1 st Health Camp at Maratika (The sacred cave of Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava):

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1 1 st Health Camp at Maratika (The sacred cave of Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava): Maratika cave, in eastern Nepal, is the sacred place where Guru Padmasambhava and princess Mandarava accomplished the state of immortal awareness holder (chimey rigzin). In the wisdom tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Maratika is counted among the six most holy places of our world. Introduction and Historical Background Maratika or Chi ba mthar byed in Tibetan means eliminates from death, and is known as Halesi or literally astonishing. The place is rich in history, mythology and sacred geology despite its great isolation, it is a major holy place for both Buddhists and Hindus. For Tibetan Buddhists in particular, it is the site of immortality, one of the six supreme pilgrimage sites in the world. It is the place where the great master, the second Buddha Padmasambhava and Dakini Mandarava obtained the realization of immortal life. Maratika was also blessed by the family of three protectors Manjushri, Vajrapani and Avalokitesavara. For many years the sacred caves of Maratika have been a very important pilgrimage destination for Buddhist seeking to engage in the long life practices. Due to its historical connection with Padmasambhava the Lotus Born Guru, and the family of the three protectors, it is particularly sacred within the Rime or Non Sectarian movement in Tibetan Buddhism in general and within the Vajrajana vehicle in particular. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava first subdued the demons of the Lord of the death, before engaging in a three month long meditation retreat in the central cave at Maratika, on the practice of the deity Amitayus, the Buddha of boundless life. The aforementioned deity appeared directly to Guru Padmasambhava, bestowing the Abhisheka of long life, and Guru Rinpoche accomplished the level of Vidyadhara, beyond death and birth, the signs of which are still visible in the cave to this day. The greater region is made up of three hills or holy mountains, the central smaller of which is known as Avalokitesavara mountain and houses the two main caves itself, above it next to the caves entrance is Maratika Chimey Takten Choling monastery. On either side of the Avalokitesavara hill stand Vajrapani hill to the south, and Manjushri hill to the north,making up the trio of the family of three protectors or Rig sums gonpo in Tibetan.

2 To highlight the importance of this holy place His Holiness the Dalai Lama has stated due to the accumulation of white virtue, just through seeing, hearing, remembering and touching this place the two obscurations of beings will be quickly purified, one will be looked after by the all knowing one (the great master Padmasambhava) from the Ugyen and easily attain the state of omniscience. To quote His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche Indirectly devoted and fortunate people in the future will get a link merely by visiting this place, making prostration, worshipping or respecting it and they will have the obstacles of this life pacified and all their wishes fulfilled and ultimately they will be accepted by Guru Padmasambhava and his consort and attained this certainly without deception. Any one who makes connection through either seeing or hearing about Maratika to enjoy the fact of a long life in these dark age when the life span is short and diseases are many. If other devoted people could give according to how they feel, as a drops of water gathered in the ocean, they will definitely obtain a share of the siddhi and merit of long life. MEANING OF MARATIKA Maratika literally means Chi ba mthar byed which translates as the cave of making an end to or destroying death. Because Padmasambhava achieved a level of power beyond birth and death in Maratika, the name of this place became known as Maratika. Several termas such as those by Nyang-rel Nyima Özer, Sangye-lingpa, and others include references to Maratika. MEANING OF HALESHE When the Tibetan King Trisong De utsen was building the glorious Samye Monastery, what they constructed during the day was destroyed by demons during the night. King Trisong Deutsen sent his minister, Dorje Dodjom, to India to invite Padmasambhava, the great tantric practitioner who holds the power of all the Buddhas of the past present and future. Padmasambhava, accepting the King s invitation was returning to Tibet with Dorje Dodjom when passing through Nepal they arrived at Haleshod, which literally means to describe the experience of astonishment. Stopping here to take rest, the minister was so surprised just by being on the site of this holy mountain, that he turned to Guru Rinpoche and asked: why is this mountain so astonishing? Padmasambhava revealed to him the Outer, Inner and Secret explanations of the astonishment concerning the sacred place, thus the name of Maratika came to be known as Haleshe, Haleshod or Haleshen in the Tibetan language and gradually became Halesi in local language.

