We are pleased to announce that we will have a special two-day program June 1st and 2nd with Drupon Samten Rinpoche, DKC monks and nuns and sangha. This is the 3rd annual program whereby the first one was held with His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, under the DKC Bodhi Tree and His Holiness requested that we continue with this special program each year.
We are very happy to host this weekend retreat with mediation and prayers for World Peace. This program is for both Dharma practitioners and non-practitioners to join. Sitting under the Bodhi tree and offering prayers is such an honor and a rare opportunity. We also have plenty of canopies for shade outside. This program is dedicated to bringing peace and harmony within ourselves as well as to flourish peace and harmony around the world. More than 2,500 years ago, the Buddha sat under this same tree and developed altruistic mind towards all sentient beings and he achieved the liberation of Buddhahood. Millions of sentient (living) beings around the world need prayers for physical or mental needs. Thus, your prayers will make a difference because of the Buddha’s great blessings that eminent from this special tree. If you open your heart to others and sincerely pray, your prayers will be fulfilled. Under the Bodhi Tree we have a beautiful Lord Buddha Shakyamuni consecrated by many high masters. We will setup a special altar for the auspicious event. Drupon Samten hopes that you can join this prayer for World Peace. In joining together with all the sanghas, your meditation and prayers will multiply and becomes the truth of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha; which means, it reveals the truth of achieving the altruistic mind.
The daily program will be 10:00am to 5:00pm, along with a potluck lunch and tea breaks. We will have all day aspiration prayers for world peace outside under the Bodhi tree both Saturday and Sunday.
Morning program: Generating Yoga: Buddha Shakyamuni Dharma practice and recitation of mantra, including the seven limb prayers, the prayer of the twelve deeds of the Buddha and Manjushri Nama Samgiti prayers followed by a lunch break.
After lunch: 2pm – 3pm Shamata (silent) meditation for World Peace, including walking meditation around the marvelous Stupas. We will recite the 21 Taras and 7 protections of Tara prayers. We will have a tea break at 3pm. Then 3:30pm – 5:00pm We will offer butter lamps for World Peace and the 3 powerful prayers for dispelling obstacles: Heart Sutra, Lion Faced Dakini and White Umbrella followed by dedication prayers.
The 2nd day will be a similar program, including the Walking meditation around the Stupa and with the addition of the Buddha Bathing ceremony in the afternoon. We put together all these prayers for this special ceremony to make it very meaningful and powerful. We will engage in this prayer as is customary in BodhGaya India where Buddha achieved enlightenment under this specific tree.We are very blessed to have this Bodhi tree here from BodhGaya. The Buddha Bathing ceremony is important in the Three Yana’s of Buddhism and each tradition is very similar in performing this ceremony.
On both days we will have the cleansing puja of tsungs (cloud of incense offering) which includes burning juniper and other types of fragrant herbs. The tsungs ritual offering is important in all traditions; Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. This offering is not only important to humans and other species, but it is also important for the elements and to cleanse the environment. Through the power of the meditation and the prayers, these clouds of incense offering, reach the universe, naga realms and the god realms to fill the entire space.
We encourage you not to miss this magnificent program that is a precious and auspicious opportunity to receive blessings and both renew and strengthen your spiritual practice. If you are not able to attend both days, you may attend 1 day only. Please be take this opportunity to practice generosity and bring something to offer and share for the potluck lunch. Other offerings for the monastery such as juice, tea, fruit, cookies, tea light candels are also welcome.
Suggested cost: $25 per day.
