Tag Archives: philosophy

Shamatha & Vipasyana retreat as presented in Yogacara tradition (2-9 Nov)

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What: Shamatha & Vipasyana retreat as presented in Yogacara tradition with reference to Anapanasmrti or Maitri meditation

Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir

When: 2-9 Nov, 2013

Who: Ven. Dhammadipa

Now 60 years old, Venerable Dhammadipa (lay name Thomas Peter Gutman) was born in Czechoslovakia in 1949. He studied Chinese Literature and Philosophy at Prague University, graduating in 1969, and then studied Russian literature at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he received a degree in 1973.

In the late seventies Venerable began his Buddhist studies in Berlin, where he had immigrated as a refugee after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. In 1977 he received a master’s degree in Chinese literature and philosophy at the University of Paris. In 1979, he enrolled at Nalanda University in India (where he also taught French and German) to study Sanskrit and Buddhist Philosophy. After receiving a degree at Nalanda in 1984, he returned to serve as the Associate Librarian at Berlin University.

In 1986, Venerable Dhammadipa went to Japan and studied under Zen Master Harada Serrei Roshi of the S t school (Caodong in Chinese) practice. He was given a Dharma name as Xing-Kong (meaning Nature of Emptiness).

In 1987, with the encouragement of Venerable Athurugiriye Nyanavimala Mahathera, Venerable Wijayasoma Mahathera, and Venerable Dikwelle Mahinda, he ordained as a monk in Meetirigala and was given a Dharma name as Dhammadipa (island of Buddhism or Dharma). He received the full Theravada Bhiksu ordination in Sri Lanka where he practiced meditation under the guidance of his preceptor, Venerable Nanarama Mahathera. In 1989, he received the Three Fold ordination as a Mahayana Monk in Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles and began Dharma teaching in US, Germany and Taiwan.

In 1996, Venerable went to Myanmar to practice meditation with the contemporary master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw, and was recognized by the Sayadaw to be first of the Sayadaw’s Western disciples qualified to teach meditation. He has since been teaching Samatha (tranquil mental states) and Vipassana (direct seeing of the Dharma) meditation at monasteries and universities worldwide.

Venerable Dhammadipa speaks Czech, French, German, English, Russian, and fluent Chinese. He reads and translates Buddhist texts from Pali and Sanskrit. His translated works in French and Czeck include Treatise on the Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana (Mahayanasraddhotpada-sastra), Entry into the Bodhisattva Path (Bodhicaryavatara) and a Collection of Han-San’s Poems. His teachings in Taiwan have been compiled and printed in Chinese.

Over the years Venerable has presented dharma teachings and led meditation retreats around Europe, North America, Taiwan and mainland China, India and Southeast Asia. Personally he has a gentle and easy going manner. His teaching follows the framework of the classic Theravada Buddhist commentary The Path of Purity (Pali: Visuddhimagga): one starts with training in the precepts (virtue) which lays the foundation for training in concentration and then the development of wisdom. Venerable teaches that knowledge of the Buddhist way should be applied in practice and verified first hand through direct experience. One should make a great vow to tread the way and realize the dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings.

 

For information: http://www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/a-shamatha-and-vipasyana-retreat-as-presented-in-yogacara-tradition/

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara (3-5 August)

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What: Buddhist teachings on the Way of the Bodhisattva (year 4)
When: 3-5 August, 2012
Where: Deer Park Institute
Who: Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche

Bodhicaryavatara by Shantideva

The Way of the Bodhisattva (year 4)
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

Shantideva was an 8th-century Indian Buddhist master, who hailed from Kathiawada in Gujarat. He was a renowned scholar and adept at Nalanda University and an adherent of Prasangika Madhyamaka philosophy.

His classic text Bodhicaryavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva) has been studied, practiced, and expounded upon in an unbroken tradition for centuries, first in India and later in Tibet. It explains the Mahayana view and the methods to realize it. H.H. Dalai Lama has said, ‘If I have any understanding of compassion and the practice of the Bodhisattva path, it is entirely on the basis of this text that I possess it.’This is the fourth year of a series of teachings on Bodhicaryavatara by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche at Deer Park. If you would like to obtain the recordings of the last two teaching of this series, please email us at info@deerpark.in.

