"I want to say without hesitation that the purpose of our life is happiness."

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama
QUICK LINKS TO TAKE ACTION
Dec 10-16, 2018
MONDAY, DEC 10

WEDNESDAY, DEC 12

FRIDAY, DEC 14

SATURDAY, DEC 15

SUNDAY, DEC 16
2018 STUPA CIRCUMAMBULATION COUNT: 24,125
Please enter your count at the Stupa
– PUJAS –
Sat , Dec 15, Noon-1:00p
Mon , Dec 17, Noon-1:30p
Mon , Dec 31
No puja at Center; reminder for those who may wish to perform tsog at home
Thu , Jan 10
No puja at Center; reminder for those who may wish to perform tsog at home
ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE
Burn negative karma away - start the new year fresh! This is a powerful Mahayana purification practice that offers us the opportunity to begin the new year with a relatively clean slate. Bring the entire family for this fire puja practice.
  • WHEN: 7:00-9:00p, Mon, Dec 31
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
– UPCOMING AND ONGOING CLASSES AND EVENTS –
In these facilitated discussion sessions, we invite everyone -- past and future Discovering Buddhism students and teachers, and anyone else who wants to discuss foundational Buddhist topics in the context of day-to-day practice.
  • WHEN: 7:00-8:30p, Mondays; Final class Dec 10 CANCELLED
  • WHERE: Gompa
Discovering Buddhism is a two-year course designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the lamrim, the step-by-step path to enlightenment practiced in Tibetan Buddhism. Discovering Buddhism: Mind and Its Potential begins Monday, Jan 7. Click here to register.
  • WHEN: 7:00-8:30p, Mondays
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
Join us for this introductory course that provides a broad, simple overview of key aspects of Buddhism and our practice. No homework or quizzes. Presented in five sessions with Sandy Carlson.
  • WHEN: 7:00-8:30p, Mondays, (Jan 8-Feb 5)
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
– UPCOMING WORKSHOPS –
In this workshop series, we'll explore different methods of integrating practice into our daily lives, as outlined in Denise Flora's book, The Rhythm of Virtue. Learn a list of 16 virtues using rhythms.
  • WHAT: The Rhythm of Virtue – Sunday Workshops: Drum the Guidelines
  • WHEN: 1:30-3:30p; Dec 16
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center
Denise Flora's new book, "The Rhythm of Virtue," is available in the Center's bookstore.
– SPIRITUAL PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT –
Lama Tsongkhapa, founder of our Gelugpa tradition, honored with guru puja practice, light offerings
We celebrated LAMA TSONGKHAPA, great master and founder of the Gelugpa tradition in Tibetan Buddhism, throughout the day on Sunday, Dec. 2. During the morning program, we learned about this great master and children decorated paper luminaries to hold light offerings during the evening. We offered the luminaries and other lights at the stupa before doing Guru Puja, a practice of making offerings and requests to all the Buddhas and holy beings. Lama Tsongkhapa offered us the light of the Dharma through the Lamrim, a step-by-step method of practicing the Buddha's teachings. In return, we offered light in his honor!
PHOTO/ERIN SLOAN
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.

FAMILY DHARMA CLASSES: Dec 16
  • Parents invited to attend classes with their children during Sunday regular class time
  • Specific Buddhist philosophies and practices will be taught, practiced and discussed by specially invited Sangha and Senior lay teachers
  • Children are also always welcome in the gompa, if it's a better fit

No Family Dharma Classes Dec 23 and 30, children are welcome in the gompa with their families
– UPCOMING FAMILY PROGRAM EVENTS –
Come join our discussion on how to incorporate the Dharma into our relationships with our children.
  • WHAT: Parent Discussion Night and Potluck
  • WHEN: Fri, Dec 21; 5:30-7:45p (potluck at 5:30p)
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center

by Kadampa Center 5th ‐ 8th grade Sunday School class
The Family Program Sunday School class children have begun a newsletter!
  • Interview: Humility with Vincent Batts
  • Quiz: Which guideline are you?
  • Survey: What does patience mean to you?
  • Crossword: How we think
  • Contentment drawing

