Midwest Dharma

Tibetan Film Festival - SAVE THE DATE!

Rime Foundation, along with several local sponsors, will be hosting a Tibetan Film Festival this week in the Twin Cities.  The event will kick-off Thursday evening May 10th with explorer Ann Bancroft as a guest speaker.  She will introduce the film Daughters of Everest and talk about her personal interest in Tibetan culture.  Activities include a Thursday night reception, an on-going silent auction and the opportunity to see several films about Tibetan culture and spirituality. In brief, the schedule is:

Thursday May 10th

7:15pm    Daughters of Everest
                    Introduced by North Pole Explorer Ann Bancroft

8:30pm    Opening Night Reception
                    Silent Auction & Free Wine and Food

Friday May 11th

5:15pm    Destroyer of Illusion and Spirit of Tibet: Journey to Enlightenment

7:30pm    10 Questions for the Dalai Lama

9:30pm    Tibet: A Buddhist Trilogy


Saturday May 12th

5:15pm    Words of My Perfect Teacher
               (One of my favorite films...)

7:30pm    Vajra Sky Over Tibet

9:30pm    Daughters of Tibet and Chasing Buddha


Sunday May 13th

5:15pm    Destroyer of Illusion and Lion's Roar

7:30pm    Milarepa Magician, Murderer, Saint

9:30pm    10 Questions for the Dalai Lama

Further details and tickets can be found at  www.rimefoundation.org/filmfest.htm

 

Cultivating Compassion and Awakening the Heart

Khen Rinpoche Sherab Sangpo will present a series of meditations designed to awaken the heart, drawing on the Buddhist teachings of bodhicitta and the four immeasurables: love, compassion, joy and equanimity.  Spiritual practitioners of all levels are welcome to attend. 

Location: Shambhala Meditation Center of Minneapolis
                    2391 Grand Street NE
                    Minneapolis, MN 55418
                    612-331-7737

Suggested donation: $20 per class or $60 for the series

Download bodhicitta_class_flyer_2006.pdf

Stunning website redesign!

Looks like Rime Foundation has a new look for their website!  It's has been "under construction" over the past few weeks and has now gone live.  Rime Foundation is a local organization that supports translation projects in the Rime tradition and is currently hosting Khen Rinpoche Sherab Sangpo.  Khen Rinpoche is visiting the Twin Cities for 2 years and he will be teaching on a variety of topics. 

Take a moment and check out the new Rime website...and be sure to check out their incredible links page...they've compiled a great list of resources to explore. 

Rime Foundation is a non-profit organization that works very hard to promote all schools of Tibetan Buddhism.  If you are inspired to support them, you can donate easily right on their site...or simply click here.

Local foundation publishes first translation!

Rime Foundation, in partnership with the Dharmachakra Translation Committee, has published a new book titled Middles Beyond Extremes: Maitreya's Madhyantavibhanga with Commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham .  Middle Beyond Extremes contains a translation of the Buddhist masterpiece Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes. This famed text, often referred to by its Sanskrit title, Madhyantavibhaga, is part of a collection known as the Five Maitreya Teachings. Maitreya, the Buddha's regent, is held to have entrusted these profound and vast instructions to the master Asanga in the heavenly realm of Tushita.

The book will be available through Snow Lion Publications in January 2007.  It has a list price of $22.95, but Snow Lion is offering a web-only sale price of $18.36. 

October Events & Programs

Here's a list of upcoming programs and events for the Midwest Centers featured on this site.  Each center offers a wealth on ongoing practices (meditation sessions, etc.)-please go to their individual site for details.

Each monthly post will feature a particular event or program that is of particular interest and  importance.

FEATURE EVENT

Oct 14-Dec 16 Dzogchen Mind Training -  The Preliminaries of the Great Perfection 

Taught by Khen Rinpoche Sherab Sangpo and sponsored by the Rimé Foundation.  The Rimé Foundation is proud to host the Nyingma lama Khenpo Sherab Sangpo Rinpoche during his two year stay in the Twin Cities. Khen Rinpoche has been a monk since the age of seven and has trained with some of the greatest Tibetan masters of the last century. He has completed over a decade of philosophical training and contemplation, spent nearly five years meditating in retreat, and taught at some of the most prestigious institutions in the Buddhist world. Click here for a detailed biography of Rinpoche.

