Manjushri Dharma Center

Public Talk on Love and Compassion in New York
2017-05-24 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Kabbalah Center New York City, 155 East 48th Street, New York, CA, 10017, United States
Khenpo Karten Rinponche will give a public talk on Love and Compassion, the essence of Dharma practice.
Wednesday, May 24th
7:00PM Eastern Standard Time
Kabbalah Center New York City
16 W. 17th St., New York, NY 10011
Contact for Questions:
phone: (212) 644-0025
email: NY.UnionSquare@kabbalah.com
web newyork.kabbalah.com
Kabbalah Center Event Website

Bardo Teaching, Ridgefield Park, NJ
2017-05-27 11:00 - 17:00 | Private Residence, Carmel, CA, United States
Date: Saturday, May 27
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time
Location: Private residence, 82 Euclid Avenue, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, 07660
Description:
What is the bardo ? The Tibetan word bardo means the intermediate state, which is our state of existence before and after death. There are altogether six bardos from the moment of conception till death.
The purpose of understanding the bardo is to use every spiritual experience in this life as a preparation for the moment of death and the next rebirth. Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will teach on:
1. How to achieve happiness in this life with the first three bardos: Kyenay Bardo (the bardo of birth and life), Milam Bardo (the practice of dream yoga in the dream state) and Samten Bardo (the bardo of meditation or concentrative absorption);
2. How to achieve peace at the moment of dying through the final three bardos: Chinkai Bardo (the bardo of dying at the moment of death until complete dissolution of outer and inner elements), Chonyi Bardo (luminosity of our true nature) and Sipa Bardo (the bardo of our new form which is determined by our karmic accumulations and actions).
Contact for questions: TBA

Teaching at Bridgewater State Prison, Bridgewater, MA
2017-05-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Bridgewater State Prison, 20 Admin Road, Bridgewater, MA, 02324, United States
Every year, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche visits the Bridgewater State Prison to teach students incarcerated there. He composed the teaching below which includes an account of how Kyabje Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche, Khenpo Karten’s root guru, transformed his 21 years in a Chinese prison into complete freedom. This teaching is one of the most powerful and inspiring teachings this editor has ever read.
Link to Blog Post: Medicine For The Mind: Instructions for My Boston Dharma Brothers On Using Suffering and Obstacles for Mental Development
Download Teaching as PDF: Medicine For The Mind: Instructions for My Boston Dharma Brothers On Using Suffering and Obstacles for Mental Development

Developing the Supreme Good Heart, Public Talk in Plymouth, Massachusetts
2017-05-30 19:00 - 21:00 | First Parish Church, Plymouth, MA, 19 Town Square, Plymouth, MA, 02360 , United States
DEVELOPING THE SUPREME GOOD HEART
FIRST PARISH CHURCH IN PLYMOUTH, Massachusetts
Reverend Ed Hardy
19 Town Square Plymouth MA 02360
Tuesday, May 30
7:00pm to 9:00pm Eastern Standard Time
Contact for Questions: (508) 747-1606 or office@firstparishplymouthuu.org
Website: First Parish Plymouth Unitarian Universalist Church
Download flyer: Developing the Supreme Good Heart
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche and Rev. Ed Hardy taking a selfie.

Developing the Supreme Good Heart, Public Talk in Brockton, Massachusetts
2017-05-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Messiah Baptist Church, Brockton, MA, 80 LEGION PARKWAY, Brockton, MA, 02301, United States
DEVELOPING THE SUPREME GOOD HEART
Messiah Baptist Church, Brockton, Massachusetts
Reverend Michael Walker
80 LEGION PARKWAY, BROCKTON, MA
Wednesday, May 31
7:00pm to 9:00pm Eastern Standard Time
Contact for Questions: (508) 584-1963 or ssbmessiah@aol.com
Website:Messiah Baptist Church
Download flyer: Developing the Supreme Good Heart
Rev. Ed Hardy and Khenpo Karten Rinpoche at Messiah Baptist Church

