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A Whole New Foundation

In 2016 we announced our plan to upgrade our entire infrastructure. From electric to water, communications to gas, with your help, we are building the foundation for future generations of practitioners to practice, reflect, and lay their own individual spiritual foundations. We realized then, as we do now, the challenge ...
Stormy Weather, Rocky Roads and Bodhisattvas Like You

Stormy Weather, Rocky Roads and Bodhisattvas Like You

2017 started with an exciting vision for how the year would unfold. We were gearing up to start the construction of the much awaited Compassion Wheel Project and undertake the first phase of a massive infrastructure overhaul, as discussed in a previous 2017 Annual Report article. It’s not what happened. Like in ...
What Are the Three Things A Dying Person Needs from You Most?

What Are the Three Things A Dying Person Needs from You Most?

An Interview with Lennie Kronisch by Catherine Slocock-Graham Death is such a “depressing” scenario. Why even talk about it at all? Most of us would rather keep the skeleton tightly tucked away in the closet and pass the time thinking about something “a bit more positive”. But no! Stop! That, right ...
Judith on Old Age

Judith on Old Age

On June 27, 2016 during  retreat with Venerable Rene Feusi, he asked long time community member Judith Hunt to give her perspective on old age. Her short speech was so inspiring that we wanted to share it with the community.  Listen, download or read the transcript below. Listen to Judith ...
A Farewell from Our Executive Director

A Farewell from Our Executive Director

Dear Friends, This posting is to announce that I will be stepping down from my role as Executive Director. I am writing these words with a heart filled with gratitude for the rare opportunity I have had in serving this organization for the past thirteen years. In our time together ...
A Letter from Our Chairman of the Board

A Letter from Our Chairman of the Board

To my dear Vajrapani Sisters and Brothers, As many of you know, Vajrapani Institute has a very special place in my heart, and has since its founding by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche in 1975. Recently I’ve been reflecting on what makes Vajrapani Institute such a unique ...
After the Storm

After the Storm

Engineering a Solid Future A solid spiritual practice needs to be built on good foundations. Eventually we learn that it takes a steady, patient application of effort and attention … And the same can certainly be said for the building and maintenance of retreat centers. When you’ve got the long-term ...
Dharma, Activism & Interfaith: Is It Time to Step Up?

Dharma, Activism & Interfaith: Is It Time to Step Up?

It can be hard to see the current political and ecological situation, with its tides of divisiveness and uncertainty, as a gift. To do so, though, is potentially to step up and join the ranks of those who are ready to “go the extra mile" to help our suffering world ...
Thrashed by Extreme Storms

Thrashed by Extreme Storms

Mother Nature has a habit of showing us that we are not invincible and that everything we build and strive for is impermanent. Bizarrely, though, (and the Buddha had a thing or two to say about this) we humans insist on forgetting this basic truth again and again. Denial never ...
Highlights of 2016

Highlights of 2016

Celebrating Our Record Breaking Year This was a record-breaking year. In 2016, you helped us share more retreats with more participants than ever before, spreading the wisdom of the teachings in a world that is so hungry for it. We invite you to take a minute to see the great ...
The Poetry of Giving

The Poetry of Giving

It is my fervent wish and belief that in helping to manifest Lama’s vision we will truly benefit all sentient beings. Soon enough, I will, as will we all, no longer be able to enter the door, to pass beneath the Redwood arch welcoming me to the land, to see ...
The Gift of Time

The Gift of Time

The gift of time, attention, presence. Listening. Being. In the traditional Buddhist texts, the presentation of the paramita of generosity includes several components: giving of material things; giving the Dharma; giving protection, or fearlessness; and sometimes the generosity of loving-kindness is included. How do we offer loving-kindness to others? With ...

Upcoming Retreats

“All Into One”: An experiential retreat on Calm Abiding and Emptiness based on Guru Yoga and the 3 Principal Aspects of the Path

Venerable René Feusi

April 25 - May 5, 2024
About the Retreat We are so pleased and honored that one of our most precious teachers is returning again to Vajrapani.   This retreat is a rare opportunity to meditate with Venerable Rene more deeply on the teachings he gave last year in the Bay Area on Guru Yoga as a basis for realizing Mahamudra or realizing "mind as it is."   Utilizing once again the Guru Yoga practice, The Hundred Deities of the Land of Joy, as the life force for collecting merit and clearing obstacles on our spiritual path, Venerable Rene will also offer experiential teachings and meditations…

Online Book Club – Vol 4: Following in the Buddha’s Footsteps

Venerable Gyalten Chimé

May 8 - June 26, 2024
When On Zoom Every Wednesday for 8 weeks 6:30 - 8:30pm Pacific Time Zoom Link will be sent a day before the Wednesday night class.     Prerequisites: None – Open to all students   It is recommended that participants read the first few chapters prior to the first Book Club session on May 8th.   About the Book This weekly online book gathering will feature facilitated conversation, discussion and meditation sessions with Buddhist monastic Venerable Chimé.   Delve into the substance of spiritual practice in this fourth volume of the Dalai Lama’s definitive series on the path to awakening,…

Vajrapani Institute is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition www.FPMT.org