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Mapping our inner worlds: An engaged approach to tantric Buddhism, nding certainty in making it our own.

Tantric Buddhism, or Vajrayana, is known for its colorful mandalas, rich symbolism, ritual and air of mysticism. Often regarded as exotic and captivating, it is easy to feel drawn to, and curious about, this form of Buddhism. Yet how do we create our own relationship to this presentation of Buddhism that has all too often been misinterpreted in popular culture, and at dierent times even within Tibetan and Indian culture? How can we blend aspects of tantric Buddhism into our lives that allow us to feel more embodied, present and connected to immense potential imbued with the world around us? Join us as we examine the development, growth and spread of Tantric Buddhism from medieval India, throughout various Himalayan regions to the larger world. Through combining the penetrating insight provided by modern investigative analysis, shared reading of traditional tantric Buddhist texts, meditation practice, and lively discussion we will explore how we can develop our own intimate relationship with tantric Buddhism. Meeting once a month for a weekend day-long class over the course of twelve months we will read a variety of books that touch upon the leading academic works on the development of tantric Buddhism, contemporary texts on meditation practice, and a selection of primary tantric Buddhist texts. Each class day will include time for mediation practice with instruction and discussion. Each student should nish the class with a well rounded, solid understanding of Vajrayana, with a variety of individual points of contact that they can comfortably develop in future contemplative practice. No prerequisite study of Buddhism is necessary. There will be two eld-trips. This class is limited to 20 people. Cost: $500

Register by January 15th, 2013. To register or if you have any questions please contact the instructor, Repa Dorje Odzer: dorjeodzer@goshir.org

New York Tsurphu Goshir Dharma Center 183 15th Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11215
Visit us on facebook and at www.goshir.org

A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path, a commentary on the teachings of the Buddha written by Je Gampopa. Shakyamuni Buddha prophesied in the Samadhiraja Sutra that one of his students named Youthful Moonlight (Chandra Prabha Kumara) would spread the teachings of that sutra during the time of degeneration of the view and conduct. That bodhisattva later took birth in Tibet as Je Gampopa. As one of the forefathers of the Kagyu Lineage, Gampopa played a key role in the development of the Kagyu school. In his early life Gampopa was trained as a doctor, but as his family was dying due to an epidemic, he vowed to his wife that he would devote his life to the Dharma. By combining his training received from the Kadampa Lineage with the experiential instructions passed through the Whispered Lineage Gampopa presented one of the most thorough approaches to the Dharma. During his lifetime Gampopa wrote a number of major works on the teachings of the Buddha. A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path is known for its clarity of advice for practitioners of all levels on how to perfect their spiritual practice. Written as twenty eight lists of key points Gampopa guides us through essential instructions on the correct view, mediation, and conduct in such a way as to be easily approachable and applicable to daily life. This text will be taught over the course of a year, meeting twice a month for half day sessions. At every teaching session we will examine one of the twenty eight lists point by point with time for discussion and mediation. It is the goal of these sessions to give each student the condence in knowing how to bring their practice into each moment of they lives, and therefore making the Dharma a rich and full experience. To register or if you have any questions please contact the instructor, Lama Sangye Rinchen:

New York Tsurphu Goshir Dharma Center 183 15th Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11215
Visit us on facebook and at www.goshir.org

The Songs of Milarepa: listening to the whispered teachings of Tibet's greatest yogin. Milarepa, or Shepa Dorje (Laughing Vajra) as he is known in Tibetan, is the most famous yogi/saint in Tibetan history. Known for coming to Buddhist practice through the painful events of his youth, which include the experience of great loss, revenge and even murder, Milarepa came to become the most well-known student of Marpa the Translator. Placing all of his eort into the single-pointed devotion to meditation, Milarepa spent his life in retreat in caves, teaching those who met him in song. Many of these pithy songs were preserved and remain with us today. The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa, as it has come to be known today, was rst compiled by the 'religious madman' Tsangnyn Heruka in the mid-fteenth century, along with his famed biography, The Life of Milarepa. These works have become classics thanks to the initial translations provided by Garma C.C. Chang and Lobsang Lhalungpa. Originally a secret text, the Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa, was taught to elucidate the view, path, and fruition aspects of meditation practice demonstrated by Milarepa, to generations of yogins following in his direct lineage. Complete texts in their own right, each song and story contained within The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa, and other collections of songs oer a rich and powerful demonstration of how we can fully engage our spiritual practice and live the life that we have set out to live no matter how dierent it may appear from that of Milarepa's life. When seen from the perspective of timeless oral instructions, the songs of Milarepa oer us a way to connect to the thousand year old lineage of practice that is captured within them. During each hour and fteen minute class, through listening to the songs, spending time in meditation and lively discussion we will unlock and discover some of the profound points that Milarepa makes and explore how they apply to us in our experience of life in the 21st century. Held twice monthly on Monday evenings this class is open to all. Suggested donation: $10

New York Tsurphu Goshir Dharma Center 183 15th Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11215
Visit us on facebook and at www.goshir.org

Ngondro: The Four Extraordinary Foundational Practices. In all elds of work and study one must begin by rst laying down a stable foundation on which to build. Without this rm foundation whatever we accomplish will be shaky at best with no support to rely upon. Each practitioner of Vajrayana rst relies on Ngondro to lay such a foundation, and so creates the causes and conditions for realization to ourish. The Four Extraordinary Foundational Practices consists of 1) Prostrations and Refuge, 2) Recitation of the Hundred Syllable Mantra of Vajrasattva, 3) Mandala Oering, and 4) Guru Yoga. Through these practices we can purify our obscurations and accumulate the merit and wisdom needed to enable us to accomplish Mahamudra, the pinnacle of meditation taught in the Kagyu School. These practices are therefore taught as the beginning of Mahamudra practice. Before planting a garden we rst need to remove the rocks, till the soil, and spread the right nutrients so that when we do plant the seeds they successfully grow. In the same way these practices are designed to prepare ourselves, mentally and physically, to be able to reap the fruits of our mediation. It is said that the more you practice the Four Foundations the quicker and easier realization arises. Over a course of a year the Four Foundations will be taught according to the Karma Kagyu School in general and the teachings of the 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche in particular. Practitioners of all schools of Buddhism are invited to join the teachings and discussions. Meeting twice a month we will discuss the practice of Ngondro, a complete path of Vajrayana practice, which consists of practices taking you from refuge to completion stage mediations. Through these classes students will gain a deep understanding of each aspect of Ngondro that can be taken into their practice to make it rich and meaningful. Also students will be able to apply this knowledge to the Dharma in general and feel condent in understanding the foundations of the vast array of practices that Vajrayana oers. Private teaching sessions are available for students who would like personal advice on their practice. Suggested donation: $15 To register or if you have any questions please contact the instructor, Lama Sangye Rinchen: ksangyerinchen@goshir.org

New York Tsurphu Goshir Dharma Center 183 15th Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11215
Visit us on facebook and at www.goshir.org

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