Khenpo Karten Rinpoche's Nepal Retreat
2023-10-31 00:00 - 2023-12-05 23:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
On October 31st, Rinpoche will be flying to Nepal to go into a 1-month retreat, and will return to the Manjushri Dharma Center in Pacific Grove December 5, 2023.

New Year Retreat 2024 - Phowa Teaching and Transmission
2024-01-13 09:00 - 2024-01-15 15:30 | Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
New Year Retreat 2024: Phowa Teaching and Transmission
Venerable Khenpo Karten Rinpoche
Saturday through Monday, January 13-15, 2024
9:00am to 5:00pm Sat/Sun, 9:00am to 3:30pm Mon
In-Person Only (no Zoom option, will not be recorded)
Open to all who have taken refuge or who have the basic foundations of Buddhist teachings
Registration required, donations requested, but no one turned away for lack of funds
Suggested donation: $150 for all three days
REGISTER HERE
About Phowa
The subject of the retreat is the profound and esoteric practice of Phowa, often translated as ‘transference of consciousness’. In Phowa practice, the consciousness of a person is transferred to enlightenment or a higher state of being, and is based on the Buddhist beliefs of righteous Buddha worlds where spiritual enlightenment is easy and fast and on the Tantric Buddhist concept of the psycho-physical human anatomy made up of energy channels, vital energies and flexible nature of consciousness. Phowa is often practiced or applied by spiritual people at the time of death. Please click this link for a brief explanation of the practice.
Retreat Schedule
8:30am: Venue will be open for you to arrive & get settled
Saturday/Sunday
9:00am to 10:30am
10:40am to 12:00pm
2:00pm to 3:30pm
3:40pm to 5:00pm
Monday
9:00am to 10:30am
10:40am to 12:00pm
2:00pm to 3:30pm
Prerequisites to Attend

Refuge with Rinpoche or another teacher, and the basic foundation of Buddhist teaching and practice.

Because of the nature of this teaching and transmission, Rinpoche has requested that students who attend the retreat are those who have taken refuge, have fundamental teachings of the Buddhist path, and who are Buddhist practitioners. Thus, this will not be an open-to-the-public event.

Commitment to all three days of the retreat

Because of the complex nature of this teaching, it is requested that students attend all three days, so the continuity of the teachings is unbroken. With understanding and compassion for any unforeseen circumstances that may cause disruption, we ask attendees to sign up with the intention to remain for all three days of the retreat.
Other Considerations

Special Retreat Commitment: As with most Buddhist retreats, there are some commitments asked of attendees for the retreat days. Rinpoche asked only that no alcohol or drugs be consumed. He did not state that participants need to be vegetarian, etc. , though participants can follow the retreat traditions they are familiar with.
Texts: texts will be provided as a photocopied booklet during the retreat
In-person only: the teaching will not be available via live-stream nor will it be recorded
Food and personal comfort: there will be floor seating, floor cushions, and chairs available, but attendees should bring anything that would make them comfortable for the teaching; attendees should plan to bring their own food/beverages or purchase from nearby restaurants. There are many options for coffee/tea/food in the area around Wave Street studios. (we hope to have the Momo Food Truck again, but this is not yet certain).
Flowers for the altar: participants may bring flowers for the alter if they wish, but this is not to be considered a burden or requirement.

Donations & Registration

Sliding scale: Participants can make the suggested donation of $150.00 through the EventBrite registration, but if you cannot donate at this time, please do not feel any shame or hesitancy to attend. A minimum of $1.00 is required by the EventBrite system to complete the registration. All donations are tax deductible.
Dana and additional donations: When you register with EventBrite, you will have the opportunity to offer Dana (a monetary gift of respect) for Khenpo Karten Rinpoche and translator Jampa Tharchin (David Molk). We ask that Dana be in addition to the suggested donation for the retreat. Beyond giving Dana, you may choose to donate additional funds on behalf of those who cannot afford to give at this time. Please specify your wishes in the registration.
Other ways to donate: Participants can donate via PayPal, Venmo, by check or cash if preferred. Please visit the Manjushri Dharma Center donation page for details, or contact: Pam Krone, MDC Co-Treasurer: pamkrone@gmail.com
Other ways to register: Participants who cannot complete the EventBrite registration are asked to email manjushridharmacenter831@gmail.com (please be patient as this is volunteer staffed)

Questions
Please contact our volunteers at manjushridharmacenter831@gmail.com. We have no phone number to call, apologies–inquiries by email only.

