Program

Free Introductory Talk:  Finding Protection in Faith
with Gen Kelsang Mondrub

Friday, March 16, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Most days we get to the end of the day feeling burnt out, tired, and frustrated.  Buddha’s teachings on faith teach us how to transform our mundane existence into a meaningful life full of energy and possibility.

During this introductory talk we will learn how to make faith practical and use it to improve our daily lives.  Faith can be the great protector that can help us see beyond the difficult world we normally see.

“Without faith our mind is like a burnt seed, because just as a burnt seed cannot germinate, so knowledge without faith can never produce spiritual realizations… Faith is the life force of spiritual practice.”  – from Transform your Life by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

This talk is free and open to everyone, but please register in advance.

The Blessing Empowerment of Avalokiteshvara, Buddha of Compassion
with Gen Kelsang Jampa

Saturday, March 17, 11:00am – 1:00pm ~ Advanced registration required

This blessing Empowerment is suitable for everyone and all are welcome.

A Tantric empowerment is a blissful guided meditation through which we make a special, heart-felt connection with a Buddha and receive his or her profound blessings.  Through the infinite kindness of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Gen Kelsang Jampa, US National Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU, will grant the empowerment of Buddha Avalokiteshvara.

Avalokiteshvara, or “Chenrezig” in Tibetan, is an enlightened being who is a manifestation of all Buddhas’ compassion.  He is known as the “Buddha of compassion.”  By relying upon him, we naturally increase our own compassion.  Avalokiteshvara usually appears white in color with four arms.  His first two hands hold a jewel, symbolizing his own enlightenment; his second left hand holds a white lotus flower, symbolizing his complete purity of body, speech, and mind; and his second right hand holds a crystal mala, symbolizing that he can free all living beings from samsara.  By receiving the empowerment and then engaging in the practice of Buddha Avalokiteshvara, we will receive powerful blessings from this holy being that will help us to pacify our negative states of mind and deepen our feelings of love and compassion.

The empowerment includes the transmission of the mantra of Buddha Avalokiteshvara, OM MANI PAME HUM.  By reciting this mantra regularly and with strong faith, our compassion will naturally grow and we will make swift spiritual progress.

Following the empowerment Gen Jampa will give commentary to the ancient practice of ”Taking and Giving.”

Commentary on the Practice of ”Taking and Giving”
with Gen Kelsang Jampa

Saturday, March 17, 3:30pm – 5pm, and Sunday, March 18, 11am – 12:30pm ~ Advanced registration required

In his book “Transform Your Life” Geshe Kelsang Gyatso calls this meditation a “powerful method for purifying the negative karma that is the main cause of our future suffering.”

Now we have the unique opportunity to learn a modern and practical approach to this ancient practice, known as “tonglen” in Tibetan. This practice helps us transform all our daily difficulties into a meaningful spiritual practice that will inspire our minds. “Taking by means of compassion” and “giving by means of love” will move our heart into a deeper state of acceptance, contentment and peace.

Kelsang Gyatso says “whever we are experiencing a particular problem, whether from sickness, lack of resources, or our delusions, we can think about the countless living beings who are experiencing similar problems, and then with a compassionate motivation we imagine taking on their suffering. This will help us deal with our own problems, and by purifying the negative karma that prolongs the problem, may even free us from it.”

Enjoy this opportunity to meditate and receive practical guidance on how to find purpose and peace in daily life. Gen Jampa will be teaching this commentary.

Following the Celebration Gen Mondrub will be leading a two day retreat on this practice.

Post-Celebration Retreat
with Gen Mondrub

Following the Southern Dharma Celebration, Gen Mondrub will be guiding a two-day meditation retreat at KMC GA on the practice of taking and giving.  The retreat will give participants a chance to take the teachings from the weekend deeper into their hearts and gain experience with the traditional taking and giving meditations.

Everyone is welcome to attend the retreat.  Session times will be 8:00am, 11:00am, 4:30pm and 7:00pm on Monday, March 19, and Tuesday, March 20.  Please register in advance.

Schedule Summary

Friday, March 16
11am-1pm Sojong (for ordained Sangha only)
7:30-9pm Introductory Talk with Gen Mondrub

Saturday, March 17
9-10am Meditation with Prayers for Meditation with Kelsang Nyema
11-1pm Empowerment of Buddha Avalokiteshvara
1-3:30 pm Lunch (on-site lunch requires registration in advance)
3:30-5pm Teaching on Taking and Giving with Gen Jampa
5-7pm Dinner (on-site dinner requires registration in advance)
7-8pm Wishfulfilling Jewel Puja with tsog party to follow

Sunday, March 18
9-10am Meditation with Prayers for Meditation with Kelsang Nyema
11-12:30 Teaching on Taking and Giving with Prayers for World Peace with Gen Jampa
12:30-3pm Lunch (on-site lunch requires registration in advance)
3:00-4pm Avalokiteshvara Puja with Kelsang Nyema

Monday, March 19, and Tuesday, March 20
Post Celebration Retreat at KMC GA on ”Taking and Giving” with Gen Mondrub
Session times: 8:00am, 11:00am, 4:30pm and 7:00pm