English Information - カダンパ瞑想センター東京

(27-03-2020 updated)
Kadampa Meditation Center Tokyo will be closed to the public for a while from March 23 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Please note that the following classes will be canceled:
Mon 23 Mar (After Work Meditation)
Tue 24 Mar (Meditation & Buddhism Classes In-Depth)
Thu 26 Mar (After Work Meditation - in Japanese)
Mon 30 Mar (After Work Meditation)
Thu 2 Apr (After Work Meditation - in Japanese)
Mon 6 Apr (After Work Meditation)
Thu 9 Apr (After Work Meditation - in Japanese)

There are no live classes for the dates below, but video teachings will be available on line (videos are available only inside Japan):
Fri 27 Mar (Meditation & Buddhism Classes for Beginners) - video teaching (finished)
Tue 31 Mar (Meditation & Buddhism Classes In-Depth) - watch video teaching (this link will be available until Mon 6 Apr)
Fri 3 Apr (Meditation & Buddhism Classes for Beginners) - watch video teaching (this link will be available until Thu 9 Apr)
Tue 7 Apr (Meditation & Buddhism Classes In-Depth)
Fri 10 Apr (Meditation & Buddhism Classes for Beginners)
Sat 11 Apr (Half-Day Courses, Changed from Sat 4 Apr)

We will notify you on our website when regular classes resume, so please check regularly. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

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Meditation Classes & Courses

Meditation & Buddhism Classes for Beginners (Fridays 7.30-8.45pm)
Meditation & Buddhism Classes In-Depth (Tuesdays 7.30-8.45pm)
Half-day Courses (Saturday or Sunday 2-5pm)
After Work Meditation (Mondays 7-7.30pm)
[Retreat] Heart Sutra Retreat (7.30pm Mon 6 Jul - 11.30am Mon 20 Jul)
[Retreat] Post Fall Festival Retreat (7.30pm Fri 16 Oct – 11.30am Thu 22 Oct)
[Retreat] Training in Meditation Retreat (7.30pm Mon 16 Nov – 11.30am Sun 22 Nov)
Meditation in Osaka with Gen Losang: Wheel of Life - Freedom from Daily Problems - (11am - 5pm Sun 22 Mar)
Foundation Program (Wednesdays 7-9pm)

About Us

Kadampa Buddhism

Meditation & Buddhism Classes for Beginners

This Friday series is based on several of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s books, including Eight Steps to Happiness.

These texts are modern commentaries on ancient Buddhist scriptures manuals that provide practical advice for daily living. They show how we can develop and maintain inner peace, how we can reduce and stop our experience of problems and suffering, and how we can bring about positive changes in our lives that enable us to experience deep and lasting happiness and help others do the same.

Each class includes guided meditation and teaching. Since these drop-in classes are designed both as a series and as stand-alone classes, you are welcome to attend any time. No registration needed. No prior experience or commitment required. Everyone is welcome!

Fridays 7.30-8.45pm, ¥1,500 per class (concessions ¥1,000)

No booking required

March: Fri 20 (Free Class) / Fri 27 (video teaching)

April: Fri 3 (video teaching) / Fri 10 (video teaching) / Fri 24 (undecided)

May: Fri 1 / Fri 8 / Fri 15

Jun: Fri 5 / Fri 12 / Fri 19

Teacher: Gen Losang Kelsang

Venue: 2F Vogue Daikanyama II, 13-4 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Topics

Fri 20 Mar: Advice for a happy life (Introduction - Free Class)

Everyone is looking for happiness all the time and wants to be free from problems and suffering permanently. We can fulfil these wishes through understanding and practising the instructions given in 'The New Eight Steps to Happiness'.

Fri 27 Mar: Advice for a happy life - video teaching (finished)

Fri 3 Apr: Learning to Care for Others - watch video teaching (this link will be available until Thu 9 Apr)

Cherishing our neighbors and the people in our local area will naturally lead to harmony in the community and society at large, and this will make everyone happier. We may not be a well-known or powerful figure, but if we sincerely cherish everyone we meet we can make a profound contribution to our community.

