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If there is an event not listed below that you would like to receive, your personalized request is welcome.
BUTTER SCULPTURE AND WORKSHOP DEMONSTRATION
The monks will work with children and adults to create traditional sculptures made from butter, as has been done in Tibet for over 800 years.
Due to both its plentitude and highly elastic qualities, Tibetans have found butter to be very conducive to sculpture. The butter has been shaped into Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, flowers, animals, and auspicious symbols. These sculptures are then used to decorate ritual offering cakes made from barley flour. In Tibet, especially during Monlam (the Great Prayer Festival), butter sculpture contests were held among the major monasteries, and were often over 12 feet high! This workshop will begin with a demonstration by the monks and will be followed by the opportunity for each participant to make his/her own butter sculpture. Length: 1 to 1.5 hour
The monks will work with children and adults to create traditional sculptures made from butter, as has been done in Tibet for over 800 years.
Due to both its plentitude and highly elastic qualities, Tibetans have found butter to be very conducive to sculpture. The butter has been shaped into Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, flowers, animals, and auspicious symbols. These sculptures are then used to decorate ritual offering cakes made from barley flour. In Tibet, especially during Monlam (the Great Prayer Festival), butter sculpture contests were held among the major monasteries, and were often over 12 feet high! This workshop will begin with a demonstration by the monks and will be followed by the opportunity for each participant to make his/her own butter sculpture. Length: 1 to 1.5 hour
TIBETAN CALIGRAPHY WORKSHOP DEMONSTRATION
The monks will work with children and adults to demonstrate beautiful Tibetan calligraphy butter, as has been done in Tibet for over 800 years.
The monks will work with children and adults to demonstrate beautiful Tibetan calligraphy butter, as has been done in Tibet for over 800 years.
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DIALECTIC DEBATE
Liberation, in the highest sense, is attained through the fusion of the intellect and intuition. The path to freedom requires wisdom, which can only be achieved through the deep questioning of one's beliefs by both oneself and others. Tibetan Monastic Colleges employ the system of dialectical debate as part of the routine of study for the monks. It is used to dispel doubt and to acquire deep understanding of the subjects being studied. The student is encouraged to question everything related to the topic being discussed (as was also done by Plato and Aristotle in ancient Greece). This is invaluable for sharpening one's wit and testing one's wisdom. |
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SAND MANDALAS
Mandala means literally "that which extracts the essence." There are many different types of mandalas used by Tibetan Buddhists. During tour visits, two‑dimensional sand mandalas can be created. These are without doubt the most creative, labor‑intensive, and concentration‑intensive of all mandalas created. The sand is applied very precisely by the gentle tapping of a sand‑filled metal cone that has had its tip removed.
The mandala masters must be the first to initiate the mandala, and does so by being the first to pour the sand followed by a team of between 75 and 125 hours of effort. Each sand mandala represents the architectural layout including iconography, placement, and color all have significance. Additionally, to the learned Tibetan Buddhist monk, the mandala represents his vision of the entire universe.
Upon completion of the mandala, the monks will purposely destroy the magnificent work of art by sweeping it and place the sand in a river, lake, or ocean as an offering to purify the surrounding environment.
Though most sand mandalas takes 4-6 days to complete under certain circumstances a shorter version may be offered such as private one day home or business mandalas.
Mandala means literally "that which extracts the essence." There are many different types of mandalas used by Tibetan Buddhists. During tour visits, two‑dimensional sand mandalas can be created. These are without doubt the most creative, labor‑intensive, and concentration‑intensive of all mandalas created. The sand is applied very precisely by the gentle tapping of a sand‑filled metal cone that has had its tip removed.
The mandala masters must be the first to initiate the mandala, and does so by being the first to pour the sand followed by a team of between 75 and 125 hours of effort. Each sand mandala represents the architectural layout including iconography, placement, and color all have significance. Additionally, to the learned Tibetan Buddhist monk, the mandala represents his vision of the entire universe.
Upon completion of the mandala, the monks will purposely destroy the magnificent work of art by sweeping it and place the sand in a river, lake, or ocean as an offering to purify the surrounding environment.
Though most sand mandalas takes 4-6 days to complete under certain circumstances a shorter version may be offered such as private one day home or business mandalas.
HEALING RITUALS
Personal
Available individually or offered as a large or small group, this session is lead by a Tibetan Buddhist master of purification and has three stages: purification and removing of negativities; removing subtle negative imprints; and offering protection.
Place
Conditions often ripen in our homes or businesses and communities which call for powerful rituals to eliminate their effects. The monks can do rituals to transform negative conditions into positive conditions such as eliminating negative forces, increase positive forces, long life, healing, protection, blessing of ldren, transformation of forces in the environment, self initiation into deities mandala and wealth. These need to be discussed personally with the monks so they can decide the appropriate rituals.
