Activities and Events at Shugden Centres Around the World – January 2015

The new year brings us many exciting new programmes. If you wish to discover, explore or study the tradition and teachings of Lama Tsongkapa, here are some of the interesting and outstanding activities offered in January 2015.

[Editor's note: If you would like your Dharma centre's activities to be featured on DorjeShugden.com, please write in to our editors at [email protected]]

USA & CANADA

Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada

The New Year Retreat

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 27 December 2014 – 2 January 2015

The Stages of the Path to Happiness
Start off the year by immersing yourself in this New Year’s meditation retreat on Kadam Lamrim, ‘The Stages of the Path to Happiness’. Meditating on Lamrim overcomes all obstacles to our peace of mind, solves our daily problems, and leads us to realize pure lasting happiness for ourself and others. Gen Chögyan will be using the new presentation of the 14 meditations as described by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in ‘How to Understand the Mind‘. Suitable for everyone.

Four guided meditations each day. Join for one session, one day or for the full retreat.

For more information, visit http://kadampa.ca/coursesevents/retreats/

Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada

Attaining the Inner Dakini Land

Requirement: For practitioners who have received Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments
Date: 3 – 10 January

Generation and Completion Stage Meditations
Immerse yourself in a week long retreat to become closer to Buddha Vajrayogini.

Gen Chögyan will guide us in a blissful journey along the two tantric stages, with an emphasis on completion stage meditations on the channel, drops and winds.

Four guided sessions each day. Join for a few session, full days or the entire retreat.

Morning silence (until lunch) will be observed Jan 4, 5, 9 & 10. Full silence will be observed from Jan 6-8.

For more information, visit http://kadampa.ca/coursesevents/retreats/

Kadampa Meditation Center New York

Lamrim and The Wheel of Life

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 9 – 15 January

Discover the Lamrim Pure Land through contemplating the 14 meditations presented in the book How to Understand the Mind with the Wheel of Life.

For more information, visit http://kadampanewyork.org/retreats/ buddhist-retreats/winter-retreats
 
 
 

Kadampa Meditation Centre Vancouver, Canada

Buddha Green Tara Empowerment with Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 16 – 18 January

Fearless Wisdom
Everyone is welcome to the annual Western Canada Dharma Celebration (WCDC) where people from Western Canada gather for a weekend of empowerment, teachings, meditations, and the good company of spiritual friends.

This annual event was established by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU). All profits from the event go to the International Temples Project (ITP), a fund dedicated to building Temples, retreat centres, schools and more throughout the world.

This year’s WCDC will be taught be the General Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU, and acting National Spiritual Director of Canada; Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, she will grant the Empowerment of Buddha Green Tara.

During this special event we will receive the special blessings of Tara, a female Buddha embodying enlightened compassion and wisdom. If we rely upon her with strong faith we will quickly receive her protection and blessings.

For more information, visit http://kadampacelebrations.ca/western-celebration/

Kadampa Meditation Center New York

Vajrayogini Generation Stage

Requirement: Participants must have already received Heruka and Vajrayogini Empowerments.
Date: 16 – 22 January

Enter the magical world of meditation in the blissful mandala of Vajrayogini.

For more information, visit http://kadampanewyork.org/retreats/ buddhist-retreats/winter-retreats

Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada

Buddha Shakyamuni Empowerment & Commentary to Liberating Prayer

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 23 – 25 January

Following The Liberating Path
The annual Ontario Dharma Celebration (ODC) is a wonderful opportunity for people all across Ontario to come together to receive practical spiritual advice. It is held in the National Kadampa Temple in Toronto, which arose from the compassionate intention of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU). All profits from the event go to the International Temples Project (ITP) fund, dedicated to public benefit.

Early in 2015, we will establish a deep connection with Buddha Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism in this world. By learning how to rely on him as our supreme unchanging friend, we can awaken our own compassion and wisdom. Gen-la Dekyong will give a commentary to the Liberating Prayer. This prayer, composed by Venerable Geshe-la for this modern time, is particularly accessible to everyone and engaged in daily by the people in Kadampa Buddhist centres around the world.

For more information, visit http://kadampacelebrations.ca/ontario-celebration/

Kadampa Meditation Center New York

Channels, Winds, & Drops Retreat

Requirement: Participants must have already received Heruka and Vajrayogini Empowerments.
Date: 23 – 29 January

Realize the nature of your own mind – the secret dakini – through this retreat on tantric completion stage meditation. Do not seek Buddhahood elsewhere!

For more information, visit http://kadampanewyork.org/retreats/buddhist-retreats/winter-retreats
 

EUROPE

Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC), UK

New Year Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 31 December 2014 – 3 January 2015

For more information, visit http://www.tarakmc.org/category/retreats-events/weekend-events/

Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre, UK

Migtsema Retreat

Requirement: Open to public (2nd and 3rd January); Highest Yoga Tantra Practitioners Only (Whole Retreat)
Date: 2 – 30 January

This is a very special opportunity to engage in guided retreat on the beautiful practice of Migtsema mantra recitation. The practice of Migtsema is very important for fulfilling one’s own and others wishes and contains the meaning of all Buddha’s eighty-four thousand teachings.

