Upcoming Events 2010
Ngondro Practice Days
3rd Saturday of the month
Jan 16, Feb 20, March 20
These Saturdays, running since May last year, are a chance to do some ngondro practice with others on the same path, in a supportive environment. This kind of intensive focus once a month is invaluable for helping maintain a solid, regular practice at home, and increases the harmony and strength of the sangha. Wherever you are at with your ngondro, come along for as much of the day as you can, and if you wish, stay over for Sunday morning puja. Because of different rates of progress, individuals will proceed at their own pace, rather than doing each part as a group. There will be a chance to clarify any practical questions with students who have already completed ngondro, and Jigme Rinpoche will also be around on some of the Saturdays, and for Sunday puja.
Parents are welcome to bring children, but please note full-time supervision must be arranged with another adult.
To keep costs down, please bring a brown-bag lunch. Hot and cold drinks will be available in the dining-hall.
Day-only retreatants: optional donation
Overnight retreatants: dinner Saturday, dorm bed (pls bring your own bedding), breakfast Sunday -- requested donation of $20.
ADVANCE NOTIFICATION REQUIRED. So that we can plan meals and beds, please call us on 707 632 5629 or email reservations@blackmountaincenter.com
Throma Retreat with Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche
Tibetan New Year -- Losar 2010
February 13-14, PPI

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The practice of Throma contains the complete path of the Vajrayana, from ngondro (the preliminary practices) all the way through the Dzogchen (Great Perfection) practices of trekchod and thogal. The Throma-based practice of Chöd removes obstacles, both for our short-term happiness and those hindering our ultimate enlightenment. It carries extraordinary healing power and through its practice we can accummulate merit and wisdom in a vast and rapid way. Merely making a connection to Throma practice brings great benefit and blessings.
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Lama Pema Dorje was born in 1942 on the banks of the Ganges river in Rishikesh, India, into a family of yogis whose ancestors can be traced back to Milarepa's paternal line. At four, he was recognized as a reincarnation of an accomplished Indian master and started his Buddhist education. Later, Rike Chatral Rinpoche recognized him as an incarnation of the Indian Mahasiddha Padampa Sangye, an early founder of the practice of Chöd.
At seventeen, Lama Pema Dorje met his root guru, Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, who gave him the entire transmission of the Dudjom lineage, as well as other Nyingma teachings. From the Bhutanese master, Pema Wangchen Rinpoche, he received teachings on tsalung and tumo, including the five branches and six yogas, covering all aspects of outer, inner, and secret teachings.
From Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, he received the Nyingma Treasures,
as well as advice and personal instruction. He also received empowerments and transmissions from Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, the Sixteenth Karmapa, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, and Kyabje Sakya Trinzen.
Although Pema Dorje Rinpoche was qualified to teach, initially he only provided instruction to a
few fellow practitioners at the explicit request of his teachers. Then H.H. Dilgo
Khyentse Rinpoche authorized and encouraged him to spread the Dharma. Soon afterwards he accepted the invitation of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche to teach in the United States. Since then he has taught students from Brazil, Taiwan, Japan, Tibet, and elsewhere.
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Empowerment is required for this retreat
For those who do not have the empowerment for the Dudjom Throma, Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche will offer the wang on Saturday morning from 8.00-9.30am. Please be sure to inform the treasurer that you will be taking the empowerment, and arrange for accommodations on Friday night if necessary. Everyone who is coming for the empowerment should be at the shrine-room several minutes before 8am.
TIME: The retreat will begin on Saturday morning at 9.30am and end on Sunday evening around 5.30pm. Please note we do NOT offer dinner on Friday night, even if some retreatants need to arrive that evening.
COSTS: Per person per day (includes meals, tsog feast, accommodation). Day-only includes just lunch.
All prices go up $10 on February 6th!
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Overnight in dormitories |
Overnight in private room w shared bath |
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CGF-member |
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Non-CGF member |
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To register, or to reserve a room in the Tara House, please call the treasurer on 415-663-9421.
OFFERINGS
During intensive practice retreats, we make offerings of tsog and butterlamps. Tsog is a most profound method of purification and for gaining realization. Offering tsog and butterlamps are said to be two of the most effective ways for accumulating merit through generosity, and for this occasion where we honor a great lama like Chagdud Rinpoche, it is particularly beneficial to make such offerings as a way to strengthen present and future connections with true masters. All dedications will be read during the pujas. Those who are unable to attend retreat but would still like to make offerings are also welcome to do so.
There are several ways to make offerings:
1) with secure credit card donation processing online at www. padmapeace.org
2) by downloading a PDF form and mailing with a check made out to 'Ati Ling'
3) by calling the treasurer on 415-663-9421 to arrange payment by credit card
Click here for full details about staying at PPI
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Teachings on Samaya
February 28 & March 7, 2010
Shambhala Streetspace, Berkeley CA
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Rigdzin Dupa 100,000 Tsog Offerings Retreat
Memorial Day Weekend
May 29-31, 2010, PPI
This annual Rigdzin Dupa ('Gathering of Awareness-Holders') Retreat is based on the sadhana by the great treasure-revealer Jigme Lingpa (1729-1798) and constitutes the lama aspect -- here represented by Guru Rinpoche -- of the Three Roots practice of the Longchen Nyingthig lineage.
This classic Nyingma practice was very important to Chagdud Rinpoche, and Jigme Rinpoche uses it as the basis for the month-long Dzogchen retreat in Brazil every year.
This year Jigme Rinpoche will once again offer empowerment and lead the 100,000 Tsog Offering Rigdzin Dupa Retreat, and everyone is warmly welcomed to join.
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Attendance is possible on a per-day basis for those who are unable to attend the whole retreat. Note that empowerment is required for attendance at this retreat, and will be offered on the Saturday morning.
TIME: The retreat will begin on Saturday morning at 9.30am and end on Monday evening around 5pm.
COSTS: Per person per day (includes meals, tsog feast, accommodation). Day-only includes just lunch.
All prices go up $10 on May 22nd!
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Overnight in dormitories |
Overnight in private room w shared bath |
|
|
CGF-member |
|
|
|
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Non-CGF member |
|
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|
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To register, or to reserve a room in the Tara House, please call the treasurer on 415-663-9421.
OFFERINGS
During intensive practice retreats, we make offerings of tsog and butterlamps. Tsog is a most profound method of purification and for gaining realization. Offering tsog and butterlamps are said to be two of the most effective ways for accumulating merit through generosity, and for occasions where we are doing a practice due to the kindness of great lamas like His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, Khenpo Ngaga or Chagdud Rinpoche, it is particularly beneficial to make such offerings as a way to strengthen present and future connections with true masters. All dedications will be read during the pujas. Those who are unable to attend retreat but would still like to make offerings are also welcome to do so. Butterlamps are $1.50 each; tsog offerings can be in any amount.
There are several ways to make offerings:
1) with secure credit card donation processing online at www. padmapeace.org
2) by downloading a PDF form and mailing with a check made out to 'Ati Ling'
3) by calling the treasurer on 415-663-9421 to arrange payment by credit card
MORE INFO ABOUT STAYING AT PPI...
Lama Tsering Everest
Program TBA
September 3-6 (Labor Day Weekend), PPI
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
Awakening the Mind & Softening the Heart
October 1-3, Berkeley Shambhala Center
PPI is co-sponsering this special event with the Mangalam Dharma Study Group and the Berkeley Shambhala Center.
There will be a public talk Friday night followed by the weekend program.
For more information, contact activity@atiling.org.
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To read more about past events held at the Padmasambhava Peace Institute,
from 2004 to now
click here...
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This page was last updated on:
February 3, 2010
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