Personal
Available individually or offered as a large or small group, this session is lead by a Tibetan Buddhist master of purification and has three stages: purification and removing of negativities; removing subtle negative imprints; and offering protection.
Place
Conditions often ripen in our homes or businesses and communities which call for powerful rituals to eliminate their effects. The monks can do rituals to transform negative conditions into positive conditions such as eliminating negative forces, increase positive forces, long life, healing, protection, blessing of ldren, transformation of forces in the environment, self initiation into deities mandala and wealth. These need to be discussed personally with the monks so they can decide the appropriate rituals.
- Chay Drol
- Smoke Puja
- Special Prayers for the Deceased (Jangwa)
- Tara Puja 4 Mandala Offering
- Guru Puja (strengthen connection with Spiritual Master).
- Wheel of Life (sand painting)
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Grades K-12, One Hour
University and Colleges, 5 Day Visit Includes:
Grades K-12, One Hour
- Chant and Discussion with the Monks
- One deep chant with cymbals, bells and drums .
- Question and Answer Session
University and Colleges, 5 Day Visit Includes:
- Creation of the Sand Mandala
- Performance of Ritual Chanting
- Two Public Lectures
- Discussions, Questions and Answers from Classes or Departments
EMPOWERMENTS
A deep, guided meditative Tibetan ritual experience focused upon a more full understanding a particular mantra
A deep, guided meditative Tibetan ritual experience focused upon a more full understanding a particular mantra
Newly offered:
Chey Drol
White Zambala
Vajrapani
Vajrapani, Hayagriva and Garuda (tripartite combined deity)
Buddha Maitreya
Palden Lhamo
Chey Drol
White Zambala
Vajrapani
Vajrapani, Hayagriva and Garuda (tripartite combined deity)
Buddha Maitreya
Palden Lhamo
Four‑Armed Chenrezig (Buddha of Compassion)
The Buddha of Compassion is known as Chenrezig (Tibetan) or Avalokitshevara (Sanskrit), meaning 'liberator from the unfortunate lower rebirths.' Chenrezig pledged in front of all the Buddhas not to attain Buddhahood until all sentient beings were free from the sufferings of samsara. Receiving the empowerment of this Buddha, therefore, provides one with protection from an unfortunate lower rebirth. Chenrezig has many aspects and embodies the Universal Compassion of all the Buddhas of the three times and ten directions. The purpose of the empowerment is to establish a close relationship with Chenrezig and to benefit from his almighty power of compassion. In this era of violence and mental instability, the blessing of Chenrezig is highly sought after, as it helps one to become more peaceful and compassionate, even with the state of current events. The empowerment will also initiate one into the mantra of Avalokitshevara: OM MANI PADME HUM, which contains the essence of all 84,000 volumes of Buddha's teaching.
Menla (Medicine Buddha) Menla is the embodiment of the power of healing of all the Buddhas. While most of us are used to taking some form of medication on a daily basis, whether that be in the form of prescription drugs, vitamins, or herbal concoctions, rarely do we find that we feel any better. As has been confirmed by both Western and Eastern scientific research, strength of the mind and will has a major role in the process of healing. For millennia our ancestors have been aware of the effect of spiritual practice upon healing, and have used it as a necessary supplement to medication. The Medicine Buddha empowerment is meant to establish a special connection between the participant and the deity. Once this relationship has been developed and strengthened through the empowerment, the participant will become more open to receiving the benefits of the healing powers of all the Buddhas.
Manjushri (Buddha of Wisdom). Manjushri is the embodiment of the wisdom of all the Buddhas. Wisdom is crucial for enlightenment, in that it is both the antidote of ignorance, and at the same time is itself the true meaning of selflessness/ emptiness. Performing the practice of the deity Manjushri accelerates the attainment of the knowledge that eliminates suffering. By “sipping the nectar” of the profound teachings delivered by Lord Manjushrl, one has access to the heart of liberating wisdom. This empowerment will include the transmission of the mantra
OM AH RA PA TSA NADHI.
White, Green, 21 Taras Tara (Buddha of Long Life) White Tara is the goddess of Long Life. She is one of the main deities used by both Tibetan Yogis/ Yoginis and lay practitioners in the practice of requesting a long and healthy life. Known particularly for her swiftness in fulfilling the long‑life wishes of the practitioner, White Tara is looked to for happiness and inspiration through the mantra OM TARE TUTARE TORE SOHA. The White Tara empowerment is meant to establish a close relationship between the recipient and the deity.
