Completed—H.E. NGOR THARTSE KHEN RINPOCHE came to Ewam Choden in California
July 16, 2022 by bhockman
Filed under Special Events
We are grateful to H.E. Thartse Khen Rinpoche for his visit to Ewam Choden, and look forward to his future visits.
Thartse Khen Rinpoche will be at Ewam Choden on July 12 – 31, 2022.
He will attend the North American Sakya Monlam from July 15 through July 17.
This is an important visit as Lama Kunga Rinpoche also comes from the Ngor tradition of the Sakya lineage. Click here for more info on this connection
Lama Kunga Rinpoche and the members of Ewam Choden Tibetan Buddhist Center are looking forward to welcoming His Eminence Thartse Khen Rinpoche on his first visit to the United States.
Ngor Thartse Khen Rinpoche is the 77th abbot of Ngor, a main branch of the Sakyapa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The visit fulfills Lama Kunga Rinpoche’s wish to establish a lasting connectionwith the Ewam Choden Tibetan Buddhist Center, which derives from the Ngor Thartse tradition.
Born in 1968 into a royal family in Mustang, Nepal, Rinpoche was ordained as a monk at the age of eight by His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. At the age of thirteen, he was recognized as Ngor Thartse Shabdrung Rinpoche by His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin.
Rinpoche then completed extensive studies of ritual and rites of the Ngor tradition, with close instruction from His Eminence Luding Khenchen Rinpoche, who ordained him as a bhiksu at the age of 19. After completing his formal monastic education and training, Rinpoche attended Sakya Institute to study Higher Buddhist Philosophical studies and Art. He later joined Sakya College to further study Tantra.
Thartse Khen Rinpoche travels extensively in Asia where he founded and supervises numerous monasteries and Sakya centers.
We are very grateful for his first visit to the United States.
H.E. Thartse Khen Rinpoche will kindly offer the following events.
Two-Day HEVAJRA EMPOWERMENT in person, CLICK HERE.
SIX EMPOWERMENTS and A DHARMA TALK, LIVE-STREAMED ON ZOOM, CLICK HERE
DONATION REQUEST FOR LING GESAR SCHOOL
July 7, 2022 by bhockman
Filed under Special Events
Lama Kunga Rinpoche received an appeal from Ngor Thartse Khen Rinpoche at Ngor monastery in India.
And we need your help.
As you know, Lama Kunga comes from Ngor monastery and has kept strong ties with his successor, Ngor Thartse Khen Rinpoche who, along with Luding Khen Rinpoche and other Sakya lamas of the Ngor tradition, have kept the Ngor-pa tradition strong in India and Tibet.
Aside from his responsibilities at Ngor Manduwala (the main monastery in India), he needs to help his Jomsom monastery in Nepal which has 35 monks and there is also the Ling Gesar School, where he sponsors 90 young students from villages bordering Ngor Manduwala monastery.
This school is managed by Khen Rinpoche’s brother Gonpo. It has been very helpful to the surrounding community, which is poor. Not only does it provide education but also basic needs to the children.
The school had to close due to the pandemic but parents come and pick up homework once a week for their kids and return it to be corrected. This maintains the minimal continuity of education. (These families don’t have computers at home.)
Because the pandemic has restricted Thartse Khen Rinpoche’s travel, he can’t raise the necessary funds for the school. The well being of the students at Ling Gesar school is now seriously in jeopardy.
Lama Kunga has made a personal pledge to help and we hope you can too.
You can give your tax-deductible donations by PayPal (here on the EC website) or by check to Ewam Choden. Please earmark it “School Project”.
All funds will be sent to Ngor and any donation is appreciated.
COMPLETED-SAKYA NORTH AMERICAN MONLAM JULY 15-17, 2022
June 30, 2022 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
NOTICE of the Fifth Annual Sakya North American Monlam for World Peace with H.H. Sakya Trichen (41) and H.H. Sakya Trizin (42) .
The term Monlam means the path of aspiration and is a form of prayer. During a Monlam, the participants recite prayers with the aspiration to liberate all sentient beings from suffering and for all to achieve enlightenment.
PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES FOR INFORMATION.
https://www.facebook.com/NorthAmericanSakyaMonlam/
SAKA DAWA—SACRED and CELEBRATORY MONTH from May 31 thru June 29,2022 – Special Day is June 14, full moon day
May 31, 2022 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
During this period, we commemorate the Birth, the Enlightenment, and the Parinirvana (passing on) of the Buddha.
OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNI SHAKYAMUNI SVAHA
The most holy day is the day of the full moon (the 15th Tibetan day), which is on Tuesday, June 14.
During this entire period, the merit of all good that you think or do is multiplied many times, from 100 to 100,000 times to as many as one hundred million times. On the other hand, your negative deeds and thoughts are also multiplied.
Therefore, this is a perfect time to be focused on and dedicated to spiritually and ethically positive thinking and behavior.
WHAT TO DO
Here are some suggestions of what we might do during Saka Dawa.
*Respectfully clean your shrine and make offerings to the Three Jewels and your shrine space.
