End-of-Year Retreat 2019 - Part One: Buddha Nature

9:45am 24 December 2019 - 4:00pm 28 December 2019

Cost: £0.00

Venue: Samye Ling

To book this course please select it in the Extras offered after you have chosen your accommodation on the booking form. Please click here to book.

Tibetan, Pureland and Zen Buddhism are all rooted in the Buddha’s teachings on our potential for enlightenment or buddha nature. The great 4th century Indian manster Asanga gathered these in one clear, deep text that has become the refernce on this. Understanding buddha nature is vital for practice of vajrayana Buddhism and in particular for Mahamudra meditation.

In 1977, the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa entrusted the translation of these teachings of Asanga to Ken and Katia Holmes. This led to a series of publications of the root texts and commentaries. Ken was authorised to teach on this profound topic in the 1980s, having received detailed transmission from Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso.

Part One: Buddha Nature: Dec 24 – 28
The first four chapters deal with the Three Refuges (Buddha, Dharma & Sangha) but uniquely from the point of view of ultimate truth. The fourth deals, in detail, with how the peace, wisdom and love of a buddha is already perfectly present within us, yet hidden, like a buried treasure. Instruction in the tonglen practice will be given daily during this course. Open to all.

Starts 09.45 24th Dec, ends 16.00 28th Dec

Daily Timings

09:45 - 11:15 Morning teaching
11:45 - 12:30 Informal Discussion & Questions
15:00 - 16:15 Afternoon Teaching
17:00 - 18:00 Meditation Instruction and Practice: day by day, step by step, guided meditations for the Tonglen practice.

First Session: 09:45 Tuesday 24th December

Wed 25th Teaching in both mornings sessions. No 15.00 session due to long Mahakala prayers in shrine, 17.00 session as usual.

Sat 28th 19.00 Welcome & Introduction to Part Two of Course

Last Session ends 16:00 Thursday 2nd January

There is no fee for this course although donations are welcome. Your offering will help with the Monastery's considerable running costs, as well as the expenses incurred in inviting teachers.  Donations may be made in the Reception Office.