Creating a Bright Future - with Ryan Caputi
2018-01-02 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
2 Tuesdays January 2 and 9, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Create a strong intention and vision for your New Year. You will leave with a written statement, bullet points, or a paragraph, of your personal vision and intention for the New Year. You will learn how to incorporate this vision into a meditation practice that can be used to reset your intentions and aspirations throughout the year.
During the first night you will learn the 4-Fold Vision Quest to create a full and hopeful vision of your new year, and beyond. There will be time to journal and then meditate/envision this image and story of how the New Year will unfold. Everything from our highest aspirations to our worldly goals will be included in this vision.
During the second night you will take this new vision and apply it to the practices of the 4-Immeasurables (loving kindness, compassion, feeling joy for others, and equanimity). You will learn how to extract the meaning and essence of the 4 Immeasurables and apply them to what is most important and relevant in your life. This is a method of personalizing the 4 Immeasurables so that this practice will stay fresh and relevant for years to come.
Beginners and experienced students are welcome.
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
cost: suggested donation $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
www.diamondlightsac.org
Ryan has been a student of Lama Amie Diller and Tibetan Buddhism for the past 6 years. During this time he has completed the 18 Courses of the Asian Classics Institute, receiving the title of “Maroke,” and has also completed several short group and solo meditation retreats. Ryan is a yoga teacher and has casually studied yogic philosophy in tandem with his Tibetan Buddhist studies. He lives happily with his two cats, Sam and Ash, in downtown Sacramento.

#metoo - Healing Sexual Violence
2018-01-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Is #metoo more personal for you than a social media phenomenon? Is your heart longing for a safe, nonjudgmental space to release your experiences of #metoo? Are you looking for ways to support a dear one who identifies with #metoo?
In this session, we will create a safe, nonjudgmental, respectful space for processing our collective and individual experiences of #metoo. We will use compassionate practices to create a field that holds our vulnerable experiences with respect, empathy and kindness. Together we will create a circle of liberation, empowerment, strength and hope. This is suited for all genders, at all levels of healing and growth.
“Like all explorers, we are drawn to discover what’s out there without knowing yet if we have the courage to face it.”
― Pema Chödrön
Location
Diamond Light Tibetan Buddhist Group
2791 24th Street, Room 14
Sacramento, California 95818
Facilitators
Darlene Viggiano
Sunil Joseph
Suggested donation of $20 for class; no one turned away for lack of funds

Actualizing Your Resolution To Meditate
2018-01-08 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
4 Mondays, January 8 – February 5
closed Monday 15 for the holiday
Have you made a New Year’s resolution to try meditation, or to meditate more? Would receiving instruction and sitting with others help you reach your meditation goals? Then join us at Diamond Light in learning meditation together, supporting each other, and exploring basic principles of Tibetan Buddhism with experienced practitioners. Building a habit for your meditation practice takes time, commitment, patience and motivation – don’t do it alone, let’s do it together!
Each class will have instruction, discussion and meditation.
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento, CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
www.diamondlightsac.org

Becoming a Spiritual Warrior
2018-01-10 18:30 - 20:30 | 2791 24th Street, Sacramento, 95818, United States
10 Wednesdays, January 10 – March 14 6:30pm-8:30pm

It is not possible to succeed in the Mahayana path without strictly keeping each bodhisattva vow, and to keep those vows one must understand all 64 vows clearly. This Course is based upon Master Asanga’s root text and its commentary called the Highway for Bodhisattvas (Jangchub Shunglam) by Je Tsongkapa. Topics include: the definition and types of bodhichitta, how bodhisattva vows are taken, an explanation of the eighteen root bodhisattva vows and forty-six secondary bodhisattva vows, the four factors needed to break bodhisattva root vows, how bodhisattva vows are broken, how to keep your bodhisattva vows, the benefits of keeping bodhisattva vows and more!

At Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
Suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds

Becoming a Spiritual Warrior
2018-01-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
10 Wednesdays January 10 – March 14, 6:30pm-8:30pm
To truly help others, we must understand the actions that help us, and the actions that hurt us. Becoming a Bodhisattva, or Spiritual Warrior will lead us to full enlightenment so we can help all other beings. Understanding and keeping the 64 Bodhisattva Vows will help us reach enlightenment. Using the commentary called the Highway for Bodhisattvas by Je Tsongkapa, we will learn what bodhichitta (the wish to reach enlightenment to help all beings) is, what the bodhisattva vows are and how they are taken, how to keep or break them, and the benefits of becoming a Bodhisattva.
Each class will have a dharma teachings, discussion and meditations. There are optional readings, homework and quizzes for deeper study and understanding.
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
cost: suggested donation $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
www.diamondlightsac.org
Heather started practicing yoga in 2001 and finished her teacher training in 2008. Yoga is what led her to Buddhism, with her first class taught by Lama Marut in 2008. She has studied with many amazing teachers over the years, her closest teacher being Amie Diller. Heather’s passion is the Tibetan Gelugpa tradition, in the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She recently finished a six year, eighteen course intensive and is excited to share these classes with others.
Heather grew up in Northern California and received her Bachelor of the Arts in Communication at San Diego State University. She also has an Associate of the Arts degree in Visual Communication from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

Closed for the Holiday
2018-01-15

Tibetan Buddhism 101
2018-01-16 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
3 Tuesdays January 16, January 23 and January 30 6:30pm-8:30pm
Interested in Tibetan Buddhism and don’t know where to start? Confused about the “who’s who” and “what’s what” of Buddhist thought and practice? This one’s for you!
– Get a brief overview of Tibetan Buddhist thoughts and practices.
– Learn the cause of suffering and how to stop it.
– Learn meditation techniques and daily practices.
This is an introductory course for those who are new to Buddhism or who want an overview
of the Indo-Tibetan Mahayana tradition of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama!
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
www.diamondlightsac.org
Amie Diller, certified CEB teacher, stumbled on Tassajara Zen Mountain Center at age 18, dropped out of college, and embarked on a life-long passion for the study and practice of Buddhism. For the last 15 years Amie has been practicing & teaching internationally in the Tibetan Gelupa Buddhist tradition. Being a certified nurse-midwife and mother have also brought great joy, along with fertile ground for practicing in the world with a wise and compassionate heart.
Ryan Caputi has been a student of Lama Amie Diller and Tibetan Buddhism for the past 6 years. During this time he has completed the 18 Courses of the Asian Classics Institute, receiving the title of “Maroke,” and has also completed several short group and solo meditation retreats. Ryan is a yoga teacher and has casually studied yogic philosophy in tandem with his Tibetan Buddhist studies. He lives happily with his two cats, Sam and Ash, in downtown Sacramento.

Circle of Support: Awakening to White Privilege
2018-02-02 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
8 Fridays February 2-April 20 6:30pm-8:30pm (no class February 16, March 9, or March 16)
Pre-registration required!
As people who are white-identified, we can feel powerless when seeing the suffering caused by white privilege. Oppression against people of color has been happening for centuries, and while we may not consider ourselves racists, we still benefit from white privilege. Spending time educating ourselves and coming to terms with our privilege in white spaces can help us stay socially engaged and allow us to process challenges relating to our social position in a safe space.
Francis E. Kendall in her article “Understanding White Privilege” defines white privilege as, “White privilege is an institutional (rather than personal) set of benefits granted to those of us who, by race, resemble the people who dominate the powerful positions in our institutions. One of the primary privileges is that of having greater access to power and resources than people of color do; in other words, purely on the basis of our skin color doors are open to us that are not open to other people.”
Diamond Light Tibetan Buddhist Group is holding a 8 week circle to support our education about white privilege, process difficult feelings and emotions, and transform our understanding surrounding this topic so we can make more skillful choices when navigating differences. We will look at racism through our personal experiences and well as historical and institutional lenses. This circle is not to mobilize political action, but for personal transformation so we can create more authentic relationships with people of color. The circle will include readings, mindful sharing, meditation, and Buddhist practices.
This class is for people who are white identified and are interested in increasing their awareness about how they unknowingly benefit from and unconsciously reinforce white privilege. Understanding of Buddhist philosophy is not required, but there will be meditation and Tibetan Buddhist practices incorporated into each session.
We will be using curriculum and resources from www.whiteawake.org
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2417 24th Street Room 14, Sacramento CA 95818 (upstairs)
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
cost: sliding scale $40-$100, scholarships available (please email diamondlight.sac@gmail.com for information). No one turned away for lack of funds. Scholarships available!
Commitment: To create a safe space and a sense of community, this circle is limited to 12 people. We ask that you commit to participating in all circles, readings and homework. Difficult emotions and conflict may come up during the circle, and we ask that everyone stays mindfully engaged and are committed to treat all group members with respect.
Application process: Please fill out the following application: https://goo.gl/forms/QnfACxMSlylczmW33 You will get a confirmation email once you are selected. If you can no longer participate, please let us know so we can allow another person to join. Applications are due by January 15, or until class is full.
Email diamond light.sac@gmail.com for any questions!
We understand the great suffering for communities of color that has been caused by white privilege. Diamond Light would like to invite groups that support healing of communities of color to use Diamond Light Meditation Center at no cost. Please email diamondlight.sac@gmail.com for availability.

