"It is excellent to know what the genuine Dharma is. However, if one does not meditate, the ultimate result will not be obtained, so practice is very important. Further, rather than practicing alone in a solitary place, it is better to practice in a group. Repa Shiwa said, 'The basis of virtuous activity is compatible Dharma friends.' Through the encouragement of lamas and friends who truly follow the Dharma, one's faith and diligence grow, and one's laziness and discouragement are turned around."

- Khyabje Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

2008 - 2009 Program Schedule
Nine-Month Mahamudra Program (2008-2009)
by Andy Levine
Starting September 6, 2008
First Saturday of the month (with exception of September) at Nancy's (Novato) house.
Fee: No minimm donation.

Pointing Out the Dharmakaya by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, a commentary on Wangchuk Dorje's classic with the same title, will serve as a basis for this program. Please see Mahamudra Program Areas link and Additonal Information on Texts link for more details regarding fit into curriculum and text, respectively. The class will include guided explorations from Mahamudra Meditation Center's meditation manual (available at MMC Meditation Manual.)

The 2008-2009 Program is full at this time. Please contact Andy at aslevine@sfsu.edu if you are interested in participating in the 2009-2010 Program.


Longchen Rabjam Program (2008-2009)
by Lama Thapkhay
Starting October 11, 2008
Second Saturday of the month at Lama Thapkhay's (Petaluma) house.

Study and practice sessions on Longchen Rabjam's Choying Dzod, utilizing both his root text and auto-commentary. This program is for students who actively meet with Lama Thapkhay on an individual basis.

Please see Root Text Summary or Text with Tibetan (Vista's Microsoft Himilayan font required) for summary verses for each of the thirteen chapters of the Choying Dzod .


Nine-Month Mahamudra Program (2007-2008)
by Pat Schotka
Starting September 8, 2007
First Saturday of the month (with exception of September) at Pat's (Petaluma) house.

Essentials of Mahamudra, a commentary on Dakpo Tashi Namgyal's classic Moonbeams of Mahamudra, by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche will serve as a basis for this program. Please see Mahamudra Program Areas link and Additonal Information on Texts link for more details regarding fit into curriculum and text, respectively. The class will include guided explorations from Mahamudra Meditation Center's meditation manual.

Please contact Pat at patschotka@comcast.net for class, registration and/or location information.


Classes and Events from 2006-2007

Lojong and Mahamudra
by Lama Thapkhay
September 22, 2007
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at The Mahamudra Center, Point Arena

Lama Thapkhay will summarize Lojong (Seven Point Mind Training) for Dharma practitioners, with emphasis on Mahamudra.


Lojong and Chenrezig Practice
by Kenpo Jigme
January 6 & 7, 2007
Times (each day): 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at The Mahamudra Center, Point Arena

Khenpo Jigme from Vajra Vidya Retreat Center in Crestone, Colorado will be teaching LOJONG (Seven Point Mind Training) on Saturday and CHENREZIG (Compassion and Bodhichitta) on Sunday. He will be accompanied by translator Lopon Sonam Bumdhen.

Khenpo entered Namo Buddha Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies at Namo Buddha, Nepal in 1989 and completed the five-year program. In 1994 he entered and completed the traditional three-year retreat at the retreat center at Namo Buddha. In 1997 Thrangu Rinpoche appointed him as a main teacher for the Namo Buddha Institute and the Vajra Vidya Institute in Sarnath, India and gave him the title of “Khenpo”. This title is given as a master of Buddhist philosophy, similar to a PhD. in Theology.

Please contact us at info@mahamudracenter.org for additional information.


Vajrayana Meditation from Mahamudra Perspective (2006-2007)
by Lama Thapkhay
October, 2006 - March, 2007 (Starts Oct. 14)
Last Saturday of each month (9:00 am - 11:00 am) at LT's (Peter's) house.

Creation and Completion, a commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche on Jamgon Kongtrul's work Essential Points of Tantric Meditation will serve as a basis for this program. The program includes regular practice sessions on the Dudjom Tersar Ngondro, recommended by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche for Westerners specifically interested in "Mind Teachings."

Please contact us at info@mahamudracenter.org for additional information.


Nine-Month Mahamudra Program (2006-2007)
by Pat Schotka
Starting September 9, 2006
First Saturday of the month (with exception of September) at Pat's (Petaluma) house.
Free with any level of regular membership donation.

Essentials of Mahamudra, a commentary on Dakpo Tashi Namgyal's classic Moonbeams of Mahamudra, by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche will serve as a basis for this program. Please see Mahamudra Program Areas link and Additonal Information on Texts link for more details regarding fit into curriculum and text, respectively. The class will include guided explorations from Mahamudra Meditation Center's meditation manual.

Please contact Pat at patschotka@comcast.net for class, registration and/or location information.


Dakpo Tashi Namgyal's Guide to Mahamudra - Clarifying the Natural State
 (2006) Point Arena Thrangu Center
by Lama Thapkhay
April 29 & 30 - Introduction and Guidance Through Shamatha (pages 1-26)
June 3 & 4 - Guidance Through Lhakthong, Resolving the View and Pointing-out Instructions (pages 26-47)
September 23 & 24 - Subsequent Ways to Continue Training, Working with Errors and Utilizing Enhancement Practices (pages 47-76)
November 18 & 19 - The Four Yogas, Further Enhancements and How Realization Arises (pages 76-104)

"The words of Dakpo Tashi Namgyal are unique in that they are adorned with plenty of pithy advice out of his personal experience. Therefore, practitioners are greatly benefited by his instructions. His methods for practicing Mahamudra, found in such books as Clarifying the Natural State, are preeminent. This book is indispensable as it focuses exclusively on practice." Lama Thapkhay has had the opportunity to study both Moonbeams of Mahamudra and Clarifying the Natural State extensively under Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche.

Please contact us at info@mahamudracenter.org for registration or additional information.


Affiliated Teachings (2006): Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche & Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche
 offered by Vajra Vidya and Ratna Shri, respectively

  • Loving Kindness, Compassion, Bodhicitta by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche - Carmel Valley, California March 31 - April 2
  • Taranatha’s Text on Prajnaparamita by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche - Crestone, Colorado August 11 - 20
  • Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche - Portland, Maine September 1 - 10




Donations

Donations should be payable to "Vajra Vidya Retreat Center" and sent to:

Vajra Vidya Retreat Center
P. O. Box 1083
Crestone, CO 81131
U.S.A.

Thank you.
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