Special events

with Kadampa teacher Lowanna Mobley

Gratitude is a kind of happiness superpower. It is a powerful tonic that uplifts the mind, enables us to enjoy our lives, and feel enriched, confident and optimistic.  Often it seems like we live in a cruel and selfish world, empowered by this mind of gratitude we will be filled with hope and faith in humanity. 

In this special event we’ll learn how to harness the superpower of gratitude to see kindness everywhere.   

This class includes teaching, guided meditation and is appropriate for all levels.  Everyone welcome! 

About the teacher

Lowanna Mobley has been a longtime student of our Foundation Program (FP), and serves as our center’s Education Program Coordinator. She is known for her enthusiasm and loving nature, bringing humor and genuine insight to her teaching.

Registration details

Cost: $20 (members free/livestreaming available for members)

Location:
Kadampa Meditation Center Madison
1825 S. Park St., Madison, WI 53713

A special celebration and dinner

As the year draws to an end come and celebrate the holidays with us!

The evening will begin with a short teaching and guided meditation with our Resident Teacher, Gen Dorje. Afterwards we will enjoy the company of friends and a delectable dinner. 

I will cherish all living beings without exception because this precious mind of love is the supreme method for solving all problems and fulfilling all wishes. Eventually it will give me the supreme happiness of enlightenment.
— Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, How to Transform Your Life  

Menu:

Appetizers and drinks

Hearty Kale Salad

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake

About the teacher

Gen Kelsang Dorje is the resident teacher at the Kadampa Meditation Center Madison. As the resident teacher Gen Dorje is responsible for teaching and leading meditation classes, retreats, and workshops at the center and in branch locations. He has received extensive training under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition. Gen Dorje is known for his warmth and humor in making Buddha’s teachings relevant to our modern life. He is an inspiring example of how to integrate these teachings into a joyful life and is committed to helping people improve their daily lives through meditation and mindfulness.

Registration details

Cost: $30 per person

Location:
Kadampa Meditation Center Madison
1825 S Park St, Madison, WI

We have set aside this special day of silence to reflect and to make sincere prayers to the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara.

Avalokiteshvara is an enlightened being who is a manifestation of all Buddhas’ compassion. By relying sincerely on Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, and reciting his mantra with strong faith we can improve our realizations of love and compassion thereby fulfilling our own wish for happiness and to be of  benefit for others.

Everyone welcome!

“Our job is to pray for world peace — anytime, anywhere. With compassion, we make dedications and pray to develop and maintain inner and outer peace and harmony. We know there are so many dangers and problems arising right now, war and terrible things. We try to repair, to pacify, to cause all dangers and obstacles to cease through our prayers. With compassion, we pray every day for world peace, that the people of this world will experience peaceful and happy minds and meaningful lives. Through our pure intention, the power of our prayers and particularly through receiving blessings from enlightened beings, results will come, definitely. Our job is to pray.”
 – Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, given at the opening of the US Kadampa World Peace Temple, October 2006

About the teacher

Donna Sereda has been studying Kadampa Buddhism for many years. Her devotion shows in her teaching.

Registration details

Cost: $20 (free for members)

Location:
Kadampa Meditation Center Madison
1825 S Park St, Madison, WI

with Prayers to Buddha Arya Tara

When asked how we can best help the world at this time, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche advised us to pray to Arya Tara, our Blessed Mother.

When we are young, we turn to our worldly mother for help. She protects us from immediate dangers, provides us with all our temporal needs, and guides and encourages us in our learning and personal development. In the same way, during our spiritual growth, we need to turn to our Holy Mother, Tara, for refuge. She protects us from all internal and external dangers, she provides us with all the necessary conditions for our spiritual training, and she guides us and inspires us with her blessings as we progress along the spiritual path.”

–Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Dorje, will give a short introductory talk. We will then recite Arya Tara’s beautiful chanted prayer, Liberation from Sorrow requesting her to bestow her blessings on all living beings so that all sickness and other obstacles are quickly removed. Afterwards we can enjoy lovely desserts and the company of friends.

About the teacher

Gen Kelsang Dorje is the resident teacher at the Kadampa Meditation Center Madison. As the resident teacher Gen Dorje is responsible for teaching and leading meditation classes, retreats, and workshops at the center and in branch locations. He has received extensive training under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition. Gen Dorje is known for his warmth and humor in making Buddha’s teachings relevant to our modern life. He is an inspiring example of how to integrate these teachings into a joyful life and is committed to helping people improve their daily lives through meditation and mindfulness.

Details

Cost: $20 (members and non-members). Livestreaming available for members.

Location:
Kadampa Meditation Center Madison
1825 S Park St
Madison, WI 53713