Winter Retreat
RigDzin Dharma Foundation is excited to kick off our 2023 reopening with a winter retreat, Calling the Lama from Afar: Guru Yoga Teachings and Practice, led by our beloved Venerable Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin! Khenpo will provide the Samadhi Empowerment and two days of teachings from the prayer "Calling the Lama from Afar", translated by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen. In addition to the weekend retreat, Khenpo will lead a Dharma discussion group and offer in-person interviews. This is a most auspicious opportunity! Click the image above or the button below to learn more.
Details on our Reopening
The RigDzin Dharma Center is pleased to announce a January 2023 limited reopening. We are so glad to be back open, and look forward to the heart-warming reunion of our Sangha. This is a hybrid reopening for us, as we now offer options of both in-person attendance and online Zoom events. Center visitors are required to mask and observe mindful social distancing.
At this time, only select events will be in-person, and all of our scheduled events will appear on Zoom as usual (login passwords remain the same). Some of our monthly or weekly event times may vary due to the schedule availability of the event umdze. Please look to the events listed below for details, or check our center event calendar for updates.
We are working as well to bring the excellent teachers you know and love back to our center for weekend teaching events in 2023. So, stay tuned for updates on when they will happen and subject matter details.
The RigDzin Dharma Center is pleased to announce a January 2023 limited reopening. We are so glad to be back open, and look forward to the heart-warming reunion of our Sangha. This is a hybrid reopening for us, as we now offer options of both in-person attendance and online Zoom events. Center visitors are required to mask and observe mindful social distancing.
At this time, only select events will be in-person, and all of our scheduled events will appear on Zoom as usual (login passwords remain the same). Some of our monthly or weekly event times may vary due to the schedule availability of the event umdze. Please look to the events listed below for details, or check our center event calendar for updates.
We are working as well to bring the excellent teachers you know and love back to our center for weekend teaching events in 2023. So, stay tuned for updates on when they will happen and subject matter details.
Join us for these February events!
Our center Dharma practices are now available in-person and online on Zoom. Masks are required for in-person attendance. All are welcome. (All meeting times are Mountain Standard Time)
February 1st, Wednesday Evening 6:30-7:30 PM
White Tara & White Dzambhala
(online only)
February 3rd, Friday Evening 6:30 PM
Special Event!
Samadhi Empowerment with Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin
Pre-registration and masks required
February 4th, Saturday 10-12 PM and 2-4 PM
Special Event!
"Calling the Lama from Afar" with Khenpo Tsultrim
Pre-registration and masks required
February 5th, Sunday 10-12 PM and 2-4 PM
Special Event!
"Calling the Lama from Afar" continued
Pre-registration and masks required
February 6th, Monday 6:30-8 PM
Special Event!
Dharma Discussion Group with Khenpo Tsultrim
Masks required
February 7th, Tuesday Evening 6:00 PM
Calm Abiding Meditation
(in-person and online, masks required in-person)
February 14th, Tuesday Evening 6:00 PM
Calm Abiding Meditation
(in-person and online, masks required in-person)
February 16th, Thursday Evening 6:30-7:30 PM
Smoke Offering & World Peace Prayer
(online only)
February 21st, Tuesday Evening 6:00 PM
Calm Abiding Meditation
(in-person and online, masks required in-person)
February 25th Saturday 10 AM-12 PM
10-10:30 Meditation practice
11-12 PM Medicine Buddha practice
(in-person, masks required)
February 28th, Tuesday Evening 6:00 PM
Calm Abiding Meditation
(in-person and online, masks required in-person)
All Online Zoom Meetings use the same login credentials!
Zoom ID: 774 643 3739
Password: 108
*Note - Look to our Calendar & Event page for further details on our schedule and which texts are used for each of the practices. The texts used in these practices may be found on the Resources Page.
