Drikung Namgyal Ling

Achi Practice
2009-04-08 00:00, 2009-06-10 00:00, 2009-06-24 00:00 (America/Phoenix)
Achi Chokyi Droma was the grandmother of Lord Jigten Sumgon, who founded the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. Achi is considered chief protectress of the Drikung Kagyu.In Achi meditation practice, we use visualization and mantra as a means of concentration. The practice lasts approximately an hour and a half, and consists of opening prayers for dedicating the motivation to benefit all others, the body of the practice using visualization (contemplation of the mental visual image) and mantra (chanted prayers). The practice concludes with dedication prayers where, again, we think of our wish to benefit all other beings.
The prayers, visualization, and dedication are read from a sadhana (traditional practice text).
This particular practice was written by Jigten Sumgon, our lineageís founder, and translated in to English by Khenchen Gyaltsen Rinpoche.
Beginners are welcome at this practice.
2nd & 4th Wednesdays, Every Month
Pati Stein 1871 N. King Street Tucson, Arizona 85749 (Click here for a map)
For More Information: Pati Stein: 465-1882

Sangha Meditation: Practice, Study, and Discussion
2009-04-18 00:00
Amitabha is the Buddha of Boundless Light. This Saturday, April 18th an Amitabha meditation practice day will be offered by Drikung Namgyal Ling (Drikung Kagyu Meditation Center of Tucson).This meditation day occurs in conjunction with the center’s spiritual director, Khenpo Sherab Ozer Rinpoche and his recent worldwide mantra accumulation efforts – along with the nuns of Samten Choling Nunnery in Eastern Tibet.

The intention of this great accumulation of mantras, is to help ease the suffering of all sentient beings who have recently passed away and may be wandering and/or suffering in the intermediate state between death and re-birth.

April 18th Schedule:
9:00 – 10:00 Lama Chopa (Guru Yoga)
10:00 – 10:30 Tea
10:30 – 12:30 Intro to Meditation, Four Thoughts, Amitabha Practice

* The 10:30 – 12:30 session is especially for beginners or those whoíve been attending Saturday Sangha Meditations.
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch – Pot Luck
1:30 – 3:30 Amitabha Practice
3:30 – 4:00 Tea
4:00 – 6:00 Amitabha Practice
6:00 – 6:30 Dedication & Kungtuzangpo Prayer

You may participate in this practice at home as well. Please phone/e-mail your name & mantra totals to Matthew. The grand tally of our unified local community effort will be presented to Khenpo Sherab Rinpoche on the Buddhaís Enlightenment & Parinirvana Day, June 7, 2009.

A three day Amitabha Retreat and Teachings on Amitabha Practice with Drupon Thinley Rinpoche in May, as well as additional Saturday Practice Days in April & May are forthcoming – Look for Postings!

As a courtesy to those with allergies, please refrain from wearing perfume. Thank you!

Directions (Central Tucson)
ï N on Country Club Rd past Grant, Ft.Lowell and Prince Rds
ï Left at Racquet Club Ranch #3935, before Tucson Racquet & Fitness
ï Pass 1st drive on right. Event entry at next driveway, #36A, adobe house with prayer flags
ï Park to left in large dirt lot with palm trees

Saturday, February 28 @ 10:30am – 12:00pm

Matthew and Rachel’s House
3935 North Country Club Road, #36A
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(Click here for a map)
For More Information:
Matthew Vasquez: 884-0554

Amitabha Meditation Practice
2009-05-08 00:00
This special half-day Amitahba Practice is being held in conjunction with the center’s spiritual director, Khenpo Sherab Ozer Rinpoche and his recent worldwide mantra accumulation efforts – along with the nuns of Samten Choling Nunnery in Eastern Tibet.
The intention of this great accumulation of mantras, is to help ease the suffering of all sentient beings who have recently passed away and may be wandering and/or suffering in the intermediate state between death and re-birth.Location
1871 N. King Street
Tucson, Arizona 85749 (Click here for a map)
For More Information: Pati Stein: 465-1882

Public Talk: Turning Depression and Worry into Happiness
2009-05-08 00:00
In this time of economic turmoil, there is so much uncertainty regarding our futures. We work hard to provide for our families, yet there is much disquiet, even about whether we will be able to provide for our basic needs. This leads us to worry and feel depressed; we feel hopeless and helpless about our future and what we can do. Drupon will provide clear and practical instructions regarding how to transform worry and depression into happiness.This event is free.

Ada Pierce McCormick BuildingUniversity of Arizona Campus1401 East First Street
Tucson, Arizona 85719(Click here for a map)
For More Information: Zehra Conner: 299-1083

Teachings with Drupon Thinley Ningpo
2009-05-09 00:00 - 2009-05-10 00:00, 2009-05-16 00:00 - 2009-05-17 00:00
Pati Stein 1871 N. King Street Tucson, Arizona 85749 (Click here for a map)
For More Information: Pati Stein: 465-1882

Amitabha Empowerment and Teaching
2009-05-09 00:00 - 2009-05-10 00:00
This Amitabha empowerment and teaching is being held in conjunction with the center’s spiritual director, Khenpo Sherab Ozer Rinpoche and his recent worldwide mantra accumulation efforts – along with the nuns of Samten Choling Nunnery in Eastern Tibet. The intention of this great accumulation of mantras, is to help ease the suffering of all sentient beings who have recently passed away and may be wandering and/or suffering in the intermediate state between death and re-birth. Buddha Amitabha is an historical buddha from another era. He made special aspiration that he would accomplish bodhicitta and benefit all sentient beings. In particular he focused on his pure land called Dewachen and said even those who have not achieved bhumis can be reborn in my pure land. They can make this connection simply by hearing my name and developing devotion.
Location
1871 N. King Street
Tucson, Arizona 85749 (Click here for a map)
For More Information: Pati Stein: 465-1882

Commentary on the Bodhicitta and Pureland Prayers
2009-05-11 00:00 - 2009-05-12 00:00
Please join us for a special two-evening teaching of commentary Thinley Ningpo Rinpoche on the Bodhicitta and Pureland Prayers contained within the Amitabha practice.If you have any further questions, please contact Matthew at matthew@drikungkagyutucson.org or call 884-0554.
These sessions are free and open to the general public.
As a courtesy to those with allergies, please refrain from wearing perfume. Thank you!

Directions (Central Tucson)
ï N on Country Club Rd past Grant, Ft.Lowell and Prince Rds
ï Left at Racquet Club Ranch #3935, before Tucson Racquet & Fitness
ï Pass 1st drive on right. Event entry at next driveway, #36A, adobe house with prayer flags
ï Park to left in large dirt lot with palm trees

Saturday, February 28 @ 10:30am – 12:00pm

Matthew and Rachel’s House
3935 North Country Club Road, #36A
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(Click here for a map)
For More Information:
Matthew Vasquez: 884-0554

Amitabha Three-Day Closed Practice Retreat
2009-05-15 00:00 - 2009-05-17 00:00
This three-day closed retreat is our annual Spring retreat, and registration is limited to 14 persons. The retreat will begin on Friday morning and be followed by three days of meditation and instruction. Please note that this retreat requires prior attendance to the Amitabha Empowerment.As this retreat is closed, pre-registration is required, and attendees will need to remain on-site throughout the retreat. Led by Drupon Thinley Nyingpo Rinpoche, this retreat will be held at a private residence in Sonoita, Arizona, 45 minutes South of Tucson.
Retreat Fees
$165. (includes meals & lodging)
Lodging in a common area. All required ritual items provided. Participants are expected to share in all cooking and clean-up duties.
Pre-registration is required and must be made by Saturday, May 9. You must have attended the Amitabha Empowerment the previous weekend
As a courtesy to those with allergies, please refrain from wearing perfume. Thank you!

To Place Your Reservation or for Additional Information, Please Contact:
Pati Stein
Phone: (520) 465-1882
Email: pati@drikungkagyutucson.org

White Tara Practice
2009-06-03 00:00, 2009-06-17 00:00, 2009-08-19 00:00, 2009-09-02 00:00, 2009-09-16 00:00
Tara Embodies the female wisdom activity of the mind. She is often called the mother of all the Buddhas
His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche has taught extensively on the benefits of White Tara practice. White Tara offers peace, prosperity, health and long life through her enlightened activities. She is depicted with a female body that is the brilliant white of a thousand autumn moons. Her third eye in her forehead symbolizes her vision of the unity of ultimate reality while she simultaneously sees the relative and dualistic world with her other two eyes. Her hands and feet also have eyes, showing that all her actions are governed by her ultimate wisdom and compassion. She is the protective, helpful and comforting mother who shows limitless kindness, generosity and protection towards those who are tossed in the ocean of suffering.

If we recite her mantra and make a connection to her, we draw closer to developing her enlightened qualities in ourselves.

