Retreat, Reflect & Write, at Deer Park (19-21 Apr 2020)

Deer Park InstituteWhat: Writing retreat
When: 19-21 April 2020
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir
Who: Monisha Mukundan

In these few days together, we explore the ways in which our writing is nurtured by silence, nature, and reflection. All writing—whether it is prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, or science-fiction—requires the attention of our expansive mind. And in order to find its own unique way into language and writing, our expansive mind needs the spaciousness of the natural world and its non-verbal wisdom. We will also explore the work of Nature Writers from around the world.

Language Note for Writing Workshops: In these writing workshops, I strongly recommend that participants consider writing in their first language. If we experienced our early lives in a language other than English, it is often that first language that leads the way into our deepest truths and memories. When writing is shared within the group (always voluntarily), it can be shared in the first language and then loosely translated into English. This gives writers access to the freedom and the rhythms of writing that comes naturally through the body as well as through the reflections of the mind. Writing can always be translated into English and grammar can easily be fixed, but to be fully recognized, the memories of heart, mind, and body often need expression through their first language of experience.

Monisha Mukundan has been a writer and editor for the past four decades and more. She edited the ITC Hotels magazine called Namaste, for over thirty years, during which time she edited two volumes of short stories selected from the magazine. Among her publications are a memoir, a cookbook and several books for children. She continues to write of her life in Bir where she now lives for part of each year. This is the second series of writing workshops that Monisha is facilitating at Deer Park.

For information and registration, see this page.

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo – Letter to a Friend (15-17 Apr 2020)

Jetsunma Tenzin PalmoWhat: Teaching on Nagarjuna’s ‘Letter to a Friend’
When: 15-17 April 2020
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir
Who: Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

Letter to a Friend (Skt. Suhṛllekha; Tib. བཤེས་པའི་སྤྲིང་ཡིག་, shepé tring yik, Wyl. bshes pa’i spring yig) — a shastra by Nagarjuna, which belongs to his Collection of Advice.
Nagarjuna (1st-2nd century A.D.) wrote this celebrated poem as a letter of advice to his friend King Gautamiputra/Satavahana.

This advice gives a concise and comprehensive introduction to the entire path and practice of Buddhism. It guides both householders and the ordained onto the path leading to liberation and enlightenment. The instructions are of special interest to those who wish to take up spiritual activity while continuing to live and work in society; they are meant to convey the whole meaning of the Dharma to the ordinary person in a language and style that are easy to understand.

Despite its short length (123 verses), it covers the whole Mahayana path with unusual clarity and memorable imagery; thus it is widely quoted by Tibet’s great masters and scholars in the many commentaries they have written on the Buddhist path.

Commentary recommended
“Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend with commentary by Kangyur Rinpoche ”

For information and registration, see this page.

The Art & Craft of Writing a Memoir at Deer Park (8-11 Apr 2020)

Deer Park InstituteWhat: Workshop on ‘The Art & Craft of Writing a Memoir’
When: 8-11 April 2020
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir
Who: Monisha Mukundan

In writing memoir, we get to live our lives twice, complete with the grace of hindsight as well as with the honesty that makes each life compelling and true. This memoir workshop is about diving into the depths, where our own unique story reflects universal truth: “The deeper you go, the more universal you get.” Our stories save the world. When we write a memoir and let the writing lead the way, we enter our lives in ways that deepen our appreciation of our own story, and one another’s stories. We broaden our relationship to the world within and the world without—for ourselves and for the reader. These are sound-byte disposable times. The memoir goes beyond texting, face-booking, emailing and tweeting. It is writing that matters and writing that lasts.

For information and registration, see this page.

