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Rinpoche is coming to Gaden Choling in June, 2024 to offer the following Empowerments and Teachings in person and online via Zoom:

Friday, June 21, 2024

6:30 - 9:30 PM EDT

Chöd Empowerment Opening the Door to the Sky

in the Gaden Tradition

Saturday, June 22 and Sunday June 23, 2024

10 AM - 5 PM EDT

Weekend Teaching on Chöd Commentary

by Lama Je Tsongkhapa

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

6:30 - 8:30 PM EDT

Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche provides

Commentary on Chöd

Thursday, June 27, 2024

6:30 - 9 PM EDT

Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche presents Commentary to Hundred Verses of Advice

Saturday, June 29, 2024

2 - 4 PM EDT

White Mahakala Empowerment

Sunday, June 30, 2024

10 AM - 4 PM EDT

White Manjushri Empowerment and Teachings

PLEASE NOTE:  This webpage will be removed on August 1, 2024.

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Chöd Empowerment - Opening the Door to the Sky
in the Gaden Tradition

Friday, June 21, 2024 6:30 - 9:30 PM EDT

*Prerequisite: Study of the Lam Rim

*Commitments: Refuge, Bodhicitta and Tantric Vows (to be given at initiation), and Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche (bio)

                       as one of your gurus

 

Lama Je Tsongkhapa:

All Mahayana training is included in lojong,

And all Mahayana Dharma is included in Chöd.

 

From "Chöd in the Ganden Tradition: The Oral Instructions of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche": 

Chöd is, in essence, the main path to full enlightenment, the Great mother from whom all enlightened beings are born. Chöd means "cutting"; that is, cutting through the misconception of self that is the very root of samsara.

From Buddha Weekly:

Chöd practice combines the Three Paths in an advanced practice: Renunciation, Bodhichitta (compassion) and Shunyata (wisdom understanding Emptiness). Chöd means to “cut” — cutting ego, self-grasping and attachments. Chöd also includes Powa practice. By combining both method and wisdom — Bodhichitta practice and meditation on Emptiness — Chöd is considered one of the most advanced practices in Esoteric Buddhism.

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Weekend Teaching on Chöd Commentary by Lama Je Tsongkapa
Saturday, June 22, 2024 10 AM - 5 PM and
Sunday, June 23, 2024 10 AM - 5 PM EDT

*Prerequisite: Chöd Empowerment and Five Dakini Transmission - Opening the Door to the Sky (offered Friday, June 21,2024)

A rare opportunity! Join us for these most precious teachings from Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, as he will expound Lama Je Tsongkhapa's rare Chöd commentary. 

 

The practice of Chöd is a powerful method for developing compassion and cutting away the self-grasping of the non-existent 'I'. When properly engaged in, Chöd harnesses our fears, teaching us how to transform them into energy to propel us towards enlightenment.

Saturday and Sunday Schedule:

Teaching 10 - 11:30 AM

Tea 11:30 AM - 12 PM
Lunch 12 - 1:30 PM
Practice 1:30 - 3 PM

Tea 3 - 3:30 PM
Teaching 3:30 - 5 PM

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Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche gives
Commentary on Chöd

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 6:30 - 8:30 PM EDT

*Prerequisite: Chöd Empowerment and Five Dakini Transmission - Opening the Door to the Sky (offered Friday, June 21,2024)

Chöd literally means "to sever",  and is a tantric practice developed by the Tibetan teacher Machig Labdron. It is a radical method for cutting through the inflation of ego-fixation through the willingness to accept what is undesirable, the disregard of difficult circumstances, the realization that gods and demons are one’s own mind, and the understanding that oneself and others are utterly equal. Chöd is based on the view of the prajñāpāramitā teachings, and employs the skillful methods of tantra.

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Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche gives Commentary to
Padampa Sangye's Hundred Verses of Advice

Thursday, June 27, 2024 6:30 - 9 PM EDT

*No prerequisites. A basic understanding of the Lam Rim is desirable

In December, 2023, Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche presented us with concise commentary on the first 25 verses of Padampa Sangye's Hundred Verses of Advice. This summer Rinpoche will continue his commentary from Verse 26.  How fortunate we are!

 

Padampa Sangye was one of the greatest scholars of classical India, a master who traveled widely in Asia and taught the practice of Chöd, or cutting through ego-clinging. Just before the end of his very long life, in Tingri, a region in Tibet near Mount Everest, one of his close disciples asked him to leave some final instructions. In response, Padampa Sangye spoke this collection of advice.  His verses are concise and profound, covering topics such as impermanence, karma, renunciation, compassion, and the nature of mind. 

 

You can read the full text of Hundred Verses here

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White Mahakala Empowerment
Saturday, June 29, 2024 2 - 4 PM EDT

*No prerequisites. A basic understanding of the Lam Rim is desirable

*Commitments: Refuge, Bodhicitta and Tantric Vows (to be given at initiation), and Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche (bio)

                       as one of your gurus

 

From Rinpoche's book Source of All Buddhist Protectors:

"White Mahakala is a Protector and prosperity deity mainly practiced in the Gelug and Sakya traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Through the practice of White Mahakala we can create prosperity for self, family and community."

 

From Buddha Weekly:

White Mahakala brings prosperity

"Does it seem counter-intuitive, that Buddhist practices include “good fortune” practices — especially when Buddha taught renunciation? Does it seem selfish to ask for Enlightened help with our obstacles such as poverty, stress, or resources? It shouldn’t. Imagine if fully renounced monks are starving, unable to find a bowl of rice. How can they meditate? How can they practice Bodhichitta when they can’t even find food for themselves? And how can the lay community support the monks when they can’t feed themselves."

Wealth is neither virtuous nor non-virtuous

"In Mahayana Buddhism, wealth is not considered either a non-virtue or a virtue. It’s merit entirely depends on why a person accumulates wealth — and how it is used. The goal of the Mahayana vehicle is to help all sentient beings to achieve Enlightenment."

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White Manjushri Empowerment and Teachings
Sunday, June 30, 2024 10 AM - 4 PM EDT

*No prerequisites. A basic understanding of the Lam Rim is desirable

*Commitments: Refuge, Bodhicitta and Tantric Vows (to be given at initiation), and Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche (bio)

                       as one of your gurus

 

Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche will be offering White Manjushri Empowerment. Manjushri is the Buddha of Wisdom, and White Manjushri practice is beneficial for increasing knowledge and wisdom. White Manjushri is also particularly helpful for improving memory and memorizing texts and teachings, as well as enhancing writing and creativity. No commitment for this empowerment other than Boddhisattva Vows, everyone is welcome.

 

Sunday's Schedule:

White Manjushri empowerment 10 - 11:30 AM

Practice 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Lunch 12:30 - 2PM 

Teaching and practice 2 - 3 PM 

Tea 3:30pm

Sadhana practice 3:30 - 4 PM 

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