COMPLETED—-LECTURE by Elisabeth Benard on the SAKYA JETSUNMAS, Saturday, March 9, 2019, 3:00 pm at Ewam Choden
January 9, 2019 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
This is a notice of an event presented by Sakya Dechen Ling, the local northern California center of Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok Chime Luding.
Here, below, is information about the event. You may go to the SDL website (click there) for further details and to register.
Elisabeth Benard speaks on
Born to Practice: The Sakya Jetsunma Phenomenon
of Phenomenal Spiritual Adepts Who Are Women,
Their Hidden Lives and Achievements, Past & Present
Sakya Jetsunmas are a wonderful example of Tibetan women who are encouraged by their families and society to be religious practitioners.Their hidden world needs to be brought to light and their achievements must be recognized in any account of spiritual lives of Tibetan women, past and present.
Among Tibetan male spiritual adepts, many have the title of Jetsun or one worthy of honor, such the famous 11th century yogi–Milarepa. However, few Tibetan female spiritual practitioners are honored with this title. One of the more famous is the yogini Shugsep Jetsun (1852-1953).
In this illustrated lecture, the title of Jetsunma and who receives this title will be discussed. One significant group who are bestowed this title at birth are the Sakya Khon daughters.Among the Sakya Jetsunmas, some are known as eminent lamas who conferred the significant Lamdre teachings and who have had many disciples, including several Sakya Trizins. Two biographies will be highlighted: the contemporary Jetsun Kushok Chime Luding Rinpoche who is one of the most important female teachers of this century and the 18th century Jetsunma Chime Tenpai Nyima.She is best known for being the only woman who is included as a guru in the Naro-Vajrayogini guru transmission lineage. Long live the Jetsunmas!
Elisabeth Benard is a professor emeritus in Asian Studies and Religion at the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington, USA. She has received the Faculty Global Engagement Award from her university and has lectured extensively in the U.S, Asia and Europe. Her publications include Chinnamasta: the Aweful Buddhist and Hindu Tantric Goddess, “A Secret Affair: The Wedding of a Sakya Dagmo” in Tibetan Studies: Anthology PIATS2006 edited by S Arslan & P Schweiger,“Transformations of Wen Cheng Kongjo: Tang Princess, Tibetan Queen and Buddhist Goddess Tara,” in Goddesses Who Rule edited by Elisabeth Benard and Beverly Moon. “Born to Practice: the Sakya Jetsunma Phenomenon” in Revue d’Etudes Tibétaines issue 34, December 2015: Women as Visionaries, Healers and Agents of Social Transformation in the Himalayas, Tibet and Mongolia edited by Mona Schrempf and Nicola Schneider. Read Issue Here: E-Benard_Revue Dec 2015
Event Completed—LOSAR (Tibetan New Year) CELEBRATION: ORACLE SOUP PARTY on FRIDAY FEB. 1 and MEDITATION PRAYERS on SUNDAY FEB. 3rd, 2019
January 8, 2019 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
Welcome to the Tibetan New Year Celebrations at Ewam Choden !
༄༅།།ལོ་གསར་ལ་བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས་ཞུ། Losar La Tashi Delek New Year’s Greetings!
The year is 2146, the female earth pig (boar).
EVERYONE IS WELCOME !
FRIDAY EVENING, 2/1/2019 at 7:00 pm at Ewam Choden: ORACLE SOUP POTLUCK PARTY
Everyone is welcome to a LOSAR potluck party at Ewam Choden on Friday, February 1st at 7:00 pm. From the Oracle Soup, you will receive a special dumpling in which your unique fortune for the new year can be found. Join Rinpoche and Sangha friends for a delicious potluck meal.
SUNDAY MORNING, 2/03/2019 10:00 am: SPECIAL MEDITATION
Prayers for Peace, Health, and Happiness for all Beings. Ven. Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche will lead the usual Chenrezig compassion meditation and, following tradition, there will be other special recitations and prayers. Come to meditation at 10:00 a.m. as usual, receive Rinpoche’s blessing, greet everyone for New Year, and enjoy sweet rice, Tibetan tea, and some special Losar snacks.
Completed—–VISIT and SPECIAL TEACHING from VEN. KHENPO PEMA WANGDAK on December 21, 22, and 23, 2018, Free and Open to All
December 10, 2018 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
CLEAR & REST & STABILIZE YOUR MIND !
VISIT and SPECIAL HOLIDAY TEACHING from VEN KHENPO PEMA WANGDAK on December 21, 22, and 23, 2018
OPEN TO EVERYONE. Free of charge.
FRIDAY, December 21, 2018—–7:00 pm– public talk: “Exploring Patience and Its Strength”
SATURDAY and SUNDAY, December 22 and 23, 2018
Mind Training: Sojong and Lojong Weekend Sessions with Khenpo Pema Wangdak (over two separate days). Come anytime.