Awakening the Heart of Compassion
2018-02-06 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
3 Tuesdays ​February 6th, 13th, and 20th ​ 6:30pm-8:30pm
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” — His Holiness the Dalai Lama
There is solid, fascinating and ever-growing evidence based research showing that compassion & connectedness are good for us on many levels: psychologically, emotionally, and physically as well as spiritually. We’ll be working with Tibetan Buddhist compassion meditation of Tonglen and modern nonviolent communication methods to integrate compassion, connection, and meaning into our relationship with ourselves and the world.
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
Amie Diller, certified CEB teacher, stumbled on Tassajara Zen Mountain Center at age 18, dropped out of college, and embarked on a life-long passion for the study and practice of Buddhism. For the last 15 years Amie has been practicing & teaching internationally in the Tibetan Gelupa Buddhist tradition. Being a certified nurse-midwife and mother have also brought great joy, along with fertile ground for practicing in the world with a wise and compassionate heart.
About Sunil: I started studying Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in 2004. NVC has had a transformational effect on my professional and personal life. I am continually amazed at the power and simplicity of this way of living life. While I am not a certified NVC trainer, I am happy when the fruits of my personal practice can benefit others. I consider myself a lifelong NVC learner and explorer.

Center closed for President's Day
2018-02-19

Sharing the Dharma with Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
2018-02-25 10:00 - 11:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Sharing the Dharma with Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
Sundays February 25-April 1 10:00am-11:30am
Sunday morning “Sharing the Dharma” at Diamond Light is an opportunity for newcomers and old friends to explore the Buddha’s teachings as they are applied in our daily lives, and share in community fellowship.
“Sharing the Dharma” topics combine ideas from Buddhism with those from the fields of positive psychology, Western philosophy, and current events. People from all faiths and backgrounds can apply the principles explored on Sharing the Dharma enhance their lives.
Ven. Tenzin will introduce the topics and lead brief reflection meditations. With time to get a cup of tea, participants can then join in discussions, asking questions and sharing experiences.
Drop-in on any session. No background required – just come with an open mind. All are welcome!
By donation to support the teacher and the cost of the space.
At Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento, CA 95818
Parking lot in back, ADA accessible
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi is a Buddhist nun, activist and popular Buddhist retreat leader and teacher. She loves bridging the worlds of Buddhist thought, current affairs, and the latest research in the field of positive psychology. As well as being passionate about her spiritual practice she also cares deeply about prison reform, animal rights, equal rights for all and bringing an end to human trafficking and other modern forms of slavery.
Venerable Tenzin first became interested in meditation after reading Be Here Now and Autobiography of a Yogi in the early 1970s. She describes her spiritual path over the next 20 years as “meandering and haphazard” until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the end, she became a student not only of His Holiness, but also of Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the year she spent studying at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India and Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. She also completed several long meditation retreats over a six-year period.

Monday Meditation with Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
2018-02-26 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Monday Meditation with Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
6 Monday’s February 26-April 2 6:30-8:00pm
Monday Meditation with Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
Part of the power of Buddhist practices is calming our mind through meditation. Learning Buddhist concepts is helpful for our daily lives and helps us intellectually understand our world, and meditation helps us experience those concepts directly. Meditation is not always easy, but like any other skill it can be practiced and mastered. Join Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi as she leads us through guided meditations based on the teachings from Tuesday nights. Feel free to drop in Monday nights or come in both nights each week to learn something new and deepen your practice!
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento CA 95818
Parking lot in back, ADA accessible.
Suggested donation: $10-$20 per class no one turned away for lack of funds.
www.diamondlightsac.org
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi is a Buddhist nun, activist and popular Buddhist retreat leader and teacher. She loves bridging the worlds of Buddhist thought, current affairs, and the latest research in the field of positive psychology. As well as being passionate about her spiritual practice she also cares deeply about prison reform, animal rights, equal rights for all and bringing an end to human trafficking and other modern forms of slavery.
Venerable Tenzin first became interested in meditation after reading Be Here Now and Autobiography of a Yogi in the early 1970s. She describes her spiritual path over the next 20 years as “meandering and haphazard” until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the end, she became a student not only of His Holiness, but also of Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the year she spent studying at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India and Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. She also completed several long meditation retreats over a six-year period.

