Noon Meditation on Mon, Wed, and Fri, 12:15 - 12:50 PM. Bob Harris and Kim Abbey share leadership of these brief, non-sectarian midday sessions.
Long Sit, 10 AM - Noon on 2nd Sundays of the month. Art Costantino leads.
Nalanda Activities Accessible through Zoom
Go to zoom.us; click 'join a meeting'; then enter the meeting number. Or on your browser, type in the URL - or click the links - below. Password for all Nalanda meetings is Nalanda
Chenrezig/Tara Practice Saturdays, 10-11:30 AM,
attend in person or on Zoom mtg# 819 0132 9425 [https://zoom.us/j/81901329425] [for info: Zach Z. 360-999-1974]
Tantra Bookgroup Thursdays, 1:30-3 PM mtg# 878 935 457 [https://zoom.us/j/878935457] [for info: Jan V. 360-584-5972]
Thursday Evening Class: Learning About Buddhism, 7 - 8:30 PM beginning Oct 24, 2024 through June 2025, attend in person or on Zoom: mtg# 459 433 559 [https://zoom.us/j/459433559].
Attending Activities on ZOOM
Some activities can be accessed using ZOOM, as well as attending in-person.
All meetings to have the password: Nalanda.
We will provide regular updates through email about on-line access to Nalanda Zoom meeting rooms for various practices and programs and the necessary meeting I.D.s to participate.
Either download the Zoom app to your smart phone and set up an account, or you may connect to a Nalanda activity from a desktop or laptop computer directly through the Zoom website without an account.
We provide regular updates through email about on-line access to Nalanda activities. If you are not receiving emails from Nalanda, please message info@nalandaolywa.org.
You may also keep in touch through Nalanda's website, and through our Facebook page, so please check back regularly.
Please stay informed, stay in the moment, and stay healthy!
Thursday Evenings
7 - 8:30 pm
Join in person Some evenings, participation may also be available on Zoom
Courtesy of Jamyang Tsultrim
Summer Schedule Changes
Thursday evening summer schedule for June-Aug 2025
Our teacher Loppon Jamyang takes a summer break, typically starting after our Nalanda retreat and lasting until early September. We usually try to provide ongoing in-person practices, led by experienced students, on Thursdays at 7 PM in the Dharma Center. But due to travel plans, the volunteer roster may be thin this summer. Right now the situation is so uncertain we may need to take some breaks from Thursday practice. So please look to later emails for updates once we firm up the plans.
Typically, summer practices are in person at the Dharma Center. If we decide to open a session of evening practice for online participation (meeting # 459 433 559; Nalanda), you can join at Zoom meeting
ZOOM MEETING INSTRUCTIONS
For ZOOM access information see Quick Reference to Nalanda's On-Line Zoom Activities, or Contact Jan Vleck, 360-584-5972 or email.
This meeting I.D. will remain the same for every upcoming Thursday night practice also.
Some of you may be new to Zoom, so we’ve included these instructions. Zoom is fairly user friendly and the learning curve is relatively quick for newcomers.
If you are using a laptop or desktop PC to participate:
Go to the Zoom Meeting # 459433559 for this meeting.
You do not have need a Zoom account. All you need is the meeting I.D. 459433559 and password: Nalanda
You will see a button near the top right that reads “join meeting”.
Enter the meeting I.D and then the password, Nalanda, to join the meeting.
You may have to click a button to start the video and the audio
You should be able to see Jamyang and the other participants as well as hear them.
They will be able to see you, assuming you sit in front of the computer camera.
If the host takes up the whole screen, when someone else talks, the view shifts to that person, the next person talking, etc. That’s how the discussion will occur.
You can also have a “gallery” view where everyone is on the screen at the same time.
If you are using a mobile phone or a tablet to participate:
You will need to download the Zoom app to your device. The app is free.
From the app, “join the meeting” by entering the meeting I.D. 459433559 and then the password: Nalanda.
When you tap the screen, a menu pops up at the bottom of the screen. That is where you will find controls to turn on video and audio if they are not initially on.
As with the PC, you will see everyone and they will see you (if video is on).
We are incredibly fortunate that HE Khondung Asanga Vajra Rinpoche will visit Nalanda.
As a direct descendent of the Khon lineage, Khondung Asanga Vajra Rinpoche (b. 1999) is to become the 46th Sakya Trizin, the supreme head of the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism. Due to his temporary residence in Seattle, he has accepted the invitation to teach in Olympia this month. I can't overemphasize the importance of this rare opportunity for our members to receive this fundamental initiation and empowerment from him - we have had an ongoing Chenrezig group for years, so there is already a structure for you to sustain this practice!
