Here is the Gyuto Center programs for January - March 2004
Ven. Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche, the former Abbot of Gyuto Monastery, will be teaching at the Gyuto Vajrayana Center until the winter of 2004.
Venerable Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche was born in the 1930s. When he was seven years of age he began to learn to read and write. In 1954, he came to Central Tibet and enrolled in Drepung Monastery where he received novice monk's vows. He studied and practiced all the subjects of the monastic curriculum from Introductory Logic (Du-ra) up to the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajñaparamita). In 1984, in the course of his Lharam studies, he accepted the responsibility of being a spiritual master (Geshe) of the great secret Vajrayana at Gyuto Monastery. In 1999, His Holiness the Dalai Lama officially appointed him as an Abbot (Khenpo) of Gyuto Tantric Monastery where he took responsibility for the Tantric rituals and practices until 2002.
EVENTS
Guru Puja, Tsog Offering:
Twice monthly, 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. Everyone is welcome to attend this ritual of making offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Those participating can bring offerings such as fruit, cookies and flowers.
Consecration of Buddha Statues:
Once a year the Gyuto Center consecrates new Buddha statues filling them with hundreds of mantras. If anyone wishes to have their statue consecrated and filled with mantras please bring them before the consecration day. We request a small donation for each statue to cover the cost of printing the mantras and other materials. If the statue has no hole inside and has never been consecrated it can still be consecrated. Everyone is welcome to attend any part the consecration ceremony.
Sangha Confession Ceremony:
Traditionally, based on the lunar calendar, every fifteen days all the Monasteries and Nunneries hold a confession ceremony to restore the broken pledges and reaffirm their vows. All the Sangha members are welcome to join us for this ceremony. Lay members cannot do this practice.
Sutrayana and Tantrayana:
Traditionally students request their teacher to give specific teaching based on individual interest. However, we have asked Rinpoche what he thinks is beneficial for the students. Rinpoche said that for the first two teachings he would like to give talks on the difference between Sutrayana and Tantrayana because it is very important to understand these two practices before students choose to do any further Tantric practices. Rinpoche will also explain how to handle the practice of Tantra and Sutra and why it is important to practice Tantra with a deity.
Eight Verses of Mind Training:
Geshe Langri Tangpa's Lo-Jong Tsig-gya Ma
Ven. Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Dorjee will be teachings on the Lo-Jong, practical methods for overcoming self-cherishing and cultivating the compassionate Bodhichitta motivation. The actual practice of mind training can be traced back to the Buddha Shakyamuni and it is commonly practiced in Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Six Armed Mahakala Puja:
Venerable Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Dorjee and the venerable monks will be performing a Mahakala puja dedicated to the Center⤙s members, friends and all sentient beings. Mahakala is a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, Buddha of compassion. The main role of Mahakala is to fulfill the four enlightened activities of pacifying interferences, increasing favorable circumstances, gaining control over situations and if all else fails destroying obstacles with wrathful force.
Cha-Sum Puja (A Puja to Remove Obstacles):
This spiritual cleansing ritual is done on the 29th day of the last Tibetan month of the year. Traditionally, the Cha-Sum Puja is done in Tibetan households to remove obstacles and bad spirits followed by Gu-thuk, a special dumpling soup with hidden ingredients to tell your fortune for the year ahead. Everyone is welcome to join this traditional cleansing ritual.
White Tara Retreat:
Tara is the principal female manifestation of enlightenment in the Buddhist tradition. She is specifically associated with practices designed to lengthen one's lifespan and overcome life-threatening hindrances.
Venerable Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Dorjee will be leading the two day Tara retreat. The first session begins on Friday evening with the instructions. Saturday and Sunday are full day sessions. Although, the Gyuto Center does not wish to charge for the teachings, we request $50 donation per person to cover the cost for the two day retreat. Retreat space is limited to 30 students; pre-registration is required.
Please call Ven. Donyo (408) 926 9430 or send email:info@gyutocenter.org for registration.
The Four Noble Truths - the heart of the Buddha's teachings
Buddha Shakyamuni gave his first teaching "The Four Noble Truths" to his five disciples in Saranath, India after he was enlightened. His Holiness the Dalai Lama said "The Four Noble Truths are the very foundation of the Buddhist teaching, and that is why they are so important. In fact, if you don't understand the Four Noble Truths, and if you have not experienced the truth of this teachings personally, it is impossible to practice Buddha Dharma".
Calendar of Events
January 2004
Thursday 1 Guru Puja (Tsog Offering)
7.00pm - 8.00pm
Sunday 4 Consecration of Buddha Statues
9.00am - 12.00pm
Wednesday 7 Confession Ceremony, Monks and Nuns only
9.00am -10.00am
Saturday 17 Guru Puja (Tsog Offering)
9.00am - 10.00am
Saturday 17 Teachings on Sutrayana & Tantrayana (Part 1)
By Ven. Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche
10.00am -12.00pm
Tuesday 20 Six Armed Mahakala Puja
9.00am -12.00pm
Saturday 31 Guru Puja (Tsog Offering)
10.00am - 11.00am
February
Sunday 1 Teachings on Sutrayana & Tantrayana (Part 2)
By Ven. Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche
10.00am -12.00pm
Sunday 15 Guru Puja (Tsog Offering)
9.00am - 10.00am
Sunday 15 Eight Verses of Mind Training; Lo-Jong (Part 1)
By Ven. Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche
10.00am -12.00pm
Thursday 19 Six Armed Mahakala Puja
9.00am -12.00pm
Thursday 19 Cha Sum Puja (Removing Obstacles)
7.00pm - 8.00pm
Saturday 21 Tibetan New Year (Losar)
No event at the Center
Sunday 29 Eight Verses of Mind Training; Lo-Jong (Part 2)
By Ven. Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche
10.00am -12.00pm
March
Monday 1 (Guru Puja) Tsog Offering
7.00pm - 8.00pm
Friday 5 White Tara Retreat- Instructions
7.00pm - 9.00pm
Saturday 6 Buddha Display Miracles (Full Moon)
Confession Ceremony, Monks and Nuns only
7.30am - 8.30am
Saturday 6 Tara Retreat Day 1
9.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday 7 Tara Retreat Day 2
9.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday 14 Eight Verses of Mind Training; Lo-Jong (Part 3)
By Ven. Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche
10.00am - 12.00pm
Tuesday 16 (Guru Puja) Tsog Offering
7.00pm - 8.00pm
Friday 19 Six Armed Mahakala Puja
9.00am - 12.00pm
Sunday 28 Four Noble Truths, (Part 1)
By Ven. Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche
10.00am - 12.00pm
Wednesday 31 (Guru Puja) Tsog Offering
7.00pm - 8.00pm
Parking at the Center:
Our special request to all members: please be so kind as to park your car a few blocks away from the Center. We suggest you park on the right side of the Center towards Piedmont Road left and on the right side of the street. Our neighbors have complained about the traffic and we are trying to be considerate. We thank you very much for your help.
If you have any questions regarding the events please contact Ven. Donyo to the following address:
Gyuto Vajrayana Center
1439 Old Piedmont Rd.
San Jose, CA 95132
Tel: (408) 926 9430
Fax: (408) 272 1275
Email:info@gyutocenter.org
Website:www.gyutocenter.org