Manifesting our Basic Goodness
Yangzab Vajravarahi:
Heart Essence of the Dakinis
Calm-Abiding Mahamudra
Meditation Retreat
July 20-23, 2018
Burnham Hall
Lincoln, Vermont
Friday, July 20
Buddha Nature:
Manifesting our Basic Goodness
When the Buddha attained enlightenment, he realized that all sentient beings have the potential for complete awakening. This is the Good News of Buddhism, we all possess Buddha Nature, every last one of us. We do not realize this because our true nature is obscured by ignorance and the karma of past actions. Through the teachings of the Buddha we can recognize and manifest our true nature, and then truly be of benefit to oneself and others.
"Every sentient being---even an insect---has Buddha nature. The seed of Buddha means consciousness, the cognitive power---the seed of enlightenment. That's from Buddha's viewpoint. All these destructive things can be removed from the mind, so therefore there's no reason to believe some sentient beings cannot become Buddha. So every sentient being has that seed." ~ HH Dalai Lama
In this talk Drupon-la will share the importance of this profound teaching, and how one can realize and have certainty that we all possess this seed of enlightenment within us.
Time: 7 PM
Sug. Don. $20
Location: Burnham Hall, Lincoln, VT
Saturday, July 21
Yangzab Vajravarahi:
Heart Essence of the Dakinis
The Yangzab Vajravarahi is the heart essence Dakini practice of the Yangzab Dzogchen treasure cycle revealed by Gyalwag Rinchen Phuntsog in 1538 in the Assembly Hall of the Dakinis---a cave high above Terdrom, Tibet. It was in this cave that Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal spent seven years in retreat---longer than any other place they did retreat in Tibet. This is where the Khandro Nyingtig, or the Heart Essence of the Dakinis, was revealed. The Yangzab is very closely related to the Khandro Nyingtig. In many ways the Yangzab is a more concise way of practicing the Khandro Nyingtig.
Yangzab Vajravarahi is the living heartbeat of the Dakinis---its blessings are swift, and it is one of the key empowerments and practices of the Yangzab treasure cycle. This practice is the gateway for practicing the Six Yogas of the Yangzab. It can be practiced according to Mahayoga, Anuyoga or Atiyoga. It can be practiced in an extensive or concise essence way.
The root terma text for the Yangzab Vajravarahi is one of the most exquisite, poetic, and profound practices of the entire Yangzab cycle. Just reading the text it is self-evident it comes straight from the Dakinis. There are also Yangzab Vajravarahi practices composed by the great Tertòn Lho Nüden Dorje that will be available in addition to the root Yangzab Six Yogas text. Thus practitioners will have all they need to practice this on multiple levels based on their capacity.
Drupon Thinley received this empowerment from HE Garchen Rinpoche in 2001 during the Snake Year teachings, and has given it many times now at the DDCV. We are giving this again to help ensure the survival of this key practice of the Yangzab. This practice is very much alive, and its lineage is unbroken, having been held continuously at HE Garchen Rinpoche's monastery in Tibet, as well as the monastery of Lho Ontul Rinpoche and Lho Bongtrul Rinpoche. It has also been held and accomplished by great Dakinis in the Drikung nunneries in Tibet and India. This is a rare opportunity to come face to face with the full blessings and power of the Dakinis.
It is impossible in one day to teach this practice, but it has been taught on in the past and we will try to have those recordings available. The empowerment will happen in the morning, and in the afternoon we will do the practice together with Drupon-la. Regardless, this empowerment will plant a seed for the future accomplishment of Yangzab Vajravarahi for those who have the karmic connection. For others it will simply be a great blessing that will enhance whatever practice they engage in.
Time: 9:30-12 and 2-4 PM
Sug. Don. $60
Location: Burnham Hall, Lincoln, VT
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com ... 140ccff87fSaturday, July 21
Achi Dharma Tara Pure Vision Transmission;
Teachings on the Miracles of Achi
At the conclusion of our afternoon Yangzab Vajravarahi practice session, Drupon-la will give the transmission for the Achi Dharma Tara Pure Vision teaching as well as tell stories of the miraculous ways Achi has manifested to benefit Dharma practitioners. One example of this was when HH Chetsang Rinpoche was escaping Tibet and Achi manifested, helping lead him over the high mountain passes. There are many such stories of Achi's direct blessings that are miraculous and true.
This transmission is being given for those who could not attend the Achi Dharma Tara retreat in June but wish to engage in the practice (which we plan to do monthly on Dakini day if possible). It is also being given for those outside of our local sangha because it truly is an extraordinary practice revealed during the cultural revolution for these times. Drupon-la received this from HE Tritsab Rinpoche whose previous incarnation revealed this practice cycle.
Time: 4-5 PM
Location: Burnham Hall, Lincoln, VT