The foundational teachings of Ngöndro are common to all sects and lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. In the Nyingma tradition, however, these practices are rooted in the teachings of the Great Perfection,   or Dzogchen, and are presented in a unique and profound manner. In this series of teachings, Khen Rinpoche will introduce a series of seven ancient contemplations that are drawn from the Heart      Essence, or Nyingtik, tradition. These practices are designed to lead the student to an increasingly profound insight into the nature of the mind and reality. The basis for these teachings is a        beautiful text composed by the great saint Jigmé Lingpa, titled The Steps to Liberation. To read more about these teachings, please click here. These teachings are open to all. One need not attend all the teachings as cds will be made available to those who have missed classes or wish to catch up.

Shambhala Meditation Center of Minneapolis
Oct 20-22 Shambhala Training Level 2-Birth of the Warrior

Ongoing:
Sep 26-24 (Tue) & Sat Oct 28 Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies:Life of the Buddha class

Coming in November:
Nov 10-12 Shambhala Training-Great Eastern Sun
Nov 14-Dec 12 & Dec 16 SSBS Emptiness

Windhorse Retreat Center
Oct 20-22 Shambhala Training Level 2

Coming in November:
Nov 10-12 Shambhala Training -Drala
Nov 17-19 Vajrayogini & Werma: Self Liberating Fixation on Passion & Aggression (restricted practice)

Rime Foundation/Khen Rinpoche Sherab Sangpo
Oct 7-Nov 4 Outer Ngondro-Foundation Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism

Coming in November:
Nov 18-Dec 16 Inner Ngondro-Foundation Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism

Northfield Buddhist Meditation Center
Oct 21 Half-Day Retreat led by Mark Nunberg

Dharma Field Zen Center
Ongoing-
Sep 19-Oct 24 The Four Noble Truths
Sep 11-Oct 16 Middle Way Studies:Nagarjuna series Causation and Change

Clouds in Water Zen Center
Oct 27-29 The Consciousness Revolution: Compassionate Communication Learning Labs

Ongoing-
Sep 20, Oct 4 & 18, Nov 1 Understanding our (Racial) Selves

Coming in November:
Nov 10-12 Five Wisdom Energies and the Practice of Inner Disarmament

Minnesota Zen Center
Oct 2-30 (Mondays) Zen Buddhism The Basics
Oct 21 Mindfulness Day Retreat (morning only option available)
Oct 4-Nov 15 (Wednesdays) & Nov 20 Fall Practice Period: Dogen's Commentary on Chinese Koans
Oct 29 Work Practice Day

Common Ground Meditation Center
Oct 21 Healing from the Disease of Anger
Oct 28 Daylong Retreat

Ongoing-
Sep 14-Oct 19 (Thu)  Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation
Sep 18-Nov 6 (Mon) Buddhist Studies: The Five Hindrances

Coming in November:
Nov 10 Untangling the Tangle

Compassionate Ocean Dharma Center
Ongoing-
Sep 26-Nov 14 Introductory program in Mindfulness (Minneapolis location)
Sep 28-Nov 16 Introductory program in Mindfulness (St. Paul location)
Sep 25-Nov 13 Continuing Program in Mindfulness

Coming in November:
Nov 4 & 11 One Day Retreats

Shambhala Meditation Center of Chicago
Oct 13-15 Shambhala Training Level 2-Birth of the Warrior
Oct 20-22 Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche in town to run the Chicago Marathon

Coming in November:
Nov 3-5 Shambhala Training Perky
Nov 10-12 Ari Goldfield teaching from Moon of Wisdom
Nov 17-19 Shambhala Training Level 3

Ongoing:
Sep 14-Oct 26 Working with Aggression: Pema Chodron Tape Class

Shambhala Center in Milwaukee
Oct 13-15 Shambhala Training Windhorse
Oct 21-22 Shambhala Training Level 2 (at Windhorse Retreat Center)

Coming in November:
Nov 10-12 Shambhala Training Drala

Shambhala Meditation Center of Madison
Ongoing-
Sep 25-Nov 6 (Mon) Taming the Mind-Introduction to Shambhala

Coming in November:
Nov 3-4 Shambhala Training Level 1

Although these centers do not have any events or programs listed for October, please check their sites for their ongoing practice schedules.
Minnesota Sakya Center
Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery

Preview-October

• October 1 - Dharma Talk by Pema Tsultrim, Buddhist nun at Northfield Buddhist Center
• October 5 - Fall retreat at Minnesota Zen Center
• October 6 - Pema Karpo Group Retreat Weekend at Windhorse Retreat Center
• October 7 - Shambhala President Richard Reoch to visit local Shambhala center
• October 21 - 2 day sesshin at Dharma Field
• October 22 - Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche runs the marathon in Chicago
• October 27 - Consciousness Revolution at Clouds in Water Zen Center
• October 28 - Miksang Photography at Madison Shambhala Center

September Calendar

Shambhala Meditation Center of Minneapolis

Ongoing
Sun Morning Meditation 930am-12noon
Dharma Talks on First Sunday 1130am-12noon
Maitri Bhavana Practice on Second Sunday during last sitting session

Mon Evening Meditation 6pm-7pm

Wed Evening Meditation 6pm-7pm

Fri Morning Meditation 730am-830am

Special Events
Sep 6-Oct 3 Teaching by Khen Rinpoche Serab Sangpo
Mipham’s Wheel of Analytic Meditation
Wed nights from 715pm-9pm (started Aug 23)

Sep 26-Oct 28 Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies
Life of the Buddha
Tue nights Sep 26-Oct 24 from 7pm-9pm and
Sat intensive Oct 28 from 9am-4pm

Sep 22-24 Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies
Sadhana of Mahamudra
Fri 7pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm

Windhorse Retreat Center

Sep 23 Learning to Meditate 9am-430pm

Minnesota Sakya Center

Ongoing
Sundays 9am Green Tara
11 am Study Group-Engaging in the Conduct of the Bodhisattvas

Wednesday 10 am Blue Flower Meditation
11 am Study Group-Engaging in the Conduct of the Bodhisattvas

Special Events
Sep 9-10 HH the Sakya Trizin’s birthday celebration

Northfield Buddhist Center

Ongoing
Mon-Sun Meditation sessions offered everyday-please see website for details

Special Events
Sep 2-3 Labor Day Weekend Meditation Retreat

Clouds in Water Zen Center

Ongoing
Sun Morning Meditation 6-840am
Community service 9-1030am

Wed Zazen instruction 530pm-7pm

Special Events
Sep 12-17 September Genzo-e Sesshin

Sep 20 Understanding our (Racial) Selves: Racial Moments as Spiritual Practice
(ongoing series)

Dharma Field

Ongoing
Mon-Fri Morning Meditation starts at 530am
Evening Meditation starts at 715am (except Thursday)

Sun Morning Meditation starts at 8am

Special Events
Sep 10 – Dec 3 Fall Practice Period 85 Days Committed Practice

Sep 2 - Dec 11 Fall Ango 100 Days Zen training

Sep 9 Extended Zazen

Sep 12-17 Genzo-e Sesshin

Sep 7 Meditation Instruction 7pm-830pm

Sep 23 Meditation Instruction 930am-11am

Sep 11 Starting-Advanced Studies
Middle Way Studies (Nagarjuna Series)

