Lama Tsering Dakpa of Palpung Thubten Choling monastery will visit Richmond to give teachings and two empowerments: Chenrezig and Green Tara. All events will be at the Innerwork Center, 213 Roseneath Road, Richmond, Virginia 23221 — kitty-corner from Ekoji Buddhist Sangha. No advance registration is necessary.
Growing Peace and Love through Meditation: Fri. Aug. 15 | 6 – 8 pm
In this chaotic world, peace and love seem almost to be “privileges” or merely cutesy slogans. They are neither. A peaceful mind and a loving heart are the birth right of each and every one of us. What’s more, the peace and love we bear inevitably extends to all beings. Lama Tsering will teach a simple and precise practice called “Taking and Sending” (tonglen, in Tibetan) that strengthens and expands our peacefulness and our compassion for the benefit of ourselves and all beings.
*Empowerment of Chenrezig: Sat. Aug. 16
-Teaching on Chenrezig and the practice: 9 am -11 am
-Break
-Empowerment of Chenrezig ceremony: 2 pm – 4 pm
“Chenrezig is the expression of the compassion of all Buddhas—including the Buddha that is you. It’s important to believe and understand that you (and all beings) are Chenrezig. The practice of Chenrezig offers a meditation to transform our mental problems into compassion and wisdom, thereby uniting with our innate Buddha nature.” more here
*Empowerment of Green Tara: Sun. Aug. 17
-Teaching on Green Tara and the practice: 9 am -11 am
-Break
-Empowerment of Green Tara ceremony: 2 pm – 4 pm
“Green Tara is a gentle female embodiment of universal compassion. She represents the virtuous, enlightened, and miraculous activity of all Buddhas.… Green Tara is known as the ‘Swift One’ or the ‘Swift Liberator’ due to her immediate response to those who request her aid.” more here
*You are welcome to come for any or all sessions. Please note: If you plan to attend an Empowerment ceremony it’s strongly recommended that you also attend the morning session that day.
“Receiving a Vajrayana Empowerment is like planting a seed for Enlightenment. A special and sacred rite, empowerment prepares our body, speech and mind just as tilling the soil and adding nutrient-rich compost encourages the seed to sprout and grow.… Empowerment is an important step toward our own enlightened mind.” more here
Lama Tsering Dakpa began his formal practice in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in 1970, at the age of 10, at Mahey Monastery, India, where he received basic monastic education. In 1989 he received full ordination from Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa. He has received and practiced many teachings, including completion of the traditional 3-year retreat and a long, strict solitary retreat in the Himalayan mountains. Lama Tsering has resided at Kagyu Thubten Chöling Monastery since July 2017. This will be his first visit to Richmond, and we are very happy and honored to receive his wisdom.
A suggested donation of $20 per session or whatever you can pay will help cover Lama’s travel, food, and other expenses. You can contribute ahead of time, using the “donate” button on this website (sidebar / mobile scroll down) or you can contribute at the teaching. No one will be turned away for a lack of funds.
Thank you for your generosity!