OPEN MINDFULNESS FUNDAMENTAL TRAINING with DENYS RINPOCHE

OPEN MINDFULNESS FUNDAMENTAL TRAINING

An eight day intensive retreat-seminar led by Denys Rinpoche

October 18, 10:00am to October 25, 3:00pm, at Kagyu Thubten Chöling Monastery

Open Mindfulness Fundamental Training (OMFT) is a contemporary secular practice developed by Denys Rinpoche, a lineage heir of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

The purpose of the retreat is to cultivate the experience of mindfulness and integrate it in daily life. The program will alternate periods of instruction with Q&A, meditation and body exercises. The aim is to learn to work mindfully with thoughts and emotions, to improve relationships and communication, and to strengthen ethical and global spirituality.

Mindfulness is the key to both authentic happiness and skillful action in the present moment. Mindfulness not only reduces stress; it is also the basis for insight and the direct experience of the nature of one’s mind.

The mindfulness training is an eight day retreat with a specific program each day. Full participation is strongly encouraged. If you cannot attend the full retreat, you may attend the first weekend only.
Program: 1st day 10a-5pm, other days: 9a-5p except final day: 9a-3p with session breaks and 2 hour lunch break.

* Please Note: The registration deadline is October 10, 2014
*In the spirit of open mindfulness, the fee for the retreat program is not preset. Participants are asked to make a donation, or “conscious contribution”.
* Reservations are required to attend: please submit reservations at http://www.kagyu.com
*Accommodations at the monastery are available at our regular fees.

Kagyu Thubten Choling, 245 Sheafe Rd, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 office@kagyu.com

Kagyu Monlam Hawaii 2014

Kagyu Monlam Hawaii 2014

Kagyu Monlam Hawaii

 

 

The Fifth North American Kagyu Monlam
Honolulu, Hawaii

 

Aspirations Prayers for the Earth and World Peace

May 9-11, 2014

The Hawaii Kagyu Centers of Tibetan Buddhism invite you to join us in spreading genuine love and compassion with the offering of aspiration prayers for the earth and world peace. Each day, the Monlam will begin with Mahayana Sojong Vows then continue with the recitation of prayers, Dharma teachings and meditation.

The North American Kagyu Monlam Hawaii continues a tradition began 500 years ago in Tibet when the 7th Karmapa, Chodrak Gyatso, established an annual festival of prayers for world peace and the liberation of all beings from suffering. The Monlam has continued without interruption and in 2010 the first North American Monlam was held in Woodstock, New York.

The Monlam is a way for sentient beings and the earth to join, says His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, the head of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism: “We hold the Kagyu Monlam for the benefit of the entire world. We will not give up on the earth! May there be peace on earth! May the earth be sustained for many thousands of years! These are the prayers we make at the Kagyu Monlam.”

Registration Fee: $100 for three days, which includes the Monlam Prayer book, or $35 per day. For those registering for one or two days, the Monlam Prayer book may be purchased for $30.

Schedule: May 9-11, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Location: Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Pikake Room
777 Ward Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii

For more information about registration, sponsorship, travel and the Monlam daily schedule, please visit the Monlam website at: kagyumonlamhawaii.org or email us at phil@kagyumonlamhawaii.org

Hosted by Kagyu Thegchen Ling with support from Karma Rimay O Sal Ling and Kagyu Thubten Choling.

Ari Goldfield presents the teachings of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso — Two Days only!

In the teachings of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, genuine reality refers to the actual ultimate way things are as well as to our own basic essence. These are some of Buddhism’s most profound instructions. These teachings can assist us in discovering that the qualities of confidence and ease, joy and compassion, clarity and wisdom are already at the center of our being. Ari Goldfield’s two-part seminar, inspired by the Mahamudra teachings of meditation master Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso, will present the essence of these instructions and practices in a step-by-step way that develops confidence and direct experience. The oral instructions will be enhanced through explanation, group meditation, and Q&A.

