IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
Steve McCurry, Burma / Myanmar, 2013
Practicing Dharma in Tibetan
When I tell my friends and fellow Dharma practitioners that I do most of my Dharma practice in Tibetan they either look at me with puzzlement or concern - why torture yourself?
I will try to answer that question by describing my own experience of learning Tibetan and how it became a source of inspiration for me. Hopefully it may inspire you to learn some Tibetan to enhance your own Dharma practice.
When I first began learning, studying and practicing Dharma, I barely noticed that everything was already translated for me. The liturgies we used at the Boston Shambhala Center were all translated by the Nalanda Translation Committee which had been organized and directed by by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. I liked these translations as they were not religious-sounding, not technical and only slightly formal - they had their own recognizable mode of expression. Soon I was referring to other texts and other translations and realized some words were translated in several different ways varying by organization and translator. But no matter, it was all in English. Some senior students told me that Trungpa Rinpoche insisted on students practicing Dharma in English.
Meanwhile, I connected with my root guru Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche during a retreat in Maine in 1999. Rinpoche was very different from what I knew of Trungpa Rinpoche. Although they had known each other during their time in Tibet and had some of the same teachers, after leaving in the diaspora Thrangu Rinpoche remained a traditional monk, taught only in Tibetan and chose to live in Nepal at his monastery in Boudhanath instead of in the west. During that first encounter with Rinpoche in Maine I was astounded at how everything flowed out of him
constantly - empowerments, sadhanas, teachings, question and answer sessions - all of it in Tibetan requiring translation. I was very curious to know more and felt he had affected me in some profound way, even as a simple monk barely able to speak my language.
He asked us to do several practices in Tibetan during the retreat and I found myself barely keeping up trying to read the English, phonetics and mystified by the Tibetan letters. I noticed a few others seemed to be having this problem too. Mostly I simply wanted to be around him - I felt he had some special quality I’d never experienced from anyone and wanted to know more.
I did his practices without understanding Tibetan for about 20 years. Some of them I even memorized and was unable to translate what I was saying. Also, I heard all of his teachings in Tibetan and would focus on the translation but found myself becoming increasingly restless - is this the only way of saying this? What is he “really” saying? As we studied more and more and the teachings became more profound and some of his senior students started asking “Why recite in Tibetan?” or “What’s wrong with English?”. Of course some of these students were older students of Trungpa Rinpoche and firmly believed in his requirement that they must
practice in English - no dressing-up as Tibetans allowed! Finally Rinpoche began to answer these questions at the end of retreat - we recite in Tibetan because Tibetan carries blessings. Tibetan will definitely help your Dharma practice. In fact, studying Tibetan IS practicing the Dharma!
I understood the practice part but not the “blessings” part. Why does Tibetan have blessings? I can’t see blessings so how do I know they’re there? Suffice to say that not long after this I began my study of Classical Tibetan determined to figure out this and many other questions about Dharma.
My first Tibetan teacher, David Curtis of Hamilton, Montana partially answered the question about the importance of Tibetan in a recent talk he gave-
The Tibetans took the Dharma very much to heart and translated thousands of texts from Sanskrit into a form of their own language they newly developed in order to bring this wisdom teaching to their own people. This new language is now called Classical Tibetan.
[The Tibetan masters] wrote commentaries on the texts, and composed their own
teachings in poetry, prose, and song. The Tibetans learned and refined all the 5
major and 5 minor arts and sciences they had inherited from the Indian Buddhist
masters. In fact, after hundreds of years of translating and composing, and
printing texts, Tibet came to have the largest number of books of any country in the world. They have been great lovers of the book. And the subject of almost all their books is the sacred teachings of the Buddha.
In other words, studying Tibetan is inseparable from studying the teachings of the Buddha - got it!
Now what about “blessings?”
Tibetan really doesn’t have a word for “blessings” rather the ancient translators put two words together to convey the idea of the Sanskrit word “adhistana”. These syllables in Tibetan are “byin rlabs” or “jin lab” which I have heard translated as “waves of splendor”, a very poetic rendering.
As I continued my practice, Thrangu Rinpoche encouraged me in learning and practicing in Tibetan. I got to a point during practice and study where the meaning would pop out suddenly and surprise me. One memorable evening I called down to my wife Alison - “It’s come alive!” - something I didn’t expect at all. This strange language was alive and moving!
