Manjushri Dharma Center

Monday Night Chanted Prayers Online--Guru Rinpoche Practice
2020-10-05 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | online event, CA, United States
On Monday, October 5th, 2020 at 6:30pm PT via Zoom, Khenpo Karten will lead us in the practice of Guru Rinpoche.
Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava or the Precious Master, is the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. He established the Buddhadharma in Tibet, and then developed the practice so that all the teachings of Buddha were preserved as a living tradition that has continued down to the present day.
Trinley Nyingpo, the “Essence of Enlightened Activity,” is the concise Guru Rinpoche sadhana practice from the Tugdrub Barche Kunsel, a hidden treasure teaching discovered by the King of Treasure Revealers, Chogyur Dechen Lingpa in the mid-19th century.
The central visualization for this practice is a triad of deities of the Three Kayas (“Enlightened Bodies”): the Dharmakaya Buddha Amitayus, the Samboghakaya Buddha Avalokitesvara, and the Nirmanakaya Buddha Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). It also includes twelve additional manifestations of Guru Rinpoche.
Outwardly, Guru Rinpoche was a fully enlightened being who was invited from India by the Tibetan King Trisong Deutsen in the 8th century to establish the Vajrayana Buddhist teachings in Tibet. He personally blessed every square foot of Tibet and concealed innumerable “treasure teachings” (Terma) for future generations to receive and practice when the time was especially right. Trinley Nyingpo is one such terma.
Inwardly, Guru Rinpoche is the embodiment of all the Wisdom Gurus of the past, present, and future, and the essence of our own enlightened mind.
Prayers will be recited in both Tibetan and English.
Main text: Trinley Nyingpo, the “Essence of Enlightened Activity,” is the concise Guru Rinpoche sadhana practice from the Tugdrub Barche Kunsel
Lineage text: Thugdrup Barched Kunsel Lineage Prayer
Abbreviated text: Awakening to the Guru’s Pure Vision
Link to Join Prayer Practice via Zoom: Monday Night Prayer Practice
Password required: WorldPeace

Amitabha Dechen Shingdrup
2020-10-03 07:00 - 09:00 | online event, CA, United States
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-4, 7am-9am PT Online
བཀྲ་ཤིས་བད་ེལེགས། ཨ་རིའི་པོར་ལེན་ནུབ་བྱང་བོད་མིའི་རིག་གཞུང་ཚོགས་པས་གོ་སྒྲིག་འོག། འདི་ལོའི་བདེ་ཆེན་ཞིང་སྒྲུབ་ཆེན་མོ་ཐེངས་བཅུ་གསུམ་པ་་ཉིད་སྤྱི་ཚོགས་དྲྭ་རྒྱ་འཛུམ་Zoomགྱི་ནང་། སྤྱི་ཟླ་བཅུ་པའི་ཚེས་གསུམ་དང་བཞི་རེས་གཟའ་སྤེན་པ་དང་ཉི་མར་ཞོགས་པ་ཁ་ལི་ཧྥོ་ཉའི་ཆུ་ཚོད་བདུན་ནས་དགུའི་བར་འཚོགས་གཏན་ཁེལ་བྱུང་བ་ལགས་ན། བོད་རིགས་དད་ལྡན་མཉམ་ཞུགས་གནང་འདོད་ཡོད་མཁན་རྣམས་གཤམ་གྱི་དྲྭ་ཚིག་བརྒྱུད་ནས་ཅི་ནས་ཀྱང་ཕེབས་རོགས་ཞུ།
Due to this year’s pandemic, the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association will hold the annual Amitabha Dechen Shingdrup virtually via Zoom meetings. Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will hold the Puja on October 3rd and 4th (Saturday and Sunday) from 7:00AM to 9:00AM Pacific Time.
As in the past, we will take sojong vows refraining from 8 kinds of activities; prayers and teachings will be in Tibetan, but all are welcome to join for the
13th Dechen Shingdrup Anniversary.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85879812603?pwd=[REDACTED]
Editor’s note: Sorry for the short notice!

Wednesday Night Chanted Prayers Online-Green Tara Practice
2020-09-30 18:00 - 19:30 | online event, CA, United States
On Wednesday, September 30th, at 6:00pm PT, Rinpoche will practice Green Tara prayers via Facebook Live.
Green Tara supplication prayers. She is known as the Mother of all Buddhas, born from Chenrezig’s tear of compassion. She will swiftly come to comfort and protect those who supplicate her. Especially from emotional, and physical sufferings. In her hands she holds utpala flowers which symbolize power and purity.
This is also my daily practice; we will pray for overcoming fear and clearing of obstacles. Also pray for those who have passed away from coronavirus. If anyone would like to join please sit and recite the mantra “OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA “. The prayers will be recited in Tibetan, but please participate. You can see me and recite the mantra at the same time so we can practice together for those who have recently died. Thank you and Tashi Delek.
Via Facebook Live: Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook

Monday Night Chanted Prayers Online--Chenrezig Practice
2020-09-28 18:30 - 20:00 | online event, CA, United States
On Monday, 9/28/20 at 6:30 PM PST, we will live stream via Zoom the practice of “The Recitation for the Chenrezig Meditation”.

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, and HH Dalai Lama and the Karmapa, who are considered living Buddhas, are also believed to be emanations of Chenrezig. It is said that even babies upon birth know the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM.

Please do join us next week for this profound practice. Tashi Delek

Text: We are using the version of the text as posted by the Odiyana Institute: Chenrezig Sadhana

Link to Join Prayer Practice via Zoom: Monday Night Prayer Practice
Password required: WorldPeace

Or join by phone (your normal phone charges may apply):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 970 1801 1835
International numbers available: https://middlebury.zoom.us/u/abeH9hRvO3
Phone Password: [REDACTED]

No Monday Night Chanted Prayers
2020-09-07 18:30 | online event, CA, United States
Typically on Monday nights Khenpo Karten Rinpoche leads prayers and meditation over Zoom–but this Monday, Labor Day September 7th, 2020, we will rest from our routine, and find rest in the Dharma of our home practice. We look forward to resuming next week, 6:30pm online. Thank you Sangha! Rest well Rinpoche!

Fire Puja (Riwo Sangchod) & Silent Meditation--In Person
2020-08-08 10:00 - 12:30 | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Saturday, August 8
10:00 am at Manjushri Dharma Center
Limited to first 10 people to sign up
Registration Required
On Saturday, August 8th beginning at 10:00am in the backyard of the Manjushri Dharma Center (724 Forest Avenue) Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will offer the first in-person event for Manjushri Dharma Center sangha since the lockdown began. It will be limited to the first ten people who sign up, and all details including COVID precautions and the address of the residence will be provided with registration. More about the practice is below. To register, please contact Shayna Morse at Edovid@aol.com or phone her at 404-310-6323.

“Riwo Sangchö, The Mountain Smoke Offering’, comes from the viewpoint of Dzogchen. It is really the best practice to remove obstacles and fulfil both temporary and long-term wishes. The smoke offering is made to all wisdom beings, to the Three Jewels, the Three Roots and Dharma Protectors, and the Three Kayas. Offering to the wisdom beings helps us to accumulate merit and wisdom. This brings short-term happiness and ultimate enlightenment. We also offer to all demonic beings who are actually manifestations of our karmic debt. These karmic debtors cause obstacles of all kinds, both temporary in this life and also long-term obstacles to enlightenment. Through this offering, karmic debtors are repaid, removing all of these obstacles. This is really the best technique.” –Lama Tharchin Rinpoche

Four Noble Truths--Choekhor Duchen--Online
2020-07-24 18:00 - 19:30 | online event, CA, United States
Friday, July 24th, 2020 marks the Tibetan holy day of Choekhor Duchen, 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 an online talk via Zoom on the Four Noble Truths given by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche and special prayers. Please join us for this profound teaching on this very special occasion!

Link to Join Prayer Practice via Zoom: Friday Night 4 Noble Truths Prayer Practice
Password required: WorldPeace

Or join by phone (your normal phone charges may apply):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 970 1801 1835
International numbers available: https://middlebury.zoom.us/u/abeH9hRvO3
Phone Password: [REDACTED]

Learn More
Chokor Duchen Festival in Tibet is one of the four great seasonal festivals (Losar, Saga Dawa, Chokor Duchen and Lhabab Duchen) celebrated by all Tibetan Buddhists. During those times, it is believed that the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied ten million times.
Choekhor means “Prayer Wheel” or “Dharma Wheel”, the common religious objects in Tibet, and Duchen means “great occasion” in Tibetan. Hand held prayer wheels are hollow wooden or metal cylinders attached to a handle which when turned are believed to spread spiritual blessing. Mantras—such as Om Mani Padme Hum, believed to invoke the attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the Buddha of compassion—may be printed on the outside.

No Monday Night Prayers on 7/13/2020
2020-07-13 18:30 - 20:00 | online event, CA, United States
Tashi Delek everyone,
I regret to inform you that this Monday, 7/13, we will NOT hold our regularly scheduled live practice via Zoom because I must attend to important family matters in Tibet. Thank you all for understanding
KKR
—
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche

Happy Birthday H.H. Dalai Lama!
2020-07-06 18:30 | online event, CA, United States
On Monday, July 6th, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will turn 85 years old! We will celebrate by giving the gift of prayers and practice. As Rinpoche said while discussing this special day, “His Holiness always says, ‘don’t give gifts of money, no need to spend anything, but make your heart and mind more compassionate, this is the best gift’.” See this short video from last year, when the Dailai Lama gave advice on ways to honor his birthday: https://www.dalailama.com/videos/the-best-birthday-gift.
This year, His Holiness requests special prayers and mantras–1000 Avalokiteshvara mantras with a compassionate heart for the whole world as we deal with COVID, anxiety, isolation and death.
We will accomplish 1000 mantras on Monday, July 6th during our practice, and we will recite special prayers to honor His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In addition, we will have a “butter lamp” ceremony–please have a candle nearby and ready to hold up (even though we won’t see each other, we still will add to the ceremony individually and collectively).
Please join us for this special evening of prayers and practice!
Link to Join Prayer Practice via Zoom: Monday Night Prayer Practice
Password required: WorldPeace

Or join by phone (your normal phone charges may apply):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 970 1801 1835
International numbers available: https://middlebury.zoom.us/u/abeH9hRvO3
Phone Password: [REDACTED]

Wednesday Night Chanted Prayers-Online
2020-06-24 17:00 - 18:30 | online event, CA, United States
On Wednesday evenings Rinpoche live-streams prayers from Amitabha Buddha (the Buddha of Infinite Light), Avalokiteshvara (the Buddha of Infinite Compassion), Medicine Buddha (the Buddha of Infinite Healing), or Buddha Green Tara (the Mother of Swift Help).
Participants can send messages in the comment section of facebook.
Wednesday night prayers tend to be in Tibetan, but Rinpoche always gives some guidance and teaching in English as well. All practitioners can follow along in the spirit and intention of peace and healing.
Via Facebook Live: Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook

Saturday Summer Solstice Blessing of the Waters
2020-06-20 05:49 - 20:29 | In Nature, Outside, In Nature, CA, United States
Water Blessing 2017
This Saturday, June 20th, 2020 is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, with the sun rising at 5:49am and setting at 8:29pm Pacific Time. This year the solstice is also part of the concluding days of Saga Dawa, which ends on June 22nd. For many years now, at both summer and winter solstices, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche offers a Blessing of the Waters, by reciting two prayers that he composed, Propitiating the Devas of the Four Elements and the Prayer for World Peace. Typically we gather in community and send our good energy to the ocean, to all the waters of the world, and to all of nature and humanity.
This year, due to concerns about Covid-19, we will not gather together to perform this ceremony, but each individual is encouraged to visit nature while remaining socially distant, and to “collectively while apart” send good energy out to the world. Practitioners may download these prayers to recite at the beach, by a river, or wherever you choose outside in nature. Bring some flowers to offer and send your good energy and wishes for healing to the waters of the world, all the elements of nature, and all sentient beings.
Water Blessing 2017
Additionally, here is an “instruction on how to practice” the Blessing of the Waters, composed by Rinpoche and Pema/Aaron with more information on how to conduct a “do-it-yourself” Blessing of the Waters 2020.
Instructions on Blessing the Waters
Tashi Delek!

Prayer for Peace
Through roots of goodness of us all on this vast earth,
May all living creatures become full of
love and compassion,
So that all enjoy peace on earth!

Stop bad intentions, thoughts and deeds
of all those who terrorize others,
That all living beings on this earth
come together like one family!

May all be well, have long life and health
with bliss of mind, free of illusion.
May all mothers have oceans of bliss
of body, for now, and ultimately of mind.

May this lamp of wisdom love, oneness,
highest remedy to clear darkness,
Enter the hearts of all living beings,
so their perfect path be illumined!

Footnote: In the name of all religions on earth, as I see and hear of increasingly many unwarranted harmful actions being enacted, thinking, with a joyful, universal aspiration, how wonderful it would be if all such activities ceased entirely. Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, on 2-4-2015, on Wednesday, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s auspicious day, wrote this dedication prayer to be recited at the conclusion of other prayers, meditation, or practices.

Wednesday Night Prayers Online-Chenrezig Practice
2020-06-17 17:00 - 18:30 | online event, CA, United States
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, and HH Dalai Lama and the Karmapa, who are considered living Buddhas, are also believed to be emanations of Chenrezig. It is said that even babies upon birth know the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM.

Text: https://manjushridharmacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ChenrezigPracticeText.pdf

Please do join us next week for this profound practice. Tashi Delek

Via Facebook Live: Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook

Written by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, posted to the Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook page. Photo credit Miles McBreen.

Monday Night Dakini Day Green Tara Prayers
2020-06-15 18:30 - 20:00 | online event, CA, United States
Monday, 6/15, is Dakini Day which celebrates the feminine energy of wisdom. We will therefore hold a short Green Tara practice Monday night, 6/15, at 6:30PM PST via a Zoom.

The feminine embodiment of enlightened activity, Green Tara is the swift liberator, a compassionate and loving protector in times of distress and great danger. She is known as the Mother of all Buddhas, born from Chenrezig’s tear of compassion. We will recite the mantra “OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA“; you can see me and recite the mantra at the same time so we can practice together.

Text for Monday: Concise Tara Prayers

Please do join us to celebrate Dakini Day together!
Link to Join Prayer Practice via Zoom: Monday Night Prayer Practice
Password required: WorldPeace

Or join by phone (your normal phone charges may apply):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 970 1801 1835
International numbers available: https://middlebury.zoom.us/u/abeH9hRvO3
Phone Password: [REDACTED]

Wednesday Night Chöd Prayer Practice-Online
2020-06-10 18:00 - 19:30 | online event, CA, United States
Please join us on Wednesday, 6/10, at 6:00PM PST on Facebook Live and participate in the practice of Chöd. (Hopefully no technical issues like last week–so sorry everyone!)

We have added here the text for the practice: The Longchen Nyingthig CHÖD PRACTICE, “The Loud Laugh of the Dakini.”

We would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to Michael Martinez, who has been volunteering on Wednesday evenings to help Rinpoche create beautiful, meaningful live videos. Thank you Michael!

The link to join and more about the prayer practice of Chöd is below.

Chöd, which means “to cut,” is a profound path of severing dualistic fixation and ego-clinging. For the chod practitioner, the body is regarded as the primary object of clinging. Through visualizing one’s consciousness as the female Buddha T’hroma Nagmo (The “Wrathful Black Mother”) the yogi or yogini offers the ordinary body to the assembled guests: enlightened beings, gods and demons (personifications of the five poisons), and those owed karmic debts, purifying negative karma and accumulating merit on a vast scale. Combining the view of the Prajnaparamita Sutra with the highest view of Dzogchen, Chöd is known for its haunting melodies and ritual instrumentation. When performed for others, it is a powerful healing ritual.

Via Facebook Live: Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook

Written by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, posted to the Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook page.

Monday Night Guru Rinpoche Prayer Practice-Online
2020-06-08 18:30 - 20:00 | online event, CA, United States
For Monday, June 8th, 2020, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will lead students in the abbreviated prayers known as Awakening to the Guru’s Pure Vision, and he will then give us the oral transmission of the text so dear to his heart and central to his practice: Trinley Nyingpo, the “Essence of Enlightened Activity,” is the concise Guru Rinpoche sadhana practice from the Tugdrub Barche Kunsel
Please note–there is a new link and password required for the Zoom meeting. More information below.

Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava or the Precious Master, is the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. He established the Buddhadharma in Tibet, and then developed the practice so that all the teachings of Buddha were preserved as a living tradition that has continued down to the present day.
Trinley Nyingpo, the “Essence of Enlightened Activity,” is the concise Guru Rinpoche sadhana practice from the Tugdrub Barche Kunsel, a hidden treasure teaching discovered by the King of Treasure Revealers, Chogyur Dechen Lingpa in the mid-19th century.
The central visualization for this practice is a triad of deities of the Three Kayas (“Enlightened Bodies”): the Dharmakaya Buddha Amitayus, the Samboghakaya Buddha Avalokitesvara, and the Nirmanakaya Buddha Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). It also includes twelve additional manifestations of Guru Rinpoche.
Outwardly, Guru Rinpoche was a fully enlightened being who was invited from India by the Tibetan King Trisong Deutsen in the 8th century to establish the Vajrayana Buddhist teachings in Tibet. He personally blessed every square foot of Tibet and concealed innumerable “treasure teachings” (Terma) for future generations to receive and practice when the time was especially right. Trinley Nyingpo is one such terma.
Inwardly, Guru Rinpoche is the embodiment of all the Wisdom Gurus of the past, present, and future, and the essence of our own enlightened mind.
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche first introduced a small group of students to this practice just a few weeks before Shelter-in-Place orders were given, and now we are so fortunate to be able to receive and practice this profound teaching with him from all over the world. The Treasures of Chogyur Dechen Lingpa were the focus of Rinpoche’s practice during his 3-Year Retreat in Tibet.
Prayers will be recited in both Tibetan and English.
Main text: Trinley Nyingpo, the “Essence of Enlightened Activity,” is the concise Guru Rinpoche sadhana practice from the Tugdrub Barche Kunsel
Lineage text: Thugdrup Barched Kunsel Lineage Prayer
Abbreviated text: Awakening to the Guru’s Pure Vision
Link to Join Prayer Practice via Zoom: Monday Night Prayer Practice
Password required: WorldPeace

Or join by phone (your normal phone charges may apply):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 970 1801 1835
International numbers available: https://middlebury.zoom.us/u/abeH9hRvO3
Phone Password: [REDACTED]

Saga Dawa Duchen Teaching on Love and Compassion-Online
2020-06-05 19:00 - 20:30 | online event, CA, United States
Saga Dawa is the most significant “merit multiplying month ” for Vajrayana Practitioners and Tibetan Buddhism in general.
In Tibetan, “Dawa” refers to the whole “month” and “Saga” is the name of a star in the sky which appears especially brighter during the fourth lunar month. Saga Dawa begins on May 23 through June 22, 2020. The 15th day of this fourth lunar month which is the full moon is called Saga Dawa Duchen. June 5th is the full moon in 2020. This is the most important day of the year for all Vajrayana practitioners. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni.
Any positive actions like doing month long retreats, meditation, making lamp offerings, prostrations, animal liberation, the six paramitas or any other form of virtuous Dharma activities made by the body ,speech and mind during this whole month will be multipled 100,000 times. In the same way, any unwholesome or negative activities will also be multipled 100,000 times.
On Friday, June 5th at 7pm via Facebook Live, Rinpoche will give a teaching on love and compassion. The teaching will be in Tibetan, but all Rinpoche’s students are welcome to “tune in” and rejoice in his teaching. The teaching is planned to be on the Portland Sangha’s Facebook page, but may be also be on the Manjushri Dharma Center (be prepared to check both sites).
More about this teaching from the Portland Sangha:

།རང་གཞན་དོན་ནི་རང་བསྒྲུབ་ཕྱིར།
།བྱང་ཆུབ་སེམས་ནི་བསྐྱེད་པར་བགྱི།
།བྱང་ཆུབ་མཆོག་གི་སེམས་ནི་བསྐྱེད་བགྱིས་ནས།
།སེམས་ཅན་ཐམས་ཅད་བདག་གིས་མགྲོན་དུ་གཉེར།

Following His Holiness’ recent Avalokiteshwara empowerment, it is fitting that we contemplate on the practice of Compassion. In these trying times in the midst of uncertainties and in the absence of our annual Saga Dawa activities at Bodkhang, we are pleased to announce an online teaching by Ven. Khenpo Karten Rinpoche on བྱང་ཆུབ་སེམས་བསྐྱེད (Awakening the Bodhicitta Mind).
Rinpoche will teach the essence of Bodhicitta Mind, its significance in our lives, how to incorporate it in our daily practice, and further develop its profound understanding through meditation.

Via Facebook Live: Check both

Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association Facebook

Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook

READ MORE: Happy Saga Dawa

Ceremony for Generating Bodhichitta (semkye) given by H.H. Dalai Lama on Saga Dawa Duchen
2020-06-04 20:30 - 21:30 | online event, CA, United States
Announcement from the official website of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will confer the Ceremony for Generating Bodhichitta (semkye) from approximately 9 am to 10 am (Indian Standard Time) on the occasion of the full moon day of Saka Dawa. Those interested may watch the live webcast in Tibetan, English, Chinese and other languages on the official websites and Facebook pages of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Viewers are requested to please follow their local social distancing rules.
Time and Date in Pacific Standard Time: Thursday, June 4th, 8:30pm.
Website to view live webcast: https://www.dalailama.com/

Chöd Prayer Practice-Online
2020-06-03 18:00 - 20:00 | online event, CA, United States
Please join us on Wednesday, 6/3, at 6:00PM PST on Facebook Live and participate in the practice of Chöd.

Chöd, which means “to cut,” is a profound path of severing dualistic fixation and ego-clinging. For the chod practitioner, the body is regarded as the primary object of clinging. Through visualizing one’s consciousness as the female Buddha T’hroma Nagmo (The “Wrathful Black Mother”) the yogi or yogini offers the ordinary body to the assembled guests: enlightened beings, gods and demons (personifications of the five poisons), and those owed karmic debts, purifying negative karma and accumulating merit on a vast scale. Combining the view of the Prajnaparamita Sutra with the highest view of Dzogchen, Chöd is known for its haunting melodies and ritual instrumentation. When performed for others, it is a powerful healing ritual.

Via Facebook Live: Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook

Written by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, posted to the Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook page.

Guru Rinpoche Prayer Practice-Online
2020-06-01 18:30 - 20:00 | online event, CA, United States
Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava or the Precious Master, is the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. He established the Buddhadharma in Tibet, and then developed the practice so that all the teachings of Buddha were preserved as a living tradition that has continued down to the present day.
Trinley Nyingpo, the “Essence of Enlightened Activity,” is the concise Guru Rinpoche sadhana practice from the Tugdrub Barche Kunsel, a hidden treasure teaching discovered by the King of Treasure Revealers, Chogyur Dechen Lingpa in the mid-19th century.
The central visualization for this practice is a triad of deities of the Three Kayas (“Enlightened Bodies”): the Dharmakaya Buddha Amitayus, the Samboghakaya Buddha Avalokitesvara, and the Nirmanakaya Buddha Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). It also includes twelve additional manifestations of Guru Rinpoche.
Outwardly, Guru Rinpoche was a fully enlightened being who was invited from India by the Tibetan King Trisong Deutsen in the 8th century to establish the Vajrayana Buddhist teachings in Tibet. He personally blessed every square foot of Tibet and concealed innumerable “treasure teachings” (Terma) for future generations to receive and practice when the time was especially right. Trinley Nyingpo is one such terma.
Inwardly, Guru Rinpoche is the embodiment of all the Wisdom Gurus of the past, present, and future, and the essence of our own enlightened mind.
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche first introduced a small group of students to this practice just a few weeks before Shelter-in-Place orders were given, and now we are so fortunate to be able to receive and practice this profound teaching with him from all over the world. The Treasures of Chogyur Dechen Lingpa were the focus of Rinpoche’s practice during his 3-Year Retreat in Tibet.
Prayers will be recited in both Tibetan and English.
Main text: Trinley Nyingpo, the “Essence of Enlightened Activity,” is the concise Guru Rinpoche sadhana practice from the Tugdrub Barche Kunsel
Lineage text: Thugdrup Barched Kunsel Lineage Prayer
Abbreviated text: Awakening to the Guru’s Pure Vision
Link to Join Prayer Practice via Zoom: Monday Night Prayer Practice
Password required: WorldPeace

Or join by phone (your normal phone charges may apply):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 970 1801 1835
International numbers available: https://middlebury.zoom.us/u/abeH9hRvO3
Phone Password: [REDACTED]

Medicine Buddha Prayers in Tibetan--Online
2020-05-27 18:30 - 20:00 | online event, CA, United States
On Wednesday 5/27, at 6.30PM PST (Pacific Standard Time), we will practice Medicine Buddha supplication prayers. The practice of Sangye Menla, King of Lapis Lazuli light is very powerful for healing both the inner sickness of afflictions as well as outer physical illnesses and sufferings. The 12 syllables of Medicine Buddha’s name in Sanskrit also represents his 12 great vows for the benefit of all sentient beings.

This Medicine Buddha supplication also forms part of my daily practice; we will pray for healing of the body as well as invoking Medicine Buddha’s blessings especially during this great time of suffering in the world. We will also pray for those who have passed away from coronavirus. If anyone would like to join please sit and recite the mantra “Tayata Om Bekanze Bekanze Maha Bekanze Radza Samudgate Soha”. The prayers will be recited in Tibetan, but please participate. You can see me and recite the mantra at the same time so we can practice together for those who have recently died. Thank you and Tashi Delek.

Via Facebook Live: Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook

Written by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, posted to the Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook page. Photo credit Miles McBreen.

Green Tara Prayers in English--Online
2020-05-25 18:30 - 20:00 | online event, CA, United States
The feminine embodiment of enlightened activity, Green Tara is the swift liberator, a compassionate and loving protector in times of distress and great danger. Through meditating on the form and mantra Arya Tara, and chanting the Praises to her 21 different manifestations, we receive the blessings to become inseparable from Tara herself, actualizing the potential to liberate all motherly sentient beings from the suffering ocean of samsara.
She is known as the Mother of all Buddhas, born from Chenrezig’s tear of compassion. She will swiftly come to comfort and protect those who supplicate her. Especially from emotional, and physical sufferings. In her hands she holds utpala flowers which symbolize power and purity.
This is also my daily practice; we will pray for overcoming fear and clearing of obstacles. Also pray for those who have passed away from coronavirus. We will recite the mantra “OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA “. You can see me and recite the mantra at the same time so we can practice together for those who have recently died. Thank you and Tashi Delek.
Prayers will be recited in both Tibetan and English. We are hoping to have the text online as well for participants to download by May 25th.
Written by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, adapted for the Monday night session.
Link to Join Prayer Practice via Zoom: Monday Night Prayer Practice
Password required: WorldPeace
For questions, please contact: rachelmdc2016@gmail.com.

Green Tara Prayers in Tibetan-Online
2020-05-20 18:00 - 19:30 | online event, CA, United States
Green Tara supplication prayers. She is known as the Mother of all Buddhas, born from Chenrezig’s tear of compassion. She will swiftly come to comfort and protect those who supplicate her. Especially from emotional, and physical sufferings. In her hands she holds utpala flowers which symbolize power and purity.
This is also my daily practice; we will pray for overcoming fear and clearing of obstacles. Also pray for those who have passed away from coronavirus. If anyone would like to join please sit and recite the mantra “OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA “. The prayers will be recited in Tibetan, but please participate. You can see me and recite the mantra at the same time so we can practice together for those who have recently died. Thank you and Tashi Delek.
Via Facebook Live: Manjushri Dharma Center Facebook
Editor’s note: we will be doing these prayers in English next week Monday, May 25th via Zoom as well. More info on the MDC website.

Guru Rinpoche Prayer Practice Online
2020-05-18 18:30 - 20:00 | online event, CA, United States
Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava or the Precious Master, is the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. He established the Buddhadharma in Tibet, and then developed the practice so that all the teachings of Buddha were preserved as a living tradition that has continued down to the present day.
Trinley Nyingpo, the “Essence of Enlightened Activity,” is the concise Guru Rinpoche sadhana practice from the Tugdrub Barche Kunsel, a hidden treasure teaching discovered by the King of Treasure Revealers, Chogyur Dechen Lingpa in the mid-19th century.
The central visualization for this practice is a triad of deities of the Three Kayas (“Enlightened Bodies”): the Dharmakaya Buddha Amitayus, the Samboghakaya Buddha Avalokitesvara, and the Nirmanakaya Buddha Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). It also includes twelve additional manifestations of Guru Rinpoche.
Outwardly, Guru Rinpoche was a fully enlightened being who was invited from India by the Tibetan King Trisong Deutsen in the 8th century to establish the Vajrayana Buddhist teachings in Tibet. He personally blessed every square foot of Tibet and concealed innumerable “treasure teachings” (Terma) for future generations to receive and practice when the time was especially right. Trinley Nyingpo is one such terma.
Inwardly, Guru Rinpoche is the embodiment of all the Wisdom Gurus of the past, present, and future, and the essence of our own enlightened mind.
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche first introduced a small group of students to this practice just a few weeks before Shelter-in-Place orders were given, and now we are so fortunate to be able to receive and practice this profound teaching with him from all over the world. The Treasures of Chogyur Dechen Lingpa were the focus of Rinpoche’s practice during his 3-Year Retreat in Tibet.
Prayers will be recited in both Tibetan and English.
Main text: Trinley Nyingpo, the “Essence of Enlightened Activity,” is the concise Guru Rinpoche sadhana practice from the Tugdrub Barche Kunsel
Lineage text: Thugdrup Barched Kunsel Lineage Prayer
Zoom Link to Join: Guru Rinpoche Yoga Online at MDC
For questions, please contact: rachelmdc2016@gmail.com.
To join by phone:
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 614 874 367

Wednesday Night Chanted Prayers Online - Red Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig)
2020-05-03 17:00 - 18:00 | online event, CA, United States
At 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, we will again practice supplication prayers for Red Avalokiteshvara, Khorwa Dongtruk, “shaker of samsara from its depths.”
This is a terma (hidden spiritual treasure) revealed by the great dharma king Chogyur Dechen Lingpa. This deity is the supreme embodiment of love and compassion and is very powerful. This was practiced by Patrul Rinpoche and is also my daily practice; we will pray for those who have died, especially those who have passed away from coronavirus.

If anyone would like to join please sit and recite the mantra “OM MANI PADME HUM”. The text is The Essential Sadhana from the Guru’s Heart Practice, Shaker of Samsara from its Depths. The prayers will be recited in Tibetan, but please participate. You can see me and recite the mantra at the same time so we can practice together for those who have recently died. Thank you and Tashi Delek
Written by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche
How to access the online video/livestream: Facebook Livestream, Manjushri Dharma Centre

Supplication Prayers Red Avalokiteshvara–Online
2020-04-26 16:30 - 18:00 | online event, CA, United States
This Sunday, April 26th, 2020 at at 4:30PM Pacific Standard Time, we will again practice supplication prayers for Red Avalokiteshvara, Khorwa Dongtruk, “shaker of samsara from its depths.”
This Sunday, 4/26, at 4:30PM PST (Pacific Standard Time), we will again practice supplication prayers for Red Avalokiteshvara, Khorwa Dongtruk, “shaker of samsara from its depths”.

This is a terma (hidden spiritual treasure) revealed by the great dharma king Chogyur Dechen Lingpa. This deity is the supreme embodiment of love and compassion and is very powerful. This was practiced by Patrul Rinpoche and is also my daily practice; we will pray for those who have died, especially those who have passed away from coronavirus.

If anyone would like to join please sit and recite the mantra “OM MANI PADME HUM”. The text is The Essential Sadhana from the Guru’s Heart Practice, Shaker of Samsara from its Depths. The prayers will be recited in Tibetan, but please participate. You can see me and recite the mantra at the same time so we can practice together for those who have recently died. Thank you and Tashi Delek
Written by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche and posted to his Facebook, Saturday, 4.25.2020
How to access the online video/livestream: Facebook Livestream, Manjushri Dharma Centre

Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche Remembrance Guru Yoga--Online
2020-04-21 18:00 - 19:30 | online event, CA, United States
Kyabje Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche was the kind hearted teacher of our own Khenpo Karten Rinpoche. Sangye Tenzin spent 21 years in Chinese prison, yet he transformed the experience into pure spiritual food, and left the prison with only good wishes for his captors. He is a Buddha appearing in this world, and March 26th, 2020 marked the 19th anniversary of his passing into nirvana.
On Wednesday, April 21, at 6pm PST, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will remember the great kindness of Kyabje Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche by reciting his Guru Yoga composed by Khenpo Karten and His Holiness the Karmapa. He will run the prayer session over Facebook live, and the sadhana may be downloaded here: The Guru Practice, Rain of Blessings.
Learn More about Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche: “Medicine for the Mind: On Using Suffering and Obstacles for Mental Development.” or read about how Sangye Tenzin came to Khenpo Karten Rinpoche in his dreams by reading “An Amazing Dream Of My Root Guru.’

Link to join MDC Facebook live: Sangye Tenzin Remembrance Ceremony Guru Yoga

Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche Remembrance Guru Yoga--Online
2020-04-20 18:30 - 20:00 | online event, CA, United States
Kyabje Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche was the kind hearted teacher of our own Khenpo Karten Rinpoche. Sangye Tenzin spent 21 years in Chinese prison, yet he transformed the experience into pure spiritual food, and left the prison with only good wishes for his captors. He is a Buddha appearing in this world, and March 27th, 2020 marked the 19th anniversary of his passing into nirvana.
On Monday, April 20th, in solidarity with Khenpo Karten Rinpoche’s home monastery in Tibet and the beautiful remembrance ceremony they offered on March 27th, we will remember the great kindness of Kyabje Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche by reciting his Guru Yoga composed by His Holiness the Karmapa and our own precious teacher, K.K. Rinpoche. We will reflect together on how we can use this great example in our lives. The prayers will be shown on the screen, so viewers can practice together.
Learn More about Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche: “Medicine for the Mind: On Using Suffering and Obstacles for Mental Development.” or read about how Sangye Tenzin came to Khenpo Karten Rinpoche in his dreams by reading “An Amazing Dream Of My Root Guru.’

Zoom Link for Monday April 20, 2020: Sangye Tenzin Remembrance Ceremony Guru Yoga
For questions, please contact: rachelmdc2016@gmail.com.
To join by phone:
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 614 874 367
International numbers available: https://middlebury.zoom.us/u/abcSWofQV4

Supplication Prayers Red Avalokiteshvara--Online
2020-04-12 15:30 - 16:30 | online event, CA, United States
This Sunday, April 12th, 2020, at 3:30PM (Sorry everyone, originally posted as 3pm) Pacific Standard Time, we will practice supplication prayers for Red Avalokiteshvara, Khorwa Dongtruk, “shaker of samsara from its depths.” This deity is the supreme embodiment of love and compassion and is very powerful. This is also my daily practice; we will pray for those who have died, especially those who have passed away from Corona-virus. If anyone would like to join please sit and recite the mantra “OM MANI PADME HUM.”
The text is The Essential Sadhana from the Guru’s Heart Practice, Shaker of Samsara from its Depths. The prayers will be recited in Tibetan, but please participate. You can see me and recite the mantra at the same time so we can practice together for those who have recently died. Thank you Tashi Delek.
Written by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche and posted to his Facebook, Saturday, 4.11.20
How to access the online video/livestream: Facebook Livestream, Manjushri Dharma Centre

Tibetan Uprising Day Protest
2020-03-10 16:00 - 18:00 | Windows on the Bay, Corner of Del Monte and Camino El Estero, Monterey, 93940, United States
Since the Chinese occupation in 1959, more than one million Tibetans have been killed. To fly a Tibetan flag, send an email abroad, or say the phrase “human rights,” is cause for imprisonment and torture. 99% of all Tibetan monasteries have been closed. The Tibetan people and their culture are being systematically attacked. Our own teacher, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche risked his life to become a monk in Tibet before fleeing in 1996. Stand up against this repression and violence. Lend your voice to peace, justice, and freedom: Support Tibet! Join us on Tuesday, March 10th, 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Windows on the Bay as we join a day of international protests known as Tibetan Uprising Day. Signs provided (or you may bring your own). We will be there rain or shine. Please note: Protesters cannot step into the street or hand out leaflets to cars, as per a city safety mandate. May all cultures and peoples live together in harmony and peace.

Learn more: Free Tibet–https://freetibet.org/about

Questions: 831-901-3156 (Manjushri Dharma Center phone, volunteer staffed).

“Imagine you are not allowed to whistle ‘Yankee Doodle’ as you work. You can’t talk about the day’s events in your native language, nor wear blue jeans and tennis shoes, or any other garment quintessentially American. Your children go to a new school where they learn a language other than yours, and are taught to report you to the authorities if you speak English at home. Forget going to church. This is Tibet today.” quote from 2016 article in Cedar St. Times.

Learn more about the issue:
Free Tibet website
2016 PG Cedar Street Times article (bottom of p1, includes photos of Rinpoche during his trek across the Himalayas)
Video: Tibet Today

Green Tara Sadhana
2020-03-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Manjushri Dharma Center, 724 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
The feminine embodiment of enlightened activity, Green Tara is the swift liberator, a compassionate and loving protector in times of distress and great danger. Through meditating on the form and mantra Arya Tara, and chanting the Praises to her 21 different manifestations, we receive the blessings to become inseparable from Tara herself, actualizing the potential to liberate all motherly sentient beings from the suffering ocean of samsara. Texts provided, all welcome.
