Cambridge Dzogchen Sangha Buddhism and Everyday Life on www.bn.com   We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them. Epictetus Cambridge Dzogchen Sangha printable version Cambridge Dzogchen Sangha meets every Monday evening at 7:30 PM at Cambridge Friends Meeting House 5 Longfellow Place (off Brattle Street, outside Harvard Square) (www.cambridgedzogchen.org) Through our root teacher, Lama Surya Das, his Associate Teacher, Lama John Makransky, and other authorized teachers, the Sangha provides the essential teachings and transmissions of the Dzogchen lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in forms appropriate for Western culture. This non-sectarian Dzogchen lineage includes many spiritual patrons: Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, others. The late Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche, one of the most respected Dzogchen masters of the 20th century, directed Lama Surya Das to teach and establish Dzogchen Center. Surya Das is Nyoshul Khenpo's main western Dharma-heir. In practice, Dzogchen is not as complicated or esoteric as the Tibetan word may seem. The practice is accessible and aims for simplicity. As Lama Surya Das has said, Dzogchen "points to our own innate wholeness, our own true Buddha nature, our untrammelled spirit, perfect and pure from the beginningless beginning. It is what we call the Buddha within -- not an oriental Buddha, not an historical Buddha, not one of stone, not male or female, but the Buddha nature within each of us, true and wise, loving and compassionate. We want to come back to that, awaken it, cultivate it -- that is what the path is about. We don't get it from outside, from someone or somewhere else, or even from our own ideas of what we are. The Hevajra tantra says we are all Buddhas by nature but must, through our own spiritual work, awaken to ourselves." Committed to Dzogchen practice and its transmission through Lama Surya Das, the Sangha offers a complete course of practice and guidance for individuals who choose the Dzogchen path of spiritual awakening. We welcome all spiritual seekers and questioners, those who are on other paths, and those who are open and curious. The Sangha serves as a gateway into Dzogchen teachings for persons from all over New England. To fulfill our commitment, we provide structure and support for the Six Building Blocks of spiritual life articulated by Lama Surya Das: Engaging in spiritual study, Developing an effective and inspiring daily practice, Enjoying the support of group practice, including retreats, Consulting with Lamas and teachers, Working on self through psychology, yoga, exercise and other work, Responding with compassion to the wider community through social action and direct service. Our specific programs include: Monday evening sittings, many with teachings by Lamas, Lama-led teaching of core Mahayana mind-training practices: tonglen and lojong, Teaching foundational Vajrayana practices (Ngondro), Day-long, week-end, and other special teaching events, Offering books, tapes, and other teachings and materials, Participation in Buddhist organizations, Financial support ("dana") for the work of our Lamas, Individual memberships in Dzogchen Center, the national sangha. For more information, consider attending a Monday sitting, exploring our web site listed above and that of Dzogchen Center, www.dzogchen.org. Also explore the links and enjoy books and tapes by Lama Surya Das and other Dzogchen Foundation teachers. Contact Joel Baehr to have a conversation about Dzogchen and the Sangha.     Psychotherapy Pragmatic Spirituality Communities Dzogchen Center Ministry and other activities