Benchen Phuntsok Ling Europe

These are the dates for the Summer Seminar 2019 in Benchen Phuntsok Ling in Allmuthen, Belgium.
We are very happy to continue the series of summer courses in Allmuthen!

Like every year the week before the actual teaching period a three-days Drölkar (White Tara) retreat will happen and after the teaching period a three-days Gönkar (White Protector) retreat will take place.

Due to many responsibilities Drubwang Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche will not be able to be present at the summer course.

However Rinpoche decided to send Khenpo Damchö Dawa to teach in Benchen Phuntsok Ling during the summer course.

This is the first visit of Khenpo Damchö Dawa to Europe.

Khenpo Damchö Dawa was ordinated as monk by Drubwang Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche. He completed higher Buddhist studies at the Shedra of Sherab Ling, the monastery of H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche in India. Since five years he is teaching at the Benchen Nangten Thösam Ling Shedra in Pharping, Nepal.

Khenpo Damchö Dawa will give teachings about Lojong and the Heart Sutra. Lojong, the Buddhist mind training will be explained according to the commentary of Jamgon Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye to the "Seven Points od Mind Training" which root verses were composed by Chekawa Yeshe Dorje, a Tibetan disciple of Atisha in the 11th century. 

The Heart Sutra is one of the most popular Mahayana Sutras and considered as the essence of Prajñāpāramitā, the "Perfection of Wisdom".

Read more: Benchen Phuntsok Ling Summer Course 2019

According to the wishes of our venerable teacher Tenga Rinpoche, Lama Ngawang Tsultrim teaches the traditional pujas (tantric ceremonies) and the associated rituals in these workshops. Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche himself was a Vajra master, which means that he was fully master of all tantric rituals and authorized to pass them on.

Just as the rituals once came from India to Tibet and were learned by the Tibetans, today it is necessary to continue the transfer of the linage to the West.

The goal is for the Western Sangha members to be able to perform the traditional pujas independently. It is planned to learn one puja completely every year. Last year the Mahakala puja and this year the Bardo puja have already been successfully mastered to the joy of our teachers.

For 2019 Lama Ngawang Tsultrim has chosen the Milarepa-Tsok-Puja for us to learn.

The next exercise weekend will take place on the following date (start always Friday at 19:00 CET and end Sunday 12:00 CET):

20. - 23. Jun. 2019

Everyone is welcome to participate. No prerequisites are required. Texts and instruments are provided by the Centre. For planning purposes, please register in advance.

Please observe the general information on courses and retreats. Here you will also find an overview of all courses in Benchen Phuntsok Ling.

For many years it has been a common practice in Benchen Phuntsok Ling to practice Nyung Neh. The Nyung Neh practice is very effective in purifying negative karma, accumulating merit and opening the heart to compassion.
This practice was brought to Tibet by the Indian nun Gelongma Palmo. Gelongma Palmo herself was seriously ill and in this state she had a vision of Chenresig, who gave her the long mantra of the Thousand-armed Chenresig as a healing spring. Thus Gelongma Palmo became healthy again and a yogini who later attained enlightenment.
The Nyungne Retreat is a special two-day meditation of the Thousand-armed Chenresig that belongs to the Kriya Tantra. It is said that through the practice of Nyungnes the gate to rebirth in low realms of existence is closed forever. The completion of eight Nyungnes will, according to tradition, lead to a rebirth in Dewachen.

In this course Lama Ngawang Tsultrim will first give detailed teachings on practice including visualization. He will then take the eight vows that are to be held during Nyung Neh from the participants and guide them step by step through the meditation practice. The retreat includes days of silence as well as days of fasting during which people neither eat nor drink.
Before participating in the Nyung Neh Retreat, it should be medically checked on one's own responsibility, whether the health requirements for participation are fulfilled. In addition, the prerequisite for participation is the empowerment of the Thousand-armed Chenresig.

The Chöd practice originates from the second turning of the Dharma wheel by Buddha Shakyamuni. It was spread in India by Padampasangye and in Tibet by Matchig Labtrön. It is a powerful meditation practice to "cut through" or overcome the grasping for material things, the mental poisons (Kléshas), and above all the grasping for a self (Chöd).
Lama Ngawang Tsultrim will give background information about this ritual of "cutting through" as well as guide the practice step by step with visualization, melody and instruments (bell and Chöd drum). The short Chöd text "Milam Lungten" by Karma Chagme will be used as a basis.

Prerequisite for participation in this course is an initiation into the Chöd practice.