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USA & CANADA

Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, Toronto

Experiencing Limitless Possibilities: Retreat On Emptiness

Requirement: Open to Public
Date: 12 – 14 June 2015

By understanding the true nature of phenomena, we begin to realize the limitless possibilities this wisdom reveals. The rare teachings and meditations presented in this retreat will make this wisdom practical and accessible to all. This will allow us to transcend our actual state of limitation and actualize our own limitless potential.

For more information, visit http://kadampa.ca/coursesevents/retreats/

Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, Toronto

Guru Yoga Mandala Offerings Retreat

Requirement: Open to Public
Date: 18 – 22 June 2015

Engaging in the practice of Guru Yoga together with making mandala offerings creates a vast collection of merit through which we can receive the powerful blessings of our Spiritual Guide and fulfil our spiritual wishes.

For more information, visit http://kadampa.ca/coursesevents/retreats/

EUROPE

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Short Commentary of Guhyasamaja Tantra

Requirement: For HYT Practitioners only
Date: 30th May – 2nd June 2015

Short commentary of Guhyasamaja Tantra: Crystal Massage Method to Create the Pure Energy Form of Light and Nectar

The Guhyasamaja Tantra is one of the most important highest yoga tantras. Originally taught by Buddha Vajradhara to Mahasiddha Indrabhuti (the elder brother of Mahasiddha Laksminkara, a previous incarnation of Lama Gangchen) this lineage was the heart practice of Lama Tsongkhapa and many of his close disciples. Lama Tsongkhapa attained the gyulu – the deathless body of light at the time of his death as a result of this practice, and it is also the basis of the body mandala of the guru in the Lama Choepa guru yoga and the mandala of the World Peace Protector. Although the explanation of this tantra is very profound and extensive, we will try to summarise the most important practical points for those who wish to engage in the retreat in August, or who just wish to practice it.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/short-commentary-of-guhyasamaja-tantra-crystal-massage-method-to-create-the-pure-energy-form-of-light-and-nectar/?lang=en

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Black Manjushri Residential Retreat

Requirement: Call for more information
Date: 5th – 7th June 2015

Black Manjushri is the wrathful healing form of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom. This practice helps us to heal our deep inner negative emotions and the mental sufferings that arise due to problems or sickness; it is also a powerful antidote against the harm and disturbances caused by negative astrological influences.

There are numerous benefits to this meditative practice because above all, it supports us both mentally and physically, those suffering from so-called “incurable” diseases such as aids and cancer. It helps us to confront and deal with the negative emotions such as anger, depression, fear and denial that arise when we are challenged by serious health problems or when we are confronted with problems in our daily life.

The practice of Black Manjushri can also be used to purify the negative consequences that can be created, for example, when we perform a marriage ceremony, hold a cremation or cut down trees on astrologically inauspicious days. This practice gives us the opportunity to stop our energy flowing into the wrong path due to astrological influences.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/black-manjushri-residential-retreat/?lang=en

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

White Heruka of Long Life Initiation and Practice

Requirement: Call for more information
Date: 13th – 14th June 2015

This is a very special long life practice which combines the blessings of Heruka with NgalSo Self Healing and a special method to gather around us the essence energy of the five elements. Receiving the Empowerment from Lama Ganchen, we will do a short retreat to develop familiarity with the practice.

Fundamentally this practice consists of:

1. Repossessing lost life energy
2. Regenerating degenerated life energy using pranayana to absorb the essence of the five elements, increasing our positive karma and renewing our vows.
3. Increasing our longevity by means of special long life pills.
4. Other very secret methods for a long life which will be revealed at the time.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/white-heruka-of-long-life-initation-and-pratice/?lang=en

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Tara NgalSo Chulen: A Powerful Cleansing Practice for Body and Mind

Requirement: Call for more information
Date: 26th – 28th June 2015

During these days we shall purify body and mind by abstaining from gross food and nourishing ourselves with “the essence” pills made with flower petals and Himalayan minerals with a strong protein value and the capacity to regenerate body cells, as well as seasonal fruit juices. With this ancient method of Tibetan yogic and medical tradition, we purify ourselves of toxins accumulated through incorrect diet, chemically treated, refined or genetically modified food, excessive alcohol, tobacco etc. thus regaining the natural equilibrium of body and mind.

Through this physical purification, our mind becomes free of impure energy. As a result, uncontrolled negative emotions like excessive desire, anger, anxiety, stress and frustrations calm down and we feel a state of well-being and joy.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/tara-ngalso-chulen/?lang=en

ASIA

Kadampa Meditation Centre Hong Kong

Blessing Empowerment of Green Tara & Commentary

Requirement: Open to Public
Date: 19 – 21 June 2015

Blessing Empowerment of Green Tara & Commentary to the Practice of The Transference of Consciousness (Powa) Practice of Arya Tara with Gen Kelsang Tonglam

Tara is our Spiritual mother. When we are young we turn to our worldly mother for help. She protects us, cares for us and teaches us worldly skills. In the same way, during our spiritual growth, we need to turn to Holy Mother Tara. Renowned as the swiftest of the Buddhas, Tara will protect us from all outer and inner fears during our spiritual journey. In particular, during this course, Gen Tonglam will share with us the instructions of Powa Practice of Arya Tara.

Through this simple but extremely profound practice, Mother Tara will guide us away from the sufferings or ordinary appearance of this life to a Buddha’s Pureland without having to abandon this present body. This is a practical method that we can apply in our daily life and at the time of death in order to attain the Pureland of Dharmakaya.

For more information, visit http://www.meditation.hk/en/courses/East-Asian-Dharma-Celebration-2015

He was born during the 19th century. Like many great masters, he had a very early start in Dharma and took the lay vows at the mere age of 7. Naturally, the ordination vows followed which he took when he was 17. They were granted to him by his teacher Ngawang Kedrup.

He then proceeded to take tutelage from some of the most eminent Lamas of his time which included the 10th Dalai Lama Tsultrim Gyatso, the 4th Panchen Rinpoche Tenpa Nyima, and the First Trijang Rinpoche Jangchup Chopel (1756-1838) who also happened to be the Ganden Tripa at that time. After completing his studies in Tibet, Rabjampa Ngawang Lobsang was styled Kurey Kenpo Nomonhan and returned to Mongolia.

It is particularly interesting to note that the collection of Rabjampa Ngawang Lobsang’s works contains a number of Dorje Shugden related materials, one of which is a Panchen Sonam Dragpa’s biography, followed by an account of the precious incarnations of Dorje Shugden. This tallies with the account found in Buton Rinpoche’s biography. This account clearly explains that Panchen Sonam Dragpa was famously known to be an incarnation of the masters Buton Rinchen Drup and Shakya Shri.

Besides this, Rabjampa Ngawang Lobsang had a set of unique works credited under his name including writings on Tara’s Tantra, a number of hagiographies and various other Dorje Shugden ritual texts which have been included in the Dorje Shugden Pe Bum. Many highly attained Gelug masters, including Pabongkha Rinpoche, would later make significant references to his works, especially with relations to Dorje Shugden.

Within his work, Rabjampa Ngawang Lobsang clearly states that it was Pehar who requested Panchen Sonam Dragpa to arise as a Dharma protector, as well as various evidence, accounts and reasonings that Dorje Shugden is an enlightened being who specifically swore to protect the Gelug lineage.

For example, he mentions in particular, how Panchen Sonam Dragpa fulfilled the requests made to him by Pehar, in his later incarnation as Tulku Dragpa Gyeltsen when he arose as a Dharma Protector. This is yet another piece of evidence that disproves the claims of modern day scholars that Dorje Shugden is but a recent invention by Pabongkha Rinpoche.

It is interesting that such scholars would have omitted such significant texts by these great masters and asserted that there were not many great old masters who supported Dorje Shugden.

In early April of 2012, Segyu Gaden Phodrang Monastery had the honor of hosting the illustrious Master Kyabje Daknak Dorje Chang for a series of teachings and pujas.

While at the monastery, Kyabje Daknak Rinpoche bestowed a White Tara empowerment, as well as brief teachings on the practice. This event was attended by over one hundred people, including monks from other local monasteries.

The monks of the Segyu Gaden Phodrang Monastery showed their gratitude to Kyabje Daknak Rinpoche by performing a Long-Life Puja to assist in creating the causes for him to remain in the world and continue to turn the wheel of the Dharma for a very long time.

Below are photos of Kyabje Daknak Dorje Chang conducting a puja in Segyu Gaden Phodrang’s prayer hall.

Kyabje Daknak Dorje Chang

For more information about H.E. Daknak Rinpoche:

The Opening of a New Dorje Shugden Monastery
Daknak Rinpoche celebrates Lama Tsongkhapa Day in Taiwan
Kyabje 13th Daknak Rinpoche Teaching LAMRIM

His Holiness the Dalai Lama formally announced the existence of His Eminence the Ninth Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa, Jampal Namdrol Chokye Gyalsten, in September, 1991.

Khalkha Jetsun Dampa is considered to be one of the most revered teachers of the Kalachakra Tantra, the Tara Tantra, and Maitreya, the future Buddha. All of these lineage teachings descend directly to him from Taranatha, the great historian and Tantric practitioner (B. 1575 AD).

The 9th Jetsun Dhampa is the spiritual successor of the 8th Jetsun Dhampa, the Bogd Gegen or “Holy Shining One”, the Bogd Khan or last Holy Emperor of Mongolia. Because of this the Mongolian government has tried to keep the 9th incarnation at a distance for fear that his supporters would try to restore him as Khan, which would upset the neighbors, especially Communist China. He has been able to visit Mongolia as a tourist when he was formally enthroned by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.

When I asked the Master who he was, he explained that it was the God of Prosperity and that he would help me with my business. I then asked what prayers I should recite. He replied that it was not necessary to say any specific prayers but only offer incense every morning. So I continued to do this for years until I finally learnt who this deity was in 2008: the Great King, Dorje Shugden!

Since I started to pray to my God of Prosperity, I have been doing well in the management of my family funds. I survived the Asian Financial crisis and also the Tech bubble burst in 2000. During these two crisis, many people lost huge amounts of money. I did too, but somehow, I seemed to recover quickly and always came out of the situation better.

In 2004, when I bid for a franchise of a popular restaurant, I managed to get it against much competition. I have always felt that in my businesses, “things” always seem to be smooth and when there were obstructions, I seem to overcome them quite effortlessly.

On a personal note, when I heard that my daughter-in-law was pregnant with a pair of twin girls in 1997, I was very happy to receive the news. However, unfortunately, they were born 12 weeks prematurely and survival was difficult. Somehow, once again a miracle happened and after intensive medical care and a 21-day stay at the hospital, both my twin granddaughters survived.

Miracles have been happening more often now since I set up a proper altar and statue of Dorje Shudgen in my house. The protection from Dorje Shugden has not only been for me but for my whole family.

For example, one day, at exactly the same time that I was saying my prayers towards a special thangka of Dorje Shugden, my daughter-in-law ran into a car accident, where she drove into a ditch. She came through without a scratch on her and the wondrous thing is that there was also not a scratch on her car.

At around the same time, my son was the victim of black magic. His conduct during that time was terrifying and he was most difficult to be with. Knowing how compassionate Dorje Shugden is, I prayed for him to help and my son is now fine. He is even most beautifully working for the Dharma now and has become very involved in our Dharma centre.

When I sit down and think, miracles have been happening to me all the time and I know that they will continue. I will always be grateful to that Buddhist master who first introduced me to such a powerful and giving Protector.

~ Phyllis ~

Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy tooth relic

Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy tooth relic, Ganden Monastery, Tibet

Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy tooth relic, Ganden Monastery, Tibet

Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy tooth relic, Drepung Monastery, Tibet

Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy tooth relic, Drepung Monastery, Tibet

Lama Tsongkhapa’s Mala, bell and hat

The mala, bell and hat that Lama Tsongkhapa used before, now kept in Drepung Monastery, Gaden Phodrang

Lama Tsongkhapa’s bowl

Lama Tsongkhapa’s bowl and Yak horn – it is said that you can see the images of 21 Taras if you look into the hole of the horn.

Kedrup Je’s Yamantaka Statue

Lama Thubten Zopa

Regarding allegations that Pabongka Rinpoche was a sectarian Lama who presided over the destruction of the monasteries and sacred images of other traditions….

“Another thing is that some Tibetans and others severely criticize Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo because he practiced Shugden, making him out to be some kind of demon. However, Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo wrote incredible teachings on sutra and tantra; on Heruka, Tara Cittamani and many other topics.

All these amazing teachings were written purely from his experience. So it’s impossible that he can really be some kind of evil being, as those extremists accuse him of being. There’s no way he could have done the negative things they say he did.

Regarding his realization…

My root guru, His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche; Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s guru’s root guru; His Holiness Song Rinpoche, from whom many of the older students received the initiation of Shugden; and the previous incarnation of Gomo Rinpoche, who has a strong connection with Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, here in Italy, all promoted the practice of Shugden. They were all aspects of the Dharmakaya.

Regarding Kopan Monastary giving up Dorje Shugden Practice…

This was done for His Holiness (The Dalai Lama). This does not mean that Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo, His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche, and His Holiness Song Rinpoche have made mistakes. It does not mean they are wrong. Nor does one have to look at the protector as evil. For us ordinary people it is difficult to judge, because we cannot see these lamas ’ minds.

Another side of the teaching is that it is mentioned that the protector (Dorje Shugden) is an Arya Bodhisattva, a manifestation of Manjushri. So, then, there is also the risk of our creating very heavy karma in that context (by critisizing or abandoning this practice).

February 12, 2009 by truthaboutshugden (extracted from http://truthaboutshugden.wordpress.com)

About Zong Rinpoche…

Zong Rinpoche was one of the foremost Lamas of his generation, and a life-long Dorje Shugden practitioner besides…
(Zong) Rinpoche was born in Kham in 1905. He went to Lhasa when he was eleven years old to study at Shartse.

He studied effortlessly and became renowned as a powerful and irrefutable debater. A learned geshe at that time said that ‘even if Shri Dharmakirti had been present, he would not have been able to debate better than that.’

After graduating as a high ranking Lharampa geshe at the age of twenty-five he moved on to the Tantric College of Gyuto. In 1937 he was appointed abbot of Shartse, a position he held for nine years.

Rinpoche was known as a strong, detached and wrathful lama. He had impeccable knowledge of all rituals, art and science, and he never hesitated to give reasons to others why this action or that painting was wrong.

He was renowned for his ‘many actions of powerful magic,’ as a result of which ‘the most marvellous, indescribable signs occurred.’
-Wisdom: Magazine of the FPMT, Number 2, 1984.

“In 1916 ( Zong Rinpoche) went to Lhasa to study the dharma at Shartse college (of Ganden Monastery), where he studied the sutras of the Prajnaparamita, Madhyamika, the Abidharma and the Vinaya. He quickly became famous as a sharp analyst and master of philosophical debate. In 1929 he successfully completed his geshe examinations and was awarded with the highest degree, the Geshe Lharampa title …. in 1937 he became abbot of the Shartse college.

So his name spread all over the country of being a powerful tantrika and he gave many empowerments and teachings on those subjects with a special emphasis on the tantras of Heruka, Hayagriva, Yamantaka, Gyelchen Shugden, Guhyasamaja, Vajrayogini, Green Tara, Mahakali, White Tara, Vaishravani and others. …

He was one of the last teachers of the old generation with the aura of authority and a kind of aristrocratic touch or vajra pride. In his teachings he followed very strictly the original texts. But, concerning his age, he was very open and patient to us Westerners, always kind, polite and helpful to answer our many questions concerning detailed tantra explanations.”
-From the Biography of Zong Rinpoche by Hans Taeger (http://www.iol.ie/~taeger/bio/zong.htm)

Zong Rinpoche On Je Pabongka

(From: Chod in the Ganden Tradition The Oral Instructions of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche By Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Snow lion 2006)

Vast Qualities…

Kyabje Phabongka had such vast qualities that it is difficult to comprehend them. Sincere and pure practitioners should consult the birth stories of this high lama. Je Phabongka was an emanation of Krishnapada. Krishnapada was a great mahasiddha, a scholar and realized being …

An Actual Bodhisattva…

…When he was young, he received lamrim teachings from Dagpo Lama Jampel Lhundrub, and when the customary ritual for generation of bodhichitta was held at the end of the teachings, he actually generated bodhichitta. When this happened, Jampel Lhundrub ordered a throne to be set up for the young Phabongka. On hearing the Sevenfold Cause-and-Effect instructions for the first time, his mind was greatly moved, and he wept.

Je Pabongka was Heruka himself…

Kyabje Phabongka was also an emanation of Heruka Chakrasamvara, but degeneration of the times and jealousy of ordinary beings have made it difficult to become aware of his tremendous qualities. There are many biographies of Kyabje Phabongka that make his realized qualities very clear.

A Dalai Lama acknowledges a Great Teacher…

The thirteenth Dalai Lama requested Kyabje Phabongka to give the yearly lamrim teachings in 1925, instead of asking the Ganden throneholder, as was customary. Usually these teachings lasted seven days, but these lasted for eleven days. These were my first teachings from Kyabje Phabongka. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang was also present at these teachings.

(From: Chod in the Ganden Tradition The Oral Instructions of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche By Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Snow lion 2006 . All formatting and emphasis mine…)

“Once, returning from Chamdo, Kyabje Phabongka taught at a “dzong,” a fortified monastery. A member of his audience had a vision of Kyabje Phabongka with four arms.

On another occasion, teaching at Lhasa, thirty-two incarnate lamas attended his lamrim discourses. Tapu Dorje Chang traveled from Kham to Lhasa specifically to receive Dharma teachings from Kyabje Phabongka. Tapu Dorje Chang could hear statues of Avalokiteshvara andTara speak, and saw visions of multi-armed yidams. Kyabje Phabongka was Tapu Dorje Chang’s disciple also.

Once Kyabje Phabongka invoked the wisdom beings of Heruka’s mandala to enter into a statue of Heruka Chakrasamvara. Heruka then offered nectar to Kyabje Phabongka, and prophesied that seven generations of his disciples would be protected by the body mandala of Heruka. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang is cared for by Heruka Chakrasamvara, as are his disciples.

Je Pabongka

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Ling Rinpoche were tutors to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They taught His Holiness everything from basic teachings to advanced levels.

Kyabje Phabongka passed all of his lineages to Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang. He often said this in discourses. The purpose of this detailed exposition is to affirm the power of the lineage.

If we lose faith in the lineage, we are lost.

We should remember the biographies of past and present teachers. We should never develop negative thoughts towards our root and lineage gurus. If we do not keep the commitments after having received teachings, this is a great downfall.

After giving teachings, the guru should act in accordance with the capacities of disciples and their requests. If the disciples see the guru’s actions as pure, this is proper practice. The guru should not act in contradictory ways.”

February 22, 2009 by truthaboutshugden (http://truthaboutshugden.wordpress.com)

Beautiful photographs and video footage of snowy Tibetan landscape scenes and the rich Tibetan culture and people. This photo/video montage is accompanied by Tara’s beautiful mantra and ends with a lovely dedication.