Inner Yogic Healing Practice Transmission - San Francisco - Tantric Buddhist initiation July + major cycle late 2010 through early 2011 (events » community) Friday, July 16, 2010 - 10:00 AM Inner Yogic Healing Practice Transmission - San Francisco - Tantric Buddhist initiation

Keywords : tantric yoga, inner healing practice, Mahayana Buddhism, Vajrasattva, initiation, San Francisco, July 2010, Orgyen Dorje Den Alameda California, Nyingma School of Indo Tibetan Vajrayana Rinchen Terdzod empowerment cycle late 2010 - early 2011 .

Summary : In mid July there will be an important transmission of tantric Buddhism in San Francisco. There will also be a comprehensive cycle of transmissions given by Very Venerable Yangthang Tulku over many weeks in late 2010 - early 2011, the Rinchen Terdzod.

Vajrasattva is a primary Buddhist deity and practice of purification and inner healing. This practice is central to all schools of "Tibetan Buddhism" and also to Shingon, the Indo-Chinese-Japanese school of esoteric Buddism. This is an inner estoeric yoga and as such requires formal transmission through authentic lineage. The transmission also requires outer Mahayana vows and iner tantric vows.

Vajrasattva is also the primary source of the Great Perfection Ati Yoga, the "Yoga of Primordial Pure Awareness". This descends through the lineage of ( heavenly ) Vajrasattva through Joyous Vajra ( Tibetan: Garab Dorje ).

See
www.keithdowman.net/dzogchen...a_che.htm

and

"Wellsprings of the Great Perfection"
www.amazon.com/Wellspring...9627341576/


The Great Perfection is practiced and taught by the Dalai Lama, and by many great teachers throughout the West, particularly teachers of the Nyingma school, founded in Tibet by the Great Adept Padmasambhava.

See:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrasattva
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Perfection
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyingma

One of the major practice centers for Nyingma is Orgyen Dorje Den, in San Francisco ( Alameda ). This practice center is of great importance to me although I do not in any way represent it. It was founded by Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche, who has made available a trmendous amount of tantric Buddhist teaching and transmissions. I have received major transmissions at Orgyen Dorje Den and make use of their excellent practice texts and tantric commentaries.

An extraordinary set of in depth transmissions will be given late this year over a period of many weeks into early next year. Very Venerable Yangthang Tulku, one of my primary gurus, will bestow the entire Rinchen Terdzod. This is an ultimate and comprehensive set of Early Translation tantric Buddhist and Great Perfection transmissions, and has been given only very rarely. It is almost unknown in the West and typically offered only in Asia.

This cycle is too extensive to describe here but is summarized at
www.rigpawiki.org/index.php

A short introduction to this type of practice is given in the book
"The Crystal and the Way of Light"
by Namkhai Norbu

"SKY DANCER: The Secret Life and Songs of the Lady Yeshe Tsogyel"
by Keith Dowman

excerpts from "Sky Dancer" available at
www.keithdowman.net/books/sd.htm

See also many references at
www.keithdowman.net/dzogchen/index.htm


The overall context of Buddhist vows and practice are given in the book
"Dakini Teachings"
by Padmasambhava
www.amazon.com/Dakini-Tea...9627341363/

Basic teachings on the Nyingma are given in
"Tantric Practice in Nying-ma"
by Khetsun Sangpo Rinbochay
www.amazon.com/Tantric-Pr...0937938149/

and
"GREAT PERFECTION: Outer and Inner Preliminaries"
by the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche, trans. by Cortland Dahl

www.snowlionpub.com/html/pro...9433.html



Sarva mangalam! [ May All Beings Benefit! ]
Siddhi rastu! [ May there be spiritual accomplishment! ]

KT




Location:
Orgyen Dorje Den
2244 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501
orgyendorjeden.org/


Original announcements follow

(1)
SAVE THE DATES, July 16, 17 & 18
HH Getse Rinpoche will return to ODD and offer the empowerment & teachings on Mindroling Vajrasattva.

Details TBD.

His Holiness Getse Rinpoche is a Nyingma [ Tibetan Early Translation school ] teacher and one of the highest lamas of Kathok Monastery in Kham, Eastern Tibet. Getse Rinpoche's previous incarnation was the famed Getse Mahapandita, whose writings have had a lasting impact on the Nyingma school. In this incarnation, Getse Rinpoche was born and trained in Tibet, where he trained with some of this century's greatest masters, such as Adzom Druktrul Rinpoche. Currently, he lives outside Tibet and divides his time between Kathmandu, where he oversees a small retreat center in Pharping, India, and Bhutan. Getse Rinpoche shares an especially close relationship with HH the Dalai Lama.

H.H. Katok Getse Rinpoche is a highly esteemed incarnate lama of the Katok branch of the Nyingma lineage. He was recognized as a tulku by His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa, the previous Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and Adzom Gyalsé Rinpoche. From a very early age, he received teachings and empowerments from Dudjom Lingpa’s grandson Tulku Nyila, Khenchen Jigmé Puntsok Rinpoche, Adzom Drukpa, Katok Moktsa Rinpoche, Khenpo Ngakchung, and H.H. the Dalai Lama.

H.H. Getse Rinpoche has done many years of retreat, taught widely throughout Asia and is well known for his mastery of the Dzogchen approach. Fulfilling a request made by Chagdud Rinpoche, Katok Getse Rinpoche serves as the head lama of Katok Ritrod, Chagdud Gonpa’s retreat center in Parping, Nepal.


(2)
Rinchen Terdzo information:

Please visit our website for information about the upcoming Rinchen Terzod cycle of empowerments with Ven. Yangthang Tulku Rinpoche.

So if you register, just send your contact info. As soon as we have details we will send to all the people.
www.orgyendorjeden.org
www.orgyendorjeden.org/rinche...od.html
www.orgyendorjeden.org/rinche...fo.html

Pacific Northwest Buddhist Teachings and Transmissions ( Seattle Area/ Puget Sound/ Vancouver B.C. ) May and June 2011 (events » community) Wednesday, June 22, 2011 - 1:00 PM Pacific Northwest Buddhist Teachings and Transmissions ( Seattle Area/ Puget Sound/ Vancouver B.C. ) May and June 2011

Keywords: Meditation instruction and practice, Seattle / Puget Sound / Vancouver, Buddhism, Mahayana / Great Way, Tantra/ Magico-Yogic spiritual practice, Indo Tibetan lineages and teachers and centers and reference materials, Northwest Dharma Association ( Buddhism in 7 Northwest states and provinces ).

“Never give up.
No matter what is going on.
Never give up.
Develop the heart.
Be compassionate.
Not just to your friends but to everyone. . .
Never give up.
No matter what is happening.
No matter what is going on around you.
Never give up.”
HH the Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Laureate

This May and June a number of Buddhist and tantric blessings, teachings and transmissions will be given in Seattle / Puget Sound and Vancouver. Here I provide event information and background references and access to teaching materials and so forth.

I personally recommend all these teachers. I have major transmissions from Ven. Kilung Rinpoche, V.V. Thrangu Rinpoche, H.E. Dzongsar Khytense Rinpoche, and HH the Seventeenth Karmapa Urgyen Trinley Dorje, and from HH Jigdal Dagchen Sakya of Sakya Monastery. I have also received blessings from the Gaden Shartse monks, and have a direct connection with their Seattle sponsor, Dechen Ling, with Nalanda West and so forth. All are very capable and helpful and I thank them all for their many efforts in public service and mantrayana Buddhist teaching.

