Current Spiritual Program Offerings

Classes and Courses

Introductory Courses for Newcomers to Buddhism and Meditation
TNL currently offers two introductory courses for those who are newly approaching Tibetan Buddhism and its practices. These courses are scheduled quarterly and are held either as a weekend course or in four or five weekly sessions.
     • Buddhism in a Nutshell introduces students to the basic teachings of the Buddha and provides the essentials of what it means to practice Buddhism. An audio recording of Buddhism in a Nutshell taught October 6 and 7, 2007, by Joan Stigliani is available on-line here.
     • Buddhist Meditation 101 familiarizes students with the various types of meditation and includes practical advice for daily meditation.

Continuing Programs for Both Beginners and Experienced Practitioners
TNL offers three ongoing weekly programs to provide both newcomers and experienced practitioners with an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of Buddhism and integrate the Buddha’s teachings in their lives.
     • Discovering Buddhism is designed as an experiential course in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice. Discovering Buddhism encompasses fourteen subject areas or “modules.” Within each module students are expected to attend lectures covering required topics of understanding, engage in meditation practices relevant to those topics, read texts and teaching transcripts, and do short retreats. The final module "Special Integration Experiences" includes a list of longer retreats and other experiences to integrate Buddhism into one’s life. The entire course of teachings extends over roughly two years. (SUNDAY MORNINGS AT THUBTEN NORBU LING)

Discovering Buddhism teachings at Thubten Norbu Ling are available on-line.  Click each link to hear the audio recordings available.
Mind and Its Potential:
     Don Handrick: Sept 18, 2005
     Don Handrick: April 6, 2008
How to Meditate: Ven. Connie Miller: November 13, 2005
Presenting the Path: Not available
The Spiritual Teacher: Not available
Death and Rebirth: Don Handrick: June 25, 2006
All About Karma: Don Handrick: October 22, 2006
Refuge in the Three Jewels: Ven. Connie Miller: May 7, 2006
Establishing a Daily Practice: Don Handrick: January 14, 2007
Samsara and Nirvana: Don Handrick: March 4, 2007
How to Develop Bodhichitta: Don Handrick: June 17, 2007
Transforming Problems: Don Handrick: August 12, 2007
Wisdom of Emptiness: Don Handrick: October 14, 2007
Introduction to Tantra: Don Handrick: January 13, 2008

 The Heart of Practice is a weekly series of individual classes consisting of videos and teachings to provide additional support for integrating the Buddha’s teachings into daily life. These stand-alone sessions are intended for all who wish to bring the practices of wisdom and compassion into their heart. Here is the list of audio recording of these sessions available on-line. (THURSDAY EVENINGS AT THUBTEN NORBU LING)
The Power of Listening: Don Handrick: February 21, 2008
Overcoming Pride with Genuine Humility: Don Handrick: March 6, 2008
The Keys to Conscious Relationship: Don Handrick: April 3, 2008
The Stages of Conscious Relationship: Don Handrick: April 17, 2008
The Importance of Accepting Death: Don Handrick: May 1, 2008

Continuing Program for Experienced Practitioners
For experienced Buddhist practitioners, Thubten Norbu Ling offers the Basic Program, devised by Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche as an integrated program of Buddhist studies suitable for a contemporary setting. The Basic Program is a comprehensive, practice-oriented transmission of the Buddhadharma that will be of interest to committed students who wish to progress beyond introductory-level study and practice. This program provides the opportunity for in-depth study of various texts in the Indian and Tibetan Buddhist Mahayana tradition, including the Heart Sutra and the Lam Rim (Stages of the Path).  (WEDNESDAY EVENINGS AT THUBTEN NORBU LING)

The Basic Practice teachings at Thubten Norbu Ling are available on-line.  Click each link to hear the audio recordings available.
1. Stages of the Path (Lamrim): Not Available
2. Heart Sutra : Not Available
3. Mahayana Mind Training (Lojong): Don Handrick: January 6, 2008
4. Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds:
     Course 1: Don Handrick: May 17 to July 19, 2006
     Course 2: Don Handrick: August 2 to October 11, 2006
     Course 3: Don Handrick: October 24 to November 29, 2006
     Course 4: Don Handrick: June 13 to September 26, 2007
     Course 5: Don Handrick: October 10 to December 19, 2007
5. Mind and Cognition (Lorig): Not Available
6. Tenets (Drubtha):
     Course 1: Don Handrick: January 10 to June 7, 2007
     Course 2: Don Handrick: March 7 to June 7, 2007
7. Ornament for Clear Realizations - Fourth Chapter: Not Available
8. Sublime Continuum if the Mahayana (Gyulama) - First Chapter: The Tathagata Essence: Not Available
9. Ground and Paths of Secret Mantra: Not Available
Meditation and Practice Sessions

Thubten Norbu Ling offers a number of opportunities weekly for both individual and group meditation practice.  Everyone is welcome to attend these sessions.

     • Open Meditation – The center is open on both Tuesday and Thursday mornings for silent meditation practice.
     • Tara Practice – A meditation held on alternate Tuesday evenings on Green Tara, the female deity embodying the swift energy and activities of enlightened beings.
     • Guided Meditation – Meditations on the path to enlightenment in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, held on alternate Tuesday evenings.

Please check our monthly schedule for the times and dates of these practice sessions.

Pujas (Offering Ceremonies)

Pujas are held each month at Thubten Norbu Ling on specific days in the Tibetan calendar.  All are welcome to attend these events.

     • Medicine Buddha Puja – A healing practice to make offerings and requests to the Eight Medicine Buddhas, especially dedicated to benefit those who are ill, dying or recently deceased.
     • Tara Puja – A ritual for making extensive offerings and singing praises to Green Tara, the female deity who embodies the skillful activities of all enlightened beings, in order to swiftly clear all obstacles and achieve success.
     • Guru Puja – A special ceremony to make offerings to our teachers in order to gain blessings and generate merit.

Please check our monthly schedule for the dates and times of these pujas.

Student / Teacher Meetings to Support Spiritual Practice

Thubten Norbu Ling’s Resident Teacher, Don Handrick, is available for individual meetings with students to provide guidance and support in their spiritual practice.  Please contact Don directly at [ email ] if you would like to schedule a meeting.

Retreats and Special Events

Thubten Norbu Ling also periodically offers group retreats, which are an excellent opportunity to deepen one’s own meditation practice and strengthen the connection to the spiritual community. When possible, we also offer teachings and tantric empowerments with visiting Tibetan and Western Teachers. For more information, please check our web site (tnlsf.org) or add your name to our email distribution list for notification of these special events (you can subscribe to our email at the bottom of this web page or you can send a message to [ email ]).