About the Venerable Khenpo Karten Rinpoche
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche is an accomplished teacher and practitioner of the Karma Kagyu Lineage and is also trained in the Nyingma Lineage of Buddhism. He was born in the beautiful mountains of the Himalayas of Tibet. At the age of twelve, he was ordained at Ja-pa monastery, where he began his formal education of reading, writing and ritual practice. At the age of fifteen having completed the basic studies, he furthered his studies in the Sutra and Tantric texts under the accomplished master Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche and Pema Tsewang Rinpoche for eight years. Subsequently Khenpo Karten Rinpoche went to the hermitage of anther accomplished teacher, Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche and completed five years of retreat under the great master. In the retreat he completed the practices of the Naropa’s six yoga, Mahamudra and many others. In recognition of his achievements, Sangye Tenzin Ringpoche bestowed upon him the title, Khenpo Karma Lekshe Tharchin in 1994.
In 1996, he left Tibet and traveled to Dharamsala, India to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Upon His Holiness’ advice, he spent another two years doing retreat. H.H Dalai Lama also recognizing his achievement, bestowed upon him the title Khenpo Rinpoche. After his retreat, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche was requested by H.E Tai Situ Rinpoche to go to the monastery of Venerable Tsoknyi Rinpoche, to teach the young monks there.
Khenpo Karten arrived in the United States in 2008, and taught in the Monterey Bay area for the first time in September of that year. After meeting a group of prospective students and seeing the hills of Big Sur which remind him of Tibet, he returned in 2009 to make the Monterey Bay his permanent home. Since then, Rinpoche has established the Manjushri Dharma Center (MDC) in Pacific Grove, California, which has become his main teaching location and his home residence. With unflinching faith in the precious Buddha Dharma, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, now a U.S. citizen, bestows sacred teachings to thousands of people all over the world, with weekly teachings and events.

About David Molk aka Jampa Tharchin, esteemed Translator, Interpreter, and Author
David Molk studied Tibetan language at Venerable Geshe Rabten’s Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies in Mont-Pèlerin, Switzerland. Since 1987 he has interpreted and translated for many Tibetan lamas. He lives in Big Sur, California.
Learn more about David’s translated books: David Molk (shambhala.com)

Image used in this announcement: Amitabha in Sukhavati Paradise, Tibetan Thongka circa 1700, public domain courtesy of the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Amitabha Initiation & Retreat in Taiwan
2024-02-15 22:00 - 2024-02-16 01:30 | CA
Rinpoche will be leading an Amitabha Initiation and Retreat in Taiwan at the Taichung City Deguang Cultural and Educational Foundation, and our Dharma brothers and sisters there have kindly agreed to allow Rinpoche’s international sangha to attend. There is a Facebook post with the announcement in Chinese. Even though the proceedings will be in Chinese, Rinpoche’s English and Tibetan speaking students can still benefit and are welcome to participate.
How to Participate: on Zoom會議連結
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86128187269?pwd=[REDACTED]

會議ID 86128187269
Password 021009

How to Participate: on VooV: Please download the “Voov meeting” app; Register with the app, then to join the meeting, use the following link #, no password required: #VooVMeeting：348-4713-0251
Text: Here is the Amitabha Retreat Text in Chinese and Tibetan (sorry, no English), and participants will recognize much of the familiar Amitabha sadhana, which is in Tibetan, English, and Chinese: The Recitation for Accomplishment of Sukhavati from the Sky Dharma Mind Terma.

