Upcoming Events
We are pleased to announce that the popular Calm Abiding Meditation series with John Halpern continues at the Big Indian Sanctuary, Thinley Khachod Ling, and interactive online via Zoom. Next date is Sunday 11/23 at 2pm EST. Scroll down to register. These sessions will continue as a series twice a month, and they can be attended with regularity, occasionally, or as a stand alone one-time course. Naturally participants will get more out of regular attendance, yet it’s up to each person how they would like to relate to this opportunity.
Calm Abiding is a method based on Tibetan Buddhist Tradition.
Beginner & all meditation levels are invited.
Also known as Shiné in Tibetan and Shamatha in Sanskrit, this is the foundation of all meditation. It develops the capacity to rest the mind on a singular point of focus and sustain a state of tremendous relaxation and evenness.
The ongoing workshops Include:
Three Aspects of Calm Abiding or Shiné Practice
1. Gazing at a stable object (External)
2. Focusing upon a luminous sphere within (Inner)
3. Formless Immersion (Secret )
These three aspects will be broken up into several discrete sessions, and elaborated upon as the series continues over time. The 3rd aspect also opens the doorway to vivid flashes of insight(latong or vipassana): liberating glimpses of emptiness and openness.
Explanation and practice of breathwork, mindful relaxation, and tonglen healing will also be explored.
Click HERE to register for 11/23. December’s schedule is TBA
John Halpern embarked on the profound path of Tibetan Buddhist training and study in 1982 with His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, the first Supreme Head of the Nyingma lineage, who was a living terton or treasure revealer. He continued his studies with H.H. Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche until Rinpoche’s parinirvana in 2017.
At H.H. Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche’s request, in 2009, John began leading meditation instruction at Yeshe Nyingpo, the Dudjom Tersar lineage Temple in New York. Since then, John has led retreats and Naked Mind - a weekly meditation class, in Union Square, New York.
John is an international, award winning artist and independent filmmaker of over 50 years, known for large-scale, interactive, public art, cultural activism – socially engaged practice, and theatrically released art films. John established the Institute for Cultural Activism International, a 501(c)3 art organization based in Delhi, NY, with his wife Emily Harris in 2022.
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Shiné Meditation with John Halpern
We are pleased to announce that the popular Calm Abiding Meditation series with John Halpern continues at the Big Indian Sanctuary, Thinley Khachod Ling, and interactive online via Zoom. Next date is Sunday 11/23 at 2pm EST. Scroll down to register. These sessions will continue as a series twice a month, and they can be attended with regularity, occasionally, or as a stand alone one-time course. Naturally participants will get more out of regular attendance, yet it’s up to each person how they would like to relate to this opportunity.
Calm Abiding is a method based on Tibetan Buddhist Tradition.
Beginner & all meditation levels are invited.
Also known as Shiné in Tibetan and Shamatha in Sanskrit, this is the foundation of all meditation. It develops the capacity to rest the mind on a singular point of focus and sustain a state of tremendous relaxation and evenness.
The ongoing workshops Include:
Three Aspects of Calm Abiding or Shiné Practice
1. Gazing at a stable object (External)
2. Focusing upon a luminous sphere within (Inner)
3. Formless Immersion (Secret )
These three aspects will be broken up into several discrete sessions, and elaborated upon as the series continues over time. The 3rd aspect also opens the doorway to vivid flashes of insight(latong or vipassana): liberating glimpses of emptiness and openness.
Explanation and practice of breathwork, mindful relaxation, and tonglen healing will also be explored.
Click HERE to register for 11/23. December’s schedule is TBA
Shiné Meditation w/ John Halpern
Join in on this biweekly ongoing series, details below, register for the 11/16 session online or in person HERE
Calm Abiding is a method based on Tibetan Buddhist Tradition. Beginner & all meditation levels are invited.
Also known as Shiné in Tibetan and Shamatha in Sanskrit, this is the foundation of all meditation. It develops the capacity to rest the mind on a singular point of focus and sustain a state of tremendous relaxation and evenness.
