Mahamudra Instructions that Liberate, June 21-23, 2013

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With Drupon Trinley Yeshi Rinpoche

Yeshe1The Fivefold Mahamudra practice is considered the central pillar of practice in the Drikung Kagyu Lineage.

It includes the practices of cultivating bodhicitta, meditating upon the yidam deity (Chakrasamvara in this context), guru yoga, mahamudra itself, and dedicating the merit for the enlightenment of all beings.

Although the teachings of Fivefold Mahamudra exist within the scriptures and pith instructions transmitted from India to Tibet, they were synthesized into a single system of practice by the great early Kagyu master, Phagmo Drupa. Phagmo Drupa transmitted this to his heart son, Jigten Sumgon, the founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage, explaining that from that moment until he attained the perfect, peerless state of Buddhahood, he need rely on nothing else but this path of Fivefold Mahamudra.

The Fivefold Mahamudra Empowerment, Drupon Yeshi Rinpoche                   Friday June 21, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM                                                                                    

The first Chungtsang Rinpoche, Rigdzin Chökyi Dragpa (Rigdzin Chödrak), composed this empowerment so that disciples could be introduced to the entire scope of Fivefold Mahamudra in a single empowerment.

Mahamudra Instructions That Liberate                                                             Saturday June 22, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM & 2:30 PM-5:00 PM                                 Sunday June 23 10:00 AM-12:30 PM                                                               

These teachings will focus on the Mahamudra section of The Words of Vajradhara Dharmakirti (Rigdzin Chödrak). This text is considered one of the most important commentaries on the Path of Fivefold Mahamudra and is generally given only in Three Year Retreat. The Mahamudra section in particular contains the quintessence of the pith oral instructions on realizing and abiding in the nature of mind that have come down from the primordial Buddha Vajradhara, the great Indian Mahasiddhas such as Tilopa, Naropa, Saraha, the great Tibetan masters such as Marpa, Milarepa, Gampopa, Phagmodrupa, and Lord Jigten Sumgon. This is a Mahamudra text like no other and can only be taught by a teacher with great realization like Drupon Trinley Yeshi Rinpoche who has perfected the practices of Fivefold Mahamudra and guided many others to realization of the profound path of Mahamudra. In this text one is guided through a series of introductions to Mind’s true nature. The Path of Fivefold Mahamudra is a profound system which helps bring about realization through practical and skillful means and in essence contains the complete path to Buddhahood. Practitioners will find these pith instructions to be of great practical benefit to one’s practice through the power of the blessings that flow down through a living lineage of realization right to the present moment. Don’t miss this rare opportunity.

TO REGISTER – please scroll to the bottom.

Sunday June 23, 2:30 PM    Tsok Offering                                                                Please bring a food or drink offering (and arrive a few minutes early for preparation). There will be a katag offering at the end of the tsok.

Drubpon Trinley Yeshe Rinpoche Biography

Drubpon Trinley Yeshi Rinpoche was a close disciple of the great Drikung lama, Pachung Rinpoche, receiving many empowerments and teachings from him as well as from Pachung Rinpoche’s close disciple, Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche. Under the guidance of Pachung Rinpoche and Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche, he perfectly completed his three-year retreat on the Fivefold Path of Mahamudra and Six Yoga’s of Naropa at Drikung Thil Monastery. After Pachung Rinpoche passed away, he constructed a commemoration stupa for his teacher, performed many ritual ceremonies and completed a strict three-year sealed retreat on mahamudra.

Having received all the Drikung Kagyu lineage empowerments and oral transmissions from various Drikung masters and others, Drupon Rinpoche went on pilgrimage to holy places of the Buddha in India. In 1996, at the request of H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche, he led the traditional three-year retreat of twenty-three monks and nuns including H.E. Thritsab Rinpoche, Drupon Thinley Nyingpo, Drupon Rinchen Dorjee and so on at Almora, India. His Holiness stressed to all the practitioners who were in three-year retreat, that Drubpon Yeshi Rinpoche is someone who has perfected his understanding in the pith instructions and practice. This is Drubpon Trinley Yeshe Rinpoche’s first visit to the U.S. It is a great blessing to receive empowerment and teachings from such a senior accomplished master.

REGISTRATION for the full program can be done through Paypal, at the Dharma Center or at the door. Per session registration can be done at the door.                                       Full program:  $115 ($95 WL members)   Empowerment only:  $35 ($30 WL members)   Per session: $30 ($25 WL members)    

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Sand Mandala of Compassion May 12-19, 2013

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Jointly sponsored by White Lotus Buddhist Center and Immanuel Baptist Church At Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

Please consider helping support the cost of bringing the Mandala of Compassion to Rochester.  Your contributions will help cover plane fare, food, offerings to the Lamas and translator, sand mandala supplies etc. Thank you!