In particular I have provided a substantial set of background materials for HH the Seventeenth Karmapa, whos is already one of the most important teachers for Seattle and the Northwest, as well as for millions of Kagyu students throughout the world. Karmapa Chenno!

Please note that In No Way do I represent *any* of these teachers or organizations. I will not claim that any one person will receive any remarkable benefits for which they may hope, at least not immediately. Further, all such announcements are subject to impermanence and may be revised. In particular, we really do not know if it is possible for HH the Seventeenth Karmapa to leave India to visit Canada in June. Many throughout Canada are praying daily for that, as there have been visa problems before.

These teachers or organizations are from the Tibetan culture, but this really means Indo Tibetan Buddhist tantra, which means yoga and mantra ( sacred recitation and deity yoga ), *always* in the context of the Mahayana / Great Way – Universal Service tradition of Buddhism. As the Dalai Lama says, "We are all connected through the human spirit."

Mahayana is a deep and broad and truly universal path open to all good people. It is intended to inspire and elevate everyone to live for that which is highest and most pure in all our relations. It is a pagan spiritual path of awareness and yoga and humanitarian service. As a great responsibility and major challenge, Mahayana commitment is always voluntary, not demanded or required. Whether or not one is interested in such commitment, the fundamental Buddhist teachings on awareness and personal responsibility are always relevant and useful.

Mahayana is primarily a lived experience following the example and guidance of Guru Sakyamuni Buddha and the Three Jewels ( the Awakened Guru Sakyamuni, the Mahayana teaching that he first gave, and the Community that follow the ethics and principles of the Mahayana teaching ).

See
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana
and
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva
and
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

From
www.siddharthasintent.org/teach...s.html
The Three Jewels
“According to Buddhism, the nature of enlightenment is inherent in all sentient life. The purpose of the Buddhist path is to penetrate the confusion that leads to the painful cycle of suffering (samsara) and thereby to uncover mind's inherent wakefulness (nirvana). This is known as attaining enlightenment, or Buddhahood.

"The teaching of a Buddha is called the Dharma, which means the Law or the Truth, and shows the way to relative happiness and ultimate enlightenment. The Dharma is taught in many ways, according to needs of the particular students. Unbroken successions of great beings have followed the Buddha's teachings and example and continue to teach the path of enlightenment to others. Those who practice the teachings are called the Sangha.

These three aspects, Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, represent the core values of Buddhism and are known as the Three Jewels.”


Note that *public* teachings and some blessings do not involve Buddhist commitments. Thus the Gaden Shartse Monk “initiations” may be taken as blessings without formal Buddhist commitment ( or they may be taken as entranced into the Buddhist path ). Anyone anywhere can do basic Sanskrit recitation practices of Goddess Tara or of Avalokitesvara for personal benefit free of obligation.

See
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokitesvara
and
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tara...uddhism%29

I am a Mahayana / Great way teacher. This brief collection of announcements is a principal avenue of my very classical teaching practice. I put this forward for the benefit of all, not any one specific group or teacher, and not for Tibetans per se. I am a Native American Buddhist / Sanskrit Buddhist / East Asian Buddhist, not a westerner who claims to be “Tibetan Buddhist”. Again, the “Tibetan teachings” are all Mahayana in nature, and valuable for all Mahayana aspirants or practitioners.

Many directly relevant and valuable books and resources for Buddhist / Tibetan Buddhist practice are available from Snow Lion Publications, at
www.snowlionpub.com/

and the free downloads (THE FOUNDATION VEHICLE , THE MAHAYANA VEHICLE, THE VAJRAYANA VEHICLE, etc. ) at

www.namobuddhapub.com/category_s/57.htm

among many many other examples of the vast and remarkably useful teaching resources freely available online.

Buddhist Deity of Compassion Avalokitesvara/ Tara / Kuanyin : References and resources

taras.tribe.net/thread/4e0...8429933a28e

Another, more extended example is my post
"Some classical core guidance on mantra recitation, short mantras for a number of tantric deities, strategies for mantra practice and results of practice"

at
tibetanbuddhism.tribe.net/threa...bbc093


---------------------------------------------

www.northwestdharma.org/calend...try.php
and
www.pemakilaya.org/link/2011/...aching.html

15 May
Clinton, WA 98236

Tara, Mother of the Buddhas, who swiftly comes to the aid of those in need, is a Buddha herself. Known as "The Savioress," she is a favorite in Tibet and throughout the world. Tara has 21 forms, the most popular,Green Tara and White Tara. But to hear her other names is to begin to understand her vast scope: "She Who Is Unconquerable and Victorious," "Dweller in the Mountains," and "Lady Who Is Ablaze With Light." Teachings are often given on one of the Taras, but here Rinpoche will offer a teaching on her full range. Also included will be a lung (oral transmission), and a full and short practice, in the Longchen Nyingtik tradition.

---------------------------------------------

From
www.sakya.org/index.php
and
www.sakya.org/specialeven...eaching.html


21 Tara Initiation and Teaching

Sunday, May 22nd

Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism
108 NW 83rd Street
Seattle, WA 98117 USA
Tel: (206) 789-2573
For information, please contact Sakya Monastery’s office Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to Noon.


By H.E. Dagmo Kusho Sakya
Translator: Rigdzin Tingkhye
Initiation - 10:00 to noon
Teaching - 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Suggested Contribution: Public $30, Members $25 (Initiation only)
Suggested Contribution: Public $25, Members $20 (Teaching only)
Suggested Contribution: Public $45, Members $35 (If attending both)

All participants should plan to be vegetarian for the entire day.

Many of us our familiar with Green Tara and her practice, but may not know that Tara has 21 different emanations, as described in the “Praises to the Twenty-one forms of Tara”. Dagmo Kusho will be bestowing the 21 Tara Initiation in the morning. In the afternoon, she will give a teaching describing Tara’s 21 manifestations, each with her own mantra. There will be a short practice session during the teaching.

Her Eminence Dagmo Kusho Sakya was born in Kham, Eastern Tibet. As the niece of one of the most highly realized Sakya Masters of the twentieth century, H.E. Dezhung Rinpoche III, her training in Buddhist practice began at an early age. She has received extensive teachings and empowerments from many great lamas of all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism throughout her lifetime.

---------------------------------------------


The Ganden Shartse Monk Tour in Seattle

from

dechenling.org/


During the week of June 20-25, 2011 the Ganden Shartse Monks will visit Seattle. During their visit they will
• create the Sand Mandala of the Compassion Buddha at the Asian Art Museum;
Sand Mandala Details & Schedule;
• bestow a number of Empowerments;
Empowerment Details & Schedule; and
• be available for private healing and house blessing ceremonies.
To schedule your own private healing or house blessing with the monks contact Dechen Ling at info@dechenling.org.

Empowerments with the Ganden Shartse Monks
Please note that the Sakya Monastery is not hosting the event; Dechen Ling is merely renting the space.
Therefore please do not contact Sakya Monastery for information.

The Sakya Monastery is located at:
108 NW. 83rd Street, Seattle WA 98117
The suggested donation for each empowerment is $20.
For questions about the Ganden Shartse Monks please visit their website, at
www.gadenshartsecf.org/

For Information Concerning the Monks' Visit in general
Contact Dechen Ling at 206-632-5528 or info@dechenling.org

Green Tara Empowerment:
June 20, 2011
Tara or Arya Tara, also known in Tibtean as Jetsun Dolma is a female Buddha in Mahayana Buddhism. She is known as the "Mother of all the Buddhas" and "The Liberating Goddess." Green Tara (Tibetan: drol ma jang gu), is the Saviouress from the Eight Fears. Her 10-syllable mantra (OM TA-RE TUT-TA-RE TU-RE SO-HA) is memorized and popularly recited by all Tibetans from the time of childhood. Her primary activity is to protect all living beings and lead them to the state of enlightenment.
Sakya Monastery, Monday, June 20, 2011, 7:00 pm
Register via
dechenling.org/component/eventbooking/

Dukar (White Parasol Goddess of Protection) Empowerment:
June 21, 2011
Dukar (full name in Tibetan: dor je tsug tor dug kar mo; in Sanskrit: Vajra Ushnisha Sitatapatra), the White Goddess of Protection (or the parasol/umbrella), sometimes also called the "White Umbrella Lady", is considered the protector against supernatural danger. She is the wrathful manifestation of Avalokiteshvara.
Sakya Monastery, Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 7:00 pm
Register dechenling.org/component/eventbooking/

Chenrezig (Buddha of Compassion) Empowerment:
June 22, 2011
Chenrezig (in Sanskrit: Avalokiteshvara) is the manifestation of all the Buddhas' Compassion. As the embodiment of all Buddhas, he manifests in a myriad of forms such as a bodhisattva who appears in the world to guide others to the state of enlightenment and as a deity for others' devotion. His mantra, OM MANI PADME HUM is the embodiment of all the Buddhas' compastion and by reciting it we become closer to Chenrezig and slowly come to embody his enlightened qualities. It is said that all the teachings of the Buddha are contained in Chenrezig's mantra and by reciting his mantra alone, one can become enlightened.
Sakya Monastery, Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 7:00 pm
Register at
dechenling.org/component/eventbooking/
The empowerments will be performed by the Venerable Geshe Kunchok Tenzin of the Ganden Shartse Monks.

To secure a seat we strongly recommend that you register for the empowerments because of limited seat capacity and strong interest.


Sand Mandala Creation (June 22-25)
The Sand Mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition involving the creation and destruction of a deity mandala made from colored sand, spread out on the floor. The meticulous creation process involves a number of highly trained monks and usually stretches over a couple of days. It is ritualistically destroyed once it has been completed and its accompanying ceremonies and viewing are finished to symbolize the Buddhist doctrinal belief in the transitory nature of material life.
Dechen Ling and the monks of Ganden Shartse are requesting your compassionate support for the creation of a sand mandala. 100% of your donation goes to the monastery therefore please donate generously to support this noble endeavor.
The Seattle Asian Art Museum is located at:

1400 East Prospect Street
Volunteer Park
Seattle, WA 98112–3303
(206) 654.3100
The (suggested) admission fees for the day are:
$7 Adult
$5 Student (with ID), Senior (62+) and Teen (13–17)
Free for Children (12 and under)
Free for SAM Members

---------------------------------------------

www.nalandawest.org/

His Eminence Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
June 25, 2011 - June 26, 2011, 9 am—5 pm

NalandaWest Center for American Buddhism
3902 Woodland Park Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
www.nalandawest.org/

“Nalanda West is a center that serves as a catalyst and forum for the practice and study of American Buddhism. Our approach emphasizes the Buddhist science of mind as it applies to this age and culture.”


When you don’t have obsessions,
when you don’t have hang-ups,
When you don’t have inhibitions,
What more enlightenment do you want?
—DJKR

A student of important lamas, including Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kyabje Sakya Trizin, Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, and the 16th Karmapa, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche is the head of the renowned Dzongsar Monastery and Dzongsar College. Rinpoche is currently responsible for the care and education of approximately 1600 monks distributed between six monasteries and institutes in Asia.

He also oversees 6 branches of Siddhartha’s Intent, contemporary teaching and practice centers established in several continents as well as the nonprofit organizations Khyentse Foundation and Lotus Outreach. The author of "What Makes You Not A Buddhist", Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche is widely regarded as one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist teachers of his generation.

From
www.siddharthasintent.org/

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche

“Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche was born in Bhutan in 1961 and was recognised as the main incarnation of Dzongsar Khyentse (1894-1959). From early childhood, he has studied with some of the greatest contemporary masters, particularly H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

“From a young age he has been active in preserving the Buddhist teachings, establishing centres of learning and practice, supporting practitioners, publishing books, and teaching all over the world. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche supervises his traditional seat of Dzongsar Monastery and its retreat centres in Eastern Tibet, as well as his new colleges in India and Bhutan. He has also has established centres in Australia, North America, and the Far East. These are gathered under Siddhartha's Intent.

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
“Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö (1894-1959) was recognised as the main incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and continued his work, teaching and writing extensively. He became the teacher of most of the great Sakya, Kagyü and Nyingma lamas of his time. Today, the main incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö is Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. “

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From
kagyumonlamnorthamerica.org/

Second North American Kagyu Monlam
( Prayer Festival in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Indo-Tibetan Vajrayana )

We are most happy to announce that the North American Kagyu Monlam will be held June 22 through June 25, 2011. Co-sponsored by Kagyu Centres throughout Canada, this offering of aspiration prayers will be made under the guidance and blessings of His Holiness, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje.

His Holiness has said:
“Kagyu Monlam is an avenue whereby we can spread, at times of great need, the genuine spirit of love and compassion to all the people of the world, like a great ripple, first in Bodhgaya, then in Bihar, and so on. As we continuously offer these prayers for world peace, it is our intention and our wish that peace and happiness extend to all.”
- His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

The monlam will commence with a celebration of this 900th anniversary [ of the birth of the first Karmapa ] and conclude with a birthday celebration for His Holiness [ the Seventeenth Karmapa ] on June 26.

His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje has been invited to preside over the monlam, and has kindly agreed to do so subject to receiving the necessary visas. It is an honour and privilege for the Canadian Kagyu centres and sanghas to host this wondrous event. Please join us in making the aspiration that His Holiness will indeed be able to attend and bless us with his presence. Please also join us in person or on the web for the prayers, teachings and celebration.

The Kagyu Monlam is based on the following text developed by the Seventeenth Karmapa:
“ Kagyu Monlam Book: A Compilation for Recitation, Composed by the Glorious Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje (First Edition)”
For which see
www.namsebangdzo.com/The_Kag...5287.htm

From
kagyumonlamnorthamerica.org/about/
"In 1983, Kalu Rinpoche held a Monlam to recite The Aspiration for Excellent Conduct one hundred thousand times in Bodhgaya at the spot where our Teacher awakened to complete and perfect buddhahood, thereby planting the seed for holding the Kagyu Monlam in the Noble Land of India. In 2004, the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa took responsibility for the Monlam. Following the example of the dharma activities of the great beings of the past, he restructured the event and compiled a new prayer text, reflecting the splendour of this timeless tradition, making the Monlam ever more glorious, meeting the needs of today's international Buddhist community, and benefiting an even greater number of people."

