM – 8:30 –  “The Purifying Practice of Nyungne”  Part 1.   Rinpoche wishes his students to understand the profound benefits of Nyungne, a two-day fasting practice.  Part 2 will follow later this year.
 
Saturday 5/16 
  • 10:30 AM – 12 noon Webcast Nyungne teaching continued
  • 4:00 PM 1,000 Arm Chenrezig Empowerment.  Rinpoche is offering this empowerment for the first time in years so that students can perform Nyungnes with all the proper supports.  We will not be showing the empowerment at Albany KTC. Members and friends are encouraged to go to KTD monastery in Woodstock to receive the blessings directly.
 
Sunday 5/17  
  • 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana
  • 10 – 10:30 meditation
  • 10:30 – 12 Nyungne webcast continued 
  • 2:30 – 4 Nyungne webcasts continued
 
Wishing you a lovely week ahead.
 
Yours in the dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
Week of April 6-12, 2015

Posted on April 6th, 2015 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

 
Tuesday 4/7 at 7 PM Chenrezig / Amitabha practice and the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche
 
Thursday 4/9 DAKPO TARGYEN CLASS IS CANCELED.  CLASS WILL RESUME 4/30.
 
Sunday 4/12 
  • 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig / Amitabha practice and the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche
  • 10 – 11 Shamata (tranquility) meditation and Tonglen (compassion) meditation
  • 11:15 Book study group starting “Into the Heart of Life” by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

Wishing you a blessed week ahead.

 
Yours in the Dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
“Whatever our external circumstances, in the end happiness or unhappiness depends on the mind.”
 Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Into the Heart of Life 

 

 

—

Laura M. Roth 

ALBANY KARMA THEGSUM CHÖLING

An affiliate Tibetan Buddhist meditation and study center under the guidance of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, seat of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa in North America.

Resident teacher: Lama Zopa   

Meeting at: Doane Stuart School, 199 Washington Ave, Rensselaer, NY 12144 

Mailing Addr: 15 Dutch Village, Apt TC, Menands NY 12204 USA   

(518) 434-7420   lmroth37@gmail.com   www.albanyktc.org

May all beings be happy

Week of January 26 to February 1, 2015

Posted on January 28th, 2015 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 1/27/15 (Cancelled because of snowstorm)

Thursday 1/15 at 7PM  Final book discussion on The Heart is Noble by the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje.  Chapters 11 and 12.  Even if you haven’t attended any of the previous discussions, please feel free to come.

Sunday 2/1/15

  • 9-10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas.  Chenrezig is the bodhisattva of compassion which we seek to develop within   Amitabha is the Buddha of boundless light and is associated with peace, particularly at the time of death.
  • 10-11 Shamata (tranquility meditation) and Tonglen (compassion meditation)
  • 11:15  Video Torma:  The Ancient Art of Tibetan Butter Sculptures

Wishing you a blessed week ahead.

Yours in the Dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

With spiritual practice, instead of gaining something we did not have before, we gradually make ourselves clearer to ourselves.

from the Heart is Noble by the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Week of November 10-16, 2014

Posted on November 10th, 2014 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday 11/11 – Veteran’s Day – 7 PM: We will recite the 7 Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche and the Short Green Tara practice.

Thursday 11/13 7 PM: Continuation of our book discussion on The Heart is Noble by the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje.  Each chapter can stand on its own, so please feel free to drop in even if you haven’t been to any of the previous discussions.

Sunday 11/16

  • 9 AM – 10 Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhana practice
  • 10 – 11 Shamata (tranquility meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation)
  • 11:15 – 12:15 Continuation of our Intro to Buddhism course.  The topic this week is “Buddha Nature and the 4 Noble Truths”

Wishing you a blessed week ahead.

Yours in the Dharma,

Mary Ann Duncan

 

He truly is supreme in battle,

Who would conquer himself alone,

Rather than he who would conquer in battle

A thousand, thousand men

       – the Dhammapada – The sayings of the Buddha

Week of August 25-31

Posted on August 27th, 2014 by Laura Roth

On Tuesday, 8/26 at 7 PM we will recite the Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas as well as the Seven Line Prayer.

Sunday, 8/31

9 AM We will recite the Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas as well as the Seven Line Prayer.

10 – 11 AM Meditation

11:15 AM Video teaching by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, the Gyalwang Karmapa’ spiritual representative in North America, Loving Kindness and Compassion as the Path to Buddha Nature

 

 

 

 

Week of August 4-10 2014

Posted on August 6th, 2014 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

 
On Tuesday, 8/5 at 7 PM Albany KTC is delighted and privileged to have Lama Losang (Dr. David Bole) from Gainesville, FL leading us in a Dharma teaching on “A Guided Meditation on Compassion:  How to open our hearts to the suffering of others“. Lama Losang completed a three year retreat at Karme Ling and is a fully ordained monk.  He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and is a licensed Acupuncture physician.  His teaching style is very clear and engaging.   I hope you can join us for this program.
 
On Sunday, 8/10  9 – 10 AM we will chant the Chenrezig and Amitabha sadhanas as well as the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche.
10 -11  shamata (tranquility meditation) and tonglen (compassion meditation).
11:15 –  12:30 we will view a webcast of the Karmapa’s recent teaching in Berlin, Germany: Buddhism and the Environment — Living in Harmony with our Planet.
 
Wishing you a peace filled week ahead..
 
Yours in the Dharma,
 
Mary Ann Duncan
 
“Love is the only just response to hate”
 -Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche-
Week of June 9 – 15

Posted on June 8th, 2014 by Laura Roth

Dear Dharma Friends,

Please join us this week for one (or all) of the following programs:

On Tuesday 6/10 at 7 PM we will chant the Green Tara sadhana.

On Sunday 6/15:

9AM – 10 AM: Chanting Chrenrezig and Amitabha sadhana as well as the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche which we dedicate the the health, well-being and long life of the 17th Karmapa and all sentient beings.

10 -11 Shamata meditation and tonglen.

11: 15 After a short tea break there will be a Q & A session with Lama Zopa who will answer any Dharma questions you may have.

Wishing you a joyous week ahead. Yours in the Dharma, Mary Ann Duncan

May All Beings Be Happy! Wishing all Fathers Peace and Happiness on this Father’s Day and everyday!

Open House on Sunday October 20th, Everyone is Welcome!

Posted on October 17th, 2013 by Lama Zopa

Dear Friends:

We cordially invite you to an open house at Albany Karma Thegsum Choling on Sunday, October 20, at 11:00 AM, after our regular Chenrezig/Amitabha practice at 9 AM and meditation at 10 AM.

We welcome newcomers and old friends to meet members of Albany KTC, share some refreshments, learn about KTC’s programs, and have your questions about Buddhism answered.

Of course you are also welcome to come to meditation beforehand.

Please do join us on Sunday!

With best regards

Laura M. Roth, Director

ALBANY KARMA THEGSUM CHÖLING