Geshe Lhakdor Teaching at Deer Park (27-31 Mar 2020)

Geshe LhakdorWhat: Teaching on Atisha’s ‘Gardland of Gems’
When: 27-31 March 2020
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir
Who: Geshe Lhakdor

Geshe Lhakdor is the Director of The Library of Tibetan Works & Archives (LTWA)

Ven. Geshe Lhakdor has served His Holiness the Dalai Lama as his translator and religious assistant since 1989. In this capacity, he has accompanied His Holiness to many important conferences and forums throughout the world. He has translated numerous books by His Holiness from English to Tibetan and from Tibetan to English. Geshe Lhakdor is a trustee of the Foundation for Universal Responsibility, established by His Holiness. He is also the Director of the Central Archive of His Holiness, a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute of Tibetan Classics in Montreal, Canada, and an Honorary Professor at the University of British Columbia, Canada. He is now the Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and head of the Science Education Project.

For information and registration, see http://deerpark.in/schedule/geshe-lhakdor-atishas-garland-of-gems/

Punyesi Vipassana Meditation Retreats (2-10 & 14-23 Sep 2015)

What: Vipassana Meditation Retreats
When: 2 September- 23 September 2015 (2 retreats from 2-10 & 14-23)
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir
Who: Ajarn Kanchana Punyesi & Ajarn Kanya Dhammapalee

Upcoming Program of Punyesi Vipassana Retreat on September 2015          

Arjan Kanchana Punyesi (Yoobamrung) is a vipassana-insight meditation teacher at Punyesi Vipassana Retreat, Loei, Thailand. Arjan Kanchana was born on August 6, 1970. She is 44 years old and has experience to study Dharma with Sayadaw Pattantavirojana, NguTao U Temple in Chan State, Myanmar.

For information and registration, see www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/boddhichitta-retreat-2/

Bodhicitta Retreat (24 Jul – 2 Aug @ Deer Park)

What: Bodhicitta Retreat
When: 24 July – 2 August 2015
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir
Who: Geshe Dorji Damdul

This retreat will focus on practise of “Boddhicitta,” the “awakened/altruitic mind,” which is ever-present as a seed in us, all sentient beings. The path to nurture and awaken this, will be based from the Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings, specifically the Four Seals.

About Geshe Dorji Damdul

Since 2005, Geshe Dorji Damdul has served as the official translator to H.H. the Dalai Lama. Geshela, has completed his studies from Institute of Buddhist Dialectics (IBD) in Dharamsala, Drepung Monastic University and Gyumed Tantric College. Serving as a fellow in Cambridge University, England in 2003,  he was appointed as a visiting fellow at Delhi University to give lectures in three of the University’s departments – Philosophy, Psychology, and Buddhist Studies. Presently, he is serving as the Director of Tibet House, Cultural Center of H.H. the Dalai Lama, New Delhi. He gives lectures and leads philosophy classes and meditation retreats in Tibet House, Delhi University and other venues. He also travels widely in India and abroad, to teach Buddhist philosophy and practice.

For information and registration, see www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/boddhichitta-retreat

Tuning Fork Film Workshop (13-18 June @ Deer Park)

What: TUNING FORK FILM WORKSHOP
When: 13-18 June 2015
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir
Who: THE HIMALAYAN FILM SCHOOL and Deer Park Institute

Bring out the storyteller in you, learn to make films in the mountains

Watch Films | Tell stories | Have fun

Learn to shoot on DSLRs

Edit on professional software

Script – Shoot – Edit & Export

leave the workshop with YOUR OWN FILM

Ankit Pogula – 9810146679

Shreya Kakria – 9717066975

tuningforkfilms@gmail.com

www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/himalayan-film-school-3

The Vibration of Consciousness: The Spanda Kārikā (15-21 May @ Deer Park)

What: Introduction and Retreat-Seminar in the tradition of Nondual Kashmir Śaivism
When: 15 May 2015 (Introductory seminar) and 16-21 May 2015 (retreat-seminar)
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir
Who: Dr. Bettina Sharada Bäumer, Varanasi

The Vibration of Consciousness: The Spanda Kārikā with Commentary by Kṣemarāja

A Retreat-Seminar in the tradition of Nondual Kashmir Śaivism

The Spanda Kārikā or “Verses on Vibration” by Vasugupta (9thcentury, Kashmir) is one of the foundational texts of Kashmir Shaivism which teaches the dynamic nature of the Absolute, of the cosmos and of human consciousness. Its Nirnaya Commentary by Ksemarāja, direct disciple of Abhinavagupta (11th century) adds a lucid spiritual interpretation to the concise verses of the text.

