"In short, both directly and indirectly, do I offer every happiness and benefit to all my mothers. I shall secretly take upon myself all their harmful actions and suffering. "
Verse 7 of 8
~ Kadampa Geshe Langri Tangpa (1054-1123)
QUICK LINKS TO TAKE ACTION
  • FILL AN EMPTY STOMACH: Donate non-perishable food during the food drive in the Center lobby May-June
  • RECITE MANTRAS FOR OUR GESHES' LONG LIVES: Enter Tara Mantra Count here
  • BENEFIT LIGHT OF THE PATH RETREAT: Recite Praises to the 21 Taras and enter them here
  • OFFER PROSTRATIONS: 2019 Annual Appeal practice; enter count here
Jul 1-7, 2019 Happy 4th of July!
MONDAY, JUL 1

THURSDAY, JUL 4 – Happy 4th of July!

FRIDAY, JUL 5

SATURDAY, JUL 6 - Celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 84th Birthday!

SUNDAY, JUL 7
2019 PROSTRATION C HALLENGE COUNT: 18,751
 Please enter your count here
– PUJAS –
Wed, Jul 10, Noon-1:00p
Sponsor the puja here
Thu, Jul 11, Noon-1:00p
Sponsor the puja here
Sat,  Jul 20, 1:00-3:00p
Sponsor the puja here
Sat, Jul 27
No puja at Center; reminder for those who may wish to perform tsog at home
– CELEBRATING HIS HOLINESS 84TH BIRTHDAY! –
Kadampa Center will host a wide array of activities to honor His Holiness for his birthday.
To celebrate His Holiness’ birthday, Kadampa Center will hold a blood drive. (Our third!)
We will send His Holiness a card signed by all our donors and support volunteers, so the more bountiful the number of donations, the better!
– UPCOMING AND ONGOING CLASSES AND TEACHINGS –
The fourth module in a two-year series. We explore the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of teacher and student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit.
Childcare provided.
Registration requested. Click here
  • WHEN: 7:00-8:00p, Mondays (Jul 8, 15, 22, 29, and Aug 5)
Let's practice and earn merit together!
In these sessions, Geshe Sangpo explains that creating merit is an essential part of Buddhist practice. When we build up our stores of merit, it removes obstacles in our spiritual lives. This makes it easier to understand the teachings and apply the Dharma in our everyday lives. Making merit is also great purification!
  • When: 7:00-8:00p, Thu, Jul 11
– TARA PRAISES FOR LIGHT OF THE PATH RETREAT –
An amazing chance to create merit!
Our precious spiritual director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, advised us to recite 100,000 Praises to the 21 Taras to create the causes for the next Light of the Path Retreat. Remember to keep a count of your personal recitations and enter them here. Our progress as of Friday: 20,900 (20.9 percent of our goal)
– VISITING TEACHER –
PHOTO/Sandy Carlson
PHOTOS/David Strevel
VENERABLE ROBINA COURTIN TEACHES AT KADAMPA CENTER

Venerable Robina Courtin brought her dynamic teaching style to Kadampa Center June 17-23, teaching on a variety of Dharma topics, from karma to an overview of the Lamrim during the weekend. As always, Venerable Robina challenged assumptions, clarified misconceptions, and bore down to the essential meaning of the teachings.

Students came from as far as Alabama and California for her teachings, and of course many local people attended too! All donors and sponsors whose generosity supported her visit were invited to offer dedications, and these were printed and posted on the door into the gompa so all could share in their kind intentions.

Our thanks to Venerable Robina and all the donors, sponsors and volunteers who helped make this visit possible. Special thanks to Linda Saah, Suzy Boehm and Laura Carballo, our Visiting Teacher team, to Erin Sloan and Susan Daniel, program assistants, and to Chris Baranski and Brian Dyer for streaming and sound support.
– UPCOMING HOLY DAYS –
Seven weeks after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya, India, the Buddha gave his first teaching at the Deer Park in Sarnath, India. He expressed his profound realizations of the nature of existence in the Four Noble Truths. Kadampa Our observance of this teaching, referred to as the First Turning of the Wheel, Chokhor Duchen, includes an Animal Blessing and Liberation.
  • WHEN: Sunday, Aug 4
WELCOME FAMILIES – JOIN US!
Sunday morning classes begin at 10:30
Our Sunday Program is a vibrant mix of drop-off and family programming. Much of our curriculum content is based on the 16 Guidelines .
No session July 7! Children and parents will stay in the gompa to join in celebrating His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday!
  • Jun 2-Aug 16: Join us for 12 weeks of Operation 16G. This art-based curriculum is lead by Vivian and Dorothy and is a hands-on interactive for all ages. Teens can earn school-required volunteer hours. Adult assistants throughout the summer. If you're interested in either volunteer position, contact Christy.
  • Aug 23-25: 6th Annual Family Dharma Camp 2019
Curriculum
Each month we explore one of the 16 Guidelines, celebrate Buddhist holy days (such as Saka Dawa and Lama Tsongkhapa Day), introduce Buddhist practices (including prostrations and reciting mantras), and participate in Center-wide celebrations (like Losar and Compassion Day). Learn more, here.
Parents, are you interested in attending Discovering Buddhism sessions on Monday evenings? Childcare is now provided!
– FAMILY DHARMA CAMP –
This year's Family Dharma Camp event, themed " Seeking Wisdom with Joyful Effort ," will be held Fri-Sun, Aug 23-25 at Camp Agape in Fuquay-Varina, NC. With Geshe Gelek and Geshe Sangpo's advice, we continue our third year studying the Six Perfections and go a step further, diligently persevering wisdom. Learn antidotes to laziness and reconnect with the intention and goals of your Dharma practice. Along with the practice and mantra of compassion, we'll be unstoppable Bodhisattvas in the making!
Camp programming will be designed for children ages
5-14 with some concurrent mediation / discussion sessions for parents.
  • WHAT: Family Dharma Camp
  • WHEN: Fri-Sun, Aug 23-25
  • WHERE: Camp Agape in Fuquay-Varina, NC
  • REGISTRATION: Now Open, click here
– COLLECTIONS –
Nutritional, non-perishable food items will be collected throughout May and June at Kadampa Center. No glass jars, please. Sadly, food insecurity remains a serious problem in central and eastern North Carolina. The needs increase during the summer months when children are home from school and do not receive the school free breakfasts and lunches. Bring your food item donations to the Collection Bin in Kadampa Center's lobby. No glass jars, please.