Buddhism in a Nutshell with Ven Tenzin Chogkyi
2018-02-27 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Buddhism in a Nutshell with Ven Tenzin Chogkyi
6 Tuesdays 2/27-4/3 6:30pm-8:30pm
Why do we put so much energy into chasing after happiness, only to be disappointed? Why is it so hard to find peace and contentment?
Buddhism teaches that true freedom and happiness can only be found within, by transforming our own minds. Find out more about this essential truth that the Buddha taught. This course, based on the Four Noble Truths, the first teaching the Buddha gave after his enlightenment, will include lectures, discussion periods and meditation sessions.
Join Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi as she introduces us to basic Buddhist thought and practices. This class is perfect for beginners, and a great refresher for long time practioners! Classes are progressive, but feel free to drop in as you are able!
There will be a supplemental meditation offering based on the class’ material Mondays beginning 3/5 6:30pm-8:30pm
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi is a Buddhist nun, activist and popular Buddhist retreat leader and teacher. She loves bridging the worlds of Buddhist thought, current affairs, and the latest research in the field of positive psychology. As well as being passionate about her spiritual practice she also cares deeply about prison reform, animal rights, equal rights for all and bringing an end to human trafficking and other modern forms of slavery.
Venerable Tenzin first became interested in meditation after reading Be Here Now and Autobiography of a Yogi in the early 1970s. She describes her spiritual path over the next 20 years as “meandering and haphazard” until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the end, she became a student not only of His Holiness, but also of Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the year she spent studying at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India and Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. She also completed several long meditation retreats over a six-year period.

Healing the Conflict Within
2018-03-08 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
4 Thursdays 3/8-3/29 6:30pm-8:30pm
Do you sometimes feel like parts of you are at odds with each other? Do you feel stuck or uncertain in specific areas of your life due to these internal conflicts? Do you experience oppressive internal voices that are cruel or painful?
In this 4 class series, we will learn to apply Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and other heart centered approaches, to meet these parts of our self with compassionate presence and listening. When a part is fully heard, it no longer needs to take our energy. This frees our energy to have more choice in our lives.
We will cultivate inner peace in the service of bringing more peace to our world. To the extent we cultivate this quality of compassionate listening within ourselves, it will flow into our relationships and everyday interactions.
To quote Peace Pilgrim – “We can work on inner peace and world peace at the same time. On one hand, people have found inner peace by losing themselves in a cause larger than themselves, like the cause of world peace, because finding inner peace means coming from the self-centered life into the life centered in the good of the whole. On the other hand, one of the ways of working for world peace is to work for more inner peace, because world peace will never be stable until enough of us find inner peace to stabilize it.”
According to the Dalai Lama – “World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.”
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento, CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
www.diamondlightsac.org
About Sunil: I started studying Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in 2004. NVC has had a transformational effect on my professional and personal life. I am continually amazed at the power and simplicity of this way of living life. While I am not a certified NVC trainer, I am happy when the fruits of my personal practice can benefit others. I consider myself a lifelong NVC learner and explorer.

Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying with Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
2018-03-24 10:00 - 16:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying: Spiritual and Practical Preparation for Death
As spiritual seekers, we recognize the value of preparing for death. as we wish to live a meaningful life while facing death with as much confidence and consciousness as possible. Tibetan Buddhism provides a detailed guide and specific instructions for the death process, as well as prayers and practices to aid the transition.
This course will include spiritual advice for living life meaningfully and preparing for the time of death, based on a detailed explanation of the death process as it is described in the Tibetan Buddhist texts. We will discuss preparing health care directives for the end of life. Guided meditations will be offered, including contemplation on the stages of death, and instruction in the important practice of tonglen (“Giving and Taking”). The practice of the five powers at the time of death will be presented, as well as details regarding the handling of ashes and memorials.
This course is appropriate for health care workers, caregivers, those with terminal illness, or anyone who would like to learn more about this inevitable transition that we will all face, and learn to prepare for it with awareness and understanding. It is helpful, but not required, for participants to have some background in Buddhist ideas and philosophy.
Saturday March 24 10:00am-4:30pm (with a break for lunch)
Sunday March 25 10:00am-11:30am
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 Sacramento CA 95818 (upstairs)
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
cost: suggested donation $40-$60 for the weekend, no one turned away for lack of funds. Scholarships available, please email diamondlight.sac@gmail.com for information.
To register: https://goo.gl/forms/cxJczbevur8gJ6m33
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi is a Buddhist nun, activist and popular Buddhist retreat leader and teacher. She loves bridging the worlds of Buddhist thought, current affairs, and the latest research in the field of positive psychology. As well as being passionate about her spiritual practice she also cares deeply about prison reform, animal rights, equal rights for all and bringing an end to human trafficking and other modern forms of slavery.
Venerable Tenzin first became interested in meditation after reading Be Here Now and Autobiography of a Yogi in the early 1970s. She describes her spiritual path over the next 20 years as “meandering and haphazard” until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the end, she became a student not only of His Holiness, but also of Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the year she spent studying at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India and Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. She also completed several long meditation retreats over a six-year period.