For more information: http://www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/bodhicaryavatara-by-shantideva-4/

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: The Four Dharmas of Gampopa (11-12 June)

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What: Buddhist teachings
When: 11-12 June, 2012
Where: Deer Park Institute
Who: Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

Four Dharmas of Gampopa with Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

Gampopa (1070-1153) also know as Dagpo Rinpoche is the heart disciple of the great Yogi Milarepa. Together with Rechungpa, the two are described as the sun and moon and each radiated his distinct light in the world. It is Gampopa with his luminous presence that shines to this day through the Dagpo Kagyu lineagues that collectively bear his name.

Besides writing the two most influential texts: The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, and A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path, Gampopa distilled the Buddhist path into four short lines or truths, called dharmas.

These lines became known as the Four Dharmas of Gampopa and are often studied as an explanation of the Four Noble Truths.

These four lines are:

Grant your blessings that my mind may follow the Dharma

Grant your blessings that my Dharma practice may become the path

Grant your blessings that the path may clarify confusion

Grant your blessings that confusion may arise as wisdom.

“These extremely profound sentences are a combination of Sutra and Tantra, and were expounded upon by the great master Longchen Rabjam. If a practitioner receives these instructions and is diligent, he or she will be able to attain complete enlightenment within a single lifetime. It is amazing how extraordinary the vital teachings of the buddhas and accomplished practitioners are.”

— Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, from Repeating the Words of the Buddha

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo is a renowned Buddhist teacher, popular worldwide for her warm, clear and down-to-earth presentation of the Dharma and its application in daily life. The inspiring story of her life, including 12 years of secluded retreat in a Himalayan cave, is the subject of a well-known biography, Cave inthe Snow. Jetsunma is the founder and abbess of Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery near Tashijong, H.P

For more information: http://www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/four-dharma-of-gampopa/

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/

 

 

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.

Introduction to Jainism (March 2012)

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What: Introduction to Jainism
When: 13-17 March 2012
Who: Samani Aagam Pragjna and Samani Rohit Pragya
Where: Deer Park Institute

Jainsim prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. It is one of the oldest Indian religions and has one of the richest heritages of learning and culture, together with a tradition of tolerance and synthesis. Jains have significantly influenced and contributed to ethical, political and economic spheres in India. As Jains have an ancient tradition of scholarship, they currently have the highest degree of literacy for a religious community in India and their libraries are the oldest in the country. Introduction to Jainism is presented by faculty members of Jain Vishva Bharati University in Ladnun, Rajasthan.

Read more at the Deer Park website ›

 

Dialogue Between Buddhism & Jainism (12 March 2012)

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When: 12 March, 2012
Who: Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Samani Agama Prajna, Ven. Dhammananda, Raji Ramanan
Where: Deer Park

While India has cradled many spiritual traditions, it has also been known to encourage a practice of dialogue in an atmosphere of utmost respect to the other. Historical evidence suggest that important traditions of Buddhism and Jainism took birth in this land. Gautama Buddha and Vardhamana Mahavira preached  religious  philosophy  in  almost the same geographical territory. Their ideas and doctrines had differences but that did not come in the way for the faithful ones to make their own choices and decisions . Over centuries the practice of dialogue has continued.

 

The Four Noble Truths (March 2012)

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What: Teaching on the Four Noble Truths based on the Pali Canon
Who: Ven. Bhikkhuni Dhammananda
When: 7-11 March, 2012
Where: Deer Park Institute

The Four Noble Truths (Cattāri ariyasaccāni in Pali) — the truth of suffering, the truth of origin of suffering, the truth of cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path leading to cessation — formed part of the first sermon Buddha gave after he attained enlightenment.  Buddha expounded this teaching in Deer Park, at Sarnath near Varanasi, and this teaching has been kept alive ever since. In this 5-day program, Venerable Dhammananda will give commentary based on the Pali text on the Four Noble Truths Teaching. There will be morning and evening daily guided meditation. In addition, a small booklet will be available for participants to further their study and understanding.