This will be group practice sessions for beginners and ongoing students alike. The schedule will consist of alternating periods of teachings, practice, and guided meditations, as well as question and answer times.
SCHEDULE BELOW—-You may drop by at any time.
Saturday, 12/23—Lojong teaching Morning (10:00 am to 12:30pm)
and Afternoon sessions (2:00 pm to 4:30 pm)
Sunday, 12/24—Sojong teachings and practice. Afternoon only, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Khenpo Pema is an esteemed Sakya lama who speaks fluent English and has many mind tricks up the sleeve of his robe. (See brief bio below.)
HERE ARE THE TOPICS of the teachings. They are open to everyone.
THIS INFORMATION IS DIRECTLY FROM KHENPO PEMA.
FRIDAY, December 21, 2018—–Friday evening public talk: “Exploring Patience and Its Strength”: Part II
The enduring positive effects of peace, loving-kindness, and compassion, and everything else that is good in human nature—its
values and ethics, its aspirations and goals—are possible only when combined with the strength of the power of patience. Without
that strength, these values, profound and noble though they may be, are often seen to be fragile and frail, and thus are neglected,
ignored, and misunderstood even by those who aspire to live by them.
Drawing on the teachings of Buddha, the virtues of patience, in the length and depth of its meaning, will be presented as an
indispensable component of and the very key to a successful life, spiritual or mundane, and every meaningful thing we do: at home,
at work, in social life, education, health, and all else that is conceivable. Our measure of accomplishment is fundamentally based on
a solid foundation of patience.
The talk includes discussion, meditation on the subject of patience, and question-and-answer session.
SATURDAY and SUNDAY, December 22 and 23, 2018
Sojong and Lojong Weekend Retreat with the Venerable Khenpo Pema Wangdak (over two separate days)
The three most influential Lojong texts, “Parting From the 4 Attachment,” “Eight Verse Lojong,” and the “Seven Point Mind Training,”
that sustained the spirit and purpose of life of millions over the centuries, will re-read, reviewed, and reflected accompanied by a
step by step alternating meditation throughout the day. We will do this as a reminder and as well as a introduction for those who
are new the Lojong teachings that every worth in this world and our life is rooted in the spirit of compassion and kindness that is
nurtured by joy of life and equanimity of the mind.
This will be a group practice sessions for the beginners and regular students alike. The schedule will consist of alternating
periods of teachings, practice, and guided meditations.
Sojong will be observed Sunday, with participants taking the eight precepts at the beginning of the day. The Sojong is
a introduction to a deliberate act in keeping with the disciplines of the humanity as taught by Buddha. It also is the very foundation
for everything possible from the very basic qualities of life to the highest of the esoteric spiritual ventures and everything we aspires
for in this and beyond this life. Dedicated practitioners, believers, non-believers alike, curious, as well as beginners, all are welcome
to attend this weekend meeting.
ABOUT KHENPO PEMA WANGDAK
In 1982, he was sent to the West by His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin, as the first of the younger generation of Tibetan teachers in America from the Sakya School. In 1989 Khenpo Pema founded the Vikramasila Foundation. The Foundation encompasses the Palden Sakya Centers in New York City, Woodstock, NY, Philmont, NY, Englewood, NJ, Springfield, VT, Portland, ME, and Dayton OH. The Palden Sakya Centers offer courses in Tibetan Buddhist studies and meditation. Khenpo Pema is the creator of “Bur Yig”–Tibetan Braille, and the founder of Pema Ts’al (English for Lotus Grove) Schools in Mundgod, India (for Tibetan lay children); Pokhara, Nepal (monastic schools for boys); and Pema Ts’al School in New York City, with a curriculum modeled on that of Sakya College, India. Khenpo Pema was recognized with the title of “Khenpo” by His Holinessthe 41st Sakya Trizin in 2007. He received the distinguished “Ellis Island Medal of Honor” award by the National Ethical Coalition of Organizations in May, 2009 at Ellis Island for his humanitarian work around the world. Khenpo Pema is the first Tibetan ever to have received such an award. Khenpo Pema has been guiding Western students for 35 years, and he continues to travel and teach extensively to Dharma centers around the world.
Completed for now–TIBETAN READING AND WRITING LANGUAGE COURSE with VEN. LAMA KUNGA RINPOCHE In Session
August 22, 2018 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
THIS CLASS MAY RESUME IN 2019. STAY TUNED.
We are very happy to announce that Ven. Lama Kunga Rinpoche has kindly offered to hold a series of weekly classes in Introductory Tibetan Language Reading and Writing.
Open to everyone, the classes start at the beginner level. This session has six classes.
LOCATION: Ewam Choden
TIME: 7:00 p.m. (to about 8:30 p.m.)
