October 12, 2009
November 1 - 6, 2009
Kapala Training Level I
Kripalu Yoga Center, Lenox, MA
Kapala Training Level I is the first of a four-level training. It offers an in-depth exploration of the practice in the lineage of eleventh-century Tibetan yogini Machig Labdrön and the related Mahayana teachings of Prajña Paramita, the Great Mother, our own true nature. The training is for those who wish to work deeply with their own "demons" through contemplative practice.
You will learn a five-step practice based on the principles of feeding the demons rather than fighting them, so as to move beyond dualistic struggle. Compassionate nurturing rather than battling outer and inner challenges develops the potential for deep healing and helps us move from polarization to integration.
November 6 - 8, 2009
Chöd Retreat
Kripalu Yoga Center, Lenox, MA
An integration of Tibetan shamanic traditions and Buddhism’s teachings of compassion and emptiness, the centuries-old practice of Chöd helps us to understand the root of our pain and provides a way to resolve our deepest shadows and hardest addictions. Popularized by the eleventh-century yogini Machig Labdrön and used for cutting through fear, fixation, and self-clinging, Chöd is a wonderful practice for these times.
November 10th, 7:00 pm
Public Talk
"Transforming Delusions into Wisdom: The Mandala Principle in Tibetan Buddhism"
Concord, MA
The mandala of the Enlightened Feminine creates a sacred geography within the psyche leading toward the realization of the innate perfection of the world. The mandala is a blueprint for sacred reality on every level. Ritually, aesthetically, and symbolically it expresses the inherent purity of all existence, and embodiment as a path to liberation. Through the mandala, the psyche is provided with a container and structure for transformation and architecture of enlightened experience.
7 pm, Trinitarian Church
54 Walden St., Concord, MA
$20 advance/$25 at the door/$15 students
Info/Registration: boston@taramandala.org | (978) 369-7826
November 11th, 7:00 pm
Public Talk and Booksigning: "Feeding Your Demons"
Cambridge, MA
Within the ancient teachings of Tibetan Buddhism lies a method for facing--and dissolving--our fears, illnesses and emotional stumbling blocks. Tsultrim Allione will present a practical application of a revolutionary approach developed by a legendary Tibetan yogini, Machig Labdrön, almost 1,000 years ago. She will lead us through an experiential 5-step process that can help you meet and release what the Tibetan's call 'demons'---the longings, fears, obsessions, illnesses and attachments we battle with every day. We will learn how our inner and outer demons can be seen, nurtured, and transformed into allies.
7 pm, Quaker Meeting House
5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA
$20 advance/$25 at the door/$15 students
Info/Registration: boston@taramandala.org | (978) 369-7826
November 12th, 7:00 pm
Public talk
"The Great Mother Prajñaparamita and Sky-like Mind," an introductory talk with transmission
Wellesley, MA
This evening presentation will be an introduction and transmission of the practice of the Great Mother Prajña Paramita, who is known as Mother of all the Buddhas. The session will prepare and authorize participants to do this practice, which is primarily a nature of mind meditation. Prajña Paramita arose between 100 B.C. and 100 C.E as a goddess embodying wisdom similar to and at the same time as the western wisdom goddess Sophia. We will look at the connections between these two and the historical development of Prajña Paramita in Buddhism, in addition to the meditation.
7 pm, Houghton Chapel and Multifaith Center
106 Central St., Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
Suggested donation: $15 at the door
Info: jsunim@wellesley.edu | 781-283-2793
Tara Mandala Welcomes Khenpo Urgyen Wangchuk
Teachings Available to Community
Tibetan Language, Ritual Arts, Tibetan Instruments and more
Our visiting Khenpo Urgyen Wangchuk was invited to Tara Mandala at the suggestion of Tulku Sang Ngag Rinpoche as an expert on Dzinpa Rangdrol. We quickly discovered that he is a real treasure, and are so happy to welcome him as a resident here. His presence is a tremendous opportunity for the community. Khenpo has reached the highest degree of study (there are three graduate levels), and became principal of his monastic college. He has added training in ritual arts because he was the apprentice of Pegyel Lingpa, a terton who resided in Bhutan. He not only learned the ritual arts and philosophy, but also did many years of retreat. He has decided to stay on at Tara Mandala at Lama Tsultrim's invitation, to help with the grounding of Tara Mandala in the Dzinpa Rangdrol and all the ritual arts such as dance, instrument playing and torma making.
Khenpo Urgyen Wangchuk will be leading Dzinpa Rangdrol Chod practice from 8-8:30 pm, Monday-Friday. He will teach on Chod (drumming, etc) from 8:30-9 pm. Gradually we will learn the more extensive Chod's in the cycle.
On Saturdays and Sundays, at 8 pm we will continue do the Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche Chod.
Beginning on November 2, once our retreat season is over, and going throughout the winter, Khenpo Urgyen will supplement this schedule by teaching every day from 5:15 - 6:30pm.
Mondays: practice and teachings
Tuesdays: Tibetan language
Wednesdays: practice and teachings
Thursdays: Tibetan language
Fridays: practice and teachings
Saturdays: practice and teachings
Sundays: torma making
Lessons in jaling (oboe) and horn playing will be done in the morning, from 7:30 - 8:30am. The jaling practice will be Tuesday, and long horn will be Thursday.
You may attend these various classes on a drop-in basis, although regular attendance for the Tibetan classes is necessary. For Tibetan, Khenpo will begin at the beginning and teach writing, reading and grammar. In my experience he is a very good teacher. This is a great opportunity if you want to learn Tibetan. For those who live away but don't have commitments, consider joining the community for a winter of practice and study. For those who already know Tibetan, you might schedule some private sessions and offer dana. All these teachings will be given on a dana basis, perhaps making this offering twice a month at Tsog would be the most appropriate.
For Tsog we will restablish our weekly Tsogs held in the main temple on Tuesdays instead of Wednesdays. This will begin October 20th with Green Tara, and then alternate between Green Tara and White Dakini. Some people will also continue to practice the White Dakini tosg on Guru Rinpoche and Dakini Days as well. If you are interested in doing that, contact julia@taramandala.org.
If you are interested in participating in any of these practices, please contact
Robin at registrar@taramandala.org for more information and
to let us know you will be attending.