2087478148_26ee7af0eaView the Mandala of Compassion

Monday May 13-Saturday May 18, 10 am-4 pm.    A mandala is a symbol of the mind and universe or Pureland of a Buddha – in this case, Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. Tibetan lamas, Drupon Thinley Ningpo and Lama Gyaltsen, will create the mandala using colored sand. Visitors are encouraged to come see the construction in progress and simply observe or engage the lamas.

RELATED EVENTS

“Compassion in Christianity and Buddhism” Panel discussion:                                 Tuesday May 14, 7:00-9:00 PM                                                                                    Drupon Thinley Ningpo, Founder Drongyur Ling, Tampa Florida                                    Frank Howard, Director, White Lotus Buddhist Center                                                    Rachel McGuire, Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church                                                             Fr. James Callan, Priest, Spiritus Christi Church

Prayer session: The Great Mantra of Tibet: OM MANI PADME HUNG         Wednesday May 15, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Chenrezig (Buddha of Compassion) Empowerment                                              Friday May 17, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm,                                                                                 $35

Teaching on Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, by Drupon Thinley Ningpo     Saturday, May 18, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon & 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm                                 $25 per session

Interfaith Service and Ritual Dissolution of the Sand Mandala                                Co-sponsored by Spiritus Christi Church and Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School Life Long Learning Program                                                                                          Sunday, May 19, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 

Events are free unless otherwise noted. Donations are gratefully accepted.   info@whitelotusdharma.org

 

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche April 9-14

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April 9-13 Vajrakilaya Retreat at Onanda Park, Canandaigua, NY                             April 14  Teachings at White Lotus Buddhist Center, Rochester, NY

Gar R-for website and emailGarchen Rinpoche will confer the empowerment for and give teachings on the practice of Vajrakilaya, the wrathful form of Vajrasattva. This is a rare opportunity to learn and practice in the presence of one of the great realized masters of our time. The empowerment and teachings are open to everyone. If you are new to Dharma or would simply like to meet Garchen Rinpoche, there is no better way than to attend all or some of this retreat.

Retreat Information and Registration

Vajrakilaya

Vajrakilaya is known as the Swift Destroyer who dispels obstacles to the flourishing of Dharma and the development of authentic realization in practitioners. He embodies the enlightened activity of all the Buddhas, and his practice is famous for destroying the forces hostile to compassion especially in this difficult era.

The positive energy gathered from reciting the mantra of the deity for five days as a group is one of the most efficacious and profound means for purifying negative karma and amassing merit and wisdom. Through the power of awarenss the afflictive emotions collapse and this collapsing is revealing of their true nature, primordial wisdom. This collapsing or transformation is the wrathful deity. In addition, the benefits from engaging in this practice together are not limited to the participants of the retreat, but spread a positive influence over the entire physical locale as well as the inhabitants of the region, the country, and the whole world, becoming the cause for harmony, prosperity, joy and ultimately, liberation for all beings.

April 9-13 Location: Onanda Park, Cty Rd 16 (West Lake Rd), Canandaigua, NY

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED   Retreat Information and Registration

 

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April 14  Dharma Teachings, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm

Your Heart Gave Up Deceit Long Ago: Homage to Shakyamuni. Prayer by Patrul Rinpoche            

 Garchen Rinpoche will teach on this prayer by Patrul Rinpoche, that he gave to White Lotus last year.

Location: Rochester at White Lotus Buddhist Center, 815 Park Ave (2nd floor of Immanuel Baptist Church). Open to all. No registration needed (for April 14 only). $15 at the door.

 

Khenpo Nyima Gyaltsen 2012 Empowerment & Teachings

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Program Details
Please note changes in location! 

Wednesday and Thursday will be at White Lotus Buddhist Center, 815 Park Ave.    Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be at Rochester Academy of Medicine, 1441 East Ave. There is plenty of parking in the back of the building. Enter the side door you pass as you drive in.

 

Wed, August 1, 7:00 PM     Empowerment: Manjusri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom.          Location: White Lotus Buddhist Center, 815 Park Ave, 2nd floor

Thur, August 2, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM     Teachings on the Gongchig                      Location: White Lotus Buddhist Center, 815 Park Ave, 2nd floor

Fri, August 3, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM       Teachings on the Gongchig continue    Location: Rochester Academy of Medicine, 1441 East Ave.

Sat, August 4,  10:00 AM-12:30 PM   Teachings on the Gonchig continue                                            &  2:30 PM-5:00 PM   Teachings on the Gonchig continue       Location: Rochester Academy of Medicine, 1441 East Ave.

Sunday, August 5, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM     Special Dharma Talk by Khenpo          Free and open. Offerings for Khenpo gratefully accepted.                                          Location: Rochester Academy of Medicine, 1441 East Ave.

Mon, August 6,  7:00 PM-8:30 PM   Lama Chopa Tsok Offering                              Free and open. Please bring a food or beverage offering to share. There will be an opportunity to make an offering to the Lama (and translator) in appreciation for the teachings. Location: White Lotus Buddhist Center, 815 Park Ave, 2nd floor.

