Completed–CELEBRATION OF H.H. SAKYA TRIZIN’S BIRTHDAY on MONDAY, SEPT. 7 at 9:00 am
August 1, 2015 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
This information is from Bay Area Tsechenling. CLICK on the image below to enlarge it.
***** HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY to VEN. LAMA KUNGA THARTSE RINPOCHE ***** Wishes for continuing long-life and good health
July 6, 2015 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events, Special Events, Uncategorized
Ven. Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche, originally from Ngor Monastery in Tibet, has kindly and generously shared his dharma wisdom with us in many ways for over forty years. We are infinitely grateful for Rinpoche’s display of patience and compassion, his profound teachings, his heartfelt empowerments, and his enduring patience. Over the years, Rinpoche has kindly instructed students in Tibetan cooking as readily as in spoken and literary Tibetan language. We learn from him how to make tormas and treasure vases. He performs marriage ceremonies and conducts tsoks. He translates and interprets sadhanas and texts, guiding us in our understanding of them. And especially, he imparts how and why to practice the Bodhisattva path of Vajrayana, measuring the teaching for each individual student. How fortunate we are to have such a wonderful Lama in our midst, and that we could meet him !
Rinpoche’s 80th birthday is on July 25, 2015. Let’s honor his continuing presence and show our appreciation.
SAY LONG LIFE PRAYERS—You may find the long and short versions of Ven. LAMA KUNGA RINPOCHE’S Long Life Prayer on this website, as follows: On the front page, go to the yellow horizontal bar–Sakya School. From the pull-down menu there, stop at Prayers and move to the right for the prayer.
MAKE A DONATION TO EWAM CHODEN—Ven. Lama Kunga Rinpoche founded this Center and continues to lead it. The Center is sustained by donations. Use the PayPal link on the right side of the front page or send a check to make your special Birthday gift donation. (All donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged.) This is the best birthday gift to Rinpoche (other than dharma practice).
COMPLETED—HER EMINENCE JETSUN KUSHOK Uncommon White Tara July 11-13, 2015
June 15, 2015 by admin
Filed under Completed Empowerments, Completed Special Events
Together with Sakya Dechen Ling, the Bay Area seat for Her Eminence, we are pleased to jointly present teachings by Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok.
Vajrayogini Blessing and Tsok on July 11, 2015, at 2 pm. Prerequisite: Without exception, people receiving this blessing for the first time from a Sakya lama must have already received a major empowerment of Hevajra or Cakrasamvara from a Sakya lama. This event is sponsored by Sakya Dechen Ling.
Green Tara Initiation on July 13, 2015, at 7 pm. There are no prerequisites. However, you must maintain a vegetarian diet for the entire day of the empowerment, prior to it. This event is sponsored by Sakya Dechen Ling.
REGISTRATION for the above two events IS ON THE SAKYA DECHEN LING WEBSITE –> sakyadechenling.com
Uncommon White Tara Initiation on July 12, 2015, at 10:30 am at Ewam Choden. Prerequisite: Without exception, people receiving this empowerment must have received a major empowerment, such as Hevajra, Cakrasamvara, or the recent Vajrakilaya empowerment, from a Sakya lama. This event will be held at Ewam Choden. The REGISTRATION is $65.00
THIS REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON JULY 7 AT 11:59 PM. Attendance is limited because of the space.
YOU MAY REGISTER FOR THE UNCOMMON WHITE TARA EMPOWERMENT VIA,
TWO WAYS :
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT BY ONLINE, USING PAYPAL – CLICK HERE
OR
REGISTRATION ONLINE AND PAYMENT BY CHECK – CLICK HERE
Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding, the sister of His Holiness Sakya Trizin, is the greatest female Vajrayana lama of our time. CLICK HERE to visit her extensive biography at website for Sakya Dechen Ling
Completed SAKYA DECHEN LING presents A SPECIAL TEACHING ON NGONDRO — BEGINNING YOUR PRACTICE–June 27 & 28, 2015
June 8, 2015 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
NGONDRO TEACHINGS at Sakya Dechen Ling–A Weekend of teachings with practice on Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28, 2015
The Tibetan term Ngondro refers to the preliminary or foundational practices common to all fours schools of Tibetan Buddhism. These preliminary practices establish the foundation for the more advanced Vajrayana teachings.
This event is an excellent opportunity for people who are new to Tibetan Buddhism to gain information about and familiarity with the essential foundations. Learn what it is, what it means, how to visualize, and what to do. Have an opportunity to ask all of your questions, and to get some answers.
The two-day teachings include:
6/27
Sat. morning–Discussion of the common foundation teachings, and vipassana mediation.
Sat. afternoon–Teaching on refuge and bodhicitta with meditation sessions on both
Sat. evening–Teaching on Vajrasattva with meditation session
6/28
Sun. morning–Teaching on Guru Yoga with meditation session
Sun. afternoon—Teaching on Mandala Offering along with practice and meditation session
Suggested Donation–$30 per session, $125 for all sessions
LOCATION—Sakya Dechen Ling Center, 801 Pierce St., Albany, CA 94706
THE TEACHER
Jay Goldberg, also known as Ngawang Samten Chophel, has been a disciple of His Holiness Sakya Trizin since 1970, when he first went to India and stayed there. Eventually, he became an attendant and translator for His Holiness, and he took ordination as a monk. Later, Jay was asked to travel with His Holiness, and then to give teachings and instructions on meditations in Malaysia, Singapore, and elsewhere. His name (either English or Tibetan) can be found as the translator or co-translator on many Sakya sadhanas and in a number of books.
He translated The Beautiful Ornament of the Three Visions and he is also a translator of Mo Tibetan Divination System. Always dedicated to practicing and teaching the Dharma, Jay returned to secular life in 1988, and moved to California.
Now his experiential knowledge and wealth of information is being shared with Dharma students here.
TO REGISTER click HERE OR GO TO sakyadechenling.com
EMAIL FOR INFO contact@sakyadechenling.com CALL FOR INFO 510-466-5660
The Sakya Dechen Ling Center is the northern California seat of Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding.
COMPLETED—THE UNCOMMON WHITE TARA EMPOWERMENT FROM H.E. JETSUN KUSHOK CHIMEY LUDING July 12, 2015
June 1, 2015 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok will kindly bestow the Empowerment of the Uncommon White Tara, Chinta Chakra Tara, Tara of the Wish-Fulfilling Wheel. The date is Sunday, July 12, 2015 at 10:30 am. The location is the Ewam Choden center. The cost is $65. Dana (offering) to the Lama is separate.
The empowerment will be followed by a teaching on the short sadhana. The Uncommon White Tara gives profound purification and blessings.
PREREQUISITE: In order to receive this empowerment, you must have already received a high empowerment (2-day), such as, Cakrasamvara, Hevajra, or the recent Vajrakilaya, from a Sakya Lama. There are no exceptions.
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
H.E. Sakya Jetsun Chimey Luding Rinpoche, the highest and most thoroughly trained female Buddhist teacher in the West, was born into the Drolma Podrang, or Tara Palace of the Sakya Khon family in 1938, the year of the earth tiger. She began her dharma studies at the age of five. His Holiness Sakya Trizin was born when she was six years old. According to the tradition in her family, she took novice ordination when she was “old enough to scare crows away” at the age of seven.
The third woman in the history of Tibet to have transmitted the Lam Dre (the Path and Fruit) teachings, a fully accomplished guru and lineage holder, she is known for her teachings on Vajrayogini and is considered an emanation of that yidam of enlightened feminine energy.
Her full biography is available at SAKYA DECHEN LING BIO
2015 HIMALAYAN FAIR at Live Oak Park in Berkeley, May 16 & 17–Ewam Choden will be there
April 25, 2015 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
Founded in 1983 by Lama Kunga Rinpoche and Arlene Blum, the annual Himalayan Fair continues to provide entertainment, food, crafts and other wares, education, altruistic support, and all-around fun. Ewam Choden will have a booth there, as we often do. For more information, go to www.himalayanfair.net
Completed-TIBETAN NEW YEAR -LOSAR- PARTY ON FRIDAY EVENING and PRAYERS will accompany MEDITATION on Sunday, February 22, 2015
January 10, 2015 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
Ven. Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche will lead the usual Chenrezig compassion meditation and, following our tradition, he will add on special recitations and prayers for Losar, the Tibetan New Year of the Wood Sheep. The year is 2142. Come to meditation at 10:00 a.m. as usual, receive Rinpoche’s blessing, greet everyone for New Year, and enjoy sweet rice, Tibetan tea, and some special Losar snacks. The Oracle Soup Potluck Party for Ewam Choden members and friends will be on Friday, Feb. 20, at 7:00 pm.
Completed – EMPOWERMENT OF VAJRAKILAYA
December 6, 2014 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
The 41st throne holder of the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, His Holiness Sakya Trizin, will kindly bestow the Empowerment of Vajrakilaya. In Tibetan, Dorje Phurba, rdo rje phur pa, Vajrakilaya is a major empowerment which extends over two days. The first day is the preparation and the second day is the main empowerment. The first day is Friday, April 24th. Attendees arrive no later than 3:00 pm. The second day is Saturday, April 25th. Attendees arrive no later than 1:00 pm. Without exception, you must attend both days. The location will be in the area of Ewam Choden. Pre-registration is advised since the number of attendees will be limited according to the size of the venue. The cost to register is $150.00 for each person. There is no prerequisite. ALL INFORMATION WILL BE IN A PACKET TO BE SENT TO ATTENDEES WITH THEIR TICKETS.
This is a profound practice with a long and powerful Sakya lineage.
In the words of His Holiness Sakya Trizin:
“Of the profound and inexhaustible ocean of teachings that Guru Padmasambhava possessed, Vajrakilaya is one of the most important. Its empowerment, teachings and pith instructions were given to one of his most important spiritual disciples, Khön Nagendra Rakshita (Lü’i Wangpo Sungwa), who then practised it until he achieved both ordinary and supreme siddhis. As a sign of his great attainment, he managed to display the great miracle of keeping his vajra and bell suspended in space. Guru Padmasambhava himself declared that Nagendrarakshita had attained the eighth stage of the great bodhisattva path.
The Vajrakilaya empowerment, teachings and pith instructions then passed down from Nagendrarakshita to his own nephews, as they were appointed as the holders of the Khön lineage; and ever since then they have been passed down through this lineage, which includes the five Sakya patriarchs.
So this is a very rare teaching that has not only continued through an unbroken lineage from the primordial Buddha, but has also been passed down through the hereditary lineage. Each of these masters, from Guru Padmasambhava to those of the present, has achieved great realization, and as a result has performed great miracles. I myself received this from my own father, as well as from one of my most important root gurus, both of whom attained great realization through the Vajrakilaya practice, and showed many significant miracles.”
Read more about Vajrakilaya on the main website of H.H. Sakya Trizin at this address: http://www.hhthesakyatrizin.org/teach_vajrakilaya.html
COMPLETED–Ven. LAMA JAMPA THAYE TEACHES AT EWAM CHODEN ON NOVEMBER 1-2, 2014 CLICK HERE for all information.
October 25, 2014 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
SCHEDULE for the Teachings
SATURDAY, NOV 1—10:30 am to 12:30 pm *Lunch Break* 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
SUNDAY, NOV 2——1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
REQUESTED DONATION AMOUNT — $40 per day or $60 for both days. Pre-registration isn’t necessary, but please arrive prior to the starting time.
ABOUT THE TEACHING
Lama Jampa has kindly offered to teach on the first two points of the Seven Point Mind Training, which includes the preliminaries and the actual practice of Tong-Len (གཏོང་ལེན་) (giving and taking ).
He will teach from the untranslated commentary of Tokmé Zangpo, (ཐོགས་མེད་བཟང་པོ), who lived from 1297 to 1371.
Training the Mind in Seven Points is the famous Lo-jong (mind-training) (བློ་སྦྱོང་) text that Atisha, (982–1054 CE), the Indian meditation master, brought to Tibet. An explanation of Buddha’s instructions on training the mind, it outlines in basic steps, the attitudes and practices to be used in daily life. It shows the way to combine ordinary behavior with the highest view.
ABOUT LAMA JAMPA THAYE
Lama Jampa Thaye is a scholar and meditation master trained in the Sakya and Kagyu traditions by his two principal teachers, His Holiness Sakya Trizin and Karma Thinley Rinpoche. Born in England in 1952, he became a student of Rinpoche at the age of 20 and met His Holiness a year later.