Fri 10 Apr: How is it that everyone is kind to me? (video teaching)

It is because we have this present body with human faculties that we are able to enjoy all the pleasures and opportunities of human life. Even simple pleasures such as going for a walk or watching a beautiful sunset can be seen as a result of the kindness of innumerable living beings.

Fri 24 Apr: Methods to solve our own and others problem (undecided)

Cherishing others is that it is the best method to solve our own and others’ problems. Problems, “worry, pain, and unhappiness are types of mind—they are feelings and do not exist outside the mind. If we cherish everyone we meet or think about, there will be no basis for developing jealousy, anger, or other harmful thoughts, and our mind will be at peace all the time.

Fri 1 May: Let go of our own shortcomings

It is often so painful to admit that we have faults that we make all kinds of excuses rather than alter our exalted view of ourself. One of the most common ways of not acknowledging our faults is to blame others.

Fri 8 May: Change our view from negative to positive part 1

Once we learn to value the inner wealth of patience, giving, love, and compassion above external conditions we will come to regard each and every living being as supremely precious, no matter how they treat us.

Fri 15 May: Change our view from negative to positive part 2

Focusing on other people’s faults is the source of much of our negativity and one of the main obstacles to viewing others as supremely precious.

Fri 5 Jun: Learning how to respect others

One of the advantages of humility is that it enables us to learn from everyone. A proud person cannot learn from other people because he feels he already knows better than they. On the other hand, a humble person who respects everyone and recognizes that they may even be emanations of Buddha has the openness of mind to learn from everyone and every situation.

Fri 12 Jun: What is self cherishing and is faults

Self-cherishing is our mind thinking “I am important” while neglecting others. The self-cherishing mind is also the basis for experiencing all our suffering and problems. For example, when people are unable to fulfill their wishes, many experience depression, discouragement, unhappiness, and mental pain.

Fri 19 Jun: How to eliminate our selfish attitude

By contemplating the faults of self-cherishing and the benefits of cherishing others we will develop a strong determination to abandon our self-cherishing and always cherish all living beings without exception.

Meditation & Buddhism Classes In-Depth

Gen Losang teaches meditaion and Buddhism based on the book “How to Understand the Mind” written by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Everyone is welcome!

Tuesdays 7.30-8.45pm, ¥1,500 per class (concessions ¥1,000)

No booking required

March: Tue 3 / Tue 17 / Tue 24 (canceld) / Tue 31 (video teaching)

April: Tue 7 (video teaching) / Tue 14 (undecided) / Tue 21 / Tue 28

May: Tue, 5 / Tue, 12 / Tue, 19 / Tue, 26

Teacher: Gen Losang Kelsang

Venue: 2F Vogue Daikanyama II, 13-4 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Topics

Tue 3 Mar: The freedom of concentration

Normally we have no freedom, but are forced to go wherever attachment, hatred or other delusions lead us. However, by improving our concentration we can gain control over our mind, giving us the freedom to accomplish whatever we wish for.

Tue 17 Mar: What is wisdom?

By cultivating wisdom, we can dispel the clouds of ignorance from the sky of our mind. Worldly intelligence is deceptive, whereas wisdom will never deceive us. It is our inner Spiritual Guide who leads us to correct paths, and the divine eye through which we can see what we need to abandon and what we need to practice.

Tue 24 Mar: The inner wealth of faith (canceled)

Faith is like a treasure because it is the source of inexhaustible benefit and good fortune. It is the source of all happiness, and it is the supreme wealth because, unlike material wealth, it never deceives us.

Tue 31 Mar: The Inner Wealth of Faith - watch video teaching (this link will be available until Mon 6 Apr)

Tue, 7 Apr: How to Become a Good Person (video teaching)

Whether we are a good person or a bad person depends upon whether or not we have sense of shame and consideration for others. These two minds are like beautiful clothes that cause others to be attracted to us. Without them we are like a naked person whom everyone tries to avoid.

Tue, 14 Apr: The Gateway to Permanent Happiness (undecided)

Attachment is like a rope that ties us to the cycle of suffering. As long as we have strong attachment we have no mental freedom but are controlled by circumstances, like a puppet on a string. To overcome this we need to train in non-attachment, the gateway to the permanent happiness of liberation.

