"Sadhana" is a Sanskrit word meaning "practice" or "meditation." The Sadhana of Chenrezig is a chanting meditation invoking the bodhisattva of compassion, Chenrezig. It includes prayer and visualization, as well as the chanting of the mantra OM MANI PEME HUNG. It is designed to awaken and expand our compassion for all beings.

The Chenrezig Sadhana is followed by a short Sadhana for Amitabha, the buddha of boundless light. This practice is performed as an aspiration that all beings be reborn in Dewachen,the pure realm of Buddha Amitabha. Ordinary beings can take birth in Dewachen and attain enlightenment there, which is the easiest path to awakening available to ordinary beings.

We close the practice with a short prayer to Guru Rinpche (Padmasambhava), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, Prayers for the long life of our teachers, and aspirations that our practice benefit all beings.

There are no formal requirements or "pre-requisites" for attending the Chenrezig/Amitabha practice. However, for those unfamiliar with Tibetan visualization practices, short instructions on the main sadhanas are available at the Center, and more detailed teachings, including DVDs, on these sadhanas and visualization practice generally can be obtained from the Namse Bangdzo Bookstore. Please feel free to contact us at info@abqktc.org for information on these practices.

The Kagyu school is called the "Practice Lineage" because of it's emphasis on meditation practice, and particularly the style of meditation known as Mahamudra. Besides our weekly group sitting practice at this time, members can use the center for individual meditation practice whenever group sessions are not taking place. Because of the many great teachers who have visited the center, it is a very powerful place for meditation.

Sitting practice is divided into two periods of about 30 minutes, separated by a short period of walking meditation. Before the first session, we recite a short passage taking refuge in the Three Jewels, the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha (community of practitioners), and at the end the second session, we express the aspiration that the results of our meditation benefit all beings.

Those with experience in meditation are free to come and practice their usual (silent) meditation style, but basic instruction on the method of "tranquility meditation" ("shamatha" in Sanskrit, or "shine" in Tibetan) taught in the Karma Kagyu tradition is also available on request almost every Tuesday, or at other times by prior arangement. Several books on meditation, including Mahamudra practice, by Karma Kagyu masters are available in the center library. In addition, visiting lamas almost always have time for private interviews for practitioners with advanced questions concerning their meditation practice. If you have questions on any aspect of Tibetan meditation practice, please let us know; if we can't answer them, we'll do our best to find a qualified teacher who can.

In September, we will resume our study/discussion series entitled "The Three Vehicles of Tibetan Buddhism," based on a comprehensive curriculum written by The Dzogchen Ponlob for the KTCs. Sessions in this series cover all aspects of Tibetan Buddhist thought and practice, from the Buddha's early teachings through the advanced philosophical teachings and meditation techniques of Vajrayana Buddhism. Earlier sessions can be understood without any special background in Buddhism, but later topics might be more difficult to follow without having been through the earlier ones.

Depending on the interests of those attending, however, additional topics might be added, or some of the more specialized topics might be omitted. We are committed to making accurate and useful information about Tibetan Buddhism available from the many excellent Karma Kagyu teachers, past and present, but want to present topics that are of greatest interest to people. Please feel free to email us at info@abqktc.org with your interests and suggestions for these sessions.

Kon Chok Chi Du, or "Union of the Three Jewels," is a guru yoga practice involving the guru, yidam and dakini in the form of Guru Rinpoche, Guru Drakpo, and Senge Dongma (Sinhamukha). It is practiced in both the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages, and has connections with Dzogchen. Many members of the Albuquerque KTC have received the empowerment and instructions for this practice directly from Bardor Tulku Rinpoche, and it represents a special connection between him and the center. The specific Kon Chok Chi Du empowerment is required in order to participate in the practice; if you have any questions about this, please contact us at info@abqktc.org.

The practices will normally begin at 6:30 p.m. with a discussion of practice and related issues, based on Tibetan sources on the Kon Chok Chi Du specifically, with the practice itself beginning around 7:00 p.m.

Twice a month, we perform the sadhana practice of Medicine Buddha entitled A Stream of Lapis Lazuli. This is a mind terma, or "treasure teaching." It is necessary to have taken refuge as a Buddhist and received the specific empowerment and reading transmission for this practice in order to participate, although guests who have not done so are welcome to be present and meditate during it.