Kathok Centre Events
In view of current health conditions, and on the advice of the Island Health Authority, Kathok Centre will again suspend visits by the public and will reopen the booking process only when the expert advice indicates this is a low risk to all. Thank you all for your ongoing interest, keep safe and please, when conditions permit, allow us to host your visit.
May all beings be well!
EXTRAORDINARY REQUEST
In a stable, harmonious, and diligent fashion, our Kathok Center has always aspired to be responsible for our lineage, and for sentient beings. Even in this current extraordinary period we are cautiously completing urgent projects so that we may be open to the public at a suitable time, and serve the public in a more perfect state. All our concern is for the public. However, as we all know this development is not easy to make happen. One of Karzang Rinpoche’s favorite sayings is that he often feels like he is standing on top of Mt. Everest somewhere with no oxygen, no back up, and nothing to depend on, except completely pure devotion to his masters and lineage. Truly, everything comes with karmic causes and effects. Many conditions must come together to do anything. We have immense gratitude to anyone and everyone who contributes to the creation of the Centre. We are extremely grateful to friends who attempt to support and sponsor the Centre in any way. At present we still have many important projects and plans to be completed. In these difficult times we more than ever need your generous support. Our teachers have usually not allowed us to ask for public support and have relied on only pure offerings, as they want us to be able to fully rejoice and not to damage the pure energy of the lineage. However, because this is a special, extraordinary time due to the epidemic and we are now asking for your generous offerings so that you may be connected to the energies of the Centre even though the usual channels are not possible for awhile. Everything that we are sincerely creating here by our humble pure intentions belongs to everyone and is our common good fortune for now and forever. Everyone should treasure this place from the heart. We are grateful for any support given with a pure mind and will be praying and lighting lamps for your happiness and health and for that of your family and friends. Hopefully, everyone will understand the spirit of this message and indeed we sincerely look forward to seeing you at the Centre in the near future. Please visit our Join Us page to access payment buttons. Thank you, and May All Beings Benefit!
Secretary, Kathok Centre
November 2020
Open Shrine Facilitated Event
Book a reservation for a small group facilitated visit to the Golden Shrine and gardens. Email: info@kathokcentre.ca
Lha Bab Duchen
Lha Bab Duchen is one of the four important dates in the Buddhist calendar that commemorate major events in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. The ascent of the Buddha to a heaven realm to liberate his mother from Samsara and his subsequent return is the event we reflect upon at this time. On this day the effects of the positive and/or negative actions we take are multiplied ten million times. This is a good time to practice virtue and devotion.
Dakini Day
Meditation and practice on the enlightened female deities is recommended.
Open Shrine Facilitated Event
Book a reservation for a small group facilitated visit to the Golden Shrine and gardens. Email: info@kathokcentre.ca
Open Shrine Facilitated Event
Enjoy a facilitated visit to the Golden Shrine and gardens. To reserve a space email: info@kathokcentre.ca.
Open Shrine Facilitated Event
Enjoy a facilitated visit to the Golden Shrine and gardens. To reserve a space email: info@kathokcentre.ca.
Guru Rinpoche Day (Tse Chu)
On the 10th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar we reflect on the arrival of Guru Rinpoche in Central Tibet. He subdued numerous negative and hostile forces. He founded the great monastery of Samye at the request of King Trisong Detsen and accomplished many teachings leading his twenty-five disciples and King Trisong Detsen to liberation. He then was known as Guru Padmasambhava, "the Lotus-Born Guru."
Special Prayer Offering
For the benefit of us all, Rinpoche has committed to doing a profound Tara light offering. Join in with your rejoicing and prayers from home and If you wish to enter into the merit by making an offering please use the Join Us page of this website.
May All Beings Benefit!
Special Prayer Offering
On the evening of November 27th, Karzang Rinpoche plans to personally make light offerings in the butterlamp pavillion and both temples for the public blessing. Offerings and names for special intentions may be sent through the Join Us page of this website. Please send by noon on the 27th. May all beings benefit!
Full Moon
The increased energies of the full moon time create beneficial conditions for increased meditative practice. Make use of this natural changing tide.
December 2020
Dakini Day
On this day we venerate the female deities. Home practice is recommended.
Nine Bad Omens
NINE BAD OMENS
In the Buddha's time a practitioner tried to perform a lot of positive actions on this day, and nine bad things happened to him. Therefore the Buddha proclaimed that on this date each year in the future, it is best not to try to accomplish worldly things and it is a bad time to start new projects etc. Traditionally, Tibetans play games and have picnics on this day.
Ten Good Omens
The day after the nine bad omens end is considered the day of ten good omens. On this day, ten good things happened to the same practitioner who had experienced the nine bad omens, because he diligently continued in his performance of positive actions. This period is an auspicious time for starting projects, etc. However, Tibetans also traditionally play games and have picnics on this day!
Winter Solstice
Celebrate the end of the solar cycle and the return of the light! A good time to reflect on the year's dharma progress and show gratitude to the precious lamas.
Guru Rinpoche Day (Tse Chu)
In the 11th lunar month of the Tibetan calendar we remember that Guru Rinpoche came to Bhutan and took a wrathful form placing local deities and protectors under his control. He converted them into guardians of the termas (hidden teachings) and revealed to them related secret oral teachings. His name is Guru Dorje Drolo, "the Vajra-Wrathful Guru."
Full Moon
Use the increased energies of the full moon to enhance practice and all good deeds.
Teaching from Karzang Rinpoche
Please click on the title below to find a beautiful teaching from Karzang Rinpoche on the power of spiritual example:
Temple Etiquette
To help us all enjoy of the sacredness of Kathok Centre the main temple is only to be accessed during scheduled practices.
Please leave pets at home.
Please observe all signs, rules and guide lines while on the Temple property as there are Teachers in residence and students in retreat. You may take photos outside, but please, no photos inside Temples.
Thank you, everyone, for honoring our sacred space.
Notes for Newcomers
In order to observe proper conduct please remove shoes and hats before entering the Temples.
Please wear respectful clothing.
It is considered bad luck to greet the Deity empty handed, so for the most beneficial and opportune visit you can offer fresh flowers or a 'kata' (white silk scarf available in the temple & gift shop) as you make positive aspirations for yourself and/or others.
Please arrive 10 minutes early for all practices. The gate will be locked during practice sessions.
Open Meditation sessions are one hr. Most other practices do not necessarily have a determinate end time.
Please keep recitation texts on a table (not on the floor).
Please keep talking to a minimum.
Please do not point your feet at the Buddhas or other sacred objects in the Temples.
If you are not comfortable sitting on cushions please sit on the benches available or bring your own folding chair.
Please put your cell phone in airplane mode and no photos inside Temples.
Please do not bring dogs to the Centre.
The purpose of Kathok Centre is to help us all become healthier in mind, heart and body. To best facilitate this please keep your mind and body free of intoxicants including alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana. If you are intoxicated or behaving disrespectfully you will be asked to leave.
Please enjoy your quiet, sacred times at the Temple!