Spanda means creative vibration and the inner divine dynamism which pervades everything, and which can be mystically realized in one’s own essential nature. The text teaches an analysis of consciousness and a way to full awakening (suprabuddha).

Program:

  • Two sessions of text teaching daily
  • 4-5 hours of meditation
  • Walks in nature
  • Recitation of hymns and ślokas (Sanskrit)
  • Silence from dinner time till next day lunch included

Note : Silence is essential for the practice of the teaching and for maintaining an atmosphere of retreat.

Requirements for participation:

Basic knowledge of Indian spirituality and philosophy and basic knowledge of Sanskrit is an ideal preparation, though not a necessary condition for participation.

Experience in meditation is a necessary requirement.

Text editions and translations recommended:

Spanda-Kārikās. The Divine Creative Pulsation, ed. and transl. by Jaideva Singh, Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass, 1980 ff.

Dyczkowski, Mark S.G. : The Stanzas on Vibration. The Spandakārikā with four Commentaries, Albany: SUNY Series in the Shaiva Traditions of Kashmir, 1992.

Dyczkowski, Mark S.G.: The Doctrine of Vibration, Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass, 2006

Silburn, Lilian: Spandakārikā. Stances sur la vibration de Vasugupta et leurs gloses, (French transl.), Paris: Ed. de. Boccard, 1990.

For more information, see www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/the-vibration-of-consciousness-the-spanda-k-rik/

The Wisdom Chapter of “The Way of the Boddhisattva” (9-13 May @ Deer Park)

What: Teachings on the Wisdom Chapter of “The Way of the Boddhisattva” by Shantideva
When: 9-13 May 2015
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir
Who: Khenpo Sonam Tsewang

Teachings on the Wisdom Chapter of “Way of the Boddhisattva”

The “Ketaka Gem” (Tib. Norbu Ketaka, Wyl. nor bu ke ta ka), a commentary on the ninth chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara written by Mipham Rinpoche, based on the teachings of Patrul Rinpoche. It was composed in 1878, when Mipham Rinpoche was 32.

Lhobpon Rechunpa said:

“From the emanation of Lokeshvara, Dza Paltrul Rinpoche, [Mipham Rinpoche] received the Wisdom Chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara in only five days. Based on this, he wrote the commentary on the Wisdom Chapter known as the She Drel Keta Ka.”

Mipham Rinpoche himself said:

“When I was young, I was present when many accomplished, learned lamas gave Dharma teachings, but I only seriously studied Dza Patrul Rinpoche’s teachings on the Wisdom Chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara. Later, in dependence on the kindness of my venerable lama and Manjushri, no difficulties with study ever arose for me.”

In the ninth chapter of Nectar of Manjushri’s Speech, Khenpo Kunpal’s commentary on the whole Bodhicharyavatara, Khenpo Kunpal closely followed (almost verbatim) Mipham Rinpoche’s Norbu Ketaka.

About the Teacher

Khenpo Sonam Tsewang is a khenpo (equivalent of Professor of Buddhism) at Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, the advanced center of philosophical study at Namdroling Monastery, Bylakkuppe. He finished his graduation in Buddhism from Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi and also from Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, Namdroling. He has translated for His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche on many occasions. He published published English translations of books such as “How to Follow a Spiritual Master”, “The All Pervading Melodious Sound of Thunder : the Outer Liberation Story of Terton Migyur Dorje” and “Drops of Nectar”. He was enthroned as a Khenpo (equivalent of Professor of Philosophy) at Namdroling Monastery in 2010 by His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche. Khenpo Sonam travels extensively with his root Guru, Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche, for international teaching tours. In the process, he is also receiving close personal guidance and spiritual instructions from Khen Rinpoche.

For more information, see www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/teachings-on-the-wisdom-chapter-of-way-of-the-boddhisattva