Event : 7 Days Meditation Retreat
Date : December 6 - 12 Dec 2010
Organizer : Kagyu Institute of Buddhist Studies
Website : http://www.kirtipur.org/courses_retreats_intro.html
(Preparation for joining the Maratika Pilgrimage)
"The Practice of Guru Rinpoche's Konchok Chidu Puja and Amitabha
Practice" Lead By Venerable Sang Sang Rinpoche, Venerable Sherab
Gyaltsen Rinpoche and Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche
The ritual practice of Konchok Chidu, translated as 'The Union
of all Jewels' / "Embodiment of the Three Jewels" , is guru yoga a
terma practice of Guru Padmasambhava discovered in the 17th century
by the great terton, Rigdzin Jatson Nyingpo (1585-1656) (also known
as Letro Lingpa).
It is a complete text which includes an outer, inner, secret and
long life practice as well as an amending of samaya fire offering
and feast practice (Ganachakra Tsog offering practice). Through the
power of the Lama, in the form of Tsokye Dorje - a peaceful
manifestation of Guru Rinpoche; the Yidam Guru Drakpo - a wrathful
manifestation of Guru Rinpoche; and the Khandro Senge Dongma, it
removes obstacles and harmful influences; creates positive
circumstances for the environment and all beings; increases virtue;
and clears away all ignorance.
Widely practiced by the practitioners of Kagyu and Nyingma
lineages in the whole of Tibet and especially in western Tibet and
the Himalayan region of Nepal, this text is renowned for its
simplicity and profundity. Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche, in his previous
life, spent 12 years in retreat and completed 12 times of the
Konchok Chidu's four foundation practices.
It is said that amongst the 500 different termas of Tsewang
(long life empowerment) that have been discovered throughout the
centuries, the Tsewang of Konchok Chidu is said to be the main one
that confers Guru Rinpoche's most profound blessings for long life
and freedom from obstacles. For this reason one of the main part of
the retreat will be the Guru Rinpoche Konchok Chidu Long Life
Empowerment, During the 7 days retreat, Rinpoche will grant the
oral transmission and instructions of the text and give guidancee
in group meditation practice based on the K�nchok Chidu Sadhana. In
addition, participants will also learn how to prepare the offerings
and torma for the puja including the use of chanting implements.
This retreat will provide the participants a good preparation and
foundation for the pilgrimage retreat at the Maratika caves. Other
practices and trainings included in the retreat:
Teaching on Amitabha Practice
Guru Rinpoche Konchok Chidu Long Life Empowerment by Ven Sang Sang
Rinpoche (subject to change & confirmation).
Torma Making: All retreatants will receive extensive training in
torma making, and will make tormas for the Tsok offeing.
Offering of Music: Training in the use of cymbals, drums,
conches and if necessary, other instruments will be made available
for those who are motivated to learn them.
Daily Mahakala Puja: The Mahakala protector practice will be
done by the group daily, chanted in the traditional melodies.
Simple instructions will be given by the Sangha.
Registration and Enquiries
Registration must be made via the application form (words doc)
which can be submitted via email. If you want further information
about the course, please contact us at: [email protected] or [email protected]
. Tel: (65)-9815 0386 (Singapore) / (977) 1-433-1679 (Nepal)
Event : Pilgrimage to the Guru Rinpoche & Mandarava Cave of
Maratika
“Retreat on Guru Rinpoche Konchok Chidu Long Life Practice”
Led By Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche
Date : December 13 – 17 2010
Located in the District of Khotang, Halesi, Eastern Nepal are the
sacred and supreme caves of Maratika where Guru Padmasambhava and
princess Mandarava attained the spiritual state of immortal
awareness holder (Tib: chi med rig dzin). A place blessed by
Manjushree, Vajrapani and Avaloketesvara; it is here that Guru
Rinpoche with his consort Mandarava opened the mandala of the
Buddha Amitayus (Buddha of infinite life) and received the vision
of Buddha Amitayus, who bestowed upon them the blessing of
immortality
In the Tibetan biography of Padmasambhava, discovered by
Nyangrel Nyima Ozer, it is described why the Maratika caves are a
sacred place for Buddhists. Many sacred symbols of body, speech and
mind of the enlightened ones such as a white conch; the long life
vase and many other amazing self-arisen symbols can be found as
well as hand and foot imprints. Five hundred Arhats are said to
have visited this place, and many people come here to practice
Chöd.
It is a place like a wish fulfilling jewel that surpasses any
other sacred place in India for the practice of spiritual
attainment. At this sacred place, the outer, inner and secret
mandalas are complete in terms of the perfect noble attribute and
prayers made here will be fulfilled. Many treasures of Guru
Rinpoche are also believed be concealed and buried by the dakini
Mandarava at this holy secret cave.
Over the years, many great lamas such as Chatral Rinpoche,
Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche, Shamar Rinpoche and many others have done
retreat in the cave, and their life hindrances have been expelled.
Chatral Rinpoche wrote in "The Melodious Tambura of Joy" a guide
for those who might one day have the opportunity to practice at
this powerful place:
Outwardly, it is the blissful play of Shiva and Umadevi.
Inwardly, it is the palace of Chakrasamvara.
Secretly, it is the celestial mansion of the deities of immortal
life and
Most secretly, it is the Pure Land of Great Bliss, the absolute
realm of Akanishta.
“On seeing this place, boundless wonder arises.
Through merely hearing the name, the seed of liberation is
planted.
By recalling it, accidental death is prevented.
Through making prostrations, circumambulation and offerings, great
accumulation of merit is accomplished.”
There are other hills surrounding the caves: the Mandarava Cave,
a few hours’ walk away from the cave, the Manjushri Hill to the
south-east and Vajrapani Hill to the south-west. There is a Garuda
cave nearby and it was said that this would be a good place to go
to for people with cancer.
For all tantric practitioners who have entered the path, this is
a very good place for practice to accumulate merit and purify
obscurations by engaging in the recitation of mantras, the offering
of tormas, the performing of fire ceremonies and especially
practices of longevity.
Such is the sacredness of this place! As such it is the wish of
Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche to bring all fortunate beings who aspire to
work for the benefit of self and others to this place to receive
the blessings of Guru Rinpoche and all enlightened beings.
At the main cave, Rinpoche will lead all in the practice of Guru
Rinpoche’s Konchok Chidu long life practice and other practices,
creating the conditions for all to purify obscurations, accumulate
merits for self and others, and ultimately, attain the level of the
protector Amitayus and lead all beings to that state.
Schedule for Pilgrimage to the Holy Meditation Cave of Maratika
Day Date Activity
Day One 13 Dec 2010 Kathmandu – Halesi, Maratika
Cave
Day Two 14 Dec 2010 Visit the main cave, lower caves,
Mandarava cave and other holy caves nearby.Group meditation and
practice of Konchok Chidu Long Life Practice at the main
cave.
Day Three 15 Dec 2010
Day Four 16 Dec 2010
Day Five 17 Dec 2010 Halesi to Kathmandu
For more information on the history of the Maratika Caves,
please refer to the below link:
http://www.maratika.org/history/history_maratika.html
Registration and Enquiries
For registration or any further information about the trip, please
email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Tel: (977) 1-433-1679 (Nepal) / (65) 98150386 (Singapore)