Our center Dharma practices are now available in-person and online on Zoom. Masks are required for in-person attendance. All are welcome. (All meeting times are Mountain Standard Time)
February 1st, Wednesday Evening 6:30-7:30 PM
White Tara & White Dzambhala
(online only)
February 3rd, Friday Evening 6:30 PM
Special Event!
Samadhi Empowerment with Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin
Pre-registration and masks required
February 4th, Saturday 10-12 PM and 2-4 PM
Special Event!
"Calling the Lama from Afar" with Khenpo Tsultrim
Pre-registration and masks required
February 5th, Sunday 10-12 PM and 2-4 PM
Special Event!
"Calling the Lama from Afar" continued
Pre-registration and masks required
February 6th, Monday 6:30-8 PM
Special Event!
Dharma Discussion Group with Khenpo Tsultrim
Masks required
February 7th, Tuesday Evening 6:00 PM
Calm Abiding Meditation
(in-person and online, masks required in-person)
February 14th, Tuesday Evening 6:00 PM
Calm Abiding Meditation
(in-person and online, masks required in-person)
February 16th, Thursday Evening 6:30-7:30 PM
Smoke Offering & World Peace Prayer
(online only)
February 21st, Tuesday Evening 6:00 PM
Calm Abiding Meditation
(in-person and online, masks required in-person)
February 25th Saturday 10 AM-12 PM
10-10:30 Meditation practice
11-12 PM Medicine Buddha practice
(in-person, masks required)
February 28th, Tuesday Evening 6:00 PM
Calm Abiding Meditation
(in-person and online, masks required in-person)
All Online Zoom Meetings use the same login credentials!
Zoom ID: 774 643 3739
Password: 108
*Note - Look to our Calendar & Event page for further details on our schedule and which texts are used for each of the practices. The texts used in these practices may be found on the Resources Page.
Something Special for the Worldwide Sangha
The Drikung Dharmakirti center in Germany, an affiliate with Drikung Kagyu of North America, offers a very special service to the worldwide sangha of followers, providing a 49 day sur-offering in remembrance of the the recently deceased. Dr. Lye, Könchok Yedor, has vowed to dedicate his nightly sur-offering practice to those individuals enshrined on the 49-Day Dedication page at the Drikung Dharmakirti website.
To request for someone to be a recipient of the 49-Day Dedication, please email the following to info@drikungdharmakirti.com: Name, location, date of passing, and a photo (if available). There is no cost to request for someone to be put on this dedication wall. This is open to anyone regardless of whether one self-identifies as Buddhist or not.
To learn more visit the center's dedicated page click here.or click the image above.
The Drikung Dharmakirti center in Germany, an affiliate with Drikung Kagyu of North America, offers a very special service to the worldwide sangha of followers, providing a 49 day sur-offering in remembrance of the the recently deceased. Dr. Lye, Könchok Yedor, has vowed to dedicate his nightly sur-offering practice to those individuals enshrined on the 49-Day Dedication page at the Drikung Dharmakirti website.
To request for someone to be a recipient of the 49-Day Dedication, please email the following to info@drikungdharmakirti.com: Name, location, date of passing, and a photo (if available). There is no cost to request for someone to be put on this dedication wall. This is open to anyone regardless of whether one self-identifies as Buddhist or not.
To learn more visit the center's dedicated page click here.or click the image above.
Calm Abiding Meditation Practice now in-person, online, and on YouTube!
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The RigDzin Dharma Center is reopening January 2023 for in-person group meditation practice. The event is also hosted on Zoom and featured on YouTube for your convenience.
Calm Abiding Meditation is important for progress in our practice on the path to Enlightenment. Regardless of your direction in Buddhist study and practice, the basic meditation practice is an excellent way to create more peace of mind and happiness in daily life. Join RigDzin Dharma Foundation members in this brief 30 minute practice session. This is a weekly event held every Tuesday at 6:00 PM MST. |
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Smoke Offering Purification Practice
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We are pleased to announce the release of a new "Smoke Offering practice" video in our YouTube channel. It is a great benefit to practice together with others. If you are new to the Smoke Offering practice, it is helpful to learn from others with experience.