We have such visits only once or twice in a decade, so do your best to attend - if you don't feel like receiving the initiation, even the greeting ceremony will be an worthwhile cultural experience.
Also, we have revised some previously announced schedules for study and teachings with Loppon Jamyang.
Because Nalanda has limited space, we are requesting advance registration for the initiation event although anyone is invited to join the welcoming ceremony without attending the initiation itself. (That ceremony could be very interesting for children and other culturally curious people, for example.) We are also suggesting a $50 donation (dana) per person to help offset some of the costs of the event. Here's the link to the registration form.
If your plans change and you cannot attend, email info@nalandaoly.org.
Donations to offset event expenses are appreciated. Checks made out to The Nalanda Institute can be mailed to:
PO Box 11361
Olympia, WA 98508
Or give online by clicking Nalanda's Donate button.
LOCATION and PARKING
The Nalanda Institute is at 1620 Fourth Avenue East, Olympia, WA 98506. (Fourth Avenue is an eastbound one-way street.)
Please arrive early enough to park in the surrounding neighborhood and safely walk to Nalanda. 12:15 might be a good arrival time. Do not jay-walk across Fourth Avenue or State Street - these are busy, unpredictable streets. We'd like to have everyone in place early, so you may become familiar with greeting procedures. Also in case our guests arrive early! Be advised that Nalanda has very limited toilet facilities, and plan accordingly.
Schedule may be subject to change:
Consider arriving by 12:15 PM to park in the surrounding neighborhoods.
12:30 PM Attendees and greeters assemble at Nalanda (1620 Fourth Ave E) for instruction on greeting a high lama. Dress beautifully and respectfully! Lama Lungrik will help us prepare. Nalanda will provide the "khata" scarves for greeting.
12:45 - 1:00 PM: (estimated time) Arrival and greeting of His Eminence Asanga Vajra Rinpoche. From this time on, the schedule is approximate.
1:00 PM: When Rinpoche is seated, and the audience as well, Nalanda will briefly welcome him. He is likely to perform a brief consecration, followed by his own private preparation, during which the audience may observe while seated silently. [We expect to provide chairs for the audience.]
1 - 5 PM: The actual blessing and initiation will be performed during this interval, perhaps with a break at Rinpoche's discretion. We expect the
departure ceremony to conclude no later than 5 PM.
Celebration at the Olympia Center
HH the Dalai Lama's 90th Birthday
Hosted by Nalanda at the Olympia Center
Nalanda invites the community to attend a public, secular celebration of the birthday of HH the 14th Dalai Lama (he turns 90 on July 6!). Invite your friends and family. We will probably have a short video about the Dalai Lama's biography and influence on the world stage, perhaps some kids activities, and again, light refreshments.
Sakya Monastery, Seattle
Friday - Sunday, July 25 - 27
21 Taras Weekend: Teachings and Initiations
Bestowed by H.E. Khöndung Avikrita Rinpoche
Here is another opportunity to receive teaching from H.E, Avikrita Rinpoche. "In this special weekend program, Rinpoche will bestow the primary Khadiravani Tara initiation followed by all 21 Tara initiations that correspond to the famous prayer. The initiations are being given according to the lineage of Atisha.
Participation is intended to be for the entire program. However, those who wish may attend the Friday evening preliminary teaching only. It is also permissible to attend only the Khadiravani Tara initiation but to attend the Saturday and Sunday initiations, it is mandatory to attend the Khadiravani Tara initiation. Those attending the entire program may order a copy of the book of sadhanas that will be available for purchase at the conclusion of the Sunday afternoon session. Participation necessitates being vegetarian for the weekend and to commit to bodhicitta.
For additional information about the teaching and initiations, please visit the Sakya Monastery website.
A Vow Ceremony at Nalanda
Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony
Offered by Loppon Jamyang and Lama Lungrik. A preparation class will also be offered shortly before that event.
Preparation for Death
Support End of Life Practices at Nalanda: the Kunrig Fund
Bob Saunders 1943-2023
Bob Saunders made his own preparations for the end of his lifetime, and communicated his wishes to family and to Geshe-La. As Buddhists, we may focus some of our regular practices on our personal preparation for death, and we are aware that our Dharma friends can also offer us beneficial support during our transition. An important part of how we supported Bob was through arranging a "Kunrig" practice ritual at Mundgod Monastery, which was made possible through a family donation. We would like to be able to have Nalanda offer this kind of support to our own Dharma community in years to come.