Lama Jampa obtained his PhD in Tibetan Buddhist history and served as Lecturer of Buddhist Studies and the History of Ideas for over twenty years at the University of Manchester. He was appointed by Karma Thinley Rinpoche as his dharma-regent in 1977 and given the authority to bestow Vajrayana initiations in 1988. Since then he has traveled extensively giving teachings and initiations and is the author of numerous books and dharma treatises. His many dharma activities include a YouTube channel where his teachings can be heard.
The main website for his centers is www.dechen.org.
When Lama Jampa visited Ewam Choden last year, he taught on the history of the Rime movement and on comparing the views of emptiness in Rangton and Shangton.
Completed–KHENPO MIGMAR TSETEN TEACHES AT EWAM CHODEN The Heart Sutra and The Four Noble Truths on AUGUST 16 & 17
August 3, 2014 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
Khenpo Migmar Tseten will kindly explain the profound meanings of two essential Buddhist texts—the Heart Sutra, which underlies the Mahayana path, and the Four Noble Truths, the basis for all Buddhism. These events are suitable for everyone and open to the public. They are an excellent introduction to Buddhist philosophy and views for beginners, and an opportunity for practitioners to reinforce and deepen their understanding.
THE HEART SUTRA (Prajnaparamita) or Perfection of Wisdom
The Heart Sutra is the most important Mahayana wisdom training of the Buddha. The Sutra explicitly explains the ultimate truth of emptiness and implicitly shows the graduated path of meditation to go beyond samsara and nirvana. Learning the Heart Sutra also helps to perfect the Mahayana and Vajrayana sadhana practice. Khenpo Migmar will explain the essence of The Heart Sutra based on his forthcoming book, The Wisdom Gone Beyond.
———DETAILS———-
Saturday, August 16th–from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
There will be a break for lunch with some snacks provided by the Center and potluck from people attending.
Requested donation of $50. for the day. Dana (offering) to the Lama is separate.
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
The Four Noble Truths are regarded as the central teaching of the Buddhist tradition and provide the framework upon which all other Buddhist philosophy and meditation are based. These Noble Truths are the truth of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path leading to nirvāṇa. Although we may already be familiar with this core doctrine, by repeatedly studying the Four Noble Truths and their sixteen corresponding aspects, our realizations on the spiritual path can become more transformative and profound. To further study about the Four Noble Truths, please read Lama Migmar’s newest book Awakening to the Noble Truth, which can be purchased on Amazon.
———DETAILS———–
Sunday, August 17th—from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Requested donation of $30. for the afternoon. Dana (offering) to the Lama is separate.
FOR BOTH DAYS
Everyone is welcome.
Please arrive early and be considerate of neighbors when parking in our residential neighborhood.
ABOUT KHENPO MIGMAR TSETEN
Lama Migmar has been serving Harvard-wide student, faculties, and staff as a Buddhist Chaplain since 1997. He received both a traditional and a contemporary education in India. He graduated with an Acharya degree in 1979 from Tibetan Institute of Sanskrit University, Varanasi, India, and with first position every nine years among four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He was awarded a medal for academic excellence by His Holiness The Dalai Lama. He was also recognized as Khenpo for his scholarship and service to the Dharma by His Holiness Sakya Trizin.
Lama Migmar served as the head of Sakya Center in Rajpur, India, and the Sakya Monastery in Puruwalla, India, from 1981 to 1989, taking care of the well being of several hundred monastic residents. During this time he reintroduced the original form of the geshe educational system of Tibet, with degrees from kazhipa up to the rabjampa degree, with a curriculum that included all of the eighteen major texts, which are known as the Dragchen Chogyed.
Additionally, Lama Migmar supervised the editing and publication of over 50 rare volumes of Sakya literature including the 31 volumes of Sakya Lamdre and the rare Golden Manuscripts of the Five Founding Masters of Sakya. He founded Sakya Institute for Buddhist Studies in Cambridge, MA in 1990. He leads retreats at Buddhist centers throughout North America and Europe.
He is the author, editor and translator in a series of four Vision books and of the Treasures of the Sakya Lineage. His newest book, just published last month, is called Awakening to the Noble Truth. It’s a teaching on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
Visit his website at www.LamaMigmar.net
