Wednesday Evening Meditation Class

Time: Wednesdays 7:30-9:00 pm
Venue: Tara IKRC, Ashe Hall, Ash Lane, Etwall, Derby, DE65 6HT
Teacher: Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab

The Vows and Commitments of Kadampa Buddhism

Guidelines for Living a Peaceful and Compassionate Way of Life
Course One: How to Lead a Pure Life

5-week series (Sep 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th and Oct 7th)

In these evening classes, we will explore practical methods for solving human problems and fulfilling our deepest wishes by taking and keeping vows and commitments - promises to abstain from certain negativities or to engage in certain virtuous actions - at every level from beginners to the most advanced spiritual trainings.

Vows and commitments are methods to solve our own and others' problems and to make ourselves and others happy. Through keeping vows and commitments purely we avoid all negative actions, the cause of suffering for ourself and others. Ultimately they are methods for attaining the happiness of full enlightenment. How wonderful!

In these sessions, Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab will give commentary to sections within the books The Bodhisattva Vow, Tantric Grounds and Paths, Universal Compassion, Joyful Path of Good Fortune, The New Eight Steps to Happiness and the Tharpa booklet The Vows and Commitments of Kadampa Buddhism focusing on the meaning of all the vows and commitments explained in these texts by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

Please note that no actual vows and commitments will be granted during these classes, therefore everybody is welcome to join in and listen.

Each class is self-contained, so you are welcome to join at any time. No previous experience is required. Head to our What to Expect page for practical info about visiting us for a class.

The Teacher

Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab is a Retired General Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU and the Resident Teacher of Tara International Kadampa Retreat Centre (IKRC). He has trained closely with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than forty years. His humility and pure example reflect his many years of reliance on his Spiritual Guide.

An internationally renowned Teacher, he is greatly admired as a sincere practitioner and a powerful Teacher. He is also well-known for his deep understanding of Buddha’s teachings and his ability to convey their meaning in a clear, accessible way.

Wed 9 Sep 7:30-9:00pm
Essential Introduction
The Benefits of Leading a Pure Life

The practice of moral discipline is the main cause of rebirth as a human being. Understanding what moral discipline is and how to avoid damaging it is essential basic knowledge for a happy life.

Meditation: Determination to develop and maintain moral discipline in our life.

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Wed 16 Sep 7:30-9:00pm
Refuge Vows - the Container
Refuge Is the Basis for All Other Practices – The Benefits

We enter into Buddhism promising to go for refuge to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and keeping the twelve commitments of Buddhist Refuge.

Meditation: Determination to become a pure Buddhist.

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Wed 23 Sep 7:30-9:00pm
Lay Pratimoksha Vows
Controlling Delusions Made Easy

'Pratimoksha' is a Sanskrit word for 'individual liberation'. If we are serious about attaining Tantric realizations we will adopt these five vows throughout our life and also try to keep the remaining five abandonments of negative actions.

Meditation: Determination to take and keep Pratimoksha vows of a lay person.

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Wed 30 Sep 7:30-9:00pm
How to Receive and Keep Bodhisattva Vows (1)
Developing the Altruistic Attitude of a Bodhisattva

To attain full enlightenment for the benefit of all living beings we need to generate the mind of bodhichitta and then firmly adopt the Bodhisattva's way of life.

Meditation: Generating the mind of enlightenment, bodhichitta.

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Wed 7 Oct 7:30-9:00pm
How to Receive and Keep Bodhisattva Vows (2)
Maintaining Aspiring Bodhichitta in All Our Lives

Developing the wish to benefit all living beings is not so difficult when we are meditating. However, to maintain and enhance this wish in daily life until it transforms into spontaneous bodhichitta is much more difficult but by taking the precepts of aspiring bodhichitta we can do this.

Meditation: Determination to enhance bodhichitta by keeping the precepts of aspiring bodhichitta.

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Venue & Parking

These classes are taking place at:

Tara IKRC in the Meditation Hall
Ashe Hall, Ash Lane, Etwall DE65 6HT

Free parking and disabled parking available on site.

Schedule

7:00pm Doors open
7:30-9:00pm Teaching & guided meditations

The Teacher

Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab is a Retired General Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU and the Resident Teacher of Tara International Kadampa Retreat Centre (IKRC). He has trained closely with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than forty years. His humility and pure example reflect his many years of reliance on his Spiritual Guide.

An internationally renowned Teacher, he is greatly admired as a sincere practitioner and a powerful Teacher. He is also well-known for his deep understanding of Buddha’s teachings and his ability to convey their meaning in a clear, accessible way.

Fees & Booking

Regular: £7 / person
Members: no charge (click here for more info about the monthly membership)

How to book: You can book in advance via our website or simply drop in and register upon arrival. Pre-registration is encouraged to allow a smoother registration process and decrease your waiting time at the door. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start of the event. Please arrive 15 minutes before class starts.

To book in advance, click on the booking button below and fill out the booking form. At the end of the booking process, you will receive an email confirming your booking.

Payment methods: For pre-registration via our website, we accept credit cards. For registration on site upon arrival, we accept cash, debit and credit cards.

Terms & Conditions

Please click here to familiarise yourself with our terms and conditions, and refund policy before booking your ticket.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or booking inquiries, please email: info@tarakmc.org or call us on 01283 732338 during Reception opening hours.