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Kagyu Dakshang Chuling Founded by His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche Directed by Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing Newsletter April 2014 His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche Milarepa Empowerment Saturday, May 10, 2:00 p.m. Please arrive by 1:45 p.m., late entries will not be permitted. $25 general ($20 KDC members) It is also customary to make a donation to the empowering Lama. Milarepa is widely regarded as Tibet’s greatest Yogi. Although he was an ordinary human being, through diligent Dharma practice he achieved full enlightenment in one lifetime. According to the Buddha, receiving the Milarepa Empowerment grants one an immediate blessing. In addition, the blessings received from the Milarepa Empowerment will help Dharma practitioners to quickly attain results from their daily meditation practice; therefore, any student of the Dharma is highly encouraged to take this Empowerment. e Refuge Vow is required and will be offered prior to the Empowerment. Milarepa Teaching, Practice, and Tsok Sunday, May 11, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m., late entries will not be permitted. You are welcome to bring a lunch and stay during the break. $30 general ($25 KDC members) Pecha (practice text) $10 Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing will give instructions on doing the practice of Milarepa as a daily meditation. e day will conclude with a Milarepa Tsok. is Tsok is offered in memory of His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche, who passed into the Pure Realms on May 10, 1989. Any monetary donations for Shrine offerings, Tsok, and Puja result in great benefit for the donor. Donations may also be made on behalf of anyone who is in need of blessings. Donations can be sent to KDC’s mailing address: KDC, 215 East 33rd Avenue, Eugene, OR 97405 917 East 43rd Avenue Eugene, Oregon (Between West Amazon and Fox Hollow) Please park on West Amazon and walk up hill. SPECIAL EVENTS to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche’s passing into the Pure Lands May 10, 2014 (according to the Western calendar) is the 25th anniversary of His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche’s passing into the Pure Lands. KDC plans to commemorate this anniversary with a Milarepa Empowerment, teaching, practice, and Tsok. Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing has planned these particular events for KDC since the practice of Milarepa is a form of Guru Yoga; therefore, it is a most appropriate practice to do for one’s Root Lama. Preceding the Puja and Tsok on Sunday aſternoon will be a Milarepa Empowerment on Saturday. e Empowerment is required for receiving the instructions on doing the Milarepa practice.

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Page 1: Kagyu Dakshang Chuling · Kagyu Dakshang Chuling Founded by His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche Directed by Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing Newsletter April 2014 His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche

Kagyu Dakshang ChulingFounded by His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche Directed by Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing

Newsletter April 2014

His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche

Milarepa EmpowermentSaturday, May 10, 2:00 p.m. Please arrive by 1:45 p.m., late entries will not be permitted.$25 general ($20 KDC members)It is also customary to make a donation to the empowering Lama.

Milarepa is widely regarded as Tibet’s greatest Yogi. Although he was an ordinary human being, through diligent Dharma practice he achieved full enlightenment in one lifetime. According to the Buddha, receiving the Milarepa Empowerment grants one an immediate blessing. In addition, the blessings received from the Milarepa Empowerment will help Dharma practitioners to quickly attain results from their daily meditation practice; therefore, any student of the Dharma is highly encouraged to take this Empowerment.

The Refuge Vow is required and will be offered prior to the Empowerment.

Milarepa Teaching, Practice, and TsokSunday, May 11, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m., late entries will not be permitted. You are welcome to bring a lunch and stay during the break.$30 general ($25 KDC members) Pecha (practice text) $10

Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing will give instructions on doing the practice of Milarepa as a daily meditation. The day will conclude with a Milarepa Tsok. This Tsok is offered in memory of His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche, who passed into the Pure Realms on May 10, 1989. Any monetary donations for Shrine offerings, Tsok, and Puja result in great benefit for the donor. Donations may also be made on behalf of anyone who is in need of blessings. Donations can be sent to KDC’s mailing address:

KDC, 215 East 33rd Avenue, Eugene, OR 97405

917 East 43rd AvenueEugene, Oregon

(Between West Amazon and Fox Hollow)Please park on West Amazon and walk up hill.

SPECIAL EVENTSto commemorate

the 25th Anniversary of His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche’s

passing into the Pure Lands

May 10, 2014 (according to the Western calendar) is the 25th anniversary of His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche’s passing into the Pure Lands. KDC plans to commemorate this anniversary with a Milarepa Empowerment, teaching, practice, and Tsok. Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing has planned these particular events for KDC since the practice of Milarepa is a form of Guru Yoga; therefore, it is a most appropriate practice to do for one’s Root Lama. Preceding the Puja and Tsok on Sunday afternoon will be a Milarepa Empowerment on Saturday. The Empowerment is required for receiving the instructions on doing the Milarepa practice.

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Amitabha Teaching, Practice, and Special Puja for the Deceased Monday, May 26, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m., late entries will not be permitted.$30 general ($25 KDC members) Pecha (practice text) $15You are welcome to bring a lunch and stay during the break.

Please arrive between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m. for the special Puja if you are not attending the all-day Amitabha Practice. No entries later than 2:30 p.m. will be allowed for this special Puja.

