Daily Meditation & Prayers
Chanted Prayers (or Puja in Sanskrit) are an important element of our spiritual training. They help to still our mind and receive blessings from enlightened beings in order to create the best internal conditions for our meditation practice to bear fruit. Prayer, “monlam” in Tibetan, simply means “wish path”. The prayer booklets we use are known as ‘sadhanas’ meaning “methods for accomplishing attainments”. Using ancient prayers translated into English, these practices help us to purify our negativity and fill our mind with positive energy.
Chanted Prayers sessions combine guided meditation with the prayers, as well as a talk about how to engage in the practice. The sessions are suitable for beginners as well as those with experience. No need to book, just come along and relax. Chanted prayers also help us create a direct connection with enlightened beings so that we can receive their special blessings, guidance, and protection as we travel along the spiritual path.
Everyone is welcome, you do not have to be Buddhist to attend these sessions or to derive benefit from them.
See below for an explanation of the different practices.
MONTHLY schedule
Please visit our website calendar for details of the chanted prayers this month or click the link to download a copy of the chanted prayer schedule: February chanted prayers
HEART JEWEL with silent meditation
(guided lamrim meditation on Thursdays)
Daily, see schedule
This practice is the heart essence of Kadampa Buddhism. In the first part of this practice, we visualize Je Tsongkhapa and make prayers and requests to purify negativity, and accumulate merit. This prepares our mind for a period of meditation on the Lamrim, or stages of the path. The second part of this practice contains prayers to the wisdom Buddha and Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden, to help us overcome obstacles to our practice
WISHFULFILLING JEWEL
with tsog offering
Weekly, Mondays 5 – 6.15pm
Through this special practice we can renewing commitments, avert obstacles and increase our wealth, merit, and great bliss. Through developing pure minds we can see beyond ordinary appearance and connect to our pure potential.
This practice includes a tsog offering, so you can bring a vegetarian food/drink offering if you wish.
DAKINI YOGA
(HYT empowerment required)
Prayers and meditations that contain the essence of the self-generation practice of Vajrayogini – the female enlightened Deity of Highest Yoga Tantra who is the manifestation of the wisdom of all Buddhas. It is also a six-session yoga – a simple but powerful daily practice for maintaining all Tantric commitments for those who have received a Highest Yoga Tantra empowerment.
LIBERATION FROM SORRW
Tara Prayers
8th each month, see schedule
At Kadampa Centres around the world, the 8th of the month is Tara Day. Tara is a female Buddha, whose name means ‘rescuer’. She is the embodiment of swift wisdom and compassion. If we rely upon Tara sincerely and with strong faith, she will protect us from all obstacles and fulfil all our wishes.
OFFERING TO THE SPIRITUAL GUIDE
with tsog offering
10th & 25th each month, see schedule
The main practice within the sadhana is relying on the Spiritual Guide, but it also includes all the essential practices of the stages of the path (Lamrim) and training the mind (Lojong). We develop a strong conviction that our Spiritual Guide is a Buddha, in particular the same nature as Je Tsongkapa. We make prostrations and requests and receive profound blessings. In this way, our compassion, wisdom and spiritual power naturally increase.
This practice includes a tsog offering, so you can bring a vegetarian food/drink offering if you wish.
MAHAYANA PRECEPTS
24-hour Purification Practice
The practice of taking and keeping the eight Mahayana precepts is a special practice of moral discipline that is performed with bodhichitta, the compassionate wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. Because this practice is motivated by bodhichitta it is especially powerful for purifying negativities, accumulating merit – a positive strength of mind – and creating the cause for us to attain the unsurpassed happiness of enlightenment.
Please let us know if you are attending.
MELODIOUS DRUM (Protector Day)
with tsog offering
Usually 29th each month, see schedule
This monthly practice consists principally of prayers to our Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden always helps, guides, and protects pure and faithful practitioners by granting blessings, increasing their wisdom, fulfilling their wishes and bestowing success on all their virtuous activities.
This practice includes a tsog offering, so you can bring a vegetarian food/drink offering if you wish.
POWA CEREMONY
for those who have recently died
Powa is a special ceremony to help those who have recently died experience peace of mind after death and be cared for by the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara. During this ceremony we engage in the traditional Buddhist practice of transference of consciousness in conjunction with the prayers ‘Powa Ceremony’.
Specific dedications can be made for friends or relatives that have recently died, please get in touch.
PRAYERS FOR WORLD PEACE
Practical and effective advice for solving our problems at home and at work, based on cultivating good habits of mind. Includes a short talk on developing a kind heart, guided meditation and inspiring chanted prayers.
Followed by a vegetarian bring & share supper.
