Dear Friends,
The Gyuto Monks will perform two Tsogs in December at the Gyuto Center Thursday, December 18th at 7pm Tsog Offering and Guru Puja An offering to our gurus. Twice a month, based on the lunar calendar, the practice of Tsog offering is done. It is a commitment for those practicing tantra to restore and reaffirm their vows and pledges. However, anyone and everyone is welcome to attend this ritual of making extensive offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, accumulating the positive energy needed to progress along the spiritual path. Those participating can bring offerings such as food or flowers. The ritual and offering takes approximately one hour. Lama Tsong Khapa Day The 18th is also Lama Tsong Khapa Day when we celebrate the anniversary of this great Tibetan master. Tsong Khapa (1357-1419) was the founder of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhist and of Gaden Monastery and wrote the seminal text, "The Lam Rim Chenmo". Monday, December 22nd at 10am Mahakala Puja Khensur Rinpoche has said that he wants to offer a Mahakala Puja in order to benefit all sentient beings. Mahakala is the principle protector deity of the Gelugpa School and removes all obstacles and hindrances to achieving the spiritual path. For those attending please remember to park carefully to respect our neighbors. We look forward to seeing you Ven. Thupten Donyo May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes. May all sentient beings be free from suffering and its causes. May all sentient beings never be separated from sorrowless bliss. May all sentient beings abide in equanimity free of bias, attachment and anger.
Gyuto Vajrayana Center 1439 Old Piedmont Road San Jose, CA 95132 Tel: (408) - 926 9430 Fax number: (408) - 272-1275 Email: gyutovc@aol.com Website: gyutocenter.org
Dear Members,
Very few people have registered for the Yamantaka Retreat and Fire Puja. I realize it is difficult to take off three weeks from your busy lives. As a result we are postponing the Yamantaka Retreat at this time and will reschedule it at a time more convenient for our members. Ven. Dhakpa Rinpoche left for India last Tuesday after spending seven months with us giving teachings and blessing. Since Rinpoche arrived in San Jose, he has made a very strong connection with many of our members and as a result more people feel that they are part of the Gyuto Center. Rinpoche also had a very good feeling that he was surrounded by many devoted students. Before Rinpoche left he promised to return to San Jose in mid June 2004.
Meanwhile, the former Abbot of Gyuto, Ven. Lobsang Dorjee has kindly accepted our invitation to come and teach us for the next six months. Rinpoche Lobsang Dorjee is expected to arrive in San Jose at the beginning of December. We'll have more news about Ven. Lobsang Dorjee's arrival later.
I would like to thank all of the members from the depth of my heart who helped the Center during Ven. Dhakpa Rinpoche⤙s visit. Many of our members made Ven. Dhakpa Rinpoche's visit very meaningful and Rinpoche himself enjoyed very much being in San Jose. There are so many things that I and the monks cannot do without the help of our friends and members. You have helped us serve the Dharma in this degenerate time and I very much appreciate your support. In order to spread the Dharma for the benefit of many beings we will need your continued support. Thank you again
Ven. Donyo
Dear Friends,
We wish to say goodbye to two of our longest-serving monks, Ven. Jinpa and Ven. Norbu, who will be returning to the monastery in India on Saturday November 22. They will return to their regular routine and their teachers. We will miss them very much, and wish to thank them for all their hard work over the last few years. Ven. Jinpa in particular has been here since the beginning of the Center.
We have three new monks to replace them. Ven. Jampa Thaye was the manager of the Gyuto monastery in India for many years. The monastery requested him to join us for a few years. We will benefit immensely from his learning and experience. Ven. Ngawang Sherab and Ven. Tsewang Palgon are our other two new resident monks, sent by the monastery. Ven. Ngawang has been the chanting master at Gyuto in India, and Ven. Tsewang is knowledgeable about Gyuto's special rituals. They will both bring great benefit to the Center through their knowledge and experience.
We are blessed that Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Dorje, Gyuto's former Abbot, will be arriving on Saturday December 6th. Many of you may remember Khensur Rinpoche from his previous visit. He will be with us for approximately six months. Rinpoche has an outgoing personality and is willing to see anyone to answer dharma questions. We will soon be publishing a teaching schedule for Khensur Rinpoche.
Dhakpa Tulku Rinpoche has arrived safely back in India. He will soon start the winter series of teachings at Sera Monastery in South India. We pray for his continued good health and his return to San Jose in June 2004. Gyuto Center is very fortunate to have two such highly realized teachers who are available to give teachings.
Sincerely,
Ven. Thupten Donyo
December Tsog Dates: Wednesday December 3, 7pm Thursday December 18, 7pm Everyone is welcome.
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Tel: (408) 279 0615 Fax: (408) 885 1366 Email:gyutovc@aol.com www.gyutocenter.org