Upcoming Events 2009

Ngondro Practice Days 2009

3rd Saturday of the month (except in June)

May 16, June 13, July 18, Aug 15, Sept 19

These Saturdays 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

Teachings on Pure View

Thursdays June 4th and 11th 2009, at 7pm
Open Secret Bookstore, 923 C St, San Rafael

“Appearance, sound and awareness are the realm of deity, mantra and dharmakaya,
extending infinitely as the display of the kayas and timeless awareness.
In the practice of profound and secret mahayoga, may their inseparability be of one taste
within the sphere of enlightened mind.”
(Traditionally said to be the last words of Terdag Lingpa, founder of Mindroling Monastery).

Jigme Tromge Rinpoche will offer two evenings of teachings on pure view, the essence of the Vajrayana approach. Extensively explained in classical texts and commentaries, pure view (or pure perception) can nonetheless be a challenging concept because of its vastness, and because of the extraordinary implications for every aspect of our experience and being.

In these two talks, Rinpoche will refer to the above verses (known to many people as one of the ‘Prayers Between Sessions’ used during long pujas) to explain clearly what is meant by pure view, and how Vajrayana practitioners can understand this view and aspire to apply it on an ongoing basis.

There is no charge for this event; traditionally, however, an offering is made to the lama giving teachings.

For location and directions to Open Secret, click here. For downloadable PDF flyer, click here.

Throma Nagmo Empowerment & Drubchod

Memorial Day Weekend at PPI

Saturday 23rd - Monday 25th May 2009

Throma Nagmo, the Wrathful Dakini, represents the innermost secret aspect of the dakini, the feminine embodiment of wisdom. The Chod practice of Throma Nagmo provides us with an extremely powerful means to cut through the dualistic clinging of mind, the root of suffering, thus revealing our inherent wisdom nature. Foreseeing the difficulties of future times, Guru Rinpoche in his compassion revealed a rare teaching of the Black Dakini to his chief consort Yeshe Tsogyal, who later concealed this as a terma (hidden treasure teaching). This treasure was to be discovered at an appropriate time by one of the reincarnations of Guru Padmasambhava's 25 disciples, Drogben Khyeuchung Lotsawa. Drogben Lotsawa reincarnated as Duddul Dorje, the great revitaliser of the Kathog lineage, and then later as the meditation master and terton Dudjom Lingpa (1835-1904). Dudjom Lingpa received direct transmissions of the Throma cycle in visions of Machig Labdron, Saraha, Padampa Sangye and others. He kept the practice secret for some time before teaching, but later at least thirteen of his disciples attained rainbow body through the practice of Throma Nagmo

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 Chod 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. Jigme Rinpoche received the transmission of Throma Nagmo from His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, the reincarnation of Dudjom Lingpa, and also from his own father and teacher His Eminence Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche.

Important note : empowerment is required to attend this retreat, and will be offered on the Saturday morning. If you do not have the empowerment yet, please be sure to arrive on Friday evening or by 8.30am on Saturday morning.

COSTS AND REGISTRATION:

All costs PER PERSON PER DAY include accommodation, three meals a day, and tsog (food offering). Offerings to the lama, traditionally made at the end of retreats or teachings and in accordance with the practitioner's means, are not included.

ALL REGISTRATION IS PRE-PAID. To register, please call the treasurer on 415-663-9421 and leave your contact details. If you have any questions about the retreat, we are happy to help. Please email office@atiling.org.

Private rooms are available with two twin or one queen-sized bed -- please tell the treasurer what you need. Shared bathroom. First-come, first-served basis.

 
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 are doing a practice due to the kindness of great lamas like His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche and 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

CHILDREN:

Children are always welcome at our dharma events, and we have found that the Throma retreat is one which children particularly enjoy and are able to participate in for longer periods. Children may attend for free but MUST be pre-registered. If you are planning to bring your child/children, please contact PPI staff as soon as possible to find out about our supervision arrangements for children.

SCHEDULING AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

The retreat will begin at 9.30am on Saturday 23rd May and end at 6pm on Monday 25th May. Retreatants can arrive on Friday night after 6pm, but please note that dinner will NOT be provided. Retreatants wishing to stay over on Monday night may do so for a small additional charge; please speak to the treasurer if you will need this additional bed-and-breakfast.

CLICK HERE FOR GENERAL RETREAT INFO AND STAYING AT PPI

Lion-faced Dakini Retreat with Jigme Rinpoche

Saturday 4th - Sunday 5th July 2009

Napa Valley, CA

Rigdzin Dupa 100,000 Tsog Offerings Retreat

Labor Day Wkend

5 - 7 September 2009

Padmasambhava Peace Institute

P'howa Empowerment & Practice Retreat

with Chagdud Khadro

9 - 11 October 2009

Padmasambhava Peace Institute

Padma Dakini Drubchod

November 2009

Padmasambhava Peace Institute

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PPI Event Archives

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: May 16, 2009