Namgyal June Program Classes and Events
| Date | June 1-30, 2010 |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Location | Namgyal Monastery, Ithaca, NY |
| Instructors | Namgyal Faculty |
| Cost | Individual fees are included by selections |
| Registration | Pre-registration required, see details below |
The June Program at Namgyal Monastery provides students who are unable to attend classes during regular session with the opportunity for focused study in a single month. This year’s program emphasizes two areas: 1) Kalachakra teachings and practice and 2) Bridging Western and Tibetan culture and views. Kalachakra teachings include a weekend intensive the Kalachakra Six Session Guru Yoga (June 25-27), weekly Six Session Guru Yoga practice (Mondays) and instruction on the Kalachakra Mind Mandala (Tuesdays). Classes on bridging Western and Tibetan culture will provide students with opportunity to connect Tibetan and Western culture through language, movies, slides and poems. Two weekend intensives will help participants bridge Western philosophical and scientific views with Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and meditation practices.
COURSES
Kalachakra Practice: Six Session Guru Yoga
The Kalachakra is a unique tantric systems of teachings. Kalachakra Wheel of Time was first taught in India on the 15th of the month of the 3rd month, in the year following Buddha Shakyamuni’s enlightment. At the same time he was teaching the Perfection of Wisdom on Vulture’s Peak near Rajgir, he taught the Kalachakra Root Tantra at Shri Dhanyakata to host of pure followers led by Sychandra, the King of Shambala. Kalachakra is related to improving inner and outer world peace and harmony.
Instructor: Ven. Tenzin Gephel
Meets: Mondays 6:30-7:45: 6/7, 6/14, 6/21 & 6/28
Cost: minimum donation $10
Prerequisites: Previous Kalachakra initiation is required.
Ven. Tenzin Gephel will lead Kalachakra practice sessions that can be attended on their own or as preparation for the weekend intensive on Kalachakra six session guru yoga with Gyumey Khensure Rinpoche. Kalachakra Six Session Guru Yoga presents the important points of the Generation Stage Yoga of the Kalachakra Tantra. The dates for the weekend retreat with the Rinpoche are June 25, 26, 27.
Kalachakra Mind Mandala Teachings
Instructor: Ven. Tenzin Thutop
Meets: Tuesdays 6:30-7:45: 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22 & 6/29
Cost: $ 120.00
Ven. Tenzin Thutop will provide instruction in the drawing and sand painting of the Kalachakra Mind Mandala. The Kalachakra system has three main subject areas which are the External, Internal and Alternative Kalachakra. External teachings deal with the outer elements and Internal teachings deal with the internal elements and the Alternative deals with the Kalachakra path of Generation and completion practices. An explanation of the Kalachakra system will be provide along with instruction on mandala construction.
Prerequisites: This class is open to all (does not require previous initiation).
Tibetan Culture
Tibetan Buddhists teachings and practices emerged within the rich and beautiful context of Tibetan culture. A deeper appreciation of the teachings and practices can be gained by understanding the Tibetan culture and how it is similar to and differs from American culture. A variety of classes will provide students with an opportunity to better understand the connection of Tibetan language, poetry, land and political struggles to that of our own.
Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Vocabulary and Recitation
Instructor: Palden Oshoe, the translator for Namgyal Monastery
Meets: Wednesdays 6:30-7:45: 6/2, 6/9, 6/16, 6/23 & 6/30
Cost: $120
Prerequisites: None - No previous knowledge of Tibetan or Buddhism is required.
Palden Oshoe will lead a class in teaching the translation and vocabulary for prayers that are regularly recited during meditation and teaching sessions at the monastery. He will go through the prayers and give students the Tibetan to English translation of words as well as discuss their meaning and significance Tibetan Buddhism. Students will also have the opportunity to practice their pronunciation and recitation of these prayers.
Tibetan Documentary Movie: THE UNWINKING GAZE
Meets: Thursday June 3 6:30-7:45
Cost: Donations welcomed
The inside story of the Dalai Lama’s struggle for Tibet, Directed by Joshua Dugdale
This Movie contains footage of Dalai Lama’s recent trip to Canada, and
Interviews with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Paul Martin and Jack Layton.
THE UNWINKING GAZE was filmed over a period of three years with exceptional access showing the daily agonies of the Tibetan leader as he tries to strike a balance between his Buddhist vows and the realpolitik needed to placate China. David and Goliath is played out in front of us as the world’s emerging superpower and the Dalai Lama walk a tightrope over an issue of global importance. Ven.Tenzin Thutop will show this documentary movie and provide a Q & A after the movie. So please come and enjoy your time with us!