DAY: Wednesdays, as follows
9/19, (no class 9/26), 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31
FEE: $20 per class, or one payment of $120.
Pre-registration isn’t required, but it’s a good idea to email EC with your intention to attend. info@ewamchoden.org
LEARN TO READ (Tibetan) 
WITH LAMA KUNGA WITH COMPASSION
Completed – TEACHING from KHENPO MIGMAR TSETEN, Monday, October 29, 2018 on Wisdom Gone Beyond
August 22, 2018 by admin
Filed under Completed Special Events
We are glad to welcome Khenpo Migmar Tseten, who will teach on PRAJNAPARAMITA and TANTRA.
Lama Migmar will kindly discuss how the Heart Sutra is complementary to the four foundations of mindfulness meditation and how it is also indispensable in establishing the perfect view of emptiness to practice the creation and completion stages of Deity Yoga in Tantric sadhana practices. Lama Migmar teaches in clear, fluent English with an empathy and understanding of the needs of students, and he is patient with all questions.
The teaching is on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 7:00 pm at Ewam Choden. OPEN to EVERYONE. Requested donation of $20. (Offering to the lama is separate.)
ABOUT KHENPO MIGMAR TSETEN
Lama Migmar has been serving Harvard University as a Buddhist Chaplain since 1997. He received both a traditional and a contemporary education in India. He graduated with an Acharya degree in 1979 from Tibetan Institute of Sanskrit University, Varanasi, India, and with first position every nine years among four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He was awarded a medal for academic excellence by His Holiness The Dalai Lama. He was also recognized as Khenpo for his scholarship and service to the Dharma by His Holiness Sakya Trizin. Lama Migmar served as the head of Sakya Center in Rajpur, India, and the Sakya Monastery in Puruwalla, India, from 1981 to 1989, taking care of the well being of several hundred monastic residents. During this time he reintroduced the original form of the geshe educational system of Tibet, with degrees from kazhipa up to the rabjampa degree, with a curriculum that included all of the eighteen major texts, which are known as the Dragchen Chogyed. Additionally, Lama Migmar supervised the editing and publication of over 50 rare volumes of Sakya literature including the 31 volumes of Sakya Lamdre and the rare Golden Manuscripts of the Five Founding Masters of Sakya. He founded Sakya Institute for Buddhist Studies in Cambridge, MA in 1990. He leads retreats at Buddhist centers throughout North America and Europe. He has created online teaching programs, and he is the author, editor and translator of a number of books.
For more information about Khenpo Lama Migmar’s background, teaching programs, and activities, please visit www.lamamigmar.net and www.mangalamstudio.com and 21tara.net
He is also a recent visiting teacher at 1440.org in California.
Completed: HIS HOLINESS SAKYA TRICHEN Rinpoche teaches on –PARTING FROM THE FOUR ATTACHMENTS– MONDAY, August 6, 2018, 6:00 pm
August 5, 2018 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
The day and location of this teaching by His Holiness Sakya Trichen was revised from an earlier announcement.
LOCATION: Sera Jey Foundation, 1525 Elm St, El Cerrito, CA 94530
DATE and TIME: Monday, 8/6/18 at 6:00 pm.
This teaching is open to all without charge, but you are asked to reserve your place by emailing: serajeyfoundation@gmail.com
Phone contact: (510) 944-4136
Completed–HIS HOLINESS SAKYA TRICHEN GIVES MAHA GURU EMPOWERMENT on Sunday, August 5th, 2018
August 1, 2018 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
His Holiness Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche will kindly bestow the Maha Guru Empowerment and tsok, and will also give a Dharma Talk (probably in Tibetan).
DATE: Sunday, August 5, 2018,
TIME: 1:00 to 4:00 pm
LOCATION: Berkeley Adult School 1701 San Pablo Avenue Berkeley, CA, 94702 (map)
Everyone is welcome. A donation of at least $20 (for the Tsok) is requested.
SPONSOR: Bay Area Pal Tsechen Ling
https://www.bayareapaltsechenling.org
3731 Bissell Avenue, Richmond, California 94805, United States , tel: +1-510-608-5355
COMPLETED – VAJRA NAIRATMYA EMPOWERMENT
August 1, 2018 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
Welcome to THE EMPOWERMENT OF VAJRA NAIRATMYA WITH HIS HOLINESS KYABGON GONGMA TRICHEN (the 41st Sakya Trizin)
IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO ATTEND BOTH DAYS OF THIS EMPOWERMENT.
SCHEDULE
Preparation Day
Friday, August 3rd, 2018
5:00 pm Required Registration check-in opens (outside the building)
6:00 pm Doors Open
7:00 pm Empowerment preliminary begins
9:00 to 10:00 pm (projected) Empowerment preliminary ends
Main Empowerment Day
Saturday, August 4th, 2018
12 noon Required Registration check-in opens (outside the building)
12:30 pm Doors Open
1:00 pm Empowerment begins
6:00 pm (projected) Empowerment ends
NOTE: If the weather condition is very uncomfortable, there will be an indoor room to wait in, outside of the shrine room.
