 |
 |
Come visit us again and again at AwamInstitute.org.
Tashi delek
Spring Classes - Session 2 spring online classes start March 1 and will include (1) Natural Liberation Part 4, the fourth of a series of 8 classes covering the entire path of Tibetan Buddhism and (2) Khorde Rushen Part 2, the preliminary practices for Dzogchen. Session 2 in Tucson will start March 15 (REVISED) with Trekcho Part 2. See details below. A complete listing of our courses is available on our website under "classes". Please see details below.
Khenpo Dean and Anne Parker will be offering a two-part workshop on Buddhism, the Brain and Happiness Saturday mornings in March 28 and April 25. A previous offering of this workshop in Tubac was very popular. Please see details below.
Thursday, March 5, is Chotrul Duchen - the Display of Miracles - and one of the four Great Festivals of the Tibetan Buddhist Calendar. We will celebrate this festival with a smoke puja and tsok feast. Please see details below.
Sunday Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Hour continues on Sunday mornings at 11:00am, a great chance to join in group practice in our new temple (gompa). Please see the details below.
New Meditation Opportunities Start March 1. We are now adding new opportunities to meditate in the special environment of our gompa. There are opportunities at different times of day, different days, and different practices each week. Please see details below.
Prayer Requests - We are now accepting Prayer Requests. We will recite prayers for you or anyone you designate, including pets or other beings. Volunteer to recite practices requested. See details below or on our website under "Community."
Paperback Version of Innate Happiness: Realizing Compassion-Emptiness, my book for householders with a simple yet complete path for Tibetan Buddhism is now available from Amazon.com and other booksellers. Please see details below.
Don't forget Twitter and Facebook! This is a good way to get notices and reminders of events, special days in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar, along with dharma quotes to support your practice. Try them out! Go to our new website AwamInstitute.org to connect with us.
In Buddhanature,
Khenpo Dean
|
Spring Classes - Session 2
Tucson - Starting March 15 (REVISED):
Trekcho Part 2 (Sundays @ 1:00 pm; 8 weeks, $80)
Awam Tibetan Buddhist Institute, 3400 E Speedway, Suite 204, Tucson AZ
(located just east of Whole Foods in the Rancho Center)
Online - Starting March 1:
Natural Liberation Parts 4 & 8 (6 weeks, $60)
and Khorde Rushen Part 2 (8 weeks, $80)
Natural Liberation provides a very thorough 8-part program for those who wish to learn, but have limited time to practice. Natural Liberation is a direct approach to study and practice divided into eight, 6-week parts. The teachings by Khenpo Drimed Dawa are all on video, supplemented with printable handouts. This program is organized around a very concise series of practices given by Padmasambhava in a text translated as Natural Liberation and is supplemented by similar concise practices from other masters. After an introduction to the history of Buddhism in India and Tibet, the practices follow a sequence known as the nine vehicles. These practices are particularly appropriate for householders as most take little time to learn or master and were taught specifically for such practitioners. Together they form a concise set of incremental steps leading to the deep inner peace of innate happiness or enlightenment.
More specifically, the teachings are divided into an introduction and four main paths of practice that are sequential within Tibetan Buddhism: (1) the Path of Individual Liberation, (2) the Path of Altruism, (3) the Path of Tantra, and (4) the Path of Great Perfection. Within each path, the courses follow a teaching by the Buddha called the Three Trainings: (1) ethics, (2) meditation, and (3) wisdom. So within each path, the courses cover that view of ethics, its main meditation practices, and its view of wisdom. At the end, there is a review and focus on the realization of the deep inner peace of the innate happiness of enlightenment. The text for this course is Innate Happiness: Realizing Compassion Emptiness by Khenpo Drimed Dawa, available as an eBook from Amazon.com. This text was written specifically for this course, as well as to benefit others who might read it.
Natural Liberation Part 4 -Continues the Path of Tantra with the generation stage practices of "deity yoga" - generating yourself as the "deity" (a buddha).
Natural Liberation Part 8 - Concludes the Path of Great Perfection with additional training in the practices of trekcho and togal, as well as the view of wisdom of the Great Perfection and a summary of the Buddhist views of enlightenment.
Khorde Rushen Part 2 - Khorde Rushen is the separation of samsara (delusion) from nirvana (non-delusion). These are a series of practices designed to help the yogin realize and directly experience the difference between samsara and nirvana by transforming the mind, i.e., our way of seeing the world. Khorde Rushen is sometimes referred to as the Dzogchen preliminary practices. Texts: The Great Perfection, Vol. II by the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche (restricted text), and Yeshe Lama by Vidyadhara Jigmed Lingpa (restricted text), and The Supreme Source: The Fundamental Tantra of the Dzogchen Semde Kunjed Gyalpo by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu and Adriano Clemente.
