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About Tushita Meditation Centre

"Real happiness begins when you start to cherish others"
Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Welcome to Tushita, a centre for the study and practice of Buddhism from the Tibetan Mahayana tradition located in the forested hills above McLeod Ganj the seat in exile of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.
Established in 1972, Tushita aims to provide a friendly and conducive environment for people of all nationalities to contact, learn and put into practice the teachings of the Buddha. With this in mind we organize regular introductory courses on Buddhist philosophy and meditation as well as group retreats and other miscellaneous events throughout the year. We also have retreat rooms and huts for people doing individual retreats.
Only people who are doing retreat or attending a course can stay at Tushita. The following information outlines the discipline we ask of our guests in order to keep the atmosphere conducive to inner reflection and spiritual pursuit.
A talk given by Ling Rinpoche
A talk from Ven. Tenzin Palmo
Tushita Introductory Courses
Our introductory courses are designed for beginners and those with some background knowledge of Buddhism. They present a complete overview of the Buddhist path and are considered quite intensive.
During the first seven days, Buddhist thought and practice is explained from a modern perspective by experienced Western teachers (ordained and lay). Topics include: meditation, the mind and emotions, karma, rebirth, love and compassion in the Mahayana tradition and the nature of reality. We also try to organize daily talks by highly qualified and respected Tibetan masters covering specific texts and topics. The daily schedule combines teachings with meditation sessions, question-answer periods and discussion groups. Participants are required to keep silence except during discussion groups or question and answer periods. Since many of the ideas presented may be new or different from one's own beliefs, we also ask people to keep an open mind and be prepared to analyze and contemplate not only the teachings, but also one's own views.
The last two full days take the form of a meditation retreat designed to give participants an opportunity to familiarize themselves with and gain insight into the topics. The retreat is conducted in total silence and the meditations are guided.
During one of these days, well take the Mahayana precepts if Preceptors are available. This is a set of eight vows which entail refraining from: killing, stealing, lying, sex, taking intoxicants, dancing, wearing ornaments or perfume and using throne-like seats. On this day only one meal is taken before noon. These vows are taken with an altruistic intention and as an aid to developing more awareness of one's behaviour and enhancing meditation. More explanation will be given during the course.
Basic Discipline for Guests at Tushita
Please observe the following five precepts:
- Respect all life: do not intentionally kill any living being, even small insects.
- Respect others property: do not steal or take anything not freely given.
- Be honest and straightforward: do not lie or intentionally deceive others
- Be celibate: no sex (men and women must have separate accommodation).
- Be alert and mindful: avoid intoxicants, such as cigarettes, alcohol, drugs.
Be considerate of others, especially those in retreat:
- No singing or playing music.
- Keep silence around rooms and in the Silent Area in the front garden.
The following etiquette is considered respectful behaviour in a Buddhist temple:
- Please stand up when the teacher enters the hall.
- Do not cover your head during teachings: no hats, scarves etc.
- Never point your feet towards the teacher, the altar or any holy object.
- Do not put Dharma materials prayer books, texts, Dharma books or notebooks with Dharma in them on the floor; or sit or step over them.
- Do not lie down in the gompa between sessions or while you are watching a teaching or video. If you need to rest, lean against the wall.
- Always keep silence in the meditation hall, especially during teachings, pujas and when there are people meditating.
- Do not read non-dharma books in the gompa.
Help keep Tushita clean:
- You will be assigned a karma yoga job to help keep Tushita clean.
- Separate your waste into 3 categories to keep Tushita green:
Organic: food, leftovers, fruit peels etc. in the dining room
Others: plastic, paper etc. opposite the office
Buddhist Texts: including notes, pictures bring to the office
- Please leave your room tidy for the next guest.
Food and Accommodation:
- We serve 3 vegetarian meals a day, which may contain: eggs and milk products. We cannot provide special diets.
- No single rooms are available for course participants.
- We have only one blanket available per person.
Office Matters:
- Please complete all office business including checking out during office opening hours.
Others:
- Do not feed stray dogs or monkeys, rather chase them away.
- Keep doors and windows closed when not in the room (to keep thieves and monkeys out, also lock your door from inside at night).
- Valuables can be stored in the Tushita safe for security.
Introductory Course
Course discipline
- Participants must attend all sessions of the program and not go down to McLeod Ganj at all during the course (please settle all travel arrangements, calls etc. before you come up to Tushita).
- Please come to sessions on time.
- You are expected to observe silence (no talking at all) from the evening of the first day to breakfast on the final day.
- Please be gentle in your behaviour and sensitive to fellow group members.
Course Registration
- Please reconfirm your registration at least three days before the course starts.
Check-in time for the course is 1 3pm. If you arrive after 3pm, you may lose your place to people on the waiting list.
Course participants can stay two days before and after the course. For longer periods, please consult the office.
THANK YOU & ENJOY YOUR STAY
Tushita is under the guidance of Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche and a member of the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) a world-wide network of Buddhist centres and activities dedicated to benefitting others.
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Office Opening Hours:
10:00 11:30am
12:00 4:00pm
1:30 3:00pm (Course Registration)
Closed on Sundays.
Library Opening: 10:00am 4:00pm
Closed on Sundays
Meal Times:
7:30am Breakfast
11:30am Lunch
6:00pm Dinner
Tea Time: 3:00pm
During courses, tea is also served at 6:15am. Filtered water can be obtained from the Dining Hall throughout the day. Boiled hot water is available during meal and tea times.
Schedule: 10-Day Residential Introductory Courses
Day 1 - Check in
1.00 - 3.00pm Registration (in the Dining Hall)
5.00 - 6.00pm Welcome and Introductory talk
6.00pm Dinner
7.30 - 8.30pm Introduction to Meditation
Day 2-7
6.00am Wake up
6.15am Tea
6.45 - 7.30am Mindfulness Meditation
7.30am Breakfast
9.00 - 11.30am Teaching
11.30am Lunch
1.30 - 2.30pm Discussion Groups/ Group Question & Answer
3.15 - 4.45pm Teaching
5.15-6.00pm Guided Meditation
6.00pm Dinner
7.30 - 8.30pm Evening Meditation
Day 8-9
6.00am Wake up
6.15am Tea
6.45 - 7.30am Mindfulness Meditation
7.30am Breakfast
9.00 - 10.00am Guided Meditation
10.45 - 11.30am Guided Meditation
11.30am Lunch
2.15 - 3.00pm Guided Meditation
4.00 - 4.45pm Guided Meditation
5.15 - 6.00pm Guided Meditation
6.00pm Dinner
7.30 - 8.30pm Evening Meditation
Day 10
6.00am Wake up
6.15am Tea
6.45 - 7.30am Mindfulness Meditation
7.30am Breakfast
9.30 - 11.30am Finishing Talk and Feedback
11.30am Picnic Lunch
1.00pm --- Check out
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