Join two of our most experienced Sangha as they lead in prayers and the sadhana practice of the Smoke Offering. Click the following links below to download the prayer book and sadhana for the Smoke Offering practice! The "Rainfall of Benefit & Happiness" sadhana (PDF format) Updated "Prayer Book" (PDF format) A useful booklet with prayers common to most practices. Help us promote the RigDzin Dharma Center channel, subscribe and share in the great ocean of merit. For the benefit of all living beings! |
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IFor new students and future masters alike in the study and practice of Buddhism; we make it easy. Check out our Resources page for links to information, texts and helpful videos and podcasts. Prayers, sadhanas and study materials at your fingertips.
Click on the "Resources" tab in the menu bar above or follow this link: Resources Page
The Guru is like the rain from the vast cloud of Dharma, moistening our mindstream with goodness. The Guru connects the pure mind, with pure view, to Bodhichitta, the mind of realized Enlightenment; and for that, we offer praise and prayers. Learn about the illustrious teachers who from time-to-time grace our center with blessings and Dharma teachings.
Click on the "Our Teachers" tab in the menu bar above or follow this link: Our Teachers Page
Without the Dharma, without the Guru, without their guidance, the path to liberation is exceedingly difficult to find.
Blessings to all!
Click on the "Resources" tab in the menu bar above or follow this link: Resources Page
The Guru is like the rain from the vast cloud of Dharma, moistening our mindstream with goodness. The Guru connects the pure mind, with pure view, to Bodhichitta, the mind of realized Enlightenment; and for that, we offer praise and prayers. Learn about the illustrious teachers who from time-to-time grace our center with blessings and Dharma teachings.
Click on the "Our Teachers" tab in the menu bar above or follow this link: Our Teachers Page
Without the Dharma, without the Guru, without their guidance, the path to liberation is exceedingly difficult to find.
Blessings to all!
A letter from our beloved Venerable Traga Rinpoche to the Ukrainian sangha
"I want to express my deepest concern about the welfare of all of you in Ukraine, as Russia is attacking your country. I will be praying for you every day and performing rituals for the swift end to the violence in your country, and your healing now and in the future.
At this time, more than ever, I hope you recollect refuge, bodhichitta, and the Buddha’s teachings. It is important to remember karma, cause, and effect. Due to the collective negative karma accumulated by beings in this world over countless lifetimes, we find ourselves in a degenerate era where people attack each other and engage in the terrible actions of war. This is the result of negative actions. At this time, it is critical to remember cause and effect, so that we do not commit further negative actions to make the situation worse. Hatred has no benefit.
Those that attack us, we think of as enemies. When people engage in such atrocious actions of war and violence, we must understand that they are doing actions that will only result in future negative effects. Thus, we should regard such individuals that engage in such behavior as being mentally ill, doing things that harm themselves in this and in future lifetimes. If these people really understood cause and effect, they would never engage in such negative actions. Thus, our enemies are really sick and mentally ill, under the delusion of their own afflictive emotions and ignorance.
When we recognize that our enemies are overcome by afflictive emotions, ignorance, and delusion, we should generate compassion for them. We should make the wish that they are swiftly freed from afflictive emotions, ignorance, and delusion. By regarding our enemies and all sentient beings with love, compassion, and bodhichitta, we overcome the temporary obstacle of negative circumstances in our practice.
Right now we have a choice. If we react in fear and anger, this can lead to more negative results that will just end up causing future suffering for ourselves and others. If we can instead cultivate patience, love, compassion, and bodhichitta towards all beings, especially our enemies, then we transform negative circumstances into the path.
Even though beings may attack and try to harm us outwardly, when we inwardly abstain from anger and cultivate love, every situation becomes a part of the bodhisattva’s practice.
