Manjushri Teachings and Meditation Practice
2011-02-05 00:00 - 2011-02-06 00:00 (America/Phoenix) | AZ
Manjushri is considered a warrior wisdom being who is both noble and gentle. Jnana sattva is a term used in tantric Buddhism to denote the true form of a deity as an aspect of enlightenment, which is invoked at the beginning of your meditation practice. Here, this warrior wisdom being refers to a powerful mind-set that completely remedies or purifies all negative thoughts. In other words, it is a courageous mind that can be a primary source of peace and harmony for every sentient being. This courage characterizes a sattvika, the combined embodiment of compassion and great wisdom. This kind of warrior has an indomitable courage that cannot be overwhelmed by disturbing emotions. We practice this sadhana, in order to cultivate these qualities within ourselves.

If you have any further questions, please contact Matthew at matthew@drikungkagyutucson.org or call 884-0554.
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
Matthew and Rachel’s House
3935 North Country Club Road, #36A
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(Click here for a map)

Lama Chopa Tsok
2011-02-06 00:00
If you have any questions, please contact Matthew at matthew@drikungkagyutucson.org or call 884-0554.
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
Matthew and Rachel’s House
3935 North Country Club Road, #36A
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(Click here for a map)

Saturday Morning Community Meditation
2011-03-12 00:00, 2011-03-19 00:00, 2011-03-26 00:00, 2011-04-02 00:00, 2011-04-09 00:00, 2011-04-23 00:00, 2011-04-30 00:00, 2011-05-07 00:00 and 2 more dates
The Budddharma is notable in that it is not merely a religious tradition, rather it is a system that brings peace and happiness in both this and future lives.– Khenpo Sherab Ozer Rinpoche
10-10:30am — Introduction to Meditation
Introduction to calm-abiding meditation practice, Shine (Tibetan) and Shamatha (Sanskrit) meditation. Meditation instruction is offered and no prior experience is necessary.
10:30-11:30am — Meditation Practice
Refuge, Bodhicitta and The Preliminaries from the Drikung Kagyu Ngondro: Listening, contemplating & meditating – deepening into the Buddhadharma.
11:30-12:30am — Recitation, Study, and Discussion
Reading, contemplation & discussion of sacred texts from the Tibetan-Buddhist tradition.
Current Texts
Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa
Bodhicharyavatara by Shantideva
Uttaratantra Sutra from Maitreya, by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye
Introduction to the Middleway by Chandrakirti
Transformation of Suffering by Khenchen Gyaltshen Rinpoche
All sessions are free and open to the general public.

If you have any further questions, please contact Matthew at matthew@drikungkagyutucson.org or call 884-0554.
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

Saturdays, 10:00am – 12:30pm

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

Manjushri-Yamantaka Teaching & Meditation Practice
2011-04-14 00:00 - 2011-04-17 00:00
His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche offered his students the following advice: “What is the main reason we practice Yamantaka? It is contained in the phrase, “Let the destructiveness of sorcerers, their gods and protectors descend upon themselves,” which we find in the retreat text. What this means is that when you have loving kindness, compassion and Bodhicitta, any harm directed at you will fall back on itself. This is the root of the matter. Why does this happen? Because here your mind is clean and pure. When you are meditating on loving-kindness and compassion for all, then you have no ego-clinging. Without ego-clinging, nothing can harm you. So through Yamantaka we meditate on compassion for all sentient beings and nothing “curses, sorcery or whatever can harm us. If you understand this then you understand all there is to know about Yamantaka retreat practice.”
Thurs: 7-9pm Chanting the Names of Manjushri
Fri: 9-5pm Teaching on Manjushri-Yamantaka Retreat
Sat: 9-5pm Manjushri-Yamantaka Meditation
Sun: 9-4pm Manjushri-Yamantaka Meditation
Sun: 4-5:30pm Rinchen Phuntsok Smoke Offering and Tsok
Fri-Sun: 8-9am Lama Chopa (Guru Yoga) Meditation
Note:Yamantaka Empowerment from Garchen Rinpoche is required to participate in all activities except Thursday evening and the morning Lama Chopa practice.
Location: 3935 N. Country Club #36A
For more information, please call Matthew Vasquez at 520-884-0554
mvasquez333@yahoo.com

Residential Vajrayogini Retreat
2011-05-27 00:00 - 2011-05-30 00:00
Vajrayogini is a female Buddha who embodies oneís innermost essence and is associated with the mother tantras of anutaratantra yoga. According to Tsongkapa, her practice includes methods for preventing ordinary death, awareness in the intermediate state or bardo and rebirth by transforming these into paths, including the transformation of mundane daily activities into the enlightened state of mind. This is our annual four-day Spring residential retreat, and registration is limited to 12 persons. The retreat will begin on Friday morning and offer four days of meditation and instruction. Participants must attend the entire retreat.
To pre-register for the retreat, please contact Pati Stein at 520-465-1882.