  • WHAT: Food Drive
  • WHEN: May-June
  • WHERE: Collection Bin in Lobby
Prescription eyeglasses and reading glasses will be used to fit patients during a Free Healthcare Day to be held Sept. 15 at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. The event is sponsored by the Raleigh Sai Center. Glasses will be collected until Aug 15 in Kadampa Center's lobby.

  • WHAT: Eyeglass Drive
  • WHEN: Until Aug 15
  • WHERE: Collection Bin in Lobby
THE ESSENCE OF TSONGKHAPA'S TEACHINGS
~ by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
His Holiness offers a beautiful elucidation of the three aspects of the path: true renunciation and the wish for freedom, the altruistic awakening mind (bodhichitta), and the correct view of emptiness. These three aspects of the Buddhist path encapsulate Tsongkhapa’s vision in its entirety. 
WATER BOTTLES
Just one of several items bearing the inspiring message, "Think Something Good," our brilliant blue reusable water bottles are attractive, useful, and now only $10. Other items imprinted with this same message are listed below.  Have you gotten yours?
  • Reusable Water Bottle – $10
  • T-Shirt – $20
  • Canvas Bag – $20
BOOKSTORE HOURS
Office hours and before/after teachings
KADAMPA CENTER HOURS

Office Hours: Wed-Fri, 11 am - 3 pm

  • Visitors and members are welcome during open hours to meditate, use the library or shop in the bookstore
  • For access, volunteers are encouraged to work with their coordinator or call the Center, as needed
  • Lunch Bunch meets at noon on Fridays
Classes and events take place throughout the week. Check the calendar for full listing. Doors open 30 minutes prior to start times.
We celebrate our dear Geshe Gelek's
20th Anniversary as our resident teacher at Kadampa Center. Mark Your Calendar!

Saturday, August 3, 4 pm
Watch for further details
You can become a monthly sustainer any time during the year Cre ating habits that benefit
We are similar to any church in that we need funds to maintain all our programs, classes, staff and building upkeep. Monthly Sustainers create a stable base that support us financially throughout the year. Click here to donate!

Brought to you by
The Hospitality Team!
We've expanded our social activities to include small groups with common hobbies or interests. Groups will meet informally and as often as they like.
  • Fitness/Health (Ex. walk/run/bike)
  • Movies/Game Night (Ex. movies/museum/board games)
  • Outdoor Activities (Ex. gardening/hiking/nature walks)
  • Spur-of-the-Moment (Ex. Meet me at the _______ in an hour.")
Click below to learn more and register.
Join us Saturday nights, for an evening of fun, food and conversation as we create the cause and conditions for a strong dharma community.
  • WHAT: Dinners at 6
  • WHEN: 6:00p, Saturdays, (see calendar for weather or conflict cancellations)
  • WHERE: Aladdin's Eatery, 4209 Lassiter Mill Rd., Suite 136, Raleigh (Quail Ridge Bookstore side, North Hills Mall)
Brought to you by The Hospitality Team!
PLEASE NOTE: Everyone is responsible for their own meal; click here for menu and pricing
CAFE SNACKING ENCOURAGED
Do you have the urge for a cuppa Dunkin' Donuts ® coffee (K-cup pod), a spot of tea, or an Oreo ® Thins Snack Pack? You'll find them all at Kadampa Cafe!
• Cafe goods are available on a donation-only basis
• 100% of donations benefit Kadampa Center!
BEVERAGES $1 • SNACKS $0.50 • BOTTLED WATER $1
– MERIT MAKERS –
Thanks go out this week to Abbie Adams-Yaffe and Naga Dhoopati for their dedicated efforts during our seasonal clean last Saturday. For Abbie, it was her first time to the Center! Our team cleaned nooks and crannies for three hours while Julie Lewis, from the All Star Mowing team, cut the grass. Thanks to all the Dakinis and their amazing efforts to get our Center cleaned.
– SIDE NOTES –
I'm away at the yearly FPMT North American Region meeting in Brooklyn; sharing information and thinking of better ways to be of service to you all. Be back by His Holiness's birthday and the beginning of year four of being your Center Manager.
– WORDLY WISE –
kun dzob lama (Tib); kun rdzob bla ma (Wyl)

" The manifestation in ordinary form of the absolute guru , in order to benefit sentient beings. "

(Wyl) or Wylie, is a method to transliterate the Tibetan script into Roman script.
– QUICK CONNECTIONS –
KADAMPA CENTER HOURS
Open during all scheduled activities, classes and teachings (see calendar ). Additional "open access" hours to be announced soon.
TUNE-IN TO TEACHINGS
Tune to 90.3 FM when listening to teachings live in the Gompa
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Know someone else that would be interested in Kadampa Center?
Sincerely,
Kadampa Center                              
Kadampa Center is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) in the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama