Category Archives: Events

Events and programmes in the Bir area of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Three Treasures: Body, Speech & Mind in the Art (19-20 May)

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What: Art workshop
When: 19-20 May, 2012
Where: Deer Park Institute
Who: Andrew Schelling and Rebecca Eland

Three Treasures : Body, Speech and Mind in the Art

A workshop celebrating what’s known in Zen as beginner’s mind, allowing art to be shaped and informed by the immediate environment and the quality of open awareness. Participants will work with movement, dance, and poetry, cultivating avant-garde practices that have roots in traditions of yoga and Buddhist discipline. What sort of movement &what sort of  poetry discipline will reveal the profound interconnection of landscape, event, and one’s own mind? There will be two sessions a day, with sample time for reflection and writing.

The workshop will end with a group performance.

Facilitators:

Rebecca Eland is a dancer and poet from Boulder, Colorado.

Andrew Schelling is a poet and translator of Sanskrit and bhakti poetry, also from Boulder, Colorado. Both artists are from Naropa University.

For more information: http://www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/three-treasures-body-speech-and-mind-in-the-2/

Introduction to the Middle Way: Teachings on Chandrakirti’s Madhyamakavatara @ Deer Park (12-16 May & 15-17 June)

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What: Series of Buddhist Teachings on Chandrakirti’s Madhyamakavatara
When: 12-16 May (part 1) & 15-17 June (part 2)
Where: Deer Park Institute
Who: Khenpo Choying Dorjee

Introduction to the Middle Way

The Madhyamakavatara, considered to be a masterpiece on the Madhyamika “Middle Way” philosophy, is a treatise on the two types of selflessness composed by one of the most well-known Indian Buddhist panditas, Chandrakirti.

Chandrakirti’s work is a commentary on the Mula-Madhyamaka treatise of Nagarjuna. The Mula-Madhyamaka treatise is itself a systemization of the Prajnaparamita or “Perfection of Wisdom” literature – the sutras on the crucial but elusive concept of emptiness. The Madhyamakavatara of Chandkirti expresses both the profound aspect of Nagarjuna’s Mula-Madhyamaka, namely emptiness, as well as the vast aspect – the paths and bhumis of the bodhisattva. The Madhyamakavatara has eleven chapters, each addressing one of the ten ‘perfections’ (Sanskrit: paramita) fulfilled by the Bodhisattvas as they traverse the ten ‘stages’ (Sanskrit: bhumi) to Buddhahood, the subject of the 11th chapter.
Khenpo Choying Dorje’s classes on the Madhamakavatara will be divided into 5 series. For the 1st series, Khenpo will cover the first five chapters.

Khenpo Choying Dorjee

Khenpo Choying Dorjee is one of the senior Khenpos and assistant principal at the renowned Buddhist college Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro Institute. He received his Khenpo degree from Dzongsar Institute in 2002 after completing twelve years of study. He also received a special Khenpo degree from His Holiness Dalai Lama in 2004.

Khenpo Choying Dorjer has been teaching at Dzongsar Institute since 1998 and he was the Sakya scholar representative at a number of international conferences and workshops. From 2007, he started giving teachings in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and USA. In response to an adornment project of Khyentse Foundation, Khenpo recently went to University of California in Berkeley for a 5-month stay as visiting scholar in the Department of Southeast Asian Studies. Khenpo’s teaching at Deer Park will be in English.

For more information: http://www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/introduction-to-the-middle-way-2/

Words of My Perfect Teacher: A Dharma Talk with Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche (5-6 May)

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What: Dharma talk on the classic text Words of My Perfect Teacher
When: May 5-6, 2012
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir Tibetan Colony
Who: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche

Words of My Perfect Teacher

Deer Park is very honored to host three talks by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche on, “Words of My Perfect Teacher”, one of the favourite works of practioners of Tibetan Buddhisim and recommended by many senior Buddhist masters. This practical guide to inner transformation introduces the fundamental spiritual practices common to all Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Patrul Rinpoche, the author of this book, makes the technicalities of his subject accessible through a wealth of stories and references to everyday life. It is a wonderful opportunity to go through this text with Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche was recognized as an incarnation of Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye and trained extensively in all aspects of Buddhist doctrine, with an emphasis on the Rime tradition of Khyentse, Kongtrul and Chokgyur Lingpa. After moving to the United States in 1989, Rinpoche founded Mangala Shri Bhuti, an organization established to further the study and practice of the Buddhadharma in the West. Rinpoche is the author of two books, It’s Up to You: The Practice of Self-Reflection on the Buddhist Path, and Light Comes Through: Buddhist Teachings on Awakening to our Natural Intelligence. He is also an avid painter in the abstract expressionist tradition well as an aspiring photographer. Rinpoche travels widely throughout the world teaching and furthering his own education.

For more information: http://www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/words-of-my-perfect-teacher-2/

 

 

Discovering the Truth: Meditation Retreat @ Deer Park (30 April – 4 May)

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What: Meditation Retreat
When: April 30-May 4,2012
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir
Who: Venerable Aggacitta and Melitis Kwong

Discovering the Truth

Introductory Buddhism and meditation 5-Day Retreat

“The main purpose of spiritual path is awakening. This awakening isn’t some supernatural awakening. It’s awakening to the truth.”
— Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche

Buddhism is not religion in the usual sense of the word. It is a method of investigation and contemplation that allows you to work skillfully with the positive potentials and negative energies of your own mind in order to achieve a wakeful state of well being.

In this 5 day introductory course on Buddhism and meditation, we’ll explore the basic principles of the different schools of Buddhism. The facilitators will present an overview of the history, philosophy and practices of the Buddhist path through Dharma talks, discussions, teaching DVD and meetings with Lamas and Khenpos in the near by monastery.

The program will include guided sitting and walking meditation, silent reflection periods and personal interviews with the meditation instructors.

Faculty:

Venerable Aggacitta is a Theravada monk from Japan. He trained under the Burmese and Sri Lanka Buddhist monastic tradition for 9 years. He has been studying under various teachers of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Melitis Kwong is a long time student of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. She has completed a 3-year retreat in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

For more information: http://www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/discovering-the-truth/

Weekly Meditation Group at Dharmalaya (April & May)

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What: Weekly Meditation & Discussion Group
When: 5-6pm, every Sunday in April & May 2012
Where: Dharmalaya Institute
Who: Tergar Meditation Community

WEEKLY MEDITATION & DISCUSSION GROUPS

group sitDharmalaya Institute hosts weekly sitting meditation groups and Dharma discussions. These sessions, centred on the curriculum of the Tergar Meditation Community, are open to everyone. They are free of charge, with donations welcome but not required.

The current schedule for Dharmalaya’s weekly meditation and discussion groups is as follows: From 15 April to 27 May, 2012, we will meet every Sunday from 5:00pm to 6:00pm in the main hall at the Dharmalaya Institute in Bir (directions). For those who wish to stay longer for discussion, we can continue till 6:30 or so. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. Tea will be served.

Schedule

4:45: Arrive early, catch your breath, say hello
5:00: Opening with a selection from Mingyur Rinpoche’s writings
5:20: Group meditation (40 minutes)
6:00: Informal discussion and tea

More information: http://dharmalaya.in/meditation-programmes/

Tuning Fork Film Workshop (24-29 April @ Deer Park)

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What: Film workshop

When: 24-29 April, 2012

Where: Deer Park Institute

Who: Ankit Pogula and Sachi Maniar

Description: Tuning Fork Film Workshops are about learning how to make films with minimum resources, how to get creative in filmmaking and above all how to evaluate the relevance of what one wants to convey through this powerful and captivating medium.

During the course of the workshop, through different exercises and activities participants will learn to script, storyboard, shoot, edit and finally export one’s ‘own’ film. It is a process that involves creativity, teamwork and self-reflection.

For more information: http://www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/tuning-fork-film-workshop/

Sustainable Living in the Himalayas: Volunteer Programme at Dharmalaya (7 April – 31 May)

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What: Informal volunteer and service-learning programme
Topic: Sustainable living in the Himalayas, including green building, organic gardening, and permaculture landscaping
When: 7 April to 31 May, 2012 (Participants may arrive and depart anytime in this period)
Where: Dharmalaya Institute
Languages: English & Hindi
Facilitators: Mark Moore, Naresh Sharma, et al

Description: Informal programme at the Dharmalaya Institute open to both residential and non-residential participants. We will be doing fun, physical work, including green building, organic gardening, tree planting, and more. There will be plenty of opportunities for learning, application, questions, and relaxation (we’re also doing an optional meditation programme for those who are interested). Feel free to come and go anytime between 7 April and 31 May. (And, if you don’t mind getting very wet, you might even stay on longer during the monsoon tree-planting season if you like.)

For more information see Dharmalaya’s volunteer page, read the FAQ, and complete the volunteer application if you’re interesting in joining us.

Travel Writing with Meaning (March 23-25 2012)

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What: Workshop on Travel Writing with Meaning
Who: Janet Thomas
When: March 23-25, 2012
Where: Deer Park Institute

Wherever we go, we takes ourselves with us. Travel writing is about the inner journey, the outer landscape, the politics of place and people, and the ways in which we navigate through the mundane, the sublime and the terrifying. It is also an opportunity to wake up to the “other” in ways that can help heal the world. How do we write and travel at the same time? What’s the difference between a travel blog and a travel book? How do we transform our personal journey into a universal experience? “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” (Mark Twain) Good travel writing is too.

Read more at the Deer Park website › 

 

Kabir: Poetry readings by Ajayji at Dharmalaya (15-21 March)

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What: Poetry readings and commentary on Kabir by Ajay Pal Singh
Where: Dharmalaya Institute in Bir, HP, India
When: 3:45-5:15pm, 15-21 March, 2012
Language: Hindi with English translation and commentary (Q&A in both languages)
Facilitator: Ajay Pal Singh

Ajay Pal SinghAjayji will be giving readings and commentary on Kabir’s poetry every day from 3:45-5:15pm. These sessions are open to the public and everyone is welcome. Please note that the rest of the programme, before and after the readings, is a silent retreat, so if you attend, please arrive on time and stay for the whole session.

Living in Balance: Sustainability Service Retreat (Mar-Apr 2012)

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What: Service Retreat at Dharmalaya with SanghaSeva
Topic: Living in Balance: Contemplation, Compassion, and Sustainability
Who: Zohar Lavie, Nathan Glyde, Mark Moore, et al
When: 22 March – 4 April, 2012
Where: Dharmalaya Institute

Residential program at the Dharmalaya Institute. Possible workshops and groups sessions include the following:

  • Meditation
  • Hands-on education in traditional earthen architecture of the Himalayas
  • Organic gardening and permaculture landscaping
  • A mixture of silent practice and group connection and activity

For further details, or to register, please visit the SanghaSeva website.