Tue, 21 Apr: Overcoming Irritation and Frustration

Non-hatred opposes our internal enemy of hatred. It overcomes irritation and frustration, makes our mind smooth and comfortable at all times, and is the basis for developing affectionate love and developing the realizations that lead us to perfect happiness.

Tue, 28 Apr: Solving our Problems with Wisdom

The wisdom that understands how things really exist is a supreme friend and the supreme wealth. It is a constant source of guidance and comfort for us. The temporary benefit of this wisdom is that it helps us to overcome our daily problems, and its long-term benefit is that it leads us to liberation and enlightenment.

Tue, 5 May: How to achieve our goals

All virtuous qualities are attained through the power of effort. It makes the body and mind peaceful, comfortable and healthy, and it enables us to accomplish both worldly attainments and the highest spiritual attainments. How can we develop such effort?

Tue, 12 May: Increasing the Power of our Effort

Effort does not arise naturally, but is generated using special methods. Shantideva explains four powers for sustaining and increasing effort.

Tue, 19 May: Guarding the Mind

By developing mental suppleness our mind becomes light and easy to use in virtuous actions; and by practicing conscientiousness, we can guard our mind from delusion and non-virtue, and our actions of body speech and mind will naturally become pure. With both suppleness and conscientiousness, we will be able to protect our happiness and good qualities, and will find it easy to make progress in meditation.

Tue, 26 May: What is Compassion?

Compassion is a mind, unmixed with desirous attachment, that is exclusively concerned with the welfare of others. There is no better method for becoming a Buddha than to improve our compassion.

Half-day Courses

Saturday or Sunday 2-5pm, ¥2,500 per class (concessions ¥1,700)

*No booking required

Dates: Sat 11 Apr (video teaching, Changed from Sat 4 Apr), Sun 26 (undecided) Apr, Sat 9 May, Sun 7 Jun

Teacher: Gen Losang Kelsang

Venue: 2F Vogue Daikanyama II, 13-4 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Topics

Sat 11 Apr: What is Buddhism? (video teaching, Changed from Sat 4 Apr)

Buddhism is the practice of Buddha’s teachings, also called ‘Dharma’, which means ‘protection’. By practising Buddha’s teachings, living beings are permanently protected from suffering. Today we can see many different forms of Buddhism, such as Zen and Theravada Buddhism. All these different aspects are practices of Buddha’s teachings, and all are equally precious; they are just different presentations. In this course our resident teacher will explain about Buddhism according to the Kadampa tradition.

Sun 26 Apr: Finding Growth in Difficult Situation (undecided)

When things go wrong in our life and we encounter difficult situations, we tend to regard the situation itself as our problem, but in reality whatever problems we experience come from the mind. If we were to respond to difficult situations with a positive or peaceful mind they would not be problem for us; indeed, we may even come to regard them as challenges or opportunities for growth and development.

Sat 9 May: What is Meditation and its Benefits?

Meditation is a mind that concentrates on a virtuous object, and a mental action that is the main cause of mental peace. The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness.

Sun 7 Jun: Overcoming Anger

Anger is one of the most common and destructive delusions, and it afflicts our mind almost every day. To solve the problem of anger, we first need to recognize the anger within our mind, acknowledge how it harms both ourself and others and appreciate the benefits of being patient in the face of difficulties.

After Work Meditation

Work life can be stressful, but taking a time before you go home can help to let go of the build up of stress and help you to relax and get some clarity. So leave the day behind and take an 45 min to relax, refresh and de-stress. The class will consist of a brief talk and a guided meditation to calm and center yourself and let go of the worries from the day.