In such times, take the bodhisattva vow again and again. Make the commitment to never abandon bodhichitta. Read the thirty-seven bodhisattva practices and merge the meaning of it with your mindstream.
Do not give into afflictive emotions that lead to the lower realms. Do not lose your practice to outer negative circumstances.
Practice giving and receiving (tonglen) to take on all the suffering of beings and send them happiness in return. Pray that all beings, both friends and enemies, go to Dewachen and not the lower realms.
Go for refuge in the Buddha, dharma, sangha, gurus, yidams, dakinis, and dharma protectors. Recite the six syllables 'Om Mani Peme Hung', the mantra of the great compassionate Chenrezig, and 'Om Tare Tutare Ture Soha', the mantra of Tara. Do the practices of the purification of negative karma and healing rituals for all beings.
If you are a secret mantra practitioner and you know the practices to remove obstacles, perform them. In short, the key point is to not let outer negative circumstances over-power your mind.
I will be praying for you all. May you live long!"
*This letter was orally transcribed and translated by Eric Fry-Miller, according to Traga Rinpoche’s wishes.
"I want to express my deepest concern about the welfare of all of you in Ukraine, as Russia is attacking your country. I will be praying for you every day and performing rituals for the swift end to the violence in your country, and your healing now and in the future.
At this time, more than ever, I hope you recollect refuge, bodhichitta, and the Buddha’s teachings. It is important to remember karma, cause, and effect. Due to the collective negative karma accumulated by beings in this world over countless lifetimes, we find ourselves in a degenerate era where people attack each other and engage in the terrible actions of war. This is the result of negative actions. At this time, it is critical to remember cause and effect, so that we do not commit further negative actions to make the situation worse. Hatred has no benefit.
Those that attack us, we think of as enemies. When people engage in such atrocious actions of war and violence, we must understand that they are doing actions that will only result in future negative effects. Thus, we should regard such individuals that engage in such behavior as being mentally ill, doing things that harm themselves in this and in future lifetimes. If these people really understood cause and effect, they would never engage in such negative actions. Thus, our enemies are really sick and mentally ill, under the delusion of their own afflictive emotions and ignorance.
When we recognize that our enemies are overcome by afflictive emotions, ignorance, and delusion, we should generate compassion for them. We should make the wish that they are swiftly freed from afflictive emotions, ignorance, and delusion. By regarding our enemies and all sentient beings with love, compassion, and bodhichitta, we overcome the temporary obstacle of negative circumstances in our practice.
Right now we have a choice. If we react in fear and anger, this can lead to more negative results that will just end up causing future suffering for ourselves and others. If we can instead cultivate patience, love, compassion, and bodhichitta towards all beings, especially our enemies, then we transform negative circumstances into the path.
Even though beings may attack and try to harm us outwardly, when we inwardly abstain from anger and cultivate love, every situation becomes a part of the bodhisattva’s practice.
In such times, take the bodhisattva vow again and again. Make the commitment to never abandon bodhichitta. Read the thirty-seven bodhisattva practices and merge the meaning of it with your mindstream.
Do not give into afflictive emotions that lead to the lower realms. Do not lose your practice to outer negative circumstances.
Practice giving and receiving (tonglen) to take on all the suffering of beings and send them happiness in return. Pray that all beings, both friends and enemies, go to Dewachen and not the lower realms.
Go for refuge in the Buddha, dharma, sangha, gurus, yidams, dakinis, and dharma protectors. Recite the six syllables 'Om Mani Peme Hung', the mantra of the great compassionate Chenrezig, and 'Om Tare Tutare Ture Soha', the mantra of Tara. Do the practices of the purification of negative karma and healing rituals for all beings.
If you are a secret mantra practitioner and you know the practices to remove obstacles, perform them. In short, the key point is to not let outer negative circumstances over-power your mind.
I will be praying for you all. May you live long!"
*This letter was orally transcribed and translated by Eric Fry-Miller, according to Traga Rinpoche’s wishes.