Common Grounds Meditation Center

Ongoing
Mon-Fri Morning Meditation 6am-9am

Sat Morning Meditation 7am-9am

Sun Morning Meditation 8am-12noon

Tue Evening Meditation 730pm-9pm

Wed Weekly Practice Group 730pm-9pm

Sun Weekly Practice Group 7pm-830pm

2nd Sun Family Practice program 4pm-6pm

2nd Sun Mindful Parenting 2pm-345pm

Wed Drop-in Qigong Practice Sessions 905am-1005am

Special Events
Aug 31-4 Residential Retreat

Sep 17 Quarterly Community Gathering & Pot Luck

Compassionate Ocean Dharma Center

Ongoing
Sun Sunday Morning Gathering 9am-1115am (starts Sep 10)

Fri Friday Morning Group 930am-11am

Wed Wednesday Morning Meditation 630am-750am

Special Events
Sep 1-4 Labor Day Retreat at Hokyo-ji Monastery

Sep 13-17 Special Genzo-e Sesshin

Sep 26-Nov 14 The Wonderful Teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh

Minnesota Zen Center

Ongoing
Mon-Thu Daily Meditation Practice 550am-720am

Mon-Wed Daily Meditation Practice 550pm-700pm

Sun Dharma Talks 10am

Sun Introduction to Zazen (Sitting Meditation) 830am-10am

Tue Introduction to Zazen (Sitting Meditation)
First & Third of the month at 530pm-630pm

Tue Beginner’s Mind Zen Practice
First, Third & Fifth of the month 715pm-830pm

Thu Buddhism and the 12 steps of recovery 7pm-815pm

Special Events
Weds in Sep Wake Up! Discovering the Buddhist Path of Attention
715pm-845pm

Sep 7–Nov 16 Morning Study Group: Hua-yen Buddhism
NOTE: Every other Thursday 730am-9am

Sep 11 Introduction to Zen Buddhism 730pm-9pm

Visiting Tibetan Rinpoche offers teachings at Shambhala

The dharma is alive and well and flourishing in the Midwest! This blog is dedicated to the wide variety of thriving dharma centers located in and around the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Although I am a regular member of the Shambhala Meditation Center of Minneapolis, I visit and blog on all manner of dharma centers. Since I travel a lot, I get to check out centers outside the Twin Cites as well. Please see my bio for more info about me...here's the scoop on local dharma-

Shambhala Meditation Center of Minneapolis is kicking into high gear for the fall. We are offering 2 Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies Classes in the fall (Life of the Buddha and Sadhana Mahamudra) as well as Shambhala Training Level 2 in October. October is also the month that we welcome Shambhala President Richard Reoch on his (ambitious) mandala wide meet & greet. For those of use who completed Leve 5 (whew!), we will embark on the Sacred Path with Great Eastern Sun in November.

Rime Foundation is hosting a Tibetan teacher - Khen Rinpoche Sherab Sangpo. Rinpoche will be teaching at the Shambhala Center of Minneapolis every Wednesday night through September. Rinpoche starts a 6 week class on August 23rd entitled Mipham's Wheel of Analytic Meditation. Details are available on the Shambhala website or you can email me for a flyer.

The newly named Windhorse Retreat Center is offering a great variety of programs this fall. Their website is updated through the end of the year. I attended a weekend retreat in June featuring talks and practice with Ashe Acharya John Rockwell. It's a great space and it sits on beautiful property. It's located north of Milwaukee, just east of Sheboygan, about 5-6 hours from Minneapolis. Defintely worth the drive....they have beds! and good food! Those of you that have gone on retreat can appreciate that...

The Twin-Cities is home to many Tibetan Americans and offers great shopping - Tibet Store on Hennepin in Minneapolis and Tibet Art on Grand in St. Paul - as well as great restaurants - Tibet's Corner on Hennepin in Minneapolis and Everest on Grand (actually Nepali cuisine.)

In addition, there is a Tibetan American Foundation in St. Paul that supports the local community. Minneapolis recently hosted the Maitreya Project Relic Tour for the second year. His Holiness Dalia Lama visited area Tibetans in the spring while he was in Rochester, MN at the Mayo Clinic for a check up.

If you are in the area, be sure to stop in and sit down at any of the centers on the list at left to enjoy a bit of Midwest dharma....Stay tuned for more postings about upcoming programs and events at local dharma centers...