" Good human qualities… honesty, sincerity, a good heart, cannot be bought with money, nor can they be produced by machines, but only by the mind itself. We call this the inner light, or God’s blessing, or human quality. This is the essence of mankind. "

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama
QUICK LINKS TO TAKE ACTION
Dec 24-30, 2018
MONDAY, DEC 24 - Happy Christmas Eve!
  • Center Closed

TUESDAY, DEC 25 - Merry Christmas!
  • Center Closed

WEDNESDAY, DEC 26

FRIDAY, DEC 28

SATURDAY, DEC 29

SUNDAY, DEC 30
2018 STUPA CIRCUMAMBULATION COUNT: 24,295
Please enter your count at the Stupa
Welcome Home,
Geshe Gelek!
Members of Kadampa Center gathered in the lobby and outside the Center on Sunday, Dec. 16 to offer katas and personally extend a warm welcome to Geshe Gelek. Welcome home, Geshe-la, we’re so happy you’ve back and look forward to your teachings!
PHOTO/David Strevel
– TARA PRAISES FOR LIGHT OF THE PATH RETREAT –
Our precious spiritual director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, advised us to recite 100,000 Praises to the 21 Taras to create the causes and remove obstacles for the next Light of the Path Retreat. Remember to keep a count of your personal recitations and enter them here. This is an amazing chance to create merit!
– PUJAS –
Mon , Dec 31
No puja at Center; reminder for those who may wish to perform tsog at home
Wed, Jan 16, Noon-1:30p
ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE
Burn negative karma away - start the new year fresh! This is a powerful Mahayana purification practice that offers us the opportunity to begin the new year with a relatively clean slate. Bring the entire family for this fire puja practice.
  • WHEN: 7:00-9:00p, Mon, Dec 31
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
– UPCOMING AND ONGOING CLASSES AND TEACHINGS –
Geshe Gelek returns to teaching on the complete Lamrim text by Lama Tsongkhapa.
  • WHEN: 7:00-8:30p, Wednesdays (no teaching Dec 26)
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
In these teachings, Geshe Gelek will use topics from the Kadampa Master Geshe Chekawa's  The Seven Point Mind Training  as a tool for exploring methods of making our lives happier.
  • WHEN: Sundays, 10:30-Noon
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
Discovering Buddhism is a two-year course designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the lamrim, the step-by-step path to enlightenment practiced in Tibetan Buddhism. Discovering Buddhism: Mind and Its Potential begins Monday, Jan 7.
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
  • WHEN: 7:00-8:30p, Mondays
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
Join us for this introductory course that provides a broad, simple overview of key aspects of Buddhism and our practice. No homework or quizzes. Presented in five sessions with Sandy Carlson.
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
  • WHEN: 7:00-8:30p, Tuesdays, (Jan 8-Feb 5)
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
WELCOME FAMILIES – JOIN US!
Sunday morning classes begin at 10:30

Our Sunday Program is a vibrant mix of drop-off and family programming. Much of our curriculum content is based on the 16 Guidelines .

FAMILY DHARMA CLASSES:

  • No Family Dharma Classes Dec 30; children are welcome in the gompa with their families.
– UPCOMING FAMILY PROGRAM EVENTS –
by Kadampa Center 5th ‐ 8th grade Sunday School class
The Family Program Sunday School class children have begun a newsletter!
  • Interview: Humility with Vincent Batts
  • Quiz: Which guideline are you?
  • Survey: What does patience mean to you?
  • Crossword: How we think
  • Contentment drawing
INTERFAITH PRAYER GATHERING
Join us for an afternoon of devotional prayer as the Kadampa Center hosts the Triangle Interfaith Alliance prayer gathering, "HOPE: Pass It On." Presenters will share a brief prayer or thought from their faith tradition.
  • WHAT: Interfaith Prayer Gathering – HOPE: Pass It On
  • WHEN: Sun, Jan 6, 3:00-4:30p
  • WHERE: Kadampa Center Gompa
WHERE BUDDHISM MEETS NEUROSCIENCE
~ by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Is the mind an ephemeral side effect of the brain’s physical processes? Are there forms of consciousness so subtle that science has not yet identified them? Organized by the Mind and Life Institute, this discussion addresses some of the most troublesome questions that have driven a wedge between Western science and religion, yet shows they may not be so different after all.
COPPER WALL MOUNT PRAYER WHEEL WITH GREEN TARA

