with Ven. Robina Courtin

Saturday, August 19, 2017
10:00am – 4:00pm
see detailed schedule below

We spend our lives being seduced by the outside world, believing completely that happiness and suffering come from "out there." But "everything we experience is our own karmic appearance," says Lama Zopa Rinpoche. "Everything is made up by our own minds."

By understanding emptiness — that everything occurs in dependence upon causes and conditions (in other words, karma) and that, crucially, there's nothing intrinsic in anything that makes it what it is — we can slowly loosen the grip of ego-grasping and begin to develop our marvelous potential for clarity, contentment, love, and the other qualities that Lord Buddha says are innate within us.

With clear and practical teachings, Venerable Robina Courtin presents an overview of karma and emptiness. This public talk and retreat includes meditation, lecture, and discussion.

Since ordaining as a nun in 1978 Ven. Robina has worked full time for Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and their Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition.

Over the years she has served as editorial director of Wisdom Publications, editor of Mandala Magazine, executive director of Liberation Prison Project, and as a touring teacher of Buddhism.

In 2001, Courtin created Chasing Buddha Pilgrimage, which lead pilgrimages to Buddhist holy sites in India, Nepal, and Tibet to raise money for the Liberation Prison Project, an association engaged for the Tibetan cause.

Known for her extraordinary energy and fiery compassion, Ven. Robina's life and work have been the subject of documentary films Chasing Buddha and Key to Freedom.