*Practice generosity to all beings. This includes the generosity of forgiving the people and situations that upset and enrage you. Forgive yourself, too, in order to awaken your own Buddha-nature.
*Practice meditation, especially with compassion and without grasping. Do any of your Buddhist practices with focus and sincerity.
*Recite long-life prayers for your gurus.
*Light incense and candles, place water bowls, and dedicate them to the Three Jewels.
*Read biographies of the Mahasiddhas and of great Lamas.
*Save and assist animals and insects.
*Be kind and patient with all people.
*Eat vegetarian or vegan. <–This is recommended by Lama Kunga RInpoche, especially on June 14th.
*You can also make mental offerings of all kinds.
*Some people take the Eight Mahayana Precepts for a day or more, especially on the full moon day, June 14th.
*Do purification practices, such as, Vajrasattva or Prostrations to the 35 Confession Buddhas.
*Spend a couple of days eating like an ordained person, which means, don’t eat after 1:00 pm.
*Recite food offering prayers before you take food, and visualize the offering to the Three Jewels.
*With a view of emptiness, dedicate the merit of everything you do to all sentient beings.
For a copy of the Food Prayer used at Ewam Choden click HERE.
SPIRITUAL ARTS and BOOKS
January 21, 2022 by bhockman
Filed under Special Events
NEW BOOK ABOUT LAMA KUNGA’S FATHER
In the Presence of My Enemies, the fascinating autobiography of Tsipon Shuguba, the father of Lama Kunga Rinpoche, who was a minister in the Tibetan government, was published in English in 1995.
Now, the book is available in Tibetan. Contact Ewam Choden for purchase information. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Ewam Choden Tibetan Relief Fund Project.
CALLIGRAPHY and PAINTINGS
Ven. Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche has demonstrated his skills in arts and crafts for many years. He has made traditional cloth mountings for thangkas, shaped sculptures of Tibetan kings, painted memories of Ngor monastery, created Wealth and Earth Treasure Vases, and much more.
CALLIGRAPHY
Recently, Rinpoche has been making traditional Tibetan calligraphy.
Here is a sample piece that is the mantra of Bodhisattva goddess Parnashavari, the subduer of pandemics. This is written on Tibetan rice paper, and it is 15″ x 7″, unmounted. It is signed with Rinpoche’s signature as well as stamp. (Note that the brown on the top and bottom here is the table surface.)
Because of the pandemic, Lama Kunga has done the Parnashavari mantra. He is open to accepting orders for some other mantras, as well as other size presentations.
You may receive one of Lama Kunga Rinpoche’s calligraphy pieces with a donation of $108.
The payment is for the maintenance and support of the Ewam Choden Center.
To order, send an email to Ewam Choden. You may also pay directly on the Ewam Choden website, using the “Donate” link. Be sure to give your correct mailing address and a message about the Calligraphy.
PAINTINGS
Lama Kunga RInpoche’s paintings are also available. The donation amount varies depending on the painting. These donations are tax deductible. Send an email if you’re interested.
Ewam Choden Tibetan Buddhist Center is a 501 (c) (3) status nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
BIRTHDAY WISHES and LONG LIFE PRAYERS For HIS HOLINESS the 41st SAKYA TRICHEN
September 6, 2021 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
Ven. Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche with the Sangha and friends of Ewam Choden Tibetan Buddhist Center send prayers and wishes for the long life and good health of His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin.
May you continue to benefit countless beings in many ways.
Here is a link to His Holiness’ long life prayer.
Activity Completed–Have a rich, resourceful, and righteous New Year! LOSAR MEDITATION, TEACHING, and ACTIVITIES on ZOOM with Ven. Lama Kunga Rinpoche on Sunday, February 14, 2021
February 4, 2021 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
༄༅།།ལོ་གསར་ལ་བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས་ཞུ།
It’s time to welcome a new year according to the Tibetan lunar calendar. This is the year of the METAL OX, 2148.
It is said that the OX represents stability, loyalty, and trustworthiness. In some Buddhist paintings, an ox and its herder show the path to realize our Buddha nature.
After a unique year of challenging difficulty for people throughout the world, we can look for an improvement.
Although the Ewam Choden Center has to remain closed. we are all very fortunate for Lama Kunga Rinpoche’s presence at Ewam Choden and we are grateful for his kind and inspiring Sunday morning compassion meditation sessions.
We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to maintain your membership in the Center and to please be generous with your donations. The Center is in need particularly because of the lack of large events with visiting teachers during the past year. TO DONATE: Select the DONATE button on the front page of this website.
TO LOGIN TO THE LOSAR ZOOM MEDITATION ON SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 14, 2021 AT 10:00 am Pacific Time (US),
Please go to the page for ZOOM MEDITATION on the front page of this website.
completed–SAKA DAWA—SACRED and CELEBRATORY MONTH from May 23, 2020 – Special Day is June 5, full moon day
April 1, 2020 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
Click on photos to enlarge them.
