The Nalanda Institute is temporarily suspending all face to face practices, programs, and activities. We will maintain an on-line presence and practice support for a limited number of our practices, programs, and activities using ZOOM.
See the updated Quick Reference to Nalanda's On-Line Zoom Activities below.
Zoom has some problems with meeting security, so in addition to a meeting #, they require a password to enter all meetings. For now, we have enabled 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.
You will need to download the Zoom app to your smart phone and set up an account or you may connect to a Nalanda practice/program meeting from a desktop or laptop computer directly through the Zoom website without an account. Zoom is a generally user friendly platform, though please be mindful that many are new to Zoom and there will be a learning curve for some.
We will also provide scheduling updates through the email newsletter and Nalanda's website, and through our Facebook page, so please check back regularly.
Please stay informed, stay in the moment, and stay healthy!
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 mtg# 817 534 3467 [https://zoom.us/j/8175343467] [for info: Zach Z. 360-999-1974]
Buddhism East & West Tuesdays 4/22, 5/6; 10-11:30 AM mtg# 422 438 038 [https://zoom.us/j/422438038] [for info: Blaine S. 360-951-9797]
Thursday 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 Meditation Thursdays, 7-8:30 PM mtg# 459 433 559 [https://zoom.us/j/459433559] [for info: Jan V. 360-584-5972]. If you wish, download the Sadhana we use on Thursday evenings.
The following practices, programs, and activities have been suspended until further notice:
Noon Mindfulness Meditation (daily)
Long Sit Meditation (2nd Sundays)
Green Tara Group (2nd Sundays)
Guru Yoga of Sapan (Thursdays)
Core Principles (4th Saturdays)
Feeding the hungry at the Community Kitchen (3rd Tuesdays)
Online Teachings
HH the Dalai Lama's Recent Nagarjuna Teachings
You can see the two teachings given by HH from Dharamsala on May 16 & 17 (India time; May 15&16 here). He seems to make an effort to be non-sectarian. The total time is about 1:45. A 41-page pdf of the text is available for free download.
Virtual Retreat
9 AM - 4 PM
Jamyang Reorganizes the Retreat
Geshe-la would like to offer an on-line retreat in June to replace the Covid-19-canceled residential retreat. His theme will be "Deepening and broadening meditative experiences in core themes and skills". [Note this is not the same weekend as the original retreat plan, and is intended to avoid overlap with the Jetsunma's dharma event in Seattle.]
The general plan is to strengthen our individual practices, especially focusing on the foundations such mindfulness (Shamatha), the Four Immeasurables, and Bodhicitta. He will also emphasize the importance of aspirational prayers (in line with his recent teachings on Samantabhadra) and dedication. So in some ways this could be taken as an extended commentary on the regular practice he has been encouraging for over 25 years. It will definitely refresh and expand your understanding and capabilities in this core practice. Please see if you can set aside this time to gather on-line to hear, discuss, and practice together.
Temporarily Suspended
Guru Yoga of Sapan Manjushri
Guru Sapan Manjushri practitioners are encouraged to maintain their practice at home for the next month. More information will follow for these practitioners in the coming weeks.
To learn more about Vajrayana practice, here are two books we have recently studied at Nalanda:
Turning Confusion into Clarity by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (Snow Lion, about $25).
Tantra by Geshe Tashi Tsering (Wisdom Publications; volume 6 in The Foundations of Buddhist Thought, about $17). You might even want to read volumes 1-5 of this series before you jump directly into Tantra!
Thursday Evening Adaptions
On-Line Presentation
Courtesy of Jamyang Tsultrim
Chanting, Meditation, and Discussion
Thursday evening practices have been temporarily modified for on-line presentation and participation through Zoom, You can download the Sadhana we are using for Thursday evenings.
The First Thursday teaching and discussion as well as regular Thursday practices have been combined to use Zoom for guided meditation (two 15 min. sessions), chanting, commentary and discussion with our teacher, Geshe Jamyang Tsultrim. We will provide Zoom meeting access I.D. and other information through email.
Guru Sapan Manjushri practitioners are encouraged to maintain their practice at home for the next month. More information will follow for these practitioners in the coming weeks.
The only change in the practice is our teacher, Geshe Jamyang Tsultrim, will lead a guided mediation rather than silent meditation.
The First Thursday Dharma Teaching in June (June 4) will conclude the commentary on The Aspiration of Samantabhadra.
Then from at least through the end of June, Geshe Jamyang will be teaching a few verses of Chapter 5 (on Vigilance, or Guarding Introspection) each Thursday evening (except First Thursdays), following regular practice and discussion. The Shantideva discussion will presumably begin around 8PM. You may read and / or download the Text of Ch 5.
ZOOM MEETING INSTURCTIONS
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 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).
This group tends to read classical texts or their commentaries, and is probably more accessible to those already familiar with traditional Buddhist thought. Sonam Dorje is guiding a reading Creation and Completion: Essential Points of Tantric Meditation by Jamgon Kongtrul, with a Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (Wisdom Publications). The book is available from Nalanda at $4-6 below the cover price. Contact Grace O, Jan V, or Bob S.
Ritual Chanting
Every Saturday 10 - 11:30 am
Note: Practices with "Zoom" Go to Zoom Meeting # 817 534 3467
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. (This Green Tara practice is not the same as the Tara Circle that meets on 2nd Sundays.)
The Nalanda Study Group
1st & 3rd Saturday of the Month
1 - 3 pm
Note: Practices with "Zoom" Go to Zoom Meeting # 2179721359
You're Invited!
We are meeting again, but now using ZOOM to meet in virtual space. Please contact Grace via email to learn how to acces the meetings.
Come and try out this friendly ongoing book group, guided by Sonam Dorje. We are reading Being Nobody Going Nowhere by Ayya Khema on both Saturdays. Typically the group reads aloud, then discusses, so it's low pressure. Books are not available through Nalanda.
At a later date we will resume readingThe Sun of Wisdom by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, a commentary on Nagarjuna’s Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way.
Green Tara Group
Note: Meetings Temporarily Suspended.
Meditation, Music, Mantras, and Movement
The Tara Circle meets monthly on the second Sunday. The Tara Circle is a wonderful way to engage body, voice, and mind. Moving to recorded music, our Tara Circle learns hand mudras and movements to bring bliss and joy. We move then we 'sit' for 20 minutes.
This practice follows the second Sunday 'Long Sits'.
For information, contact Kim Abbey at 206-387-6134 (phone or text).
Extended Sitting
Note: Meetings Temporarily Suspended.
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.
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.)
Additional Dharma Resources for the Pandemic
Chenrezig livestream and other Resources
You can join Sakya Monastery's livestream Chenrezig practice on Sundays at 10am, on their website or Facebook page. English chanting is led by H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Dorje Changs's son, H.E. Sadu Vajra Sakya Rinpoche. Tibetan chanting will be led by Khenpo Jampa Rinpoche and Sakya Monastery lamas. A 56-page PDF compilation of most of the prayers recited during the usual Chenrezi practice, is freely available. Please use this, without prerequisite, to help support your practice.
Sakya Monastery also encourages recitation of the dharani of Arya Parnasavari and A Prayer for Pacifying the Fear of Disease as protection from this coronavirus outbreak. In addition, H.E. Dagmo Kusho has provided, for the benefit of all sentient beings, a short Orange Tara practice to help protect against the spread of infectious disease.
HH the Sakya Trichen has also provided an on-line oral transmission of and text for The Prayer Which Saved Sakya From the Epidemic. [This is another version of the "Prayer for Pacifying the Fear of Disease" noted above from the Sakya Monastery website.]
