Rochester, New York
His Eminence Chöje Ayang Rinpoche, November 15-20, 2012
For the first time in North America, Rinpoche will bestow a group of three Phowa-related empowerments: Vajrasattva, Milarepa, and Vajra Yogini. Together with the empowerments of Amitabha, Amitayus, Chenrezig and Vajrapani, which are included as part of his Phowa Course, these three empowerments will enhance the practice of Phowa. Individuals may also take these empowerments simply for their blessing power, or to deepen their own practices of Vajrasattva, Milarepa or Vajra Yogini, as they relate to Ngondro (Preliminary Practice), True Nature of Mind (Dzogchen or Mahamudra), and development and completion stage practices from other Buddhist traditions.
November 15 -
Vajrasattva Empowerment
The
purification practice of Vajrasattva, and the recitation of
Vajrasattva’s 100-syllable mantra, are common to all Tibetan
Buddhist lineages, and are an essential component of the preliminary
practices (Ngondro)
as well as all Deity
practices. Ayang Rinpoche has said, “On the ultimate
level, the body, speech, wisdom, qualities and activities of the
Buddhas of the three times are all included in one mandala in
Vajrasattva. The mandalas and mantras of all these Buddhas are also
included in Vajrasattva. The one hundred deities from the Tibetan Book of the Dead are
included in the Five Buddha Families, and those Five Buddha Families
are included in Vajrasattva.”
November 16 -
Milarepa Empowerment
Milarepa,
the great Tibetan yogi and saint, is a source of inspiration for
practitioners due to his devotion to his guru and subsequent
achievement of enlightenment in a single lifetime. The Guru Yoga of
Milarepa is central to the Kagyu tradition and a basis for Mahamudra
practice. Supplication to Milarepa can bring great blessings and
support the accomplishment of Phowa.
November 17 - Vajra Yogini
Empowerment
Visualizing oneself as the
dakini (feminine wisdom principle) Vajra Yogini clears away dualistic
concepts and allows recognition of the true nature as deity, or the
primordially pure union of appearance and emptiness. A critical
component of Guru Yoga meditation, Vajra Yogini is also central to the
practice of Phowa in both Nyingma and Kagyu traditions.
BUDDHA AMITABHA LONG SADHANA
TEACHINGS
November 18 and 19
Rinpoche will explain A Sadhana Recitation of Maha Sukhavati, A Mind Treasure from the Profound Whispered Lineage of the Space Dharma, by the 17th century treasure revealer Mingyur Dorje. This text is used in most Nyingma and Kagyu lineages as a devotional prayer to accomplish the development and completion stage practices of Buddha Amitabha, the Buddha of Boundless Light. The sadhana encompasses the complete path of Buddhist meditation practice.
REFUGE ORDINATION and DRIKUNG KAGYU NGONDRO ORAL TRANSMISSION BLESSING
November 19
Rinpoche will give the traditional Refuge Ordination ceremony, in which new practitioners receive a Dharma name and enter onto the Buddhist path. This is the gateway to receiving higher teachings and empowerments, and involves promising not to harm other beings, as much as one can. For those practitioners who are ready to make a serious commitment to Tibetan Buddhism, receiving the Oral Transmission Bleassing is the initial preparation for beginning the Preliminary Practices (Ngondro).
BUDDHA AMITABHA FEAST OFFERING CELEBRATION (TSOK)
November 20
Tsok
is a profound method in the Vajrayana for accumulating merit and
wisdom. It is a unique opportunity to practice pure view and to
liberate our dualistic concepts, and a joyous occasion make offerings
and to come together to repair spiritual commitments, give thanks, and
celebrate the teachings. We will use the Buddha Amitabha
sadhana explained during the teachings. If you are taking the teachings
and empowerments please make every effort to attend the Tsok.
Download the
complete Schedule.
Retreat Venue:
Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside
120 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14604
To receive the group rate of $94/night for a single or double guest room you must mention Amitabha Foundation Retreat. Reserve your room by calling 585-546-6400, (800) 967-9033 US/Canada Toll-free, or send an email.
Reservations must be guaranteed by a credit card or advance deposit before October 7, 2011, or participants will be charged the standard room rate.
Other Accommodations Nearby:
The
East Avenue Inn (0.2 miles)
384 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607
585-325-5010
$89.00/night single or double (mention Amitabha Foundation)
Meals: The Radisson Hotel has a full-service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tea service will be available adjacent to the shrine hall. There are also many other restaurants nearby.
What to bring (and not bring): If you are coming from the Rochester area, please bring your own sitting cushion in order to be comfortable, although there will be plenty of loaners. The floor is carpeted, so there is no need for a mat/zabuton. Chairs will be available. Wear clothing that is comfortable and modest. Shoes will not be worn in the empowerment and teaching area. Please do not bring or use any portable radios or audio players without earphones. Cell phones should be left in your lodging or switched off during teachings. As a courtesy to others, please do not use any perfume or cologne and use only unscented personal hygiene products. You may bring a personal voice recorder but the microphone must be kept at your own seat.
Texts and Practice Materials: If you have your own copies from previous teachings with Ayang Rinpoche, please bring your Opening and Closing Prayers, Raga Asya’s Aspiration Prayer to be Reborn in Dewachen, and A Sadhana Recitation of Maha Sukhavati, A Mind Treasure from the Profound Whispered Lineage of the Space Dharma (long Buddha Amitabha sadhana) texts. Otherwise, texts will be provided at no additional cost to participants.
Bookstore: Rinpoche has not made specific recommendations about readings to prepare for the Buddha Amitabha teachings and Phowa-related empowerments. However, we will have a selection of books you may find interesting and relevant, as well as some Dharma items, for sale at the retreat.
Offerings: It is customary to make a monetary offering to the lama and his attendants at the end of the teachings, although offering only a traditional white scarf (kata) is also suitable. Katas will be available for loan or purchase. Everyone will also have an opportunity to make candle offerings for auspicious rebirth of a friend, relative or pet, or for health and long life for oneself or loved ones.
Samaya (commitment) for taking the teachings: At this time, there are no practice commitments for taking the Vajrasattva, Milarepa or Vajra Yogini empowerments or the teachings on the long Buddha Amitabha sadhana.
Payment and Cancellation Policy: The retreat fee is $250.00. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is due at registration. When you register, please consider adding an additional (tax-deductible) donation to help sponsor ordained sangha and others who may not otherwise have the means to attend. Register and pay online using your credit card or PayPal, or make your check payable to Amitabha Foundation and mail it with the Registration Form to:
Clare Dygert, TreasurerAmitabha Foundation
11 South Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14607
Transportation:
Shuttle Service: The Radisson Hotel has a free shuttle service to and from the Rochester airport, Amtrak train station and Greyhound bus station. To use this service you must make an advance reservation by calling the hotel.
Taxi Services:
Vanguard Taxi (585) 506-6996
Airport Ace Cab Co. (585) 957-2470
Taxi Rochester (585) 647-9999
Register Now or download the Rochester Registration Packet.
Even
if you cannot attend, please consider making a contribution to
our Retreat
Scholarship Fund.
Check our website
for updates and for Rinpoche's 2012 teaching schedules in Vancouver,
Los Angeles area, and Houston.
For more information contact [email protected], or call
585-261-7094
