Cleveland Programs January – February 2018
Four Noble Truths Class to begin January 4
The first teaching Buddha gave after his enlightenment was on the Four Noble Truths: through recognizing suffering and understanding its underlying causes, we can rely on proven methods to help clear our negative habits and actions, build positive ways of functioning, and develop to our greatest human potential.
Demo Rimpoche will be teaching this eight week course at the Jewel Heart New York center, live and by webinar. The 11th Demo Rimpoche, reincarnation of Gelek Rimpoche’s father, was born in Tibet and recognized by the Dalai Lama at the age of 5, when he entered Drepung Loseling. He received his Geshe Lharampa degree there and continued in tantric studies for several years afterwards. His is currently studying interfaith engagement at a theological seminary in New York.
Thursdays, January 4, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 22 and March 8 and 15, 7-8:30 pm
NOTE: The Jewel Heart Cleveland Center will NOT be open for the remaining sessions of this class.
Those who wish to watch the webinar at home may register at www.jewelheart.org
Heruka Yab-Yum Great Bliss Festival (aka Compulsory Tsohs for Mother Tantra Practitioners)
Twice a year we celebrate special tsoh offerings dedicated to Heruka and Vajrayogini, which are a commitment for Mother Tantra practitioners. Please bring a food offering, and your ritual implements if you want to use them.
Thursday, January 11, 7-8:30 pm. Lama Chopa Tsoh Open to all.
Friday, January 26, 7-9 pm. Vajrayogini Long Sadhana and Tsoh. Restricted to those with Mother Tantra initiation.
Preparing for a Mantra Retreat – two events
Hartmut Sagolla will give a webinar presentation covering practical aspects of doing a Vajrayogini mantra retreat on Saturday, January 13 – exact time to be announced soon. In Cleveland we will follow this with group practice of Vajrayogini sadhana and mantras. Email Anne if you are interested aewarren at sbcglobal dot net.
Saturday, January 13: exact time to be announced soon
Sunday, January 21, 1-2:30 pm: Guided group Ganden Lha Gyema practice with at least 1 hour spent saying Migstemas.
Commemoration of Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche on February 15
Along with other Jewel Heart centers throughout the world, Jewel Heart Cleveland will commemorate the life and work of Gelek Rimpoche with a Lama Chopa and Tsoh Offering on the first anniversary of Rimpoche’s passing.
Thursday, February 15, 7-8:30 pm All are welcome to attend this tsoh and stay for light refreshments afterwards.
Potluck and all Sangha Gathering
Come enjoy a delicious meal and spend some quality time with other sangha members. Bring a dish to share – the usual hot drinks, plates, napkins, and cutlery will be provided. Don’t cook? Don’t worry! Bread and cheese, fruit or purchased salads are always welcome.
Everyone is invited, new or old – even if you have never been to Jewel Heart before, come check us out!
We invite everyone to also bring ideas, requests, aspirations and dreams for what you would like to see happening in Jewel Heart Cleveland over the next few years. Sarah Ralston, our president, along with others will describe some of the ways we can go about bringing such ideas into actuality.
Our schedule is informal, but the potluck will begin around 1 pm, with discussion of Sangha activities beginning around 2:00pm. If you have anything you would like to have on the agenda, please contact Sarah at kpphoto dot com.
After the meeting, those who wish may stay for a Vajrayogini tsoh with time for mantra accumulation.
Sunday February 11, 1:00pm to 3:00ish
Open meditation evenings
Learn and practice meditation in this small group, beginner friendly setting. Brief meditation instruction will be followed by two silent sittings. You may choose to meditate seated on a chair, or on one of the several types of floor cushions we have available.
Mondays, 7:30-8:30 pm Free and open to all
Save the dates for Glenn Mullin:
Glenn Mullin will be returning to Cleveland on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, March 23-25. Watch for topics and exact times in an email update soon or check the Cleveland programs page on www.jewelheart.org.
Cleveland Programs November – December 2017
Demo Rimpoche to teach Ganden Lha Gyema
Demo Rimpoche will teach the Ganden Lha Gyema: The Hundred Deities of the Land of Joy, a guru yoga practice of Je Tsongkhapa, on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3. Teachings may be attended onsite in Ann Arbor, individually by webinar, or locally in Cleveland at the Jewel Heart center. He will also speak on the life of Tsongkhapa during the Sunday talk on December 3. These teachings are open to all, and especially recommended for those planning to do a Ganden Lha Gyema mantra retreat.