Suitable to place on a table top or hang from a wall, this Copper Wall Mount Prayer Wheel has a Green Tara at the top and a stand made of brass. Handmade in Nepal, a Tibetan mantra is written around the inside of the prayer wheel. Variations and slight imperfections speak to its artisan qualities. Approximate size: 17cm (h) X 7cm (w).
  • Wall Mount Prayer Wheel $50
2019 BUDDHIST CALENDARS ARE HERE!
Get a jump on the new year with one of these beautiful and inspirational Buddhist calendars! Titles include: Sacred Images of Tibet, Pema Chodron: Awakening the Heart, The Dalai Lama: Heart of Wisdom, and Insight from the Dalai Lama page-a-day. 
BOOKSTORE HOURS
Office hours and before/after teachings
– HOSPITALITY SPOTLIGHT –
FESTIVE HOLIDAY PARTY FUN!
In the spirit of holiday cheer, Kadampa Center members gathered on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Kadampa Center for the annual Holiday Party. They celebrated the season with an evening filled with sugar-plum fun! An impressive collection of delightful gingerbread houses – handmade by Anna and Jeanne Peppard – and a visit from Sangha Santa, brought smiles to young and old. Special thanks to our very own Venerable Khando for stepping in as Sangha Santa, to Vivian Magarino-Gomez for putting together an impressive Family Program presentation, and to Hospitality Coordinator Heather, for her help organizing the event.
PHOTOS/David Strevel
Join us Saturday nights, for an evening of fun, food and conversation as we create the cause and conditions for a strong dharma community.
  • WHAT: Dinners at 6
  • WHEN: 6:00p, Saturdays, (see calendar for weather or conflict cancellations)
  • WHERE: Aladdin's Eatery, 4209 Lassiter Mill Rd., Suite 136, Raleigh (Quail Ridge Bookstore side of North Hills Mall)
PLEASE NOTE: Everyone is responsible for their own meal; click here for menu and pricing
2 019 Annual Appeal
is Coming to a close soon...

Time is ticking away, have your offered your colors to the Annual Appeal yet? Click on the button below to become a supporter or increase your gifts. It takes many colors to make a Tapestry complete!
SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL MERIT BOX PROJECT
Cultivate generosity in your daily practice by placing a Merit Box on your altar (or other convenient location), generate your motivation with Bodhichitta, make offerings (bless them with your mind), and dedicate the merits. Help foster an international spirit of harmony and cohesion amongst the FPMT community. Resulting grants benefit FPMT projects around the world!
Gift giving time is here and what better way to give than to offer or ask others to offer, a gift to the Kadampa Center! Read more about Honorary and Memorial giving on our website. We even have wording suggestions for your friends and family. "In lieu of personal gifts, I am hoping you might consider making a donation..."
LEARN MORE
KADAMPA CAFE: SNACKING STRONGLY ENCOURAGED
Do you have the urge for a cuppa Dunkin' Donuts® coffee (K-cup pod), some Annie ® Bunny Fruit Snacks, or a bag of Fritos ® Corn Chips? You'll find ALL these, and more, at the Kadampa Cafe!

Kadampa Cafe goods are available on a donation-only basis (simply drop your coins or bills in the nearby donation jar). Thanks to a generous practitioner, 100% of Kadampa Cafe donations benefit our Center.
This Week's Favorite:
Frito's ® Corn Chips
Suggested Donations:
• Hot Beverages = $1.00
• Bottled Water = $1.00
• Snacks = $0.50
– MERIT MAKERS –
Thanks go out this week to Kyle Hager, Dana Trent and Fred Eaker plus all those that popped in early or stayed late to help with the Holiday Party this year. We had a wonderful time together and appreciate all the kindness and effort. Thanks also to Vivian Magarino-Gomez for setting up the children's display of art, drumming and the wonderful video they made. It's great to celebrate with our Dharma friends!
– SIDE NOTES –
"Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."
Heard those words on the radio last night driving home after Lamrim class. Good thing we just learned how to do that. Now to put into action!

Sending love,
ps.
Sing with me, " To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally..."
– WORDLY WISE –
" The eight components of the path to cessation of suffering taught by the Buddha. They are: correct speech, correct action, correct livelihood, correct effort, correct mindfulness, correct concentration, correct understanding and correct view."
– QUICK CONNECTIONS –
KADAMPA CENTER HOURS
Tue-Fri: 10:00a-5:30p (call ahead to check)
Silent Meditation: During open hours
TUNE-IN TO TEACHINGS
Tune to 90.3 FM when listening to teachings live in the Gompa
YOU SHOP. AMAZON DONATES.
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Sincerely,

Kadampa Center                              
Kadampa Center is an affiliate of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) in the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.