SUPPORT REQUESTED
Inspired by Bob's example, Loppon Jamyang suggested establishing a dedicated Kunrig fund [Kunrig Choga] at Nalanda. Indeed, we received donations in from Bob's friends and supporters in response to our request, and respectfully renew our request for special financial donations to this new fund.
Please specify "Kunrig" or "End of Life" on your donations. You can mail a check to Nalanda Institute (PO Box 11361, Olympia, WA 98501-1361). You may also donate on line through our website's PayPal link: touch the "Donate" button found among the main links at the top of this web page and enter "Kunrig Choga" or "memorial fund" in the description line so our treasurer will classify the donation properly.
If you are available and interested, consider joining this ongoing Nalanda bookgroup (Thurdsays, 1:30 - 3 pm by Zoom]. We read aloud and discuss. The group is usually about 6-8 people including Sonam Dorje. Call Jan Vleck to learn more 360.584.5972
This group is starting a new book so it's a good time to check it out if you are free on Thursday afternoons. We tend to read classical texts, but it varies. We are Currently reading Red Pine's version of The Lankavatara Sutra. Organizers: Grace O and Jan Vleck, with Sonam Dorje our Tibetan consultant [contact vleckjan@gmail.com]. It is a challenging text, but this group hasn't shied away from heavy lifting in the past, and we have the help of Sonam Dorje. Watch this page or see our emails to learn when we will be starting a new book - maybe in about March 2025? If you'd like to learn more or observe a meeting (on Zoom), contact or Jan Vleck [vleckjan@gmail.com]. We read aloud and then discuss -- it often takes us a year to finish a book!
Currently we are still meeting on Zoom. Anyone is welcome to sign in and check it out -- you don't have to have the book to get a feel for the group.
Ritual Chanting
Every Saturday 10 - 11:30 am in person
Chenrezig and Green Tara Practices at Nalanda
If you are not a current participant and wish to join, contact Zack Zinn (before the meeting time!).
Lama Lungrik leads a practice to transform our body, speech, and mind into the Dharma, the union of compassion and emptiness. Once a month closest to the full moon we do Green Tara practice, drawing closer to the action aspect of compassion.
The Nalanda Study Group
1st & 3rd Saturday of the Month
1 - 3 pm
Note: Practices with "Zoom" Go to Zoom Meeting # 892 6668 2112 password: Nalanda
You're Invited!
The Saturday Study Group meets on zoom from 1 - 3 PM on the first and third Saturdays of each month. We will read & study contemporary and classical texts, with help from Sonam Dorje. The book is "Enlightened Courage" by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. The topic is Lojong mind training using 59 slogans. We will read a slogan and Rinpoche's commentary on the slogan out loud. Then participants who own other books on Lojong can volunteer to read commentaries from those books to the group. The group takes ample time to discuss the slogans.
2nd & 4th Sundays of the Month 10 am - Noon at the Dharma Center
www.kenroizu.com; Courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery. NYC; Tricycle Magazine
Long Meditation
Are you curious to try out longer meditation sessions? Come to the monthly long sit, where the conditions are highly conducive to practice: you will be with other meditators and surrounded by a beautiful dharma center! Mark your calendar for the second Sunday each month.
Art Costantino leads.
Ideas: Traditional & Modern
Buddhism East and West
Nalanda’s Buddhism East and West study group explores cross-cultural themes in traditional and Buddhist modernism as well as in Western philosophy and science. We explore the philosophy, phenomenology, and psychology of nonduality both East and West by reading both traditional and modern texts and essays. We explore the many dimensions of both waking up and growing up, what they mean and how they differ.
By request of the participants, the group is ongoing and meets fluidly by agreeing on the dates of the next one or two sessions and what the focus will be. The past four Zoom sessions have been exploring the nonduality of Advaita Vedanta and comparing it to the nonduality of the Mahayana schools. These sessions have featured a teacher from California who’s trained in both Buddhism and Advaita. Although the current format is primarily study, past formats have included some practice in addition to study.
Book Review: Blaine has written a scholarly review of Evan Thompson's book, Why I Am Not a Buddhist.
