TUESDAY EVENING
BODHICHITTA CENTRE
IN-PERSON CLASS
(REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
In-person classes at Bodhichitta Centre, Sidney SHOAL Centre, and in Comx will start up week of Feb 8, 2021, if permitted under BC government COVID-19 restrictions.
DAY: Tuesday Evening
TIME: 6.30-7.30pm
COST: $10 per class / Free for Members
WHERE: 970 Blanshard Street, Victoria
Suitable for everyone! These in-person classes offer practical methods to improve the quality of our lives through meditation and Buddhist teachings.
Registration will open on January 8th if allowed by the BC Helath Authority. Otherwise we will reschedule the opening.
Online registration is required. Because seating is very limited, we are working to ensure that everyone has a chance to register. Thank you for your patience.
Guided by Love
When our family or friends are suffering we easily develop compassion for them, but we find it far more difficult to feel sympathy for people we find unpleasant or for strangers. If we genuinely want to be of benefit in this world, we need to lead with powerful compassion that embraces all living beings without exception.
FEB 9 ~ LETTING GO OF FAULT-FINDING
One reason why we find it so difficult to cherish others is that we pay attention to their faults whilst ignoring their good qualities. By focusing exclusively on their faults and limitations we become angry and resentful, and rather than cherishing them we develop the wish to harm or discredit them.
FEB 16 ~ BLAME SELF-CENTREDNESS
All the problems of human society, such as war, crime , pollution, poverty, injustice, and disharmony are the results of self-cherishing. If everyone were to practice cherishing others, many of the major problems of the world would soon be solved.
FEB 23 ~ LOVE IS THE WAY
To increase our ability to cherish others, we think, “Just as my happiness is important, so is the happiness of everyone else.” This way of thinking is called the practice of “equalizing self and others”. It teaches us to cherish others as much as we cherish ourself.
MAR 2 ~ HUMBLE CONFIDANCE
It is true that to make authentic spiritual progress we need to aknowledge our good qualities and develop confidence in our spiritual potential. However, we need to recognize that at the moment our mind is filled with anger, attachment and other delusons that will not go away just by our pretending that they do not exist.
MAR 9 ~ REJOICING
Through rejoicing in our own and others’ virtue we develop a mind that delights in applying ourself enthusiastically to Dharma study or meditation. In this way we make continous progress to accomplish spiritual realizations and put effort into helping others.
MAR 16 ~ FIRST YOU, THEN ME
We need to train our mind in exchanging self with others because our selfish intentions interfere with our ability to benefit others. When our intention is mixed with selfish concern, our ability to help others lacks power and we can never be sure that our actions are actually beneficial.
Guided Meditation
Teaching
The teacher will then give a practical teaching based on the book, The New Eight Steps to Happiness, by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The teaching will focus on how we can integrate Buddha’s timeless wisdom into our busy daily lives.
Concluding Meditation
THE TEACHER
Gen Kelsang Zopa
A Canadian Buddhist monk, Gen Zopa has been presenting the profound and practical teachings of the Buddhist path to enlightenment for over 20 years. Renowned for the clarity and depth of his teachings, his warmth and practicality bring to life the ancient art of meditation.

Q. What are the COVID protocols for participants?
Before arriving for class, please read the In-Person Participant Guidelines here.
Q. Do I need to be a Buddhist to attend?
Q. Do I need to have any experience?
Q. How should I dress?
Q. Is there any physical exercise involved?
No. The classes focus on meditation and teachings alone. Chairs are provided for seating.
Q. Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Enrolment is limited and on-line pre-registration is required.
Q. Do I have to wait for the next series of classes to begin?
No, please feel free to register for individual classes. Each class is taught in such a way that if you only attend one class, you will derive benefit from it.
Q. What is your policy regarding fragrance?
Q. What is your policy regarding late arrival?
Our doors open 15 minutes before class start. Kindly arrive at least 5-10 minutes before class start to facilitate check in and get seated. As we are required to check in every individual we cannot accommodate latecomers.