REGISTRATION and ENTRANCE
Everyone who has pre-registered and paid will be on a list and checked in.
Everyone who has pre-registered and not yet paid is expected to pay in full by check or cash. Credit cards can’t be taken.
If there is room, new people may attend if they register and pay in full at the registration table.
PARKING
You may park in Gyuto’s lower level parking lot (on Cypress Ave.). Otherwise, park on the street in the neighborhood, being considerate of neighbors.
People unable to walk from the parking area to Gyuto may be driven to the front door area for drop off.
OTHER INFORMATION
There are no dietary restrictions prior to this empowerment.
There will be chairs available inside the shrine room for people who would like to use them.
The Gyuto location is handicap accessible.
If you need a special accommodation, please send an email to Ewam Choden right away to let us know.
There will be an indoor room in which to sit and wait before the shrine room opens.
PLEASE EMAIL EWAM CHODEN WITH ANY QUESTIONS. info@ewamchoden.org
Completed happily—PARTY TO CELEBRATE VEN. LAMA KUNGA RINPOCHE’S 83rd BIRTHDAY on Sunday, July 29, 2018
June 2, 2018 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
YOU’RE INVITED TO A POTLUCK PICNIC PARTY !
COME TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE 83nd BIRTHDAY OF VEN. LAMA KUNGA THARTSE RINPOCHE
DATE: Sunday, July 29, 2018
TIME: 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm
LOCATION: Arlington Park, El Cerrito (1120 Arlington Blvd.) Drive northward on Arlington Blvd. after Kensington. The park is on the right with plenty of street parking. Site #1.
See a map here.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME! BRING FOOD TO SHARE.
Reminder: Lama Kunga Rinpoche doesn’t eat anything with sugar or any sweetener.
Rinpoche says–No material gifts or food gifts, please. Donations$ are accepted.
LAMA KUNGA LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR. Don’t miss this opportunity to wish Lama Kunga Rinpoche a happy birthday and a continuing long and healthy life of Dharma activities.
COMPLETED—REGISTER HERE–H.H. the 42nd SAKYA TRIZIN, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, gives CHAKRASAMVARA Empowerment May 7-8, 2018
March 17, 2018 by bhockman
Filed under Completed Special Events
EWAM CHODEN is happy to announce that His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, head of the Sakya school, has kindly accepted our invitation to visit and bestow:
THE EMPOWERMENT OF CHAKRASAMVARA (Khorlo Demchok) in the Nagpopa Tradition (Krishnacharya).
This is an Anuttarayoga empowerment, the highest in Vajrayana Buddhism.
His name means Wheel of Highest Bliss-Union. Chakrasamvara is the consort of Vajrayogini.
DATES: MONDAY, MAY 7 and TUESDAY May 8, 2018 (Both days are required for the empowerment.)
TIMES: Monday–7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Tuesday–3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Everyone is welcome. There is no prerequisite besides having received Refuge from a Lama. (There might be a brief Refuge ceremony given by His Holiness.)
LOCATION: The Gyuto Foundation Shrine Room, 6401 Bernhard Ave, Richmond, CA 94805 DO NOT CONTACT THAT CENTER about this event !!!
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT FOR THE CAKRASAMVARA EMPOWERMENT
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN. The number of attendees is limited to 225 total registered.
REGISTER AND PAY HERE:
CLICK For Online Payment by PayPal or by Credit Card facilitated by PayPal
Payment by Check is now Closed due proximity of event date- Please use Online Payment.
COST: $160.00 Dana (offering) to the Lama is separate. Complimentary for ordained Sangha but please Register to reserve your seat.
ABOUT THE 42nd SAKYA TRIZIN, head of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism
His Holiness the 42nd Kyabgon Gongma Trizin, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, is the eldest son of His Holiness Sakya Trichen (the 41st Sakya Trizin). He is considered one of the most highly qualified lineage masters of Tibetan Buddhism.
Renowned for his erudition and the clarity of his teachings, His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin is from the prestigious Khön family, whose successive generations have provided an unbroken lineage of outstanding masters. (Please view this video–scroll down– for historical information, http://www.glorioussakya.org/history/sakya-lineage/ )
On March 9, 2017, His Holiness accepted the mantle of leadership from his esteemed father and root guru, in his new capacity as the 42nd Sakya Trizin or throne holder of the lineage. In doing so, he will continue to guide and inspire Dharma students from all over the world with his wisdom, genuine qualities of unaffected simplicity, humility and complete honesty, by presenting the Buddha’s teachings in the most authentic way, while maintaining the purest of Buddhist traditions.
