One of the four major observances in the Buddhist calendar, Chokhor Duchen commemorates the Buddha’s first teaching: the Four Noble Truths, in Sarnath, India. It is a day when the merit of our virtuous activity is multiplied a million times.
This year, Chokhor Cuchen falls on July 9. We will gather for meditation, recitation of aspiration prayers and tea. All are welcome! Questions? Email Tracy.
Receive Support from Sangha Members
Vajra Vidya Portland offers support and practical assistance to those struggling with illness, loss, and other difficulties. Members are available to help find you services in the community, or assist with grocery shopping, meals, rides to appointments, and other tasks. Individuals are also welcome to contact us with requests for prayers and/or dedications that will be read before our practice sessions.
If you would like to request assistance or if you are interested in joining this support effort, please email outreach@portlandmainebuddhism.org.
Arrange a Solo Retreat in the Shrine Room
As a benefit of Vajra Vidya Portland membership, practitioners can arrange for solo retreats in our lovely shrine room at 159 State Street Church, 2nd floor, in Portland. Contact Peter at pcomas12@gmail.com or Soozie at ritasrim@gmail.com for more information.
Become a Shrine Room Keeper
We are restarting the monthly rotation of cleaning and caring for the shrine room. This is a wonderful opportunity to be of service to the Vajra Vidya community, while also benefiting from access to some personal practice time at the center. If you are interested in finding out what is involved and signing up for a month, please email Soozie at ritasrim@gmail.com.
In addition to meditation and study groups, Vajra Vidya Portland at 159 State Street Church, 2nd floor, Portland, offers online teachings, movies, and opportunities to volunteer.
Dharma Movie Night: Each month, the sangha features a movie exploring the spirituality and impact of Buddhism. In addition to the classic Groundhog Day, other recent films include Brilliant Moon, a documentary about H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (watch it for free here) and Blessings: The Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns of Tibet (2009).
Popcorn is provided, followed by a discussion. Subscribe to our e-newsletter by emailing Kate at kmail48@gmail.com for the latest movie schedule.
Engaged Buddhism at Preble Street’s Food Security Hub, South Portland: On the fourth Sunday of the month, members and friends volunteer from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the 75 Darling Avenue facility in South Portland. They help prepare and pack meals and provide general kitchen assistance. Please use this link to create an account with Preble Street volunteer and sign up for our monthly shift.
Vajra Vidya’s Archive of Teachings
This page provides access to numerous teachings delivered at Vajra Vidya in recent years. Teachers include Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche and his followers, Tulku Damcho Rinpoche, Khenpo Jigme, Lama Pema Rinpoche, and Khenpo David Karma Choephel. Other featured teachers include Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, and Lama Willa
Miller.
Please check our YouTube channel for a growing archive of teachings.
Sunday open meditation practice, 9-10 a.m.
Join an open sitting, includes chanting and meditation. This is a wonderful introduction to sitting meditation, followed by tea and conversation. Questions? Contact Tracy at tracyd108@yahoo.com.
Monday Study Group, also on Zoom, 6:30-8 p.m.
This ongoing group, appropriate for beginners, studies Hinayana and Mahayana teachings. The meditation portion of each session includes chanting, shamatha sitting meditation, and tonglen (compassion) practice followed by a discussion of the current reading. Questions? Email Peter at pcomas12@gmail.com.
Wednesday Three-Yana Study Group, also on Zoom, 6:30-8 p.m.
This group is for all who have taken refuge and attended the Monday night Hinayana-Mahayana group for one year or those with established Vajrayana practices. Please note that the Wednesday study group will be on hiatus during the summer months of June, July, and August. It will resume in September. For more information, contact Jan at piribeckj@gmail.com.
Twice Monthly Medicine Buddha Practice, only on Zoom
Vajra Vidya offers Medicine Buddha practices on Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m. and on the third Sunday of the month at 10 a.m. All are invited. Contact Kay at kay.sullivan@maine.edu or Donna at donnachamoff53@gmail.com for more information.
Friday Ngondro Practice, also on Zoom, 8-10 a.m.
This group meets Fridays in person and on Zoom, and it also hosts a monthly book study group. New practitioners are welcome. Contact Kathleen at tassabee@gmail.com for practice group information and Steve at jinlap@gmail.com for book group information.
Subscribe to our e-newsletter: To get the latest information about new and ongoing events, email Kate at kmail48@gmail.com.
BRILLIANT MOON: Glimpses of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche chronicles the life of meditation master Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one of Tibet’s most revered 20th-century Buddhist teachers. He was an inspiration to all who encountered him, and his many students throughout the world included the Dalai Lama and the King of Bhutan. Two of his admirers are Richard Gere and Lou Reed, who provide the narration for his dangerous journey out of China and the subsequent spread of his influence around the world.
Written and Directed by Neten Chokling. Running time: 57 minutes
Join us for tea and discussion after the film.
Losar, the Tibetan lunar new year, will begin on Saturday, February 10. Please join V.V.P. members and friends as we welcome the year of the dragon.
We’ll gather at 9am to practice, make aspirations for the coming year, and connect with friends and community. It’s said that the merit of our positive actions is multiplied by 100 million!
We will celebrate with a potluck brunch after practice.
Please bring a vegetarian dish to share.
All are welcome!
During January 5-7, 2024, Vajra Vidya Portland hosted Ven. Lama Lodro Lhamo, who gave a series of teachings titled, “Milarepa’s Songs of Renunciation.”
During the introduction of these teachings, Ven. Lama Lodro Lhamo’s said about Milarepa, “. . .he was always happy and in many of these songs he told people who came to seek advice from him, and teachings from him, he said, ‘Well, if you continue to be attached to worldly things, and try to seek happiness and freedom through possessing things [and] through seeking worldly gains, you will never be happy. . . because the more you want, the more you’re conditioned by these wishes and desires, and they will become a bondage for you. You’ll never be free. . . and because you’ll never be free, you will never be happy.’
So I think it’s very meaningful for us therefore to just read some of these songs. And I hope these songs will inspire us to stop looking outwardly for happiness, and instead to really look inward for true inner joy. . . As the teachings say, ultimate and permanent happiness does not come from external successes and possessions and gains. It comes from your own mind. . .”
View and listen to the teachings here.
Please also explore past teachings offered to VVP on our YouTube page, and subscribe to be notified when new videos are posted.
A Christmas Carol (1951)
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 6:00 pm
This adaptation, starring Alastair Sim, is widely considered the definitive and most beloved version of Charles Dickens’s classic tale. The film runs for 1 hour and 25 minutes, followed by a discussion around how the story exemplifies the Buddhist path.
Popcorn provided!
For questions, please contact Daniel
Vajra Vidya Portland member Jan Piribeck will discuss her experiences in travelling to Nepal to attend
the Chakrasamvara grand puja and cremation ceremonies for Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche in November, 2023.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3RD, 10:15 am – following Sunday sitting practice
Vajra Vidya Portland, 159 State Street, 2nd Floor
Come, have a cup of tea, and join in the conversation about Namo Buddha pilgrimage sites!
ALL WELCOME!
More info: piribeckj@gmail.com
Lama Lodro Lhamo will give five talks, Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, January 5-7, 2024 on the inspiring songs of renunciation by Tibet’s extraordinary eleventh-century yogi, Milarepa.
Everyone is welcome. Participants may attend in person or online. These teachings are offered on a donation basis—offerings to Lama Lodro Lhamo and VVP are all gratefully accepted. VVP is a local non-profit organization entirely reliant on donations and membership dues.
For additional information, please visit our Special Teachings and Events page .