Hayagriva Buddhist Centre

Last Minute Schedule Change:
NO MEDICINE BUDDHA PUJA ON 3 AUG

The “Medicine Buddha Puja and Prayers for the Deceased” previously scheduled for 3 August has been cancelled. You are encouraged to do the practice at home.

Sunday Teachings: Audio Recordings

You can catch up on Sunday teachings by listening to the online audio recordings. The latest recording available is for 14 Jul 2019.

Tuesday Night Teachings – Audio Recordings

Click here to listen to audio recordings of teachings by Geshe Sonam as part of the Basic Program. The latest recording is for Week 3: Mind and Cognition (Lorig) – 16 Jul 2019.

New Topic Started on 2 July 2019
Mind and Cognition (Lorig)
Lorig is the study of Mind, its Factors and Functionality. This teaching is part of the Basic Program and consists of:

• Awarenesses and Knowers (part 1)
  Focused primarily on the study of knowledge, what are valid ways of knowing and what are invalid
• Minds and Mental Factors (part 2)
  A more psychological study of mind, examining the mind in terms of its wholesome and unwholesome aspects, etc.

Why study minds and mental factors (lorig)?
It is because the mental factors are primarily responsible for all our experiences. When the mind is under the influence of unwholesome mental factors, such as attachment and anger, one is led into actions that end in frustration and suffering. But whenever the mind is dominated by wholesome factors, such as compassion and patience, then any ensuing physical and vocal activity will only result in happiness and well-being.

Chökhor Düchen – 1st Turning of the Wheel – 3 and 4 Aug 2019

Chökhor Düchen, one of the four annual holy days, takes place this year on August 4. On these holy days, the power of any meritorious action is multiplied by 100 million, as cited by Lama Zopa Rinpoche from the Vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic. Specific advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche for practices to do on merit multiplying days such as Chökhor Düchen can be found here.

Known in English as “Turning the Wheel of Dharma,” Chökhor Düchen commemorates the anniversary of Guru Shakyamuni Buddha’s first teaching. It is said that for seven weeks after his enlightenment, the Buddha did not teach. Afterward, Indra and Brahma offered a Dharmachakra and a conch shell and requested Guru Shakyamuni Buddha to teach. Accepting, Guru Shakyamuni Buddha turned the wheel of Dharma for the first time at Sarnath by teaching “The Four Noble Truths”.

If you decide to recite the Sutra of Golden Light on this special day, you might like to report your recitations using the reporting facility on FPMT.org.

Chökhor Düchen is also the day on which FPMT celebrates International Sangha Day. International Sangha Day provides an opportunity for the lay and monastic communities to come together in recognition of their interdependence and acknowledge the ways in which they rely on each other for the practice of Dharma.

To read more on Chökhor Düchen and International Sangha Day click here

Program of Events at HBC on Sat 3 and Sun 4 August

Sat 3 Aug 2pm
In order not to disrupt the centre’s normal program, we are setting up the tables and offering bowls on Saturday, the eve of the Holy Day, as is the practice of some of the great monasteries. This will include purification of water bowls as well as filling them. On Sunday at 1pm, before normal teachings begin, we will top up the bowls with extra drops of water and add flowers. Please come and help us in an afternoon of merit making.

Sun 4 Aug

• 6.30am Precepts with Geshela
• 4pm Light Offering followed by Shakyamuni Buddha Puja

Offering of food, flowers are welcome at the puja. Tea lights will be available by donation at HBC for the light offering.