The Wisdom Age Newsletter of Drogmi Buddhist Institute A Tibetan Buddhist Centre in the Sakya Tradition Issue 65 February 2023 Dear Dharma friends, HAPPY TIBETAN NEW YEAR OF 2050 Greetings from Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and all sangha at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre. May this year of the Water Rabbit bring you true faith and hope, serenity, peace of mind, much study, contemplation and deep meditation, strength to have a bodhicitta mind in each and every moment possible, and put this into your daily living practice – the most Precious Buddhadharma. Yours in the dharma About Losar – Tibetan New Year “The Lunar New Year is the most celebrated festival on the Tibetan Plateau, marked by the first day of the lunar year. It is a symbol of new beginnings: rituals are performed to destroy evil influences; positive forces are conjured with wholesome acts to bring about merit. “The Tibetan calendar follows the twelve animal cycles, each of which lends unique characteristics to its bearer. This coming year, we welcome the Water Rabbit, symbolising 2023 as a year of hope. The Rabbit is considered the luckiest of all the zodiac animals: they are spiritual and peace loving by nature and loathe any kind of aggression; they are compassionate, cautious, skilled at resolving conflicts, calm and tactful; they are also creative, intelligent, loyal, generous, honest, and witty.” Information adapted from @norlha.com SAKYA NEWS His Eminence Vajradhara Luding Khenchen’s Passing into Mahaparinirvana Khenpo la along with members and friends of Drogmi Buddhist Institute were deeply saddened and shocked to hear the news of the temporary passing into Mahaparinirvana of His Eminence Vajradhara Luding Khenchen Rinpoche. During our end of year Healing and Purification Retreat at Kamalashila, we offered more than 100 candles and recited the Guru Devotion prayer. May Your Eminence swiftly return to help us ignorant beings and lead us to the state of Vajradhara. Read More Her Eminence Sakya Jetsun Chimey Luding Rinpoche’s Birthday Celebration Members and friends of Drogmi Buddhist Institute joined Her Eminence Sakya Jetsun Chimey Luding Rinpoche’s centre in Vancouver to celebrate Her Eminence’s birthday: “Sharing some photos of the little birthday celebration held at Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling’s new centre where friends and students gathered in person and in Zoom to wish Jetsun Kushok happy birthday.” Read More NEWS FROM DROGMI BUDDHIST INSTITUTE Retreat Hut HIRE Fully self-contained huts are available for hire on daily (minimum of 2 days), weekly or monthly rates for those wishing to undertake retreat or spend time in self-reflection. Many remark just how perfect an environment this is for meditation and contemplation. Costs reduce the longer you stay: Daily $75 ($50 members/friends); Weekly $350 ($250 members/friends). Monthly rates available upon request. Enquiries and bookings
[email protected] Gratitude for Upgrading Help We are thrilled to announce the completion of a new solid roof outside the dining room at the Centre, and a major upgrade of the plumbing system. We would like to thank all involved for their contributions Read More UPCOMING COURSES & EVENTS Karma Yoga Group Retreat Friday 24 – Sunday 26 March This is our fourth Karma Yoga Group Retreat. It will be a weekend where our body and mind work together to help others. The days start with a meditation session led by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and conclude with a campfire yarn. Come and join us with work in the garden, building maintenance, cleaning and painting or assisting with the catering. There is a job for everyone! Meals and accommodation are offered free of charge. For catering purposes email
[email protected] Day-Long Mindfulness Retreat Saturday 11 March The cultivation of mindfulness, full awareness and wisdom are central to the path of awakening and liberation from suffering as taught by the Buddha. In this day-long retreat, Ayyas Jitindriya and Jayasara will offer teachings and guided meditations on this way of practice and integrating it into our daily lives. More details and bookings Easter Shamatha & Mindfulness Retreat Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 April Open to everyone, from those new to meditation to those with more experience. A wonderful opportunity in these turbulent times to learn and practise these methods of meditation that have been tried and proven throughout the centuries to help relax and focus our concentration, leading to improved mental health. More details and bookings WELLBEING RETREAT – POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY TOOLS FOR ENHANCING WELLBEING Friday 14 – Sunday 16 April This Wellbeing Retreat in mid-April will be run by Sangha members. Through a series of workshops and activities, retreat participants will be invited to explore and practice a range of positive psychology interventions that have been shown to promote positive changes in people’s lives. These include identifying and cultivating strengths and positive emotions, self-compassion, savouring, capitalising on positive events, gratitude, positive journaling, meditation. Upon completion of the retreat, participants will leave with a set of practical tools to support and encourage continued positive psychology practice in their daily life. All proceeds will be offered back to KTBC. More information soon Ngöndro Retreat Thursday 18 – Sunday 21 May Khenpo la will give the required transmissions. This retreat is open to everyone who has received the Hevajra Empowerment. Ngöndro refers to the preliminary or ‘foundation’ practices of Vajrayana Buddhism. The Ngöndro practices are profound and powerful means for effecting a deep purification and transformation, at every level of our being. Not only do they prepare the practitioner for the profound path of Vajrayana, but they also lead us gradually towards the experience of Enlightenment. More details and bookings RECENT EVENTS Annual Six Dome White Tara Retreat The Annual Six Dome White Tara Retreat concluded after three full days on the very auspicious occasion of the full moon and Amitabha Day. Attendees commented how fortunate we are to be able to receive the precious Dharma teachings from authentic and learned Teachers in this great Sakya tradition and never take it for granted! Read More Venerable’s Shamatha-Vipassana Weekend Retreat It was a very special weekend at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre with the Shamatha-Vipassana Retreat led by Ayyas Jitindriya and Jayasara. With heartfelt appreciation and gratitude, thank you Ayyas for your teachings and guidance. Read More Annual Healing and Purification Retreat The Healing and Purification Retreat commenced at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre with Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe. On the first day Khenpo la gave the attendees the Vajrasattva transmission, teachings and practice. The auspicious Medicine Buddha Day according to the Tibetan calendar fell on day three of the retreat. Khenpo la gave the Medicine Buddha Transmission to a full gompa of devotees that morning. Read More Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course Retreat, End of Year 1 The universal comment of participants in this final Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course Retreat for the year seems to be ‘Wow, we are so lucky to be doing this course!’ The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course is quite unique in so far as it offers a 3-year comprehensive training in the three Buddhist Paths of Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Read More FROM OUR MASTERS “As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all beings.” ~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama @karma_lodro_gyatso_yip Find out more by visiting our website. Home Courses & events Venue hire Support us Contact Home Courses & events Venue hire Support us Contact We only use this list for The Wisdom Age newsletter. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list below. To unsubscribe from general mailings from Drogmi Buddhist Institute, please email
[email protected].
