Dharmakaya Buddhist Center

The intention of this group is for Dharma friends to come together and discuss the various principles of Buddhist ideas in order to create a deeper understanding for our practice. We will be reading and discussing Samsara, Nirvana and Buddha Nature, volume three in the Library of Wisdom and Compassion series by His Holiness Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron.

Knowledge of buddha nature reveals and reconciles the paradox of how the mind can be the basis for both the duhkha of samsara (the unpurified mind) and the bliss and fulfillment of nirvana (the state of true freedom and peace). To illustrate this, Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature first takes readers through Buddhist thought on the self, the four truths, and their sixteen attributes. It then explains afflictions—including how they arise and their antidotes—followed by an examination of karma and cyclic existence, and, finally, a deep and thorough elucidation of buddha nature. Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature shows us how to purify our minds and cultivate awakened qualities.

This group meets the 1st, 2nd & 4th Sunday of every month.
Suggested Donation $5 -$10
​No one turned away for lack of fund​s

Join us for a guided meditation exploring the powerful Tibetan Buddhist practice of Tonglen. Tonglen, meaning "giving and taking," is a profound practice that cultivates compassion and helps us connect with the suffering of the world. Tonglen is a powerful practice that can help us to live with greater compassion, courage, and connection to all beings.

Led by: Anne Ligon, SPC
​Suggested Donation $5 -$10
No one turned away for lack of funds

Paula Chichester will answer questions from the Book Study group. But more importantly, she will lead us through meditations and practices that are also available to practitioners without an initiation. This will give us a taste of the tremendous resources and energies at our disposal that can transform our lives and even help us to achieve the highest goal of the Buddhist path, which is nothing less than the full Enlightenment of Buddhahood.

About Paula, as an adolescent in Berkeley in the 1960’s, Paula began her search for a means to shift the dominant paradigm of our perceptions of reality in order to survive the coming environmental chaos and resulting social unrest.
A decade later she met Lama Thubten Yeshe and told Lama that she wanted to become a mahasiddha. Following the advice of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Paula embarked on a 40-year journey of study and retreats, including two long retreats of 3 and 4 years.
In the last 13 years, Paula has traveled in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa giving talks, leading meditations and meeting wonderful heart friends. She is happy to share her insights that make meditations full of joy, love, clarity and authenticity.