The Heart of Tibet in Exile: A Photo Narrative of Life in Dharamshala with Namgyal Monastery
Meets: Thursday June 10 6:30-7:45
Cost: Donations welcomed
At the Heart of Tibet in Exile lie compassion, courage, kindness, and strength, embodied by the Tibetan people as they follow in the footsteps of His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. Through photographs and stories, join photographer Siobhan McClory and The Heart of Tibet program leader, Lindsay Gilmour for a glimpse into life in Dharamshala, home to the Tibetan Government in Exile and the thousands of Tibetans. From the monasteries to Tibetan Children’s Village, to the artisans, discover a little of what makes Dharamshala so unique.
Songs of Realization with Mary Gilliland
Meets: Thursday June 17 & June 24 6:30-7:45
Cost: sliding scale: $5 — $30 per evening
Gate gate paragate parasamgate – how do we speak of the heart of perfect wisdom, of liberation? How do human beings describe the state beyond words? Come to this workshop to read and discuss verses by the great siddhas and yoginis of Vajrayana, and—optionally—write your own.
Texts provided.
Mary Gilliland is an award-winning poet who has been practicing Buddhism since 1972. She serves on the board of Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies.
WEEKEND INTENSIVES:
Tibetan Buddhism and Westerns Views of the World
Instruction on Kalachakra Six Session Guru Yoga
Instructor: Gyumey Khensure Rinpoche
Meets: June 25-27
Cost: $ 140.00
Prerequisites: Previous Kalachakra initiation is required.
Kalachakra tantra is a unique and complex system, different from all other Buddhist tantras. Kalachakra Six Session Guru Yoga presents the important points of the Generation Stage Yoga of the Kalachakra Tantra. For those who have been to the Kalachakra initiation, this is a good opportunity to study and enhance the Kalachakra practice. Namgyal Institute organized many retreats on Kalachakra accompanied by a range of great masters. This time the distinctive guest teacher, Gyumey Khensure Rinpoche,will give instruction on Kalachakra Six Session Guru Yoga method. The teaching will be based on the Kalachakra guru yoga text, formulated by HH the 14th Dalai Lama and arranged by HH tutor Kyabje Ling Rinpoche.
The Doctrine of No Self: Comparison of Buddhist and Western Philosophies
Instructor: Dr. Charles Goodman, PhD, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Asian and Asian-American Studies, Binghamton University
Meets: June 4-6
Cost: $ 140.00
Prerequisites: None - This course is recommended for both beginning and advanced students
On Friday evening Dr. Goodman will offer a free public talk entitled, “What is the Doctrine of No Self.” This will be followed on Saturday and Sunday by teachings that draw from both traditional Buddhist arguments and recent Western philosophy. Some time will be also be spent on shamatha and vipashyana meditation.
Western Psychology and Buddhist Views and Practice
Instructor: Deana Bodnar PhD, LMSW
Meets: June 11-13
Cost: $ 140.00
Prerequisites: None - No prior knowledge of psychology or Buddhism is required.
During this weekend intensive will examine similarities and differences in views and practices in Western Psychology and Tibetan Buddhism. Topics to be discussed include, comparisons cognitive-behavioral methods in Western Psychology and Buddhist Mind Training Practices, the understanding and categorization of afflictive emotions in Westen Psychology and Buddhism , and connections between mind-basis of all (alaya) and western views of the unconscious.
Neurobiology of Meditation
Instructor: Deana Bodnar PhD, LMSW
Meets: June 18-20
Cost: $ 140.00
Prerequisites: None - No prior knowledge of neuroscience or Buddhism is required.
This intensive will provide participants with a practical understanding of neural functioning and its relationship to meditation practice as well as provide an overview of current research on the neurobiology of meditation. We will examine neural basis of behavior related to various areas of experience including emotions, memory, and social relationships. Each session will provide participants with a basic understanding of the neural structures and processes related to an area of discussion, how these likely relate to different aspects of meditation practice and information on the current research available on effects of meditation.
Location
Aurora Street House, Namgyal Monastery, Ithaca, NY (address and directions.)
For further information about the June program and housing options in Ithaca contact the Namgyal Institute Office.
Cost
Registration is possible for one, several, or all of the June offerings.
The individual cost of each class is listed with description.
The discounted costs for sets of classes are as follows:
• The cost for the full June program (evening classes plus weekend intensives) is $700.
• The cost for all four weekend intensives is $500.
• The cost for three evening classes (Kalachakra Practice, Mind Mandala and Tibetan Prayer Vocabulary) is $225.
Registration
To register, please contact Namgyal with your full name, address, telephone number, and email (optional). Early registration is advised.
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.