Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) Initiation, Teachings, and Practice

Date	October 2-4, 2009
Time	9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Location	Namgyal Monastery, Ithaca, NY
Instructors	Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa (Geshe Thinley Topgyal), retired abbot of Gyumed Tantric College Palden Oshoe, translator
Cost	$140, see details below
Registration	Pre-registration required, see details below
Prerequisites	None. This intensive is suitable for both beginning and advanced practitioners.

In this weekend intensive retreat, Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa will prepare students and then bestow the empowerment of Four-Armed Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), the essence of the compassion of all the buddhas. This is an important Kriya Tantra practice for generating the mind of loving-kindness and compassion. The Dalai Lamas and Karmapas are said to be manifestations of Chenrezig. Following the initiation, Rinpoche will provide concise core instruction on the meditation practice of Chenrezig.

Venerable Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa (known as Geshe Thinley Topgyal) was born in 1937 in Nyaktren, a sector of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. At the age of 10, he gained admission to Sera Mey Monastery of the Sera Mahayana Monastic University near Lhasa. In 1959, he received the complete bikshu vows—the highest level of ordination—from the late Yongzin Ling Rinpoche, the 97th Throne Holder of Gelugpa Tradition and also senior Tutor to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Khensur Rinpoche studied in Tibet until 1959 when he fled to India after China invaded and forcefully occupied Tibet. Rinpoche soon returned to his studies in the exiled Sera monastery, which was reconstructed under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 1986, he completed his Geshe degree and received the esteemed honor of Geshe Lharampa. In 1990, he received the advanced degree of Ngagrampa (highest degree in Buddhist Tantra studies) from Gyumed Tantric College after extensively studying the secret teachings of the Mahayana tradition. In 1993, Rinpoche became Discipline Master of Gyumed Tantric College. In 1994, the Dalai Lama selected Khensur Rinpoche to serve as the Lama Uzed (Head Lama to lead all rituals) of the Tantric College, and in 1996 appointed him as the Abbot of the Gyumed Tantric College. He has since taught widely in the U.S., Canada, and Asia. Khensur Rinpoche is a scholar of great knowledge and understanding, and a holder of many traditional teaching lineages. A living example of Buddha's teachings, Khensur Rinpoche divides his time between personal meditation and practices, and teaching a growing network of western and Tibetan students. He is highly qualified to teach on all levels of Buddhist practice and to conduct all Buddhist rituals.

Location

Aurora Street House, Namgyal Monastery, Ithaca, NY (address and directions).

Cost

The cost for the weekend intensive is $140, and includes continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and a catered vegetarian dinner on Saturday.

Registration

To register, please contact Namgyal with your full name, address, telephone number, and email (optional).

Payment

Please make your personal check, money order, or bank cashier's check payable to “Namgyal Monastery” and send to our mailing address.

For payment by credit card, please register first and then process your payment through the “Donate to Namgyal Ithaca” link on our Supporting Namgyal page. In the Comments field of the Payment Form, enter the name of the event for which you are paying.

Schedule of Activities

Friday 10/2
7:00 - 8:30 PM: Introductory talk
(Free and open to the public - Donations are welcomed)

Saturday 10/3
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Simple breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 AM: Session one
10:15 - 10:30 AM: Tea break
10:30 AM - Noon: Session two
Noon - 2:00 PM: Lunch break
2:00 - 3:15 PM: Session three
3:15 - 3:30 PM: Tea break
3:30 - 5:00 PM: Session four
5:15 - 6:30 PM: Vegetarian dinner

Sunday 10/4
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Simple breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 AM: Session one
10:15 - 10:30 AM: Tea break
10:30 AM - Noon: Session two