Request to the Worldwide Sangha
The International Administrative Organization for Gargon Monastery recently wrote an important letter to all of the noble sangha and dharma centers in H.E. Garchen Rinpoche's worldwide mandala to request students to organize and participate in long life ceremonies and practices for Garchen Rinpoche.
Next year will be a year of astrological challenges for Garchen Rinpoche, so it is of utmost importance that we practice with pure intent and resolute aspiration for his long life.
Students are requested to continually accumulate White Tara and Namgyalma mantras dedicated to Garchen Rinpoche.
Students can submit their White Tara mantra accumulation at Drikung Rinchen Choling's Web site.
On October 10, 2020, Garchen Rinpoche posted a video message on Garchen Institute's Web site in response to this letter. He wants all his students to know that his current health is very good. Click here to watch this video message.
Also, the Garchen Buddhist Institute's 2020 Winter Teachings Event will include multiple days of Namgylama Long Life practices for Garchen Rinpoche. Stay tuned for more information soon.
We will keep you updated on these practice opportunities.
Next year will be a year of astrological challenges for Garchen Rinpoche, so it is of utmost importance that we practice with pure intent and resolute aspiration for his long life.
Students are requested to continually accumulate White Tara and Namgyalma mantras dedicated to Garchen Rinpoche.
Students can submit their White Tara mantra accumulation at Drikung Rinchen Choling's Web site.
On October 10, 2020, Garchen Rinpoche posted a video message on Garchen Institute's Web site in response to this letter. He wants all his students to know that his current health is very good. Click here to watch this video message.
Also, the Garchen Buddhist Institute's 2020 Winter Teachings Event will include multiple days of Namgylama Long Life practices for Garchen Rinpoche. Stay tuned for more information soon.
We will keep you updated on these practice opportunities.
EMAHO!
Coronavirus Prayers and Practices...
....From HE Garchen Rinpoche
Medicine Buddha
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Our beloved HE Garchen Rinpoche has given his students messages about the coronavirus that contain teachings and advice for practice. In his message of March 7, he urges us to practice Medicine Buddha: "So with trust in cause and effect, supplicate single-pointedly: "I prostrate to the Medicine Buddha, the King of Lapis Lazuli Light!" Or, "I prostrate to the Tathāgata, Arhat, perfectly complete Buddha, the Medicine Buddha, the King of Lapis Lazuli Light!" If you [want] to recite the mantra in Sanskrit: TAYATA BEKHAZE BEKHAZE MAHA BEKHAZE BEKHAZE RADZA SAMUNGATE SOHA Recite this many times and listen to a recording of it. The Medicine Buddha's form has the color of space, so as you recite, think: "He is there, pervading space. Medicinal nectar falls down like rain and benefits the entire world." Do not at all think: "I will get sick." Also do not think [only] about your friends and [only] about your country. [Think]: "A rain [of nectar] falls down upon the entire world." [And think] that this disease has purified the karmic obscurations of those who have died. Their mind cannot die; they only discard their bodies temporarily. So think: "May they again take birth in a precious human body in this world. May they trust in karma, cause and effect. May they be endowed with love and compassion. And may they engage in activities that will bring about the benefit and happiness of all the countries in the world!"* * Many thanks to Ina Bieler for her translation. |
... and from Drikung Kyabgon
His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche
His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche
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Drikung Kyabgon His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche has urged us to practice Parnashavari for the coronavirus. Parnashavari is attired in the green leaves of medical plants. She is the Tara who protects us from contagious diseases-- 20 of the 21 Taras (connected with the wisdom of Amoghasiddhi). The Collected Teachings of Lord Jigten Sumgön state that Parnashavari's mantra is very effective and powerful for healing, pacifying, and bringing pestilences under control. Her mantra is: OM PI-SHA-TSI PARNA-SHA-WARI SARVA MA-RI PRA-SHA-MA-NI HUNG |
Parnashavari
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For the benefit of all beings!
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