COMPLETED : A most woinderful event !
We warmly welcome Geshe-la in July during the FPMT in Australia 2023 National "Cultivating Kindness" Tour
- Programs at other Australian Centres participating in this tour please CHECK HERE
SAVE THE DATES July 12-16 when we will be offering a beautiful daily program focusing mainly on Guru Rinpoche & Chenrezig Buddha of Compassion
What have we got planned?
Practices Praises and Meditations during 1-2 days of retreat, we will discover the wisdom of The Importance and Power of Holy Objects during an afternoon with Geshe la - welcoming Q&A - we will be filling and consecrating our new Guru Rinpoche statue -
plus offering a purifying Incense Puja - a wonderful practice to clear obstacles and negativities on the path and cleanse the surrounding environment - we will use a text composed by Padmasambhava [Guru Rinpoche] and then a session commencing our participation in the Virtual MANI retreat hosted by the South East Asian Region and concluding the program, the launching of Geshe Zopas' new book titled 'Compassion - A Guide to the Mantra Practices of the Great Compassionate One'( a compilation of teachings received during CTCT Annual Saka Dawa Mani Retreat 2021)
~ Please REGISTER HERE ASAP ~ to join us and check how you can become a valued sponsor for this wonderful program of activities with Geshe Tenzin Zopa
Your registration is essential to assist our preparations for seating, refreshments, and course materials - thank you so much for your kind consideration and planning in advance - it is greatly appreciated - We will have time for community relaxation together and a special birthday celebration for all our July Birthday friends - email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be added to Enews to be kept updated for this event - Is your birthday in JULY? Please let us know if you are attending on July16
Everyone is welcome - participation is free and suitable for anyone who wishes to join us from near or far - in-person or online
Read more for PROGRAM SCHEDULE and Geshe Tenzin Zopa BIO
Even if you are unable to attend the program with us at this time you may wish to visit our DONATE page to make a general offering from the heart in support of this and ongoing Centre events benefiting others' participation ~ with thanks in advance for this generosity
Online links for applicable sessions will be shared closer to the dates for ALL registered participants
Your participation is appreciated and we look forward very much to seeing you soon for this most precious and wonderful upcoming time together
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Wednesday - July 12 Guru Rinpoche Statue preparation / Filling ~ in person [ online access TBC ]
Welcome thanksgiving
Morning session 10 am -12 | 12.30-1.45 LUNCH and Refreshment Break | Afternoon session 2-4 pm
If time allows Geshe-la will offer a teaching on methods and process of filling and mantra rolling etc to those attending - there can only be a few people involved in the actual placement of filling items and ingredients - so it will be an informal atmosphere together as we are watching on - however, it is a rare opportunity not to be missed!
We have gathered all the many Mantras ( already rolled) and ingredients - sandalwood powder, dried fragrant flower petals lavender and rose and precious gems required to fill the Guru Rinpoche statue - which Geshela will explain
What does it mean to FILL a Statue?
Lama Zopa Rinpoche says : "Leaving a statue empty is like offering nothing to the Buddhas and can create obstacles. Therefore, it is important to put something inside the statue, even as little as a few mantras and some incense. According to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, “The Four Dharmakaya Relic Mantras are the main mantras that give power to holy objects. They are what make holy objects most powerful and beneficial, and make it easy for sentient beings to purify negative karma and collective extensive merit. It is like having thousands of atomic bombs to purify negative karma.”
Thursday - July 13 Incense Puja & Consecration of Guru Rinpoche Statue ~ In-person [ online access TBC]
Incense Puja is a purification practice for personal clearing of obstacles to well-being and success in dharma activities
10 am -12 | 12.30-1.45 LUNCH and refreshment break
The ritual is used to purify contaminations that arise from ignorance, broken commitments, disturbing thoughts, and emotions, as well as a variety of other negativities which cause obstacles, illness, and misfortunes to oneself, others, and the environment.
The text we use "Incense Ritual by the Great Master Padmasambhava Called “The Divine Blue Water Clearing Away Contamination”
Hard copies will be available also PDF will be shared for online use.
