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    <title>Kadampa Meditation Center, Netherlands</title>
    <link>http://nkt-kmc-netherlands.org/en/</link>
    <description>Buddhist meditations, retreats, courses and study programmes in The Netherlands and Belgium</description>
    <dc:language>en</dc:language>
    <dc:rights>Copyright Kadampa Meditation Center, Netherlands 2012</dc:rights>
    <dc:date>2012-05-18T17:29:17+00:00</dc:date>
    <generator>Kadampa Meditation Center, Netherlands http://kmcnederland.nl</generator>


    <item>
      <title>Tara puja</title>
      <link>http://nkt-kmc-netherlands.org/en/courses/tara-poedja</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Praises and requests to the twenty&#45;one Taras

	&#45;&#45;&#45; Eevryone is welcome &#45;&#45;&#45;

	Every 8th of the month (ask the Centre for the exact time)

	Tara is a female Buddha, a manifestation of the ultimate wisdom of all the Buddhas. If we rely upon Mother Tara sincerely and with strong faith, she will protect us from all obstacles and fulfil all our wishes. Since she is a wisdom Buddha, and since she is a manifestation of the completely purified wind element, Tara is able to help us very quicky. If we recite the twenty&#45;one verses of praise, we shall receive inconceivable benefits. These praises are very powerful because they are Sutra, the actual words of Buddha. It is good to recite them as often as we can.]]></description>
      <dc:date>2011-06-10T04:46:04+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Dropin Classes</title>
      <link>http://nkt-kmc-netherlands.org/en/courses/meditatiegroepen</link>
      <description><![CDATA[KMC Netherlands offers weekly introductory meditation classes throughout The Netherlands and Belgium. Each class includes a simple breathing meditation, a short talk and a concluding meditation. There is also time to ask questions and discuss over light refreshments.

	These classes are suitable for everyone from complete beginners through to advanced practitioners of meditation.

	The drop&#45;in classes provide a basic introduction to Buddhist teachings and meditations. Through these classes we can learn how to use Buddha&#39;s advice as a solution to our daily problems.&amp;nbsp; In this way we come to experience a sense of peace and happiness in our lives.&amp;nbsp;

	Everyone is welcome &#45; just drop into any class!

	Use the menu on the left to find a class near you.

	Why meditate?

	The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful.&amp;nbsp; If our mind is peaceful we shall be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we shall experience true happiness; but if our mind is not peaceful we shall find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions.&amp;nbsp; If we train in meditation our mind will gradually become more and more peaceful, and we shall experience a purer and purer form of happiness.&amp;nbsp; Eventually we shall be able to stay happy all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances.

	&amp;ldquo;When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within.&amp;rdquo;
	&#45; Geshe Kelsang Gyatso]]></description>
      <dc:date>2011-02-15T02:01:37+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Offering to the Spiritual Guide puja</title>
      <link>http://nkt-kmc-netherlands.org/en/courses/offerande-aan-de-spirituele-gids-poedja</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Every 10th and 25th day of the month
	at KMC Netherlands
	at 19:30h

	&#45;&#45; Everyone is welcome &#45;&#45;

	A chanted meditation on relying upon our Spiritual Guide 

	The practice of Guru yoga, or relying upon a Spiritual Guide, is the root of the spiritual path and the foundation of all spiritual attainments. We can understand this from our ordinary experiences. For example, if we want to acquire special skills, become proficient at a particular sport, or learn to play a musical instrument well, we naturally seek a qualified tecacher to instruct us. By following our teacher&#39;s example and sincerely applying his or her instructions, eventually we accomplish our aim and become just like our teacher. If reliance upon a qualified teacher is necessary for mundane achievements, how much more necessary is it for spiritual attainments such as liberation or enlightenment.