I think I can tell you my own personal translation of blessings which may or may not be accurate. In essence, blessings are “warmth” as in “you are getting warm/close” to something or someone. For example, if you recite the words of Milarepa in Tibetan then you are reciting exactly what arose in Milarepa’s mind and you are “very close” to him. Time and space no longer separate you and you are joined by the Tibetan language which nourishes you like an umbilical cord. There is, at that point, only one meaning and it pops out at you with spontaneous understanding. But this particular experience I’m describing is only available if you study Tibetan to enhance your practice. Of course, it could happen in other ways, through intense practice, retreat and so forth (Trungpa Rinpoche certainly believed this). However may I gently suggest that studying Tibetan would connect you to an immense heritage and legacy, the greatest translation effort in human history as David Curtis says above? I have been studying for 8 years and know that I will never be able to speak this language. Still, I believe that knowing only a few key words and phrases has the potential to catalyze an ocean of understanding that can only benefit your Dharma practice.
Please see for yourself!
— Richard Driscoll
Tech Notes from Bill
This month's A Mindful Gathering will be on Tuesday, Oct 8th, and it is about Yoga and Posture for Buddhist practitioners. We'll be talking with, and trying demonstrations from Corina Benner. Details below under "Align Your Body, Elevate Your Practice: Yoga & Posture for Buddhist Practitioners."
The recording of last month's topic, "Exploring the Bardos Through Life" with Alison Driscoll, is available in our forum. It's free to login and access these recordings. Since these are meant just for our community, including you, we place them on our site in the forum instead of publicly. The link is here: https://www.thewisdomseat.org/forum/monthly-mindful-gatherings/exploring-the-bardos-through-life-a-mindful-gathering-with-alison-driscoll
Our first Wisdom Seat Retreat is this month, and there is still room to join - whether you are traveling to attend, or live nearby: https://www.thewisdomseat.org/the-wisdom-seat-retreat
Also, next month in November there will a 1 day in-person program in Wallingford, PA which is "An introduction to the Practice of Mahamudra with Laura Kaufman." "All are welcome to this in-person program. An established shamatha meditation practice will provide the foundation for connecting with these precious teachings."
We would like to remind you to take some time and visit our Instagram page, @wisdomseat_stevemccurry. Here, you will find an array of enlightening teachings and breathtaking images that are bound to inspire and awaken your mind and spirit. We have curated these posts with utmost care and diligence to provide you with a source of inspiration and learning.
We are thrilled about our collaboration with Steve McCurry Studios, a partnership we believe will bridge our communities. Through the combined power of beauty and wisdom, we aim to create deep and meaningful connections among us all. We look forward to your continued support and engagement with our content.
1
Align Your Body, Elevate Your Practice: Yoga & Posture for Buddhist Practitioners
A Mindful Gathering with Corina Benner and Bill Moriarty
Oct 08, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT on Zoom
Join us for this month's "Mindful Gathering" with Corina Benner and Bill Moriarty. This month we discuss yoga, posture and their relationship to practice.
Wednesday Meditation
Ongoing offering: Online meditation every Wednesday evening 6:15 to 7:30 PM EST
Worldwide Wednesday evening online sitting meditation practice.
We, at The Wisdom Seat, invite you to meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 – 7:30 PM Eastern Time to practice the sitting meditation discipline as taught in the Buddhist & Shambhala tradition of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
Nyinthun: Everyone is welcome!
Ongoing offering: Nyinthun (in-person and online)
The first Sunday of every month.
All day sitting interspersed with walking meditation. The word nyinthun*, is Tibetan for “day session.”
In understanding dharma, Trungpa Rinpoche placed a strong emphasis on mindfulness/awareness meditation practice. This community practice of Nyinthun - all day sitting interspersed with walking meditation - gives us the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of our mind, make friends with our immediate experience and rediscover our natural sanity.
Please take a look, and sign up to join us for some nyinthun retreat days. It is ok to join for as much of the day as you can.
The Wisdom Seat Retreat
October 12 - 20, 2024
We invite you to join us for this in-person Autumn retreat at the Karma TriyanaDharmachakra monastery in the delightful upstate New York Catskill Mountains. Michael Carroll, cofounder of The Wisdom Seat will be leading this 8-day practice intensive, supported by members of The Wisdom Seat staff. This retreat is designed to help us deepen our mindfulness-awareness meditation and integrate it into our daily life. The retreat will include:
6 - 7 hours of daily shrine room meditation alternating sitting and walking during each session
Breath and body relaxation practices
Outdoor walking meditation
Periodic group meditation instruction
Readings from Buddhist texts
Dharma talks and discussion
Individual meditation instruction upon request
An hour+ of helping hands
Participants will be asked to observe “functional silence” throughout most of the retreat, limiting verbal communication to a minimum.
Vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be offered, with access to snacks, coffee, and tea throughout the retreat.
Since the retreat will be limited to 30 participants, those attending will be expected to participate in all 8 days of the retreat.
Local Commuters may participate 8 days or less.
