Special Events
Remembering & Renewing
This special event is right around the corner! Join us at this kid, family-friendly program!
Mark your calendar for a night you won’t want to miss!
November 1 is traditionally "All Saints' Day" and the eve of "All Souls' Day" in Christendom. The timing of these two days harkens to pre-Christian celebrations honoring the dead such as Samhain. In Mexico, November 1 is also part of "Day of the Dead" observations. This year, we will observe this season to honor our ancestors, our dearly departed and all those who have passed with prayers and offerings for the deceased grounded in the Buddhist tradition.
We will also be hosting a "night market" at Urban Dharma to feature the festive nature of remembering the past as we prepare for the future.
The "night market" will feature craft vendors, performers (music, fortune-telling, face & henna painting for example), food sellers, from our community.
Saturday 11/1, 6-9 PM
The Phowa Teaching
Join Dorlop Rinpoche, Dr. Lye, for a rare and vital transmission and teaching on Phowa, the practice of consciousness transference. This profound method prepares us for the most significant act of our lives: the final transition from this world to the Realm of Bliss of the Buddha Amitābha.
NOTE: Please only take this transmission and training if you intend to learn this Phowa for your own preparation for the time of death. Also, if you are unfamiliar with the teacher and/or unsure about the teacher, please do not participate in this program as it will be of no benefit to you and a waste of your time.
Share Your Thanks
On the day after Thanksgiving, bring your leftover dish to share, or just bring yourself (or a pie!) to our Fall Movie night.
Showing “The Last Dance”, a film about a debt-ridden wedding planner who inadvertently becomes a successful funeral planner. However, he must convince a traditional Taoist priest of his legitimacy to continue operating in the field.
Afterward, Dr. Lye will give brief reflections of this movie and answer questions, as this is his cultural background before he came to the US.
Buddha’s Breath
Learn the Buddha’s Instructions for Meditation
Dorlop Rinpoche, Dr. Lye will offer a 2-day weekend retreat on “Buddha’s Breath” at Urban Dharma. This program will offer participants an opportunity to practice HH Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche’s “Shravasti Meditation” system which skillfully weaves together the historical Buddha’s main method of practice as found in the Anapanasati Sutta together with Mahāmudrā and Zen approaches to training the mind and a set of practical yogic exercises.
Although there is Zoom option to participate from afar, it is highly recommended that you try to attend in person to experience this profound approach is a fully embodied way. In-person participation is limited to 30 persons.
Register below!
9:00 AM – 4 PM Saturday, Oct 25th
9:00 AM – 1 PM Sunday, Oct 26th
At UDNC & On Zoom
Blessing-Empowerments from H.E. Drikung Tritsab Rinpoché
There are still spots to join His Eminince Tritsab Rinpoché’s programs this weekend, June 14 & 15.
You can join in-person in West Asheville or via Zoom. Registration link below. There are details on these empowerments and participation prerequisites in the link.