Association KARUNA Center Transpersonal Project - Realization Palyul Tradition of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism Programme of Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche in Sofia and Varna (Bulgaria) 11-15 May 2013 Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche was born in the Tashigang District of Bhutan. After completing Jigme Sherubling High School in 1986, he joined Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, the prestigious Buddhist studies and research center at Namdroling Monastery in Mysore. There, he studied under Khenchen Pema Sherab, Khenpo Namdrol Tsering and Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso. He also studied under several visiting professors, including Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok and Khenpo Pema Tsewang from Tibet. He completed the Institute s Shedra program in 1995 and joined the Institute staff, teaching there for three years. In 1998, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche formally enthroned him as Khenpo and assigned him to teach at the Buddhist college at Palyul monastery in Tibet. He has received all the major empowerments of the Rinchen Terzod, Nam Cho, Nyingthik Yabshi and Nyingma Kama from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, as well as the Mipham Kabum from His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Because of Khenpo Norgay s knowledge, experience, and fluent command of English, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche assigned him to teach in the United States. In 2003, Khenpo Norgay established Cyber-Shedra, a distance learning program designed to help Dharma students receive pure Dharma teachings in the comfort of their own homes or offices, and according to their own schedules. More information: www.palyul.org, www.palyulnyc.org, www.namdrolingmt.org 1
1,000-Armed Avalokiteshvara Empowerment and Nyungne Practice 11 12 May 2013, 8 am 5 pm Yoga studio Ananda, Sofia 1,000-Armed Avalokiteshvara Nyungne, which literally means abiding in the fast, is one of the most powerful purification practices in Tibetan Buddhism. It is related to the Bodhisattva of great compassion, Avalokiteshvara (Tib. Chenrezig). The Buddha Amitabha purposely manifested as 1,000-armed Avalokiteshvara to symbolize his ability to see the condition of the millions of sentient beings through his eye of wisdom and rescue them with his many compassionate arms. The Nyungne practice was revealed by Bhikshuni Phalmo, a Buddhist nun who suffered from leprosy. She performed Nyungne for 12 years and attained great accomplishment (Skt. siddhi). Since then, many great Tibetan masters and lay people, through this same practice, have purified extreme negative karmic accumulations, overcome serious illness, and achieved great realization Nyungne practice is a powerful means of purifying the negative karma that causes rebirth in the lower realms of existence. It increases positive energy, cultivates the causes of happiness and harmony, and accumulates merit and wisdom. According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, in order to attain spiritual realization, we need to remove the negativity that obscures our three doors of body, speech and mind. The negative karma of the body can be purified through the Nyungne vows of refraining from killing, stealing and sexual activities. The negative karma of speech can be purified by refraining from lies, gossip, idle chatter, and by maintaining full silence. The negative karma of the mind can be purified through concentration and meditation. The Nyungne practice also brings peace to the entire world and can be a cause for World Peace, very appropriate to these degenerate times. 2
The Nyungne practice involves powerful practices such as periods of fasting, prostrations and silence. The practitioners chant the Sadhana (ritual text) of 1,000-armed Avalokiteshvara and recite his mantra. They also recite the six syllables Mani Mantra (OM MANI PEME HUNG), which pacifies the suffering of the beings in the six realms. In our programme, Nyungne practice will be performed over a period of two days. On the first day, Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche will bestow the 1,000-armed Avalokiteshvara empowerment, which is necessary for successful Nyungne practice. The empowerment will be open also for people who can t perform the practice. The second day will involve a complete fast and maintaining of silence. On both days, Khenpo Rinpoche will lead the practice and give teachings. On both days, he will also give the eight Nyungne vows (no killing; no stealing; no sex; no telling lies; no drinking alcohol; no idle chatter, singing, dancing, makeup or ornaments; no evening meals; no sitting in