Saka Dawa 2017
2017-06-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Message from Rinpoche sent to Sangha on Thursday, June 8: Saka Dawa full moon is tomorrow! This is the most holy and important day in all Buddhism. We celebrate the Buddha’s birthday, enlightenment, and death (paranirvana). The whole month of Saka Dawa is especially auspicious for creating merit. I really want my students to have a beautiful, happy celebration and create great merit in the world! Don’t miss this important occasion—it comes only once a year.
General description: Saka Dawa/Saga Dawa observations take place in the fourth Tibetan month, honoring Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. From May 26 to June 24, 2017, the planets and stars converge to make things especially auspicious, therefore, positive actions can be multiplied 100,000 times. This is a rare and important period, so practitioners are encouraged to practice Dharma and positive actions as much as possible during this time, and to refrain from harmful actions with extra mindfulness. Most holy of all is the full moon day of Saka Dawa, the 15th day of the Tibetan month, which will fall on Friday, June 9th.
Editor’s recap: The Manjushri Dharma Community gathered at 6:30pm, and attendees brought tsog offerings of flowers, fruits, popcorn, and sweets. Rinpoche arranged it all into a beautiful offering of food and flowers for the Guru, Three Jewels, Assembly of Heroes and Heroines. As part of the tsog ceremony, assistants made three heaping plates for the Guru, Buddha, and Dharma. The Sangha also partook in the offerings, imagining the food as holy nectar that purifies all negativities, to honor the divine within. It was a beautiful ceremony which served to accumulate merit and purify obscurations. Rinpoche took the time to explain the various parts of the ceremony to the Sangha, as this was only the second time a tsog ceremony was performed in our Forest Avenue center. After the formal tsog ceremony, participants prayed world peace. Thank you to all the Sangha members who helped with photocopies of prayers, setting up and breaking down of this Saka Dawa ceremony. Thank you to all who attended and collectively created such good energy for a peaceful world!
Rinpoche’s recap: Today, on the full moon of Saga Dawa, our offering ceremony went very well and we were able to create a tremendous amount of positive energy for the future. This root of virtue I dedicate to all living beings throughout all realms of existence . Thank you to everyone!
Pictures from June 9th, 2017 Saka Dawa Full Moon Ceremony:
Making special plates to share
Sharing a day of special blessings, Saka Dawa Full Moon Ceremony 2017
All the flowers made a special alter for Saturday meditation

More information about Saka/Saga Dawa as posted by Rinpoche on his Facebook page:
Saga Dawa is called the “month of merits” for Tibetan Buddhists. Dawameans “month” in Tibetan, and “Saga” or “Saka” is the name of a star prominent in the sky during the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, when Saga Dawa is observed. Saga Dawa usually begins in May and ends in June.
This is a month especially dedicated to “making merit.” Merit is understood in many ways in Buddhism. We can think of it as the fruits of good karma, especially when this brings us closer to enlightenment. In early Buddhist teachings the three grounds of meritorious action are generosity (dana), morality (sila), and mental culture or meditation (bhavana), although there are many ways to make merit.
Tibetan lunar months begin and end with a new moon. The full moon day that falls in the middle of the month is Saga Dawa Duchen; duchen means “great occasion.” In 2016, this day falls on Saturday, May 21st. This is the single most holy day of Tibetan Buddhism. Like the Theravadin observance of Vesak, Saga Dawa Duchen commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death (parinirvana) of the historical Buddha.

Ways to Make Merit
For Tibetan Buddhists, the month of Saga Dawa is the most auspicious time for meritorious actions. And on Saga Dawa Duchen the merits of worthy acts are multiplied 100,000 times.
Meritorious acts include pilgrimages to sacred places. There are many mountains, lakes, caves and other natural sites in Tibet that have attracted pilgrims for centuries. Pilgrims also go to venerated monasteries, temples and stupas. Pilgrims also travel to be in the presence of a holy person, such as a high lama.
Pilgrims may circumambulate a shrine or other holy place. This means walking clockwise around the holy site. As they circumambulate, pilgrims may pray and chant mantras, such as mantras to White or Green Tara, Om Mani Padme Hum or Buddha Amitabha. The circumambulation may include full-body prostrations.
Dana, or giving, may be the most common way for Buddhists of all traditions to make merit, especially giving donations to temples or to individual monks and nuns. During Saga Dawa, it’s also auspicious to give money to beggars. Traditionally, beggars line the roads on Saga Dawa Duchen knowing they are certain to receive something.
The lighting of butter lamps is a common devotional practice. Traditionally, butter lamps burned clarified yak butter, but these days they might be filled with vegetable oil. The lights are said to banish spiritual darkness as well as visual darkness. Tibetan temples burn a lot of butter lamps; donating lamp oil is another way to make merit.
Another way to make merit is by not eating meat. One can take this further by buying animals intended to be slaughtered and setting them free.