Learn Tibetan Buddhist Meditation!
2018-04-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Evidence shows that even 5 minutes of meditation a day can go a long way to reduce stress, increase happiness, and sharpen focus. Sometimes it seems just getting to the cushion is the biggest obstacle! Join long time meditator and Tibetan Buddhist practitioner David Drabble as he shows us what it takes to set up and keep a daily practice! Each class will have instruction, discussion and meditation.
Mondays 4/9-4/30 6:30-8:00pm
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento, CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds

Tibetan Buddhist Meditation
2018-04-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Evidence shows that even 5 minutes of meditation a day can go a long way to reduce stress, increase happiness, and sharpen focus. Sometimes it seems just getting to the cushion is the biggest obstacle! Join long time meditator and Tibetan Buddhist practitioner David Drabble as he shows us what it takes to set up and keep a daily practice! Each class will have instruction, discussion and meditation.
Mondays 4/9-4/30 6:30-8:00pm
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento, CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
www.diamondlightsac.org

Meditation: Creating a Peaceful Mind
2018-04-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
2 Tuesdays 4/10 and 4/17 6:30pm-8:30pm
Meditation: Creating a Peaceful Mind with Elaine Jackson
Mind, or consciousness, is at the heart of Buddhist theory and practice, and for the last two-and-a-half thousand years meditators have been investigating and using it as a means of transcending unsatisfactory existence and achieving perfect peace. It is said that all happiness, ordinary and sublime, is achieved by understanding and transforming our own mind. Mind is the seed of everything.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that “meditation is to build up a beneficial state of mind through the power of attentive repetition.” We will unpack this seemingly simple statement. What’s a beneficial state of mind? What’s attentive repetition? How do we overcome obstacles?
We will share techniques and antidotes, keeping it lively. We’ll practice. Practice in Buddhism means meditation. We’ll meditate.
2 Tuesday’s 4/10 and 4/17 6:30-8:30pm
At Diamond Light Meditation Center
2417 24th Street Room 14, Sacramento CA 95819
Parking lot in back, ADA accessible
www.diamondlightsac.org
Suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, No one turned away for lack of funds. Pay online: http://www.diamondlightsac.org/donate/, or check/cash at the door.
Elaine Jackson is a founding member of Vajrapani Institute and has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism since 1977, studying with many of the greatest Buddhist teachers of our time. Every year for 12 years she engaged in a month-long solitary meditation retreat to deepen her practice.
She served as Executive Director of Vajrapani Institute for over five years just prior to entering a three-year meditation retreat completed in April, 2014. She lives a contemplative life off-the-grid in the Santa Cruz mountains while offering Dharma teachings and meditation support.

Listening as a Spiritual Practice
2018-04-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
True listening is the capacity of our hearts to receive and hold another’s truth, even when it doesn’t agree with our own values and beliefs. Generously offering our attention and presence to another human being is a radical act in a world where many are talking and few are really listening. At times, we need this capacity internally to receive parts of ourselves that we dislike or feel uncomfortable about.
Listening does not require us to agree with or to like what we’re hearing. We simply aim to create space for another’s reality, to respect that it exists. At a certain depth, listening becomes an experience of pure presence.
In this class, we will use the principles and practices of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to cultivate our listening skills. We will create a supportive learning space that is inclusive of all skill levels. No prior experience with NVC is necessary. All are welcome.
By donation: $10 – $20
No one turned away for lack of funds.
About Sunil: I started studying Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in 2004. NVC has had a transformational effect on my professional and personal life. I am continually amazed at the power and simplicity of this way of living life. While I am not a certified NVC trainer, I am happy when the fruits of my personal practice can benefit others. I consider myself a lifelong NVC learner and explorer.

