Special teachings with Ven. Geshe Sonam Rinchen and Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley.

Losar (Tibetan New Year):

25^th to 27^th February 2009

Come an acknowledge Losar with the Tibetan community in Whangarei.

Wednesday 25^th:
8am to 9:30am: Offerings to Lamas, Biscuits & tea.
10am: Puja, H.H. Dalai Lama long life prayer, etc.

Friday 27^th:
10am: Incense Puja @ Stupa.
6pm: Potluck/shared Dinner.
Bring yourselves, friends or family and a hot dish to share.

Last Retreat Weekend @ Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling

With

photo by PETER ARONSON

Ven. Geshe Sonam Rinchen

Translated by Matthew Whiston

Ø Saturday 28^th February on Ganden Lhagyema
Ø Sunday 1^st March on The Eight Verses of training the mind

Folks, this is the last weekend of sublime teachings from Geshe Sonam Rinchen. If you have the opportunity – do come along.

Explanation of the teachings:
Ganden Lhagyema The Hundred Deities of the Land of Joys is intended to strengthen the relationship we have with our spiritual teacher. It includes the seven-part practice and through this practice we can effectively purify wrong-doing and create positive energy, both of which are essential if we wish to gain insights.

The Eight Verses of Training the mind, one of the most important texts belonging to a genre of Tibetan spiritual writing known as lojong (literally "mind training"), shows us how to free ourselves from the demon of self-concern. The text was written by the eleventh century master Langritangpa Dorje Senge.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama refers to this work as one of his main sources of inspiration and includes it in his daily meditations.

Daily Schedule during the weekends:

9am to 9:30am – Motivational and preparation Meditation with Ani Tsekyi in the Gompa

9:40 - Gompa opens for seating. Pls be seated by 9:55am.

10am to 11:30am – Teachings with Geshe Sonam Rinchen

12:15pm – vegetarian lunch at Retreat House.

1:30 to 2:30 - Discussion group led by Tenzin Thubwang

2:35pm – cup of tea

3pm to 4:30pm – Teachings with Geshe Sonam Rinchen

4:45pm – cup of tea

5:00pm to 5:30 pm – Dedication meditation and mantra with Ani Tsekyi at the Stupa.

You are most welcome to attend the teachings, or any of the programme at the centre during the weekends. The teachings are suitable for beginners and senior students alike. Everyone is welcome.

To book your space:

Email: dharma@igrin.co.nz, or phone 09 435 4444 (Centre) or 09 435 4401 (Retreat House) to book your space, and let us know if you will be there for lunch.

There will be a booking form prepared for you on arrival at the centre to fill in.

Or just come.

Your contribution: a donation of $10 to $30 dollars per day please, to help with costs of hosting this event.

Please be as generous as you are able. Sponsors welcome. It’s important that you come to teachings if you feel a need to. Please don’t let money be a reason for you not to come. There are other ways to contribute. Please get in touch if you need to contribute in a non-financial way.
Daily vegetarian lunches provided @ $7 in the Retreat House, bookings for these help us prepare the right amount of food.

Koha / Donations to the Dharma Centre

are encouraged, as It is this support that ensures the Centre’s ability to continue providing teachings and facilities for the benefit of others, hopefully for generations to come. There is a donation box for this purpose and receipts are available on request. You may even consider becoming a friend or member, or sponsoring the monks meals, etc

NEWS
Ven. Geshe Sonam Rinchen and Nyima Gyaltsen are leaving for India in the early hours of the 7^th March. They will be leaving Whangarei in the early evening of the 6^th March