2024 Amitabha Initiation and Rebirth in the Pure Land Retreat

Initiation and Presiding Guru Khenpo Karten Rinpoche

*
Initiation date:
Friday, February 16, 2024 from 14:00 Taipei Standard Time
(corresponds to 10:00pm on Thursday, February 15 Pacific Time)
Retreat Dates & Sessions:

Saturday, February 17, 2024
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 16, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 16, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time ( Friday, February 16, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Sunday, February 18, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Friday, February 23
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Saturday, February 24
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Sunday, February 25
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Sunday, February 25, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Important Notes
Anyone who has received Amitabha initiation from any lineage can participate. Only those who have not received the initiation must first take the initiation before participating in the retreat. There is no need to register, just for the sake of it. During the retreat period, please put aside other external matters and fully attend the course.

Amitabha Initiation & Retreat in Taiwan
2024-02-16 16:30 - 2024-02-17 01:30 | CA
Rinpoche will be leading an Amitabha Initiation and Retreat in Taiwan at the Taichung City Deguang Cultural and Educational Foundation, and our Dharma brothers and sisters there have kindly agreed to allow Rinpoche’s international sangha to attend. There is a Facebook post with the announcement in Chinese. Even though the proceedings will be in Chinese, Rinpoche’s English and Tibetan speaking students can still benefit and are welcome to participate.
How to Participate: on Zoom會議連結
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86128187269?pwd=[REDACTED]

會議ID 86128187269
Password 021009

How to Participate: on VooV: Please download the “Voov meeting” app; Register with the app, then to join the meeting, use the following link #, no password required: #VooVMeeting：348-4713-0251
Text: Here is the Amitabha Retreat Text in Chinese and Tibetan (sorry, no English). Participants will recognize and can use the familiar Amitabha sadhana, which is in Tibetan, English, and Chinese: The Recitation for Accomplishment of Sukhavati from the Sky Dharma Mind Terma.

2024 Amitabha Initiation and Rebirth in the Pure Land Retreat

Initiation and Presiding Guru Khenpo Karten Rinpoche

*
Initiation date:
Friday, February 16, 2024 from 14:00 Taipei Standard Time
(corresponds to 10:00pm on Thursday, February 15 Pacific Time)
Retreat Dates & Sessions:

Saturday, February 17, 2024
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 16, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 16, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time ( Friday, February 16, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Sunday, February 18, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Friday, February 23
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Saturday, February 24
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Sunday, February 25
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Sunday, February 25, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Important Notes
Anyone who has received Amitabha initiation from any lineage can participate. Only those who have not received the initiation must first take the initiation before participating in the retreat. There is no need to register, just for the sake of it. During the retreat period, please put aside other external matters and fully attend the course.

Amitabha Initiation & Retreat in Taiwan
2024-02-17 16:30 - 2024-02-18 01:30 | CA
Rinpoche will be leading an Amitabha Initiation and Retreat in Taiwan at the Taichung City Deguang Cultural and Educational Foundation, and our Dharma brothers and sisters there have kindly agreed to allow Rinpoche’s international sangha to attend. There is a Facebook post with the announcement in Chinese. Even though the proceedings will be in Chinese, Rinpoche’s English and Tibetan speaking students can still benefit and are welcome to participate.
How to Participate: on Zoom會議連結

Zoom ID 889 1727 3019
PASSWORD 144904

How to Participate: on VooV: Please download the “Voov meeting” app; Register with the app, then to join the meeting, use the following link #, no password required: #VooVMeeting：348-4713-0251
Text: Here is the Amitabha Retreat Text in Chinese and Tibetan (sorry, no English). Participants will recognize and can use the familiar Amitabha sadhana, which is in Tibetan, English, and Chinese: The Recitation for Accomplishment of Sukhavati from the Sky Dharma Mind Terma.

