Link to home website: https://billingsdharmacenter.org/
Introduction
The Billings Dharma Center in Billings, Montana is a vibrant spiritual community dedicated to the study, practice, and circulation of Buddhist teachings, with a focus on the profound traditions of Anuttarayoga Tantra and Yogachara Buddhism. Using the core teachings of Ancient Primordial Dzogchen as their base, the center offers a safe space for individuals looking to learn about inner peace and spiritual enlightenment while exploring and cultivating their mind and consciousness.
Mission Statement: “Billings Montana Interfaith Network seeks to be a progressive faith community in Montana. Empowered by the wisdom of their traditions, Billings Montana Interfaith Network names injustice, acts in love, affirms the interrelatedness of all creation, and advocates for the dignity, sanctity, and equality of every human being” (“Billings Montana Interfaith…”).
They are a non-profit organization. Donations are always welcome to support the community but they do not require anything of anyone.
Historical Origins
Anuttarayoga Tantra is a specific synthesis of several Buddhist traditions and philosophies, blending elements of Tantra, Yogachara philosophy, and a higher-level tantric path. The term Anuttara in Sanskrit means “unsurpassed” (“Anuttara…”). The Sanskrit word “tantra”, derived from the verbal root tan, meaning ‘to weave’, or ‘compose’, and refers to a type of instructional text, often written as a dialogue between a god and a goddess (What is Tantra?). “Tantra” refers to a body of esoteric Buddhist teachings that involve ritual, meditation, visualization, and mantra recitation designed to transform the practitioner’s mind and lead them to enlightenment.
The term “Yogācāra” literally means “the path (or practice) of yoga” and can be interpreted as the “idealistic school” or “mind-only school.” Alongside Madhyamaka, Yogācāra is one of the two major philosophical traditions of Mahāyāna Buddhism that originated in India. It is a spatio-temporarily extensive and philosophically diverse tradition, particularly interested in understanding the nature, structure and various functions of consciousness/perception in the experience of reality (Szanyi). It focuses on the idea that the external world is a projection of the mind, and that all phenomena are ultimately manifestations of mental processes.
Ancient Primordial describes Dzogchen, which is the oldest, most accurate/most direct stream of wisdom within the Buddhist tradition of Tibet. It is also said to be the most straightforward and effective way to achieve enlightenment in the modern world.
Founding
The Billings Dharma Center was founded over 35 years ago by Garab Dorje IV but has officially been in business for about 28 years, since 1997. Garab Dorje IV was a fully realized being who decided to choose this location because it already has a connection to the intuitive. Shanti Sadhana, a Lama at this center, elaborated saying “energetically, the level of awareness in Billings is what made building a dharma center there feasible.” (Lama Shanti Sadhana)
Billings Dharma Center is currently under the leadership of Khenpo Prajna Yana Rinpoche, and Khenmo Shila Mani Rinpoche who were given their titles by Garab Dorje IV and have been in their positions for over 14 years.
Community
There are approximately 50 members total in their community which include all demographics and are open to anyone with a genuine interest to see and know how their mind works. Within this community, the way they understand Buddhism is not reliant on books or intellectual understanding. They open up to the intuitive wisdom that is within all beings. Through the intuitive they are able to see and know the principles of how our mind works within our lives without relying on “faith” or “believing”. Think of it like this….imagine you’ve never seen a sunrise before. I can explain the sunrise to you with all sorts of words but you’ll only ever be able to believe what I say. This is intellectual understanding. Now, the intuitive opens our eyes and allows us to see the sunrise for ourselves. This is wisdom….not belief. The principles of how our mind works are apparent all around us all the time. We’ve never opened our eyes and looked at them though (Lama Kshanti Sadhana).
Schedule
“They offer regular open teachings, Taichi classes, and various group meditations and activities throughout the week, with no charge for participation. The center’s main Satsang is on Saturdays from 7:30-9:00pm, and they also offer Buddhist scriptures on Sundays 6:15-6:45pm, meditation practice on Tuesdays 7:00-7:20pm, mid-week Satsang on Tuesdays 7:30-8:30pm, Tai Chi Chuan on Wednesdays, and Buddhist basics on Wednesdays. All those with a sincere interest in Buddhism are welcome to attend”(“Billings Dharma… AllBiz”).
Satsang meaning “the company of truth” is being in reality together, which is the most ancient form of spiritual practice. Sometimes it is guided by someone and sometimes it’s not. Most of the time in our ordinary lives, we are running around in a state of semi-consciousness, not fully experiencing reality. Satsang is a place where individuals can slow down and fully experience reality, while connecting with other people who are doing the same. It is a time to have experiences, reconnecting with what is most valuable to you, and relax, amongst other things that could happen (“Buddhist Meditation and Tai…”).
Meditation: is considered an essential practice for those striving to develop personally and spiritually. There are two main categories of meditation: calm meditation which focuses on quieting the mind to obtain inner peace and insight meditation which focuses on thoughts and sensations to gain a deeper understanding of reality.
Tai Chi Chuan: is a form of Chinese exercise and/or defense. Qi gong, the foundation of TaiChi, “combines movement, breathing, and mental concentration” (“Qigong.”). Since meditation is mainly about clearing the mind and then sharpening focus/concentration, Tai Chi contributes to people’s ability to meditate, by allowing this cultivation of the mind (“Buddhist Meditation and Tai…”).