The full schedule is posted at
kagyumonlamnorthamerica.org/schedule/

The host is Thrangu Monastery Canada, in Vancouver British Columbia, just north of Seattle Washington. See
thrangumonastery.org/
Thrangu Monastery Canada
8140 No. 5 Road
Richmond BC V6Y 2V4
Canada
Tel: +1 (778) 297-6010

This is a major western seat of the Ninth Thrangu Rinpoche, a great scholar and adept of the Kagyu lineage. See
thrangumonastery.org/teacher...inpoche/
and
www.rinpoche.com/
and
www.rinpoche.com/teachings.html
and
www.shenpen-osel.org/
and
www.namobuddhapub.com/
and
www.namobuddhapub.com/category_s/57.htm


For more information on HH the Seventeenth Karmapa, see
www.kagyuoffice.org/karmapa.html

For recorded teachings by HH the Seventeeth Karmapa, including teachings he gave in Seattle, Colorado and New York City in 2008, see
www.namsebangdzo.com/category_s/213.htm

Karmapa in America 2008: Wisdom of Enlightened Mind: The Journey Begins ( DVD)

The Journey Begins
MAY 31-JUNE 1, 2008 SEATTLE, WA
In these talks given at Seattle's Paramount Theatre, the Karmapa discusses:
Preliminary practices on the Buddhist path
The meaning of taking refuge
Awakened heart and everyday life
Visualization practice and mandala offering
The student-guru relationship
Our dependence on the world
Our mental unease and fear despite tremendous material and technological advancements
Appreciation, love, and care towards others

See also the book
“Heart Advice of the Karmapa “
By The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
www.namsebangdzo.com/Heart_A...5619.htm


What is the reason for reciting aspiration prayers?
The word "monlam" is often translated as "the path of aspiration". The Buddha taught that this kind of prayer is beneficial not only to the person reciting it, but it may also have an impact on the world by influencing the course of events. It has been said that "just as a drop of water that falls into the ocean is not used up until the entire ocean is used up", our merit will not be wasted. Just as a driver steers a car, aspirations can transform the merit we have accumulated into the cause of unexcelled enlightenment. Just as a small seed can produce bountiful fruit when good, favourable conditions are present, even small virtue can grow greater and greater if joined with good aspirations. As such, positive transformation can take place within ourselves and in the world when we come together to recite aspiration prayers.
Contact information is available in French and Chinese as well as English. See
kagyumonlamnorthamerica.org/contact/

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www.northwestdharma.org/about.html

Buddhism & Meditation in Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, & the Yukon

The Northwest Dharma Association was founded to support Buddhist teachings and community in the Northwest. NWDA seeks to fulfill its mission by maintaining an informative website, publishing the NW Dharma News, and sponsoring events of interest to Buddhists of multiple traditions.

We are a membership organization. NWDA welcomes members in three categories: groups, individuals and teachers.

The Northwest Dharma Association offers its website information and online News freely, at no charge, to anyone who is interested in learning more about Buddhism in the Northwest.

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Note by poster KT:
The above event information and references are provided as a community service, with no thought to guide anyone into any specific path or practice. The personal significance and “value” of any of these or other avenues of dharma ( spiritual ) practice depend as much on the individual as on the teacher and type of the teaching or practice.

This sharing is dedicated to these my teachers, Ven. Kilung Rinpoche, V.V. Thrangu Rinpoche, H.E. Dzongsar Khytense Rinpoche, and HH the Seventeenth Karmapa, Urgyen Trinley Dorje. May they live long, may their noble works flourish and may they encounter all auspicious circumstances to benefit many many people everywhere, bringing outer harmony and inner realization to all deserving individuals.

You have been helped.
This is written in partial fulfillment of my formal responsibilities as an individually trained and licensed Mahayana guru of the East Asian tradition.
Sarva mangalam!
Siddhi rastu!

May All Beings Benefit. May There Be Inner Accomplishment.
May inner and outer disharmonies be purified for all. May there be freedom and the rule of humanitarian justice everywhere. May disharmony and social abuses be broken quickly. May the Mahayana expand and flourish in this time of great change and great need. All Our Relations.

KT, the Wiz
people.tribe.net/aa35e5c2-...c41d795776

Vajrasattva ( Buddha of Healing and Purification ) Resources + Tantric Buddhist Empowerments and Teachings at Sakya Monastery Seattle Washington USA, Spring 2012 (events » community) Wednesday, April 4, 2012 - 10:00 AM Tantric Buddhist Empowerments and Teachings at Sakya Monastery Seattle, Spring 2012

Keywords: Mahayana Buddhism, Buddhist Tantra, Sakya lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Sakya Monastery Seattle, Northwest Dharma Association.


Summary: This listing provides resources for the practice of Vajrasattva, a primary Buddhist deity yoga. These are useful everywhere to tantric Buddhist practitioners, and those who aspire to Buddhist tantric yoga in general. Formal tantric empowerment ( authorization ritual ) is required to perform this quintessential practice. One example of an authorizing Vajrasattva empowerment is given here.

Two tantric Buddhist empowerments ( deity yoga transmissions ) will be given at Sakya Monastery ( Greenwood Seattle ) in March 2012.
Both are classical transmissions from India and both necessarily include Buddhist refuge ( vows ) and Mahayana vows ( of Universal Service, the Bodhisattva Vow ).

> > >
NOTE WELL that the Kunrik / Great Sun Buddha empowerment has now been listed as having the prerequisite of formal Buddhist refuge ( i.e. that one has *already* received a Buddhist name and precepts in some Buddhist school or other ). There is no such prerequisite for the Vajrasattva initiation, so this announcement still serves the general public.
< < <


From
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva_vows

"The Sanskrit term Bodhisattva is the name given to anyone who, motivated by great compassion, has generated bodhichitta, which is a spontaneous wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. What makes someone a Bodhisattva is her or his dedication to the ultimate welfare of other beings, as expressed in the prayer:

“ May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. ”

"This is bodhichitta. With this motivation, if the Bodhisattva or trainee Bodhisattva promises to engage in the practice of the six or ten perfections (Paramita), this is the Bodhisattva vow."

I do not represent these teachers nor Sakya Monastery. I am simply sharing word of extremely valuable tantric Buddhist teachings and transmissions in the public sphere, along with some background information and practice resources.

The sacred circle ( mandala ) of the Great Sun Buddha is very sophisticated, and this transmission is very rarely given.

The transmisson of Vajrasattva is absolutely essential to the inner esoteric Buddhist teachings, and most tantric Buddhists complete 100,000 recitations of the long 100 syllable mantra for Vajrasattva, which is given below.

Examples of short Vajrasattva practice texts are

Vajrasattva Purification Practice
www.angelfire.com/mt/thubte...attva.html


Vajrasattva ( Short practice in Sakya tradition )
www.ewamchoden.org/wp-conte...attva.pdf


Many of the main practices of Buddhist tantra are directly based on Vajrasattva, such as Kalacakra, Vajrakilaya, and so forth. The Hundred Syllable of Vajrasattva actually represent one's own energy body, and also one hundred Buddhist deities or qualities of inner awareness, such as Tara, Avalokitesvara, Vajrapani, and Manjusri, among others. Thus by obtaining this one empowerment one can do a great many Buddhist deity yogas for Green Tara, White Tara, for the bodhisattvas of Wisdom, Compassion, and Power, and so forth.

See
www.wildmind.org/mantras/f.../vajrapani
and
www.wildmind.org/mantras/f.../whitetara
and
www.wildmind.org/mantras/f.../manjushri

Many of the main practice texts of Buddhist tantra in Tibetan Buddhism conclude with the Hundred Syllable Vajrasattva mantra. This mantra is indispensable at all levels of tantric Buddhist practice.

For more information on many Buddhist fellowships and Buddhist event postings of all schools throughout the US Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, visit
www.northwestdharma.org/

For more information on Buddhist tantra and Tibetan Buddhism, visit
www.snowlionpub.com/

For a comprehensive and accessible text on Buddhist teaching and approach, see the book "A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BUDDHIST PATH", referenced in the resource section below.