Observing Precepts
In many Buddhist traditions there are precepts observed by laypeople only on holy days. In Theravada Buddhism these are called the uposatha precepts. Lay Tibetan Buddhists sometimes follow the same eight precepts on holy days. During Saga Dawa, laypeople may keep these eight precepts on both new moon and full moon days.
These precepts are the first five basic precepts precepts for all lay Buddhists, plus three more. The first five are:
1. Not killing
2. Not stealing
3. Not misusing sex
4. Not lying
5. Not abusing intoxicants
On especially holy days, three more are added:
The sixth “holy day” precept is to eat only one meal, before noon. This is a basic precept for many monks and nuns, but most of the time it doesn’t apply to laypeople. “Grazing” is not allowed; once you’ve stopped eating for thirty minutes, the meal is done. For Tibetans, this one meal should not include meat, eggs, onions, garlic or radishes.
The seventh “holy day” precept is to avoid sleeping in a high, soft bed. The eighth is to not wear adornments — jewelry or cosmetics.
Sometimes lay Tibetans turn these special days into two-day retreats, with complete silence and fasting on the second day.

There are, of course, a variety of rituals and ceremonies performed during Saga Dawa, and these vary among the several schools of Tibetan Buddhism. In recent years, Chinese security forces have limited Ssga Dawa activities, including pilgrimages and ceremonies, in Tibet.

Thargyen Certificate Ceremony
2017-06-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Private Residence, CA, United States
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!
Background:
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

Blessing of the Waters: Summer Solstice 2017
2017-06-21 19:30 - 20:00 | Lover’s Point Beach, 17th St and Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
General recap: Khenpo Karten Rinpoche offered a Water Blessing Ceremony on the occasion of the Summer Solstice and First Day of Summer at Lovers Point beach in Pacific Grove. The blessing honored all the earth’s elements as Rinpoche chanted to pray for their protection. Participants offered a prayer for world peace and brought flower petals to contribute to this beautiful and moving ceremony.
Rinpoche’s recap: Yesterday, June 21st, the summer solstice, we had the 8th water blessing ceremony on the beach at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. Offerings were given to the nagas, the water serpents, of the three white substances: honey, milk, and yogurt, and many flowers and flower petals of brilliant colors which reset floating on the waves. There was quite a crowd of people! This ceremony of the water element is especially important for California which has droughts and floods and avalanches. I think the Nagas were very pleased!
Photos (thank you Stacy Loving, Heidi Feldman and all others who contributed photos):

Public Talk--Medicine for the Mind: Transforming Suffering into Joy
2017-06-24 11:15 - 12:15 | Private Residence, CA, United States
General Description: Every living being experiences suffering. Most people view suffering as something to get rid of and not look back. However, suffering can teach us compassion for others and can be used to train our mind in a way that good conditions cannot. In this very special public talk, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will give an account of his root guru’s 21 years in a Chinese prison, where Kyabje Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche transformed an atmosphere of starvation and fear into pure spiritual food and joy. Join us after our regular meditation class (which runs 10-11am) for this deeply inspiring teaching. Free event, all are welcome!
Background: Every year, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche visits the Bridgewater State Prison to teach students incarcerated there. He composed this teaching originally for them, and delivered it on May 29th. After reading the teaching, presented below, students in Pacific Grove requested he give the same teaching as a public talk. This teaching is one of the most powerful and inspiring teachings this editor has ever read.
Recap of event: On June 24, 2017 Khenpo Karten Rinpoche addressed the community with a public talk entitled, “Medicine for the Mind: Transforming Suffering into Joy.” The talk was based on his teaching given to Dharma students in prison in Boston earlier in May. The attendees read the written teaching aloud in its entirety, and Rinpoche expanded on “tong-len” or the practice of taking and giving. It was indeed powerful medicine for the mind.
Photo from Public Talk:

Link to Blog Post: Medicine For The Mind: Instructions for My Boston Dharma Brothers On Using Suffering and Obstacles for Mental Development
Download Teaching as PDF: Medicine For The Mind: Instructions for My Boston Dharma Brothers On Using Suffering and Obstacles for Mental Development