Ngondro and Vajrayogini Teachings
2011-06-03 00:00 - 2011-06-05 00:00
“Commentary on The Daily Practice of the Arising Stage and Mantra Recitation of the Exalted Vajrayogini who has the Face of the Two Truths” Vajrayogini is a female Buddha who embodies oneís innermost essence and is associated with the mother tantras of anutaratantra – the highest yoga tantras. According to Tsongkapa, her practice includes methods for preventing ordinary death, awareness in the intermediate state or bardo, and rebirth by transforming these into paths, including the transformation of mundane daily activities into the enlightened state of mind.
Friday June 3
9-12pm/2-5pm: Pith instructions for the Drikung Kagyu Ngondro
7-9pm: Pointing Out the Nature of Mind
Sat/Sun June 4-5
9-12pm/2-5pm: Vajrayogini Teachings
Vajrayogini Teaching Location:
4201 E. Oxford Drive, Tucson, 85711

For More Information, Please Contact:
Matthew Vasquez 520-884-0554
matthew@drikungkagyutucson.org

Saturday Morning Sangha Meditation
2011-06-11 00:00, 2011-06-18 00:00, 2011-06-25 00:00, 2011-07-02 00:00, 2011-07-09 00:00, 2011-07-16 00:00, 2011-07-23 00:00, 2011-07-30 00:00 and 1 more date
The Budddharma is notable in that it is not merely a religious tradition, rather it is a system that brings peace and happiness in both this and future lives.– Khenpo Sherab Ozer Rinpoche
10-10:30am — Introduction to Meditation
Introduction to calm-abiding meditation practice, Shine (Tibetan) and Shamatha (Sanskrit) meditation. Meditation instruction is offered and no prior experience is necessary.
10:30-11:30am — Meditation Practice
Refuge, Bodhicitta and The Preliminaries from the Drikung Kagyu Ngondro: Listening, contemplating & meditating – deepening into the Buddhadharma.
11:30-12:30am — Recitation, Study, and Discussion
Reading, contemplation & discussion of sacred texts from the Tibetan-Buddhist tradition.
Current Texts
Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa
Bodhicharyavatara by Shantideva
Uttaratantra Sutra from Maitreya, by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye
Introduction to the Middleway by Chandrakirti
Transformation of Suffering by Khenchen Gyaltshen Rinpoche
All sessions are free and open to the general public.

If you have any further questions, please contact Matthew at matthew@drikungkagyutucson.org or call 884-0554.
As a courtesy to those with allergies, please refrain from wearing perfume. Thank you!

Drikung Namgyal Ling 5th Annual Yard Sale
2011-07-24 00:00
4201 East Oxford DriveTucson, Arizona 85711
(1 block NW of Broadway and Columbus)
(Click here for a map)

Your donation of saleable used items is greatly appreciated! All proceeds go to the Center Building Fund. You can also help by volunteering at the yard sale itself.
Please consider donating:

Household goods: kitchen items, small appliances, cooking & serving dishes
Bicycles
Exercise equipment
Clothing in good condition
Jewelry
Framed artwork
Tools
Musical instruments
Usable Computers
Other items of value – please take the opportunity to do some summer cleaning, and give us your recycled items. 🙂
No major appliances please.
Your items may be dropped off on Saturday, July 23rd from 8am-7pm or on Sunday morning between 7-10am at 4201 East Oxford Drive, Tucson, AZ 85711.
To arrange to have your donated items picked up earlier, please call Pati at 465-1882 or Brennan at 977-2136.

Also, please consider volunteering for an hour (or more) at the yard sale and enjoy meeting your fellow sangha members !

May all beings benefit!