2024 Amitabha Initiation and Rebirth in the Pure Land Retreat

Initiation and Presiding Guru Khenpo Karten Rinpoche

*
Initiation date:
Friday, February 16, 2024 from 14:00 Taipei Standard Time
(corresponds to 10:00pm on Thursday, February 15 Pacific Time)
Retreat Dates & Sessions:

Saturday, February 17, 2024
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 16, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 16, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time ( Friday, February 16, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Sunday, February 18, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Friday, February 23
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Saturday, February 24
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Sunday, February 25
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Sunday, February 25, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Important Notes
Anyone who has received Amitabha initiation from any lineage can participate. Only those who have not received the initiation must first take the initiation before participating in the retreat. There is no need to register, just for the sake of it. During the retreat period, please put aside other external matters and fully attend the course.

Amitabha Initiation & Retreat in Taiwan
2024-02-22 16:30 - 2024-02-23 01:30, 2024-02-23 16:30 - 2024-02-24 01:30, 2024-02-24 16:30 - 2024-02-25 01:30 | CA
Rinpoche will be leading an Amitabha Initiation and Retreat in Taiwan at the Taichung City Deguang Cultural and Educational Foundation, and our Dharma brothers and sisters there have kindly agreed to allow Rinpoche’s international sangha to attend. There is a Facebook post with the announcement in Chinese. Even though the proceedings will be in Chinese, Rinpoche’s English and Tibetan speaking students can still benefit and are welcome to participate.
How to Participate: on Zoom: Use meeting ID 337 097 2543, there is no password required. This should remain the same for the last three days of the retreat.

How to Participate: on VooV: Please download the “Voov meeting” app; Register with the app, then to join the meeting, use the following link #, no password required: #VooVMeeting：348-4713-0251
Text: Here is the Amitabha Retreat Text in Chinese and Tibetan (sorry, no English). Participants will recognize and can use the familiar Amitabha sadhana, which is in Tibetan, English, and Chinese: The Recitation for Accomplishment of Sukhavati from the Sky Dharma Mind Terma.

2024 Amitabha Initiation and Rebirth in the Pure Land Retreat

Initiation and Presiding Guru Khenpo Karten Rinpoche

*
Initiation date:
Friday, February 16, 2024 from 14:00 Taipei Standard Time
(corresponds to 10:00pm on Thursday, February 15 Pacific Time)
Retreat Dates & Sessions:

Saturday, February 17, 2024 Taipei Time (See Pacific Time/date below)

Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 16, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 16, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time ( Friday, February 16, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Sunday, February 18, 2024 Taipei Time (See Pacific Time/date below)
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 17, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Sunday, February 18, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Friday, February 23, 2024 Taipei Time (See Pacific Time/date below)
Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Thursday, February 22, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Saturday, February 24, 2024 Taipei Time (See Pacific Time/date below)

Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Friday, February 23, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Sunday, February 25, 2024 Taipei Time (See Pacific Time/date below)

Session 1: 08:30 to 10:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 4:30pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 2: 10:30 to 12:00 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Time)
Session 3: 14:00 to 15:30 Taipei Time (Saturday, February 24, at 10:00pm to 11:30pm Pacific Time)
Session 4: 16:00 to 17:30 Taipei Time (Sunday, February 25, at 12:00am to 1:30am Pacific Time)
Important Notes
Anyone who has received Amitabha initiation from any lineage can participate. Only those who have not received the initiation must first take the initiation before participating in the retreat. There is no need to register, just for the sake of it. During the retreat period, please put aside other external matters and fully attend the course.