Location: Karma Triyana Dharmachakra
Woodstock, NY
An Introduction to the Practice of Mahamudra
With Laura Kaufman
Saturday, November 9th 9:45am-4:45pm EST
In-Person
Please join us for this introduction to Mahamudra, the cherished living meditation lineage of the Karma Kagyu tradition. Though Mahamudra practice is simplicity itself, preparation is essential. We will explore the warm heart and open mind of the Mahamudra practitioner and the essential points of practice.
All are welcome to this in-person program. An established shamatha meditation practice will provide the foundation for connecting with these precious teachings. You are asked to support the container by arriving on time and bringing a bag lunch for our silent midday meal.
Laura Kaufman has been studying and practicing Buddhist meditation for over 50 years and studied Mahamudra with Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. After completing the traditional three-year retreat at Sopa Choling, Gampo Abbey in 2010 and with the guidance and encouragement of Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Laura has been instructing practitioners in Mahamudra meditative disciplines since 2000.
Collaborative practice undertaking with The Wisdom Seat & The Profound Treasury Retreat
The Wisdom Seat encourages as many opportunities for practitioners to engage in the discipline of mindfulness/awareness (shamatha/vipashyana) as one can engage in. We are happy to invite the Profound Treasury Retreat (PTR) with their offering of Sunday sitting.
PTR community is hosting a 2-hour sitting session from 9:30am to 11:30 am EST
There will be meditation instruction every third Sunday of the month, given by a qualified meditation instructor.
Dates: October 13th, 20th, & 27th
Here is the Zoom link for this session: Sunday Sitting Zoom Link
All are welcome to attend.
KARMÊ CHÖLING
Sons & Daughters of Noble Family-Speaker Series
May 12th - October 20th
Sundays 1pm - 3pm EST
Online
Join more than twenty individuals who began their Buddhist path as students of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, or within the Vajradhatu / Shambhala community, and who have continued walking the path of dharma in an extraordinary variety of ways.Speakers and participants will together, explore the richness of our greater Vajradhatu/Shambhala extended dharma family, as well as have an opportunity to cross-pollinate our understanding of each other’s lineages and paths.
BONUS: Sept. 29 - Join Michael Carroll for a discussion on The Wisdom Seat and Meeting the Spiritual Challenge of Modern Materialism
VAJRA REGENT OSEL TENDZIN LIBRARY
Vajrayogini Teachings by Vajra Regent Osel Tendzin
Class will meet once/month
October 20th, November 17th, December 15th
Online
The course is based on the Vajrayogini teachings of Vajra Regent Ösel Tendzin from the new book, The Indestructible Path: The Sadhana of the Coemergent Mother. At each class we will listen to and discuss the audio recordings of the talks from the two Vajrayogini ATS programs taught by the Vajra Regent with the Dorje Loppön in 1984 and 1985.
You may attend any or all classes. There is no charge for participation, but the course is only for sadhakas.
NOTE: If you are unable to attend one of the classes, they will all be recorded and posted on the Timeline.
TO REGISTER
If you have already registered with us as an empowered Vajrayogini practitioner, please let us know if you would like to pursue this course, click jackiesaunders10@gmail.com
If you are a Vajrayogini practitioner but have not registered that classification with us, please email the date of your abhisheka, where, and by whom. We will be happy to add you to the list. That will also enable you to access sadhaka-level teachings on the Timeline, whether or not you can take this course. If you would like to take this course, include that in your email to us.
WESTCHESTER MEDITATION CENTER
The Essence of Buddhism:
The Evolution of View, Meditation and Conduct in the Three Yanas
WMC Intermediate Level Course
Wednesdays 7 – 9 PM
September 11* – December 18, 2024
(except Oct. 30th and Nov. 27th)
Online - Zoom Only
Led by Derek Kolleeny and Colleagues
Suggested Offering $160
This Intermediate-level course will survey the entire range of Buddhism’s development into what are called the three yanas, or "vehicles" of Tibetan Buddhism — Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana — viewing these as the stages of development that individuals follow along the Buddhist path. The primary tool for achieving this is meditation, and the wonderful book by Traleg Rinpoche, The Essence of Buddhism, serves as a handbook for the various meditative approaches of Buddhist practice.
We will begin by reviewing the fundamentals: the Four Noble Truths, ethical conduct, karma, and meditation. Based upon that foundation, we can then understand and practice the expansive vision of the Mahayana, including fundamental concepts such as the bodhisattva ideal and path, compassion, emptiness, and Buddha-nature. Finally, we approach the indestructible path of the Vajrayana with its transformative vision of Tantra based upon esoteric yogic practices. The final chapters present the transcendent view of Mahamudra which dispenses with all dualistic fixations and directly realizes the natural freedom of the mind itself.