Vajrasattva (Buddha of Purification) Vajrasattva is the Buddhist deity of Purification. The practice of the Vajrasattva deity purifies all negative actions committed by our body, through our speech, and in our minds. All that has been contaminated through our own negativities will be cleansed, and we will be able to begin afresh. The Vajrasattva practice is also capable of uprooting and purifying the negative imprints that we have carried over from our previous lives. This empowerment will include the transmission of the 100 Syllable Mantra.
The Buddha of Compassion is known as Chenrezig (Tibetan) or Avalokitshevara (Sanskrit), meaning 'liberator from the unfortunate lower rebirths.' Chenrezig pledged in front of all the Buddhas not to attain Buddhahood until all sentient beings were free from the sufferings of samsara. Receiving the empowerment of this Buddha, therefore, provides one with protection from an unfortunate lower rebirth. Chenrezig has many aspects and embodies the Universal Compassion of all the Buddhas of the three times and ten directions. The purpose of the empowerment is to establish a close relationship with Chenrezig and to benefit from his almighty power of compassion. In this era of violence and mental instability, the blessing of Chenrezig is highly sought after, as it helps one to become more peaceful and compassionate, even with the state of current events. The empowerment will also initiate one into the mantra of Avalokitshevara: OM MANI PADME HUM, which contains the essence of all 84,000 volumes of Buddha's teaching.
Menla (Medicine Buddha) Menla is the embodiment of the power of healing of all the Buddhas. While most of us are used to taking some form of medication on a daily basis, whether that be in the form of prescription drugs, vitamins, or herbal concoctions, rarely do we find that we feel any better. As has been confirmed by both Western and Eastern scientific research, strength of the mind and will has a major role in the process of healing. For millennia our ancestors have been aware of the effect of spiritual practice upon healing, and have used it as a necessary supplement to medication. The Medicine Buddha empowerment is meant to establish a special connection between the participant and the deity. Once this relationship has been developed and strengthened through the empowerment, the participant will become more open to receiving the benefits of the healing powers of all the Buddhas.
Manjushri (Buddha of Wisdom). Manjushri is the embodiment of the wisdom of all the Buddhas. Wisdom is crucial for enlightenment, in that it is both the antidote of ignorance, and at the same time is itself the true meaning of selflessness/ emptiness. Performing the practice of the deity Manjushri accelerates the attainment of the knowledge that eliminates suffering. By “sipping the nectar” of the profound teachings delivered by Lord Manjushrl, one has access to the heart of liberating wisdom. This empowerment will include the transmission of the mantra
OM AH RA PA TSA NADHI.
White, Green, 21 Taras Tara (Buddha of Long Life) White Tara is the goddess of Long Life. She is one of the main deities used by both Tibetan Yogis/ Yoginis and lay practitioners in the practice of requesting a long and healthy life. Known particularly for her swiftness in fulfilling the long‑life wishes of the practitioner, White Tara is looked to for happiness and inspiration through the mantra OM TARE TUTARE TORE SOHA. The White Tara empowerment is meant to establish a close relationship between the recipient and the deity.
Vajrasattva (Buddha of Purification) Vajrasattva is the Buddhist deity of Purification. The practice of the Vajrasattva deity purifies all negative actions committed by our body, through our speech, and in our minds. All that has been contaminated through our own negativities will be cleansed, and we will be able to begin afresh. The Vajrasattva practice is also capable of uprooting and purifying the negative imprints that we have carried over from our previous lives. This empowerment will include the transmission of the 100 Syllable Mantra.
LECTURE TOPICS
Lectures may be personally tailored and organized for some K-12 school, college classes, and public venues.
- Death, Bardo, and Rebirth: A lecture on the Three Stages of Life
- Buddhism on Climate Change
- Single pointed Concentration and Penetrative Insight
- 6 Realms of Existence
- Bodhicitta generating the mind of enlightenment for the welfare of others
- 3 Baskets, Sutra, Vinaya and Wisdom
- Karma, Law of Cause and Effect
- 6 Perfections Ethics, Patience, Effort (Joyful Perseverance), Concentration, Wisdom, Generosity
- Refuge
- Loving kindness, Compassion and Wisdom
- 6 Delusions and their Antidotes
- Emptiness
- 8 Auspicious Symbols
- Lam Rim: Review of the Graduated Path with a focus on Renunciation, Bodhicitta (altruistic motivation), and Emptiness.
- 3 Principle Aspects of the Path Renunciation, Alturistic Intention, Emptiness
- The Four Noble Truths (The Teaching of Buddha): Suffering, the Causes of Suffering, the End of Suffering, and the Path to Freedom
- Meditations on Patience and Compassion
- Tantra Vehicle: the esoteric path of Mahayana Buddhism that accelerates the evolutionary path to Buddhahood
- World Peace and the Unity of all Religions
- Other subjects (Refuge, Guru Devotion, etc.) available by request
Lectures may be personally tailored and organized for some K-12 school, college classes, and public venues.