Yidam Seminar in India
2008 Yidam Seminar in India
November 3 - 12, 2008
Bokar Monastery, Mirik, India
A retreat with the Venerable Khenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche
Continuing the Dharma activities of Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche
For over a decade, Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche and Khenpo Lodro
Donyo Rinpoche conducted a retreat covering the complete stages of the path of
Mahamudra according to the Karma Kagyu Lineage. Bokar Rinpoche, the Dharma heir
of Kalu Rinpoche and holder of the Shangpa Kagyu Lineage, formulated this
retreat seminar and an accompanying year-long program of meditation practice to
meet the needs of lay practitioners of Buddhism.
In 2007 Khenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche presented the teachings
of the first three levels of the Mahamudra Seminar for the first time since
Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche's passing in 2004. This year Khenpo Rinpoche has arranged
to offer the Yidam Seminar.
For those not familiar with the Mahamudra Program, these
seminars were established by Bokar Rinpoche to provide a graduated path of
meditation training for lay practitioners, especially foreign students of Bokar
Rinpoche. In response to numerous requests from the international students of
Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche, and with the blessing and strong encouragement of His
Holiness Karmapa, Khenpo Rinpoche led the Mahamudra retreat beginning last
year. Thus the Dharma activity and
legacy of Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche is continuing.
The retreat will be held at Bokar Monastery in Mirik, India.
The retreat will start the morning of November 3rd, and finish the morning of
November 12th, 2008.Participants
should arrive no later than November 2nd.
The cost for the seminar is US $150. While there is no fee
for the actual teachings, the participant fee will cover various
seminar-related expenses. These include expenses for hosting the seminar, items
for the shrine, and tsok offerings. The cost does NOT include travel,
hotel, meals, or offerings for
teachings or translations, which each participant will cover separately. There will be a charge for meals. There will be assistance provided for
obtaining lodging. Upon registration, you will receive more information about
lodging options, the retreat format and helpful items to bring.
Who Should Come
The Yidam seminar is part of the Mahamudra Program started
by Bokar Rinpoche. This seminar is open to students who have participated in
the Mahamudra Program for at least five years and have completed no less than
50,000 of each of the preliminary practices (ngondro). They should come with
the aspiration to take the yidam practice as a practice for one’s whole
lifetime.
How to Register
To register, send a US $150 non-refundable check, made out
to KCC, to the address below. The cost
of the retreat will be the same for everyone.
It is no longer possible to give discounts for ordained sangha or people
who have completed the traditional 3-year retreat. Please include your address,
name, daytime and evening phone and e-mail address if you have one. You must
register to ensure your place in this retreat. This will allow organizers to
prepare for the retreat. For information on travel issues such as visas, please
refer to a travel guide book, or refer to the India Travel section.
For more information about the practice commitments, please
contact Bill or Dora at 503-282-2809 or dorabill@comcast.net
Send registration
and requests for information to:
2008 India Yidam Retreat
c/o Kagyu Changchub Chuling
ATTN: Carol Spears
73 NE Monroe Street
Portland, OR 97212
Phone: (503)
284-6697
Fax: (503)
284-6966
Added Note: His Eminence Jamgon Rinpoche’s Enthronement
For your information, we have heard that on November 19,
Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche's formal enthronement is planned to take place at his
monastery in Lava, near Kalimpong. His
Holiness Karmapa is expected to be in attendance. Lava is a few hours' drive from Salugara.