New Year Retreat 2026--the Heart Sutra & Chenrezig Empowerment
2026-02-14 08:00 - 2026-02-16 17:00 | Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
New Year Retreat 2026: Teachings on the Heart Sutra and Chenrezig Empowerment
with Venerable Khenpo Karten Rinpoche
Saturday through Monday, February 14-16
Wave Street Studios
774 Wave Street, Monterey, CA 93940
10:00am to 6:00pm Saturday
9:00am to 5:00pm Sunday
9:00am to 3:30pm Monday
In-Person (Recorded, but not hosted on Zoom)
Registration required, donations requested, but no one turned away for lack of funds
Suggested donation: 180.00 for all three days, sliding scale
Register Here (via EventBrite)
Can’t register online? No problem! Contact Rachel at rachelmdc2016@gmail.com or call 831-277-0529. We will get you signed up to attend! Walk-ins also welcome.
About the Heart Sutra
The Heart Sutra is one of the most precious texts in all of Buddhism. In the space of a single page, in words ascribed to the bodhisattva (“buddha-to-be”) of compassion, Avalokiteshvara (known as Chenrezig in Tibet), the Heart Sutra discusses the doctrine of “emptiness” (shunyata), a profound Buddhist concept referring to the lack of inherent, independent existence in all phenomena. It signifies that things are “empty” of a permanent self or essence, existing instead in a state of interconnectedness and potential.
Realizing the true nature of reality and the true nature of one’s own mind is the ultimate goal of all Buddhist practice. This realization frees one from all fear, all harmful inner states, and allows the flow of infinite love and compassion, innate within all of us, to emerge and shine.
We are so fortunate that we will receive three days of teachings on this foundational text from Rinpoche!
Translations

The translation we are using in the retreat comes from the Kagyu Monlam Book: A Compilation for Recitation (second edition, not available online)
Here is a translation of the Heart Sutra text from Lotsawa House (in English, Tibetan, French and Portuguese)
Here is another translation from Lama Yeshe & Lama Zopa Rinpoche: https://www.lamayeshe.com/article/heart-sutra, and that page offer links to a beautiful PDF in English, Tibetan, and Italian
Rinpoche’s trusted Dharma brother Thay Kozen offers a translation of the Heart Sutra in the Mount Adams Buddhist Temple Chant Book on page 12, as well as a recording of the Heart Sutra chant here. (all English)

About Chenrezig
Avalokiteshvara, or Chenrezig in Tibetan, is the Bodhisattva who embodies the love and compassion of all Buddhas. Chenrezig is an important deity in Tibet and considered the patron Bodhisattva of the Tibetan people. Chenrezig is also believed by Tibetans to be the actual progenitor of the Tibetan people. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness the Karmapa are considered living Buddhas, emanations of Chenrezig. It is said that in Tibet even babies upon birth know the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM.
About Empowerment
An empowerment is a ceremony to formally introduce the transformative energy represented by the Buddha or Boddhisattva (in this case Chenrezig, Buddha of Compassion) to the student’s mind, and can only be transmitted by a qualified lineage holder. We are very fortunate that Khenpo Karten Rinpoche is a highly qualified and realized teacher, and is willing to impart this empowerment to us. This is only the second empowerment he has offered to his western students. Empowerment is an energy and oral tradition transfer which depends on the intentions of the teacher and students to awaken the qualities of the Buddha within us. All the Buddhas represent energies that are innate to us, but that may be clouded by the delusions of anger, attachment, and ignorance.
As Rinpoche wrote last year, there are two types of empowerments, jenang (རྗེས་གནང་།) and wang chen (དབང་ཆེན།)–the Chenrezig empowerment we will receive at this retreat is jenang. With this type of empowerment, there are not so many commitments, samaya, and tantric vows and connections between the Teacher and students. Jenang in Tibetan means “subsequent permission.” With this empowerment, practitioners are given ‘permission’ from the Lama to practice, visualize, and chant mantras associated with the deity, etc. Though one can most definitely practice a deity without being given this empowerment, this je nang empowerment ensures that the practice is being properly rooted and practiced.
The second type of empowerment which Rinpoche will not be giving is referred to as wang chen (དབང་ཆེན།), which is a full initiation into the Vajrayana path and also has many types and stages. This is much longer, much more elaborate, tantric empowerment, establishing deeper connections between the Lama and disciples and is associated with more serious vows and samaya. This type of initiation is something that he may consider for the future.
Empowerment Commitments
Rinpoche will clarify this for us in the coming days, but a typical empowerment commitment is to practice the sadhana (chanted prayers) once a month, or at least have that intention. We practice the Chenrezig sadhana in-person and on Zoom each month at our center–attending that or another Dharma center’s practice, or practicing on your own will keep the commitment. Nurturing the energy of the deity in one’s mind is the main point of empowerment commitments.
Practice Texts