Land of Medicine Buddha Festival 2017
2017-07-01 09:00 - 17:00 | Land of Medicine Buddha, 5800 Prescott Road, Soquel , CA, 95073, United States
Once a year, Land of Medicine Buddha Retreat Center holds a grand day of celebration when the community comes together at their Wish Fulfilling Temple. They raise a 24 foot tall Medicine Buddha thangka (painting) between redwood trees, host Buddhist masters who lead the Medicine Buddha Pujas (prayers), offer a free lunch of Tibetan mo mo’s, music and dance offerings from many cultures, kids activities and more. It is a GRAND day day of celebration and offering.
The community at the Manjushri Dharma Center joined in the festivities, enjoying the day there. Here are some photos from the day.

More information: Land of Medicine Buddha Festival and Cultural Celebration

Happy Birthday Dalai Lama 2017
2017-07-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Rinpoche’s recap: On July 6th, we had a birthday celebration for his Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Manhunt Dharma Center in Pacific Grove. We prayed for his long life, and watched some very funny videos of him. We then enjoyed our always wonderful lucky pot and some terrific music by Michael Martinez on keyboard, Steve Baker on sitar, and David Molk on banjo, harmonica, and flute. Thanks to all musicians, and those who brought delicious food. It was a joyous occasion, and we hope to have this celebration for many years to come!
General Description: Thursday, July 6th, 2017 will mark the 82nd birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. He describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk, but he is also the spiritual leader of Tibet and a leader of peace around the world.
The community is invited to gather at the Manjushri Dharma Center to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s birthday with food, music, and friendship. Attendees are encouraged to bring a “luckypot” item to share (that is Rinpoche speak for potluck). We are fortunate this year to have been donated a stunning thangka (religious painting) of the 14th Dalai Lama, courtesy of the staff at Bernardus Lodge, which will be displayed prominently and honored as we celebrate this incredible man of peace.
Learn more: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso

Photos from the party:

Picnic at Pema Osel Ling
2017-07-16 12:00 - 19:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
On Sunday, July 16, 2017 members of the Manjushri Dharma Center community joined Khenpo Karten Rinpoche for a picnic in the redwoods and exploration of the Pema Osel Ling retreat center. Folks met at the Manjushri Dharma Center at noon and carpooled to Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center, located in the redwoods above Watsonville, about 45 minutes from Pacific Grove.
More Information: Pema Osel Ling Website

Photos:

Public Talk: Four Noble Truths
2017-07-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
July 27th, 2017 marks the Tibetan holy day of Chokhor Duechen, honoring the day that the Buddha Shakyamuni first taught the Four Noble Truths, and first turned the wheel of the Dharma. We will celebrate with a public talk on the Four Noble Truths given by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche. Please join us for this very special occasion!
Learn More: Chokhor Duechen in Tibet

Peace Lantern Ceremony
2017-08-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Lover’s Point Beach, 17th St and Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Peace Lantern Ceremony
7:00pm-9:00pm, Saturday, August 5th
Lover’s Point Beach
Ocean View Blvd & 17th Street, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will offer prayers at the ceremony which is part of the Thirteenth Annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Remembrance Day. This beautiful and moving tradition honors those who perished in 1945 and reaffirms our commitment to world peace. Event is free. The Peace Lantern event is sponsored by several peace organizations in Monterey County and the Friends/Quakers of Monterey.
Schedule includes:
7:00pm: Lantern making and Taiko drumming
7:45pm: Music and messages of hope and peace
8:15pm: Launching of the peace lanterns