Registration Information                                                                               Pre-registration is requested.                                                                                   Entire program: $140 ($125 WL members) – includes empowerment   Empowerment only: $40 ($35 WL members)                                                     Teachings per session: $30 (WL members $25)

Some scholarships are available for those who would like to come and need financial assistance. Contact White Lotus at info@whitelotusdharma.org.

To register:  Send your name, what you plan to attend and a check or money order to White Lotus Buddhist Center, PO Box 10384, Rochester, NY 14610.                               Or, drop it in the Donation Box at the Dharma Center.                                                       Or, register on-line:

Registration

Use this button to register for the full program.

Use this button to register for individual sessions. Please note which sessions you are coming to. Thank you!
Khenpo Nyima Gyaltsen was born in 1976 in Sha, near Drikung in Central Tibet. He entered the religious life at the age of 11, trained at Lho Lhungkar Monastery in Kham and eventually made his way to Jangchubling Monastery in Dehra Dun, India, the main Drikung monastery and college outside of Tibet. He continued his studies there with many high lamas and was authorized to begin teaching in 2002. Ordained as a full monk in 1998, Khenpo has received many empowerments and teachings from senior lamas including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche.   He is currently one of the senior Khenpos (abbot/teacher) at Kagyu College at Jangchubling.
The title of Khenpo signifies a high degree of learning. Khenpo teaches in a very clear and organized manner especially suited to Westerners. He is very approachable and enjoys Dharma discussion with his students. His visit will be a good time to get your Dharma questions answered by a highly trained lama. White Lotus is happy to welcome Khenpo Nyima Gyaltsen back to Rochester.
Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom One of the main Bodhisattvas of the Mahayana system, Manjusri holds in his right hand the wisdom sword, cutting the root of our ignorance. In his left hand, he holds the Prajnaparamita, the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra. Practice on Manjusri increases one’s wisdom and is excellent preparation for further study and practice.
The Gongchig (The Single Intent or the Unified Enlightened-Thought) is regarded as the most distinctive teaching of the Drigung Kagyu lineage. It represents the culmination of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön’s (1143-1217) study, practice and realization of sutra and tantra teachings as bestowed exclusively on his heart-son, Chenga Sherab Jungne (1187-1241).The title of the treatise, The Single Intent, points to the fact that Jigten Sumgön’s and the Buddha’s intentions were the same. As Rinchen Jangchub, the younger brother of Sherab Jungne and the first commentator of the Gongchig put it: “Each of the vajra-statements has a different meaning, yet in every single statement the meaning of all is summarized. Therefore this teaching is identical with the intention of the Buddha.”

Chakrasamvara Retreat

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CHAKRASAMVARA RETREAT

June 29-July 3, 2012 White Lotus Buddhist Center 815 Park Ave, Rochester, NY – 2nd floor

Chakrasamvara is the yidam deity, or core meditational figure, for the Kagyu lineages of Tibet. It is the second element of the Five-Fold Mahamudra practice for which the Drikung Kagyu is known. According to H.H.Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche, “When one generates the yidam Chakrasamvara and his consort within oneself, one achieves the experience of the union of bliss and emptiness, thereby realizing Mahamudra. “ Continue reading →

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, May 7-12, 2012

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H.E. Garchen RinpocheH. E. Garchen Rinpoche                           May 7-12, 2012

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche will confer empowerment, give teachings on Vajrakilaya and Buddha Dharma in general and will practice with us. This is a rare opportunity to learn and practice in the presence of one of the great realized masters of our time. The empowerment and teachings are open to everyone.  If you are new to Dharma or would simply like to meet Garchen Rinpoche there is no better way than to attend some of the events this week. Continue reading →

For the Benefit Of All Beings

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Garchen RinpocheThursday October 20th 7:00 PM: For the Benefit of All Beings – film screening at Little Theater

This is the long awaited film on the life of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche by Director Christina Lundberg.
It will be shown at the Little Theater, 240 East Ave., Rochester.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or ahead of time from a member of the White Lotus sangha.
The theater seats 175 people – spread the word.
For more information about the film: http://www.forthebenefitofallbeings.com/.

Jataka Tales

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Endless Path book cover
Sunday October 16
10:00 AM -12:00 PM Dharma Talk on Jataka Tales
by renowned story teller and long time Zen Buddhist practitioner Rafe Martin.

Silent meditation followed by a talk on the significance of jataka tales to our Buddhist practice. Renowned story teller and long time Zen Buddhist practitioner Rafe Martin has read, studied and told jataka tales, or stories of the previous lives of the Buddha, for many years. Jataka tales are mythic sources of depth for spiritual seekers of all traditions. Far from being quaint tales for children only—the Jataka tales tell us the ways of bodhisattvas, those with boundless hearts dedicated to the happiness and enlightenment of all beings. Discussion and Q & A will follow.

For more information: http://www.rafemartin.com/jatakas.html.

Although there is no charge for this program it is appropriate to bring dana for Rafe (donation in appreciation for the teachings). This can be whatever amount you wish.