Saturday, Dec. 2; 10 am to noon and 2 to 5 pm
Sunday, Dec. 3: Life of Je Tsongkhapa, 11 am to noon, conclusion of Ganden Lha Gyema teachings, 2 to 5 pm.
Registration for those watching online or in Ann Arbor at jewelheart.org Fee: $100, no one turned away because of inability to pay.
For those attending in Cleveland, registration possible at the center.
Guided Ganden Lha Gyema Meditation webinar
On Saturday, December 9, there will be a detailed guided meditation on the Ganden Lha Gyema in Ann Arbor, which will also be available by webinar.
Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 am to noon. More information to follow
Je Tsongkhapa Day Tsoh: The Tibetan Festival of Lights
This year Tuesday, December 12, is Ganden Ngamchu or Je Tsongkhapa Day, a time to commemorate the life and teachings of Je Rimpoche, the great yogi and scholar who founded the Gelug tradition. At Jewel Heart Cleveland, we will chant the Lama Chopa offering ceremony in English with a few verses sung in Tibetan. Our center will be illuminated by light offerings, with flowers and water bowl offerings on the altar.
Please bring a food offering such as bread, fruit, cake, cookies or canned goods. Nonperishable items will be donated to local charities, while other food will be shared after the ceremony. All are welcome, children included! A flyer describing the practice is available for newcomers.
Tuesday, December 12. 7 pm set-up. Ceremony 7:30-8:30 pm.
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Jewel Heart Study Program
Continuing classes:
Yamantaka Short Sadhana
Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm, through November 21.
Led by Susan Kirchner and James Jorah
No cost for Jewel Heart members
Lojong: Heart of Enlightenment
The Seven Point Lojong is a form of mind training geared towards developing ultimate, unlimited, unconditioned love and compassion. Join guest speakers Robert Thurman, Ven. Thubten Chodron, Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi, and Dr. Joe Loizzo, along with Jewel Heart Instructors, as we explore Gelek Rimpoche’s teachings on transforming our minds through training in exchanging ourselves and others.
This class is offered online via webinar
Schedule: Thursdays through December 7, 7-8:30 pm. No class Nov. 23.
Webinar class to begin in January:
Good Life, Good Death
This 6-week class , based on Gelek Rimpoche’s book Good Life, Good Death, will include weekly talks, a copy of the book, and an online discussion forum moderated by the instructor.
Led by Amy Hertz. Online Thursdays, January 4, 18, and 25 and February 1, 8 and 22, 7 to 8 pm..
Watch the Jewel Heart website for registration information.
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Cleveland open meditation evenings
Learn and practice focusing meditation in this small group, beginner friendly setting. Brief meditation instruction will be followed by two silent sittings each week. 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 No session Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Free and open to all.
November-December Tsohs
We hold these offering ceremonies to benefit all beings about twice a month, on or near the 10th and 25th days of the lunar calendar. All are invited to attend the Lama Chopa Tsohs, which will be chanted mostly in English, with just a few tunes in Tibetan. You may bring an offering of fruit, bread or cookies if you wish; these will be distributed to participants after the ceremony.
Vajrayogini Tsohs are restricted to those who have received the Vajrayogini initiation.
Tuesday, November 28, 7-8:00 pm Lama Chopa Tsoh
Tuesday, December 2, 7-8:30 Lama Chopa Tsoh for Je Tsongkhapa Day (see above)
Thursday, December 28, 7-8:00 pm Lama Chopa Tsoh
Cleveland Stupa Fund
As many of you know, Jewel Heart, with Demo Rimpoche’s guidance, has commissioned stupas for Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche to be made and consecrated. A four foot tall stupa will go to Ann Arbor, and two and a half foot stupas to Cleveland and New York. All stupas represent enlightened mind, and a stupa with a lama’s relics is a powerful source of blessings and inspiration for all.
We will be fundraising locally for our Cleveland stupa. Please make donations at the Cleveland center, or add a note ‘for Cleveland’ if you send money to the general stupa fund. If you have any questions about this project, please contact Anne aewarren at sbcglobal dot net.
All-Sangha Council potluck and meeting held Oct. 22
All attending enjoyed delicious food and time to reconnect with other Cleveland sangha. Reports were given on Ven. Chodron’s wonderful teaching weekend; we voted unanimously to extend thanks to all who contributed, especially Elliott and Margaret who organized our table at the Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival. Thanks also to Patricia, who volunteered to take over as secretary from Tim, who now lives in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Next meeting (sans potluck): Tuesday, Dec. 12, 5:30-6:30 pm (before Lama Chopa). All are invited to attend.
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