Picnic Field Trip to Land of Medicine Buddha
2017-08-13 10:30 - 18:30 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Recap from Rinpoche: We had an AMAZING day today at the Land of Medicine Buddha. I think it would be beneficial for other centers to do something like what we did today. It is such a great way to explore Buddhism deeper and through the process, it also makes the bond between sangha members stronger and strengthens the sense of community as well. Thank you Manjushri Dharma Center for organizing this event and thank you everyone for joining us
As originally described: Join Khenpo Karten Rinpoche for a picnic in the redwoods and exploration of the Land of Medicine Buddha retreat center! Meet at the Manjushri Dharma Center (724 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove) at 10:30am on Sunday, August 13 and carpool to the Land of Medicine Buddha Retreat Center, located in Santa Cruz County at 5800 Prescott Road, Soquel, CA 95073. Bring a “trashless” picnic item to share. We will walk along the “8 Verses Pilgrimage Trail,” based on the “8 Verses in Training the Mind,” by Geshe Langri Tangpa. Free event, but donations to the Land of Medicine Buddha are welcome. More information: Land of Medicine Buddha Website Questions? Contact Rachel C. at rachelmdc2016@gmail.com or call the center at 831-901-3156.
Fun Recipe for Potato Dish (courtesy of Dechen Yangkyi): Aloo Tadka
Photos from the day:

Public Talk: How to Change Bad Habits
2017-08-19 11:15 - 12:15 | Private Residence, CA, United States
All of us have habits of mind that we struggle to curb. How can we train our mind in healthy habits and positive motivations? Join us on Saturday, August 19th after regular meditation practice (which runs from 10:00am to 11:00am) for a public talk by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche on How to Change Bad Habits.
Rinpoche wrote about the topic: “At its best, mind is that which proceeds to the city of Liberation. At its worst, however, mind is that which throws us into the swamp of samsara. Mind is like a crazed elephant, so strive in methods to control the mind.”
Free event, but donations welcome.
Questions? Contact Rachel C. at rachelmdc2016@gmail.com or call the center at 831-901-3156.

Special Eclipse Monday Night Chanted Prayers
2017-08-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
On the very auspicious day of Monday, August 21, 2017 we will recite a special prayer called the Prayer of Kuntuzangpo (Tib. ཀུན་བཟང་སྨོན་ལམ་, Kunzang Mönlam) — a famous Dzogchen aspiration prayer from the Gongpa Zangthal. It is to be recited especially during a solar or lunar eclipse, an earthquake or at the solstices. This aspiration prayer comes from the Dzogchen tantra called the Tantra of the Great Perfection which Shows the Penetrating Wisdom of Samantabhadra. In Tibetan, the short title of this tantra is Gongpa Zangthal Gyi Gyü, which means “The Tantra of Penetrating Wisdom” or “The Tantra of Transcendent Intention.” Monday is considered a “merit multiplier day,” meaning that our intentions and actions are amplified by countless millions, so practitioners are encouraged to set positive intentions and to act in accordance with love and compassion with special focus on this day. Rinpoche will lead us in the special prayer of the Kunzang Mönlam, and in addition, we will recite the Avalokiteshvara prayers, the Buddha of Great Compassion and rainbow light, wishing freedom from suffering for all sentient beings. Join us for this very meritorious night! Free of charge, but donations are welcome.
Learn More: Read the entire prayer of Kunzang Mönlam

Saturday Morning Meditation
2017-09-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Meditation is a helpful way to relax the body, calm the mind, and learn to know the mind. Join us Saturday mornings as Rinpoche gives a brief teaching followed by silent meditation practice. A donation of $10.00 per class is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

10th Annual Amitabha Puja, Portland, Oregon
2017-09-09 07:00 - 2017-09-17 17:00 | Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association, 4401 NE 122nd Avenue, Portland, OR, 97230, United States
September 9-17: Ven. Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will lead the Tenth Annual Amitabha Puja and give teachings based on Three Principal Aspects of the Path by Je Tsongkhapa Chenpo and The Five-Fold Path of Mahamudra to the Tibetan Community of Portland, OR and Southwest Washington.
The first three days will be the Tibetan Community Center of the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association and the last three days will be at the Mt. Adams Zen Buddhist Temple in Trout Lake, WA.
Learn More: Tenth Annual Amitabha Puja in Portland

Monday Night Chanted Prayers
2017-09-11 18:30 - 20:00, 2017-09-18 18:30 - 20:00, 2017-09-25 18:30 - 20:00, 2017-10-02 18:30 - 20:00, 2017-10-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Chanted prayers are an important component of training in spiritual life. They help us to still our mind, connect with the Buddhas and receive blessings. Join us on Monday evenings as Rinpoche leads us in chanted prayers recited in Tibetan and English. Prayers are typically those of Amitabha Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Light), but occasionally also Avalokiteshvara Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Compassion) or Medicine Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Healing). We imagine a world transformed, purified, and at peace. Beginners to advanced practitioners are welcome, prayer books are provided. Free of charge, but donations are welcome.