3 Our 1 st Sorig Health Camp can be arranged in this place as the place itself is self explanatory, why we need to arrange such health camp in this place! One of our members comes from this place and he will lead the group to this place for the sorig health camp. Schedule: Day 01 (6th March): Drive to Maratika from Kathmandu. It is approximately 7/8 hours of drive and need to start early in the morning. One third of the road is rough road and participants need to accept the condition of the road better. Day (7th & 8th March): Sorig Health Camps. Day 04 (9th March): Return to Kathmandu (same route). Quotation for March 2017: 10 Pax: USD 300 Per Person on sharing double occupancy basis. 15pax & Abv: USD 260 Per Person on sharing double occupancy basis. Single Supplement: USD 55 Per Person extra, if single occupancy required. Includes: Jeep transportation from Kathmandu to Maratika, approximately 8/9 hours. 3 nights accommodation at local lodge/hotel/gompa during the health camp days Necessary number of human resources for the medical camps, All food and accommodation available locally 1 night accommodation with breakfast at Shechen Guest House after returning from the medical camp. The expenses for the sorig Doctor and 2 to 3 Nurses (depending on the group size) during the camp and their necessary transportation and other logistic support will be covered by SORIG FIRST AID, Singapore. Besides there is sorig medine to be distributed free of cost to patients (anticipated 250 to 300 during the camp), will also be borne by the SORIG FIRST AID.

4 Any arrangements not mentioned above, personal effects and additional charges due to reason beyond our control are extra. Main responsibilities for the participants during the camp are; if an acupuncture expert, can perform it during the camp and if patients available. if a Therapy expert, can perform it during the camp and if patients available If Ku Nye expert, can perform it during the camp and if patients available basically volunteering jobs such as write down the namelist of the patients arrange patients to stay in the queue distribute water to the patients assist nurse to distribute medicines arrange other necessary logistics during the camp, if needed, and work in hand in hand with other sorig staffs and organizer.

5 2 nd Sorig Health Camp at Trisuli Bazaar: It is approximately 5/6 hours drive to Trisuli Bazaar from Kathmandu. A gateway to Langtang Valley trek, however, many of the inhabitants use medicines provided by local Amchis. When we can arrange a health camp there, many inhabitants will benefit and our purpose of Sowa Rigpa in Action will also be met! Schedule: Day 01 (6th March): Drive to Trisuli Bazaar with sorig Doctor and necessary number of nurses. Prepare necessary logistics together with local supporters for the Health Camp. Day (7th - 8th March): Sorig Health Camps. Day 04 (9th March): Return to Kathmandu. Quotation for March 2017: 10 Pax: USD 265 Per Person on sharing double occupancy basis. 15pax & Abv: USD 240 Per Person on sharing double occupancy basis. Single Supplement: USD 55 Per Person extra, if single occupancy required. Includes: Jeep transportation from Kathmandu to Trisuli Bazaar, approximately 5/6 hours. 3 nights accommodation at local lodge/hotel/gompa during the health camp days Necessary number of human resources for the medical camps, All food and accommodation available locally

6 1 night accommodation with breakfast at Shechen Guest House or similar guest house after returning from the medical camp. The expenses for the sorig Doctor and 2 to 3 Nurses (depending on the group size) during the camp and their necessary transportation and other logistic support will be covered by SORIG FIRST AID, Singapore. Besides there is sorig medine to be distributed free of cost to patients (anticipated 250 to 300 during the camp), will also be borne by the SORIG FIRST AID. Any arrangements not mentioned above, personal effects and additional charges due to reason beyond our control are extra. Main responsibilities for the participants during the camp are; if an acupuncture expert, can perform it during the camp and if patients available if a Therapy expert, can perform it during the camp and if patients available If Ku Nye expert, can perform it during the camp and if patients available basically volunteering jobs such as write down the namelist of the patients arrange patients to stay in the queue distribute water to the patients assist nurse to distribute medicines arrange other necessary logistics during the camp, if needed and work in hand in hand with other sorig staffs and organizer. Dateline of registration & payment for the Sorig Medical Camps: 31st January 2017 To register, please to Raj Shrestha: rajshrestha13367@gmail.com