The sessions will be using the self-generation sadhana, King of the Dharma, and will allow time to focus on the various, beautiful meditation objects within this practice as well as for recitation of the Migtsema prayer.

The retreat can be done as a counting retreat or simply to gain familiarity with and enjoyment of these practices. You can attend the whole month or part of it.

Everyone is welcome to attend the introductory teachings on Friday and Saturday. The retreat sessions are only open to those who have received either a Je Tsongkhapa or Highest Yoga Tantra empowerment.

For more information, visit http://www.madhyamaka.org/january-retreats/

Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre, UK

Lamrim Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 3 – 8 January

Lamrim, or stages of the path to enlightenment, is a special step-by-step presentation of Buddha’s teachings taught by Venerable Atisha around a thousand years ago. This presentation makes the teachings very accessible and practical as we know how to enter, how to progress and how to complete the Buddhist path to enlightenment.

For more information, visit http://www.madhyamaka.org/january-retreats/
 

Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre (MKMC), UK

Training the Mind Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 4 – 18 January

Vajrayogini is a female Wisdom Buddha of Highest Yoga Tantra. By following the skilful guidance of an experienced retreat leader we can take the blessings of this powerful practice into our heart. Short, simple and immensely powerful, these meditations open the door to the pure world of Buddha Vajrayogini.

For more information, visit http://nkt-kmc-manjushri.org/the-new-year-retreats-january#tab-id-5

Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC), UK

Lamrim Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 9 – 11 January

For more information, visit http://www.tarakmc.org/category/retreats-events/weekend-events/

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Naro Cho Druk, commentary on the Six Yogas of Niguma, Part 1

Requirement: Call for more information
Date: 10 – 11 January

This teaching is based on the commentary on the Six Yogas by the yogini Niguma which are similar to those of Naropa. This first part will deal with the Lineage and Trulkor, the Yoga of Sleep and Tummo.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/naro-cho-druk-commentary-on-the-six-yogas-of-niguma-part-i/?lang=en

Thekchen Kadampa Buddhist Centre, UK

Vajrayogini Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra Practitioners only
Date: 10 – 15 January

Vajrayogini Retreat: January 10 – 13

Focusing on the practice of ‘Quick Path to Great Bliss’, this retreat will help to bring new life and inspiration to our practice of Secret Mantra.

‘Quick Path to Great Bliss’ contains all the essential practices of Highest Yoga Tantra, and as Geshe Kelsang Gyatso explains, it is the quick path to enlightenment.

 
The Uncommon Yoga of Inconceivability Retreat: January 14 – 15

Gain experience of this essential practice of transference of consciousness in the ideal conditions of retreat.

The uncommon yoga of inconceivability is a special method, unique to the practice of Vajrayogini, whereby we can attain the Pure Land of Keajra or Dakini Land, the Pure Land of Buddha Heruka and Buddha Vajrayogini, within this life without abandoning our present body.

For more information, visit http://www.thekchencentre.org/vajrayogini-uncommon-yoga-inconceivability-retreats-2015

Compassion Kadampa Buddhist Centre, UK

Guided Concentration Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 10 – 17 January

This is an essential opportunity for us to train together in concentration. On this retreat we will emphasis improving our mindfulness and our ability to focus, creating an inner brightness and clarity that makes our meditation session effective and deeply enjoyable.

With the inner peace that good concentration brings, we will find a natural sense of contentment and freedom from craving.

For more information, visit http://www.meditation-newcastle.org/guided-concentration-retreat-10th-to-17th-january-2015/

Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC), UK

Mind Like a Clear, Blue Sky: Realising our own Mind

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 16 – 18 January

For more information, visit http://www.tarakmc.org/category/retreats-events/weekend-events/

Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre, UK

Loving Kindness

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 16 – 22 January

Developing a good heart, a mind of unconditional love, is the foundation of all spiritual attainments. This retreat will focus on meditations that help us to improve our love so that it becomes unlimited and unconditional and more like the love of a Buddha. Love really is all you need!

For more information, visit http://www.madhyamaka.org/january-retreats/

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Teachings of Buddhist philosophy – Practice of purification: the four opponent powers

Requirement: Call for more information
Date: 17 – 18 January

There are two factors which support spiritual development: the purification of negativities and the accumulation of positive energy (virtuous actions).

The purification of negative actions is important but often not well understood; it is not through suffering that we purify but through specific attitudes and practices.

In these two days Lama Michel will clarify the meaning of purification, why and how to do it. He will give the transmission and meditative experience of the purification practices according to sutra and tantra, specifically through the practice of the 35 Confessional Buddhas and the practice of Vajrasattva, the Diamond Mind.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/teachings-of-buddhist-philosophy/?lang=en

Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre (MKMC), UK

Vajrayogini Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra practitioners only
Date: 18 – 31 January

The teachings on Lojong, or Training the Mind, focus in particular on developing minds of universal love, compassion and the supreme good heart of bodhichitta through the special practices of equalizing and exchanging ourself with others. They also show how we can transform all life’s difficulties into valuable spiritual methods. Through meditating deeply on these teachings and integrating them into our daily life we can experience greater meaning and lasting happiness in our busy modern lives.

