Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
21 Laurand Drive
West Tisbury, MA
phone: 508-696-5929
bodhipathmv@yahoo.com

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Lama Yeshe Drolma Sundays April 13 - May 11th

Lama Yeshe Drolma has returned to The Bodhi Path Buddhist Center in West Tisbury for a series of teachings in April and May. This is Lama Yeshe‚s eighth year of teaching on Martha‚s Vineyard and her many students and friends have warmly welcomed her back to the Vineyard.

Beginning Sunday, April 13th at 10 a.m. running through Sunday May 11th Lama Yeshe will give an explanation on the topic „King Of Aspiration-Prayer For The Perfect Conduct Of The Noble Ones‰. This teaching explains the path of development taken by all the Buddhas of the past, present and future and therefore shows the path through which Buddha Shakyamuni himself achieved the state of complete enlightenment. The practice of these aspiration prayers is considered to be the king of all teachings enabling a practioner to truly engage in a bodhisattva‚s way of life.

Lama Yeshe will lead meditation practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6PM during her stay, and will also lead a meditation retreat on Saturday, April 26th from 10 a.m. -4 p.m.

Choepel teaches March 1 and 2, 2008

The Bodhi Path Of Martha's Vineyard hosted a weekend teaching series with Choepel on Saturday and Sunday, March 1 and 2. The topic of the teachings was "Forging Our Happiness Through Action: A Practical Overview of Buddhist Ethics in Everyday Life." Choepel explained how through our intentions we can forge our future happiness or our future frustration. Respecting the basic principles of life can help us enjoy life and find the freedom and happiness we are looking for through the relaxed kindness of self discipline.

We used a different format for the 2 day series and sat in a circle as Choepel taught, sharing our life experiences with the topics that were presented. Everyone seemed to enjoy this style and we all were quite happy and moved by our time together.

On Monday night, we gathered for tea and cookies and Choepel shared the video about Lama Gendun Rinpoche, which we watched with much delight!

November 25, 27: Lama Choepel

Dharma teacher Choepel made his first visit to The Bodhi Path Buddhist Center in West Tisbury for two teachings on Sunday, November 25th at 10 a.m. and Tuesday, November 27th. at 7 p.m. The topic was "What Does Spirituality Have To Do With Me?" Lama Choepel discussed the benefits of preparing solid foundations for the Buddhist path.

Lama Choepel was born in 1968 in Graz, Austria. He grew up in Graz and then studied Business Administration and drama in Vienna. In 1994 he entered the monastic community of Kundrel Ling in France. From 1998 to 2004, he completed two traditional 3-year retreats. He now travels throughout Europe and the U.S. to share his experience of the Buddhist path.

Lama Choepel seemed to enjoy his stay on the Vineyard and in addition to giving teachings, spent time visiting with and getting to know many members of the sangha.

Lama Yeshe Drolma on the Vineyard

Lama Yeshe Drolma gave teachings, guided two one day retreats, and led weekly meditation sessions during August and September at The Bodhi Path Buddhist Center in West Tisbury. Lama Yeshe taught on Mind Training and the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva. As usual, the teachings were concise, accessible, and filled with Lama Yeshe's special brand of humor. Lama Yeshe, resident lama of the Martha's Vineyard Bodhi Path since 1999, provides the Vineyard sangha with so much support and inspiration for practice, and offers all of her time and effort to the continued growth of the center. Thanks and more thanks to Lama Yeshe Drolma!!!!! After a month of teachings in New York, Lama Yeshe will return to Germany for the winter months and be back in the States next spring.

37 Practices of a Bodhisattva

Schedule of Teachings on Local TV

Many of the teachings have been videoed and are currently being broadcast on the Vineyard's local TV channel, Cable channel 13, through Comcast's public access channel. Tune in Monday nights in October and November at 8 p.m. for 37 Practices Of A Bodhisattva with Lama Yeshe Drolma.

For more information visit http://www.mvtv.org.

August 5 - September 23: Lama Yeshe Drolma

Lama Yeshe Drolma will teach at The Bodhi Path Buddhist Center in West Tisbury Sundays at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. during August and September, guide two one day retreats, and lead meditation sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 p.m to 7 p.m.

From Sunday, August 5th through Sunday, September 2nd, Lama Yeshe Drolma will teach on "Mind Training". Mind Training is the basis of all Buddhist practice, the tool which brings the teachings of the Buddha into daily life, making it one's spiritual journey. It helps to calm the mind, increases understanding about how the mind functions, pacifies disturbing emotions and increases loving-kindness towards oneself and all living beings. Application of mind training practice enables one to tackle difficult situations in a different way and start to see difficulties as fuel for transformation. Lama Yeshe Drolma will guide participants through the steps of this precious practice.

