Venerable Geshe Sonam Rinchen

We are truly delighted to announce that our precious teacher Ven. Geshe Sonam Rinchen from the Tibetan Library, Works and Archives in Dharamsala, India, has agreed to come back to New Zealand to teach at Dharma Centers throughout New Zealand in January and extensively at Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling during the month of February. This is a wonderful event and we are very much looking forward to sharing this very special time with you.

January 2008

                               @ Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling, Kamo, Whangarei

5th January        10am    Explanation of the Guru Puja

6th January        10am    Explanation of the Guru Puja - 12pm Community Potluck Lunch - Everybody welcome

10th to 14th January         @ Dhargyey Buddhist Centre, Dunedin : http://www.dhargyey.org.nz/

Ganden Lhagyema, Short Lam Rim and Eight Verses for Training the Mind         

18th to 21st January         @ Chandrikirti Buddhist Centre, Nelson : http://www.chandrakirti.co.nz/

                                                Three Principal Aspects of the Path

23rd January                       @ Shen Phen Dhargyey Ling, Christchurch

                                                Public Talk : 'Non-violence and Benevolence'

25th to 29th January         @ Mahamudra Centre, Colville, Coromandel : http://www.mahamudra.org.nz/

                                                Seven Point Mind Training (translated by Celia Smith)

31st January                       @ Von Ahsen House, 24 Te Aute Ridge Rd., Bethells Beach

                                                3pm    Public Talk : 'Recognizing and Honoring Our Own and Others Buddha Nature' (translated by Celia Smith)

1st February                        @ Trashi Ganden Choepel Ling, Glenfield, Auckland : http://www.trashiganden.com

                                                7.30pm  Tsog

2nd February                      10am  Eight Verses of Mind Training (translated by Celia Smith)

3rd February                       10am  Eight Verses of Mind Training (translated by Celia Smith)

4th to 29th February        @ Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling, Kamo, Whangarei (look at our Calendar for the daily programme)

9th February                       Losar (Tibetan New Year) Celebrations - Everybody welcome

13th to 23rd February      Mind Training like the Rays of the Sun (translated by Celia Smith)

The Mind Training Like the Rays of the Sun was written by one of Je Tsongkhapa's outstanding disciples, Namkha Pel, who studied with him for twelve years. It is a commentary on the Tibetan twelfth century Kadampa master Geshe Chekawa's Seven Points for Training the Mind. The teachings on the stages of the path were directed at a universal audience whereas these mind teachings, which had been passed down in an oral tradition from the time of the Buddha, were kept only for those of the highest caliber and were never written down. Geshe Chekawa was the first to do so. His text comprises all the principal points found in the various mind training instructions extant during his time. Namkha Pel follows Tsongkhapa's impeccable tradition of elucidating the difficult points with superb clarity.

24th February                    Opening of the Enlightenment Stupa - All invited

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This visit of Venerable Geshe Sonam Rinchen is being organized by Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling and the Sonam Foundation, and made possible through the sponsorship of Dharma Centres and private sponsors.

The teachings of Venerable Geshe Sonam Rinchen are being offered free of charge, however some Dharma Centres will need a facility fee to assist with the costs, and other Dharma Centres are relying on the generosity of sponsors. If you would like to help sponsor the national visit, please email to dharma@igrin.co.nz for details. If you would like to become a sponsor or benefactor and assist individual Dharma Centres in their ability to offering the teachings free of charge, so that everyone can attend, please contact the relevant Dharma Centres directly.