Relying on the Magical Manifestation of Guru Rinpoche

This event is available both In-person and Online.

Invited by King Trisong Detson, Guru Rinpoche brought the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni to Tibet.  Generally referred to as Guru Rinpoche, which means “precious master,“ he dispels all negativity, freeing beings from their troubles and disturbances.

When Guru Rinpoche appeared on earth, he came as a human being. In order to dissolve our attachment to dualistic conceptions and destroy fixations, he exhibited extraordinary manifestations. The Eight Emanations of Guru Rinpoche embody his most beneficial activities and demonstrate the flexibility and illusory nature of appearances. 

Who is Guru Rinpoche?

We’re unimaginably lucky to hear from Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), the leader who transformed Tibet into a Buddhist country and is arguably the reincarnation the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni) predicted would be his last reincarnation. More than a millennium ago, Guru Rinpoche made many prophecies scattered in text across many lineages of Tibet. Those were compiled in recent years into a text titled, “An Encouragement to Avert the Hindrances of Dark Times in the Year of the Iron Dog.” (Source: The Saving Each Other Together (SEOT) Project)

Refuge Vow

Until you have taken refuge, you have not committed your spiritual practice to a life direction. And once you take the refuge vow, you are recognizing that you yourself have Buddha nature and can unveil it. To do that, you need the support of a guide, (the Buddha), instructions on how to reveal your nature (the Dharma) and friends on the journey to keep you moving in the right direction (the Sangha). Taking refuge changes your life priorities and firmly plants you moving in the direction towards your Buddha nature. This is the first step as an official Buddhist on the path. While you can take it in your heart which is the most important form, you can also take it with a Buddhist master. It represents turning toward a genuine spiritual path that can be of benefit not only to ourselves but to others as well. Khentrul Rinpoche will offer this vow to those who would like to take it. Since this is the moment you recognize yourself as part of the family of the Buddhas, you are given a new name, a refuge name which has profound meaning based on the qualities of the ultimate truth which you will work to cultivate and reveal in yourself. You can receive one in person or request one online.

Bodhisattva Vow

For those who want to know the truth of their nature, but also want everyone else to know the truth of their nature – there is the Bodhisattva Vow. This is a ceremony to commit to or to validate your choice to help all sentient beings in the 10 directions and 3 times to know their own sacred truth. It’s a commitment to help others awaken no matter what it takes, no matter how long, and no matter when it happens. It is a commitment to be here for their benefit. This is a step to cultivating the heart of love and compassion and the warrior spirit and energy that will stop at nothing to help other people see their truth.

The Bodhisattva Vow can only be taken after you have taken the Refuge Vow. In taking this vow, you move from a path of individual awakening to one of communal awakening commit to love and compassion as your path.

Schedule by Timezone

Central Europe and South Africa

SUNDAY December 8, 2024

12:00 AM – 2:00 AM — Session 1: Teachings on Guru Rinpoche, Refuge and Bodhisattva Aspirations
3:00 AM – 5:00 AM — Session 2: Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows

Questions?
Please email [email protected]