	For more information please contact the Centre. You can also find a detailed explanation of this practice in the book Great Treasury of Merit.]]></description>
      <dc:date>2010-10-10T12:30:47+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>The Teacher Training Programme</title>
      <link>http://nkt-kmc-netherlands.org/en/courses/het-lerarenopleidingsprogramma</link>
      <description><![CDATA[KMC Netherlands offers at the moment no Teacher Training Programme.]]></description>
      <dc:date>2010-10-09T08:43:23+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Study Programmes</title>
      <link>http://nkt-kmc-netherlands.org/en/courses/studieprogrammas</link>
      <description><![CDATA[KMC Netherlands offers a varied spiritual programme, ranging from basic drop&#45;in classes and meditation courses to in&#45;depth study programmes and retreats. The programme is suitable for people who simply want to experience more more peace in their busy lives, as well as for those who want to find lasting inner peace and happiness by following the Buddhist path.

	All our spiritual activities are included in three special study and meditation programmes:

	
		The General Programme
	
		The Foundation Programme
	
		The Teacher Training Programme


	

	&amp;nbsp;The General Programme

	The General Programme offer a basic introduction to Buddhist view, meditation, and practice that is very suitable for beginners.

	The General Programme consists of:

	
		Drop&#45;in classes and meditations
	
		Day courses
	
		Weekend courses


	The General programme is based on the books of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

	Click on a link on the left for more details over the complete programme offered by the Centre.

	The Foundation Programme and the Teacher Training Programme

	These programmes are for those who want to engage more deeply with Buddhist teachings and practice. For more information over these programmes go to the sections about the Foundation Programme or the Teacher Training Programme.]]></description>
      <dc:date>2010-10-02T02:52:52+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Chanted Meditations</title>
      <link>http://nkt-kmc-netherlands.org/en/courses/gezongen-meditaties-poedjas</link>
      <description><![CDATA[At Kadampa Meditation Centre Netherlands everyone is welcome to participate in the daily sessions of chanted prayers, or pujas, which are often combined with meditation, visualization, and mantra recitation. At the moment the following pujas regularly take place:

	Monday till Saturday at 7AM, Sunday at 7.30 PM

	Wishfulfilling Jewel puja: Chanted meditation in conjunction with Je Tsongkhapa and his Dharma Protector, includes Lamrim meditation.

	Every 10th and 25th of the the month at 7.30 PM

	Chanted meditation on relying upon a Spiritual Guide (Guru Yoga)

	For more information about the puja&#39;s please click on the links on the left]]></description>
      <dc:date>2010-10-02T01:48:04+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Wishfulfilling Jewel puja</title>
      <link>http://nkt-kmc-netherlands.org/en/courses/wensvervullend-juweel-puja</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Monday till Saturday in KMC Netherlands at 7:00 uur 

	Sunday at 19.30 

	&#45;&#45; Everyone is welcome &#45;&#45;

	&amp;nbsp; Chanted meditation in conjunction with Je Tsongkhapa and his Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, including Lamrimmeditation

	By relying upon this practice we can purify negativities, accumulate merit and receive blessings. This way we will naturally attain all the realisations of the stages of the path of Sutra and Tantra, and in particular we will develop a very special Dharma wisdom.

	For more information please contact the Centre. A detailed explanation of this practice you can also find in the book Heart Jewel.]]></description>
      <dc:date>2010-10-01T05:00:05+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>The Foundation Programme</title>
      <link>http://nkt-kmc-netherlands.org/en/courses/foundation-programme</link>
      <description><![CDATA[There is a Foundation Programme in Amsterdam. The classes are on Saturdays from 11.00h &#45; 16.00h and are given in English. You will find more information about the FP below. If you are interested in trying out the FP please contact KMC Nederland.

	What is the Foundation Programme?

	The Foundation Programme (FP) is a study programme of the New Kadampa Tradition, a Mahayana Buddhist tradition derived from Buddhist Masters like Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa, and founded in the West by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The aim of the Foundation Programme is to provide a systematic presentation of particular subjects of Mahayana Buddhism to enable people to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism. The programme comprises five subjects from Buddha&amp;rsquo;s Sutra teachings which are studied on the basis of six books by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

	Why should we study Buddha&amp;rsquo;s teachings?