Mind & Its Potential with Emily Hsu
2018-04-24 18:30 - 21:00 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Mind & Its Potential with Emily Hsu
4 Tuesdays 4/24-5/15 6:30pm-8:30pm
Join Emily Hsu to examine what the ‘mind’ is according to Buddhism and how it affects our experience of happiness and suffering. Come explore the difference between the mind and the brain and the mind as the creator of our experience. Learn methods to transform our thoughts and attitudes and create a more positive and joyous mind.
The class will consist of Dharma talks, meditation, and question and answer.
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
Emily Hsu is an FPMT registered teacher who graduated in 2004 from FPMT’s seven-year Masters Program of Sutra and Tantra at Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa in Italy. In 2005 she completed a ten-month solitary retreat to integrate the material, and since that time has mainly been teaching and doing some retreat every year. She taught at Ocean of Compassion (Gyalwa Gyatso) Buddhist Center and other Bay Area centers for ten years, with the last four years as resident teacher until leaving in 2016 to do longer retreat.
Emily teaches Basic Program, Discovering Buddhism, introductory courses, meditation, and leads retreats, with particular emphasis on emptiness, bodhicitta, Lamrim, and calm abiding (shi-ne or shamatha) meditation.

What's Next? A Deep Dive into Death and Rebirth
2018-04-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
The Buddhist texts have in depth descriptions about death, rebirth and different realms of existence. Join Heather as she explores what these texts say, and how this applies to our own liberation!
10 Wednesdays 4/25-6/27 6:30pm-8:30pm
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street Room 14
Sacramento, CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
www.diamondlightsac.org
Heather started practicing yoga in 2001 and finished her teacher training in 2008. Yoga is what led her to Buddhism, with her first class taught by Lama Marut in 2008. She has studied with many amazing teachers over the years, her closest teacher being Amie Diller. Heather’s passion is the Tibetan Gelugpa tradition, in the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She recently finished a six year, eighteen course intensive and is excited to share these classes with others.
Heather grew up in Northern California and received her Bachelor of the Arts in Communication at San Diego State University. She also has an Associate of the Arts degree in Visual Communication from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

Off the Cushion Sacramento! with Reverend Brian Baker
2018-04-27 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Want to help people in the world, but don’t know where to start? Feeling overwhelmed with the amount of suffering and having some fears about getting involved? Join Reverend Brian Baker for a special evening of inspiration and conversation about how to get involved in social justice movements in a way that is right for you!
Friday 4/27 6:30pm-8:30pm
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street Room 14, Sacramento CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20, no one turned away for lack of funds
Brian Baker is an Episcopal Priest and the Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento. He began meditating long before he ever entered a church. He has a long history of teaching with Tibetan Buddhists. In 2005 he organized and facilitated a conversation between the Dalai Lama and religious leaders in Idaho. He is a popular speaker at wellness and yoga festivals.

Sharing the Dharma with Emily Hsu
2018-04-29 10:00 - 11:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Sunday morning “Sharing the Dharma” is an opportunity for newcomers and old friends to explore the Buddha’s teachings as they are applied in our daily lives.
Topics combine ideas from Buddhism with those from the fields of positive psychology, Western philosophy, and current events. People from all faiths and backgrounds can apply the principles explored to enhance their lives.
Emily will introduce the topics and lead brief reflection meditations. With time to get a cup of tea, participants can then join in discussions, asking questions sharing experiences, and share in community fellowship.
Drop-in on any session. No background required – just come with an open mind.
All are welcome!
Suggested Donation: $10-$20 suggested
No one turned away for lack of funds!
Emily Hsu is an FPMT registered teacher who graduated in 2004 from FPMT’s seven-year Masters Program of Sutra and Tantra at Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa in Italy. In 2005 she completed a ten-month solitary retreat to integrate the material, and since that time has mainly been teaching and doing some retreat every year. She taught at Ocean of Compassion (Gyalwa Gyatso) Buddhist Center and other Bay Area centers for ten years, with the last four years as resident teacher until leaving in 2016 to do longer retreat.
Emily teaches Basic Program, Discovering Buddhism, introductory courses, meditation, and leads retreats, with particular emphasis on emptiness, bodhicitta, Lamrim, and calm abiding (shi-ne or shamatha) meditation.