Saturday Morning Meditation
2017-09-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2017-09-30 10:00 - 11:00, 2017-10-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2017-10-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Private Residence, CA, United States
Meditation is a helpful way to relax the body and calm the mind. Join us Saturday mornings as Rinpoche gives a brief teaching followed by silent meditation practice. Afterwards, we enjoy tea together. A donation of $10.00 per class is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

One Day Retreat: Purification & Meditation
2017-09-23 10:00 - 17:00 | Carmel Sambosa, “Three Jewels Temple”, 28110 Robinson Canyon Rd, Carmel Valley, CA, 93923, United States
Summary of the Day
On September 23rd, we held a one-day retreat in the mountains above Carmel Valley at Grace Sanctuary, a private property overlooking the Ventana Wilderness.
In the morning Rinpoche performed a Fire Puja outdoors. A Fire Puja is a powerful purification practice to help eliminate negativities and obstacles to enlightenment such as ordinary appearances, unwholesome actions and broken pledges, promises and vows. Fire Puja is also used for promoting healing, restoration, and long-life. Rinpoche guided us in our practice and visualization, leading us in prayers of healing for ourselves, our world, and especially for the land, creatures, and people affected by the recent Soberanes fire. The text we used was the Riwo Sangchö (Sang Offering). The practice of Riwo Sangchö, the Mengak, ‘secret instructions,’ is from Lhatsün Jikme’s Rigdzin Sokdrup’, as arranged by Dudjom Rinpoche.
The afternoon found us in the beautiful 30’ yurt, where Rinpoche did a detailed teaching on The Nine Instructions for Concentration Meditation. Many questions were asked and answered about different mediation experiences.
The weather was beautiful, and Rinpoche and the many retreatants were very happy with the event. As Rinpoche wrote in his poem, Showing the Path to Liberation, An Exhortation to Seek Isolated Places,
If you are disillusioned with the cities of samsara
Chasms of attachment, aversion, and bad karma,
Go to a perfect isolated place
For good paths lit with peace and happiness.
Well, we certainly found that place, and the spirits of the land were very happy with our offerings!
Photos from the Day
Set up crew! Steve on far left, and Edy on far right are the owners of Grace Sanctuary.
Set up crew: Shayna, Rachel, Cindy and Diana were the main crew.
Rinpoche and the beautiful Ventana wilderness

As we were settling in before the morning session, sunlight came through the yurt opening, shining directly on the Amitabha thangka in the center of the alter!

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Initial Retreat Information
Brief Description of Teaching
On Saturday, September 23rd, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will lead a one day retreat including a morning purification practice called a Fire Puja, and an afternoon teaching on The Nine Instructions for Concentration Meditation.
About the Fire Puja: All of us have obstacles to enlightenment, delusions, that keep us in the cycle of suffering without end. A Fire Puja is a powerful purification practice to help eliminate negativities and obstacles to enlightenment such as ordinary appearances, unwholesome actions and broken pledges, promises and vows. Fire Puja is also used for promoting healing, restoration, and long-life. Rinpoche will guide us in our practice and visualization, leading us in prayers of healing for ourselves, our world, and especially for the land, creatures, and people affected by the recent Soberanes fire. Participants are encouraged to wear white clothing to support the intention of purification, but this is not a requirement. Participants are encouraged to eat a vegetarian diet on this day, but again this is voluntary.
About the Nine Instructions for Concentration Meditation: In his regular Saturday meditation classes, Rinpoche teaches Shamatha meditation, or that of quieting the mind. He often notes that meditation is more than just relaxing the body and feeling peaceful, but a powerful tool for becoming aware of awareness itself, to “catch your mind.” In this instruction, written in 2016 to help guide students new to meditation, Rinpoche explains how we can develop various stages of concentration within our meditation. In the beginning stage, called ‘Placing the Mind,” we become aware of stillness (mind resting on object of meditation), movement (mind moving away from object of meditation), and awareness (mind moving back to object of meditation). In the last stage, called ‘Equal Placement,’ “Meditation and non-meditation, day and night, become undifferentiated. Freed from any sense of stillness being good and movement being bad, you are not distracted from that state.”
It will be a day of visualization, purification, healing and contemplation at a beautiful retreat space in Carmel Valley. We hope you can join us!
Retreat Schedule

