Cleveland Programs October 2018
Demo Rimpoche to teach in Cleveland, October 26 and 27! 
Compassion is the basis for all Mahayana Buddhist practice. In today’s world, at times it can be a challenge to feel and practice wise compassion towards difficult individuals who out of self-centered motivations act in ways that harm human beings, animals, and the enviroment. On Friday evening, Demo Rimpoche will speak on how Buddhist methods can help us practice compassion rather than giving in to anger, cynicism or despair.
On Saturday, he will continue this theme by teaching on the ‘Eight Verses of Mind Training’ by Kadampa master Geshi Langri Tangpa. These beautiful, challenging verses reveal profound yet practical methods for the development of deep, compassionate altruism.
Friday, October 26, 7 – 8:30 pm. Free public talk on ‘Wise Compassion in Today’s World’
Saturday, October 27, 10 am – noon, and 2 – 4:30 pm. ‘Eight Verses of Mind Training.’
Suggested donation $25-40 for the two sessions. Please come even if this is not affordable for you; no one will be turned away. If you can afford to give more, this is an opportunity to practice generosity.
Demo Rimpoche officially joined Drepung Loseling Monastery in Mundgod in 1987, having lived there from the age of five. There he spent nearly thirty years of uninterrupted education in such topics meditation, debate, philosophy, and so on, under the Dalai Lama’s direct supervision. After completing his studies at Drepung, Rimpoche received the highest monastic degree of Geshe Lharampa from Gelugpa University in India in 2011. He continued his studies at Gyume Tantric College and was a visiting scholar under the auspices of the Dalai Lama at Sera College of Higher Tibetan Studies in Dharamsala. At the request of Gelek Rimpoche, Demo Rimpoche came to the United States where he received a Master’s Degree in Inter-Religious Engagement from Union Theological Seminary in New York in 2018. Currently based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan, he serves as the Resident Spiritual Advisor at Jewel Heart.
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Negative emotions: talk and roundtable discussion led by Dawn Wegenek
We all struggle to recognize and decrease our negative states of mind, while cultivating those that are positive and helpful for ourselves and those around us. Come join Dawn as she encourages use to share our personal stories and strategies.
Tuesday, October 2, 7 – 8:30pm. Free and open to all.
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In the Lam Rim, or Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, Buddha’s teachings are presented step-by-step to allow for gradual experiential awareness and understanding of our inner and outer world. Through this process, we can transform the challenges and confusion encountered in ordinary everyday life to the extraordinary compassion and wisdom of enlightenment.
Demo Rinpoche will teach Monday evenings from 7:00pm to 8:30pm based on Je Tsongkhapa’s Medium Lam Rim. These extensive teachings on the stage of the path to enlightenment will be ongoing. Part One begins October 1st.
Webinar and live in Ann Arbor for most sessions.
Dates/Times: 7:00 – 8:30 pm Eastern Time
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
November 5, 12, 19, 26
December 3, 10, 17
Lam Rim class to start on Tuesday, October 9, On Site in Cleveland
This class will follow week by week Demo Rimpoche’s teachings on Tsongkhapa’s Medium Lam Rim, the step by step path to complete enlightenment. Class sessions will include brief presentations, discussion and meditation. Supplemental readings will be taken from Odyssey to Freedom and Gelek Rimpoche’s four volume Lam Rim. Led by Anne Warren, Susan Kirchner and other JH instructors.
All participants should register for the Monday night webinar series, which is free for Jewel Heart members. The sessions and transcripts of Demo Rimoche’s teachings will be available each week within 3 days of the Monday talk.
***Please contact aewarren at sbcglobal dot net if you plan to take this class. Information on topic and readings will be sent weekly to your email address***
Tuesdays beginning October 9, 7-8:30 pm at Jewel Heart Cleveland Free for Jewel Heart members
Green Tara Four Mandala Offering, October 18
Monks from Tashi Kyil monastery will perform the Green Tara Four Mandala Offering Ceremony at Jewel Heart Cleveland on Thursday, October 18, from 7-8:30pm. This beautiful ritual offering to Tara requests her protection from all fears and outer and inner obstacles, as well as her blessings for success in both spiritual and mundane endeavors. All are welcome!
Thursday, October 18, 7-8:30 pm at Jewel Heart Cleveland
Free and open to the public. (For information on other Cleveland venues, see tashikyiltour.org )
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Open meditation evenings
Beginner friendly, silent meditation sessions with light guidance as needed. You may choose to meditate on a cushion (we have several types available at Jewel Heart) or a chair. Led by Mike Sherman and other senior students.