GOOD KARMA: HOW TO CREATE THE CAUSES OF HAPPINESS AND AVOID THE CAUSES OF SUFFERING
~ by Thubten Chodron
Lojong, or "mind-training" is a practice that has gained astonishing popularly in recent years—because it works in transforming hearts and minds. Thubten Chodron's commentary on the Tibetan poem "Wheel of Sharp Weapons" is combined with examples from her own experience. But in explaining how to create good karma and avoid the negative effects of bad karma, it shows us how to live our lives with kindness and honesty—which makes things better not only for ourselves, but also for everyone else.
IMPRINTED T-SHIRTS and PEN with "Everything changes, that's a fact"
Just arrived! Soft, charcoal colored, long-sleeve women's and soft, black, long-sleeve men/unisex. Both come in a range of sizes.
  • Long sleeve T-shirt $20
PEN AND NOTEBOOK
Just arrived! New pen with stylus top, black with aqua writing.
Notebook: Paper and book handmade in Nepal.

  • Notebook $10
  • Pen $1
PHOTO/DAN BROOKS
BOOKS MAKE THE BEST GIFTS!
Whatever holidays you celebrate, books are always the right size, color, and never need batteries. Browse our selection of inspiring and thought-provoking books on Buddhism by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, Pema Chodron, and more!
BOOKSTORE HOURS
Office hours and before/after teachings
You're invited to join us for Kadampa Center's annual Holiday Party! Let's spend time together with a wonderful night of games and festivities. Bring along your favorite holiday dish to share.
  • WHAT: Holiday Party
  • WHEN: Sat, Dec 15, 7:00-9:00p
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center
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, BEGINS DEC 22 (see calendar for weather or conflict cancellations)
  • WHERE: Aladdin's Eatery, 4209 Lassiter Mill Rd., Suite 136, Raleigh (Quail Ridge Bookstore side of North Hills Mall)
PLEASE NOTE: Everyone is responsible for their own meal; click here for menu and pricing
2 019 Annual Appeal
is underway!

Many colors make our beautiful tapestry at Kadampa Center. Click on the button below to become a supporter or increase your gifts and weave your colors into our Tapestry!
SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL MERIT BOX PROJECT
Cultivate generosity in your daily practice by placing a Merit Box on your altar (or other convenient location), generate your motivation with Bodhichitta, make offerings (bless them with your mind), and dedicate the merits. Help foster an international spirit of harmony and cohesion amongst the FPMT community. Resulting grants benefit FPMT projects around the world!
KADAMPA CAFE: SNACKING STRONGLY ENCOURAGED
Do you have the urge for a cuppa Dunkin' Donuts® coffee (K-cup pod), a delicious bag of Anne's ® Bunny Fruit Snacks, or a Kellogg's ® Rice Krispie Treat? You'll find ALL these, and more, at the Kadampa Cafe!

Kadampa Cafe goods are available on a donation-only basis (simply drop your coins or bills in the nearby donation jar). Thanks to a generous practitioner, 100% of Kadampa Cafe donations benefit our Center.
This Week's Favorite:
Anne's ® Bunny Fruit Snacks
Suggested Donations:
• Hot Beverages = $1.00
• Bottled Water = $1.00
• Snacks = $0.50
Lend a hand...
 Help Dharma thrive – with your help we can accomplish anything!

Position needed: Greeter
INTERESTED? Email or call 919.859.3433
– MERIT MAKERS –
Thanks go out this week to Tim Mulhern for single handily sorting our Dharma from holy images then with heartfelt practice, burning the Dharma per Lama Zopa Rinpoche's wishes. This is a highly detailed job and we appreciate Tim's diligence. We're just sorry for everyone else who doesn't get to Dharma sort now! (Don't worry, we'll always have more.) Thanks Tim for your time, patience and practice.
– SIDE NOTES –
"Advice is like snow - the softer it falls, the longer it dwells and the deeper it sinks into the mind."
~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Happy snow day in North Carolina!
– WORDLY WISE –
Sugata (Skt; Tib: de-war shek-pa)
An epithet for a buddha, literally “One gone (gata) to bliss (su)."
– QUICK CONNECTIONS –
KADAMPA CENTER HOURS
Tue-Fri: 10:00a-5:30p (call ahead to check)
Silent Meditation: During open hours
TUNE-IN TO TEACHINGS
Tune to 90.3 FM when listening to teachings live in the Gompa
YOU SHOP. AMAZON DONATES.
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Sincerely,

Kadampa Center                              
Kadampa Center is an affiliate of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) in the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.