23.11.-26.11.15 Visit of H.E. SANGYE NYENPA RINPOCHE
Teachings on the General Preliminary Practices
and Vajrasattva Empowerment
Begins: 23 Nov. at 15.00
Ends: 26 Nov. at 12.30
Course Fee alone: 140 euros including Empowerment
Course Fee including all meals and accommodation: 230 euros including Empowerment
Empowerment alone: 40 euros
Halscheid Retreat Center is pleased to announce a special visit by His Eminence the 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche!
One of the most important teachers in the Kagyu lineage, His Eminence was born at a famous fortress monastery in Bhutan in 1964 and recognized by the 16th Karmapa as the 10th Sangye Nyenpa, a line which traces back to the renowned 15th century meditaton master and Kagyu regent Tashi Paljor. His teachers have included His Holiness Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche, Tenga Rinpoche and the 16th Karmapa himself.
One of the most learned contemporary masters of Buddhist philosophy and tantric ritual, Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche is currently head of the Benchen Monastery in Kathmandu and travels extensively in Asia and Europe, where he is well known for his warmth and openness as well as his scholarship.
While here at Halscheid, His Eminence will be teaching on the ‚Ngondro‘ or Preliminary Practices, the traditional foundation for all Vajrayana Buddhist students. The twice-daily teaching sessions will give special emphasis to the General Preliminaries, otherwise known as “ the four foundations that turn the mind to the dharma,“ the freedoms and advantages of human birth, the truth of impermanence and change, the karmic consequences of human action, and the negative effects of samsaric existence.
In addition to the teachings, His Eminence will give a Vajrasattva Empowerment on Thursday morning at 10 o’clock.
Be sure to register early for this very special event!
26.12.15-2.1.2016 AMITABHA RETREAT: SADHANA PRACTICE AND GANACHAKRA
December 26, 2015 – January 2, 2016
Course Instructor: Lama Kunga Dorje
Begins: Saturday December 26 at 19.00
Ends: Saturday January 2 after lunch
Fee: 280 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
To use the time of the changing of the year in a meaningful way for us as well as for others, we will meet again this holiday season for our annual Amitabha Retreat. This year the retreat has been extended an extra day.
Amitabha Buddha is the meditation deity associated with the divine realm of Sukhavati (tib: Dewachen). He is called “Buddha of Limitless Light”, because his activity permeates all clouded states of our being and clears away all suffering.
By doing Amithaba practice – reciting mantras, prayers and practising the sadhana – we can support those who have departed this life on their further path, clear away states of suffering in ourselves and others, and help to create an auspicious compassionate foundation for the coming year.
Those of us who have lost someone dear can dedicate the positive merit of the retreat to them, as well as to all other sentient beings. For those who have passed away in 2015, there will be a special ‘bardo puja’ on the 31st of December.
On the morning of New Years Day 2016 we will celebrate the beginning of the year with an auspicious ‘Ribosang,’ a smoke offering ritual for happiness and world peace.