From Sunday, September 9th through Sunday, September 23rd Lama Yeshe Drolma will continue teaching on "37 Practices of A Bodhisattva", a series that began this past spring. Lama Yeshe will base the teachings on instructions given by Jigme Rinpoche, a highly realized Tibetan lama. They are designed to be easily understood and integrated into daily life situations. In this way one is able to get in touch with the vast activity, kindness and openness of the Bodhisattvas who dedicate their life to help and support others. The teachings provide inspiration for changing the habit of fixed reactions to daily situations and encourage new ways of functioning.

There will be two one day retreats offered at the center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, August 18th and Saturday, September 8th. The day-long retreats will be guided by Lama Yeshe Drolma and structured to increase the understanding and application of the meditation practices of calming the mind, insight, and developing of loving-kindness. Also during this time period, Lama Yeshe Drolma will guide weekly meditation Tuesday and Thursday evenings form 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Lama Yeshe Drolma was born on the island of Wyk auf Foehr in North Frisia in Germany in 1945. Shortly after meeting HH Shamar Rinpoche in Germany in 1986 she dedicated her life to Buddhist practice and study. In 1989 she entered retreat and in 1997 she completed the final traditional 3-year retreat guided by Gendun Rinpoche. She then continued an individual retreat until 2000, when she was sent to the United States to establish the Bodhi Path Center on Martha‚s Vineyard. Since then she has expanded her activity to the center in New York City.

July 6,7,8: Lama Tsony

Lama Tsony returned to The Bodhi Path Buddhist Center of Martha's Vineyard in West Tisbury for a two week visit and a series of teachings July 6th through July 8th. Lama Tsony is one of the Bodhi Path's foremost lamas, or teachers, and he teaches extensively throughout Europe and the United States. He is known for his great knowledge and experience, and appreciated for his warmth, wit, and accessibility.

On Friday evening, Lama Tsony gave an introductory lecture, Timeless Wisdom For Modern Times: How To Bridge Spiritual Pactice Into Daily Life. How can meditation be brought into daily life to create stable happiness? With a genuine and consistent practice, boundless enlightened qualities will appear from deep within us in simple yet accessible way.

On Saturday and Sunday the topic was Recalling The Qualities of The 3 Jewels Sutra. The three objects of refuge are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. The Buddha represents an example of one who has attained enlightenment; the Dharma represents the teachings; and the Sangha refers to the assembly of realized beings and fellow practitioners on the path. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is central to Buddhist lay and monastic ordination ceremonies, as originated by Gautama Buddha. Taking refuge in the Triple Gem is generally considered to make one officially a Buddhist.

June 15,16,17: Lobpon Tsering Samdup

Lobpon Tsering Samdup was on the Vineyard for a weekend teaching series Friday, June 15th through Sunday June 17th. On Friday evening Lobpon Tsering gave a an introduction to the basic practices and philosophy of Buddhism, including meditation instruction with a public lecture on "The View and Path of Buddhism". On Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th, Lobpon Tsering taught on "The Meaning of Refuge and the Path of the Bodhisattva", according to the Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa. Lobpon Tsering explained the meaning of the Refuge & Bodhisattva vows, as well as the commitments and training they entail, using Gampopa's seminal handbook of the Kagyu Buddhist view and path. These teachings represent the first stages of the Bodhi Path curriculum.

An unusually knowledgeable teacher, Lobpon Tsering holds the degree of Acharya, the equivalent of a PhD in Buddhist Philosophy. The Headmaster of Shri Diwakar Vihara Buddhist Institute in Kalimpong, India, he has taught in Buddhist Colleges in India as well as Karma Kagyu Centers throughout North America and Europe.

Lama Yeshe Drolma teaches on The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva

Lama Yeshe Drolma gave a series of teachings on "The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva". Lama Yeshe based the teachings on instructions given by Jigme Rinpoche and they are designed to be easily understood and integrated into daily life situations. In this way one is able to get in touch with the vast activity, kindness and openess of the Bodhisattvas who dedicate their life to help and support others.

Lama Tenpa teaches March 24th and 25th on Meditation and The SIx Paramitas

The Bodhi Path Of Martha's Vineyard hosted a weekend teaching series in March with Lama Tenpa giving a seminar on "Meditation and The SIx Paramitas". The six paramitas are the actions and attitudes that bring the practioner of the Mahayana Buddhist path toward full spiritual development and ultimate freedom. Lama Tenpa is an American Buddhist monk who resides in the Kundreul Ling monastery, Auvergne, France. He was a student of Lama Gendun Rinpoche, one of the last great meditation masters of the old generation of Tibetan Lamas. Lama Tenpa has studied and taught Buddhism for over 35 years in Europe and North America. Thank you Lama Tenpa! It was great to have you with us on Martha's Vineyard.

