Upcoming Teachings and Current Events​

​Chan Silent Illumination

& Mahamudra: 

A Discussion Across Buddhist Traditions


Saturday, March 13
10:30 to 11:30 AM on Zoom
 
Guo Gu, a senior teacher of Chan and founder of the Tallahassee Chan Center has just released a new book, Silent Illumination.  In this special, hour-long event, Lorne Ladner, teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, psychologist, and director of Guhyasamaja Buddhist Center will introduce Guo Gu, who will provide an introduction to Silent Illumination practice.  Lorne and Guo Gu will then dialogue, comparing and contrasting Silent Illumination practice from the Chan tradition with Mahamudra from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. 
 
The event is free of charge and open to all!
 
This event is co-sponsored by:
Shambhala Publications
Guhyasamaja Buddhist Center of Fairfax, VA
Tara Buddhist Center of Nashville, TN
Thubten Kunga Buddhist Center of Deerfield Beach, FL
Dharmakaya Center of Reno, NV
Namdrol Ling Study Group of Miami, FL

​Meeting ID: 899 0957 1071
Passcode: 877015
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,89909571071#,,,,*877015# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,89909571071#,,,,*877015# US (New York)
 
 
Silent Illumination description:
 
Our natural awakening—or buddha-nature—is inherent within all of us and waiting to be realized. Buddha-nature has the qualities of both silence and illumination, and by working with silent illumination meditation you can find your own awakening. Distinguished Chan Buddhist teacher Guo Gu introduces you to the significance and methods of this practice through in-depth explanations and guided instructions. To help establish a foundation for realizing silent illumination, he has translated twenty-five teachings from the influential master Hongzhi Zhengjue into English, accompanied by his personal commentary. This book will be an indispensable resource for meditators interested in beginning or deepening their silent illumination practice.
 
Bios:
 Guo Gu is a Chan teacher and founder of the Tallahassee Chan Center. Professor of Buddhist studies at the Florida State University and author of multiple books and articles, he is one of the most distinguished Chan teachers of our time. Guo Gu is one of Master Sheng Yen's senior disciples and assisted the master in leading activities at the Chan Meditation Center, Dharma Drum Retreat Center, and Dharma Drum Mountain in Taiwan, and other locations in Europe and Asia.
 
Lorne Ladner is a teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and has authored and edited a number of books.  He serves as director of the Guhyasamaja Buddhist Center.  He also works as a clinical psychologist in Northern Virginia.
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Buddhism in a Nutshell 

& Meditation 101

​Every Other Sunday 
​11:00 AM - 12:30 PM 

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Buddhism in a Nutshell and Meditation 101 are introductory courses that provides an overview of Tibetan Buddhist concepts and meditation. It is also suitable for people who have heard or read some Buddhist teachings but would like a more structured approach to understanding the path to enlightenment as taught by the Buddha.
​ It begins with an introduction to the life of Shakyamuni Buddha and then discusses the Buddha’s first teaching on The Four Noble Truths: the truths of suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path to the cessation of suffering. This teaching is common to all Buddhist traditions and forms the cornerstone for all the other teachings given by the Buddha.

It also provides an overview of Tibetan Buddhism based on the three principal aspects of the path to enlightenment—renunciation, bodhichitta, and the right view of emptiness—as taught in the stages of the path teachings and based on the short text 'Foundation of All Good Qualities' by, Lama Tsong Khapa.  The course also provides the foundations of meditation practice and five guided meditations suitable for beginners.

Led by Trey Ligon
Center Director
No one turned away for lack of funds

Check calendar ​​​​

Book Discussion Group - Online 
​
Every Monday  ​
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

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​This book discussion group is a gathering of individuals who view, read, study, and discuss various dharma-relevant and reinforcing materials. The group can at times be very focused on texts and other times only loosely tethered to a common resource, but enriching experience, increased knowledge, and deeper understanding are always the goals. Anyone can benefit at any point by attending, regardless of background or experience, so don’t hesitate to drop in—whether you know what the group is focusing on or have seen the current materials. Visitors are encouraged and invited to come over some evening to see what it is all about.


Led by Mary Wellhoner
No one turned away for lack of funds
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Check calendar ​​​​

Drop In Meditation - Online  

Every Wednesday & Friday 
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

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​Meditation is an effective yet simple way to deal with many life stresses. There is a growing body of scientific research indicating that meditation is highly effective in reducing physical and mental stress.  A meditation practice has benefits beyond improved health and developing the ability to calm the mind facilitates one’s ability to progress towards enlightenment, when one can be of most benefit.

Led by Cyndy Mowbray
No one turned away for lack of funds
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Check calendar ​​​​

Medicine Buddha Study Group - Online 

Every other Saturday 
11:00 am-12:00 pm   

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Ths study group will explore the benefits of meditating on the Medicine Buddha; Menla in Tibetan. We will discover who the Medicine Buddha is and why his healing and compassion is so powerful.

The first half of the hour will be spent reading and discussing Lama Zopa Rinpoche's masterful book, Ultimate Healing: The Power of Compassion. In the second half of the session, we will practice the Medicine Buddha Meditation.


Led by Cyndy Mowbray
No one turned away for lack of funds

Check calendar ​​​​​

​Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga - Online
Guided Meditation with Elissa Slanger

Every Sunday - Online 
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm 

​Kum Nye Tibetan Relaxation is a gentle healing system that relieves stress, transforms negative patterns, kelps us to be more balanced and healthy, and increases our enjoyment and appreciation of life. …It integrates and balances two approaches, the physical and the psychological…As it, leads to the integration of body and mind in all our activities, this relaxation has a lasting quality greater than the feeling of well-being experienced in physical exercise, or even in disciplines such as yoga. When we learn to open our senses and touch our feelings directly, our bodies and minds make full contact with one another, and all experience becomes rich, healthy, and more beautiful. As we become deeply acquainted with ourselves and our self-understanding grows, we are also able to share more fully with others. (Not an FPMT Event)
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​Elissa Slanger began her study of Buddhism in a Japanese Zen monastery in 1960. For the following years she practiced with first the London Buddhist Society and then the Zen Center, until 1961, when she attended a workshop given by Tartung Tulku. She has been a part of his community since then. She began teaching at the Nyingma Institute Buddhist Center, in Berkeley in 2014. A near death experience she had in 2013, confirmed for her the truths of the Buddhist teachings. Elissa is also a clinical psychologist - having practiced until she was well into her 80’s. She is a past president of the Nevada Psychological Association.

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​Dharmakaya Center

6165 Ridgeview Court, Suite G
Reno, Nevada 89519
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                           Affiliated with the 
Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
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