Lunchtime Meditation
2021-12-14 12:30 - 13:00, 2021-12-21 12:30 - 13:00, 2021-12-28 12:30 - 13:00, 2022-01-04 12:30 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Tuesdays
Simply Breathe

Everyone is welcome to drop in at the Center for lunchtime meditations.
During these half hour sessions we are guided through a simple guided breathing meditation. This type of meditation is perfect for beginners and advanced meditators. By focusing on the breath all our worries, distractions, and obsessive ways of thinking fall away and we experience inner peace. Our mind is refreshed and relaxed and we’ll find it easier to deal with day to day stress.

Foundation Program via Zoom
2021-12-14 18:30 - 20:30, 2021-12-21 18:30 - 20:30, 2021-12-28 18:30 - 20:30 | CA
We are studying Universal Compassion, living Buddhist Master Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s commentary to the Lojong text Training the Mind in Seven Points by Geshe Chekhawa. Taken as personal advice, we can contemplate each instruction, allowing the meaning to guide us to very precise meditation objects which improve our ability to maintain a stable experience of peace in our own mind.
Through systematic study and meditation on this program we can deepen our understanding and insight of Buddha’s teachings, gain confidence in our meditation practice, and transform our lives by transforming our own mind. By learning to understand our own experiences of difficulty, problems, and suffering, we will be better able to support to those around us, and impact their lives in a more positive, meaningful way.
This study program requires enrollment, with a commitment to attend scheduled classes. Classes meet on most Tuesday nights and some Friday nights. Please click here to see Fall 2021 schedule.
Please speak with our center Admin Director, Teresa Kuntz, or Resident Teacher, Kadam Keli Vaughan for information about enrollment. (805) 563-6000

Lunchtime Meditation
2021-12-15 12:30 - 13:00, 2021-12-22 12:30 - 13:00, 2021-12-29 12:30 - 13:00, 2022-01-05 12:30 - 13:00 | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Wednesdays
Stress Relief

Everyone is welcome to drop in at the Center for lunchtime meditations.
Let go of your stress and concerns, unwind, and enjoy a place of peace in the middle of your work week. In our busy lives, we need to nourish our mind as well as our bodies. Come enjoy a relaxing lunchtime break with a guided breathing meditation.

Wednesday Evening Meditation Class
2021-12-15 18:30 - 19:45, 2021-12-22 18:30 - 19:45, 2021-12-29 18:30 - 19:45 | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Buddhist Meditations for Everyone:
The Year of the Bodhisattva

What can I do about the problems of the world? How can I respond to the pain and suffering in my heart, and that I see all around me?
At a time where the uncertainty and chaos of life can feel overwhelming, the world needs people who are dedicated to spiritual development for the benefit of others, motivated by a wish to reach their highest spiritual potential. In Buddhism, these people are called Bodhisattvas.
These meditation classes will connect us with our own good heart by offering practical Buddhist advice that aligns us with our best possible version of our self – a Bodhisattva, friend of all.

Each class begins with a guided breathing meditation and brief prayers, and culminates with a second meditation based upon the evening’s topic. Perfect for beginners or those with meditation experience. Open to everyone.
Please arrive a few minutes early to settle, whether in person or online.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84060006948
Meeting ID: 840 6000 6948

Lunchtime Meditation
2021-12-16 12:30 - 13:00, 2021-12-23 12:30 - 13:00, 2021-12-30 12:30 - 13:00 | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Thursdays
A Joyful Path

Everyone is welcome to drop in at the Center for lunchtime meditations.
Joy is a state of mind. In these lunchtime meditations we will hear about different Buddhist views that cultivate joyful minds. These Introductory meditations are based on Lamrim, the backbone of Kadampa Buddhism.

Thursday Evening Meditation Class
2021-12-16 18:30 - 19:45 | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Gazing into the Mirror of Dharma: An Introduction to Contemplation and Meditation

Buddha Shakyamuni presented teachings on what minds to practice if we want to be happy, and what minds to abandon to be free from suffering. These teachings are known as Dharma.
In these 75-minute classes we will learn to practice meditation in two parts: the first practice is contemplating practical advice on how to solve our daily problems of uncontrolled desire, anger , and ignorance.
The conclusions we arrive at will be our meditation objects. Holding these wisdom decisions with our concentration, moment by moment, will be the second practice.