The prerequisite for attending this intermediate course is the completion of the WMC Foundation course Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha, or comparable study and practice, as determined in consultation with the course facilitator. You may email Derek to do so using this link.
The Way of the Buddha:
Waking Up through the Path of Meditation
WMC Foundation Level Course – Semester One
Wednesdays 7 – 8:30 PM
September 11 – December 18, 2024
at the Aligned Center, Irvington
Hybrid Class also on Zoom
Join us as we explore the authentic path of meditation and insight as originally described by the Buddha and skillfully transmitted to the West by one of the great Tibetan masters of our time, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. We will explore such topics as the life of the Buddha; the birth of confusion and suffering; karma; and the path to sanity, insight and compassion. We’ll focus on the techniques and stages of meditation, as well as bringing meditation into our daily lives. Our study will be presented in talks and group discussion.
Readings have been compiled from a wide variety of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s writings and provided in a sourcebook, available in both printed and digital versions. In-person attendance is encouraged, but the course will be 'hybrid' format, with the option to attend via Zoom.
Taught by Gene Bobker & Tom Pantaleoni
Suggested* offering: $125 (or $15 per class)
DORJE DENMA LING
with Rhea Colmar and Mark Nowakowski
October 25 - November 3, 2024
In-person and Online – Zoom
Dear Vajrayogini,
You are warmly invited to join us for ten days of meditation. We will be practicing and studying your sadhana in the circle of the sky, surrounded by earth, water, fire, and all the elements. Rhea and Mark will lead us in the practice, and point out some things they have learned along the way. We will practice four sessions a day, with an open conversation at lunch.
We welcome both fresh and seasoned yoginis. The teachings will adjust to whoever is attending. We will also have some sessions for (re)learning specific parts of the sadhana, including mantras, mudras, and mandalas. Aimless wandering in nature and spontaneous dancing in space will also arise!
Who May Attend
This is a vajrayana program restricted to sadhakas who have received the Vajrayogini abhisheka and have the Vajrayogini Sadhana by Tongwa Tonden, Karmapa VI. If you are still completing your Ngöndro you need to have completed the refuge, prostrations, and Vajrasattva mantra, and have begun the mandala and/or guru yoga. If you have questions about if you can attend, please contact Mark Nowakowski at mnowakowski108@gmail.com
Generosity Policy: We have a donor-supported pay what you can policy and scholarships available. If you need financial assistance in order to attend, please complete this form and our Finance Director will contact you. If you have questions or would like to set up a payment plan, contact our Finance Department at finance@dorjedenmaling.com.
For more information and to register:
PROFOUND TREASURY RETREAT
The Colorado Retreat: Everything is Connected
October 4 – 13, 2024
Drala Mountain Center, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
The topic of this year’s retreat is the mandala principle. Mandalas present Buddhist teachings in the form of a circular diagram, as a dynamic and interconnected system. Mandala teachings encourage us to think more holistically and to relate to experience in terms of energies, systems, relationships, and patterns of interconnection. Mandalas display the intersecting webs of connection between all experiences and all beings. They help us to place our personal experiences within a broader context, a context in which every experience is welcomed and included.
Throughout the retreat, our focus will be on cultivating a direct visceral connection with the five basic elements—earth, water, fire, wind, and space— as a way to go more deeply into Buddhist teachings on working with emotions.
KATOG CHOLING GON
Nyingtik Yabzhi
November 8th – 12th
Nyingtik Tsapod
November 14th – 17th
Katog Choling Gön (Katog Rit’hröd) Retreat Center
Parthenon, Arkansas
On the occasion of the consecration of the new temple and representations, Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche offers this special event at the Katog Choling Gön retreat center in Parthenon, Arkansas.
You may attend just the Nyingtik Yabzhi or just the Nyingtik Tsapod or both, but full attendance of either section is mandatory. The Nyingtik Yabzhi will be from the morning of the 8th to the evening of 12th. The 13th serves as a rest and travel day. The Nyingtik Tsapod will be from the morning of the 14th to the evening of the 17th. You must arrive the day before and depart the day after these dates for either both or one of the teachings.
The cost for attending both events is a sliding scale $560-800. The amount is reduced if you are attending only one of the empowerments. Katog-provided accommodations are an extra charge. Full cost and accommodation details are provided during the registration process below.
Link for Registration & Questionnaire: https://katog.org/event/2024-11-8-katogrithrodgon/
Even though I searched in all sorts of ways for you,
O noble lady, I failed to find certainty in your true existence.
So, wearied by conceptual elaborations, this youthful mind seeks respite in the quiet forest of what is inexpressible.”
— A Hymn to Vajrayogini
Tsarchen Losel Gyatso
Comments