"Food
For Thought": Inspiring Discussions Every Week
"Without
inner peace, outer peace is impossible."
- Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in the book How to Solve Our
Human Problems
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Compassion, Courage, and Confidence
a three week "Food for Thought" series
with Gen Kelsang Mondrub in the World Peace Café mezzanine
Thursdays, May 1, 8, and 15 at 7:00pm
$10 or $15 with dinner afterwards
In Buddhism, the word "compassion" refers to the wish for others to be free from suffering. But while almost everyone wishes for the end of problems and pains for those who seem to be helpless victims, it is very hard for most people to generate compassion for those who seem to be committing the injustices we all too often witness. Rather than generating a mind of compassion towards those who are acting in harmful ways, we typically generate a mind of anger, thinking that our anger will protect us and help to stop the injustice. We often feel that "compassion" is either inappropriate or impossible to feel towards people who are harming ourselves or others - we are afraid that our compassion will make us a "doormat" or a "pushover", and that "compassion" cannot include incisive, powerful actions. When we have not studied compassion more thoroughly, we do not usually recognize that, far from making us a "pushover", compassion can be the source of our courage, our confidence, and our unshakeable stability. During this course, we will explore this other face of compassion - the compassion that is coupled with wisdom and informs our good, positive decisions in the midst of difficult situations.
"Compassion alone is not enough; we need to balance it with wisdom, for otherwise we shall make many mistakes." - Eight Steps to Happiness, by Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
| May 1 |
Crazy Compassion |
| May 8 |
Wisdom and Compassion |
| May 15 |
Wrathful Compassion |
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Happiness with Hardship
a three week "Food for Thought" series
with Gen Kelsang Mondrub in the World Peace Café mezzanine
Thursdays, May 29, June 5, and June 12 at 7:00pm
$10 or $15 with dinner afterwards
One of the most beneficial aspects of Buddha's teachings is that we can apply them practically to our daily challenges, and in this way transform situations that would otherwise be yet another mundane problem into opportunities for spiritual growth. If we practice this way in daily life, rather than problems hindering our spiritual progress, even the most difficult situations become treasure troves of ever-deepening spiritual experience. This way of practicing in daily life is called "transforming adverse conditions into the path." Meanwhile, as we transform these adverse conditions into fuel for spiritual progress, we also solve our ordinary daily problems. And as we become more skilled with these methods for transforming adversities, we find that problems aren't problems anymore: we are happy no matter what hardship faces us, and we have nothing left to fear, nothing left to worry about.
"Although [current] conditions make conventional spiritual practice very difficult, if we practice [these instructions] we can transform all these adversities into the path to enlightenment and live happily in the midst of this impure world. Rather than being an obstacle to our spiritual progress, the impurities of this present age can become fuel for our spiritual practice." - Eight Steps to Happiness, by Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
| May 29 |
When Problems Aren't Problems |
| June 5 |
Everything is Good |
| June 12 |
No Fear |
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About
Gen Kelsang Mondrub |
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Gen
Kelsang Mondrub is a close disciple of Venerable
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. He is an ordained Buddhist Monk
and the Resident Teacher of Rameshori Buddhist Center
of Atlanta. Gen means "Teacher", Kelsang means
"Fortunate One", and "Mondrub" means
"Fulfillment of Prayers".
Gen
Mondrub has studied and practiced Buddhism for over fifteen
years. In March 2001, Gen Mondrub was requested by Geshe
Kelsang Gyatso and students in Atlanta to become the Resident
Teacher of Rameshori Center. Since that time, he has helped
Rameshori Center to expand its classes and locations in
the Atlanta area, and he has established branches in Peachtree
City, Athens, Macon, Columbus, Rome, Cartersville, South
Carolina, northern Florida, and northern Alabama.
Gen
Mondrub presents Buddha's teachings in a simple and inspiring
manner, with warmth and humor. Through his personal example,
caring nature and skill, Gen Mondrub is able to help students
discover for themselves how to integrate these classic
teachings into our modern world, making everyday life
joyful and meaningful. He deeply believes this is the
most effective means to bring more lasting peace, goodness
and happiness to this world.
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