Dharma, Meditation and Yoga in Singapore 2013

NEW WEBSITE UP!  We have moved to:   aci-sg.org

THIS WEBSITE WILL CONTINUE TO RUN IN PARALLEL UNTIL JUNE 2013.  Please update your your bookmarks.

Welcome, and please join us for ongoing dharma classes, meditation, and yoga in Singapore.  Follow us on Facebook to receive class alerts.  See Events for upcoming public workshops, retreats, and global community webinars.


- Mondays, April 8 through June - The Bodhisattva's Way of Life, Part I (ACI Course X)
This Course is the first in a three part series based upon A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life (Bodhisattvacharya Avatara) by Master Shantideva (700 AD), and the commentary Entry Point for Children of the Victorious Buddhas (Gyalse Juk-ngok) by Gyaltsab Je (1364-1432). Master Shantideva's work is considered the best book ever written to learn how to live as a bodhisattva, and this is one of the most famous commentaries ever written; it has been translated into English for the first time for this Course. Topics include: the benefits of being a bodhisattva, the preliminaries you must undertake to become a bodhisattva, how to remove existing obstacles which prevent realization of true bodhichitta, how to collect the causes to develop true bodhichitta, the recollection and watchfulness required to think and act like a bodhisattva, The Guide as a description of the six perfections, the order in which to undertake practice of the six perfections, how to treat your mental afflictions, and an explanation of the perfection of giving and the perfection of an ethical way of life.

Time: 7:30-9:30pm, Mondays (starting April 1, 2013 through June 2013)
Venue:  Shaw Tower, 100 Beach Rd, #02-45 (MRT:  City Hall or Bugis)
Teachings are free of charge; donations appreciated to support ongoing sessions
Register:  info@aci-sg.org

- Friday, April 5 - Meditation Fridays (ongoing)
Ongoing meditation practice sessions. A great way to wind down the work week, covering a broad range of meditation styles and topics.

Time: 7:30-9:00pm (Friday nights - see Calendar for confirmation of session)
Venue: 51B Temple St, 2/F
Teachings are free of charge; donations appreciated to support ongoing sessions
Register: info@aci-sg.org

- April 9-10 - Beginner's Yoga with Angie at Oasis Holistic (ongoing)
Yoga is a very broad and in depth, life-long experiential practice that can be rewarding and enriching.  Benefits of engaging in yoga practice are many, and include, from a gross level of physical health and increased awareness to more subtle levels of a focused mind. Learn yoga asanas (postures) such as standing poses, seated poses, forward bends, twists, and more in the Iyengar tradition with Angie Goh at Oasis Holistic.

Time: Every Tuesday 12:30-2:00pm and every Wednesday 7:30-9:00pm
Venue: Oasis Holistic, Block 10 Selegie Rd, #01-50 Selegie House (MRT: Little India)
Contact Oasis at 6442 2881 to register for class
See www.oasisyoga.sg for details

- Wednesdays, April 10 - Bhagavad Gita (upcoming)
The Asian Classics Institute (Singapore) offers teachings not just from the Buddhist tradition, but from all authentic spiritual paths. We are excited about this upcoming four part discussion-based series. It will be led by husband and wife team, Ramesh and Charu, who are very familiar with this transformative text -- this is a very special treat, so don't miss out!

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most famous of the Hindu scriptures. It has been said that there is no significant problem in life, which cannot be referred to the Bhagavad Gita for a solution. Ostensibly a dialogue between God and one of his devotees, it is a veritable treasure chest of guidance on how to lead your daily life with peace and happiness, in spite of whatever comes your way.

Time: 7:00-8:30pm (Wednesdays beginning April 10 through May)
Venue: 51B Temple St, 2/F
Teachings are free of charge; donations appreciated to support ongoing sessions
Register: info@aci-sg.org

Lama Marut in Singapore - December 2012

We are very excited to welcome Lama Marut back to Singapore for an extensive series of teachings this December:

December 6 - Karma Yoga in The Bhagavad Gita

December 7 - 11 - Finding the Buddha Within and Steps on the Path to Enlightenment

Register with Asian Classics Institute (Singapore) for these timeless teachings.  Teachings are free, with donations greatly welcomed to support these and future events.

Buddhism in Singapore - Dharma and Meditation Classes (Nov - Dec 2012)

Please join us for ongoing dharma classes and meditation in Singapore that build upon the recent 2012 talks by Lama Marut, and follow us on Facebook to receive class alerts:

- November 26 - through Feb 2013 - The Bodhisattva Vows (Asian Classics Institute - Course VII)
It is not possible to succeed in the Mahayana path without strictly keeping each bodhisattva vow, and to keep these vows we need to 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, types of morality, types of vows, 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 bodhisattva vows are lost, how to keep your bodhisattva vows, how to restore your bodhisattva vows, and the benefits of keeping bodhisattva vows.  You do not need to take the bodhisattva vows to do this course.

These courses are for people who want to take their study deeper. There are weekly homework, quiz, meditation and reading requirements.

Time:  7:30-9:30pm, Mondays (Mondays, starting Nov 5.  Ends Feb 2013. Holiday break Dec 10-31)
Venue:  100 Lor 23 Geylang, #04-02 D'Centennial (Directions: Aljuneid MRT Station, Exit B - proceed left toward the overpass footbridge. After crossing the footbridge, turn right onto Lor 23 and walk 2 minutes to D'Centennial building)
Teachings are free of charge; donations appreciated to support ongoing sessions
Register:  3j.singapore@gmail.com

- Friday, December 14 - Meditation Fridays
Ongoing meditation practice sessions (resumes in December, after Lama Marut's visit). A great way to wind down the work week, covering a broad range of meditation styles and topics.

Time: 7:30-9:00pm (December 14, 21)
Venue: 51B Temple St, 2/F
Teachings are free of charge; donations appreciated to support ongoing sessions
Register: 3j.singapore@gmail.com

Class Schedules through July

Please join us for ongoing dharma classes that build upon the recent talks by Lama Marut:

- May 23 - Lam Rim Review Session
Review the key ideas presented in the first part of the lam rim, Finding a Teacher, and the foundational steps:  steps shared with those of lower scope.  Based on the First Panchen Lama's text, "Path to Bliss"

Time:  7:30-9:30pm on Wednesday, May 23
Venue:  51B Temple St, 2/F
Cost:  Free, by donation
Register:  3j.singapore@gmail.com

- May 25 - July 20 - Meditation Fridays (bi-weekly)
Ongoing meditation practice sessions.  A great way to wind down the work week, covering a broad range of meditation styles and topics.

Time:  7:30-9:00pm (May 25, June 8, June 22, July 6, July 20)
Venue:  51B Temple St, 2/F
Cost:  Free, by donation
Register:  3j.singapore@gmail.com

- May 30 - Dharma Essentials I - Three Principal Paths
If you're new to Buddhist philosophy, or seeking a refresher course, please join us for this 4-part course that covers the Three Principal Paths of renunciation, compassion (bodhichitta), and wisdom.  Based on the more extensive 10-part Asian Classics Institute Course I, this Dharma Essentials class will cover the key ideas that form the basis of a complete spiritual path (but without the homeworks in ACI classes!)

Time:  7:30-9:30pm, Wednesdays (May 30 - June 20)
Venue:  51B Temple St, 2/F
Cost:  Free, by donation
Register:  3j.singapore@gmail.com

- June 1 -Dharma Salon
A relaxed monthly Friday night gathering presenting ideas to try out for your life (no belief system necessary!).  Discussion encouraged!

Time:  7:30-9:30pm, June 1
Venue:  51B Temple St, 2/F
Cost:  Free, by donation
Register:  3j.singapore@gmail.com

- July 2 - Diamond Cutter Sutra (Asian Classics Institute - Course VI)
This Course is based upon the Diamond Cutter Sutra (Vajrachedika) by Shakyamuni Buddha, along with the only known native Tibetan commentary, by Chone Lama Drakpa Shedrup (1675-1748). Topics include: how the direct perception of emptiness is accomplished, what happens after the direct perception of emptiness, how understanding emptiness leads to the destruction of mental afflictions, how the direct perception of emptiness leads to full enlightenment and paradise, emptiness and the two extremes, how empty things function, emptiness and purification, the relationship between emptiness and karma, emptiness and the bodies of a Buddha, what is non-duality, how a bodhisattva should live, the future of Buddha's teachings, and the perfection of wisdom

Time:  7:30-9:30pm, Mondays (10 weeks, starting July 2)
Venue:  to be announced
Cost:  Free, by donation
Register:  3j.singapore@gmail.com

Lama Marut and Cindy Lee in Singapore - May 2012 (Completed)

We are very excited to welcome Venerable Sumati Marut back to Singapore in May 2012. He will be leading three events here:

1) Free public talk
"Living the Good Life - How to Find and Perpetuate True Happiness"

May 11, 7:15-9:30pm
Venue: Civil Service Club, Auditorium, 60 Tessensohn Road. Nearest MRT: Farrer Park

An intimate evening with Lama Marut on how to achieve the happiness we all seek. Open to all.

Cost: Free - donations appreciated (suggested minimum $15), to cover venue and related-expenses. Chinese simultaneous translations headsets available for rental at venue.

Pre-registration required: talk_lamamarut@yahoo.com.sg


2) Foundational Dharma Teaching Series
"The Blissful Path to Bliss - Classical Lam Rim Teachings"

May 12-15, 7:15-9:30pm (Saturday through Tuesday evening)
Venue: Civil Service Club, Auditorium, 60 Tessensohn Road. Nearest MRT: Farrer Park

An exquisite step by step exposition on path to enlightenment, in the great Tibetan lam rim tradition. For spiritual practitioners seeking a proven and clear path to transformation, following the His Holiness the First Panchen Lama’s classic 17th century text, Path to Bliss.

May 12 "Taking Yourself to a Teacher"
May 13 "Making the Most of this Precious Life"
May 14 "Death and Rebirth"
May 15 "Finding Shelter and Understanding Karma"

Cost: Free - donations appreciated (suggested minimum $15 per evening), to cover venue and related-expenses. Chinese simultaneous translations headsets available for rental at venue.

Pre-registration required: talk_lamamarut@yahoo.com.sg


3) Special Workshops
Lama Marut and Cindy Lee will lead a series of special workshops for experienced students who have attended prior teachings:

Venue: Oasis Holistic, 10 Selegie Rd #01-50 Selegie House (Nearest MRT: Little India)

- Saturday, May 12: 3:30-5:00pm "Devotion - The Easy Path" with Cindy Lee

- Sunday, May 13: 1:00-3:00pm "The Chain of Pain: How we create it, how we can break it" with Lama Marut

- Sunday May 13: 4:00-5:30pm "How the Eight Limbs of Yoga Help You Understand Nagarjuna", plus Yoga Nidra, with Cindy Lee

- Monday, May 14: 1:00-3:00 PM "A Deep Dive Into Emptiness and Perceptual Theory" with Lama Marut

Pre-registration at: talk_lamamarut@yahoo.com.sg

Cost: Free - donations appreciated, to cover venue and related-expenses

ACI Course 5: How Karma Works (Ongoing: April - June 2012)

Please join us for ACI Course 5: How Karma Works.

Learn about the detailed workings of karma from the classic text, Abhidharmakosha. Specific topics include: types of karma, how to increase the power of your positive actions in your spiritual journey, accelerating the results of your good deeds through service, proper motivation, and acting toward powerful objects, and purifying past negative deeds.

Monday evenings April 9 - June 4, 2012 -- 7:15-9:30pm

Venue: 100 Lor 23 Geylang, #04-02 D'Centennial (Directions: Aljuneid MRT Station, Exit B - proceed left toward the overpass footbridge. After crossing the footbridge, turn right onto Lor 23 and walk 2 minutes to D'Centennial building)

Cost: Free - donations appreciated to support class expenses and upcoming public events

For course information and requirements, contact 3j.singapore@gmail.com or 9138 5438

Applied Meditation Course - COMPLETED

Please join us for ACI Course 3: Applied Meditation.

Learn about the conditions conducive for successful meditation, how to address the hurdles and problems that commonly come up during a meditation session, and learn about a broad array of useful meditation topics.

Monday evenings through March 19, 2012 -- 7:15-9:30pm

NEW Venue: 100 Lor 23 Geylang, #04-02 D'Centennial
(Directions: Aljuneid MRT Station, Exit B - proceed left toward the overpass footbridge. After crossing the footbridge, turn right onto Lor 23 and walk 2 minutes to D'Centennial building)

Cost: Free - donations appreciated to support class expenses and upcoming public events

For course information and requirements, contact 3j.singapore@gmail.com or 9138 5438

__________

**Other ongoing activities (Feb-Mar 2012):

Friday evening meditation practice 7:30-9:00pm - Feb 3, Feb 17, Feb 24 (Free - by donation), 51B Temple Street, 2/f

Teachings on Keeping Vows with Lama, Ven Dolma - Feb 15-16, 7:30-9:30pm (Suggested donation $10), 51B Temple Street, 2/f

Lady Niguma Yoga Workshop, Sundays 10:30am-12:30pm - Feb 26 - Apr 1 ($150 for six session), Oasis Holistic, 10 Selegie Rd #01-50. To register, call 9742 5477

Lady Niguma Yoga weekly morning practice, Sundays 7:00-8:30am (except Feb 12), at Macritchie Reservoir (carpark near the pond). Free. For directions and details, call 9677 9969

Tibetan Heart Yoga gathering - first Saturday each month at the Botanical Gardens, 5:00-6:30pm. To register, call 9677 9969