Rinpoche wrote this text on the occasion of our first Heart Sutra retreat in 2019 (he may update this text for 2026): Essence of the Heart Sutra in Brief
In advance of the retreat, if you are able, please read Essence of the Heart Sutra, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama – Wisdom Publications, 2002. Here is a description:

For more than two thousand years, the Heart Sutra has been part of the daily life of millions of Buddhists. This concise text, so rich and laden with meaning, concentrates the very heart of Buddhism into a powerful and evocative teaching on the interdependence of all reality. In Essence of the Heart Sutra, the Dalai Lama masterfully unpacks the Heart Sutra so that any reader can benefit from its teachings – teachings meant to help us release ourselves from suffering and live with true compassion. Comprised of his Heart of Wisdom talks, originally delivered to thousands of listeners in 2001, the book offers the Dalai Lama’s commentary as well as his easy-to-follow overview of Buddhist philosophy that places the sutra within its historical and philosophical context. With additional contributions by scholar and translator Thupten Jinpa, Essence of the Heart Sutra is the authoritative presentation of a text seminal to the world’s religious heritage.

The retreat will also include daily chanted prayers of Amitabha Buddha (the Buddha of Infinite Light) and the opportunity to receive or renew Bodhisattva vows. The Amitabha sadhana and all practice texts will be provided for use during the retreat (we then collect these copies back, typically). Here is a link to the Amitabha text (in Tibetan, English, and Chinese): The Recitation for Accomplishment of Sukhavati from the Sky Dharma Mind Terma.
Preliminary and Accompanying Prayers (we will collect these back typically)

Retreat Schedule
Saturday
Empowerment will take place on Saturday–NOTE: we will start an hour later on Saturday, due to the late-night of setting up
Venue opens at 9:30am
10:00am to 11:30am
11:40am to 1:00pm
3:00pm to 4:30pm
4:40pm to 6:00pm
Sunday
Venue opens at 8:30 am
9:00am to 10:30am
10:40am to 12:00pm
2:00pm to 3:30pm
3:40pm to 5:00pm
Monday
Venue opens at 8:30 am
9:00am to 10:30am
10:40am to 12:00pm
2:00pm to 3:30pm
General Retreat Considerations

Special Retreat Commitment: As with most Buddhist retreats, there are some commitments asked of attendees for the retreat days. Rinpoche asked only that no alcohol or drugs be consumed. He did not state that participants need to be vegetarian, etc. , though participants can follow the retreat traditions they are familiar with.
Texts: texts will be provided during the retreat
In-person, TBD if available via live-stream nor will it be recorded
Food and personal comfort: there will be floor seating, floor cushions, and chairs available, but attendees should bring anything that would make them comfortable for the teaching; attendees should plan to bring their own food/beverages or purchase from nearby restaurants during the lunch break. Coffee/tea/snacks will be provided to retreat participants from the many options available at Wave Street studios.
Flowers for the altar: participants may bring flowers for the alter if they wish, but this is not to be considered a burden or requirement.
Open to all with an interest in Buddhism, no special prerequisites required

Donations & Registration

Sliding scale: Participants can register and make the suggested donation of $180.00 for all three days via EventBrite, but if you cannot donate at this time, please do not feel any shame or hesitancy to attend. A minimum of $1.00 is required by the EventBrite system to complete the registration. All donations are tax deductible.
Additional Donations to Help Fund Others: When you register with EventBrite, you will have the opportunity to donate additional funds on behalf of those who cannot afford to give at this time. Please specify your wishes in the registration.
Dana: On the last day of the retreat, it is customary to offer Dana (a monetary gift of respect) for Khenpo Karten Rinpoche and for translator Jampa Tharchin (David Molk). Please bring cash and please put it in an envelope. For Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, we will also offer katas, a white ceremonial scarf–we will have katas and envelopes available at the retreat.
Other ways to donate: Participants can donate via PayPal, Venmo, by check or cash if preferred. Please visit the Manjushri Dharma Center donation page for details, or contact: manjushridharmacenter831@gmail.com (please be patient as this is volunteer staffed)
Other ways to register: Participants who cannot complete the EventBrite registration are asked to email Rachel at rachelmdc2016@gmail.com or call 831-277-0529. Walk ins will be welcome to attend as well.

