MahaSiddha Center Berkeley

12/12/2020

This Wednesday! “21 TARA'S TEACHING & PRACTICE with Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche- Online Wednesday, December 16, 2020 6pm PT /9pm EST
Tara is considered to be the mother of all Buddhas. Prayers to her counteract illness and obstacles. There are numerous prayers, praises and meditations upon Tara, one of the most precious is that of the 21 Taras. The 21 Taras meditation is a poetic supplication of the female bodhisattva Tara in her many forms. It is practiced in all the lineages of Tibetan Buddhism as a prayer for protection from fears, calamities, and harm. It celebrates the manifold powers of the divine feminine as nurturing, magnetizing and fierce in her many forms as mother, teacher, healer and tamer.
This program is offered as part of our 7th Annual Year-End Celebration of Tara on the birthday of Lama Pema Khandro Rinpoche. Every year on Pema Khandro’s birthday, the community celebrates with a practice of Tara led by guest Lamas.
All the proceeds from this event will go to support the Dakini Mountain Emergency Fund which was created to address the temporary closure of Dakini Mountain due to the pandemic. Register at ngakpa.org”

05/09/2020

"In bereavement, we come to appreciate at the deepest, most felt level exactly what it means to die while we are still alive. The Tibetan term bardo, or “intermediate state,” is not just a reference to the afterlife. It also refers more generally to these moments when gaps appear, interrupting the continuity that we otherwise project onto our lives. In American culture, we sometimes refer to this as having the rug pulled out from under us, or feeling ungrounded. These interruptions in our normal sense of certainty are what is being referred to by the term bardo. But to be precise, bardo refers to that state in which we have lost our old reality and it is no longer available to us."
- Pema Khandro, Breaking Open in the Bardo

It’s when we lose the illusion of control—a "bardo" state where we are most vulnerable and exposed—that we can discover the creative potential of our lives.

04/22/2020

Pema Khandro Rinpoche's Letter for the Pandemic: "In Buddhist meditation, our primary practices train us to relate to reality directly, in a straightforward way while remaining calm and focused, yet with perspective. This requires bravery, the bravery to withstand discomfort and uncertainty. For Buddhists, that bravery can be drawn from our meditation practices, rituals and prayers. They remind us of a greater purpose and plug us into a greater resilience. So with that in mind, here is a list of suggestions for which Buddhist practices to do during this time. Practice these methods or whatever brings you and your loved ones peace..." Read Pema Khandro Rinpoche's full letter for the pandemic here:
https://pemakhandro.com/letter-for-the-pandemic/

04/22/2020

You have enlightened nature, says Pema Khandro Rinpoche. If you truly know that, you’ll always be kind to yourself.”

We can all use a little more kindness in our lives, even if it means being kind to yourself. Take a few moments to read this article by Pema Khandro Rinpoche, as she discusses the way that you can be kind to yourself.

You have enlightened nature, says Pema Khandro. If you truly know that, you’ll always be kind to yourself.

04/18/2020

The monthly “Open Teaching Webclass” has been amazing, and we’re so happy for everyone who has joined in the past. This upcoming Wednesday be sure not to miss your chance for this month’s FREE class starting at 6pm PST!

The class starts with guided meditation and then a study of the book, “Excellent Path to Enlightenment.” These web classes are meant to support your meditation practice and meet the challenge of integrating meditation into a full, dynamic life.

Sign up now to get the reminder!
https://bit.ly/2kHfRIp