2-4 pm Consecration of Guru Rinpoche statue
What does consecration mean?
Tibetan Buddhists believe that a Buddha statue is only an empty shell until after it is filled and consecrated by a qualified guru. As a result of the Buddha statue consecration, it will be aesthetically pleasing but it will also bring you blessings when you see it. These are the great blessings of the enlightened body, enlightened speech, and the enlightened mind.
“Giving Life to the Buddha”
- Body–filling, and consecration enlightens the statue body and it is no longer an empty shell.
- Speech – the mantras put inside the statue provide enlightened speech.
- Mind – the enlightened speech will transform the mind of the practitioner with positive energy.
Friday - July 14 Importance and Power of Holy Objects & Q&A ~ in person and online
2 pm - 4 pm - includes tea break
Saturday - July 15 Guru Rinpoche Retreat Day ~ in person and online. UPDATED SCHEDULE
Wisdom teachings with Geshela ~ guided motivations, meditations, mantra recitations, offerings, and praises
Guru Rinpoche Retreat x 2 sessions
9 am -11 am 1st session
11-12 Lunch
12.30 -2.30 pm Opening of the Global Virtual Mani Retreat ( hosted by FPMT East South East Asian Region ) via ZOOM in the Gompa with Geshe Zopa
The Abbot of Kopan Ken Rinpoche Geshe Choyni will be leading the opening
2.30-3 pm tea break
3 - 4.30 pm 2nd Session
Sunday, July 16 ~ in person and online UPDATED schedule:
12.30-2.30 pm We will join the Mani Retreat led by Geshe Tenzin Deyang, as a community via ZOOM in the Gompa with Geshe Zopa
2.30 pm - Book Launch - "Compassion" by Geshe Tenzin Zopa ( teachings from 2021 CTCT Annual Saka Dawa Mani Retreat)
3 - 4.30 pm Afternoon tea birthday celebration and Thanksgiving conclusion
What is a Mani retreat?
A mani retreat focuses on developing compassion through a joyful and uplifting practice of visualizing Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion and reciting his powerful mantra.It is easy to remember, easy to recite and its meaning is extremely profound.
Who is Geshe Tenzin Zopa ?
Geshe Tenzin Zopa holds the honored Geshe (Doctorate) degree from Sera Jey Monastic University, South India. He was born in the remote Himalayan region of Tsum Valley in Nepal and was ordained at the age of 9 in Kopan Monastery by the late Great Mahasiddha Geshe Lama Konchog. He received novice ordination from H.E. Geshe Lundrup Sopa Rinpoche and full ordination from H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama. Geshela was under the direct tutelage of H.E. Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, H.E. Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup Rigsel, The Great Mahasiddha Geshe Lama Konchog and Eminent Gurus including those from the Sera Jey Monastic University H.E. 104th Ganden Tri Rinpoche Losang Tenzin, 70th Abbot of Sera Jey Monastic University H.E. Khensur Losang Tsering Rinpoche and the 76th Abbot of Sera Jey Monastic University H.E. Logoan Tulku Tenzin Jampa Choesang Rinpoche.
Geshela possesses vast scriptural knowledge, holds many rare transmissions and initiations lineages, has completed many retreats, has extensive teaching experience and is skilled in rituals and astrology. Geshela has also undertaken many meaningful projects for many years.
He is the principal and focal point of the award-winning documentary film titled ''Unmistaken Child" which chronicles the search for the reincarnation of his master Geshe Lama Konchog. Now he is taking responsibility of overseeing the overall well-being of H.E Tulku Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche, the reincarnation of late Great Mahasiddha Geshe Lama Konchog.
He has frequently taken part as a speaker at many Buddhist, interfaith and peace dialogue conferences for many years.
He has taught at Oxford University (UK) under "Visitorship for Traditional Scholars" in the Tibetan and Himalayan Studies program. Since 2000 he has been actively been teaching in FPMT centers as a visiting and resident teacher. Currently, he is serving as a touring teacher for the FPMT centers and sits on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom
