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Tsok Offering with Venerable
Lama Sarpo
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Sunday, June 26
1:00 - 3:30 PM
at Safe Haven Chiropractic
South Lake Tahoe
Our dear friend Venerable Lama Sarpo will be visiting South Lake Tahoe for a short visit and has offered to perform a Tsok offering for Guru Rinpoche Day. Ven. Lama Sarpo is currently teaching at Palri Pema Od Ling a Nyingma Buddhist Meditation and Study center in Austin Texas.
Tsok is a general term for various Buddhist tantric assemblies and feasts, in which practitioners make offerings and prayers, engage in meditation, chant mantra, and practice various rituals as part of a sadhana, or spiritual practice.
Tsok Offering
Dakini Day
DATE:
Sunday, June 26th, 2011
TIME:
1:00pm - 3:30pm
LOCATION:
Safe Haven Chiropractic
3170 US 50 Suite 1
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Directions
WHAT TO BRING:
* Food Offering (easy to share)
*A Comfortable Pillow or Blanket To Sit On
*A Donation
(nobody will be turned away for lack of funds)
SPACE IS LIMITED SO PLEASE RSVP
To Confirm Your Attendance - Thank You
email:
Melanie@NOTEableBowls.com
Telephone or Text:
775-586-9125
About Venerable Lama Sarpo
Born June 4, 1968, in Achung, Golok (in NE Tibet), Lama Sarpo entered Bayan Monastery (Sogan Rinpoche's monastery) at the age of 14 and was ordained a monk (Getsul) at the age of 16. His tutor at Bayan Monastery was Lama Gombo Norboo. who guided him through the accumulation of the 500,000 preliminary practices. Lama Sarpo was trained by Lama Rigden Zangbo in the many branches of ritual construction and performance. At the age of twenty Lama Sarpo received full ordination (Golong) vows from the Lord of Dharma, Khenpo Munsel Rinpoche, who gave him detailed instructions and training in the stages of the accomplishment of Dzokchen. Lama Sarpo then spent over two years of study and practice of the Sutras and Tantras under the great Khenpo Jigmed Puntsok at Lharung Gar in Serta, Kham (East Tibet). Over the following years he received from many distinguished lamas a great variety of specialized teachings and practices in the Tantras, including many empowerments and transmissions such as Rinchen Terdzod. Returning to Bayan Monastery in Golok, he gathered all his accumulated knowledge and through fierce solitary meditation he fused it into the adamantine nature of his mind. Lama Sarpo worked tirelessly to benefit his people and his land with the great blessings he now possessed. At length he was recognized as a true lama. Now the term "lama" is used in different ways. In Tibet there are many who are called "lama," but the level of respect afforded a lama depends on the level of good qualities manifested and the extent of recognition by distinguished lamas. Lama Sarpo became recognized throughout his land for his vast good qualities and his profound spiritual abilities. When the time came that circumstances forced him into exile, he left a large and growing number of disciples and devotees throughout Eastern Tibet. In 2005 Lama Sarpo arrived as a refugee in India. He proceeded to take full advantage of the rare and precious opportunity to meet His Sublime Holiness the Dalai Lama and receive from Him many teachings such as Bodhisattvacaryavatara and empowerments such as Kalacakra. He took up residence in Simla, in the Takton Puntsok Choling Monastery (Jonangpa). There he immersed himself in higher studies, rituals and meditations. In October of 2008, he arrived in the USA, and has now begun to learn English. Lama Sarpo is a non-sectarian Buddhist master who holds a great variety of Buddhist lineages in addition to his native lineage of Longchen Nyingtik. Lama Sarpo is known for his powerful and inspiring teachings of the Buddha's law, speaking always from the depths of his heart and the vastness of his experience and direct realization. He is known far and wide in the Tibetan community for the power of his rituals, and has long been the lama most requested whenever someone dies and needs transference (p'owa) and other life transition assistance. His beautiful tormas are prized by the gods and goddesses for their perfect form and excellent taste. His rituals and prayers unfailingly motivate the Buddhas and bodhisattvas to send their best blessings and even to bring them in person. We are indeed most truly fortunate to be able to welcome a great lama of this stature into our community.
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A HUGE
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS THAT MADE LAST MONTH'S VISIT FROM THE GADEN SHARTSE MONASTIC TOUR A WONDERFUL SUCCESS. WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU!
Blue Angel Cafe'
Tahoe Tallac Association
Tibetech.org
Sierra Friends of Tibet
Nikki's Chaat Cafe'
Freshies Resaurant
Burger Lounge
Hard Rock Cafe'
Tahoe Queen
Borges Sleigh Rides
Safe Haven Chiropractic
Reality 101 the Book
NOTEable Bowls
Tahoe Tibetan Cultural Exchange
Scott Nanamura's Sangha Group
Jan & David Arnett
Trey & Ann Ligon
Lisa McAvoy
Bob & Edith
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Click Here to see online photo gallery of the tour's visit to Lake Tahoe
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For more information on the Gaden Shartse Tour and their schedules visit:
gadenshartsesecf.org
Venerable Khen Rinpoche Janchub Choeden
Also, it was so nice to see the great turnout from our Reno and Tahoe dharma friends who went to see Gaden Shartse's Khen Rinpoche Janchub Choeden (the abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery) in Grass Valley this past week. The teachings were amazing. Thank you for you attendance and great efforts to get there to receive the teachings.
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Click here for more information on
Khen Rinpoche Jangchub Choeden
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 | | Nechung Oracle of Tibet |
Free Documentary Feature Film
In Nevada City, CA
The Nechung Oracle of Tibet
Sunday, June 26th 7:30PM
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July 2, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Nechung Kuten the State Oracle of Tibet
In Grass Valley
 | | Nechung Kuten The State Oracle of Tibet |
PUBLIC TALK and RARE BLESSING
St. Joseph's Cultural Center
410 S. Church Street (2 blocks from historic downtown Grass Valley)
Grass Valley, CA
Download Nechung PDF Flyer Here
What:
Nechung Kuten, Medium for the State Oracle of Tibet Returns to Grass Valley for a Public Talk and Rare Blessing Event
Cost:
By Donation. $20 donation suggested however no one is ever turned away for not being able to donate. All are welcome. ALL donations go directly to Nechung Buddhist Center. Tibetan refugee made handicrafts will be offered for sale at the event to support the Nechung Buddhist Center.
Contact:
Joseph Guida 530-272-4725
email: info@sierrafriendsoftibet.org
ABOUT THE VAJRA KILAYA BLESSING
In GRASS VALLEY July 2nd 2:30pm at Saint Josephs Cultural Center
The Venerable Nechung Kuten, Thupten Ngodrup, Medium of the Chief State Oracle of Tibet will bestow a Vajrakilaya Blessing, which arises from his personal meditation, awareness, and a special Kilaya treasure.
Vajrakilaya is a deity of the Highest Yoga Tantra, symbolic of the Activity of all Enlightened Beings. It is considered to be one of the most powerful practices to overcome delusion, negativity and obstacles. Outwardly, Vajrakilaya has a wrathful appearance, but inwardly, emanates great compassion for all beings. In another level of tantra, Vajrakilaya manifests as the Bodhisattva Vajrapani.
Many great Tibetan masters of all the lineages, especially Nyingma and Sakya, have engaged in this quintessential practice to accomplish full enlightenment throughout the ages. The continuous transmission of this Tantra comes from these great lamas in an unbroken lineage until the present day.
In Buddhism, there are various traditions of practice and emphasis on specific aspects of the philosophy. There is Hinayana, which focuses on individual liberation, while Mahayana is based on altruistic thought and action, reliant on aspiration and actual engagement, which results in Buddhahood for the benefit of others.
Within the Mahayana, there are the categories of Sutra or the Perfections, and Secret Mantra or Tantra, also known as Vajrayana. Tibetan Buddhism is very complete; it includes Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
Secret Mantra encompasses four levels - Kriya, Charya, Yoga, and Highest Tantra Yoga. The word mantra means, "mind protection" (man, mind and tra, protect). This indicates that the practice of mantra protects the mind from ordinary appearances. By cultivating a pure view of the external world, as well as of one's physical, verbal and mental facilities, the aspirant can transform ordinary appearances and activities into exalted ones; not only in meditation, but in all aspects of daily life.
This Vajrakilaya blessing, complemented by positive thoughts and deeds, creates favorable conditions to remove difficulties and increases merit and wisdom for ultimate realization.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE EVENT
Sierra Friends of Tibet and Tibetech.org in collaboration with
The Center of Wellness, Noteable Bowls and Placerville Friends of Tibet welcomes Nechung Kuten, Medium for the State Oracle of Tibet to Grass Valley for a very special public talk and rare blessing event.
Nechung Kuten is the medium of Nechung, the State Oracle of Tibet and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama, his government in exile and 200,000 Tibetan refugees have been living in Dharamsala since the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959.
Nechung Kuten will offer a public talk on "World Peace Through Inner Peace." Nechung Kuten is a Tibetan Buddhist monk, Abbot of the historic Nechung Monastery in exile and an internationally acclaimed speaker noted for addressing topics on World Peace, the Environment and Global Warming. Recognized for his remarkable healing abilities, Nechung Kuten has worked tirelessly on behalf of the sick, the aged and the dying.
Following the talk, Nechung Kuten will then offer each individual member of the audience an opportunity to receive a rare and special blessing. This is a rare occasion to receive a multi-dimensional blessing from Nechung Kuten, who will confer this powerful ceremony using two rare and ancient ritual implements: the Phurba (ritual knife) used by Padmasambhava, the Indian mystic responsible for the spread of Buddhism in Tibet in the eight century and a sanctified statue of Atisha an 11th century saint who reformed Buddhism in Tibet. It is believed by Buddhists that being blessed by Nechung Kuten and these powerful Dharma icons has the potential to transmit a high degree of protection, healing and energy to those receiving the blessing with an open heart and clear mind.
Like many ancient civilizations of the world, the phenomenon of oracles remains an important part of the Tibetan way of life. Tibetans rely on oracles for various reasons. The purpose of the oracles is not just to foretell the future. They are called upon as protectors and often used as healers. However, their primary function is to protect the Buddha Dharma (the Buddha's teachings of kindness and compassion) and its practitioners. In the Tibetan tradition, the word oracle is used for a spirit which enters those men and women who act as mediums between the natural and the spiritual realms. The mediums are therefore, known as Kuten, which literally means, "the physical basis."
Nechung Kuten, aka the Ven. Thupten Ngodup was born on July 13, 1958 in Pari, Tibet. As a child he was artistically gifted, and had great compassion for others. In 1966, he and his family escaped Tibet to Dharamsala, India. At the age of 12, he took ordination as a monk at Nechung Monastery. Nechung monastery is an institution that has been closely affiliated with the Tibetan Government and the succession of Dalai Lamas for centuries and was just beginning to get reestablished (following the onset of the Tibetan diaspora). Thupten Ngodup was one of the first wave of new monks. Due to his qualities and artistic abilities, he quickly rose to the position of the Chief Ritual Assistant to the Nechung Protector while in trance.
After the passing of Lobzang Jigme, the previous Medium in April 1984, there was a gap of three years when there was no presence of a Medium for the Nechung Oracle. The Nechung monks and the Tibetan community requested for the rapid appearance of a new Kuten in daily prayers. In 1987, the Venerable Thupten Ngodup entered into his first spontaneous trance, during Drepung Monastery's annual offering ceremony to the Protector at Nechung Monastery in Dharamsala. He displayed signs that he may indeed by the next Nechung Kuten.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama advised that he conduct an extended retreat and engage in special meditations and rituals and ripen and stabilize his abilities. On September 4, 1987, he was fully recognized to be the Medium of Nechung the Tibetan Oracle. The Nechung Kuten is an important figure for the Tibetan people and Tibetan Buddhism, and holds a position of great responsibility in the Tibetan government in exile.
"This community's long-term and unwavering commitment to Tibet, her people and the wisdom teachings of non-violence and compassion is the cause for Nechung Kuten, medium of the protector of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile to return for one afternoon during his incredibly demanding schedule while on a short visit to the U.S." says Melanie Sullivan of Tibetech.org which sponsors and manages the Nechung Buddhist Center's web and internet projects. To learn more on the history of the Nechung Oracle and the Nechung Buddhist Center, please visit www.nechung.com
Tibetan carpets, ritual items, Tibetan bowls and refugee made handicrafts are available for purchase at the event. Ritual statues consecrated by Nechung Kuten are also available to sponsors of the Nechung Buddhist Center. Please check the web for details on the statues. All funds raised go directly to the Nechung Buddhist Center. No member of Tibetech.org, SFOT or any sponsoring partner receives remuneration. This is a volunteer driven event.
| | YouTube Video: Tibetan Oracle Speaks on Healing, Peace and Environment
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 | | Kalachakra |
Kalachakra is coming soon!!!
For World Peace
In Washington, DC with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
With change of events I will no longer be able to attend the eleven day Kalachakra teaching and Empowerment in Washington, DC with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, July 6th - 16th. I will be selling my tickets if anyone is interested or knows anyone who is. They are for the entire eleven days sitting with students from Gaden ShartseThupten Dharge Ling, in Long Beach. If you are interested in the tickets please call me, Melanie at 775-586-9125.
Thanking all of our dharma friends that are going and for taking the time and commitment for such an high and auspicious teaching. Next Kalachakra teaching by His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be held in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India December 31, 2011 - January 10th, 2012. Find more information on Kalachakra here: kalachakra2011.net |
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 | | Buddha's Relics |
Buddha's Relic Tour - Tahoe City
A FREE Exhibit in Tahoe City California, a site for the International Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour this summer. Maitreya means loving kindness. July 8, 9 and 10 Tahoe City's Center for Spiritual Living, 700 N. Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145 Tahoe City's Center for Spiritual Living has been selected as a site for the international Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour this summer July 8, 9 and 10. Click Here for flyerThe Relic Tour is a Tibetan Buddhist sponsored exhibit which has been on tour since 2002. It has been hosted in Governor's mansions, capitol buildings and spiritual centers throughout the world. The exhibit features sacred relics of the Buddha and other great Buddhist masters. The beautiful pearl-like crystals have been found post-cremation in the ashes of holy beings such as the historical Buddha, his disciples, lineage founders, and modern day lamas. Buddhists believe the relics embody the master's spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom and are deliberately produced by the master at his death as a healing gift to others . This unique collection has been gathered by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, a student of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, and Spiritual Director of the Maitreya Project. The Relics are said to have a healing and even enlightening effect on people. While some are inspired to pray for world peace and to develop their inner wisdom, others are overcome by emotion as the powerful effects of the relics open their hearts to compassion and loving-kindness. It is our understanding that there are many Relic "pilgrims" who follow the tour just to be in the Relic's presence. Wherever the exhibit goes, crowds visit and we are expecting guests from all over the United States. The relics are clearly visible inside display cases that encircle a life-size, golden statue of the Maitreya Buddha. Visitors may participate in a Blessing Ceremony where the relics of the Buddha are gently placed on the crown of the visitor's head as a personal blessing. According to Buddhist scriptures, Maitreya will be the next Buddha to bring teachings of loving-kindness to the world. Eventually, the relics will be enshrined in a 500 ft tall bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha that is being built in Kushinagar, Northern India. The Center for Spiritual Living is one of hundreds of similar centers across the country. Although we are not a Buddhist organization, we study and respect the Buddha's teachings as well as those of Jesus and many other of the world's great spiritual teachers, including the Science of Mind teachings of our own founder, Ernest Holmes. There will be many Buddhists attending our event, but we are also expecting spiritual people of many denominations. Persons of all spiritual traditions are welcome , of course . Tahoe City's Center for Spiritual Living is located next to the Tahoe City Marina on the water and has fabulous lake views. There is a wonderful deck where guests are welcome to meditate and appreciate Tahoe's beauty after viewing the relics. There is also easy access to the boardwalk leading to Common's Beach where visitors can picnic, swim and enjoy the lake. At the Dalai Lama's wishes, the event is open to all at no charge. Throughout the event, blessing ceremonies (including a special pet blessing) with the relics will be held for visitors. For further information about the Maitreya Project and Relic Tour, go to www.maitreyaproject.com. "This project is really wonderful...from the depths of my heart I appreciate and applaud [it]." "The very name 'Maitri', that's loving-kindness. Now in today's world, we really need the promotion of Maitreya, Maitri, loving-kindness. So this is a huge project, right from the beginning, I simply admire those concerned people especially the late Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche really devoted to making this huge statue, and many followers really putting in effort, I really admire and I appreciate."- His Holiness the Dalai Lama Dates July 8, 9 & 10, 2011Times Friday: 6pm to 8pm Opening Ceremony (Ceremony Begins at 7:00) Saturday: 10am to 7pm, Sunday: 10am to 5pm Venue Center for Spiritual Living, 700 N. Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145Contact Sue Pipal, Email: spipal@att.net, Telephone: 530 320 2922Entrance No entrance charge, donations welcome Following Weekend The Relics will be at the Sacramento Center for Spiritual Living |
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