Learn Tibetan Buddhist Meditation!
2018-05-07 18:30 - 20:00 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Mondays 5/7, 5/14 and 5/21, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18 and 6/25 6:30-8:00pm
closed Monday 5/28 for Memorial Day
Evidence shows that even 5 minutes of meditation a day can go a long way to reduce stress, increase happiness, and sharpen focus. Sometimes it seems just getting to the cushion is the biggest obstacle! Join long time meditator and Tibetan Buddhist practitioner David Drabble as he shows us what it takes to set up and keep a daily practice! Each class will have instruction, discussion and meditation.
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento, CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds

Exploring the Nature of Mind with Emily Hsu
2018-05-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Exploring the Nature of Mind with Emily Hsu
Saturday 5/12 10:00am-1:00pm
Join Emily Hsu for this half-day retreat when we will explore the natural space-like quality of the mind as well as the stressful thoughts and emotions that inhibit our experiencing it. Learn how to access this spacious nature more and more and lessen the effect of difficult emotions and thoughts.
The class will consist of Dharma talks, meditation, and question and answer.
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
Emily Hsu is an FPMT registered teacher who graduated in 2004 from FPMT’s seven-year Masters Program of Sutra and Tantra at Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa in Italy. In 2005 she completed a ten-month solitary retreat to integrate the material, and since that time has mainly been teaching and doing some retreat every year. She taught at Ocean of Compassion (Gyalwa Gyatso) Buddhist Center and other Bay Area centers for ten years, with the last four years as resident teacher until leaving in 2016 to do longer retreat.
Emily teaches Basic Program, Discovering Buddhism, introductory courses, meditation, and leads retreats, with particular emphasis on emptiness, bodhicitta, Lamrim, and calm abiding (shi-ne or shamatha) meditation.

Managing Emotions Mindfully with Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
2018-05-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Managing Emotions Mindfully
with Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
6 Tuesdays 5/22-6/26 6:30pm-8:30pm
Most of us struggle with disturbing emotions such as anger, attachment, jealousy, resentment, etc. Does Buddhism have any unique perspective to offer that can help us deal with our disturbing emotions?
The Buddhist approach to working with disturbing emotions involves first becoming aware of the emotions we are feeling, using mindfulness, and then transforming them by applying the understanding of the nature of emotions presented in the Buddha’s teachings. This class will present the Buddhist approach to dealing with disturbing emotions, as well as introducing the various techniques and practices taught in Buddhist philosophy and meditation practice for working with our emotions.
Beginners are welcome and encouraged, as well as older students wanting to learn new techniques for dealing with emotions
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street Room 14, Sacramento CA 95818 (upstairs)
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
suggested donation: $10-$20 per class, no one turned away for lack of funds
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi is a Buddhist nun, activist and popular Buddhist retreat leader and teacher. She loves bridging the worlds of Buddhist thought, current affairs, and the latest research in the field of positive psychology. As well as being passionate about her spiritual practice she also cares deeply about prison reform, animal rights, equal rights for all and bringing an end to human trafficking and other modern forms of slavery.
Venerable Tenzin first became interested in meditation after reading Be Here Now and Autobiography of a Yogi in the early 1970s. She describes her spiritual path over the next 20 years as “meandering and haphazard” until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the end, she became a student not only of His Holiness, but also of Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the year she spent studying at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India and Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Sharing the Dharma with Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
2018-05-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Sharing the Dharma with Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
Sundays May 27th-June 24th 10:00am-11:30am
Sunday morning “Sharing the Dharma” at Diamond Light is an opportunity for newcomers and old friends to explore the Buddha’s teachings as they are applied in our daily lives, and share in community fellowship.
“Sharing the Dharma” topics combine ideas from Buddhism with those from the fields of positive psychology, Western philosophy, and current events. People from all faiths and backgrounds can apply the principles explored on Sharing the Dharma enhance their lives.
Ven. Tenzin will introduce the topics and lead brief reflection meditations. With time to get a cup of tea, participants can then join in discussions, asking questions and sharing experiences.
Drop-in on any session. No background required – just come with an open mind. All are welcome!
By donation to support the teacher and the cost of the space.
At Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento, CA 95818
Parking lot in back, ADA accessible
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi is a Buddhist nun, activist and popular Buddhist retreat leader and teacher. She loves bridging the worlds of Buddhist thought, current affairs, and the latest research in the field of positive psychology. As well as being passionate about her spiritual practice she also cares deeply about prison reform, animal rights, equal rights for all and bringing an end to human trafficking and other modern forms of slavery.
Venerable Tenzin first became interested in meditation after reading Be Here Now and Autobiography of a Yogi in the early 1970s. She describes her spiritual path over the next 20 years as “meandering and haphazard” until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the end, she became a student not only of His Holiness, but also of Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the year she spent studying at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India and Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. She also completed several long meditation retreats over a six-year period.