	There are three reasons why we need to study and practise the teachings of Buddha:

	
		To develop our wisdom
	
		To cultivate a good heart
	
		To maintain a peaceful state of mind


	If we do not strive to develop our wisdom, our ignorance will lead us to create the causes for future suffering, even though we are looking for happiness.

	If we do not cultivate a good heart, our selfish motivation will destroy the harmony a good relationships with others. Learning to cherish others sincerely is the solution for all the problems of daily life.

	If we do not maintain a peaceful state of mind, we will not be happy even if we have ideal external conditions. On the other hand, when our mind is peaceful we will be happy in all circumstances.

	Therefore, the development of these qualities is of utmost importance for our daily happiness!

	What does a class look like?

	The classes consist of reciting preliminary prayers, meditation, an explanation of the text that is studied and partner discussion. Every fourth class is a group discussion. There are two classes per week each lasting for two hours. FP takes place about thirty weeks each year. During the classes we study the following six books by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso:

	
		Joyful Path of Good Fortune, a commentary to Atisha&#39;s Lamrim instructions, the stages of the path to enlightenment
	
		Universal Compassion, a commentary to Bodhisattva Chekhawa&#39;s Training the Mind in Seven Points
	
		Eight Steps to Happiness, a commentary to Bodhisattva Langri Tangpa&#39;s Eight Verses of Training the Mind
	
		Heart of Wisdom, a commentary to the Heart Sutra
	
		Meaningful to Behold, a commentary to Bodhisattva Shantideva&#39;s Guide to the Bodhisattva&#39;s Way of Life.
	
		Understanding the Mind, a detailed explanation of the mind, based on the works of the Buddhist scholars Dharmakirti and Dignaga.


	Every book (or part of a book) is concluded with an exam.

	What does the Foundation Programme cost?

	The Foundation Programme costs 45 euro per month. For this you will receive besides all the classes of the Foundation Programme also the Centre Card of KMC Netherlands. A Centre Card gives access to all classes and meditations, day and weekend courses, and empowerments that are organized by KMC Netherlands without extra charge. (This does not include meals, accommodation and National and International Festivals.)

	What does Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso say?

	&amp;ldquo;Within one day we experience mental pain and discomfort many times, sometimes due to unpleasant circumstances and sometimes due to other people, even our friends. Sometimes for no apparent reason unhappiness, disappointment, dissatisfaction, or pain arise naturally due to the ripening of karmic imprints.

	We need a remedy for this pain. No one else can give us medicine that will relieve this type of pain, we have to become our own karma&#45;doctor and cure ourselves through Dharma experience. By increasing our wisdom and Dharma experience we will gradually solve all our problems and eventually we will achieve the ultimate happiness of full enlightenment.This is how the Foundation Programme can fulfil our own wishes.&amp;rdquo;

	Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

	To download the Foundation Programme brochure please click here]]></description>
      <dc:date>2010-09-10T03:00:51+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Retreats</title>
      <link>http://nkt-kmc-netherlands.org/en/courses/meditation-weekend-retreats</link>
      <description><![CDATA[What is a retreat?

	A retreat is a period during which we stop our daily activities in order to focus on a spiritual practice like meditation. To do a retreat we often seek a quiet, if possible remote place, with few distractions so that we can turn our mind inwards. During a retreat we can have a deep experience of peaceful, positive states of mind that can give us a completely new perspective on our life. Many people feel inspired and charged with positive energy after a retreat and they continue to cherish this period as a precious and meaningful experience.

	KMC Netherlands offers both short and longer retreats, during which people stay in Hotel Kadampa Holland in Schin op Geul. For more information about the various retreats click on the links on the left.]]></description>
      <dc:date>2010-02-09T00:54:16+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Day and Weekend Courses</title>
      <link>http://nkt-kmc-netherlands.org/en/courses/day-courses</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Day and weekend courses offer a wonderful opportunity to get to know more about meditation and Buddhism in a very practical way. The courses are held at various locations throughout the Netherlands and consists of teachings, guided meditations and discussion. Everyone is welcome. For more information about each course please click on a link on the left.

	If you want to sign up for one of our activities, please email or call us.]]></description>
      <dc:date>2010-02-09T00:42:24+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>


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