February 25 - 7-8pm

ANSWERS: Discussions with Western Buddhists
by H.H. the Dalai Lama, trans. & ed. by Jose Cabezon

In India, at the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment, it became a well-established tradition for the Dalai Lama to spend several days each year giving teachings to Buddhists from all over the world. Following his teachings, he held informal group discussions with Western students of Buddhism. In these lively exchanges the Dalai Lama exhibits clear and penetrating insight into issues that are most important to Western students. Some of the topics discussed are: psychology, Christianity, being a practicing Buddhist in the West, spiritual teachers, reincarnation, emptiness, tantra, protector deities, liberation, meditation, compassion, disciplining others, the power of holy places, and retreats.

Moderator: Melissa Smith

June 24 - 7-8pm

HEALING ANGER: The Power of Patience from a Buddhist Perspective
by H.H. the Dalai Lama, trans. by Thupten Jinpa

Buddhist traditions unanimously state that compassion and love are the foundation of all paths of practice. To cultivate the potential for compassion and love inherent within us, it is crucial to counteract their opposing forces of anger and hatred. The Dalai Lama shows how patience and tolerance overcome the obstacles of anger and hatred. His Holiness presents the practice of the Six Perfections, the central role of bodhichitta, the twelve links of dependent origination, and offers a clear road map for the practitioner to achieve the goal of liberation. The techniques and methods are relevant for everyone—the Dalai Lama shows the power that patience and tolerance have to heal anger and to generate peace in the world.

Moderator: Sian Behnfeldt

August 26 - 7-8pm

LIGHTING THE WAY: The Power of Patience from a Buddhist Perspective
by H.H. the Dalai Lama

This concise and extremely accessible presentation shows how to apply Buddhist principles in our lives.

Lighting the Way contains 3 fundamental Buddhist teachings given by the Dalai Lama to Western students. "Principles of Buddhism" provides the framework for understanding the Buddha's teaching on the Four Noble Truths, upon which all of his other teachings are based. "Teachings on Eight Verses on Mind Training"comments on a classic text within the genre of Tibetan spiritual writing known as lojong(literally "mind training".) His Holiness often refers to this short work as one of his main sources of inspiration for the practice of compassion. Finally, the Dalai Lama's commentary on Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment discusses in a lucid and inspiring manner one of the most important texts for serious practitioners of Buddhism.

Moderator: Gabbie Ciuca

February 19 - 7-8pm

THE UNIVERSE IN A SINGLE ATOM: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality
by H.H. the Dalai Lama, trans. & ed. by Jeffrey Hopkins

A rare, personal investigation of the astonishing connections between seemingly disparate topics--such as evolution and karma--that challenge us see that science and faith can work hand-to-hand to alleviate human suffering. The Dalai Lama invites us to see them as complementary investigative approaches to truth, and a key to peace.

Moderator: Paul Oppenheimer

March 18 - 7-8pm

WILD AWAKENING: The Heart of Mahamudra and Dzogchen
by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

Rinpoche presents Mahamudra and Dzogchen, revealing their simplicity and value--emphasizing that we can experience our world more directly, with responsibility, freedom, and confidence.

Moderator: Donna Tash

 

July 22 - 7-8pm

GOOD LIFE, GOOD DEATH
by Gehlek Rinpoche

Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going? How did we get here? Many has asked these questions and many have attempted to answer them. But there is another question. Good Life, Good Death asks us to contemplate how does the idea of life after death affect the way we live our lives.

Moderator: Ira Pettit

September 16 - 7-8pm

THE BACKDOOR TO ENLIGHTENMENT
by Za Rinpoche and Ashley Nebelsieck

Everyone dreams of a better life. All the things you've ever wanted - happiness, loving relationships, health, wealth and peace of mind - are all qualities of enlightenment, a way of embracing our fullest potential that seemed unavailable to us, until now. For thousands of years, the secret to enlightenment has remained hidden in the distant reaches of the Himalayas, deep in wisdom impenetrable to all but the most dedicated seekers. Now, a highly renowned Tibetan spiritual master burns the rules and barriers that have hindered our understanding. For the first time in history, the backdoor to enlightenment reveals the keys to immediate, profound realization tothe rest of the world. More than just a heartfelt story of mystery and discovery, this revolutionary work stands out as a smart, clear guide, showing step-by-step how you can use these astonishing truths to transform every apsect of your life. There might not be a shortcut to enlightenment, but there is a backdoor.