Mondays 7-7.30pm, ¥500 per class (concessions ¥300)

*No booking required

March: Mon 2 (Janet) / Mon 16 (Janet) / Mon 23 (canceled) / Mon 30 (canceled)

April: Mon 6 (canceled) / Mon 13 (undecided, Janet) / Mon 20 (Yuki) / Mon 27 (Janet)

Teacher: Janet Yeh, Yuki Moromi

Venue: 2F Vogue Daikanyama II, 13-4 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Heart Sutra Retreat

Imagine a life with no fears, a spiritual life with great inner strength and confidence. With Buddha’s teachings on wisdom you are offered the opportunity to see things the way they really are, to dissolve away hallucinations of suffering and to develop a truly peaceful and happy mind. Just remembering emptiness reality as revealed in the Heart Sutra makes us increasingly confident and stable in our spiritual life and helps us solve our daily problems.

The Heart Sutra is a much loved teaching giving given by the Buddha 2600 years ago which is often recited as a special way of contemplating emptiness and dispelling obstacles. This retreat is a very precious and unique opportunity to receive an introduction to the hidden meaning in the Heart Sutra. Although quite short, the Heart Sutra contains many liberating insights that enable us to realize the true nature of reality and the true nature of our self.

7.30pm Mon 6 Jul - 11.30am Mon 20 Jul

1. Partial attendance is possible.
2. Please note that the application may not be accepted due to over capacity. Thank you for your understanding.
3. Kadampa Meditation Center Tokyo is not a retreat centre but is a small centre located in commercial space with one gompa and toilet in the heart of Tokyo. Our centre can't provide services such as accommodations or meals, which other Kadampa Retreat Centres could offer. We apologize any discomfort you might feel.
4. To confirm your booking, it is necessary to pay part of the cost in advance.
5. After receiving your booking form, we will send you an email with the amount and payment method.
6. Please note that it will take about one or two months to send the email as we are currently working on a payment website.

Booking is recommended as seats are limited. Please click here for booking.

Teacher: Gen Losang Kelsang

Venue: 2F Vogue Daikanyama II, 13-4 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Timetable: Mon 6 Jul: Introduction 7.30 - 8.45pm; Tue 7 Jul – Sun 19 Jul:
[ Session 1 ] 9 - 10am
[ Session 2 ] 10.30 - 11.30am
[ Lunch Break ] 11.30am - 2.30pm
[ Session 3 ] 2.30 - 3.30pm
[ Session 4 ] 4 – 5pm
[Puja (option)] 5.30 - 6.30pm; Mon 20 Jul:
[ Session 1 ] 9 - 10am
[ Session 2 ] 10.30 - 11.30am
Fee: Partial attendance is possible.; Whole retreat: Adults ¥44,000 (*concessions ¥30,000); 1 day (4 sessions): Adults ¥4,800 (*concessions ¥3,200); half day (2 sessions): Adults ¥2,500 (*concessions ¥1,700); Introduction / 1 session: Adults ¥1,500 (*concessions ¥1,000); *concessions: Students, unemployed, FP students in Tokyo

Post Fall Festival Retreat

- Enter the Palace! Gateway to Great Bliss & Emptiness –

Following on from the International Fall Festival in Brisbane, go deeper with your practice and take the precious opportunity to engage in Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s precious presentation of Heruka Body Mandala Self-Generation Practice according to the Oral Instructions of the Ganden Lineage within the prayer booklet ‘The New Essence of Vajrayana’.

Gain profound experience of these unsurpassed Tantric practices with guidance based on the transmission and commentary of part three of the sublime book, ‘The Oral Instructions of Mahamudra’.

7.30pm Fri 16 Oct – 11.30am Thu 22 Oct

Booking is recommended as seats are limited. Please click here for booking.

Teacher: Gen Losang Kelsang

Venue: 2F Vogue Daikanyama II, 13-4 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Timetable: Fri 16 Oct: Introduction 7.30 - 8.45pm; Sat 17 Oct – Wed 21 Oct:
[ Session 1 ] 9 - 10am
[ Session 2 ] 10.30 - 11.30am
[ Lunch Break ] 11.30am - 2.30pm
[ Session 3 ] 2.30 - 3.30pm
[ Session 4 ] 4 – 5pm
[Puja (option) ] 5.30 - 6.30pm; Thu 22 Oct:
[ Session 1 ] 9 - 10am
[ Session 2 ] 10.30 - 11.30am
Fee: Partial attendance is possible.; Whole retreat: Adults ¥22,000 (*concessions ¥15,000); 1 day (4 sessions): Adults ¥4,800 (*concessions ¥3,200); half day (2 sessions): Adults ¥2,500 (*concessions ¥1,700); Introduction / 1 session: Adults ¥1,500 (*concessions ¥1,000); *concessions: Students, unemployed, FP students in Tokyo