Ari Goldfield is a Buddhist teacher and translator in the Karma Kagyu tradition. He had the unique experience of being continuously in the training and service of his own teacher, Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, for eleven years. From 1998 until 2006, he accompanied his teacher on 7 around-the-world teaching tours, received extensive instruction from Rinpoche in Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and teaching methods. In 2006, Khenpo Rinpoche gave him permission to teach publicly throughout the world.

His books, articles, numerous songs of realization, and texts on Buddhist philosophy and meditation include Khenpo Rinpoche’s books Stars of Wisdom, The Sun of Wisdom, and Rinpoche’s Song of the Eight Flashing Lances teaching, which appeared in The Best Buddhist Writing 2007. Besides Khenpo Rinpoche, he has also served as translator for H.H. Karmapa, Tenga Rinpoche and others.

Wednesday, June 15-Thursday, June 16, 2011, at Kagyu Dzamling Kunchab, hosted at The Culture Center, 410 Columbus Avenue, between 79th & 80th Streets, New York, NY 10024. 6:30-8:30pm. Click here to purchase tickets. Prepayment is strongly suggested as seating is limited.

Nyungne Retreat at Kagyu Thubten Choling Monastery

Nyungne Retreat – The Fasting Ritual and Meditation of Thousand-Armed Chenrezig

January 8 – 24, 2011

Venerable Lama Norlha Rinpoche and the KTC Sangha will be participating in a practice retreat of 8 consecutive sets of Nyungne (the Fasting Ritual and Meditation of Thousand-Armed Chenrezig).  The Nyungne practice is a profound kriya tantra meditation and fasting ritual based on loving-kindness and compassion in the form of Thousand-Armed Chenrezig.

The practice involves maintaining strict vows and meditating while reciting mantras and prayers, and performing prostrations and visualizations. Undertaken in sets of two days, the first day includes one vegetarian meal at noon, drinking water throughout the day as needed. The second day is a complete fast performed in noble silence. The Nyungne is renowned as a superior means to purify negative karma and accumulate great merit.

Chenrezig himself declared that completing even one Nyungne prevents rebirth in the lower realms, and the practice of eight consecutive Nyungne leads to birth in Amitabha’s pure land of Dewachen.

Guests are welcome to participate in any or all of the Nyungne sets but please note – it is necessary to arrive at KTC by 8pm the evening before any set as the practice begins as early as 5 am every day throughout the retreat.  The dates for each set are as follows:

Set 1   Begins January 8 (Saturday) at 5:30 am.  Ends January 10 (Monday) about 6:00 am.
Set 2   Begins January 10 (Monday) at 5:00 am.  Ends January 12 (Wednesday) about 6:00 am.
Set 3   Begins January 12 (Wednesday) at 5:00 am.  Ends January 14 (Friday) about 6:00 am.
Set 4   Begins January 14 (Friday) at 5:00 am.  Ends January 16 (Sunday) about 6:00 am.
Set 5   Begins January 16 (Sunday) at 5:00 am.  Ends January 18 (Tuesday) about 6:00 am.
Set 6   Begins January 18 (Tuesday) at 5:00 am.  Ends January 20 (Thursday) about 6:00 am.
Set 7   Begins January 20 (Thursday) at 5:00 am.  Ends January 22 (Saturday) about 6:00 am.
Set 8   Begins January 22 (Saturday) at 5:00 am.  Ends January 24 (Monday) about 6:00 am.

We do suggest that guests try to come for the 1st day of any given nyungne set, but if that is not practical, it is still possible to participate any day of the retreat.  For further details for how to participate in this way, and for all guests attending a nyungne for the first time please contact Lama Dechi at dechi@kagyu.com or call her at 845-297-2500 by 4 pm on January 3 (Monday).  It is essential that you contact Lama Dechi by this date as she will be participating in the full retreat and therefore unavailable to help answer questions during most of the retreat itself.

Reservations are required.  Please submit an on-line reservation by January 1, 2011.  This will help us to ensure that the proper number of texts are available as well as to ensure proper meal planning.

The price for each nyungne set includes all meals and accommodations.  Prices per set are:

• Dorm: $80/ Non-Members   $60/Members
• Double occupancy: $100 per person/Non-Members   $80 per person/Members
• Private room: $110/Non-Members    $90/Members
• Participation in all 8 nyungnes: get 1 free.