Center Closed for Memorial Day
2018-05-28

Manifesting Compassion
2018-06-07 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Compassion for Ourselves:
What it is, what it isn’t, why it can be difficult, and how it can make us happy
4 Thursday evenings in June: 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Manifesting Compassion in our Relationships:
Widening our compassion to others, and creating a better world
Daylong retreat on Saturday, June 16, from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
In this series of classes (four Thursday evenings plus one daylong) we will explore how to increase our ability to be compassionate with ourselves, our loved ones, and people we find challenging to interact with. We will also explore how we can meet the suffering in our world and actively respond to it from a compassionate stance. We will explore how to bring compassion into our social justice activism. We will apply the teachings and practices of Buddhism and Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in this class.
Research at Stanford medical school is showing that compassion results in a deep sense of well-being, it promotes the immune system, and also results in decreased levels of stress. According to Dr. Doty, founder of Stanford’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, “Compassion is what is going to save our species”. Buddhism considers compassion one of the two wings of the great bird of awakening along with wisdom. According to the Dalai Lama – “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” Modern research and Buddhism are unified in the belief that we can increase our ability to be compassionate.
at Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento, CA 95818
parking lot in back, ADA accessible
Note: No prior knowledge or experience with Buddhism of NVC is required to participate. All are welcome. It is not necessary to participate in both the Thursday night series and the daylong, but is recommended in order to experience the full scope of our compassion.
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi: Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi is a Buddhist nun, activist and popular Buddhist retreat leader and teacher. She loves bridging the worlds of Buddhist thought, current affairs, and the latest research in the field of positive psychology. As well as being passionate about her spiritual practice she also cares deeply about prison reform, animal rights, equal rights for all and bringing an end to human trafficking and other modern forms of slavery.
Venerable Tenzin first became interested in meditation after reading Be Here Now and Autobiography of a Yogi in the early 1970s. She describes her spiritual path over the next 20 years as “meandering and haphazard” until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the end, she became a student not only of His Holiness, but also of Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the year she spent studying at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India and Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. She also completed several long meditation retreats over a six-year period.
Sunil Josef: I started studying Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in 2004. NVC has had a transformational effect on my professional and personal life. I am continually amazed at the power and simplicity of this way of living life. While I am not a certified NVC trainer, I am happy when the fruits of my personal practice can benefit others. I consider myself a lifelong NVC learner and explorer.

Sharing the Dharma with Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
2018-06-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Diamond Light Meditation Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs), Sacramento, CA, 95818
Sharing the Dharma
Sunday morning “Sharing the Dharma” at Diamond Light is an opportunity for newcomers and old friends to explore the Buddha’s teachings as they are applied in our daily lives, and share in community fellowship.
“Sharing the Dharma” topics combine ideas from Buddhism with those from the fields of positive psychology, Western philosophy, and current events. People from all faiths and backgrounds can apply the principles explored on Sharing the Dharma enhance their lives.
Ven. Tenzin will introduce the topics and lead brief reflection meditations. With time to get a cup of tea, participants can then join in discussions, asking questions and sharing experiences.
Drop-in on any session. No background required – just come with an open mind. All are welcome!
By donation to support the teacher and the cost of the space.
Sundays June 10 – July 15 10:00am-11:30am
At Diamond Light Meditation Center
2791 24th Street, Room 14 (upstairs)
Sacramento, CA 95818
Parking lot in back, ADA accessible
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi is a Buddhist nun, activist and popular Buddhist retreat leader and teacher. She loves bridging the worlds of Buddhist thought, current affairs, and the latest research in the field of positive psychology. As well as being passionate about her spiritual practice she also cares deeply about prison reform, animal rights, equal rights for all and bringing an end to human trafficking and other modern forms of slavery.
Venerable Tenzin first became interested in meditation after reading Be Here Now and Autobiography of a Yogi in the early 1970s. She describes her spiritual path over the next 20 years as “meandering and haphazard” until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the end, she became a student not only of His Holiness, but also of Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the year she spent studying at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India and Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. She also completed several long meditation retreats over a six-year period.
