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
How to Lead a Pure Life

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 21 Oct 7:30-9:00pm
The Forty-six Secondary Downfalls of a Bodhisattva (1)
How to Conduct our Daily Lives

Extensive advice on how to lead our daily lives in accordance with the moral disciplines of a Bodhisattva. By putting this into practice, we can gradually complete the trainings of a Bodhisattva and eventually attain the supreme bliss of enlightenment.

Book Now

Wed 28 Oct 7:30-9:00pm
The Forty-six Secondary Downfalls of a Bodhisattva (2)
How to Conduct our Daily Lives

These instructions are extremely important for everyone and especially those who have taken the Bodhisattva vows. How to gradually complete the Bodhisattva's training.

Book Now

Wed 4 Nov 7:30-9:00pm
The Eighteen Root Downfalls of a Bodhisattva
Avoiding Breaking our Vows is Very Important

The root downfalls are more serious than the secondary downfalls because, if we incur a root downfall, we actually break our Bodhisattva vows, whereas if we incur a secondary downfall, we damage our vows but do not completely break them.

Book Now

Wed 11 Nov 7:30-9:00pm
The Five Paths and Thirteen Grounds of Highest Yoga Tantra
Learning the Road Map to Enlightenment

Knowing what these five paths and thirteen grounds are in our own meditation practice is essential in order to chart our progress along the quick path of Tantra.

Book Now

Wed 18 Nov 7:30-9:00pm
The Nineteen Commitments of the Five Buddha Families
How to Keep these Commitments Purely

The main purpose of the Six Session Yoga, which all Highest Yoga Tantra practitioners recite six times every day, is to remind us of these nineteen commitments of the five Buddha families, and to help us to keep them purely.

Book Now

Wed 25 Nov 7:30-9:00pm
The Fourteen Root Downfalls and the Branch Commitments
How to Keep these Commitments Purely

We keep the nineteen commitments of the five Buddha families by abandoning the fourteen root downfalls and the other downfalls of the Secret Mantra vows.

Book Now

Wed 2 Dec 7:30-9:00pm
The Eleven Gross Downfalls of the Secret Mantra Vows
Including the Uncommon Commitments of Mother Tantra

The most important thing is to know all the commitments and never to abandon the intention to keep them purely in the future.

Book Now

Wed 9 Dec 7:30-9:00pm
The Handbook for the Daily Practice of Bodhisattva and Tantric Vows
Practising this Ensures there will be no Basis for Incurring Downfalls

In the practice of giving love, if we sincerely cherish all living beings there is no basis for incurring any downfalls of the Bodhisattva and Tantric vows because these downfalls are necessarily motivated by self-cherishing.

Book Now
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.