Dzogchen Trekcho Part 2 - The trekcho instructions are part of the special instruction series. This course will examine these instructions, particularly through the writings of the highly regarded master Longchenpa. Students will also further develop their actual practice. Yeshe Lama or comparable empowerment required. Texts: Yeshe Lama by Vidyadhara Jigmed Lingpa (restricted text), and A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission: A Commentary on The Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena by Longchen Rabjam.
|
|
|
|
 
Workshop - Buddhism, the Brain & Happiness
Khenpo Drimed Dawa and Anne Parker
Part 1 - Saturday, March 28, 9:00 am - noon
Part 2 - Saturday, April 25, 9:00 am - noon
Awam Tibetan Buddhist Institute, 3400 E Speedway, Suite 204, Tucson AZ
(Located just east of Whole Foods in the Rancho Center)
What is "happiness" and how do we get it? Buddhism asserts that all sentient beings want happiness and do not want suffering. We are intrinsically driven to pursue happiness. However, pleasure does not produce an abiding happiness. This two-session workshop will examine the Buddhist view of happiness and methods of attaining it, as well as insights from current Western psychology and neuroscience. Saturday, March 28, we will discuss the nature and sources of happiness. In the second session, Saturday April 25, processes to achieve happiness will be presented. Registration is $30 per session or $50 for both.
Tea and snacks will be available during the break.
Khenpo Dimed Dawa
(Dr. Dean Pielstick) is an ordained lay practitioner and was conferred the title of "Khenpo" by Tulku Khenchen Paljea Dorjee Rinpoche on Losar, 2009, and President of Dharmakirti College on Losar, 2007. He has also studied with HE Jigmed Lodro Rinpoche, HE Garchen Rinpoche, Ven. Traga Rinpoche, Ven. Gyalpo Rinpoche, Ven. Ontul Rinpoche, Yogi Lama Gursam and numerous others. He has studied extensively the teachings of HH the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh, along with many other contemporary and historical figures. His primary practice is Dzogchen and he has a particular affinity for the Dzogchen teachings of Longchen Rabjam. Although he makes no claims to having great insights or accomplishments, he has agreed to teach at the request of Tulku Khenchen Paljea Dorjee nevertheless. It is in this spirit that he has agreed to share whatever he knows for the benefit of others. Dr. Pielstick is also a professor of management for Northern Arizona University in Tucson. He has extensive professional and college administrative experience in addition to classroom instruction.
Anne B. Parker - As a wellness-oriented therapist, Anne focuses on helping people be as happy and healthy as they can be in the midst of the "stuff of life." Using a practical, mindfulness-based approach, Anne draws from a variety of psychological orientations including Jungian and transpersonal approaches, integrative arts therapies, as well as positive psychology and mindfulness research. Though she does not claim to be a Buddhist, Anne lives Buddhist teachings throughout her life and work.
With over 35 years of professional experience in a variety of clinical and wellness settings, Anne specializes in mind/body wellness and psychospiritual growth. She holds degrees in Music Therapy, Counseling Psychology, and Health Services Administration and completed a post-graduate fellowship in music-centered psychotherapy. She is a Board Certified Music Therapist and a Fellow of the international Association for Music and Imagery. Anne was a featured presenter at the Library of Congress as a part of the 2010 Music and Brain symposia series. She currently works as Supervisor of the Wellness Department at Miraval Resort where she teaches classes and provides individual consultations.
Anne is an invited teacher for professional continuing education courses as well as a frequent presenter for conferences, retreats, workshops, and business and community groups. She has also held executive-level positions in hospitals and national non-profit organizations.
|
|
Chotrul Duchen
Thursday, March 5, 6:30 at our new Gompa!
Awam Tibetan Buddhist Institute, 3400 E Speedway, Suite 204, Tucson AZ
(Located just east of Whole Foods in the Rancho Center)
Chotrul Duchen is one of the four Great Festivals of the Tibetan Buddhist Calendar, the full moon day that marks the end of the 15 Days of Miracles, during the first month of the Tibetan Calendar, the effects of our positive and negative actions are multiplied 100,000 times. On the day of a Duchen, they are multiplied 10 million times, making it a very auspicious day for practice.
We will conduct a brief smoke puja ritual followed by a tsok offering and potluck that evening, providing both spiritual and social support for our sangha and guests. All are welcome! Please join us and bring something to share. Tea will be provided. FREE (donations to support our gompa gratefully accepted).
|
|
|
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Hour
Sundays, 11:00 am - noon at our new Gompa!