The Life of the Buddha
SAKA DAWA In Tibetan, Dawa is moon and Saka is a star that appears with the full moon at this time. DURING SAKA DAWA, we commemorate the Birth, the Enlightenment, and the Parinirvana (death) of the Buddha. This is the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, starting on May 23 in the year 2020. The most holy day is the day of the full moon (15th Tibetan day), which is June 5th. During the entire period, the merit of all good that you do or think is multiplied many times, from 100 to 100,000 times to as many as one hundred million times. On the other hand, your negative deeds and thought are also multiplied. Therefore, this is a perfect time to be focused and dedicated to spiritually positive behavior.
WHAT IN PARTICULAR CAN WE DO? Respectfully clean your shrine and make offerings to the Three Jewels and your shrine space. Practice generosity to all beings. This includes the generosity of forgiving the people and situations that upset and enrage you. Forgive yourself, too, in order to awaken your own Buddha-nature. Practice meditation, especially with compassion and without grasping. Do any of your Buddhist practices with focus and sincerity. Light incense and candles, place water bowls, and dedicate them. Read biographies of the Mahasiddhas and of great Lamas. Save and assist animals and insects. Be kind and patient with all people. You can also make mental offerings of all kinds. Some people take the Eight Mahayana Precepts for a day or more, especially on the full moon day, June 9th. Eat vegetarian or vegan. Spend a couple of days eating like an ordained person–nothing to eat after 1 pm. Recite food offering prayers before you take food, and visualize the offering to the Three Jewels.
Here are the traditional Sakya food offering prayers used by Lama Kunga Rinpoche at Ewam Choden.
CLICK ON THE WORDS AFTER THE ARROW TO OPEN A DOWNLOADABLE PDF FILE —–> FOOD OFFERING PRAYERS
HERE are photos taken during Ven. Lama Kunga Rinpoche’s last trip to India.
Bodhgaya and Sarnath
(Thangka photo courtesy of http://www.himalayanart.org/items/30696)
PRAYERS FOR ELIMINATING EPIDEMICS
March 24, 2020 by bhockman
Filed under Special Events
PRAYERS FOR ELIMINATING EPIDEMICS
The following information gives you dharma practices to help alleviate the sufferings of people and to subdue the virus epidemic.
(1) “The Prayer that Saved Sakya” transmission from His Holiness Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche can be seen here. After receiving this transmission, you are encouraged to recite this prayer.
The Prayer that Saved Sakya from Epidemics
By Mahasiddha Thangthong Gyalpo
Lamas, tutelary deities, buddhas, and bodhisattvas,
All objects of refuge in general, and especially the greatly compassionate
Goddess dressed in leaves (Parṇaśabarī) and her encircling retinue,
Protect all beings from illness, negativity, and misfortune!
May all the ailments which oppress the minds of beings,
The attacks of diseases, negative forces, elemental spirits and the like,
Arising from karma and immediate circumstances
Never occur anywhere in the universe.
May all the painful sicknesses which snatch life away, Separating mind and body in a single instant Like an executioner dragging away his victim, Never occur anywhere in the universe.
May epidemics, temporary or chronic,
The mere sound of whose name engenders fear
Like falling into the jaws of Yama, lord of death,
Never harm any being.
May the eighty-thousand types of harmful obstacles, The three-hundred-sixty sudden dangers from evil spirits, The four-hundred-four types of disease and other ills, Never strike any being.
May all sufferings due to disturbances of the four elements,
Which plunder the well-being of body and mind be pacified;
May we have radiance, strength,
Health and happiness, and a long life free from sickness.
Through the compassion of the Teachers and Three Jewels, The ability and might of the dakinis and Dharma protectors, And the power of the unfailing law of cause and effect, May all our dedications and wishes be fulfilled.
(2) You may recite the following—Parnaśavari is a powerful mantra used for subduing epidemics.
The goddess Parṇaśavarī (or Parṇaśabarī), who is known in Tibetan as Loma Gyönma (lo ma gyon ma) or ‘Leaf-Clad’ is particularly associated with the healing of contagious disease.
Dharani of Goddess Parnaśavari
།ༀ་པི་ཤཱ་ཙི་པརྣ་ཤ་བ་རི་སརྦ་ཛྭ་ར་པྲ་ཤ་ན་ཡེ་སྭཱ་ཧཱ།
Oṃ piśaci parnaśavari sarva jvara praśamana svāhā.
The transliteration given to us by Ven. Lama Kunga Rinpoche is the following:
OM PI SHATSE PARNA SHAWARI SARVA ZOWARA PARSHA MANAYA SVAHA
།
།
CANCELLATION OF ALL EVENTS AT EWAM CHODEN until further notice – posted on 3/13/20
March 13, 2020 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
Ven. Lama Kunga RInpoche wants you to know that he is sorry we have to do this.
He wants everyone to be as safe and healthy as possible.
On the other hand, we want our precious Lama to be as safe and healthy as possible.
Therefore, Sunday compassion meditation, empowerments, classes, and all other activities at Ewam Choden will not be conducted for the time being.
We’ll send an announcement of any change.
Meanwhile, you may do the (Sunday) Chenrezig meditation at home, saying prayers and mantras for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Send an email if you have any comment or question. info@ewamchoden.org
