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Beginner's Courses
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Annual
Course
The Art of Living and Dying
Well
Death comes to all living beings,
and at that crucial time of transition from one life to the next,
we may not know how to best help our loved ones or ourselves. This
course gives practical advice on preparing for death and assisting
others through this time. It provides practices to do at the time
of death, including the Medicine Buddha puja, advice for the 'non-religious',
and prayers for funerals of all types. Led by western nun Ven. Lhagsam.
About this Course
This course is suitable for both Buddhists
and non-Buddhists, and for students of all levels.
It runs for 5 weeks on Thursdays. The morning class will be repeated
in the evenings. Topics to be covered include:
- Practical advice on what to do when those
close to us are dying
- Prayers and powerful mantras to bring peace
and confidence
- Recognise and navigate the 8 stages of the
dying process
- Making our life and our death beneficial by
using the “5 Powers”
- How to help our pets when they are dying
About the Teacher Ven.
Lhagsam has 15 years experience in palliative care, is a registered
nurse, and a Buddhist nun since 2000. She brings the insight and
experience of both the wisdom of the Buddha and the modern medical
field. She has helped many people (and her cat) through protracted
illness and death, and conducts funerals for Buddhists and non-Buddhists
alike.
19 August - 16 September,
2010
Thursday Mornings 10.30 am - 12. 30 pm &
Thursday Evenings 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm
$25 suggested donation
for the notes, regular $10-$5 suggested donation per evening (so
we can make an offering to Ven. Lhagsam)
Bookings appreciated so we know how many notes to print!
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Beginner's
Introduction Course
Foundation Course
This is a 8-week introduction
to fundamental Buddhist principles with an emphasis on immediate
application in our everyday life. We explore some of the key elements
of Buddhist teaching, so as to be able to live with an open heart
and a clear mind. Includes an topics such as:
- how to meditate and set up a daily practice
- the nature of our mind and Buddha nature
- arguments for and against reincarnation
- generating faith based on reasoning and
logic
- how and why we take refuge in the Buddha
and his teachings
- developing self-esteem by valuing our
human life
- how to prepare for death and help others
at death time
- Developing the causes of happiness and uprooting
the causes of suffering
Each class also has a practical element
where we learn how to sit comfortably, how to prostrate, how to
make offerings or set up an altar. We also learn the meaning and
reason for doing these things.
About the Class
This introductory class is ideal for first
time students new to meditation or to Buddhism. You do not
have to be a Buddhist to attend. Although the classes are sequential,
each class is designed to 'stand alone' and be immediately useful,
so you can join at any time. They include
a short guided meditation, a talk, readings and the opportunity
for questions.
About the Teacher
Miffi
Maxmillion
Tuesday Evenings
(August 31 - October 26, 2010)
6.30 pm - 8.30 pm (arrive from 6.00 pm)
$5 suggested
donation
DAY
Thursday Mornings
(June 3 - August 12, 2010)
10.30 am - 12.30 pm (arrive from 10.00 am)
$5 suggested
donation
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Beginner's
Course
Overcoming Disturbing Emotions
These classes concentrate specifically
on how to change our negative habit patterns and purify our mistakes
using the method of the Four Opponent Powers. We investigate what
triggers our negative habits and compulsions, how to overcome disturbing
emotions like desirous attachment and anger, how the behavioural
law of cause and effect (karma) works, and the specific methods
to stop these disturbing emotions from arising.
About this Course
This course is ideal for first time students,
both Buddhists and non-Buddhists.
The classes include short guided meditations, a talk, selected readings
and time for questions.
About the Teacher
Miffi
Maxmillion
DAY
Thursday Mornings
(September 30 - October 28, 2010)
10 .30 am - 12.15 pm (arrive from 10.00 am)
$5 suggested
donation
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Mother's
Group
16 Guidelines for a Happy Life
Are you a mum with a new baby? Are you busting for a Dharma class
you can attend and bring baby too? Well, hope is around the corner!
Following the very popular weekend course held here at LTC on the
16 Guidelines for a Happy Life, this mother's group is structured
around an informal discussion of the Guidelines, how they relate
to raising a child and positive parenting.
About the Group
The group is aimed at mothers with babies 0-12 months. Our initial
4-week trial was so succesful that this group is now an established
class at LTC! Held in the downstairs small gompa. Christina Smerdon
(who attended the 16G weekend at LTC) co-ordinates the group.
About the 16 Guidleines
The 16 Guidelines are part of a non-profit initiative called Essential
Education, which proposes that developing our natural capacity for
compassion and wisdom is the key to making our lives happier and
more peaceful - and to being able to make a positive contribution
in the world. The Guidelines encapsulate Buddhist philosophy and
ethics, but present them in a secular framework. As such they are
suitable for both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. They include
wisdom from Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and other inspiring
human beings. More information at www.essential-education.org
Thursday Mornings
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Suggested donations $5
Information and enquiries email Christina at
mothers@langritangpa.org.au
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& Advanced Classes |
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Discovering
Buddhism
Awakening the limitless potential
of your mind, achieving all peace and happiness
This intermediate class in Buddhist
philosophy and practice runs over 3 years, but you can join at the
beginning of any unit. The classes are fairly structured and aim
to give participants a solid footing in the practice of Mahayana
Buddhism. They also give us an experiential taste of the Buddha's
teachings, meditation retreat experience, and the skills we need
to make our lives most meaningful. This course is an essential basis
for undertaking more advanced study like the Buddhist Studies Program
(BSP).