Training in Meditation Retreat

We spend all our time and energy trying to avoid problems by making changes to our external world. However, our unhappiness and difficulties are not caused by the external world but are the result of the negative karma we have created in the past through our own harmful actions.

In this retreat, we will focus on the four special meditations to remove negative karma from our mind known as the ‘four opponent powers' combined with the practice of lojong - training the mind. By engaging in this practice, we can help heal our mind from negativity and gain a clear, more positive state of mind, as well as to replace frustration, discouragement and anxiety with positive, constructive attitudes. In this way we can transform life’s difficulties into enriching spiritual experiences. This retreat is perfect for those who are new to purification practice and more experienced practitioners interested in deepening their practice.

7.30pm Mon 16 Nov – 11.30am Sun 22 Nov

Booking is recommended as seats are limited. Please click here for booking.

Teacher: Gen Losang Kelsang

Venue: 2F Vogue Daikanyama II, 13-4 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Timetable: Mon 16 Nov: Introduction 7.30 - 8.45pm; Tue 17 Nov – Sat 21 Nov:
[ Session 1 ] 9 - 10am
[ Session 2 ] 10.30 - 11.30am
[ Lunch Break ] 11.30am - 2.30pm
[ Session 3 ] 2.30 - 3.30pm
[ Session 4 ] 4 – 5pm
[Puja (option) ] 5.30 - 6.30pm

Sun 22 Nov:
[ Session 1 ] 9 - 10am
[ Session 2 ] 10.30 - 11.30am
Fee: Partial attendance is possible.; Whole retreat: Adults ¥22,000 (*concessions ¥15,000); 1 day (4 sessions): Adults ¥4,800 (*concessions ¥3,200); half day (2 sessions): Adults ¥2,500 (*concessions ¥1,700); Introduction / 1 session: Adults ¥1,500 (*concessions ¥1,000); *concessions: Students, unemployed, FP students in Tokyo

Meditation in Osaka

Meditation Day Course with Gen Losang: Wheel of Life - Freedom from Daily Problems -

The Wheel of Life is a diagram drawn by Buddha that teaches the complete path to enlightenment. Included within it are Buddha’s teachings on The Four Noble Truths, telling us what we should know, abandon, practise and attain. It also illustrates the twelve dependent-related links, a chain-like series of cause and effect that explains the means by which we have been bound to suffering. All of our suffering, difficulties and problems can be explained through understanding this teaching of Buddha. Through contemplating and meditating on the wheel of life, we can break free from this cycle and experience permanent freedom and happiness.

Everyone is warmly welcomed, including non-native speakers and people of all spiritual inclinations, as well as those with no spiritual background and complete beginners.

11am - 5pm Sun 22 Mar, ¥4,000 per class (concessions ¥2,700)

Please book from here to secure your seat.

Teacher: Gen Losang Kelsang

Venue: Slow Care Parlour, Yoshimoto Bldg. 3rd fl, Nakazaki-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka (scroll to bottom of page)

Check Meetup for further details: Meditate in Osaka (Meetup)
Join us on Facebook: Kadampa Meditation in Osaka (Facebook)
Further activities in Tokyo: https://www.kadampa.jp/en/
International website: http://kadampa.org

Foundation Program

Foundation Program (FP) provides an opportunity to systematically study and meditate on the essential teachings of Buddhism.It enables us to deepen our understanding and apply in practice what we have learnt to our daily life.

We will have great confidence in our own ability to meditate and transform all circumstances into the spiritual path.This will bring peace of mind and great benefit to both ourself and to those around us.

Currently we are studying 'The New Heart of Wisdom'.

About FP please e-mail us to epc@ kadampa.jp