From Rinpoche following ceremony, June 14, 2017:   Our Jewel Ornament of Liberation teachings, which commenced a year and nine months ago, has now ended and went extremely well.  We had a concluding celebration today with practice of Venerable Milarepa Guru Yoga and offering of Ganachakra.   The Ornament by Gampopa is such a precious, sacred instruction. We would not be incorrect to recognize it as the first Lamrim, Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, to appear in Tibet. It is the first time that I have taught the Ornament in America. I want to thank everyone involved, all members of my Manjushri Dharma Center who attended and helped make it happen for the wonderful opportunity. Apart from how much it benefitted others, it is always extremely beneficial for me to able to give such teachings. Thank you so much!

Over the course of a year and a nine months, August 2015 to April 2017, the sangha completed initial study of The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings, by the venerable Gampopa (1074-1153 C.E., depicted in thangka above),  also known as the Thargyen.   On June 14th, 2017, we celebrated all those who participated in this course of study with a special set of prayers (Milarepa sadhana) and a certificate ceremony.    Practitioners also completed a one to two page written reflection of the Thargyen, and turned those in to Rinpoche.   It was a nice way to celebrate and recognize those who participated in and completed listening, meditating and contemplation of this comprehensive work.

The day before we held this celebration, a very nice woman came by and donated a beautiful Thangka (religious painting) depicting the Dalai Lama and his life.   It is was very auspicious, as it was the Dalai Lama who recommended to Khenpo Karten Rinpoche that he teach the Thargyen to his western students.    It was as if the Dalai Lama came to celebrate with us, the full circle of his idea!  Read More:  The Auspicious Dalai Lama Thangka

Pictures from the Thargyen Certificate Ceremony:

Tsog offering and alter set up to honor Milarepa and Gampopa