Written in partial fulfillment of my Buddhist teaching commitments, and for the benefit of all,
KT

------------------------

Event information:

( Note: come early, as in 30 minutes early, not late. Come in clean clothes, with a good attitude, and free of cigarette smoke etc.
Remain quiet and attentive during the teaching. Chairs are available for those who need them and cannot sit on floor cushions. )


Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism
108 NW 83rd Street
Seattle, WA 98117 USA
Tel: (206) 789-2573

Monastery@Sakya.org

www.sakya.org/

If you have any questions, please call Sakya Monastery at 206-789-2573 weekdays between 9:00 am and Noon, Pacific Time.

Kunrik Empowerment ( Transmission of Mahavairocana, the Great Sun Buddha )
Instructor: Venerable Khenpo Jampa
Sunday, March 18 at 1:30 ( 3+ hours )
Location: Shrine Room
Cost per class: $25 Public, $20 Members

> > >
NOTE WELL that this empowerment has now been listed as having the prerequisite of formal Buddhist refuge ( i.e. that one has already received a Buddhist name and precepts in some Buddhist school or other ). There is no such prerequisite for the Vajrasattva initiation, so this announcement still serves the general public.
< < <

Introduction, explanation, puja, and empowerment (wang) of the Kunrig (Sarvavid-Vairocana) practice. Kunrig is the main deity in the Elimination of Bad Rebirths. Participants will learn about the traditional 49 days memorial and spiritual practices that lamas can perform near the time of death (sur). This empowerment is to help prepare oneself for the time of death. Receiving this empowerment will be of great benefit to oneself and all sentient beings. The empowerment helps to clear our body, speech, and mind of obscurations, attachments and desires in this life, after passing, during the bardo, and in the next life.

Ven. Khenpo Jampa Tenphel and Lama Migmar will prepare for the Kunrig Ceremony 3 hours in the morning, then bestow the Wang in the afternoon.

Commitment: Must be vegetarian the entire day of the empowerment.

Venerable Khenpo Jampa Tenphel comes to us from Dzongsar Institute in India, where he was the library director as well as a tutor for many years. He received a Degree of Acharya (equivalent to an M.A.) in Buddhist Philosophy in 2002 and was ordained as an Abbott in 2004. He has received many teachings and initiations from all four sects of Tibetan Buddhism (Sakya, Gelug, Kagyu, Nyingma). Many of those teachings and initiations were from H.H. the Dalai Lama and H.H. Sakya Trizin. He has also received the Lamdre teaching from H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche. His root lamas are H.H. Sakya Trizin, H.H. Luding Khen Rinpoche, and H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche. At Sakya Monastery, Khenpo Jampa teaches intermediate and advanced level curriculum on Buddhist philosophy and also serves as the librarian for the growing collection of Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.


Vajrasattva Initiation
Offered by H.H. JIGDAL DAGCHEN SAKYA RINPOCHE
Sunday, March 25 at 10:00 AM
Location: Shrine Room
Registration Fee: $30 Public, $25 Members

The practice of Vajrasattva (Dorje Sempa) is for the purification of one’s karma created through the body, speech, and mind. The practice purifies and mends broken commitments, especially the Vajrayana vows.

NOTE: One should bathe the morning of the initiation and one should wear new or clean clothes. In addition, one should be vegetarian (no eggs, meat, alcohol, or garlic) and celibate the day of and 24 hours afterwards.

Additionally, there will be a dharma lecture on the “Vajrasattva practice in Ngondro” taught by Venerable Tulku Yeshi Gyatso at 1:30 pm on the same day. You must have received a Vajrasattva Initiation order to attend the class.


His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya, Head Lama of Sakya Monastery, was born in Tibet in 1929. He continues the great Sakya lineage which began with Khon Konchok Gyalpo (1034—1102). He received teachings of the unbroken Khon lineage, the Sakya Vajrakilaya, the Hevajra and the complete Lamdre Tsogshe, from his father, H.H. Trichen Ngawang Thutop Wangchuk, the last Sakya throne holder in Tibet. He also studied with many other great Buddhist teachers, including Dzongsar Khyentse Jamyang Chökyi Lodrö and Dingo Khyentse Robsal Dawa.

In 1960, H.H. J.D. Sakya was invited to work on a University of WA research project on Tibetan civilization which was sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation. At the request of students, he co-founded with H.E. Dezhung Rinpoche the Sakya Tegchen Choling, a center for the study of Tibetan Buddhism and culture. In 1984, the center became the Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism.


Dharma Lecture: Vajrasattva Practice in Ngondro
Date: Sunday, March 25
Time: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Instructor: Ven. Tulku Yeshi Gyatso
Location: Shrine Room
Suggested Contribution: $25 Public, $20 Members

Vajrasattva is the Bodhisattva of Purification. The
Vajrasattva practice purifies the accumulation of
negative karma (sins, obscurations, faults, failings, and impurities).

Prerequisite- Vajrasattva Initiation.

Ven Tulku Yeshi Gyatso Rinpoche is a Dzogchen master and the reincarnation of Dzogchen Gyaltsab Thodo Rinpoche. He was recognized by H.H. Dalai Lama's Nyingmapa teacher Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche. He received teachings from twenty-five masters representing all five schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Tulku Yeshi has written eight books, seven of which have been published, on the subject of Tibetan Buddhism and culture including A One Thousand Year History of Sakyapa. He also writes novels, poetry for mind training, provides Tibetan astrology readings, and can bestow empowerments. Currently he working on Dharma activities at Sakya Monastery in Seattle and is working on his own biography, Magic and Monk.

VEI Class Series:
Essential Knowledge of Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism
April 4 - June 13

Dear Sakya Monastery members and friends,

"We are pleased to announce that the Monastery will once again be holding its ten class series entitled Essential Knowledge of Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism. Classes will be held Wednesdays from 7:30 - 9:00 PM beginning in April and continuing through mid-June. This series will be facilitated by longtime students of His Holiness Dagchen Rinpoche.

"There is a limit of 15 students for this series. Please contact the monastery as soon as possible to sign up and secure your place. The fee is $100 for the ten class series. You can contact the Monastery office at monastery@sakya.org or call 206-789-2573.

"This course will teach the foundational concepts and practices of Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism to motivated beginner-to-intermediate practitioners. This ten session series is designed to ground students in the core principles and theory underlying Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhist practices and which are the basis of Vajrayana Buddhism."





-------------------

Resources:


From
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha...cana_Sutra

Understanding of Enlightenment
Within the vision of the Mahavairocana Sutra, the state of bodhi (Awakening / Enlightenment) is seen as naturally inherent to the mind - the mind's natural and pure state (as in Dzogchen and Tathagatagarbha) - and is viewed as the perceptual sphere of non-duality, where all false distinctions between a perceiving subject and perceived objects are lifted and the true state of things (non-duality) is revealed. This is also the understanding of Enlightenment found in Yogacara Buddhism. To achieve this vision of non-duality, it is necessary to recognise one's own mind. Writing on the Mahavairocana Sutra, Buddhist scholar and translator of that scripture, Stephen Hodge, comments:

... when the MVT [i.e. Mahavairocana Tantra] speaks of knowing your mind as it truly is, it means that you are to know the inherent natural state of the mind by eliminating the split into a perceiving subject and perceived objects which normally occurs in the world and is wrongly thought to be real. This also corresponds to the Yogacara definition ... that emptiness (sunyata) is the absence of this imaginary split. ... We may further elucidate the meaning of Perfect Enlightenment and hence of the intrinsic nature of the mind by corrrelating terms [which Buddhist commentator on the Mahavairocana Sutra,] Buddhaguhya, treats as synonyms. For example, he defines emptiness (sunyata) as suchness (tathata) and says that suchness is the intrinsic nature (svabhava) of the mind which is Enlightenment (bodhi-citta). Moreover, he frequently uses the terms suchness (tathata) and Suchness-Awareness (tathata-jnana) interchangeably. But since Awareness (jnana) is non-dual, Suchness-Awareness is not so much the Awareness of Suchness, but the Awareness which is Suchness. In other words, the term Suchness-Awareness is functionally equivalent to Enlightenment. Finally, it must not be forgotten that this Suchness-Awareness or Perfect Enlightenment is Mahavairocana [the Primal Buddha, uncreated and forever existent]. In other words, the mind in its intrinsic nature is Mahavairocana, whom one "becomes" (or vice-versa) when one is perfectly enlightened.