"Sangha" refers to our dharma companions on the path. This includes practicing together, which is said to multiply the effects for each person by the number of participants. Please join our group of regular participants for the Meditation Hour. Khenpo Dean leads a one-hour practice including chanting, a variety of deity practices, a short dharma talk, and blessing. This is an opportunity for group practice in a convenient weekly format. Everyone is welcome to attend. FREE (donations to support our gompa gratefully accepted)
Awam Tibetan Buddhist Institute, 3400 E Speedway, Suite 204, Tucson AZ
(Located just east of Whole Foods in the Rancho Center)
|
|
|
New Meditation Opportunities
Starting March 1
Awam Tibetan Buddhist Institute, 3400 E Speedway, Suite 204, Tucson AZ
(Located just east of Whole Foods in the Rancho Center)
Now that we have our own space, we are delighted to be able to offer additional practice sessions suitable for a wide variety of people from beginners to advanced practitioners. We welcome everyone, regardless of religious or secular beliefs, who would like to experience the benefits of meditation!
Beginning Meditation Instruction and Practice with Ruth Pancoast, Tuesdays, 11:00 am - noon. Fifteen minutes of basic meditation instruction, 30 minutes of meditation, 15 minutes of questions & answers or individual meetings with the instructor. FREE (donations to support our gompa gratefully accepted).
Guided Meditation Practice - Jane Stanley, Saturdays, 10 - 11 am. If you prefer to have someone provide direction as you sit, this is the choice for you. The guided meditation will be 20-30 minutes after which you may continue to meditate as long as you like. Jane will be available for individual consultations prior to the start of the practice. Suggested donations: $5 per session.
Open Sit - Sylvie Stevenson, Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Open Sit is open to all forms of quiet meditation. We are simply making our gompa available at this time for anyone who would like to have a quiet, comfortable place to meditate for up to an hour each week. Drop in and join us. Suggested donations: $5 per session.
Other practices are being considered such as the 21 Tibetan Yogas, chanting mantras, and selected sadhana practices (e.g., Tara, Vajrayogini, Khandro Nyingtik) for those with qualifying empowerments. Details to follow.
|
Prayer Requests
We are now accepting Prayer Requests. We will recite prayers for you or anyone you designate, including pets or other beings. It is customary to make a donation to help support the Sangha when making prayer requests base on your circumstances. Below are examples with suggested donations:
- White Tara or Medicine Buddha - for sickness, injury or surgery ($20)
- Vajrasattva - prayer for purification ($20)
- White Tara or Amitayus - long life prayers ($20)
- Chenrezig or Green Tara - stressful or negative situations ($20)
- For a person or an animal who has recently died. *
- Phowa - ($20)
- Nei Dren - guiding the deceased to higher realms ($40)
- Tibetan Book of the Dead - seven day version ($100) or full forty-nine day version. ($250)
- Special Tsok offerings ($40)
- Puja Smoke offerings ($40)
*Please include the person's name. For Phowa, Nei Dren or the Tibetan Book of the Dead, please include a photo, if possible.
Please email your request to [email protected]. To make donations, please go to our website under the "Donate" tab. For any other requests, please send an email to [email protected].
Volunteer
to recite practices requested by others. Let Jane Stanley know if you would like to be on our list of volunteers. Just email us at [email protected].
|
Innate Happiness: Realizing Compassion-Emptiness
Khenpo Drimed Dawa's book on the complete path of Tibetan Buddhism for householders
Paperback version now available
Khenpo Dean is known for his concise, clear explanations of the dharma. Innate Happiness provides background and a series of concise, incremental steps toward compassion-emptiness - enlightenment - for Western householders in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It is largely adapted from the teachings of Padmasambhava, the second Buddha. The book guides the reader through a brief history of Buddhism in India and Tibet, as well as its major principles. This is followed by 52 concise daily practices on the Path of Individual Liberation, the Path of Altruism, the Path of Tantra, and the Path of Great Perfection. Each path takes the reader through the Three Teachings: ethics, meditation, and wisdom. These are then summarized into an explanation of the innate happiness we know as enlightenment, the realization of compassion-emptiness. Thus, it covers a complete cycle for study, contemplation, meditation and realization. Each practice is highly suitable for the busy lives of Westerners with little time for formal meditation. This is also the core text for our Natural Liberation classes.
The eBook is available from Amazon.com for only $9.99. Free readers are available for most computers and other devices. The paperback version is available for $16.16. May ALL beings be happy!
|
|
Bodhicitta, the excellent and precious mind,
Where it is unborn, may it arise
Where it is born, may it not decline.
But ever increase, higher and higher
|
|
|
|
Copyright � 2015. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
