Join Us for Year-Round, Traditional Non-Sectarian Buddhist Services and Classes in English.  

Sundays: 10 -11:30 am Newcomers to
Buddhism Welcome! 
Plus Three Weekly Classes on 
Buddhism  for Beginners to Bodhisattvas
Visit the News Page for Latest Special Events!  



RED TARA EMPOWERMENT/TRANSMISSION IS COMING!!!
Lama Padma Yöntan Gyatso from Rigdzin Ling will be at the Blue Lotus Dharma Center, June 21-22. He will be offering the Red Tara empowerment, transmission, and oral instruction for this beautiful and powerful practice.
The practice of Red Tara, a feminine expression of enlightenment, is an open door to happiness and benefit for oneself and others. Lama Padma Gyatso, the Lama-in-residence at Rigdzin Ling, will bestow the empowerment and teachings that will enable you to enter into this rich and powerful practice. This is one of the key meditations at all Chagdud Gonpa centers and is practiced every morning at Rigdzin Ling. Pre-registration is greatly encouraged.

Fee for event: $100 (pre-registered) or $125 at the door.
Empowerment Only (Saturday): $50
To register for this event, please send an email to BlueLotusReg@usa.com with the following information:
Add “Red Tara” in the subject line.
Name: First & Last

Contact info: preferred email address

Weekend BLDC Meditation Retreat! Friday – Sunday, April 11-13, 2014.
Our silent meditation retreat was a wonderful experience for those that were able to attend.
The daily events included periods of walking & sitting meditation at a peaceful, lovely retreat center in Florissant MO. Those on the retreat also engaged in communal liturgy practices as well as additional activities common on meditation retreats. We are pleased with and grateful to the Zion UCC Church for allowing us to use their beautiful retreat center as well as their wonderful labyrinth and grounds. The BLDC has plans to work with Zion in order to offer additional meditation retreats throughout the year. A special thanks to Martha and Pastor Piwa for their help in making this retreat happen!   
BLDC's Home In Webster Groves!

Please visit us in our home in the landmark Desoto Building of Webster Groves, located at the junction of Big Bend Blvd and E Lockwood just west of the Old Orchard Business District. Our new address is 607 E. Lockwood, Suite 106, 63119. Many of you will recognize the building as the location of Cyrano's Restaurant!

Ven. Sha'ul said, "We are delighted be part of the beautiful a Desoto Building, which has its own parking lot and is surrounded by plenty of free street parking! It also has a handicapped ramp and elevator for those in need of these amenities. And a first-class restaurant renowned city-wide for its fine food, coffee and desserts!"



Blue Lotus Dharma Center Offers 
Introductory Dharma Classes in Buddhism 
Through to Bodhisattva Training

Note: Check the Schedules Page for class updates, schedule changes and/or details regarding text purchase and fees (if recommended or required).

 Quick Look:
Sunday Beginners Class: 12:15 - 1:30 pm   Join Anytime!
Tuesday Evening Intermediate Class: 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Thursday Evening Seven Point Mind-Training Class: 7:00 - 8:30 pm Note: New Class Begins May 15, 2014!!

July 23, 2013  In keeping with the Center’s mission, all dharma classes are non-sectarian and taught in English by Sha’ul, who has extensive experience teaching Buddhism. Sha’ul  said, “While we feel it is very important to offer traditional Buddhist services accessible to the lay practitioner, BLDC’s primary focus is to propagate the core teachings and tenets of Buddhism.  In our classes, Buddhist terms and concepts will be thoughtfully presented in an understandable sequence, in order to make Buddhism a familiar and comprehensible subject for Western students."


The Center offers a free on-going introduction to Buddhism class called Buddhist Doctrines on Sundays from 12:15 - 1:30 pm following a refreshment break after regular Sunday services (held 10 – 11:30 am). This class introduces newcomers to Buddhism to its major ideas and practices using very simple, direct language  in a non-academic, discussion format.  Sha’ul  said, “I always encourage lively interaction between students and teachers. It is the best way to learn.  And the most fun.”  Class topics include The Four Noble Truths, Karma, The Noble Eightfold Path, Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels, The Three Dharma Seals, Interdependent co-origination, Emptiness and Nirvana.

There is no fee for the Sunday class series although a dana (donation) of $25-$50 is strongly encouraged in order to help support programming at the Center. Weekly topics, class updates, text purchase and fees (if recommended or required) will be posted on the website’s Schedules Page under the Classes heading.


Next up for the student familiar with basic Buddhist tenets covered in the Intro class is the Tuesday evening Intermediate Dharma Study Group at 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Ngakpa Chökyi said, "This class will follow the same format as the Sunday Beginner Class, with topics treated individually. Full completion of this class meets the basic requirements of the academic portion of the BLDC Lay Teacher Training. A specific text is recommended but not required."  Join anytime!
For those interested in Bodhisattva studies, the Center offers The Seven Point Mind-Training, Thursday evenings  from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Sha’ul said, “The bodhisattva ideal is the primary path to develop compassion and loving-kindness and is a crucial fundamental practice in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism." Classes focus on topics related to the Bodhisattva such as the Root and Secondary Vows, Six Paramitas, Seven Points of Mind Training (lojong) with corresponding slogans, and meditative practices like Tonglen. Beginning 15 May 2014, the topic will be A Study of the Seven Points Mind-Training supported by the 59 Slogans of    lojong. 

Sha'ul said, "Please be aware that this class does require big commitment – it will meet weekly for nine months. It is very important to attend the classes as regularly as possible as each lesson is built upon the previous. Some make-up classes can be arranged but attendance is very important. Prerequisites and fee: Must have taken Refuge Vows and completed Intro to Buddhism class. Information for ordering the required text will be given to all those that sign up for the class. To register for this nine month course, send an email to BlueLotusReg@usa.com with the following info:


Add “Lojong Class Reg” in the subject line
Name
Contact info: Preferred email address

Check the Schedules Page, start dates, updates (once in progress) and details regarding text purchase and tuition.

The Blue Lotus Dharma Center is the result of the Center for American Buddhist Practice and Sha'ul's efforts to build a Sangha and Center in St. Louis for the past eight years.  "The start of formal Dharma classes was a major milestone," said Sha'ul.  BLDC is a Missouri registered non-profit organization and is always in need of tax-deductible donations. However, Sha’ul (who himself volunteers all his services) stressed, “Those who are unable to make a donation for classes or services will never be turned away.  All are encouraged to give as they are able.”






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