"There's quite a bit of Buddhist content in it, both Buddhist modernism, Buddhism and science, as well as Buddhist teachings. As you'll see, I'm critical of the book even though I adore Thompson's other books." - Blaine Snow
Kim Abbey's Tara Circle is starting activities once again. Contact her for information and updates. 206.387.6134
Events & Resources from other nearby centers
Sakya Monastery (Seattle) Calendar of Events
Sakya Monastery is always a treasure box of opportunity for Dharma practitioners, and despite the pandemic they have put together an incredible set of virtual events. Check out Sakya's Event Calendar.
Or check Sakya's News page
Recordings
Selected Teachings from Nalanda
Some of Geshe Jamyang Tsultrim's teachings on the first Thursday of each month as well as teachings from Nalanda's Retreats are now available online at Talks.
Many thanks to our Pledge Donors!
Just like many struggling small businesses, Nalanda has ongoing expenses and reduced income in this plague time. Because we are not able to meet at the Dharma Center, our 'in-person' donations (such as cash or checks in the Dana box) have dried up, yet we still have costs related to owning and operating our physical Dharma Center. We also have the new cost of a monthly Zoom account to support our programs, and Nalanda also made an emergency donation to support food security in our local community during this pandemic. Please, if you can, include Nalanda in your charitable giving.
Nalanda's programs are supported in large part by those who have pledged regular financial contributions. Thank you so much! Your generosity is an inspiration, and the benefits have far reaching effects. To learn more about making a one-time on-line contribution, please click on Dana or the "Dana" link at the top of this page. To set up on-going on-line contributions, please contact us at info@nalandaolywa or use your bank's electronic payment options. ("Dana" means giving or generosity, and is one of the Six Perfections of Buddhism.)
Celebratory Video
Re-living the Dalai Lama's 86th Birthday Party
Evolution of the Heart, 36-minute film from The Mind & Life Institute, powerfully conveys the inter-relatedness of beings, through conversations between the Dalai Lama, evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson, and social scientist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela. It features very concrete examples including stories about chickens and the wolves of selfishness, and from the South African Truth & Reconciliation Commission.
We are fortunate that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is still teaching so actively at age 85. Take advantage of this precious resource by watching either live or taped versions of his talks. Many of them are convenient 1-hour presentations. For details on his upcoming teachings, go to Schedule. A library of taped videos is at Video Library.
His Holiness's videos offer such a variety you are sure to find something of interest. Some are informal Dharma presentations (like the book launch), some are formal Dharma teachings (like an upcoming three-day teaching on Nagarjuna's Commentary on Bodhicitta), and some are conversations with scientists (three events in Nov and Dec).
When seeking a live event be careful to adjust for the time difference between Dharamsala and Olympia - the announcements typically cite a time for Los Angeles, and provide a link to a time zone calculator. (PS: don't forget daylight savings time ends on Nov 1!)
Debut Album
Audio album from His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Inner World is the debut album by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, and is recommended by Geshe Jamyang. It is a combination of especially recorded mantras and messages by His Holiness, set to a backdrop of beautiful music. The mantras were all chosen specifically to support us in our everyday lives. To act like medicine, and change our energy according to what we need, for example, finding courage, healing, wisdom, and protection to name a few.
My understanding is that if you purchase the CD it comes with an explanatory book. Net proceeds from sales of Inner World will go to His Holiness's chosen programs:
Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning (SEE Learning), an international education program and part of an academic collaboration between Emory University and His Holiness;
and the Mind & Life Institute, which brings science & contemplative wisdom together to better understand the mind & create positive change in the world.
Recommended Videos
Geshe Jamyang shares two videos of Tibetan life and culture. (The Jamyang hosting the video is a tour guide in Tibet--different person.) The first video is a look at how Tibetans in Lhasa celebrate Enlightenment Day (Saka Dawa), and the second shows the process of a master artist painting a thangka.
Evolution of the Heart (36 min) powerfully conveys the inter-relatedness of beings, through conversations between the Dalai Lama, evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson, and social scientist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela (who served on the South African Truth & Reconciliation Commission).
Geshe-la has also recently suggested some videos by His Holiness the Sakya Trichen. Specifically recommended are:
"Living a Virtuous Worldly Life According to the Dharma"
“How to Face Difficult Circumstances from a Buddhist Perspective”
"Ten Questions for His Holiness" [on American life in 15 minutes!]
Buddha's Biography (28 min) From Nalanda's own Bob Harris. Also, connect through the Nalanda web page by selecting TALKS at the top of the screen and then "Bob Harris".
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