Visiting Hours
We are open seven days a week from 9 am - 7 pm for the general public. Please call ahead to make sure the monks are available.
Parking around the Center
Special request to all members and friends: when you come to the Center, please do not block our neighbors' driveways. Our neighbours have been very kind to us and we wish to continue this good relationship. Please park your car either on the Center's front driveway or behind the Center's parking lot. Thank you very much for your kind consideration.
Private Meetings
Private Meetings with the resident teacher: If anyone would like to meet the resident teacher for spiritual advice, please make an appointment (408) 926 9430.
Prayer List
Based on the lunar calendar once a month, the monks perform the Mahakala Puja, the Tara Puja and the Medicine Buddha Puja as well as twice monthly perform Guru Puja for the benefit of all living beings. If you would like someone to be included in to our prayer list, please send us their fulll names and, if deceased, the date they passed away.
Many visitors who have never been to a Buddhist monastery are unfamiliar with Buddhist practices and are not certain what is expected of them during their visit. What follows can be considered a brief guide, one that will hopefully help visitors to understand many of the practices they may encounter during their visit.
Our motive
Our purpose is not to convert individuals to Buddhism. The intention in offering the teachings is to assist others in attaining happiness and peace.
Dress Code
There is no dress code required to attend teachings, but please wear articles of clothing that are comfortable but respectful.
Atmosphere
Our members are both friendly and supportive to visitors. Please feel free to approach anyone if you have questions. Especially during the break, feel free to engage in conversations with other members of the community while you enjoy your cookies and cup of tea.
Dharma Etiquette:
Here are some things to do when receiving teachings from a Lama (Teacher) in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Before entering
Leave all shoes in the area near the door or outside the shrine or teaching area; do not enter the shrine or teaching area with shoes on.
Teacher’s entrance
Stand and bow slightly when the Lama enters the room. Remain standing while he or she prostrates to the Buddhas and personal teachers (visualized on the throne) and takes his or her seat.
Prostration
After the lama is seated, practicing Buddhists will perform three formal prostrations as a sign of respect to the lama and teachings. Others may join in or stand quietly. For those wishing to participate, the form is: With palms together touch crown of head, forehead, throat, and heart; kneel on hands and knees, touching forehead to ground very briefly and rising quickly. Perform the entire act three times. At the conclusion, once more touch hands to the crown, forehead, throat, and heart, pausing briefly at the end for contemplation; then take your seat.
Opening prayers and chants
The purpose of these practices is to make a transition from one’s ordinary activities and to engender in ourselves good motivation to receive the teachings. Prayers will be recited from the books and sheets available throughout the room. Please share these if there are not enough copies. Students and visitors may join aloud or contemplate silently.
Dedication
The teaching ends with prayers that dedicate, to the benefit of others, any merits and insights one may have gained during the teachings. Again, one may join in or contemplate silently.
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Gyuto Vajrayana Center