Teaching on “An Aspiration for the Dharma of the Shangpa Kagyu”

Lama Norlha Rinpoche will teach on An Aspiration for the Dharma of the Shangpa Kagyu. Written by Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche, this aspiration prayer to master the path to enlightenment includes teachings that span from the preliminaries, such as the Four Thoughts and Six Paramitas, to advanced practices such as the Five Golden Dharmas, Six Yogas of Naropa, and Mahamudra.

September 12, 2010 (Sunday, 1:30pm)

Kagyu Thubten Choling Monastery, 245 Sheafe Road, Wappingers Falls NY 12590, U.S.A.

Seminar fees: $25 Non-members | $20 Members per session

Fees do not include charges for meals or accommodations.  Please arrive 20 minutes early to allow for registration.

click here for more details.

2011 North American Kagyu Monlam: Vancouver, Canada

At the conclusion of today’s events, Lama Chodrak of the international Kagyu Monlam organizing committee said that the dates have been set for the next North American Kagyu Monlam.

The five-day event will be conducted from June 22 through 26, 2011, at Thrangu Monastery in Vancouver, Canada. The concluding day of the program is scheduled for June 26, His Holiness Karmapa’s birthday.

To get an advance look at the home of next year’s Monlam, check out:

http://thrangumonastery.org/

Day Five: Auspicious Endings, Smiling Photos, and a Message from Home

And Now, Live from Gyuto, . . .

A television doesn’t look out of place in one’s living room, but when it’s in the front of a Buddhist shrine room, it certainly gets one’s attention.

This morning’s Monlam session began with the usual Sojong Vows and Sanskrit prayers, but when 9 a.m. came around, the television in the front of the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra shrine room came to life, it brought us a pleasant surprise: His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa.

Although the setting was the same as His Holiness’ recorded message played earlier this week – his library at Gyuto Monastery – there was a major difference: the speech was being given live, via webstream….

Click here to read the whole story:

http://2010nakm.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-five-auspicious-endings-smiling.html

So, What About Those Hats?

By Lama Kathy Wesley

Many people have been thrilled by the pageantry of the North America Kagyu Monlam – the beautiful offering sculptures (tormas), the brocades, the huge butter lamps, the flowers – but one question reigns supreme: what is the symbolism of the crested yellow hats worn by the ordained sangha at various points in the puja?

First of all, the hats are worn at several special points in the puja: when the Buddhas and enlightened beings are invited to be present, and when auspicious prayers are recited at the end, among others.

But for the symbolism, we asked Karma David Choepel, Thrangu Rinpoche’s translator, who has been the many Monlam events around the world.

“The Yellow Crested Hat is just loaded with symbolism,” Karma Choepel says. “The golden color is symbolic of the golden form of Shakyamuni Buddha. The many threads on the crest of the hat represent the 84,000 teachings of the Buddha.”

But what about that unusual crested shape?

“Oh, I’m not quite sure about that,” Karma Choepel said. “But you have to remember that the Greeks did come to Kashmir in the 3rd Century!”

New video from Day Three

Below is a new video from day three (July 15) of the 2010 North American Kagyu Monlam

2010 North American Kagyu Monlam: Day Four

Day Four: Purifying Karma, New Fans, and Newly Minted Monastics

Heating Up

After three days of partly cloudy, cool skies, July heat settled over Monlam today, as people spent the morning seeking shade in any place possible — under the eves of the New Wing at KTD, under the courtyard tent, and under colorful umbrellas.

Several participants remarked that they felt the heat was helping them were purify their karma. “I hope this is purifying my karma for being reborn in the hell realms!” one participant joked.

In spite of the heat, participants maintained a joyful, if wilted, mood.

“There’s nothing like it,” said one participant. “It’s like being in a monastery,” said another.

Yeshe Wangmo, a retreat lama who has assisted with torma making at the Bodhgaya Monlam and is making a film about the artwork of torma, says she’s been enjoying the special atmosphere of fellowship and prayer that is Monlam.

