Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Is it OK to have a healthy ego? What part of “me” am I trying to give up? And who am I, anyway?
Everyone has a natural tendency to focus on “me” – my body, my feelings, and my thoughts. This focus has played a critical role in keeping each of us safe, alive and fed… and in developing our ego construct – the story we tell ourselves about who we are. Continue reading
“Three Principal Aspects of the Path”
Friday, June 14th
7:00 - 9:00 PM
We are greatly honored that His Eminence Choden Rinpoche has accepted to teach at Ocean of Compassion. Rinpoche will give a commentary on the Three Principal Aspects of the Path by Lama Tsongkhapa. The three aspects refers to cultivation of renunciation, bodhicitta and the correct view of emptiness.
Pre-register here to receive your discount. Continue reading
Sunday, June 2nd 11am-12:30pm
The four qualities of love, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity occupy a place of fundamental importance in the spiritual training offered by both the Theravada and the Tibetan Buddhist traditions. In the Mahayana teachings, the cultivation of these four heart qualities support the development of the precious bodhichitta motivation, and thus are indispensable to the bodhisattva’s path leading to full awakening.
Come join Jon Landaw as we explore how we can cultivate these so-called Four Immeasurables in a way that helps us avoid the pitfalls we encounter when we approach these four in a mistaken manner.
Everyone is welcome. Donations appreciated.
Jon Landaw was born in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1944. He received his A.B. degree in English Literature from Dartmouth College in 1965 and spent three years teaching English as a Second Language with the Peace Corps in Iran (1966-69).
Jon worked as English editor for the Translation Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (1972-77) producing numerous texts under the guidance of Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey. As a student of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche since the mid-1970′s, he has edited numerous works for Wisdom Publications, including “Wisdom Energy” and “Introduction to Tantra.” He is also the author of “Prince Siddhartha,” a biography of Buddha for children, “Images of Enlightenment,” published by Snow Lion in 1993 and “Buddhism for Dummies”. As an instructor of Buddhist meditation, he has taught in numerous Dharma centers throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.
Jon and his wife currently live in Capitola where he teaches regularly at the nearby Land of Medicine Buddha center.
Discovering Buddhism - all levels
Developing Bodhicitta – the Courage of Compassion
Tuesdays, June 4th – July 2nd
7:00-9:00pm (5 classes)
Learn the methods to generate the powerful minds of loving kindness, compassion and bodhicitta. Bodhicitta, the wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of others, is considered to be the heart of Buddha’s teachings. Continue reading
Fridays, June 7, 21, 28, July 12 & 26 (5 classes)
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
How do bodhisattvas meditate? In his renowned text, The Way of the Bodhisattva, Shantideva provides a guide to meditation through equalizing and exchanging self with others. Consequently, this instruction has become fundamental for the training of the mind in altruism and the bodhisattva vehicle.
Whether we are ready for the yogi’s life or not, this instruction will plant a seed to mature us for that path, and give us valuable tools to cultivate the spirit of enlightenment right now.
We will be drawing on verses from Chapter 8 of Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva by Padmakara Translation Group.
All are welcome.
Donations appreciated. Your generous donations are essential for the continuation of programs like this.
May 19th, Sunday 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Discovering Buddhism
Tuesdays, March 12 – April 9
(5 classes)
7:00-9:00pm
Explore the process of death and rebirth and its impact on how we live our lives. Learn how an awareness and understanding of death can be a powerful aid in living a more meaningful life. Continue reading
Monday, April 1st
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Venerable Rene will comment on the chapter on Mindfulness in Shantideva’s Bodhisattva Way of Life.
To guard one’s practice is impossible
without guarding the mind attentively
but if the mind is bound with mindfulness,
everything becomes possible.
For a skilled bodhisattva,
each moment is transformed into virtue.
S/he will do all actions for others’ benefit,
and dedicate them towards enlightenment.
Shantideva Continue reading
Wednesdays Jan 16 – Feb 13
7:00-8:30pm
Meditation is a life skill that enhances our well being and awakens our highest potential. Ocean of Compassion Buddhist Center will be offering Introduction to Meditation. This course is appropriate for beginners as well as those who want to deepen their knowledge about Buddhist Meditation; everyone is welcomed. Continue reading
Public talk by Andy Weber
Monday, March 25th, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Join us for a talk on the Medicine Buddha and its healing qualities. We will discuss the relationship of the three main delusions ( ignorance, greed and hatred ) to our physical diseases and mental attitudes.
Everyone is welcome. 
Continue reading
Sunday, March 3rd, 11:00AM-1:00PM
It is claimed that the wisdom realizing emptiness is the ultimate antidote to every problem we face. But when difficulties arise, unskillful use of this antidote may only make matters worse. Join us on Sunday March 3rd, as we explore the pitfalls facing us when we try to apply this wisdom to our daily experiences, and see how we may avoid these dangers.
Everyone is welcome. Donations appreciated. Continue reading
Open Talk
With Venerable Robina Courtin
Wednesday, January 9th
7:00-8:30pm
When we encounter problems and difficult times, is it possible to make use of these situations to benefit ourselves and others? Join Venerable Robina as she discusses how the point of transforming problems is not to stop the experience, but to stop these so-called “problems” from disturbing our mind and use them to develop our innate potential for love, compassion and kindness. Continue reading
Open Talk with
Geshe Gelek Chodha
Thursday, November 8th
7:00-8:30pm
All are welcome to attend!
With bodhichitta you become so precious – like gold, like diamonds.
You become the most perfect object
in the world, beyond compare
with any material things.
– Lama Yeshe, Melbourne, Australia, 1975 Continue reading
Open Talk
Friday, August 3
7:00-8:30pm
Come join us for a public talk and Q&A, with Jon Landaw, on the benefits of pilgrimage. Why is doing practice and meditation in the footsteps of realized beings important? Continue reading