The ongoing workshops Include:
Three Aspects of Calm Abiding or Shiné Practice
1. Gazing at a stable object (External)
2. Focusing upon a luminous sphere within (Inner)
3. Formless Immersion (Secret )
These three aspects will be broken up into several discrete sessions, and elaborated upon as the series continues over time. The 3rd aspect also opens the doorway to vivid flashes of insight(latong or vipassana): liberating glimpses of emptiness and openness.
Explanation and practice of breathwork, mindful relaxation, and tonglenhealing will also be explored.
Future dates will be announced soon.
Lama Lhanang Rinpoche Fire Puja Riwo Sangcho, talk on these challenging times and aspirations for peace, and Healing Chö ceremony
On Saturday 11/01, from 1pm to 3pm Rinpoche will guide us in the purifying fire puja Mountain of Burnt Offerings: Riwo Sangchö. Towards the end of this he will share from his heart about the difficult times we are facing, and how to help achieve world peace.
Then, from 4-6pm, Rinpoche will perform a special Healing Chod ceremony. This is a powerful musical healing practice in which participants simply lie down and experience the sound and energy as the healing takes effect. All ages are welcome for all activities.
Friday’s Tsok puja and teaching and Saturday’s Healing Chö will be available over Zoom for those who can not attend in person.
Lama Lhanang Rinpoche Shower of Blessings Tsok, Teaching on relating with Padmasambhava, and Sur for the Dead
On Friday 10/31 which falls on both Guru Rinpoche Day and Halloween, Rinpoche will lead us in a Shower of Blessingstantric feast (tsok) offering puja starting at 2pm. There will be a short teaching on methods to connect with Guru Padmasambhava’s blessings, including the Seven Line Prayer.
At 5pm there will be a special puja to benefit the deceased, particularly spirits in the bardo—a smoldering fire offering practice called SUR—in conjunction with Halloween and Dia de los Muertos.
Calm Abiding Meditation with John Halpern
We are pleased to announce that the popular Calm Abiding Meditation series with John Halpern will resume at the Big Indian Sanctuary, Thinley Khachod Ling and online via Zoom.
Calm Abiding also known as Shiné in Tibetan and Shamatha in Sanskrit, is the foundation of all meditation. It develops the capacity to rest the mind on a singular point of focus and sustain a state of tremendous relaxation and evenness.
Beginner & all meditation levels are invited
Troma’s Roaring Laughter that Overpowers by Splendor with Loppon Yudron Wangmo
10am - 12pm, 2pm - 5pm
This workshop will explore a short practice of five wrathful dakinis that was revealed by Dudjom Lingpa in the 19th century based on pure vision. This is a song that is sung at the start of most of the Troma chod practices. It was sung by his thirteen extraordinary disciples who attained rainbow body and continues to be incanted daily by hundreds of thousands of Troma practitioners all over today's world.
In this practice, the wild and fierce dakinis themselves symbolize the power of the liberation of the five painful emotions into five wisdoms. We will feel our way into this experience by singing it, in English and Tibetan, with and without traditional musical instruments until it is part of us.
Both workshops will be at Bodhivastu’s Trinlay Kachod Ling Sanctuary, 156 Lost Clove Road, Big Indian NY 12410 and also accessible via online streaming. Register for either or both workshops here
The Mystery of the Dakini with Loppon Yudron Wangmo
10am -12pm, 2pm - 5pm
In Vajrayana Buddhism, the word “dakini”—literally, “she who moves through space”—carries layers of meaning. Over the centuries since Buddhism arrived in Tibet it came to signify the feminine principle of awakened wisdom, a class of female meditational deities, as well as accomplished women practitioners. Together we will explore these many dimensions through teaching, reflection, and meditation.
The morning session will open these meanings in a practical way, supported by short guided meditations to help participants connect with the living presence of the dakini in their own experience. The transmission will be offered for a very concise smoke purification practice from a dakini treasure cycle of Troma Nagmo from Dudjom Lingpa.
In the afternoon, we will turn to the Five Wisdom Dakinis, each embodying one of the five elements. Together we will read and reflect on a luminous poem by Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, followed by meditation. If weather permits, we will move outside for a while to invoke a direct experience of nature. To close, each participant will be invited to create a spontaneous poem or drawing—an opportunity to express insight and imagination related to the dakini experience. No prior art or writing experience is needed.