Teachings with Khenpo Yeshi Rinpoche
2011-08-10 00:00 - 2011-08-14 00:00
Khenpo Yeshi returns to Tucson to each us how to transform our busy minds into the state of tranquility and peace. His unique approach weaves together a traditional teaching format with group recitation of sacred texts, short meditations, and interactive discussions. Please join us for this very special opportunity!
General Introductory Sessions
Rinchen Phuntsok Smoke Offering Practice
Wednesday, August 10, 7-9pm
Location:The Studio on Speedway, 4648 E. Speedway
Devotion and the Student-Teacher Relationship
Thursday, August 11, 7-9pm
Location:The Studio on Speedway, 4648 E. Speedway
Loving Kindness, Compassion and Bodhichitta
Friday, Morning & Afternoon, August 12, 9-12pm & 2-5pm
Location:The Studio on Speedway, 4648 E. Speedway
Main Event
The Prayer of Kungtuzangpo (Tibetan), also known as the Primordial Buddha Samantabhadra (Sanskrit) instructs us on our tendency to lose ourselves by getting caught up in non-virtuous states of mind and their painful consequences. By shifting our allegiance from mindless unawareness, to mindful awareness, we develop heart-centerd wisdom free from thought. This prayer comes from the great 8th century lineage master, the Lotus Born One, Padmasambhava.
Friday Evening, August 12, 7-9pm
Sat/Sun August 13 & 14, 9-12 & 2-5pm.
*Tsok Feast, Sunday, 3:30-5:30pm
(Please bring a food offering for the Tsok-Feast)
Location: The Studio on Speedway 4648 E. Speedway Blvd
Suggested Donation: $85 for the weekend.
No one turned away for lack of funds
For More Information, Please Contact:
Matthew Vasquez 520-884-0554
matthew@drikungkagyutucson.org

Saturday Morning Sangha Meditation
2011-09-10 00:00
The Budddharma is notable in that it is not merely a religious tradition, rather it is a system that brings peace and happiness in both this and future lives.– Khenpo Sherab Ozer Rinpoche
10-10:30am — Introduction to Meditation
Introduction to calm-abiding meditation practice, Shine (Tibetan) and Shamatha (Sanskrit) meditation. Meditation instruction is offered and no prior experience is necessary.
10:30-11:30am — Meditation Practice
Refuge, Bodhicitta and The Preliminaries from the Drikung Kagyu Ngondro: Listening, contemplating & meditating – deepening into the Buddhadharma.
11:30-12:30am — Recitation, Study, and Discussion
Reading, contemplation & discussion of sacred texts from the Tibetan-Buddhist tradition.
Current Texts
Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa
Bodhicharyavatara by Shantideva
Uttaratantra Sutra from Maitreya, by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye
Introduction to the Middleway by Chandrakirti
Transformation of Suffering by Khenchen Gyaltshen Rinpoche
All sessions are free and open to the general public.

You are welcomed to attend any or all sessions.
NEW LOCATION!
Historic YMCA, 738 N. 5th Avenue, corner of University & 5th, 1 block west of 4th Avenue.
Room #135, Blue Sky Counseling and Wellness Center.
As you enter the YMCA, go straight towards the Zumba studio, then turn right for Room #135.
If you have any further questions, please contact Matthew at matthew@drikungkagyutucson.org or call 884-0554.
As a courtesy to those with allergies, please refrain from wearing perfume. Thank you!

Mandala Teachings with Drupon Rinchen Dorje
2011-09-23 00:00 - 2011-09-24 00:00
Mandala Practice is one of the fourPreliminary Tibetan Buddhist Ngondro Practices, along with Refuge, Vajrasattva, and Guru Yoga. Mandala practice is a means of developing generosity by cutting through attachment and desire. During Mandala Practice, we visualize oﬀering the entire universe to all Buddhas and Bodhisatvas, to the Dharma and the Sangha.
All of the wealth of the universe is symbolized by the rice held in our hands. We visualize each grain of rice as a jewel and offer it as an act of generosity to all.
Drupon Rinpoche Dorje will lead a 2 day teaching on the meaning and application of the Mandala, including hands-on instruction on its creation. If you have your own mandala rings that you would like to use for practice, please bring them.

1871 N. King Street Tucson, Arizona 85749
(Click here for a map)
For More Information:
Ann Danowitz : 631-8727
Pati Stein : 465-1882

Message from Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche
2011-10-21 00:00
I hope and pray that you are well. I think of you in my meditations. We are very fortunate having this precious human life and taking refuge in the Buddha,Dharma
and Sangha and following the path. You have been writing me off and on for the
last couple of years and I’m grateful you are keeping in contact and I cherish
this opportunity. Usually I can’t write long letters because I don’t know how to
type but today I have a good secretary so I’m taking the opportunity
to say a few things.

Without the Dharma our life in samsara is only suffering or a condition of
suffering and we create more causes of suffering. We are also very smart
creating the causes of suffering. Since we have the Dharma in our life it gives
us wisdom to penetrate the reality nature of the causes of suffering and causes
of peace and happiness in this life and eventually for complete enlightenment.
So it is for our own benefit and for others as well that we utilize this
precious human life as best as possible. This precious human life is a venue to
do all the good things.

First, take a deep breath and release all the tension both physically and
mentally and then contemplate all phenomena which is composite. The nature of
impermanence and the nature of disintegration. Including our human body. So by
contemplating this, purify all attachment and anger.

Second, this samsara is a state of suffering. Either suffering of suffering,
suffering of change or in the condition of suffering. So contemplate this
carefully and those who are suffering in the world, physically or mentally,
including our enemies. Develop sincere compassion wishing them to be free from
suffering and to achieve complete enlightenment.

Third, these manifestations, happiness and suffering within impermanence, are
based on causes and conditions . Nothing functions independently. All are in the
constitution of causes and conditions. And all the causes and conditions are
infallible. So it is to our own benefit using our empirical wisdom,avoiding and
purifying all the causes of suffering and creating and accumulating all the
causes of peace and happiness. As an example, avoiding the ten non virtues and
practicing the ten virtues.

With this understanding, we take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and
keep the moral ethics. This makes the person pure and a subject of respect. And
then, having kept the moral ethics well, for ones own benefit to free from
samsara, cultivate Bodhicitta, the mind of enlightenment for all others. Based
on sincere loving kindness and compassion. Remind yourself of this practice
every day and every moment when you are working or sitting. This will give us
wisdom and courage to do good things in our daily life and for others. This
altruistic thought inspired all the Buddhas of the past and the present. They
adopted this mind, the universal mind of bodhicitta, and they applied and
practiced it in their lives and they attained Buddhahood and benefited countless
sentient beings. We can also take that example and inspire ourselves and follow
the path. So when we do these practices, our main focus is to purify all the
mental afflictions. For example ignorance, anger, attachment, pride, jealousy
and so forth. They are called the three poisons or five poisons and so forth.

They are the root cause of all our suffering and conflict for the individual and
for society. Without touching base on this no matter how much we try the real
peace and happiness is impossible to attain. This kind of experience is shared
by all sentient beings. So Dharma gives us this wisdom to understand the reality
nature of suffering and happiness. The Dharma has also great method and skill to
tackle all these causes of suffering.

To purify these obscurations and mental delusions, the Vajrayanna teaching gives
great skill. Through this method, one gets the opportunity to manifest into the
form of the deities which is called Yidam practice. Inseparable of appearance
and emptiness. With this we repeatedly manifest into the Yidam deity and
dissolve into emptiness based on ultimate bodhicitta that is supported by moral
ethics.

Here I mention a few words of the purpose of the practice. There are many other
books translated as a reference on how to practice. I want you to have real
peace and happiness and to be free from confusion and ignorance which are the
root cause of suffering. I will say prayers for your good health and successful
meditation practice. If you’d like you may place this letter on your Facebook or
web page.

Sincerely,
Khenchen K. Gyaltshen

Introduction to Buddhist Meditation
2011-11-11 00:00 - 2011-11-13 00:00
For those entering the path of meditation practice, Drupon will offer teachings on the Preciousness of Buddhadharma, which provide exceptional guidance for how to compassionately to live one’s life with increasing wisdom for the benefit of ourselves and others. Short meditations will bo offered throughout the course of these three days to enhance one’s understanding of the topics covered.
An initiation or refuge ceremony will be given on Sunday for those interested
Teaching Location:
4201 E. Oxford Drive, Tucson, 85711
North of Broadway & West of Columbus Blvd
Directions:
* Turn North from Broadway onto Irving Street (1 block west of Columbus)
* Turn East or right onto Kings Street
* Turn North or left onto Oxford Drive
* Follow Oxford Drive past right-angle turn and continue for 1/2 block
* Brennan’s house is on left or north side of Oxford Drive
