Jefferson Tibetan Society

Heart Sutra Practice and Study- June 21
2025-06-21 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Fillmore House at Unity of Charlottesville, 2825 Hydraulic Circle, Charlottesville, VA, 22901, United States
Following Lama Tashi’s teaching on the Heart Sutra last autumn, we are excited to invite you to our 2025 Heart Sutra Practice and Study Series on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month at 1:00 p.m. at Unity of Charlottesville’s Fillmore House. Each session includes silent meditation, recitation of the Heart Sutra together to remove obstacles, discussion on this profound practice and how it fits into the overall Buddhist path, and an optional social time for tea & snacks, 2:30 – 3:00 p.m. All are welcome to participate.
The text for the discussion of this series is Essence of the Heart Sutra by The Dalai Lama’s Heart of Wisdom Teachings, translated and edited by Geshe Thupten Jinpa. Please order this text as soon as possible! Readings for the next session are discussed at each session. Please visit our Support & Connect With Us page to be placed on the Jefferson Tibetan Society mailing list to receive email notifications of the designated readings between sessions.

Heart Sutra session and HH the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebration
2025-07-05 13:00 - 15:00
Following Lama Tashi’s teaching on the Heart Sutra last autumn, we are excited to invite you to our 2025 Heart Sutra Practice and Study Series on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month at 1:00 p.m. at Unity of Charlottesville’s Fillmore House. Each session includes silent meditation, recitation of the Heart Sutra together to remove obstacles, discussion on this profound practice and how it fits into the overall Buddhist path, and an optional social time for tea & snacks, 2:30 – 3:00 p.m. All are welcome to participate.

This session will include a special long life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, since July 6 is his 90th birthday!

The text for the discussion of this series is Essence of the Heart Sutra by The Dalai Lama’s Heart of Wisdom Teachings, translated and edited by Geshe Thupten Jinpa. Please order this text as soon as possible! Readings for the next session are discussed at each session. Please visit our Support & Connect With Us page to be placed on the Jefferson Tibetan Society mailing list to receive email notifications of the designated readings between sessions.

Heart Sutra Practice and Study- July 19
2025-07-19 13:00 - 15:00

Heart Sutra Practice and Study- Aug. 16 (Note: no meeting on Aug. 2)
2025-08-16 13:00 - 15:00

Heart Sutra Practice and Study- Sept. 6
2025-09-06 13:00 - 15:00

Heart Sutra Practice and Study- Sept. 20
2025-09-20 13:00 - 15:00

Meditation Practice and Review of Types of Meditation, Power of Intention & Healing Within for Deeper Compassion Practice
2025-11-15 13:00 - 15:00
We cordially invite you to join us on Saturday, November 15 at 1:00 p.m. at Unity of Charlottesville’s Fillmore House to review some of the foundational principles of Buddhism and meditation practice. Topics will include śamatha (calm-abiding or tranquil awareness) and vipaśyanā (special seeing or insight), two qualities of the mind that are cultivated in tandem in Buddhist practice. The session will include silent meditation, recitation of the Prajñāpāramitā (the Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom) mantra from the Heart Sutra, discussion, and an optional social time for tea & snacks, 2:30 – 3:00 p.m. All are welcome to participate.

Review of Lama Tashi's Talk on Practicing Compassion in our Daily Lives, Pertaining to Bodhicitta
2025-12-06 13:00 - 15:00
We cordially invite you to join us on Saturday, December 6, at 1:00 p.m. at Unity of Charlottesville’s Fillmore House to review and discuss Lama Tashi’s talk on Practicing Compassion in our Daily Lives, as it relates to Bodhicitta–the aspiration to enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. The session will include silent meditation, recitation of the Prajñāpāramitā (the Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom) mantra from the Heart Sutra, discussion of the concepts of great compassion and love in the context of Mahayana Buddhism, a guided meditation on compassion, and an optional social time for tea & snacks from 2:30 – 3:00 p.m. All are warmly welcome to participate.

Celebrate Saga Dawa, Buddha's birth & enlightenment with Heart Sutra Practice, Meditation & Community Connection
2026-05-31 15:00 - 17:00
This is the special holy day of Saga Dawa when millions of people in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition celebrate the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha. We will be practicing meditation, reciting the Heart Sutra, chanting mantra, and having Dharma discussion.
Recitation of the Heart Sutra is powerful for removing obstacles to one’s practice and dedicating merit for peace in our world.
Schedule:

3:00 – 4:30 — Setting motivation, meditation, recitation & discussion
4:30 – 5:00 — Social Time — You’re welcome to bring snacks to share.

Meeting at Unity of Charlottesville’s Fillmore House: see address and parking details below.
RSVP’s are appreciated, by emailing JTS108Va@gmail.com
Donations towards the rental space can be made at this link: https://jts.avenue.org/support-us/
All are welcome, including those new to our sangha. Email us at JTS108Va@gmail.com if you have questions. Feel free to share this email with others you know who are interested. We look forward to your joining us!
