We are overjoyed that the Venerable Lama Lhanang Rinpoche will return to our Big Indian retreat center, Thinley Khachöd Ling, and be in residence from the 15th through the 20th of October. We are especially honored to host him for a weekend teaching and practice retreat, The Guru Yoga of Tara: The Garden of Turquoise Leaves, from Friday evening, October 16th, through Sunday afternoon, October 18th.
This unique Tara Guru Yoga practice came to Rinpoche in deep meditation, when Tara herself appeared vividly to him, in her green form. She then bestowed nectar-like teachings and transmissions upon him, which Rinpoche will now transmit to us. This freshly arisen practice is especially potent now, in our degenerate age of volatility and mounting danger. Tara is the antidote to these dangers, as she has vowed to free from fear all who turn to her with devotion. Rinpoche has experienced profound blessings in his own life from this practice cycle, and he knows it will bring immeasurable benefit to other practitioners. Although Rinpoche is recognized as an emanation of Nubchen Namkhai Nyingpo, one of Guru Rinpoche's twenty-five disciples, he makes it clear that this practice is not terma—hidden treasure later rediscovered—but belongs to the category of Pure Vision.
In this teaching retreat Rinpoche will guide us in understanding how this Guru Yoga of Tara is directly related with the dakinis of the three Kayas (the three dimensions of Buddhahood). He will also clarify how Tara can manifest in any of her 21 aspects through this Guru Yoga, depending on the intentions and needs of each practitioner. Rinpoche will further elucidate the way this cycle of Tara functions in relation to the three inner Yanas (vehicles) of the Nyingma tradition: Mahayoga, Anuyoga and Atiyoga, or Dzogchen. And he will reveal the true nature of the dakini. You will leave with a living connection to this rare Tara cycle and the means to bring her into your daily practice.
Friday evening's session will include the transmission, the explanation, and if circumstances auspiciously align, the empowerment for this practice. On Saturday evening Rinpoche will offer his renowned Healing Chöd, which also arose from his own Pure Vision. The essence of this Chöd is Dzogpachenpo, the Great Perfection, and it came directly to Rinpoche through Machig Labdrön herself. Only retreatants can attend this Healing Chöd in person, although we may be able to stream it online for others who are unable to attend the retreat.
Most of the retreat will be conducted in noble silence, and all meals will be vegetarian. More opportunities to practice with Rinpoche during his stay will be announced soon. Use the hyperlink to register, and scroll further down for schedule details, pricing, and Rinpoche’s bio.
REGISTER HERE
The retreat schedule will be:
Friday, October 16th: 6pm–8pm transmission, explanation and likely empowerment (lung, tri and wang), followed by dinner.
Saturday, October 17th:
Breakfast at 8:30am-9:30am
10am–12pm teaching and practice,
lunch break from 12pm–2pm,
2pm–5pm teaching and practice
Healing Chöd at 6:30pm, followed by dinner.
Sunday, October 18th:
7am–8am morning practice
8am–9:30am breakfast
9:30am–12 noon final concluding session of teaching and practice
lunch from 12pm–1:30pm.
The Fire Puja will follow at 3pm and will be open to the general public. This is a wonderful way to complete the retreat, so retreat participants are encouraged to stay and attend.
—
The residential rate is $325, which includes lodging Friday and Saturday nights and six full vegetarian meals. Residential accommodations in the duplex house and cabins are simple and rustic, and the evenings may get chilly in mid October, so pack accordingly. You are welcome to commute, but retreat participants should commit to attending all sessions.
The commuter rate is $275, which also includes all six meals, from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. If you are not local and prefer different lodging, we can recommend various options in the area.
Please register HERE or using the button above
A substantial portion of each registration goes directly to Rinpoche in support of his teaching. Those who wish may also make an additional offering to Rinpoche in person, or a tax-deductible donation to support the ongoing work of the Bodhivastu Foundation for Enlightened Activity.
We warmly welcome everyone who feels drawn to Tara, whatever their circumstances: her blessing is for the benefit of all. Reduced rates are available on request. We also offer a limited number of work study places for those willing to arrive early to help with setup and preparation and stay late to assist with clean-up. You can indicate your interest on the registration form or write to us at info@bodhivastu.org
Thinley Khachöd Ling is at 156 Lost Clove Road, Big Indian, New York 12410. Parking is at 126 Lost Clove Road, a short walk from the meditation hall. If you need help with a ride, let us know and we'll do our best to connect you.
Lama Lhanang Rinpoche was born in Golok, in Amdo, northeastern Tibet. He entered Thubten Chokor Ling Monastery as a child under his root teacher, Kyabje Orgyen Kusum Lingpa, where he completed his monastic education and trained in the yogic lineage of Anuyoga. Sang Long Monastery recognized him as the rebirth of Ken Rinpoche Damcho, an emanation of Nubchen Namkhai Nyingpo, one of Guru Rinpoche's twenty-five disciples. His teachers include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Fourth Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Kyabje Katok Getse Rinpoche. A teacher of the Longchen Nyingthik lineage, he has also studied Tibetan medicine, astrology, history and the arts, and his painting is itself a way of sharing the Dharma. (Two of his visionary Tara paintings are featured in this email). His guiding motto is "world peace through inner peace." He directs the Jigme Lingpa Center in San Diego and teaches throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Mexico. Rinpoche has also co-authored a number of books including The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners: A Guide to Living and Dying; The Buddha in You: A Beginner's Guide to Buddhism, from Karma to Nirvana; and The Beginner’s Guide to Karma: How to Live with Less Negativity and More Peace.