The Venerable Sabchu Rinpoche teaches on The Four Noble Truths

The Bodhi Path Of Martha's Vineyard hosted a weekend teaching series with the Venerable 5TH Dilyag Sabchu Rinpoche who gave  a seminar on Buddhism's Four Noble Truths. Rinpoche also gave a public teaching at The Martha's Vineyard Regional High School Library Conference Room entitled "Personal Transformation From The Buddhist Perspective."

Recognized at an early age as an important Buddhist teacher, Sabchu Rinpoche was ordained at the age of 5 and completed the full academic training in higher Buddhist studies. By age 21 he had accomplished the traditional 3-year meditation retreat. He heads the Karma Raja Maha Vihar Monastery at Swayambunath in Kathmandu, Nepal and now lives in Seattle, teaching Buddhism throughout the US and Asia. 

Everyone at the Vineyard center thanks Rinpoche for his inspiring and comprehensive teachings!

Lama Yeshe Drolma Teaches at Bodhi Path Martha's Vineyard

Lama Yeshe has completed a series of teachings at The Bodhi Path in West Tisbury. The Martha's Vineyard sangha is always delighted to welcome Lama Yeshe, and this was especially true this time around, because it had been a year since her last visit. There are many people on the island in August and September, so with both the summer visitors and the locals, we had a full house every Sunday. Lama Yeshe also led meditation on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and two day-long retreats. Many took advantage of Lama Yeshe's extended visit, and spent time with her talking about practice and simply enjoying her wonderful sense of humor. Lama Yeshe is now teaching in New York City until the end of October, when she will return to Germany.

Lama Tsony Teaches at Bodhi Path Martha's Vineyard

Lama Tsony, Abbot of Dhagpo Kundreul Ling Monastery in France, returned to The Bodhi Path Buddhist Center of Martha's Vineyard in West Tisbury for a series of teachings July 1st through July 9th. This was Lama Tsony's third visit to the Vineyard and many practitioners, both sangha members and visitors to the island, attended his teachings.

During the first weekend of teachings, the topic was A Buddhist Perspective: Conversations with Lama Tsony. Lama Tsony taught and there was an open discussion, with many people asking questions which lead to a wonderful dialog. Lama Tsony taught on the 35 Buddhas practice during the week, and on the second weekend of his visit, Lama Tsony gave a teaching on Lojong: Practical Buddhism. Thank you to Lama Tsony for his teachings and inspiring presence!

(more photos)

Shamar Rinpoche Teaches at Bodhi Path Martha's Vineyard
The Martha's Vineyard Bodhi Path sangha warmly welcomed His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche to the Vineyard center for a series of teachings March 8th through the 11th 2006. Progr essive Integration of the Meaning of Meditation belongs to the Tengyur and is based on a text by the great Indian scholar-translator Vimalamitra. Vimalamitra's text emphasizes the importance of thoroughly integrating the Buddha's teachings through practice in a systematic step by step manner, developing shamatha or calm-abiding meditation, vipassana or insight-meditaion and bodhicitta or awakened mind. Trinlay Tulku Rinpoche translated for Shamar Rinpoche.

Bodhi Path Martha's Vineyard Publishes Working With The Emotions by Lama Jigme Rinpoche

"This is a well-written book that describes how this ancient discipline works to conquer emotional distress and quiet the mind. Lama Jigme Rinpoche's teachings are clear and easy to read. He makes gentle use of repetition, reinforcing the teachings without redundancy."

Members of the Karma Kagyu Bodhi Path Buddhist Center of Martha's Vineyard have published a compilation of teachings by Lama Jigme Rinpoche called Working With The Emotions. It is a simple but comprehensive book that offers insight into the process of recognizing emotions and learning how to free oneself from their effects. Working With The Emotions is available at The Bodhi Path Center in West Tisbury, at The Bunch Of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven, MA or by calling the center at 508-696-5929. download press release Read the book review in the Vineyard Times

Bodhi Path Martha's Vineyard in the News
Vineyard Gazette, July 15, 2004
Our center is featured in an article in the Vineyard Gazette, a local newspaper serving the Martha's Vineyard community.

Read the article here.

Some Photos from Past Events

Martha's Vineyard Sangha

Photos of Lama Yeshe Drolma at the Martha's Vineyard Center

Sabchu Rinpoche visit Martha's Vineyard
The Vineyard Bodhi Path sangha was very happy to welcome Sabchu Rinpoche to the center for a visit and a teaching in September 2005. Lama Yeshe Drolma introduced Rinpoche to the group on Thursday, September 15th and Rinpoche then gave a clear and comprehensive teaching on meditation practice.