“We have several practices but they fall into three main categories of Samatha (still mind), Dharani (contemplation), Dhyana (focus). Satsang is a gathering open to the public and lasts about 40 minutes with a short focus meditation at the end. In satsang someone will ask a question that they are curious about and the Lama that is presenting that night will reflect the principles to the community from how they’ve come to see the sunrise mentioned in the “Community Understanding” section above. This provides pointers for the community to look at themselves so they can see the sunrise as well. The Sunday night sutra class lasts about 30 minutes and we review a couple different sutras of the Buddha. The sutras we review are the Sutra of Complete Enlightenment, The Diamond Sutra, The Heart Sutra, and The Lankavatara Sutra. We are starting the Heart Sutra this Sunday, December 8, 2024.
The above events are a part of our normal weekly schedule. We do have six Maha (great) Satsangs that we also recognize throughout the year. Four of those are what we call quarterlies and each one represents a specific gate from the wisdom mandala, the first quarter of the year being reflective wisdom, second quarter of the year is harmonious wisdom, third quarter of the year is discriminating wisdom and fourth quarter of the year is all-accomplishing wisdom. One of the Maha-Satsangs is to recognize Losar, which is the Tibetan New-Year. The final Maha-Satsang is to recognize and acknowledge the re-establishment of these teachings on this plane.” – Lama Kshanti Sadhana
Interfaith Circles
“[The Interfaith Circle] allows us to hear perspectives from other faiths that allows us to deepen an understanding of our own.” –Yoga Dhatta
(“Billings Dharma…Pluralism Project Archive”)
Before Billings Dharma Center decided to start an interfaith circle, the Methodist minister in Helena (Montana), Dave Anderson, started a connection by contacting the dharma center and asking if they would be interested in joining the Helena Interfaith Circle. Yoga Dhatta did attend several meetings, but it soon became difficult to continue these trips due to a 250 mile long journey one way.
Finally, 2002 was the year Billings Dharma Center started an interfaith circle in the Billings area.The interfaith circle is comprised of clergy and highly active lay members from Baha’i, Catholic, Congregationalist, Family, Hindu, Jewish, Lighthouse Mission, Lutheran, Muslim, Native American, Presbyterian and Unification communities who get together once a month for breakfast at the Billings Dharma Center and have religious, intellectual and philosophical discussions usually led by Yoga Dhatta. ‘For example, prior to the assault on Iraq, there was a discussion of the compatibility of national politics and one’s personal faith or the traditional stance of one’s religion. Other topics Thad Mauney (Yoga Dhatta) brought to the table have been, “What is the source of healing?” and “What is your personal inspiration and your sense of mission? When did it come to you?” ’ (“Billings Dharma…Pluralism Project Archive”).
Other than support for lay people the clergy are much smaller and have less opportunities to receive support so these meetings are a way they can receive that support from other fellow clergy, which is different from what a congregation/lay people can provide. They respect their differences but appreciate each others’ work.
Conclusion
At first I did choose this dharma center in Billings Montana solely from the fact that it was in an area least populated by Buddhist communities, but as I continued to learn more about the center I felt I had found a hidden gem. Billings Dharma Center in Billings, Montana represents an inclusive and spiritual haven for anyone to join. Rooted in the traditions of Anuttarayoga Tantra and Yogachara Buddhism, this center offers a new and profound perspective on life through an authentic Buddhist lens. Through its diverse practices and members this center provides an encouraging and supporting environment for those seeking to explore their mind. Billings Dharma center stands as an exemplification of the dynamic and intricate nature of Buddhism, specifically in an American context and works towards their vision of an enlightened society.
Sources
Lama Shanti Sadhana
All Biz – Billings Dharma Center
“Billings Dharma Center.” AllBiz, www.allbiz.com/business/billings-dharma-center-406-298-5775. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.
Buddhist Meditation and Tai Chi – Synergy and Practice.
“Buddhist Meditation and Tai Chi – Synergy and Practice.” The Sangha House, 14 Mar. 2020, www.thesanghahouse.co.uk/buddhist-meditation-and-tai-chi-synergy-and-practice#:~:text=Buddhist%20meditations%20focus%20the%20mind,reference%20point%20to%20concentrate%20on.
Britannica – qigong exercise and meditation technique
“Qigong.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 5 Nov. 2024, www.britannica.com/topic/qigong.
Harvard University – Billings Montana Interfaith Network
“Billings Montana Interfaith Network.” The Pluralism Project Harvard University, pluralism.org/billings-montana-interfaith-network. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.
Harvard University – Pluralism Project Archive – Billings Dharma Center
“Billings Dharma Center.” Pluralism Project Archive Harvard University, hwpi.harvard.edu/pluralismarchive/billings-dharma-center. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Yogācāra.
Szanyi, Szilvia. “Yogācāra.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 7 July 2024, plato.stanford.edu/entries/yogacara/.
The British Museum – What is Tantra?
What Is Tantra? | British Museum, www.britishmuseum.org/blog/what-tantra. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.
The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism$ The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism – Oxford Reference
“Anuttarasamyaksaṃbodhi.” Oxford Reference, www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780190681159.001.0001/acref-9780190681159-e-274#:~:text=In%20Sanskrit%2C%20%E2%80%9Cunsurpassed%20. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.