Who Can Come?
You can officially join up for one subject, for some, or for all
of them, and receive the notes, readings and assessment. Or you
can come on an informal basis and attend classes when you can. This
is an intermediate class, so we suggest you attend at least one
unit of the beginner's classes before trying this one out!
How to pass the class?
As long as you come to all the classes and activities there is no
way you can fail! Even if you miss a class you can catch up by listening
to the sound files in our Member's Area of the website. This three
year course has a total of 14 subject areas. Each subject includes
6-10 weeks of classes, a one day retreat, and concludes with an
exam or an interview with Eddie. In addition some units have extra
activities like the "Liberation" game, Nyung-Ne's and
Lam Rim retreats.
Read
our FAQ's sheet on Discovering Buddhism
Download
the outline of all 13 topics in the course
Day Classes
UNIT 3: Presenting the
Path
(Tuesday Mornings from 13th July, 2010)
Get an overview of the entire Tibetan Buddhist path to awakening
- from here to enlightenment! Hear about the life story of the Buddha
and study the basic teachings of Buddhism. Discover the unique system
for putting Buddhist philosophy into practice contained in the Lam
Rim, or 'graduated path to enlightenment'. This unit also includes
2 pujas and the Buddhist board game "From Afflictions to Perfections".
UNIT 4: The Spiritual Teacher
(Tuesday Mornings from 2nd November, 2010)
Take the time to investigate the role of the teacher on the
spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of a teacher,
the qualities of a student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest
benefit in one's spiritual life. Consider the challenges we face
when thinking of entering into a "guru-disciple" relationship
and learn how to overcome these skillfully.
DAY
Tuesday Mornings
10.30 am - 12.00 pm (arrive from 10.00 am)
$5 suggested
donation (plus $50-$30 for
the notes)
About the Teacher Eddie
Peet
Evening Classes
UNIT:13 Introduction to
Tantra
(Wednesday Evenings from 1st September, 2010)
Learn the definition of tantra, how tantra works and why it is a
powerful form of practice. Get a broad overview of the four classes
of tantra and learn how to practice simple kriya tantric methods.
In addition, find out how to integrate the practices of tantra with
the lam rim meditation for optimal resluts. (This unit is led by
Miffi Maxmillion).
"Introduction to Tantra" is especially
recommended as we have many high lamas touring Australia in the
next 12 months, including HH the Dalai Lama, and this course will
enable you to make an informed decision about whehter to take an
initiation or not.
Wednesday Evenings
7.00 pm - 8.30 pm (arrive any time after 6.00 pm)
$5 suggested
donation (plus $30-$50 for
the notes)
About the Teacher Miffi
Maxmillion
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On-going
Study Group
HH Dalai Lama DVD & Discussion
Watch the DVD's of HH Dalai Lama's teachings in Melbourne in 2002,
on Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment. Join in
the relaxed but in-depth discussion led by Eddie Peet. We spend
10-20 minutes watching the DVD, and then pause so Eddie can answer
questions as they arise. The material ranges from general and extremely
clear general common sense Buddhism, to the advanced points of Buddhist
metaphysics, psychology and science. Detailed study notes are provided
for each class.
About the Class
This is recommended for intermediate students
as well as the committed beginner. You can join this
group at any time!
About the leader Eddie
Peet
Monday Evenings
7.00 pm - 8.30 pm (arrive from 6.30 pm)
$5 suggested
donation per class
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Monthly
Class
Tenets Tutorial
A relaxed but in-depth tutorial on the Buddhist Tenets system. This
is run in parallel with the teachings being given by Geshe Jamyang
on Friday nights, on relative and ultimate reality. We will study
one tenets school per class to gain an overview of what distinguishes
them from the other schools. Mind-maps and charts will help us along
the way, and there is plenty of time for questions!
About the Class
This is recommended for intermediate students
and the committed beginner.All welcome, but attendance at Geshe-la's
teachings is a help!
About the leader Eddie
Peet
Saturday Afternoons
(once a month)
Saturday 28th August
Saturday 25th September
Saturday 23rd October
Saturday 27th November
2.00 pm - 4.00 pm
$5 suggested
donation per class (donation
of $10 for the notes)
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On-going
Study Group
BSP Lower Tantras
This is an in-depth study of lower
tantra systems, based on a commentary given by Geshe Tashi Tsering
at Chenrezig Institute. It gives an overview of the Buddhist
path in relation to tantra, and then goes specifically into the
practices, using the Chenrezig Nyung-Ne as a basis. It clearly maps
out the path to enlightenment, explaining the stages, meditations,
symbolism and various methods. We recommend
this class for those who have completed the Discovering Buddhism
course or the LRCM, but it is also suitable for the committed beginner
with an interest in deepening and understanding their deity meditation
practice.
About the Class
You must have a lower tantra initiation
to attend this class! This is a relatively short course (8
months) that will take us up to the end of 2009.
Please contact us for copies of the data CD with all the
notes. We meet on most Sundays to listen to the teaching,
discuss and answer the homework questions. We also use readings
from various commentaries.
About the Teacher Eddie
Peet
DAY
Sunday Mornings
(please confirm ongoing dates on the Google calendar)
10.30 am - 1.30 pm (BYO lunch)
$5 suggested
donation per class
PLUS $40 donation for the data CD with all the notes (by
email on request) |
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