Morning Session
8:00am-9:50am: Check in
10:00am-12:00pm: Session 1-Welcome, Setting Intention, Introduction to Fire Puja, Fire Puja Ceremony

Afternoon Break
12:00pm-1:30pm: Vegetarian Lunch (provided)

Afternoon Session
1:30pm-3:00pm: Session 2–Nine Instructions for Concentration Meditation
3:00pm-3:30pm: Break
3:30pm-5:00pm: Session 3–Nine Instructions for Concentration Meditation

Location of Retreat
The retreat will take place at a private retreat space called Grace Sanctuary in Carmel Valley, about one hour’s drive from Pacific Grove. Detailed directions and the address will be sent to all registered participants. Carpooling is encouraged.
More About the Retreat
The main teachings will take place in a beautiful yurt (circular structure), with some chair seating and cushions for floor seating provided. Attendees are free to bring their own cushions as needed. We will be moving from indoor to outdoor spaces for the fire puja ritual, so attendees will move from sitting to standing, with some outside seating available.
Prayers and printed materials will be provided.
Lunch will be served outside at picnic tables, and will include a simple, healthy and vegetarian dish. If you have special food needs, please bring what you need. Retreat participants are responsible for breakfast and dinner on their own, although coffee, tea and snacks will be available during breaks.
Retreat Fee: $30.00
Fee includes lunch and printed teaching materials. Payment is due in full at registration.
Registration Required:

Please register no later than September 20th

Payment Options
Attendees may pay by cash or check on the day of the retreat at the registration table, or payment may be made ahead of the event.
PLEASE NOTE: Anyone with financial concerns is asked to contact Rachel Christopherson at rachelmdc2016@gmail.com or 831-901-3156. Khenpo Karten Rinpoche wishes that no person be turned away because of financial need.
CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD PAYMENTS AHEAD: Please use the Manjushri Dharma Center giving page at: https://manjushridharmacenter.org/give/
CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYMENTS AHEAD: Please make checks payable to “Manjushri Dharma Center.” Mail checks to Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. Alternatively, checks can be left in the donation box at the Manjushri Dharma Center with “September Retreat” in the memo.

More About the Ritual and Teaching
Fire Puja
There are several websites that explain more about the ritual of the Fire Puja. What is Fire Puja, by Tsem Rinpoche and The Fire Puja Offerings, from the website Tibetan Buddhism and Culture Blogspot are two sites that explain in detail the meaning, variations, and practice of Fire Puja.
The Root Text
Participants will be given copies of “The Nine Instructions for Concentration Meditation,” written by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, 2016.
Precepts
Precepts are a set of commitments observed by laypeople during periods of intensive meditation practice or in conjunction with special teachings or holy days. Precepts are taken to help purify our minds and support our spiritual practice while engaging in retreat. There are five main precepts that form the basic ethical code of moral conduct in daily life, and three additional precepts that can be kept on special days. Precepts are voluntary, and not required for participation in the retreat. They are simply listed here for those who wish to do this part of the practice. No guilt please! All welcome!

Blessing of the Butterflies
2017-09-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary, 250 Ridge Road,, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
7th Annual Blessing of the Monarch Sanctuary
“Every Year Thousands of Monarchs Overwinter in Pacific Grove. Arriving in October, monarch butterflies cluster together on pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees in the Sanctuary. Their migration to Pacific Grove is so unique that Pacific Grove is nicknamed ‘Butterfly Town, U.S.A.’ The community has always welcomed the butterflies and advocated for their protection. Citizens of Pacific Grove voted to create an additional tax to create the Monarch Grove Sanctuary which is cared for by dedicated volunteers.” from City of Pacific Grove site.
On Saturday, September 30th, 2017, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will offer a prayer of blessing, and scatter flower petals in the Monarch Grove Sanctuary. Attendees are encouraged to bring flower petals to add to the ceremony. There will also be prayers in the Ohlone language and good wishes from all to bless the trees and pray for the return of the butterflies.
The Monarch Grove Sanctuary is located at 250 Ridge Road, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950.
Directions and More information: https://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/visiting/monarch-butterfly-sanctuary
Photos from 2013 ceremony, from Cedar Street Times:
