December 4 @ 8:00 am - December 13 @ 5:00 pm
Joining Together in
Virtual Community
Virtual Community
Re-opening of the Palpung Thubten Choling Monastery Grounds
Updated Covid Policies
The Maitreya Center of Palpung Thubten Choling reopened as of July 1, in accordance with New York State guidelines. However, because of heightened covid rates in the area, we will no longer be allowing people to come in person to the monastery classes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. The classes will continue on Zoom as usual, they just will not be hybrid (combining both online and in person). To join us via Zoom please click here.
Lunch for the public will not be offered at this time, but the Monastery grounds remain open, and masked visitors are welcome to come into the Main Shrine Hall in the Maitreya Center. We regret that the dining room will not be open to the public.
Overnight accommodations will also not be available at this time.
We will keep you updated as the situation changes and appreciate everyone’s patience.
Important Additional Information
- In order to safeguard the health of our monastics, residents, and other visitors, PLEASE do not visit the monastery if you feel unwell or have a fever.
- Masks are required indoors. Both masks and hand sanitizer are available on the premises. Children 12 years old and younger must be supervised at all times. No pets are allowed.
- Please note that it is tick season. We strongly recommend that you be alert for ticks while enjoying our grounds, and check your body and clothing for ticks after your visit.
Many thanks to all of you for your support during our extended pandemic closure. It means a lot to us to be able to welcome our sangha back. Please check our website, Facebook page, and enews for further updates.
Please be well and stay safe!
Dharma Teachings by Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa
and His Eminence Mingyur Rinpoche
and His Eminence Mingyur Rinpoche
Online Prayers and Resources
Online Classes
Palpung Thubten Choling is offering chanting practices, classes and Dharma talks by our Lamas free of charge to support your practice. Even though we may not be able to gather at the monastery for the foreseeable future, we can still progress together on the path.
Please note that because of heightened covid rates in the area, there is no in person attendance for weekly classes. The following classes and chanting events are being offered remotely on Zoom. If you would like to participate, please use our online event registration form.
Monday evenings (7:30-8:30pm)
Introduction to Buddhist Meditation
Teachings on foundational Buddhist thought along with basic meditation instructions taught by resident teachers who have graduated from the KTC three-year retreat program. Appropriate for beginners and for anyone who would like to refresh their understanding of meditation or just meditate with a group. No prerequisites or attendance requirement, join us any Monday.
Tuesday evenings (7:30-8:30pm)
Study Group on The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva
Led by Lamas Depa and Lhadrun, we will explore in depth The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva; a classic text in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism that remains vividly applicable to life in the 21st-century West. It was written by Gyalse Ngulchu Togme Zangpo, a humble 14th-century monk, as a reminder to himself of his aspirations for traveling the path of a bodhisattva and using everything that happened to him as a basis for awakening. How can a 14th-century Tibetan text be relevant to the very different lives we lead now? Because we still face the same basic human situations Togme Zangpo did in his day, and have the same emotional reactions that keep us cycling in samsara. Thus, Togme Zangpo’s advice remains as relevant today as when it was first composed.
We will be using two main books – Traveling the Path of Compassion by Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje and The Heart of Compassion by Dilgo Khyentse – as well as a supplementary book – Reflections on Silver River by Ken McLeod.
All three books are recommended but not required for participation. There are no prerequisites and no attendance requirement.
Wednesday evenings (7:30-8:30pm)
Medicine Buddha Practice and The Verses that Saved Sakya from Sickness, led by Lama Norgyal
Please join us online as we chant this essential practice which can increase our healing powers so that we can help those in our lives who are struggling with illness and obstacles and also remove our own physical and mental suffering. An abbreviated version of the Chenrezig practice is inserted in the prayer which follows, known as the Verses that Saved Sakya from Sickness.
The liturgies are being screen shared and are translated as well as written phonetically. You can chant along, or silently read the translation.
Thursday evenings (7:30-8:30pm)
Chenrezig Practice
Please join us online as we chant and meditate in order to realize our inborn great compassion. Guru Vajradhara Tai Situ Rinpoche has said that, “Chenrezig is the embodiment of compassion, Bodhicitta. We reach Buddhahood intentionally, and the intention is Bodhicitta. That is what Chenrezig represents. The Chenrezig Sadhana is the most sacred and profound sadhana. By practicing it with awareness, you can attain Chenrezig’s enlightened body, speech, and mind.”
The liturgy is being screen shared. It is translated as well as written phonetically. You can chant along, or silently read the translation.
Butterlamps for Healing and Peace
Symbolizing the light of wisdom, butterlamps are traditionally offered to dispel obstacles and alleviate all types of suffering. Please join us in sponsoring butterlamps every week for the benefit of everyone affected by the coronavirus and all other causes of suffering in the world today. Sponsors are invited to submit personal prayer requests.
Offering Continuous Light for a Year
with E-lamps
E-lamps are beautiful rechargeable lamps which are always ablaze in our Maitreya shrine room. You can sponsor an e-lamp for anyone in need of continuous blessing for a year.
Ongoing Prayers for Healing
Every morning at Palpung Thubten Choling, as well as every Thursday evening, we chant the practice of Medicine Buddha with the aspiration to bring the coronavirus pandemic to an end and alleviate all illness. Every week following the Tong Cho offering and the lighting of 1,000 butterlamps, our Lamas, monastics, and residents gather in the Maitreya Shrine Hall to chant the Monlam Choga, an extensive compilation of aspiration prayers for the benefit of all beings, composed by Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche.