Mondays, 7:30-8:30 pm. Free and open to all.
In case of extreme weather, contact Mike 440 570 1263 to check whether session is cancelled.
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October Tsohs
We hold Tsoh offering ceremonies about twice a month, on or near the 10th and 25th by the lunar calendar. All are welcome to attend the Lama Chöpa Tsohs.
Friday, October 19, 6:30-7:30 pm. Lama Chöpa Tsoh. All are welcome
Wednesday, October 31, 6:30-7:30 pm. Lama Chopa for Lha Bab Du Chen. All are welcome.
Friday, November 2, 7-8:30 pm. Vajrayogini. Restricted to those with Vajrayogini initiation.
Cleveland Programs July – August 2018
Stupa Welcome Evening, Tuesday, July 17
All stupas represent or embody enlightened mind. A stupa with a lama’s relics is a powerful source of blessings and inspiration for all who come in contact with it in any way. Over the past year, Demo Rimpoche has offered his guidance on selecting stupas to receive the relics of Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche. These stupas will be filled and consecrated at the Jewel Heart Summer retreat in Ann Arbor July 9-14.
On Tuesday, July 17, we will welcome one of these consecrated stupas to Jewel Heart Cleveland with a Lama Chöpa Tsoh and other practices, as well as time for discussion and information about the stupa. The tsoh will be from 5:30-6:30 pm; the rest of the program starts at 7 pm and will include refreshments. All are invited to attend any part of this evening, so come whenever you can. We are extremely fortunate that our Cleveland center will be able to house such a stupa.
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Stupa Welcome Potluck, Sunday, July 29
On Sunday, July 29, we will continue the programs surrounding the arrival of our stupa with an all-sangha potluck and art show opening. New paintings by renowned Cleveland artist (and long-time Jewel Heart member) Marsha Sweet will be on our walls, publicly shown for the first time. Gelek Rimpoche encouraged Marsha to continue to work with images inspired by aspects of Buddhist practice, so it is wonderful to have them on display as we celebrate having one of his stupas in Cleveland.
Come enjoy these thought-provoking paintings, as well as a varied and delicious meal while spending some quality time with dharma friends. Bring a dish to share; bread and cheese, fruit or purchased salads are fine. Hot and cold drinks, plates, napkins, and cutlery will be provided.
Everyone is welcome, new or old – even if you have never been to JH before, come check us out!
Potluck lunch, 1 pm to 2:30 or so. After this, those who wish may remain to practice with the stupa. A Lama Chöpa tsoh will take place from 3-4 pm.
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Green Tara class
Tuesday, July 3, 7-8:30 pm. Informal discussion of Green Tara and other topics.
No class July 10 due to summer retreat.
Tuesday, July 17, 7-8:30 pm. Stupa welcome and informal discussion of Green Tara as time permits.
Tuesday, July 24, 7-8:30 pm. Discussion of Chapter 3, Green Tara transcript.
Tuesday, July 31, 7-8:30 pm. Discussion of Chapter 4, Green Tara transcript.
Tuesday, August 7, 7-8:30 pm. Discussion of Chapters 5 and 6, Green Tara transcript.
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Open meditation evenings
Beginner friendly, silent meditation sessions with light guidance as needed. You may choose to meditate on a cushion (we have several types available at Jewel Heart) or a chair.
Mondays, 7:30-8:30 pm. Free and open to all.
In case of extreme weather, contact Mike 440 570 1263 to check whether session is canceled.
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July-August Tsohs
We hold Tsoh offering ceremonies about twice a month, on or near the 10th and 25th by the lunar calendar. All are welcome to attend the Lama Chöpa Tsoh.
Tuesday, July 17, 5:30-6:30 pm. Lama Chöpa Tsoh, all are welcome
Sunday, July 22, 1-2 pm, Lama Chöpa Tsoh, all are welcome
Wednesday, August 8, 7-8:30 pm. Vajrayogini Tsoh, for those with Vajrayogini initiation.
Tuesday, August 21, 5:30-7 pm. Lama Chöpa Tsoh, all are welcome.
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Ganden Shartse monks tour sponsored by Loving Hands Yoga
Monks from Ganden Shartse monastery will be visiting Cleveland from August 12-18, hosted by Loving Hands Yoga and Reiki. For information about scheduled events or to schedule an event, go to lovinghandsyoga.com under Tibetan outreach.