Celebrating Vesak…

Vesak is the anniversary of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana according to the Theravada tradition. It is one of the most holy days in the Buddhist calendar, celebrated by Buddhists throughout the world but especially in South East Asia.

On this day, lay Buddhists offer alms to the monastic community, to practice generosity and accumulate merit. The ordained Sangha are revered as holy objects of Refuge and their presence ensures the unbroken continuity of the Buddha’s teachings in our world.

The ordained sangha of Lerab Ling, are not able to go begging for alms according to the tradition established during the life of the Buddha—this is why they are taking their begging bowl on-line!

To commemorate this holy day with an act of generosity, you can make a donation online.

This year Vesak falls on 5 May, but alms will be gratefully received throughout the whole month of May.

As is traditional for a monastic community, they will offer prayers of dedication to their sponsors and the names of all donors will be included in our practice. In addition, they will send all donors a protection cord blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Sakya Trizin, and many other masters, as a gesture of thanks.

Rigpa News

By |May 4th, 2012|Rigpa News|0 Comments|
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Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche: 1923-2011

Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, passed away on September 2 at his monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Trulshik Rinpoche was one of the seniormost masters of the Tibetan tradition. He was considered as the heart son of both Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, and was one of the teachers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

He was much loved by the Rigpa sangha, and gave teachings and empowerments on several occasions in the United States, France and Germany. He provided guidance and advice throughout the construction of the temple at Lerab Ling, visiting in 2003 to bless the site, and returning in 2005 to give empowerments and transmissions at what was the first major event in the temple.

Trulshik Rinpoche lived in the Solu Khumbu region of north-eastern Nepal. Thubten Chöling, the monastery that he founded there, is renowned as one of the foremost centres for the monastic traditions of the Nyingma school.

After leaving Tibet in 1959, Rinpoche ordained nearly 10,000 monks and nuns, including members of Rigpa’s monastic community.

Trulshik Rinpoche became the head of the Nyingma school in 2010. He became a teacher to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as well as many of the younger generation of Nyingma lamas.

You can read more here.

Rigpa News

 

By |February 22nd, 2012|Rigpa News|0 Comments|
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Aerial Views of Lerab Ling

This year it has been 20 years since the land was purchased on the beautiful Larzac Plateau in the Herault region of Southern France. Since opening in 1992, Lerab Ling has been blessed by visits from numerous great masters of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, most notably by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on two occasions, in 2000 and 2008.

The Lerab Ling temple, completed in 2006 and according to certain Tibetan masters, the largest and most authentic of its type in Europe was inaugurated in August 2008 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
 
thanks to Jan Pieters for braving the perfectly blue skies in a micro gyrocopter

Rigpa News
Article Source: Rigpa News

 

By |February 20th, 2012|Rigpa News|1 Comment|
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Getting Unstuck Part 2 – Pema Chodron

Have you ever had an itch-and not scratched it? In the Buddhist tradition, this points to a vast paradox: that by refraining from our urge to “scratch,” great peace and happiness is available. On Getting Unstuck, Pema Chodron introduces a valuable teaching on what in Tibetan is called shenpa. “An urge comes up, we succumb to it, and it becomes stronger,” she teaches. “We reinforce our habits and addictions by giving in to them.”

Now, Pema guides us through this “sticky feeling”-exploring the moments when we get hooked-and offers us a look at the freedom available when we uncover shenpa, and work with it intelligently and compassionately. This full-length recording offers tools for learning to stay with our uneasiness, and shows us how to recognize shenpa, catch it as it appears, and activate the wisdom and confidence that lies beneath it.

You may listen to ALL teachings for FREE. But you may also download the teachings for you to keep. Each one will cost $.99 (US) per download.