From
www.prayer4peace.net/project.html

Project
"I would like to ask all to participate in the practice of Vajrasattva mantra we are dedicating for world peace at this very difficult time.

"My aspiration is that sanghas around the world can launch a project to accumulate one billion recitations of the six-syllable Vajrasattva mantra, from all practitioners in order to purify negative karmic forces, create peace and harmony in the world and to bring the experience of enlightenment to all sentient beings."

- The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, December 11, 2001.

About this Website
The function of this website is to provide sanghas and individuals worldwide with the resources, coordination and central tally needed to accumulate one billion Vajrasattva mantra recitations. Prayer4Peace.net is offered towards this goal by the Nalandabodhi International sangha. While our own tradition is that of the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, the project is non-denominational and completely inclusive. We warmly invite practitioners of all traditions and faiths to join us in bringing to fruition the profound vision of peace and sanity presented by all authentic wisdom masters.


From
www.prayer4peace.net/practice.html

Vajrasattva Practice

A Brief Introduction

In Vajrayana Buddhism, the fundamental nature of our minds and the world is posited to be purity. The Buddha proposed that all beings without exception are endowed with "buddhanature" - the heart of enlightenment - and that everyone has the potential to fully awaken to their truest state, which is known as buddhahood. This state has been the nature of our minds from the very outset of practice, and not just at its completion. Thus, in the Buddhist practice of confession and purification, one aspires to reconnect with one's own and others' inherent nature of goodness, openness, and purity.

The meditation and recitation of Vajrasattva is renowned as supreme among all forms of purification practice employed in Tibetan Buddhism. An important principle of Buddhist deity meditation is that the deity visualized is not thought of as existing outside of one's own mind. Rather, through meditating on Vajrasattva as an expression of mind's pure essence, we will be more and more capable of connecting directly with our fundamental state. In this way, incidental obscurations that are not inherently part of the mind's nature will be gradually cleansed, allowing buddhanature to manifest. This will help us engender more compassion for others, as well as more insight into the true nature of all beings and all things, and this compassion and insight will naturally and spontaneously lead to the accomplishment of our own and others' relative and ultimate benefit.

Liturgy
The practice liturgies that appear on this website are excerpted from The Vast Treasury of Authoritative Speech (Tib. rgya chen bka' mdzod) by the nineteenth century Tibetan Rime (nonsectarian) master Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye. As their title indicates, they encompass the four classes of tantra presented in the various traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism.

www.prayer4peace.net/media/D...alks.pdf

www.prayer4peace.net/practic...ons.html

www.prayer4peace.net/media/B...urgy.pdf

www.prayer4peace.net/media/S...urgy.pdf


From
www.wildmind.org/mantras/f...tva-mantra

Hundred Syllable Mantra in Sanksrit:

om vajrasattva samayam
anupalaya
vajrasattva tvenopatisntha
driho me bhava
sutosnyyo me bhava
suposnyo me bhava
anurakto me bhava
sarva siddhim me prayaccha
sarva karma su ca me
cittam sreyam kuru hum
ha ha ha ha ho
bhagavan sarva tathagatavajra
ma me muñca
vajri bhava maha samaya sattva
ah (hum phat )


Hundred Syllable Mantra translated into English:

Om Vajrasattva! Preserve the bond!
As Vajrasattva stand before me.
Be firm for me.
Be greatly pleased for me.
Deeply nourish me.
Love me passionately.
Grant me siddhi in all things,
And in all actions make my mind most excellent. hum!
ha ha ha ha ho!
Blessed One! Vajra of all the Tathagatas! Do not abandon me.
Be the Vajra-bearer, Being of the Great Bond!
ah ( hum phat )



Dedication:
Sarva mangalam! May All Beings Benefit.
May the Teaching of Vajrasattva flourish and relieve the inner and outer suffering of many throughout the world.
May the Mahayana Buddhist teachings remain firm and flourish.
Siddhi rastu! May there be accomplishment!

------------------------

Book Reference:

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BUDDHIST PATH
by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen, edited by Khenmo Trinlay Chödron

Paperback: 536 pages
Publisher: Snow Lion Publications; 1 edition (March 16, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1559393424
ISBN-13: 978-1559393423

"Buddhist teachings provide numerous methods for bringing greater meaning and happiness into our lives and into our relationships with others. In A Complete Guide to the Buddhist Path Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche reveals these methods in direct, vibrant, and down-to-earth language. At the core of this work lies The Jewel Treasury of Advice, a text composed by Drikung Bhande Dharmaradza (1704-1754), the reincarnation of Drikung Dharmakirti. Khenchen Rinpoche interprets these ancient teachings with compassion, humor, and a keen awareness for their relevance in contemporary Western life. Those who sincerely want to study and practice the Buddha's teachings will find this an indispensable guide."

Reviews of this book:

"A masterpiece of poetry and a profoundly moving religious instruction...[it] indeed encompass[es] the entire path as it is understood in Tibetan Buddhism...the book can be read from start to finish or opened anywhere. The editors have done an excellent job with the book"—Alexander Gardner, Buddhadharma: The Practitioners Quarterly

"A Complete Guide to the Buddhist Path by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen...[has] a lengthy section for beginners, a section for those practicing meditation, and sections on both the Mahayana and Vajrayana schools of Buddhism, as well as other aspects of the Tibetan Buddhist path. The stanzas that the author chooses to comment on are pithy and intriguing, and his commentaries are warm and approachable, combining teaching stories with straightforward explication in a way that makes the whole heady thing seem... well, both understandable and attractive.

"Many books on Tibetan Buddhism include lots of lofty language and arcane references. This book has some of that as well, but it also includes not one, but two glossaries! In fact, I haven't been able to find a single term I didn't understand that wasn't clarified in the glossary.

"There are teachings on impermanence, on preparing for death, and on the profound role of ethics in training. Advice is given on meditation and on the right ways to deal with the rise and fall of conditions in our ever-changing world.... Obviously, both Dharmaradza and Gyaltshen want only the best for their readers.

"This is a fabulous book, the kind of work that can easily become a companion on a life's journey. And this is exactly what the authors want the reader to take away: the necessity of transforming this text into a way of life."—Chris Faatz for Powell's Books' "Favorite Books of 2010 (so far)"

"a fresh, intimate, and timely interpretation that will meet the needs of those who want to deepen their practice and understanding of the teachings of the lamas of Tibet. Reading this work is like having a wise, compassionate, and learned teacher at your side, one who knows that laughter is an important component of spiritual life.... Readers new to Tibetan Buddhism will be aided by the glossary of specialized terms and the descriptions of persons mentioned in the book and will find the annotated bibliography a valuable aid to further study.... Th[is] work contains the essence of dharma teachings and goes deep enough to meet the needs of the serious student; it is a highly recommended guide to be kept at one's side and read over and over again."—Kristine Morris, Spirituality & Health



www.snowlionpub.com/html/pro...0017.html
and
www.amazon.com/A-Complete...1559393424/

5.0 out of 5 stars as good a Buddhist book as you will find, August 18, 2011
By johnnyqb (United States) - This review is from: A Complete Guide to the Buddhist Path (Paperback)
"This book truly is a guide to the Buddhist path. It is written in plain, modern English, contains poignant advice for living life in accordance with the Dharma teachings. This is not pie-in-the-sky stuff, nor does it get bogged down in arcane terminology, like some Buddhist texts. The commentary on each paragraph of the original text is about 1.5 pages in length, and is worth its weight in gold. This book has the quality of potentially being life-changing. It provides practical advice on learning to control one's emotions, one's speech, one's actions, and one's entire being, in order to be a better person. Isn't that really what it's all about? This is a great, great book."

[ end ]

"Open Heart, Open Mind" 4 April and 14 April in New York City with Ven. Lama Tsoknyi Rinpoche (events » community) Saturday, April 14, 2012 - 7:00 PM With Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Sharon Salzberg
April 4, 2012

Location:
Tibet House, 22 West 15th Street, New York

Program Contact: Angie. Email: angie@tibethouse.org. Phone: (212) 807-0563.

Date and Time Details: 7:00 p.m., April 4, 2012: Public Talk


With Tsoknyi Rinpoche
April 14, 2012

Location:
New York Shambhala Center, 118 West 22nd St., Fl 6, New York

Program Contact: Email: dave@shambhalanyc.org. Phone: (212) 675-6544.

Date and Time Details: 10am to 4pm, April 14, 2012; Public talk


We all want and need the capacity to love and be loved unconditionally.

We also seek the understanding and insight to work confidently with the challenges in our modern busy lives.

In Open Heart, Open Mind, Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s new book, he speaks of “a spark of unparalleled brilliance, an unlimited capacity for warmth, openness, and courage, or ‘essence love.’ Timeless and imperishable, essence love is often layered over by patterns of behavior and belief that urge us to seek happiness in conditions or situations that never quite live up to their promises.”

Program Contact: Angie. Email: angie@tibethouse.org. Phone: (212) 807-0563.

Date and Time Details: 7:00 p.m., April 4, 2012: Public Talk




--------------------------

"Open Heart, Open Mind" : National Book Tour and Buddhist Meditation with Ven. Lama Tsoknyi Rinpoche ( April - July 2012 )

Keywords : meditation, Buddhism and Psychology, new book release and signing, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Tibetan Buddhism, Kagyu and Nyingma lineage, Pundarika Foundation Colorado.

"Simply let experience take place very freely, so that your open heart is suffused with the tenderness of true compassion."
Tsoknyi Rinpoche

The new book "Open Heart, Open Mind: Awakening the Power of Essence Love", by Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Eric Swanson, is coming this April.

The book theme will be the subject of his Spring 2012 coast to coast US / Canada teaching tour, April through July, with 24 dates in 10 states plus Nova Scotia Canada.

Ven. Tsokyni Rinpoche comes from a major line of teachers and holds two primary sets of tantric Buddhist lineage, the Kagyu and Nyingma. He is a reincarnate lama ( third incarnation ), and leads several important efforts as Buddhist abbot and so forth. He has been teaching for fifteen years.

Here I will introduce this teacher, his Pundarika Foundation, and one of his previous books.

For the 2012 tour schedule, see
www.tsoknyirinpoche.org/progra...oktour/

The book, scheduled for 3 April 2012, is referenced on Amazon.com at
www.amazon.com/Open-Heart...0307888207/

The new book has strong endorsements from well known psychologists and Buddhist teachers, such as Daniel Goleman and Ven. Sogyal Rinpoche. Like the earlier book by Ven. Tsoknyi Rinpoche, this will be a very accessible communication geared towards a modern, western audience seeking self-understanding, and clarity and balance in their consciousness.

Please note that I do not represent this teacher or his organization. This is simply a public service announcement.
I have strong connections to the Chokling Tersar tradition and HE Phakchok Rinpoche, and with this outreach can now gratefully honor those connections.

May it be auspicious! Sarva mangalam!

KT

From
www.tsoknyirinpoche.org/open-h...e-love/

"Most of us yearn for a life free of fear, pain, insecurity, and doubt. We long for peace, for the ability to love and be loved openly and freely, and the confidence and clarity to meet the various challenges we face in our daily lives.

"In OPEN HEART, OPEN MIND, Tsoknyi Rinpoche – one of the most beloved of the contemporary generation of Tibetan Buddhist meditation masters – explains that such a life is not only possible: it’s our birthright. Within each of us resides a spark of unparalleled brilliance, an unlimited capacity for warmth, openness, and courage, which Rinpoche identifies as “essence love.”

"Timeless and imperishable, essence love is often layered over by patterns of behavior and belief that urge us to seek happiness in conditions or situations that never quite live up to their promise."

“Tsoknyi Rinpoche has a unique way of integrating heartfelt wisdom, brilliant clarity and playfulness on the path to awakening. In these lively and profound pages we feel the pleasure of being with Rinpoche as his delightful stories evoke a path of practical psychological insights and spiritual methods. Open Heart, Open Mind offers anyone who wants a more joyous life a masterful guide to greater meaning, a more spacious mind, and the spark of a kind love.”

—Tara and Daniel Goleman, authors of Emotional Alchemy and Emotional Intelligence

“Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s Open Heart, Open Mind is amazing in a number of ways. Tsoknyi Rinpoche grew up in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. His family is full of meditation masters and their energy surrounded him from an early age. Yet he is also interested in and experienced with Western neuroses and Westerners’ minds. The result is a refreshing, invigorating, and stimulating work: one that has the power to awaken that essence we all seek.”

—Mark Epstein, M.D., author of Thoughts without a Thinker and Going to Pieces without Falling Apart

“Tsoknyi Rinpoche is a rare gem—a teacher who combines a deep understanding of the Buddhist tradition with remarkable insight into the challenges we face in the modern world. In this book, he skilfully weaves together profound teachings on ‘essence love’ and the ‘subtle body’ with examples from everyday life to show how it is possible to overcome our fears and limitations, and ignite the boundless wisdom and compassion that we all have within us.”

—Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

-------------------------------

From
tibet.leighb.com/tsoknyi/index.html

Ven. Tsoknyi Rinpoche
Tsoknyi Rinpoche the third is an important lama of both the Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. He was born in 1966 in Kathmandu, Nepal, to the family of the mahasiddha Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, who holds the Tsangsar Family Lineage, a special family lineage of tantric yogis which, by tradition, originated through the union of a deva and a human. Tsoknyi Rinpoche's great great grandfather was the treasure revealer Chokgyur Lingpa and Rinpoche has been trained in that family tradition by his father since an early age.

The first Tsoknyi Rinpoche was an emanation of Milarepa's disciple, Rechunga, and the Nyingmapa Terton Ratna Lingpa. He was born in Nangchen, Eastern Tibet, in the first half of the 19th Century and was a contemporary of the three great lamas of the time, Jamyang Khyentse, Jamgon Kongtrul, and Chokgyur Lingpa. He fully mastered the practices of the Six Dharmas of Naropa and became the principal guru for the 7th Khamtrul Rinpoche, Tenpa'i Nyima, in those practices. He also practiced the Nyingma tradition of Ratna Lingpa with its special yogas as well as his own Nyingmapa practices. He established many centres for the practice of the Dharma in Tibet.

The second Tsoknyi Rinpoche was born into the family of the King of Nangchen in the first half of this century and received the teachings of Naropa from the 7th Khamtrul Rinpoche to whom he had transmitted the teachings in his previous incarnation. He was expert in in the Six Dharmas of Naropa and Mahamudra as well as his own Nyingmapa lineages.

The present Tsoknyi Rinpoche was recognised by H. H. Karmapa XVI at the age of eight. When he was thirteen he was brought to Khampagar Monastery at Tashi Jong in India, the seat of Khamtrul Rinpoche. Tsoknyi Rinpoche's principal teachers have been the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche, Döngyu Nyima, H. H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and his father Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.

Tsoknyi Rinpoche completed his formal studies and returned from India to Nepal in 1990. He established his seat in Kathmandu at Ngesdön Ösel Ling Monastery which he planned and built in consultation with his father, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Ngesdön Ösel Ling is the site of on-going, traditional, Tibetan three-year retreats and an International Buddhist Meditation Centre. It is headquarters for the Drupa Kagyu Heritage Foundation which is working to preserve the written texts of the Drupa Kagyu lineage, and the Pema Karpo Translation Committee which is translating Tibetan texts into English. In addition Tsoknyi Rinpoche is currently president of Tashi Jong; abbot of the largest nunnery in Tibet which is located in Kham in Eastern Tibet; and abbot of Chumig Gyatsa Abbey, a nunnery in Western Nepal at Muktinath. He is widely recognized as a brilliant meditation teacher and is the author of Carefree Dignity published by Rangjung Yeshe Publications.

www.tsoknyirinpoche.org/teachi...quotes/

-------------------------------

book
"Carefree Dignity: Discourses on Training in the Nature of Mind"
by Tsoknyi Rinpoche (Author), Erik Pema Kunsang (Translator), Marcia Binder Schmidt (Translator)
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: North Atlantic Books; 1st edition (May 14, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9627341320
ISBN-13: 978-9627341321

Book review for "Carefree Dignity" at
www.amazon.com/Carefree-D...9627341320/

70 of 71 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, accessible book on Dzogchen, May 6, 1999
By A Customer
"This review is from: Carefree Dignity: Discourses on Training in the Nature of Mind (Paperback)
I had the good fortune to see Tsoknyi Rinpoche teaching at Lerab Ling in France last year. When I first came across this book, I wondered how such an animated and provocative performance could be brought to the printed page. Thankfully, this compilation of his talks does succeed in conveying the vitality and humour that is his hallmark. He teaches in an experiential way, getting directly to the main point in a manner that is easy to relate to and to understand.

"By his use of uncomplicated language and examples from everyday life, you begin to see that there is indeed a way to be free. He shows how a simple shift in our understanding of mind, releases our entanglement in our desires and fears, in our imaginings. Rather than struggling with thoughts and emotions, we begin to understand mind's expression as a creative, ephemeral display.

"By becoming familiar with and applying this perspective, both in meditation sessions and during daily life, we un-knot those complex habitual patterns that entrap us, becoming simpler, more carefree. "Simply having the idea that smoking is bad doesn't make us stop smoking, because we have a deeply embedded habit. (...) What is necessary is to interrupt the habitual involvement in the act, again and again."

"I found that reading the book really deepened and improved my understanding of what meditation is. He spells out how we can practice freedom from moment to moment, remaining present, uncomplicated and carefree, even amidst the busyness of life.

This carefree condition is not an indifferent dismissal of the hardships of living but an all-embracing openness, a deep and heart felt union with everything. "Carefree doesn't mean careless, that you are sloppy or that you don't care about others. "

"The talks cover meditation, distraction, refuge, ngondro, compassion, devotion, the bardos, confusion, enlightenment, emptiness; you name it, it's probably there! He explains these topics with such simple accuracy that the book is eminently readable by beginners as well as seasoned dharma veterans. . . "

[ end ]

Concert / Fundraiser "Dreams of Tibet" A Benefit for the Tibet Fund (events » live music) Sunday, April 28, 2013 - 10:00 PM Concert / Fundraiser "Dreams of Tibet"
A Benefit for the Tibet Fund

Seattle and Bellingham WA

Tibetan performers will put on a show of Tibetan music and dance, both traditional and contemporary.
These four performers studied at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in Dharamsala India.

All proceeds will go to the Tibet Fund
www.tibetfund.org

Previous events have allowed for solar power cells to be installed for light and hot water at a chldresn's school.

27 April
Om Culture Center
2210 North Pacific St.
Seattle Wa 98103
( Near Gas Works Park )

Program begins at 7:30 pm


28 April
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
1207 Ellsworth Street

Prgram begins at 4pm

Contact
dreamsfortibet@gmail.com
206.713.7325

A MESSAGE FROM HIS HOLINESS THE 14TH DALAI LAMA
from
www.tibetfund.org/

"The Tibetan people are grateful for the place they hold in the hearts and minds of so many people around the world. Were it not for our community in exile, so generously supported by individuals, organizations and governments, our nation would be little more than a shattered remnant of a people…our culture, religion and national identity effectively eliminated.

"Over the past 30 years, The Tibet Fund has worked closely with our Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala to meet the needs of the Tibetan community. The Tibet Fund has raised millions of dollars to help our people to build schools and provide housing and infrastructure, health care and education to the Tibetan community, in exile and in Tibet. The Tibet Fund has also provided resources to strengthen cultural institutions and projects that are essential for the preservation of our cultural heritage, the very seed of our civilization.

"While Tibet needs the compassion of the world community to survive, we cannot hope through mere words to convince the world of Tibet's value. We must set an example by our own practice. We are hard at work creating a modern society and democratic institutions based on the values of compassion, nonviolence and justice. Our communities are striving for self-sufficiency and self-determination.

"I would like to express my gratitude to all the friends who have generously contributed to The Tibet Fund over the years, with the hope that you will continue to support us until our difficulties have been finally and justly resolved."

—His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama


Hello and Namaste to our dearest friends;

Once again, we are doing our annual fundraiser to support Tibetans through Tibet Fund organization, in New York. They administer numerous projects in education, health care, and cultural & religious preservation.

Our focus for this year is Tibetan children and elderly living in India and Nepal who are so desperately in need of more funding for education and health care.

This is the third of Dreams for Tibet fundraiser. The pervious events in 2010 and 2011 were very successful and each one had a slightly different flavor. Although we are not having a sit-down dinner this time, this whole event and along the concert would promise to be something extraordinary.

It is going to be at Om Culture Center on April 27th, doors open at 6:30 pm and on the 28th the show will move to Bellingham for the first time at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth Street and doors will open at 3:00 pm.

Tibetan performers from San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle will be putting on a show of traditional and contemporary Tibetan music and dance. These artists have studied at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in Dharamsala, India. It is a place of the Tibetan Government in exile and the exile home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Both events will also feature live and silent auction, with some unique items.

Like the first two years all the proceeds this time also will be going to Tibet Fund ( www.tibetfund.org ) for numerous projects helping Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal. Please visit their website for additional information.

Hope to see you there. Thanks again for your supports and email us at dreamsfortibet@gmail.com or call 206-713-7325 should you have any questions.

Peace and Harmony,

Quang Bui – Co Chair of Dreams for Tibet