Each class begins with a guided breathing meditation and brief prayers, and culminates with a second meditation based upon the evening’s topic. Perfect for beginners or those with meditation experience. Open to everyone.
Please arrive a few minutes early to settle, whether in person or online.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85226687739
Meeting ID: 852 2668 7739

Dakini Yoga
2021-12-17 06:00 - 07:00 | CA
*Highest Yoga Tantra practitioners only, please.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84468406969

Meeting ID: 844 6840 6969

Meditation for World Peace
2021-12-19 10:30 - 11:45 | CA
“Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible.” ~
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

Prayer and meditation are neither small nor passive actions. Rather, they are a force for change in our shared world. Join us to bring peace to our world through the action of meditation, and dedicating our prayers for world peace. Everyone is welcome – you do not need to be a Buddhist to attend.
Class is $10, payable through our Donate page.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/98408612855

Meeting ID: 984 0861 2855

Each class consists of a guided breathing meditation, a short teaching on the practice of wisdom and compassion, and prayers (in English) to the Buddha of Compassion. Prayer booklets and downloaded e-prayer booklets can be purchased HERE.

Guided Lamrim Meditation
2021-12-20 18:30 - 19:45, 2021-12-27 18:30 - 19:45 | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Meditations to Transform Your Life

In these meditation classes we will familiarize ourselves with the minds of Lamrim.
Lamrim is a special set of meditations presented by the Indian Buddhist Master Atisha that condenses all the essential teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni into a practice that modern people can use in their daily life.
Please arrive five minutes early to settle, whether in person or on zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86832404786
Meeting ID: 868 3240 4786

Suggested donation is $10, and you can donate HERE.

Quick Path to Great Bliss
2021-12-21 07:30 - 09:00, 2021-12-28 07:30 - 09:00, 2022-01-04 07:30 - 09:00 | CA
*Highest Yoga Tantra practitioners only, please.

Introduction to Purification Retreat
2021-12-23 18:30 - 19:45 | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
What are we wishing for during the holidays? There is nothing greater than a peaceful heart; warm, friendly feelings towards others; joy and contentment. If our mind is pure, nothing can keep us from fulfilling our spiritual wishes.
When human beings develop a sincere wish to purify negative karma in their own mind, all the Buddhas appear as Buddha Vajrasattva. Vajrasattva’s path is the practice of taking stock of one’s own negative actions and promising to improve. Our Resident Teacher, Kadam Keli Vaughan will give an introduction to Meditation and Recitation of Solitary Vajrasattva on Thursday, December 23.

This special retreat opportunity is perfect for anyone wishing to make their Christmas holiday align with their wish to purify negative habits and tendencies.

For those who have the wish to attend the introduction to the practice of Vajrasattva but can not do so in person, you are welcome to join the teaching on zoom.

Join Zoom retreat intro:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88401540998
Meeting ID: 884 0154 0998

A White Christmas Vajrasattva Purification Retreat
2021-12-23 18:30 - 2021-12-25 12:00 | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
What are we wishing for during the holidays? There is nothing greater than a peaceful heart; warm, friendly feelings towards others; joy and contentment. If our mind is pure, nothing can keep us from fulfilling our spiritual wishes.
When human beings develop a sincere wish to purify negative karma in their own mind, all the Buddhas appear as Buddha Vajrasattva. Vajrasattva’s path is the practice of taking stock of one’s own negative actions and promising to improve. Our Resident Teacher, Kadam Keli Vaughan will give an introduction to Meditation and Recitation of Solitary Vajrasattva on Thursday, December 23.
This special retreat opportunity is perfect for anyone wishing to make their Christmas holiday align with their wish to purify negative habits and tendencies.

Schedule
Thursday Intro 12/23
6:30-7:45pm
Friday Sessions 12/24
7:30-8:30am, 9-10am, 5-6pm, 6:30-7:30pm
Saturday Sessions 12/25
7:30-8:30am, 9-10am
Offering to the Spiritual Guide Prayers 5-6:30pm

The retreat introduction with Kadam Keli is $10 and each stand-alone retreat session is $5.
Cost for the whole retreat is $25. No pre-registration required: pay when you come or pay HERE.
This retreat is free for monthly members.
Prayer booklets will be available for use or for purchase at our center. If you are practicing remotely, you can purchase a downloadable e-publication of the prayers HERE.

