Emptiness: What is it and how to meditate on it 

with Geshe Wangchen
Sunday, 10am, 8 October

Class Description

What is emptiness? Lama Yeshe explains, “Emptiness (shunyata) is the reality of the existence of ourselves and all the phenomena around us. According to the Buddhist point of view, seeking reality and seeking liberation amount to the same thing.”  Come and learn more about this profound topic as well as how to meditate on it.

Class Facility Contribution: $10 per class (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors free).

No registration needed for the class

How to take care of your merit! 

with Geshe Wangchen
Sunday, 10am, 15 October

Class Description

How can we create merit with our body, speech and mind? Why is it important to dedicate our merit? What is the most skilful way to dedicate our merit? How does rejoicing in our and other’s positive actions increase merit? We welcome you to come and explore these questions with Geshe-la.

Class Facility Contribution: $10 per class (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors free).

No registration needed for the class

Sunday Mornings with Geshe-la

Sunday mornings, from 10am – 12pm, our Resident Teacher, Geshe Wangchen, gives introductory Dharma talks and classes on a variety of topics. Everyone is welcome. The topics will be posted on this page and on our Google Program Calendar closer to the time. If there are any changes to this class they will be noted on our calendar.

Please note that the links to our DCI Audio Recording Request Form only lists our most current Sunday class(es).

Four Applications of Mindfulness

with Geshe Wangchen
Sundays 10am

Dates: 27 August, 3, 10 and 24 September Plus a Retreat Day on:  1 October (10am – 4pm)

Class Description

In Shakyamuni Buddha’s most detailed teaching on mindfulness, the Buddha taught four domains or aspects of mindfulness: mindfulness of body, feelings, mind and phenomena. Everyone is welcome to come and learn what these are and how to practice them.

Class Facility Contribution: $10 per class (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors free).

Retreat Day Facility Contribution: $30 (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors’ Retreat Day $20)

No registration needed for the class, but please register for the retreat day.

Educating the Heart Through Training the Mind:

Part 2 of Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World

with Geshe Wangchen and Simon Harrison
Sundays 10am

Dates: Beginning 18 June and continuing for 8 classes finishing with a Retreat Day on 13 August

(Classes on 2, 9, 16 and 23 July will be taught by FPMT Registered Teacher Simon Harrison)

Class Description

Part 2 of this class will offer practical methods for improving our lives for the benefit of others. As we continue exploring His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s book, Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World, we will focus on the last three chapters of this book covering three powerful topics:

1. Dealing with Destructive Emotions

2. Cultivating Key Inner Values

3. Meditation as Mental Cultivation

Everyone with an interest in these topics is welcome (even if you were not able to attend part 1 of this class).

Costs

Materials: You will need a copy of the book, Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for this class. If you already have one, then there is no materials fee for you. If you don’t have a copy and would like to purchase one (although we have just sold out of copies) we have placed an order for more copies. The cost will be $36 (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors $35).

Class Facility Fees: The facility fees are $10 per class (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors free).

Retreat Facility Fee: $30  (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors free).

Please note: To register just for the retreat day visit: https://www.dci.org.nz/one-day-retreat-registration/

Please register for this class.

Beyond Religion:

Ethics for a Whole World

with Geshe Wangchen
Sundays
10am, from 12 March 2023

This class is scheduled to begin on 12 March 2023 and Part 1 will continue for 10 classes finishing with a One Day Meditation Retreat on Sunday, 28 May 2023 led by Geshe Wangchen. (No class on Easter Sunday.) If you have not yet registered for the retreat day scheduled for Sunday, 28 May 2023, 10am – 4pm, you can do so by clicking here.

Class Description
In His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s book, Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World, His Holiness presents a view of ethics that can be embraced not only by those who see themselves as Buddhist, or even religious, but by all human beings. Geshe-la will present core themes from this book including how to reduce destructive emotions, develop compassion and help other people.

