Solitary Yamantaka Initiation

Pre-requisite: Taking Buddhist Refuge

Commitment: Daily practice of six-session Guru Yoga and all the vows

Jan. 1 & 2, 2012, 3pm - 6:30pm

The yidam Yamantaka is the wrathful aspect of Manjushri the deity who bestows wisdom. Yamantaka arises to benefit us in our struggles with factors such as untamed mental faculties, poor accumulation of merit, wavering force of effort and any other unfavorable conditions that weaken our practice and thus lead to more adverse circumstances. Through its power to increase wisdom realizing emptiness, the practice of Yamantaka can guard us from both internal and external obstacles. This is a Highest Yoga Tantra initiation, which gives us the permission to undertake the practice of Yamantaka.

 

Solitary Yamantaka practice

Pre-requisite: Solitary Yamantaka Initiation

January 3-13, 2012,  4 sessions a day

 

Solitary Yamantaka Puja

January 14, 2012, 8:30am - 11:30am

This puja is open to everyone.

 

Teachings on the "Stages of Meditations"

January 18 - 20, 2012, 7:30pm - 9:30pm and January 21st, 3:00pm - 5:30pm

The "Stages of Meditation" is a landmark work written by 9th century Indian Buddhist scholar and saint Kamalashila. As a result of writing this text the Buddha's teachings flourished in Tibet. This text carries significant meaning in Tibetan Buddhism and is one of the most frequently taught texts by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In this text, Kamalashila has showed us the importance of building method and wisdom, as well as "great compassion" and "special insight " as we train our minds.

 

***Students who would like to prepare for this teaching, we recommend the book "Stages of Meditation by H.H. the Dalai Lama" available at the center.

 

Lama Tsongkhapa Empowerment

January 26, 2012,  7:30pm - 9:30pm

Je Tsongkhapa is the principal Spiritual Guide in the lineage of the Ganden tradition. Through this empowerment we can establish a profound relationship with him and receive his special blessings. Thus, we can enter the quick path to enlightenment and accomplish our spiritual goal in one lifetime. The great Lama Tsongkhapa was recognized as the emanation not only of the Manjushri - the Wisdom Buddha but also of Avalokiteshvara, the Compassion Buddha and Vajrapani, Buddha of Spiritual Power. He represents the embodiment of our ultimate Spiritual Guru.

 

Teachings on Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga with a guided practice session

January 28, 2012 3:00pm - 5:30pm

January 29, 2012 10:00am - 12 Noon and 2:00pm - 4:00pm - guided meditation practice session of Lama Tsongkapa guru yoga.

Guru Yoga is an integral part of daily spiritual practice for Tibetan Buddhists. The essence of this practice is the cultivation of the perception of one's own mind as indivisible from the nature of the guru's mind. Guru yoga has the power to move us at a very deep level, as the guru is the source of all benefits, the foundation of all good qualities and the root of all the blessings. The powerful practice of Lama Tsongkapa Guru Yoga strengthens one's mind, inspires joyful effort and enables one to follow in the footsteps of this exemplary guru.

 

***Students who would like to prepare for this teaching, we recommend the book "The Union of Bliss and Emptiness: Teachings on the Practice of Guru Yoga by H.H. the Dalai Lama, translated by Thupten Jinpa" available at the center.

 

Reviewing the Entire Stages of the Path based on Lama Chopa

February 1 & 2, 2012, 7:30pm - 9:30pm

February 4 & 5, 2012, 3:00pm - 5:30pm

Lama Chopa is the most extensive guru yoga practiced by Tibetan Buddhists. Khensur Rinpoche will explain the supreme quality and significance of Lama Chopa practice, and teach the entire stages of the path - begining from the reliance on the guru, the foundation of all the paths and provide practical instructions which will blend sutra analytical meditation with tantra visualization. (This subject will be continued into next year due to the vast scope involved in this practice.)

 

Medicine Buddha Empowerment

Feb. 15, 2012, 7:30pm - 9:30pm

The Medicine Buddha empowerment is one of the most powerful blessings for healings, dispelling sickness, and for awakening the innate healing wisdom that lies within every individual. Shakyamuni Buddha describes Medicine Buddha as an Enlightened Being who has special powers of healing. The special healing blessings of Medicine Buddha may be obtained by reciting his name or mantra. If one meditates on the Medicine Buddha, one will eventually attain enlightenment, but in the meantime one will experience an increase in healing powers both for oneself and others and a decrease in physical and mental illness and suffering.

 

*San Jose, California Teachings - Khensur Rinpoche will be in San Jose the weekend of February 11 & 12, 2012  to give a Manjushri empowerment and teachings. Contact Joyce for more details: JOYCETENG@JUNO.COM