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Talk and Retreat on The Heart Sutra
Venerable Fedor Stracke
Co-presented by Shantideva Meditation and Tibet House US

About the Event

Form is empty, emptiness is form; form is not other than emptiness, emptiness is not other than form… Shakyamuni Buddha

Among the most famous of all the Buddhist scriptures, the Heart Sutra reveals the truth of emptiness through a short exchange between two of the Buddha’s most illustrious disciples, Avalokiteshvara and Shariputra. The brevity and profound nature of the Heart Sutra have made its recitation popular as an effective means for dispelling obstacles to spiritual endeavor.

Ven. Fedor explains why the Heart Sutra is so fundamental to philosophy and practice within all schools of Buddhism. He explores the cryptic style of the sutra to clarify the exact nature of the wisdom realizing emptiness and the practices that are its essential complement. Come to the public talk on Friday night for an overview of the topic. The Saturday/Sunday retreat is most appropriate for those who wish to deepen their knowledge of this essential Buddhist text. Students attending the retreat will receive a reading list in advance and have the option to take an exam.

Friday, February 24 at 7-9 PM; Saturday and Sunday, February 25-26, 10 AM-6 PM
Friday Public Talk: General $20; Members: $18
Entire Retreat (Fri., Sat., & Sun.): General $150; Members: $135

N.B Please Register Online: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e5emqtax94af542a&oseq=

For more information please e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to www.shantidevameditation.org

About the Teacher
Venerable Fedor Stracke has been a Buddhist monk since 1988 and spent over fifteen years studying at Sera Je Monastic University and attending public teachings given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Since 1996, Ven. Fedor has been teaching in FPMT centers and has served as Tibetan interpreter for various geshes. He currently teaches the Basic Program at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, Aryatara Institute in Germany, and Nalanda Monastery in France. He is translating Gyaltsab Je’s commentary to Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds (Spyod ’jug tikka) and Losang Chökyi Gyältsen’s Wisdom Debating Ignorance (Gshaga ‘debs).

About the Presenter
Shantideva Meditation is a study group affiliated with The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), which is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught by Founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Spiritual Director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Ven. Fedor Stracke has been a Buddhist monk since 1988 and spent over fifteen years studying at Sera Je Monastic University and attending public teachings given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Since 1996, Ven. Fedor has been teaching in FPMT centers and has served as Tibetan interpreter for various geshes. He currently teaches the Basic Program at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, Aryatara Institute in Germany, and Nalanda Monastery in France.