high seats) that have to observe during the practice. There will be a Lamp offering ceremony (Tib. Marme Monlam) and dedication prayers at the end of the Nyungne practice. If you have any doubts about your health and your ability to physically handle this retreat, please consult your doctor. If necessary, you can refrain from fasting and perform the practice according to your ability. If you cannot participate in the Nyungne practice, you may send your name, and/or the names of your friends and relatives, to be included as part of the dedicational prayers. For that purpose, please provide a small donation if possible to cover the cost of candles, printing of prayers, and the organization of the retreat. Schedule: Saturday, 11 May 2013 8.00 am 9.00 am Taking Nyungne vows and teachings 9.00 am 9.30 am Break 9.30 am 11.30 am 1,000-Armed Avalokiteshvara Empowerment 11.30 am 12.00 pm Break 12.00 pm 1.00 pm Teaching and Nyungne practice 1.00 pm 2.30 pm Break 2.30 pm 3.30 pm Nyungne practice 3.30 pm 4.00 pm Break 4.00 pm 5.00 pm Nyungne practice No evening meal served; no drinking after bedtime. Sunday, 12 May 2013 8.00 am 9.00 am Taking Nyungne vows and teachings 9.00 am 9.30 am Break 9.30 am 11.00 am Sang offering and Nyungne practice 11.00 am 11.30 am Break 11.30 am 12.30 pm Nyungne practice 12.30 pm 2.00 pm Break 2.00 pm 3.00 pm Nyungne practice 3.00 pm 3.30 pm Break 3.30 pm 5.00 pm Nyungne practice and Lamp offering Full fast no water or food; no speaking. 3
Lecture Heart Sutra Beyond the Suffering of Self-Grasping 13 May 2013, 7 pm Matti-d Hall, National Palace of Culture, Sofia Goddess Prajnaparamita The Heart Sutra is the most condensed version of Perfection of Wisdom Sutras (Skt. Prajnaparamita) and the very essence of the Buddha s teaching. It is an expression of enlightened wisdom realizing both the nature of mind and the emptiness of phenomena. It is taught by Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, to the monk Shariputra. Many Buddhists around the world recite the Heart Sutra daily to plant the seeds towards achieving the highest wisdom The Heart Sutra contains key concepts of Buddhist Philosophy, including the five psycho-physical aggregates (Skt. skandhas), the Four Noble Truths, and the closely related truths of interdependence and emptiness, through which Bodhisattvas overcome all suffering. According to Buddhist philosophy, the five skandhas (form, feelings, perceptions, formations and consciousness) are the basis for self-grasping. This ego-clinging is the basis for our attachments and aversions, and - via these - the root of our suffering. On the other hand, when our true nature and the illusory nature of our ego are understood, clinging is removed and suffering is overcome. Lecture Healing and Purification Methods in Tibetan Buddhism 14 May 2013, 6:30 pm, Varna, Festival and Congress Centre According to Buddhist concepts there are three main poisons that cause suffering. They manifest in the form of three humors (Tib. nyepa). When these humors are out of harmony, illness ensues. Health is considered to result from a balance among the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of 4
existence, and also from a balance between the cosmic macrocosm and the human microcosm. Tibetan Buddhism has unique methods of healing and purification for maintaining mental and physical health. These include medical treatments, spiritual practices, and healing rituals, as well as mantras, symbolic diagrams and sacred objects that aim to invoke the power of healing. Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche will present some of these methods. He will also lead the practice of purification of body, speech and mind by means of healing vibrations of sacred syllables. Medicine Buddha Empowerment and Practice 15 May 2013, 6 pm, Varna, Evsinograd Medicine Buddha Medicine Buddha is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings. He is also considered the healing aspect of our primordially pure awareness. Through the practice of Medicine Buddha, we attune to this healing aspect of our own primordial nature, using its innate potential to cure all diseases of body and mind. The practice invokes the blessing of Medicine Buddha to heal diseases, overcome obstacles, and achieve happiness for all sentient beings. The empowerment is meant to establish a close relationship between the recipient and the enlightened qualities of the deity. It is open to everyone. It can be received either as an initiation for the Medicine Buddha practice, or as a healing blessing. Contacts: Association Karuna and Center Transpersonal Project - Realization info@ananda-bg.com, www.ananda-bg.com Coordinator of the programme: Lyudmila Klasanova cybershedra.bg@gmail.com, Mobile: 00359 889423367 5