This day of exploration will weave together study, meditation, poetry, and creative expression, opening a doorway into the mystery of the dakini.
Register for either or both workshops here . Both workshops will be at Bodhivastu’s Trinlay Kachod Ling Sanctuary, 156 Lost Clove Road, Big Indian NY 12410 and also accessible via online streaming.
Loppon Yudron Wangmo’s Residency
Dharma Consultations
If you would like to schedule a private interview with Loppon la while she is in residence, she is keeping some time slots available for one-to-one consultations about your spiritual practice and path. Her advice is based on the instructions of the great lineage lamas of the past, her own life experience as a yogini who completed a traditional three year retreat, and as a devoted long-term practitioner from this culture and time. You can schedule for this here
*Postponed until further notice* First East Coast Vajrakilaya Drupchen
Save the dates! Join us for the complete Vajrakilaya Drupchen this summer with Tulku Thadral Rinpoche, Lama Rangbar Nyima Özer, and Chogtrul Rahula Rinpoche.
Orgyen Khandro Norlha Tsok
By practicing the Wisdom wheel of offerings of Orgyen Khandro Norlha, which is the outer form of Guru Rinpoche, one's outer circumstances can be greatly improved by the strength of one's accumulation of merit and wisdom.
Mani Peace Wall Stone Carving
Please join us for a weekend of Mani stone carving as we build up the power of peace within our new Mani Peace Wall.
Buddha Jayanti & Tibetan Folk Music Concert
Join us for Buddha’s birthday according to the general Nepali calendar on Saturday, May 25rd at Trinlay Khachöd Ling.
Annual Mariamma Puja (On Mother’s Day)
Bodhivastu will be hosting a Mariamma (Tara Ritrod Lomma Gyonma the Twentieth Tara), offering ceremony on Mother’s day this year. Offerings will include tsok food items of all kinds as well as some specific ritual items.
Nyungne Practice Retreat with Lama Tashi Thobgyal Rinpoche
Nyungne is one of the most powerful purification practices within the Vajrayana which focuses on the development of Bodhichitta as the core element.
The practice of Nyungne is based on the Sadhana of the one thousand armed Chenrezig, recitation of his long mantra all combined with fasting over the period of several days.
Nad Jom Water Wheel Installation, Consecration & Pond Beautification
This Earth Day week we will celebrate by installing a Nad Jom (disease subduing) water powered prayer wheel at Trinlay Khachöd Ling in Big Indian, NY.
We will also work on the beautification of both ponds for the rest of the week.
Earth Day Freeing of Lives
On April 21, 2024 from 10am-4pm the Bodhivastu Sangha is organizing a freeing of lives for the benefit of all sentient beings and Lama Rangbar’s longevity at TKL.
Teaching: Dudjom Tersar Ngöndro Session V
Online teaching only open to those who have participated in the earlier sessions.
NYC Green Tara with Lama Rangbar
This is a teaching and transmission of the complete condensed essence practice by Lama Rangbar Nyimai Özer
Calm Abiding Meditation with John Halpern
Join us at Trinlay Khachöd Ling in Big Indian, NY for calm abiding practices of the Dudjom Tersar Tradition led by John Halpern. The practices are based on the wisdom and compassion teachings of the Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen Lineage.
Teaching: Dudjom Tersar Ngöndro Session IV
Online teaching only open to those who have participated in the earlier sessions.
Chotrul Düchen at TKL
Join us on Saturday for our annual Buddha Shakyamuni offering and mantra practice followed by a short consecration ceremony of the new large Buddha Shakyamuni and 16 Arhat Thangka recently installed at TKL in Big Indian.
Raising Windhorse - 3rd Day of Losar
Feeling like you need a boost? Get back on your horse with Bodhivastu’s Losar 3rd day annual raising of Windhorse Prayer flags. Uplift your spirits and visit us in person on that morning for Riwo Sang Chöd fire offering, Guru Drip sang and Gesar Windhorse prayers.
Teaching: Dudjom Tersar Ngöndro Session III
Online teaching only open to those who have participated in the earlier sessions.