*80% of ALL purchases goes directly to the teacher themselves. And 20% goes towards the support of the website.
Part 2
Sessions 1

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Sessions 2

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Sessions 3

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Sessions 4

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Sessions 5

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Sessions 6

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Sessions 7

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By |February 15th, 2012|Kagyu Teachings|0 Comments|
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Choeje Ayang Rinpoche

[quote]”Compassionate activity is at the heart of our practice. We can’t ignore it. It is absolutely vital.” – H. E. Ayang Rinpoche[/quote]

His Eminence K.C. Choeje Ayang Rinpoche was born into a nomadic family in eastern Tibet after numerous auspicious signs appeared. He was recognised to be a reincarnate Drikung Kagyu lama by a delegation of high lama including Ayang Drubchen Tenpal Nyinpa. Melong Drubchen, Traleg Kyamgon, Chabdra Rinpoche (the tutor Of H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon), and the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa.

Following his early education at Drikung Thil Changchub Ling, the main monastery of Drikung, he continued his studies at Nyinma Chang Ra, the Drikung philosophical college. He received all the initiations of Rinchen Ter Dzod and Kagyu Ngag Dzod from Nyinsum Tripa, a great Drikung lama. The second tutor of H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon, Ayang Thupten gave him the teachings of the Six Yoga of Naropa and Mahamudra. From Khenpo Tsense Sangpo, he received all Nyingthig initiations and teachings as well as his first Phowa teaching (this of the Nyingma tradition). He received the Upadesha from a great Nyingma Yogi, Rahor Chodra Rinpoche.

After finishing his studies and receiving many teachings he went on pilgrimage in Tibet to many of the holy places of Guru Rinpoche, doing a lengthy retreat at Phulung, where Guru Rinpoche practiced Phowa for a long time. At the end of the retreat, he performed an offering puja which was attended by many Naga, who came with offerings and circumambulated his retreat while performing mantras of Guru Rinpoche. Venerable Ayang Rinpoche felt that this was a great sign and felt it might mean that in the future he would be teaching Phowa in foreign countries.

After leaving Tibet, he received the Kalachakra initiation […]

By |February 11th, 2012|Kagyu|0 Comments|
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The 7-Point Posture of Vairocana

From the moment of conception until the moment of death, mind and body are inextricably linked. Were it possible to separate them (it isn’t), one could say that they constantly affect each other. Most people understand that mind affects body, as they see examples of this all day long. The moment people come into a room, their posture tells us whether they are feeling good, depressed, self-confident, afraid, tense and so forth – long before they say a word. But few people realise just how much body and breath can be used to help the mind. As meditation is concerned with taming and awakening the mind, posture can be mobilised to great use.

Although one can think, visualise, pray or do mental exercises in any position, there are few in which can remain healthily and comfortably for the time it takes to accomplish most meditations. The few that permit this (lying flat etc) often tend make one sleepy as the meditation brings relaxation. This is not what meditation is for. In a good meditation posture, relaxation becomes the basis for the crystal clarity of awakened awareness, not a sleepy haze.

Although it may be hard for beginners to get used to the classical Buddhist meditation postures, the rewards of a few sessions with aching knees are tremendous, as one can meditate in that good position for the rest of one’s life. Correct posture helps the mind find peace, strenght and control. It benefits the physical body by bringing its energies and bio-systems into balance. And one can spend all day in a clasical posture in a state of great harmony – virtually impossible in everyday positions. Below you will find the classical 7-Point Posture of Vairocana, […]

By |February 11th, 2012|Buddhism For Beginners|0 Comments|
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The 18th Annual Phowa course, Bodhgaya, 2012

 

[quote]If you study Phowa, then at the time when death is approaching, you will know no despair but will be full of cheerful confidence.”- Marpa The Translator[/quote]

Right after Kalachakra, from January 14th till January 23th 2012, His Eminence Choeje Ayang Rinpoche, a holder both Nyingma and Drikung Phowa lineage, gave 18th annual Phowa teaching in Bodhgaya.Before the course Rinpoche was worried if students would get opportunity to attend the course at very “packed” time in Bodhgaya during Kalachalra so he recommended that everybody`book flights and hotels in advance. Fortunately everything went well: so many students joined the course that even the tent made especially for the Teaching couldn’t seat all people.

Ayang Rinpoche’s course shecdule was demanding as always. Sometimes course started at 7 am and finished at 9 pm. We were completely immersed in the course. “Take you tea and came back quickly” – that what we heard every day before short tea breaks. In spite of his cold Rinpoche with compassion and kindness gave us his gradual and detail teachings, talking both in English and Tibetan.

Despite the demanding schedule, or maybe because of it many people on the course had some very powerful experiences and a lot even achieved some Phowa “signs”. I personally felt very privileged to attend the course and am hoping to make it an annual event. Phowa is truly an amazing practice and Ayang Rinpoche is a true Phowa Master, therefore I would highly recommend this course to everybody both beginners and experienced Buddhist alike, just be prepared to be totally immersed in the 10 day course.

Intensive schedule of Phowa Course included:
– Teachings like Introductory teaching on Phowa, The Three Excellences, Vajrasattva practice techings, Detailed Nyingma and Drikung Phowa […]

By |February 10th, 2012|News|0 Comments|
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Buddhism For Beginners

Here at Dharma Junkie we have received several emails from people requesting advice on learning about Buddhism, therefore we decided to put together a page with some good books and teachings for people who are new to Buddha Dharma, these will also be useful for more experience practitioners but they are are great for beginners also. If there are any additions people would like to add please leave a comment or contact us.
Books:
The Tibetan Art Of Living And Dying – Sogyal Rinpoche

Old Path White Cloud – Thich Nhat Hahn

Freedom In Exile – H.H. 14 Dalai Lama

Art of  Happiness – H.H. 14 Dalai Lama

Buddhism for Beginners – Thubten Chodron

Zen Mind Begginers Mind -Suziki
Teachings:
Getting Unstuck – Pema Chodron

Om Ah Hum Meditation – Lama Yeshe

How to Find a Guru & Be a Student – Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

This is by no means an exaustive list of Buddhism for Beginners teachings, but it should help people who are looking to learn more about Buddhism

 

By |February 8th, 2012|Buddhism For Beginners|2 Comments|
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32th Kalachakra For World Peace, Bodhgaya, 2012

As His Holiness Dalai Lama said during the teachings, to get Kalachakra Initiation in the holy place where Budda Shakyamuni reached enlightment is the same as getting Kalachackra 7 times in other places. This rare opportunity brought an unprecedented number of people to Bodhgaya. Different sources say 200 000 to 400 000 Buddhists from all over the world attended the long-awaited 32th Kalachakra (the last time the Kalacharka initiation was given in Bodhgaya was 8 years ago, in 2003). Among the people receiving the Kalachakra initiation were special guests such as HH Sakya Trizin, HH 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, The Ganden Thripa (“Holder of the Ganden Throne” in Gelug tradition) Rizong Rinpoche, politicians and activists as Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan Government in Exile Lobsang Sangay; Nitish Kumar, Bihar Chief minister; Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mohatma Gandhi, and also famous actor Richard Geer.
Eventful 10-days Kalachakra program (1st-10th January 2012) included Public Teachings by classic texts like “Eight Verses on Mind Training” by Geshe Langri Thangpa Dorje, “Thirty-Seven Practies of Bodhisattvas” by Gyalsey Thokmay Sangpo, “Hymm to the World Transcendent” by Nagarjuna etc, The Initiations of Kalachakra, Long Life Puja with Dakinis’ dance and Oracles’ prediction, and also some other cultural events. H.H. The Dalai Lama pointed out the importance of listening to dharma teachings; especially before so complicated tantric initiation like Kalachakra.
At this auspicious occasion, His Holiness decided to give full Kalachakra Initiation which happens only rarely. The full version consisted not only of Preliminary Initiation and Seven Initiations of Getting into Mandala like a Child (usually Dalai Lama confines by these initiations), but also Four High, Four Highest Initiations and Vajra Master Empowerment.
We survived getting soaked under rain, going […]

By |February 6th, 2012|News|0 Comments|
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Friends Tibetan Restaurant

The main clientèle of this restaurant is the local Tibetan community, it provides good clean food at a good, best if you are on a budget.

By |February 4th, 2012|Sarnath|0 Comments|
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