Moderator: Lisa Meyer

November 4 - 7-8pm

HOW TO SEE YOURSELF AS YOU REALLY ARE
by H.H. the Dalai Lama and Jeffrey Hopkins

Like the two wings of a bird, love and insight work cooperatively to bring about enlightenment, says a fundamental Buddhist teaching. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we each possess the ability to achieve happiness and a meaningful life, but the key to realizing that goal is self-knowledge. In How to See Yourself As You Really Are, the world's foremost Buddhist leader and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize shows readers how to recognize and dispel misguided notions of self and embrace the world from a more realistic--and loving--perspective.

Moderator: Krista Pool

February 20 - 7-8pm

THE MEANING OF LIFE: Buddhist Perspectives on Cause and Effect
by H.H. the Dalai Lama, trans. & ed. by Jeffrey Hopkins
ISBN 0681711734

Basing his explanation on the twelve links of dependent-arising as depicted in the Wheel of Life, the Dalai Lama presents Buddhism's worldview while answering some of life's most profound questions: Why are we here? How should we live our lives?

Moderator: James Riviezzo

 

April 10 - 7-8pm

LIGHTING THE WAY
by the Dalai Lama
ISBN 1559392282

This concise and extremely accessible presentation shows how to apply Buddhist principles in our lives.

Lighting the Way contains 3 fundamental Buddhist teachings given by the Dalai Lama to Western students. "Principles of Buddhism" provides the framework for understanding the Buddha's teaching on the Four Noble Truths, upon which all of his other teachings are based. "Teachings on Eight Verses on Mind Training "comments on a classic text within the genre of Tibetan spiritual writing known as lojong (literally "mind training".) His Holiness often refers to this short work as one of his main sources of inspiration for the practice of compassion. Finally, the Dalai Lama's commentary on Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment discusses in a lucid and inspiring manner one of the most important texts for serious practitioners of Buddhism.

The Dalai Lama, leader of the Tibetan people and Nobel Peace Laureate, is a remarkable Buddhist teacher and scholar, versed in the teachings of all the schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He has also become a global spiritual leader, whose commitment to peace and non-violence has been widely recognized, and whose message of universal individual responsibility has won world admiration and acclaim.

Moderator: Joe Collier

June 12 - 7-8pm

THE DALAI LAMA AT HARVARD: Lectures on the Buddhist Path to Peace
by H.H. the Dalai Lama, trans. & ed. by Jeffrey Hopkins
ISBN 0937938718

His Holiness gave this in-depth introduction to Buddhist theory and practice in a Harvard lecture series. He covers a spectrum of topics: The Psychology of Cyclic Existence; Consciousness and Karma; Cessation and Buddha Nature; Paths and the Utilization of Bliss; Techniques for Meditation; Altruism; Valuing Enemies; Wisdom.

Moderator: Lisa Meyer

August 14 - 7-8pm

THE WISDOM OF FORGIVENESS: Intimate Conversations and Journeys
by the Dalai Lama and Victor Chan
ISBN 1573222771

What does the Dalai Lama fear? How does he experience pain? In this series of intimate conversations spanning two decades, the Tibetan leader answers these unusually personal questions. Chan, an old friend of His Holiness', recounts travels with him from Ireland, to Czechoslovakia, to Buddhist holy sites.

Moderator: Daniel Lebedies

October 16 - 7-8pm

THE SPLENDOR OF AN AUTUMN MOON: The Devotional Verse of Tsongkhapa
trans. and intro. by Gavin Kilty

Presents for the first time twenty-one devotional poems by Tsongkhapa, in both the original Tibetan and in artful English translation.

"The poems translated here are some of the most inspiring verses ever written in the Tibetan language. In addition to evoking powerful sentiments, the poems help provide a glimpse into Tsongkhapa's deep humility and his passionate commitment to the ideals of altruism. These verses also help the reader to see what is truly human behind the legend that is such a towering figure in the history of Tibetan Buddhism."--Geshe Thupten Jinpa

Moderator: Lou Ann Behringer

December 11 - 7-8pm

CULTIVATING A DAILY MEDITATION
by the Dalai Lama
ISBN 8185102791

The Dalai Lama explains how to cultivate a daily meditational practice. He also presents tantric meditations on Buddha, Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani and Arya Tara, and discusses how they transform the mind.

Moderator: Rick Solaski