Bring your bells and damarus!
1st & 3rd Wednesdays, Every Month
Ada Pierce McCormick BuildingUniversity of Arizona Campus1401 East First Street
Tucson, Arizona 85719(Click here for a map)
For More Information: Zehra Conner: 299-1083

Natural Liberation: Padmasambhava's Teachings on the Six Bardos
2009-06-06 00:00 - 2009-06-07 00:00, 2009-06-13 00:00 - 2009-06-14 00:00
Event Day and TimesFridays 6/5 and 6/12, 7-9pm, and Saturdays/Sundays, 6/6-7 and 6/13-14, 9am-5pm
Natural Liberation, Padmasambhava’s Teachings on the Six Bardos provide extensive instruction on each of the six transitional processes, or bardos, that make up our experience in samsara.
This event continues from Traga Rinpoche’s prior teachings in January/February 2009.
These teachings contain methods for naturally, or spontaneously, liberating ourselves from the sufferings that are inherent in each of the six realms so we can obtain ultimate liberation.

“The transitional process from the time we are born until the time we die is crucial in determining whether we will go up or down.”
“With a human incarnation, we possess greater power than other beings to bring about good, but also greater power to bring about bad. We have the ability to know and to understand, and we must make best use of the favorable conditions of a human incarnation.”
“We must not meaninglessly waste this opportunity. If we conduct ourselves well in
our life, then later, as we approach death (in the Bardo), and in our next life, we will go further and further up. There is no doubt about this.”
“Otherwise, we will suffer great fear and pain as we die, our minds will suffer agony and despair, and (due to our ignorance) we will not recognize the Bardo of Becoming. The purpose of the Six Bardos teachings is to profoundly move us to engage in practice during the Bardo of Living.”
Traga Rinpoche

Of all the methods taught by Buddha Shakyamuni to achieve enlightenment, the methods of Mahamudra and Dzogchen provide us the most profound view – that of the mind’s true nature. Traga Rinpoche will also present an overview of these two methods and clarify for us the differences and similarities inherent in them.

An excellent book on these teachings is Natural Liberation: Padmasambhava’s Teachings on the Six Bardos, with commentary by Gyatrul Rinpoche and translation by B. Alan Wallace (Wisdom Publications, 1997).

We are once again very fortunate to be receiving these profound teachings from The Venerable Traga Rinpoche.

1871 N. King Street Tucson, Arizona 85749 (Click here for a map)
For More Information:
Pati Stein: 465-1882

Heart Advice on Meditation Practice
2009-06-08 00:00 - 2009-06-09 00:00
Please join us for a special two-evening teaching of Traga Rinpoche’s Heart Advice on Meditation Practice.If you have any further questions, please contact Matthew at matthew@drikungkagyutucson.org or call 884-0554.
This event is free and open to the general public.
As a courtesy to those with allergies, please refrain from wearing perfume. Thank you!

Directions (Central Tucson)
ï N on Country Club Rd past Grant, Ft.Lowell and Prince Rds
ï Left at Racquet Club Ranch #3935, before Tucson Racquet & Fitness
ï Pass 1st drive on right. Event entry at next driveway, #36A, adobe house with prayer flags
ï Park to left in large dirt lot with palm trees

Monday and Tuesday Evening @ 7-9pm

Matthew and Rachel’s House
3935 North Country Club Road, #36A
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(Click here for a map)
For More Information:
Matthew Vasquez: 884-0554

Sangha Meditation: Practice, Study, and Discussion
2009-06-20 00:00, 2009-06-27 00:00, 2009-08-15 00:00, 2009-09-05 00:00, 2009-09-12 00:00
Sangha Meditation is an on-going meditation group that primarily focuses on ìThe Gradual Pathî meditation practices recommended by our centerís director, Khenpo Sherab Ozer Rinpoche, as well as other Drikung Kagyu lineage masters. This group is intended for introductory, as well as intermediate and advanced practitioners.
If you have any further questions, please contact Matthew at matthew@drikungkagyutucson.org or call 884-0554.
These sessions are free and open to the general public.
As a courtesy to those with allergies, please refrain from wearing perfume. Thank you!

Directions (Central Tucson)
ï N on Country Club Rd past Grant, Ft.Lowell and Prince Rds
ï Left at Racquet Club Ranch #3935, before Tucson Racquet & Fitness
ï Pass 1st drive on right. Event entry at next driveway, #36A, adobe house with prayer flags
ï Park to left in large dirt lot with palm trees

Saturday, February 28 @ 10:30am – 12:00pm

Matthew and Rachel’s House
3935 North Country Club Road, #36A
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(Click here for a map)
For More Information:
Matthew Vasquez: 884-0554

Sutra Mahamudra: Jewel Ornament of Liberation - Teachings, Contemplations & Meditations
2009-07-10 00:00, 2009-07-11 00:00 - 2009-07-12 00:00, 2009-07-13 00:00 - 2009-07-14 00:00
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is a masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism. For more than eight centuries it has provided a complete foundation for Buddhist study and practice ñ covering the initial entry into the path and continuing through to the achievement of Buddhahood. It includes teachings on Buddha-nature, finding a spiritual master, impermanence, karma, the cultivation of Bodhicitta, the development of the six perfections, the ten Bodhisattva bhumis, Buddhahhood, and the activities of a Buddha.
This special teaching will include separate Friday day, and Monday/Tuesday evening sessions. You may attend individual sessions or all of them.