For more information, visit http://nkt-kmc-manjushri.org/the-new-year-retreats-january#tab-id-5

Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC), UK

Vajrayogini Self Generation Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra practitioners only
Date: 23 – 25 January

For more information, visit http://www.tarakmc.org/category/retreats-events/weekend-events/

Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre, UK

Vajrayogini Self-Generation Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantric Practitioners only
Date: 23 – 30 January

Highest Yoga Tantra is the quick path to enlightenment in which we can attain Buddhahood in one short life. This retreat will focus in the self-generation meditations based upon the practice of Quick Path to Great Bliss; a perfect way to energize your formal tantric practice and draw closer to Vajrayogini.

For more information, visit http://www.madhyamaka.org/january-retreats/

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

White Manjushri Initation and Practice

Requirement: Call for more information
Date: 24 – 25 January

White Manjushri, Sita (Tibetan: jam kar little pal.) is the bodhisattva of wisdom in its peaceful form, and is part of Tantra Siddhaikavira.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/white-manjushri-initation-and-practice/?lang=en

Thekchen Kadampa Buddhist Centre, UK

Transform Your Life Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 24 – 28 January

Everyone is looking for happiness. But are we looking in the right place? By focusing outside of ourselves all the time for solutions to our problems and a cure for our unhappiness, we are making a big mistake because happiness comes from within.

In this retreat we will learn how to transform ourselves into the person we wish to be. Through teachings and guided meditations, Gen Lekma will reveal how to develop positive attitudes to ourselves, our life-situations and our relationships.

Everyone is welcome. Suitable for beginners, as well as those with more experience. These meditations are taken from an ancient, timeless sequence of Buddhist meditations called Lamrim (Stages of the Path).

The retreat is based on ‘Transform Your Life’ by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

For more information, visit http://www.thekchencentre.org/transform-life-retreat-24-jan-28-jan-2015

Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC), UK

Uncommon Yoga of Inconceivability Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra practitioners only
Date: 30 January – 1 February

For more information, visit http://www.tarakmc.org/category/retreats-events/weekend-events/

ASIA

Kadampa Meditation Centre Australia

Vajrasattva Empowerment & Teachings on Purifying Obstacles and Negative Karma

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments of Heruka Body Mandala and Vajrayogini
Date: 31 December 2014 – 4 January 2015

At this year’s Australasian Festival, Gen-la Dekyong will grant the blessing empowerment of Vajrasattva – the Buddha of purification. After making this special connection with Guru Vajrasattva, Gen-la will explain how we can remove the causes of all our daily problems and unhappiness by relying upon him.

By putting Gen-la’s teachings into practice, we can not only find freedom from life’s difficulties but also eliminate discouragement, and clear our path of obstacles, filling our lives with joy and confidence.

In the New Meditation Handbook, Geshe-la explains that by purifying our mind and engaging in pure actions or karma, we come to abide in a pure world. He says ‘This is how to find true happiness from within our mind.’

Join us for this special spiritual event and start the new year by embarking on journey to a completely pure world.

For more information, visit http://www.australasianfestival.org/the-festival/

Kalpa Bhadra Kadampa Buddhist Centre, New Zealand

A Silent Retreat in New Zealand’s Southern Alps

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 6 – 13 January

Gen Kelsang Dornying will guide a special silent retreat of Buddha Vajrasattva. By deepening our reliance on Buddha Vajrasattva, the buddha of purification, we will cleanse our mind of delusions, negativities, and obstacles. On this silent retreat Gen Dornying will give teachings on the practice of Buddha Vajrasattva and there will be sessions of meditation and recitation. This gives us the great opportunity to purify our mind quickly, so that we can make swift progress on the spiritual path.

For more information, visit http://meditateinchristchurch.org/wp/mountains-retreats/post-australasian-festival-retreat

Kadampa Meditation Centre, Hong Kong

Close Retreat of Vajrayogini

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments of Heruka Body Mandala and Vajrayogini
Date: 8 January – 12 February

From 8 January to 12 February 2015, the Centre will organize the Close Retreat of Vajrayogini. Those who have received the Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments of Heruka Body Mandala and Vajrayogini are welcome to join either the Counting Retreat or the meditation retreat to deepen the generation and completion stages practices.

For more information, visit http://www.meditation.hk/en/courses/Close-Retreat-of-Vajrayogini

Kadampa Meditation Centre Singapore

The Blissful Path – Vajrayogini Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments of Heruka Body Mandala and Vajrayogini
Date: 15 – 19 January

This retreat is for those wishing to train in the Highest Yoga Tantra self generation practice of Buddha Vajrayogini, called ‘The Blissful Path.’

For more information, visit http://nkt-kmc-singapore.org/retreats

Serpom Monastery, Karnataka South India

Public Teaching and Empowerments by His Eminence Yongyal Rinpoche

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 16 – 23 January