As a special incentive to those who wish to make this holiday retreat but cannot attend sessions in person, we are offering the introduction and all the sessions following via zoom.
Join Zoom retreat:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88401540998
Meeting ID: 884 0154 0998

Long Protector Puja
2021-12-29 09:00 - 12:30 | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Hosted online by Dharmachakra Center in Palm Springs
This extensive sadhanaâ€”ritual prayers for spiritual attainmentsâ€”is called â€œKangsoâ€ in Tibetan, which means â€œFulfilling and Restoring Ritual.â€
Usually performed once a month in Dharma Centers in our tradition, it is used for fulfilling our heart commitment to practice Lamrim, Lojong, and Mahamudra, for restoring any degenerate or broken commitments we may have incurred, and to rely on the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, regarding him as inseparable from our Spiritual Guide and Buddha.
All chanted prayers are free, and everyone is welcome to attend.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/871476190
Meeting ID: 871 476 190

NYE Meditation
2021-12-31 18:30 - 19:45 | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
“Only by creating peace within our own mind and helping others to do the same can we hope to achieve peace in this world.”
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Join us in person or on zoom during the early part of your New Year’s Eve! Together we can create a healthy world with a shift in the way we think and perceive. We make that shift through contemplation, prayer, and meditation.
The beauty of our human life is the freedom it offers us to enter spiritual paths. Whatever our religion or lack thereof, we can develop a deep appreciation of our own precious human life by contemplating and meditating on Buddhist wisdom.
Bring a friend! Celebrate our collective wish to remove suffering from our world. The evening’s program will include a guided meditation and prayers to Avalokiteshvara, Buddha of Compassion.

This event is free of charge, but donations are always welcome. If you cannot attend in person, please join us from home via zoom.

Join Zoom NYE:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88401540998
Meeting ID: 884 0154 0998

New Year Lamrim Wisdom Retreat
2021-12-31 18:30 - 2022-01-04 19:45 | Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1825 State Street Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Set a course for your new year by entering the path of Lamrim Wisdom.
All of Buddha’s essential teachings are presented in Lamrim. Taken as personal advice, we can contemplate each instruction, allowing the meaning to guide us to very precise meditation objects which improve our ability to maintain a stable experience of peace in our own mind.
Our Resident Teacher, Kadam Keli Vaughan, will guide the retreat sessions. Everyone is welcome. Come for the whole retreat as a practice of deepening your concentration, or “drop in” for single sessions as a break from your busy, daily schedule.

Friday – Meditation on the Preciousness of our Human Life 6:30-7:45pm (New Year’s Eve)

Saturday – Initial Scope Meditations (4)
9-10am – Meditation on Death
10:30-11:30am – Meditation on the Danger of Lower Rebirth
5-6pm – Meditation on Going for Refuge
6:30-7:30pm – Meditation on Karma

Sunday – Middling Scope Meditations (4)
9-10am – Meditation on Renunciation
10:30-11:30am – Meditation on our Determination to Recognize, Reduce, and Abandon the Root of Samsaric Rebirth
5-6pm – Meditation on our Determination to Engage in the Actual Path to Liberation
6:30-7:30pm – Meditation on our Determination to Attain True Cessations

Monday – Great Scope Meditations (4)
9-10am – Meditation on Cherishing All Living Beings
10:30-11:30am – Meditation on Universal Compassion
5-6pm – Meditation on the Supreme Good Heart, Bodhichitta
6:30-7:30pm – Meditation on our Determination and Promise to Practice the Six Perfections

Tuesday – Great Scope Meditations (2)
5-6pm – Training in Meditation on Emptiness
6:30-7:45pm – Meditation on Relying on our Spiritual Guide

As a special incentive to those who wish to make this holiday retreat but cannot attend sessions in person, we are offering the introduction and all the sessions following via zoom.

Join Zoom retreat:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88401540998
Meeting ID: 884 0154 0998

The retreat introduction with Kadam Keli on New Year’s Eve is by donation and each stand-alone retreat session is $5.

Registering for the whole retreat is $35.
This retreat is free for monthly members.
