Generosity for the well being of others.
For 12 years, Bodhi Path Chicago has introduced and supported countless practitioners on a path to greater awareness, insight, and well-being.
We are fortunate to have such qualified teachers who generously share their experience and wisdom to guide us along the way.
We are also blessed to have a committed community of volunteers who generously share their time and effort to organize all of our programming.
The generosity of inspired participants is the only support for the center. All costs, including maintaining the facility and supporting our teachers comes exclusively through the generosity of donors like you.
Bodhi Path offers everything freely, without expectation of payment. Likewise, when you offer donations to support our center and teachers, we encourage you to think of it not as payment for services, but instead as creating the causes and conditions so that others in the future can gain the same benefit freely.
Monthly subscriptions are available at any level and provide your center with the consistent, reliable support necessary to continue its mission. One time donations of any amount are also enormously beneficial.
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Upcoming Events:
December 29-30: On-Site Two-Day Meditation Retreat
with Rachel Parrish
Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday 9:30am-5pm
(partial attendance is ok; see schedule)
January 13: Buddhist Poetry of Awakening
with Prof. Lara Braitstein (via live telecast).
March 15-17: Mahamudra meditation instructions of Shamar Rinpoche's Boundless Wisdom.
Weekend Practice & Study retreat
with Khaydroup Zangmo
March 31-May 5: "Endless Inspiration: Four simple reflections to ensure your path to awakening is smooth and easy"
Annual Course with Rachel Parrish
Available Online and In-Person
Sundays: Meditation & Mind Training Discussion
Most Sundays, when other events aren't scheduled.
Tuesdays: Weeknight Meditation & Book Group
Every Tuesday Evening
Want to receive more frequent, informal updates about our center? We also maintain a weekly google group mailing list for more details about weekly activities.
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ON-SITE RETREAT
Prepare for the New Year with an Two-Day Meditation 'Mini Retreat'
Led by Dharma Teacher Rachel Parrish
Saturday December 29, 9am-5pm
& Sunday December 30, 9:30am-5pm
After the chaos of the holiday season, wouldn't it be nice to take a break from it all, hit the reset button, and find some time to calm and nourish your mind before the start of the new year?
This Saturday we will be doing just that, setting aside the whole day to train in relaxing our minds, developing insight, and tapping into our joyful, compassionate nature. We'll be using the three main meditation practices of Mind Training(Lojong): Calm-Abiding meditation (Shine), Insight/Unborn Mind meditation (Lhaktong), and 'Giving and Taking' meditation (Tonglen).
Everyone is welcome, and there will be guided instructions for all the meditation techniques.
Key information:
- A vegetarian lunch will also be provided.
- Please wear comfortable clothes, and send an RSVP to chicago@bodhipath.org to let us know you're coming so we can make sure there's enough food for everyone!
- Schedule follows, if you can only make it for a part of the day please let us know that in the RSVP:
Schedule
(it is okay to join parts; please let us now)
- 9:00 Doors Open (Saturday); 9:30 Doors Open (Sunday)
- 9:00 - 10:00 Preparation (Saturday)
9:30 - 10:00 Preparation (Sunday)
Arrive and clean the shrine room, preparing both your mind and the place for the retreat.
- 10:00 - 10:30 Relaxand take a break before the meditation begins
- 10:30 - 12:30 Morning session:Calm-abiding meditation, with plenty of breaks for stretching
- 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch and rest:A salad with veggies will be provided, but feel free to also bring something yourself to share (preferably vegetarian and light on carbs so we won't be too sleepy afterwards).
- 2:00 - 4:00 Afternoon session:Insight and Giving/Taking meditations
- 4:00 - 4:30 Recitationof 'Samantabhadra's Wishing Prayer'/'King of Wishing Prayers', texts provided
- 4:30 - 5:00 Clean upand close the center
Suggested donation
(this pays the rent and keeps the lights on)
- Standard: $30 for a day; $60 for the weekend
- Sponsor: $50 for a day; $100 for the weekend (support someone else!)
- No one turned away for lack of funds
- You may also give a separate teacher offering if you'd like
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ABOUT DHARMA TEACHER RACHEL PARRISH
Rachel Parrish was born and grew up in the Midwestern United States. After graduating from university with a degree in English, Chemistry, and Art History, she traveled in Europe, where she discovered the Dharma at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in France. Rachel spent three years preparing for retreat while at Dhagpo. She then completed two traditional three-year retreats in Kundreul Ling, established by Gendun Rinpoche, a very highly realized Tibetan master. Afterwards she completed a one year solitary retreat at Dhagpo. Since then Rachel has dedicated her life to teaching and practicing the Dharma. She has been based at Bodhi Path Chicago since 2007.
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Sundays: Meditation & Mind Training Discussion
Sundays, 10:30am-12:30pm
(unless there's a special program scheduled— see our calendar.)
Join fellow practitioners for guided meditation followed by discussion of topics from The Seven Points of Mind Training, the core practices of Bodhi Path centers. Each session will focus on a different "slogan," or pith instruction that helps the practitioner notice and work with the mind and ego in everyday situations.
For all levels; everyone is welcome.
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Tuesdays: Meditation & Book Group
Tuesdays, 8pm-9:30pm
Doors open 7:45pm, meditation begins promptly at 8pm.
Join fellow practitioners weekly for sitting meditation, followed by book discussion.
We are reading The Path to Awakening: How Buddhism’s Seven Points of Mind Training Can Lead You to a Life of Enlightenment and Happiness, by Shamar Rinpoche. This book represents the foundation of practice and study for Bodhi Path centers.
Format: For each chapter, we will alternate between reading together, discussing in-depth with guidance from senior students, and listening to or viewing recorded teachings on the chapter's topic by Rachel Parrish and others.
No prior reading or preparation required. Great opportunity to get a taste of key Buddhist concepts.
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Welcome to Bodhi Path!
Bodhi Path Buddhist Center of Chicago is a resource for practitioners, scholars, and those curious about meditation and Buddhist philosophy who wish to relate authentic teachings to everyday life. Newcomers are always welcome and no system of belief is ever expected. Practices that require previous experience are noted on the calendar.
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Interested in Finding Out More?
To stay involved with the Bodhi Path community, check us out at:
www.facebook.com/bodhipathchicago.
We also maintain a more frequent Google Group mailing list for weekly activities— you can sign up here.
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