This teaching will be followed by a Lama Chopa (Guru Yoga) TsokñFeast on Wednesday, 7/15, from 7-9pm.
Schedule:
Friday, 7/10, 9am-12pm, 2-5pm & 7-9pm
Saturday & Sunday 7-11-12, 9am-12pm & 2-5pm
Monday 7/13, 7-9pm
Tuesday 7/14, 7-9pm

Directions (Central Tucson)
ï N on Country Club Rd past Grant, Ft.Lowell and Prince Rds
ï Left at Racquet Club Ranch #3935, before Tucson Racquet & Fitness
ï Pass 1st drive on right. Event entry at next driveway, #36A, adobe house with prayer flags
ï Park to left in large dirt lot with palm trees

Matthew and Rachel’s House
3935 North Country Club Road, #36A
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(Click here for a map)

For More Information:
Matthew Vasquez: 884-0554

Lama Chopa (Guru Yoga) Tsok Feast
2009-07-15 00:00
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation teachings will be followed by a Lama Chopa (Guru Yoga) TsokñFeast on Wednesday, 7/15, from 7-9pm*.* Please bring a very small food offering of nuts, fruit, crackers, cookies, etc.

Among the most profound of Tibetan Buddhist ritual ceremonies is the Lama Chopa Tsok Feast Offering. It is a ceremony of prayer, chanting, music, meditation and a ritual feast. It contains all of the points of the Lamrim meditation on guru devotion, presented in a way that directly appeals to our senses and emotions. The more devotion we have to our teacher, the more there is the wish to make offerings to him, and the Lama Chopa ceremony creates the opportunity for making many kinds of offering – food, drink, lights, incense, music, and the best form of offering to the Guru, which is the offering of practice itself; in this case the practice of doing the chanting, visualizations and prayers of the first part of the ceremony and the meditation on the Lamrim which forms the second part of the ritual. And since the guru is the highest object of offering, the merit created is enormous.

Directions (Central Tucson)
ï N on Country Club Rd past Grant, Ft.Lowell and Prince Rds
ï Left at Racquet Club Ranch #3935, before Tucson Racquet & Fitness
ï Pass 1st drive on right. Event entry at next driveway, #36A, adobe house with prayer flags
ï Park to left in large dirt lot with palm trees

Matthew and Rachel’s House
3935 North Country Club Road, #36A
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(Click here for a map)

For More Information:
Matthew Vasquez: 884-0554

Public Talk: Khenchen Gyaltsen Rinpoche
2009-08-07 00:00
Bodhicitta: The Essence of All BuddhismThis is a free public talk given by the Most Venerable Khenchen Gyaltsen Rinpoche. This event is sponsored by Dharmakirti College. Please call 403-0830 for additional information.
Benedictine Convent
800 N.Country Club
Tucson AZ 85716

Guru Yoga and Permissions & Prohibitions Teaching
2009-08-08 00:00 - 2009-08-09 00:00
“A Guru Yoga that Brings the Dharmakaya onto the Path,î is a practice of profound meaning and rich with blessing for the modern regular practitioner with limited time. The practice of guru yoga, merging with the mind of the master, lies at the very heart of the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition.
“The practice of guru yoga, merging with the mind of the master, lies at the very heart of the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition of Tibet. Through the guru yoga practice, all obstacles can be removed and all blessings received. With the help of the outer teacher, we can discover the inner teacher, the true nature of our own mind. If we wish to progress towards enlightenment, we need the guidance of a qualified master, while we seek to rid ourselves of ignorance and free ourselves from the tyranny of ego. The hallmark of the guru yoga practice, in fact the very practice itself, is a lucid, pure and intelligent devotion.”

ìPermissions and Prohibitions: Their Mode of Abidingî gives pith advice on ìwhat is to be practiced and what is not, in accordance with causalityís mode of abiding.î Khenchen Gyaltsen wrote this text on July 4, 2008, at Drigung Drenshe Ling in Germany, and will be providing commentary on its meaning.

Khenchen Gyaltsen Rinpoche will be returning to his students in Tucson. It is very rare to meet a Lama with such extensive training in Buddhist philosophy and such profound meditation experience. In addition, Rinpoche’s complete fluency in English makes him exceptionally capable of communicating the profound meaning of the teachings.

Benedictine Convent
800 N.Country Club
Tucson AZ 85716