Retreat Location & Parking

Wave Street Studios is located at 774 Wave Street, Monterey, CA 93940, and the main entrance is accessible from the Recreation Trail.
For more than 20 years, Wave Street Studios has created a beautiful space for the community, supporting the arts, honoring history, demonstrating sustainable building and lifestyle practices, and celebrating cultural expressions of many kinds. They have created sacred space for weddings, meditation, yoga, healing, and prayers of many traditions. Thank you Wave Street Studios for hosting our retreat once again! Want to know more? About Wave Street Studios
Parking
Free parking on Ocean View Blvd. and walk up the recreation trail. There is also a garage on Foam and Prescott.

Questions
Contact Rachel at rachelmdc2016@gmail.com or call 831-277-0529.

The Lineage Gurus–Khenpo Karten Rinpoche’s Precious Teachers
Here are some photos and links to stories about Khenchen Karma Tseten, Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche, and Drupchen Karnor Rinpoche.

Mahamudra Teacher Khenchen Karma Tseten

Khenpo La’s Uncle, Lama Gemphel Rinpoche, Green Tara lineage

Venerable Japa Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche, Rinpoche’s heart teacher, Phowa and Green Tara lineage

Dzogchen Teacher Taritur

Mahamudra Teacher Second Milarepa Lama Kharnor Rinpoche

About the Venerable Khenpo Karten Rinpoche
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche is an accomplished teacher and practitioner of the Karma Kagyu Lineage and is also trained in the Nyingma Lineage of Buddhism. He was born in the beautiful mountains of the Himalayas of Tibet. At the age of twelve, he was ordained at Ja-pa monastery, where he began his formal education of reading, writing and ritual practice. At the age of fifteen having completed the basic studies, he furthered his studies in the Sutra and Tantric texts under the accomplished master Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche and Pema Tsewang Rinpoche for eight years. Subsequently Khenpo Karten Rinpoche went to the hermitage of anther accomplished teacher, Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche and completed five years of retreat under the great master. In the retreat he completed the practices of the Naropa’s six yoga, Mahamudra and many others. In recognition of his achievements, Sangye Tenzin Ringpoche bestowed upon him the title, Khenpo Karma Lekshe Tharchin in 1994.
In 1996, he left Tibet and traveled to Dharamsala, India to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Upon His Holiness’ advice, he spent another two years doing retreat. H.H Dalai Lama also recognizing his achievement, bestowed upon him the title Khenpo Rinpoche. After his retreat, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche was requested by H.E Tai Situ Rinpoche to go to the monastery of Venerable Tsoknyi Rinpoche, to teach the young monks there.
Khenpo Karten arrived in the United States in 2008, and taught in the Monterey Bay area for the first time in September of that year. After meeting a group of prospective students and seeing the hills of Big Sur which remind him of Tibet, he returned in 2009 to make the Monterey Bay his home. Since then, Rinpoche has established the Manjushri Dharma Center (MDC) in Pacific Grove, California, which has become his main teaching location and his home residence. With unflinching faith in the precious Buddha Dharma, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, now a U.S. citizen, bestows sacred teachings to thousands of people all over the world, with weekly teachings and events.

About David Molk aka Jampa Tharchin, esteemed Translator, Interpreter, and Author
David Molk studied Tibetan language at Venerable Geshe Rabten’s Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies in Mont-Pèlerin, Switzerland. Since 1987 he has interpreted and translated for many Tibetan lamas. David will be joining us in-person.
Learn more about David’s translated books: David Molk (shambhala.com)

Header image used in this announcement: from the 2025 Phowa retreat at Wave Street Studios
