Join us for our daily, weekly and monthly chanted prayers
A source of inspiration
Chanted prayers help us find inner peace, connect with wisdom, and prepare our mind for meditation.
Chanted prayers (called in Sanskrit “puja”) are an important training in a spiritual life and a significant part of Kadampa Buddhist practice. Everyone is welcome to participate in our chanted prayers. You do not need to book and it costs nothing. Each session consists of traditional Buddhist sung prayers with silent pauses for contemplation and meditation.
Below are some of the pujas we regularly practise together at the centre. Please check the online calendar for any schedule changes. Everyone is welcome.
These events take place in the Meditation Room at Atisha Kadampa Meditation Centre, 81 Victoria Road, Darlington, DL1 5JQ – please see the calendar for times.
Heart Jewel with silent Lamrim meditation
Mon, Tue, Wed & Sat 5:15-6:15pm (see calendar for times)
This sadhana is a special practice to develop compassion, wisdom, and strength by relying on the Wisdom Buddha Je Tsongkhapa. It also helps us overcome obstacles and difficulties on the spiritual path by relying on His Dharma protector Dorje Shugden.
Includes a 15-minute silence for personal Lamrim meditation practice.
Wishfulfilling Jewel with Tsog offering
Sundays 4:30-5:45pm (times may vary depending on what else we have scheduled so please check the calendar)
A longer version of Heart Jewel with food and drink offerings. Feel free to bring an offering with you, ideally something that can be enjoyed immediately afterwards without needing to be cooked – no meat or alcohol please.
Offering to the Spiritual Guide
Held on the 10th and 25th of each month (check calendar each month for times)
This is a special Guru Yoga of Je Tsongkhapa in conjunction with Highest Yoga Tantra that is a preliminary practice for Vajrayana Mahamudra. By relying upon Je Tsongkhapa our compassion, wisdom, and spiritual power naturally increase. This practice includes a tsog offering so feel free to bring a vegetarian food offering with you.
Liberation from Sorrow
Held on the 8th of each month (check calendar each month for times).
At Kadampa centres all over the world, Tara Day is celebrated on the eighth of every month. Tara is a female Buddha whose name means “the one who saves” and who embodies quick compassion. If we trust Tara with strong faith and sincerity, she will protect us from all obstacles and fulfill all our desires.
Powa – Transference of consciousness
Held on request (check calendar for times or email info@meditationindarlington.org to request)
Powa ceremony – prayers for the deceased and dying – is a traditional Buddhist practice known as the transfer of consciousness. In this way, we can help those who have recently passed away to experience a peaceful mind after death and be cared for by Avalokiteshvara – the Buddha of compassion. Feel free to bring white offerings for the shrine.
Eight Mahayana Precepts
Held on the 15th of each month 6:30am
The practice of taking and keeping the eight Mahayana precepts is a special practice of moral discipline that is performed with bodhichitta motivation – the supreme good heart. The essence of the practice is to take eight precepts – promising to abstain for twenty-four hours from eight actions: (1) killing, (2) stealing, (3) sexual activity, (4) lying, (5) taking intoxicants, (6) eating after lunch, (7) sitting on high or luxurious thrones or seats, and (8) wearing ornaments, perfume, singing and dancing and so forth – and to keep them purely for this period of time.
Please contact us at least 24-hours in advance if you wish to attend a Precepts session.
Dakini Yoga
Tues, Wed & Fri 8-9am
The medium-length prayer ritual for spiritual attainment, with self-generation as Vajrayogini – the female enlightened deity of Highest Yoga-Tantra who is the manifestation of the wisdom of all Buddhas.
PLEASE NOTE: this puja is only open to those who have received the blessing empowerments of Highest Yoga-Tantra.