'Love and Compassion are necessities, not luxuries. without them, humanity can not survive.' H.H. Dalai Lama
KINDNESS is like snow, it beautifies everything it touches ...
The Four sublime abodes / the Four Immeasurables - loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, are the Buddha’s expression of boundless love. They are the backbone of all mindfulness meditation and give us the skill and means to quickly lighten the shadows which often veil our natural ability to be compassionate. Without these pillars of Dharma, our mindfulness practice can become dry, lacking the nectar of the path which is the essence of love. This retreat will elaborate on the traditional meditations on the 'Four Immeasurables’ granting confidence to apply these teachings directly in our daily interactions with others
UPDATED NEWS ~ there will be a very special guest teacher Drubgyur Tenzin Rinpoche who has offered to teach the first part of this rertreat. Rinpoche will bestow the blessing empowerment of GREEN TARA and her retinue of 21 Taras. In addition to wisdom and Compassion teachings he will elaborate on the subject of Interdependent orgination and the Wheel of life. This will be a great blessing for all at the Dharma Centre. If the Retreat is to full capacity, priority confirmation may have to be given to those who book for whole retreat. All are welcome who wish to create a stable practice for the intention and benefit of all. Email Mala at dharmastudies108(AT)gmail.com if you want further information.
Drubgyud Tenzin Rinpoche
Drubgyur Tenzin Rinpoche is the abbot of more than 150 monks at Chökyi Gyatso Institute (CGI), a unique and progressive monastery in eastern Bhutan. Born in Nepal in 1983, he was recognized by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as the incarnation of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s maternal grandfather, Lama Sonam Zangpo, who was a great yogi from Bhutan and the founder of CGI .
Drubgyud Tenzin Rinpoche trained at Chokyi Lodro Institute in Himachal Pradesh, India and at other of Himalayan region’s monastic colleges. He studied Sanskrit in Varanasi, India, and completed a 3-year retreat in Paro Bhutan. Rinpoche speaks and writes English fluently and in now temporarily residing in Canada. He is married and a father.
Mala Sikka and Terry Hagan have committed most of their lives to Dharma and have been practicing meditation for over 40 years. Together they completed a three year retreat in India under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. Both Terry and Mala enjoyed their role as resident teachers of the Dharma Centre of Canada for over a decade and during this time served as spiritual advisors to the board. Terry also served a three year term as a spiritual director for the Dharma Centre. At present, they serve as the resident teachers of the Namgyal Dharma House and continue to support the Dharma Centre as Core Teachers.
Important Details
When: September 8-14, 2023. Please plan to arrive between 3-5pm on the first day. The retreat will begin with a property orientation at 5:30pm followed by a light supper and the first evening class and will finish after lunch on the last day.
Rates: non-members: $750 members: $660
(To find out how to become a member please visit our membership page)
Rates include: Single accommodation and all meals. They do not include instructor fees. Mala and Terry are sharing their experience within the traditional Buddhist understanding of Dana. To understand more about Dana, please read the following:
What is Dana? Teachers give the teachings of awakening (Dharma) freely so that anyone, no matter their financial means can attend classes. Each time one receives teachings, it is an opportunity to consciously practice generosity. Giving money and other means of support expresses gratitude and support to the teacher and helps to ensure that these teachings continue. Each person receiving Dharma teachings determines the kind and amount of Dāna according to one’s heart and one’s financial means. When deciding how much to offer, one should think about what these teachings mean to you and try to give accordingly. It is recommended that students make an offering of dāna at the beginning of a class or retreat to establish the intention to make the most of this opportunity for one’s own progression and for the benefit of all others.
Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to hold your space upon registration.
Cancellation policy: Full refund up to 14 days before the commencement of the course. For cancellations less than 14 days prior to course begin, a $100 administrative fee will be charged.