Awesome programmes of Je Tsongkapa’s tradition are lined up for October 2014 around the world. Here are some of the outstanding ones:

[Editor's note: If you would like your Dharma centre's activities to be featured on DorjeShugden.com, please write in to our editors at ds@dorjeshugden.com]

USA & CANADA

Kadampa Meditation Center New York, USA

Buddha Manjushri Empowerment and Teachings

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 17 – 23 October

The Wisdom to Understand the Mind
Empowerment of Buddha Manjushri and teachings based on Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s remarkable new book How to Understand the Mind with Buddhist monk and international Meditation Teacher, Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab.

Part I – October 17 – 21 – Meditation, teachings and empowerment
Part II – October 22 – 23 – Meditation retreat

For more information, visit http://kadampafestivals.org/fall

EUROPE

Rabten Choeling, Switzerland

Praise of Interdependent Origination

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 3 – 5 October

Master Je Tsongkapa has composed these extraordinary verses of praise to Buddha Shakyamuni for his teachings on interdependant origination, which is the core of the middle path.

Languages: Tibetan, English, French, German

For more information, visit http://www.rabten.eu/eventsSwiss_en.htm

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Black Manjushri Residential Retreat

Requirement: Call for more information
Date: 10 – 12 October

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 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

Rabten Jigme Ling

The 51 Mental Factors

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 11 – 12 October

If we want to improve our lives and become happier, it is important to thoroughly know our own mind. All experiences of pain and happiness originate from the mind. We can develop our mind and direct it in a more wholesome way. Therefore, in this series of courses we study the Functions of the Mind and the 51 Mental Factors.

The Buddhist teaching categorizes 51 Mental Factors: 11 wholesome, 26 unwholesome, 10 neutral and 4 changeable. These and still other functions of the mind are explained in this series of yearly weekend courses.

For more information, visit http://www.rabten.eu/eventsDenHaag_en.htm

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Sound Therapy with Tibetan Singing Bowls and Gong Yoga

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 18 – 19 October

Peter Gouw, musician, teacher and music (sound) therapist at his practice ‘Praktijk Positief’, guides and supports individuals and groups in finding their personal natural (sound) destination. The psychology of the chakras and aura are central in his treatments with tuning forks and singing bowls because of their own timbre and resonance.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/sound-therapy-with-the-tibetan-singing-bowls-and-gong-yoga/?lang=en

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Ngalso Lam Rim

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 18 – 19 October

This is Lama Gangchen’s text on the Graduated Path to Enlightenment. It is a synthesis of the many meditation practices required to develop renunciation, bodhichitta and the correct vision of reality. Lam Rim teachings are beneficial in this life and they help us at the time of death and in our future life; they are also fundamental teachings to impart us with the ability to fully help other beings as well as our external environment.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/ngalso-lam-rim-4/?lang=en

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Teachings of Buddhist Philosophy

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 25 – 26 October

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/teachings-of-buddhist-philosophy/?lang=en

ASIA

Kadampa Meditation Centre, Hong Kong

The Union of Sutra and Tantra Weekend

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 10 – 12 October

In his Sutra teachings Buddha encourages us to abandon attachment, and in Tantra he encourages us to transform our attachment into the spiritual path. Some people may think this is a contradiction, but in reality, these practices support each other. In this course, Gen Tonglam will guide us how to experience without contradiction, the perfect practice of the union of Sutra and Tantra as taught in Kadampa Buddhism. By learning to use the power of creativity and integrating both the practices of Sutra and Tantra into our spiritual training, we can change all our experiences, whether suffering or pleasure, into the dynamic path of enlightenment.

For more information, visit http://www.meditation.hk/en/courses/The-Union-of-Sutra-and-Tantra-Weekend-Course

Born Michel Calmanowitz in 1981, Lama Michel has been recognized by Lama Gangchen and many great lamas as a Tulku – the reincarnation of a Tibetan Buddhist Master. He was born to Bel and Daniel Calmanowitz who are both students of His Eminence Lama Gangchen Rinpoche. Just like many other Western Tulkus, Lama Michel chose to reincarnate in Brazil, not only to benefit the whole country and South America, but all of contemporary society.

Lama Gangchen visited Brazil for the first time in 1987, invited by Lama Michel’s parents. From this encounter was born a strong connection between the great healing lama and the Calmanowitz family, who founded the first of many Dharma centres in the West under the guidance of Gangchen Rinpoche: the ‘Shi De Choe Tsog’ Center.

A young Lama Michel with his teacher, H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche in 1988.

At the age of twelve, Lama Michel spontaneously decided to leave the trappings of lay life behind and began his monastic education in southern India, where the great Gelug monasteries are located. Throughout his youth, he repeatedly visited many sacred sites in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Cambodia, Mongolia and Tibet. During these pilgrimages, he had many intuitions, dreams and special visions. Lama Michel’s previous life imprints and altruistic mind had begun to manifest themselves in the traditional Buddhist manner.

Great lamas including Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Dagyab Rinpoche and Gelek Rinpoche have confirmed that Lama Michel is the reincarnation of Drubchok Gyalwa Sandrup, a 15th century yogi and lama from Gangchen Choepel Ling Monastery in Tibet. This monastery was founded by Panchen Zangpo Tashi, one of Lama Gangchen’s previous incarnations. His successor, the second regent of the throne, was none other than Drubchok Gyalwa Sangdrup.

Lama Michel and Gangchen Rinpoche have a very close student – teacher relationship from many lifetimes.

Lama Michel is really a special young tulku, and many people have noticed his pure energy – similar to the energy of Maitreya, the future Buddha of Love. His Tibetan name, Jangchub Choepel Lobsang Nyendrak, means the ‘Wise and famous mind of Enlightenment, who spreads the peace message of Dharma successfully’.

Under the close tutorship of Lama Gangchen Rinpoche, Lama Michel attends Buddhist studies and practice in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lamas, for up to three months each year. It is through Lama Michel’s devotion to his Guru and dedication to his studies that he is able to present the Dharma in English, Italian, and even quote from Tibetan scriptures at the same time.

Lama Michel continues to serve Lama Gangchen Rinpoche by spreading Lama Tsongkapa’s tradition in the ten directions. His young, dynamic and charismatic demeanor has enabled people from all walks of life to connect with the Dharma more effectively.

We at DorjeShugden.com would like to offer our prayers for the manifestation of Lama Michel’s vision in bringing the Dharma to more people so that they can benefit further.

Listen to Lama Michel’s Teachings

• On Soundcloud
• On Spotify

Source : http://www.lgpt.net/bios/lamamichel.htm