Costs
Materials: You will need a copy of the book, Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for this class. If you already have one, then there is no materials fee for you. If you don’t have a copy and would like to purchase one, we have placed a second order for more paperback copies and the cost is $33 (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors $31). Please note that the cost to source these books has increased slightly from our initial order.
Facility Fees: The facility fees are $10 per class and the One Day Meditation Retreat Fee is $30. (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors enjoy free regular class facility fees and the One Day Meditation Retreat Fee is $20).

If you have not yet registered for the retreat day scheduled for Sunday, 28 May 2023, 10am – 4pm, you can do so by clicking here.

Realising the Four Noble Truths

with Geshe Wangchen

10am Sunday, 26 February and 5 March 2023

(The first class of the year on 26 February will also include Geshe-la sharing about his pilgrimage and time in India and Nepal this summer and will be followed at 11am by a Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Statue Consecration and then at 11.45am a DCI Community Vegetarian Potluck Lunch – please bring a dish to share)

(The class on 5 March will be followed by a Birthday Celebration for Geshe Wangchen. If you would like to sponsor any amount towards this please click here.)

Class Description
Shakyamuni’s first formal Dharma teaching in this world was the Four Noble Truths. What are the Four Noble Truths and how can we progress beyond mere intellectual understanding and gain deep realisation of these truths? Anyone interested in gaining lasting happiness and overcoming suffering once and for all can benefit from the insights contained in the Four Noble Truths. This talk is suitable for all levels.

Facility Contribution: $10 per class (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors enjoy free regular class facility fees)

No registration necessary.

Shantideva Sundays!

The Awakening Mind

with Geshe Wangchen
Sundays
10am, from 18 September (For approximately 12 classes)

Be inspired by Chapter 3 of Shantideva’s renowned A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, in which Shantideva introduces us to what it is like to fully accept and embody the awakening mind of bodhicitta.

This class is suitable for all levels.

Facility Fee $10 per class (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors are free)

Benefitting Sentient Beings

with Geshe Wangchen
Sundays
10am, 14 August – 4 September (4 classes)

By generating compassion, love and patience towards sentient beings we please all of the Buddhas, who fully cherish each being. 

The Indian Buddhist saint and teacher Nagarjuna emphasizes this and other essential points in his short text “Praise To Satisfying Sentient Beings.” Over four Sundays, Geshe-la will explain this text and encourage each of us to develop and strengthen our Buddhist practice by implementing Nagarjuna’s precious advice.

This class is suitable for all levels.

Heart Treasure for the Warriors Who Long for Liberation

with Geshe Wangchen
Sundays
10am, 3 – 31 July with Retreat Day

This beautiful short teaching by Lama Atisha contains refreshing pith instructions. Reading it feels as if Lama Atisha himself were here now, personally giving you practical heart advice on how to navigate daily living, have a genuine good heart, really practice Dharma and make your life meaningful. Over five Sundays in July Geshe-la will share reflections and commentary on this text and on the final Sunday, 31 July, Geshe-la will lead a Retreat Day on this topic. Suitable for all levels.

Class Facility Fee $10 (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors are free)

Registration for the Retreat Day on 31 July is now open.

Essence of Buddha’s Teachings 

with Geshe Wangchen
Sundays
10am, 3 April – 26 June 2022 (Extended to include a full Retreat Day on 26 June)

(Please note: no class over Easter or Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday Weekends)

How can we make the most of our life now? The Lamrim (Graduated Path to Enlightenment) condenses all of the essential points of the Buddha’s teachings so that we can put them into practice for our own and others’ benefit. Over 10 Sundays Geshe-la will explain The Third Dalai Lama’s brief text, Essence of Refined Gold. The final Sunday will include guided meditations. All Levels Class 

Facility Fee $10 (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors are free)

Registration for the Retreat Day on 26th of June will open closer to the time. The retreat day will run from 10am – 4pm. 

Happiness and Suffering: Insights of the Four Noble Truths 

with Geshe Wangchen
Sundays
6, 13, 20 and 27 March 2022

The audio recording of all 3 sessions can be requested using our DCI Audio Recording Request Form. Due to covid numbers, this class will not be in person.