“It’s like a mini Bodhgaya,” Wangmo said. “This event captures the feeling of the main Monlam in India. In fact the umdze (Sonam Paljor) remarked to me that leading the prayers here made him feel homesick for Bodhgaya.”

Rinpoche’s Teaching

In the morning teaching session, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche continued his series of descriptions of the activities of the Gyalwang Karmapas.

The 10th Karmapa, Choying Dorje, was an artist and craftsman, who painted many inspiring depictions of the great masters of India and Tibet. Many of these paintings still exist, and can be seen in Asia, Rinpoche said…

click here to read more about this story:

http://2010nakm.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-four-purifying-karma-new-fans-and.html

2010 North American Kagyu Monlam: Day 3

Day Three: Sacred Day, Smoke Alarms, and Holy Rabbit!

A warm day dawned at Monlam today with more smiles, more chanting and definitely more people!

Today was the sacred “center” day for the 5-day event, the holy day known on the Tibetan calendar as Chokhor Duchen – “The Great Time (duchen) of the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma (Chokhor).”

The day commemorates the first teaching given by Shakyamuni Buddha after his enlightenment – the teaching on The Four Noble Truths given to the Buddha’s first five disciples at Deer Park in Varanasi.

The opening days of the Monlam saw about 300 people in attendance daily, but this morning, with the program featuring the empowerment of Akshobya Buddha, nearly 700 people filled the courtyard tent at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra.

Monastics surrounded the throne of the Very Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche before the event, and the rest of the crowd was perched in row after row of folding chairs. Four large monitors broadcast the webstreaming feed so even those in the back rows could get a close look at the empowerment.

During his opening remarks, Very Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche remarked about the significance of the empowerment.

“We are extremely fortunate to have this Kagyu Monlam at KTD,” Thrangu Rinpoche said. Following the directions of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rinpoche added, the Kagyu Monlam program includes the traditional purification empowerment of Akshobya…

Click here to read the full article:

http://2010nakm.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-three-sacred-day-smoke-alarms-and.html

2010 North American Kagyu Monlam: Day 1

The auspicious First Kagyu Mönlam in North America began with a flurry of activity as Rinpoches and monastics took their seats in colorful robes and prepared themselves for the first day of prayers.

When the Very Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche entered the room to the blare of gyaling horns, the crowd of yellow-robed monks and laypersons stood in spine-tingling silence as Rinpoche first bowed and then knelt down in the center of the assembly to take the Sojong Vows in the presence of the giant golden image of the Buddha Shakyamuni.

Afterward, Thrangu Rinpoche mounted his throne and gave the Sojong vows to all assembled, repeating a ritual descended from the time of the Buddha himself.

These vows, not to kill, not to take what is not given, not to lie, not to sleep on high beds or wear jewelry and perfume, not to sing and dance, not to eat after the noon meal, and to give up intoxicants and sexual activity for the period of one day, are said to increase the power of prayers said after they are taken. These vows will be taken by the hundreds of participants each day as part of the sangha-melding event that will bring together Kagyu masters and students from around North America.

Organizers say there are nine Rinpoches representing more than 10 dharma centers in attendance. They include Thrangu Rinpoche, who is leading the prayers, as well as Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, Bardor Tulku RInpoche, Lama Norlha Rinpoche, Tulku Wangchen Rinpoche, Pora Rinpoche, Tulku Pasang Rinpoche, Tsewang Rinpoche. Assisting them in the prayers are about 100 ordained sangha, and close to 200 laypersons in the assembly…

Read the full story:

http://2010nakm.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-one-vows-auspiciousness-and-rain.html

www.tormas.wordpress.com

Yeshe Wangmo shares an interesting story about the making of the tormas for the 2010 North American Kagyu Monlam, from the invited chopons getting denied visas to enter the U.S., to the creation of a local torma-making crew, headed by Lama Chopal. Beautiful photographs and carefully selected YouTube videos (including several of HH 17th Gyalwang Karmapa as an artist) make this blog worthy of a visit. http://tormas.wordpress.com/

Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche

WOODSTOCK, NEW YORK–A bronze plaque of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, Abbot of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, was unveiled on Saturday, July 10. The ceremony also dedicated the “Gampopa Gateway” of the new building.