"it is through gradual training that one reaches the goal: is this not an essential point? And you should not say to yourself, 'Whether I practice or not makes no difference, I will never get there." Set a target, set in motion the means to reach it, and step by step you will get there."

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Source : 365 Dalai Lama: Daily Advice From the Heart.
QUICK LINKS TO TAKE ACTION
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2018 ANNUAL APPEAL: It's Time To... JOIN THE JOURNEY!
Dec 18-24, 2017
MONDAY, DEC 18

WEDNESDAY, DEC 20

FRIDAY, DEC 22

SUNDAY, DEC 24 Happy Christmas Eve!
PUJAS
PRAYER GATHERINGS – ALL WELCOME!
ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE
Burn negative karma away – start the new year fresh! Th is 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.
  • WHAT: Dorje Khadro Fire Puja
  • WHEN: 7:00-9:00p, Sun, Dec 31
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
ANNUAL APPEAL
IT'S TIME TO JOIN THE JOURNEY
Every single way we give at the Center plays an integral role in maintaining our community where the Dharma thrives. Your gift of generosity will benefit our community – and you.

  • SERVICE
  • IN-KIND
  • FINANCIAL
  • CIRCUMAMBULATIONS - New!
SPIRITUAL PROGRAM
STUDY & PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET SPIRITUAL NEEDS
THE FOUNDATION OF ALL GOOD QUALITIES
Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30p. Geshe Gelek will be teaching The Foundations of All Good Qualifies , a condensed text that contains the entire Lamrim in 14 stanzas. All Welcome!
  • WHAT: Foundation of All Good Qualities with Geshe Gelek
  • WHEN: 7:00-8:30p Wednesdays
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
  • COST: No charge; heartfelt donations welcome
DISCOVERING BUDDHISM: SAMASARA & NIRVANA
The Discovering Buddhism two-year series continues with Samsara and Nirvana, a five-class module. Investigate how we are stuck in "samsara" and how we can achieve "nirvana" to be free from suffering to help others. This module is led by Stephanie Smith.

  • WHAT: Discovering Buddhism: Samsara & Nirvana
  • WHEN: 7:00-8:30p Mondays, Jan 8-Feb 5
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
  • COST: No charge; heartfelt donations welcome
MEDITATION 101
An introductory course on basic Buddhist meditation techniques for complete beginners. Presented in five sessions. Includes Buddhist meditations that can be used by anyone to create more peace and happiness in daily life. This course is led by Jill Marie.

  • WHAT: MEDITATION 101
  • WHEN: 7:00-8:30p Tuesdays, Jan 9-Feb 6
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
  • COST: No fee; heartfelt donations welcome
FAMILY PROGRAM
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
WELCOME FAMILIES - JOIN US!
Family Program Volunteer, we depend on you, learn more.
SCHEDULE
Sun, Dec 31: No children's classes
You're welcome to bring your children to the Gompa and to come to our unique New Year's program.
OFFERING HOLIDAY LIGHTS
"Geshe-la suggested making mental offerings when we see Christmas lights. When you see the lights, think that each light becomes millions of lights in front of each one of all the holy beings, including your spiritual masters and all buddhas and bodhisattvas from the ten directions. Imagine the illumination from the lights dispels the ignorance of all sentient beings, which is the source of all sufferings, especially mental suffering. Wish that they may be able to see the Buddha's pure land. After that, think 'therefore I am making this mental light offering; may I be able to offer these lights all the time to Buddhas, bodhisattvas, deities, dharma protectors, etc.' Imagine they receive your offerings and are delighted. It's so easy to create huge amounts of merit, and merit is the cause of success."

Excerpt taken from an email from Sarah Brooks, former Kadampa Center spiritual program coordinator
 ~ Christy Batts, Family Program Coordinator
BOOKSTORE CORNER
BOOKS, DHARMA RITUAL & GIFT ITEMS
ZIJI: THE PUPPY WHO LEARNED TO MEDITATE
~ By Yongey Mingyur Ziji is a noisy, bouncy puppy who lives with the Anderson family, and loves to play and chase pigeons in the park. Then one day, Ziji sees a new boy sitting in the park. What is he doing? Why does he look so calm and happy? Ziji can't wait to find out!
COLORFUL TEA MATS
Handmade in Nepal, these multi-color tea mats are made from felted wool beads. Available in two sizes – perfect for a toasty-warm cup of tea or matching 6.5-inch mat for tea pot.
Tea Cup Mat $6
Tea Pot Mat $12
STOP. LOOK. SHOP.
Kadampa Center's Bookstore is brimming with new books,
dharma-related items, and fun merchandise!
HAVE YOUR SEEN OUR $20-OR-LESS BOOK GIFT TABLE?
If you're shopping for the holidays, stop by and take a look!
BOOKSTORE HOURS
Office hours and before/after teachings
OUTREACH
COMPASSION IN ACTION
RENEWING OUR HOPE FOR PEACE
Let's start the New Year off right by gathering with people from all walks of faith and life, to Renew Our Hopes for Peace – in our hearts, our homes, our country and our world! Everyone is welcome to an Interfaith Prayer Gathering on Sunday, Jan 7 at the Pullen Memorial Baptist Church Chapel (behind the main Church)

  • WHAT: Interfaith Prayer Gathering
  • WHEN: Sunday, Jan 7 at 3:00p
  • WHERE: Pullen Memorial Baptist Church Chapel (behind the main Church), 1801 Hillsborough St., Raleigh
  • WHY: Renew Hopes for Peace
Through Kadampa Center's affiliation with Triangle Interfaith Alliance,
we provide opportunities to get to know people of all faiths, and join
together in activities of goodwill and compassion for others.
SIDE NOTE
It’s the holiday season so maybe this is a strange time to talk about this, yet bear with me. We know in our Buddhist vernacular, it’s not uncommon to talk about our own death, over and over in fact. We hear it often from our many visiting teachers, Geshe-la, Geshe Sangpo, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dali Lama. The idea is not to depress us, yet spur us on to be more kind, cherish others and practice well. So here’s a tip to help! A friend from the Center just told me about ...
MERIT MAKERS
Thanks go out this week to our volunteer ornament artists! During our holiday party we handed out the 2017 Holiday Ornament, the Endless Knot. Thank you to Erin Sloan for organizing the plan and Joey Gooch, Sue Stern, Courtney MacDonald and Zena Allen for making our ornaments so pretty this year. If you couldn't make it to the party, they are on a table in the lobby, please help yourself. Thanks guys for you happy effort!
BENEFIT KADAMPA CENTER
YOU SHOP. AMAZON DONATES!
SUPPORT KADAMPA CENTER WHEN YOU SHOP THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
Buy your gifts and holiday essentials at smile.amazon.com. AmazonSmile  is the same Amazon you know - same products, prices and service. You shop, and Amazon will donate. Be sure you've registered the Kadampa Center as the charitable organization of your choice!

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WORDLY WISE
GOOD THINGS TO KNOW

Water (for drinking); one of the offering substances.
QUICK CONNECTIONS
KADAMPA CENTER HOURS
Mon-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
MORE NEWS & INFO
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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.