What brings happiness, what brings suffering? Join us as Geshe-la explores the profound meaning of The Four Noble Truths revealed by the Buddha. This talk is suitable for all levels. On the final Sunday, 27 March, Geshe-la will show us how to meditate daily on the Four Noble Truths.

Facility Fee $10 (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors are free)

Perfecting Patience 

with Geshe Wangchen

Sundays, 10am, 5 Sept – 12 December (this class has been extended)

includes 12 classes + 1 Retreat Day on 12 December

[Please note: No class on 10 October (Fire Puja Day) or 24 Oct (Labour Day Weekend).]

PLEASE NOTE: The Perfecting Patience class has been extended due to the covid situation in Auckland. It will now run for 12 sessions followed by a retreat guided meditation session on 12 December. All 12 sessions plus the retreat guided meditations audio recording can be requested. Please use the DCI Audio Recording Request Form.

Due to the difficult covid situation in Auckland, along with restrictions, Geshe Wangchen and DCI have decided that this class plus the retreat guided meditations will be done via audio recording. We want to keep people safe.

“Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied? And what is the use of being unhappy about something if it cannot be remedied?” – Shantideva, from the Patience chapter in his most famous text A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life

In this class, Geshe Wangchen will guide us through Shantideva’s advice on how to develop and perfect the quality of patience in our minds. Harbouring angry, painful thoughts disturbs our mental peace, and can lead to other unskilful actions. How can we develop a strong, healthy, happy, resilient mind, that remains undisturbed even when we encounter annoyances, difficulties, setbacks and obstacles? Come find out!

Class Facility Fee: $10 per class (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors are free) No class registration required.

Retreat Guided Meditation Session on Sunday, 12 December Facility Fee $10, Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors $10)

How to Study, Reflect and Meditate on the Buddhist Path

with Geshe Wangchen

Sundays, 10am (from 20 June – 22 August, please note no class on 11 July or 15 August) 8 Sundays + Retreat Day on Sunday 29 August 

PLEASE NOTE: As Auckland is in Lockdown, DCI is closed for in-person visits. During lockdown, you can request the audio recordings of these classes (including all 8 sessions plus the Retreat Day Guided Meditations). Please use the DCI Audio Recording Request Form.

How should we approach the study and practice of Buddhism? Learn from the life of Lama Tsongkhapa, the founder of this tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Find out how Lama Tsongkhapa gained extensive learning, and then went on to acquire experience of the stages of the path, including the profound and extensive paths.

Over 8 Sundays, Geshe-la will lead us in an exploration of Lama Tsongkhapa’s text Destiny Fulfilled: Tsongkhapa’s Spiritual Training as a Song of Realization. The class will finish with a retreat day on 29 August. All-levels welcome.

“Learn, reflect and gain conviction. Then meditate and integrate what you’ve understood within you.” – HH the Dalai Lama from a commentary on Destiny Fulfilled

Class Facility Fee: $10 per class (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors are free)

No class registration required.

Retreat Day on Sunday, 29 August
Update: As Auckland is in lockdown, Geshe Wangchen will record guided meditations on this topic. This recording can be requested using the DCI Audio Recording Request Form. It is also possible to use this form to request recordings of any of the 8 sessions of this current Sunday class. Retreat Day Guided Meditations Facility Fee: $10 (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors are free)

Discovering Buddhism Series

Presenting the Path

with FPMT Registered Teacher Simon Harrison

Monday nights 7.30 – 9pm, 12 April – 21 June (no class on Queen’s Birthday) 10 weeks + 1 Retreat Day on Saturday, 26 June 10am – 4pm

Excellent for all levels!

Get an overview of the entire Tibetan Buddhist path to awakening. 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.”

Facility Fee: $10 per class (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors are free)

Materials and Admin Support Fee: $20 Printed Reading Packet and Weekly Handouts OR $15 Digital Reading Packet and Printed Weekly Handouts

Retreat Day Facility Fee: $30 Please bring a vegetarian dish to share for the potluck lunch. (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors $20 Please bring a vegetarian dish to share for the potluck lunch.)

Everyone is welcome to this course. Please register.