This Puja is extremely helpful when performed for the benefit of one who has died. After dying, due to karma and habitual patterns, we have no control over our future rebirth, and we are driven by the power of our previous actions. This profound Puja purifies negativities and obscurations and liberates the deceased from samsara, leading to rebirth in the Pure Land of Dewachen.

Names of deceased and donations may be submitted by anyone who has had a family member or friend die recently or long ago. It is traditional to make a monetary offering along with the names, because due to the auspiciousness of interdependence, the merit of the offering accomplishes the welfare of the deceased. Please submit the names along with monetary donations in advance. Donations and names of deceased can be sent to KDC’s mailing address:

KDC, 215 East 33rd Avenue, Eugene, OR 97405

Amitabha EmpowermentSaturday, May 24, 2:00 p.m.Please arrive by 1:45 p.m., late entries will not be permitted.$25 general ($20 KDC members)It is also customary to make a donation to the empowering Lama. The Empowerment authorizes one to do the meditation practice of the Buddha Amitabha. Amitabha is the particular Deity who helps us at the time of our death to attain rebirth in the Pure Land of Dewachen. The Refuge Vow is required and will be offered prior to the Empowerment.

Amitabha Teaching and Practice Sunday, May 25, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m., late entries will not be permitted.$30 general ($25 KDC members) Pecha (practice text) $15You are welcome to bring a lunch and stay during the break. The Amitabha sutra states that even to hear the name of Amitabha is cause to be reborn in the Pure Land of Dewachen. Amitabha practice carries a great blessing and is easy to accomplish. Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing has accomplished many long Amitabha retreats; this is an excellent opportunity to practice with him. The Empowerment is required. If you would like to sponsor the mid-day meal for the Lamas, please call the Dharma Center at (541) 485-3961 between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing is available to perform the Amitabha Puja of Blessing for the Deceased throughout the year. You may request Lama-la to perform the Puja to benefit a friend or other loved one who has passed away. The Puja involves advance preparation (for Tormas, etc.) and items for a simple Tsok (food, candles, etc.). The Puja takes about two hours to complete. As a sponsor you are welcome to attend the Puja. It is customary to make donations for the many benefits of the deceased. Please contact Ani Kunzang at KDC, (541) 485-3961, between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Amitabha Empowerment, Teachings, and Special Puja for the Deceased

Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing will offer a series of special events culminating in a Puja of Blessing for the Deceased. This profound Puja is rarely performed in the West and carries a great blessing for the deceased. Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing offers this Puja each year for the benefit of all beings in general, and for the local community and KDC Sangha in particular. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to benefit loved ones who have passed away (especially during the past year) at KDC’s annual Amitabha Puja for the Deceased. As described in detail below, your donations are highly auspicious and an important component of the Puja.

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CALENDAR OF DHARMA EVENTS

Schedule for all-day teachings: 9:00–11:00 a.m.: Instructions and guided meditation. You are welcome to bring a lunch and stay during the break. 1:00–4:00 p.m.: Question-and-answer period and guided meditation.On days when special events are scheduled, KDC’s regularly scheduled Pujas are not held.

To properly prepare oneself to receive Empowerments and teachings or to engage in Puja, please plan to arrive at the KDC Shrine Room fifteen minutes before an event is scheduled to begin and sit in quiet meditation. The doors will be closed at the beginning of the event, and no late entries are allowed so that other meditators will not be disturbed.

Shi-nay (Calm-Abiding) Meditation and PracticeLama Sonam Dargye (Tony Albino)Sunday, June 8, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m., late entries will not be permitted.$30 general ($25 KDC members) In the Tibetan word shi-nay, shi means calm and nay means abiding. Shi-nay meditation rests the mind in a state undisturbed by thoughts and emotions, allowing the mind to experience its true nature. Lama Sonam will give instructions, guide a meditation session, and answer questions. This meditation is appropriate for anyone interested in the path that unites wisdom and compassion.

Seven-Point Mind TrainingMahayana Great CompassionTeaching and PracticeLama Sonam Dargye (Tony Albino)Sunday, June 22, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m., late entries will not be permitted.$30 general ($25 KDC members) This Mahayana tradition of mental transformation is cherished by all schools of Tibetan Buddhism and is considered indispensable for one’s Dharma practice to bear fruit. Renowned for its universal and pragmatic approach, it gleans all of the Mahayana teachings to seven basic points and shows how to apply them to one’s life.

White Tara EmpowermentSaturday, June 28, 2:00 p.m. Please arrive by 1:45 p.m., late entries will not be permitted.$25 general ($20 KDC members)It is also customary to make a donation to the empowering Lama.

White Tara is one of the main long-life deities. White Tara’s practice is imbued with many blessings and is easy to accomplish. White Tara was one of His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche’s main yidam practices and is also a principal practice of many other High Kagyu Lamas. The Refuge Vow is required and will be offered by Lama-la before the Empowerment.

White Tara Teaching and PracticeSunday, June 29, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m., late entries will not be permitted.$30 general ($25 KDC members)The Pecha (practice text) is included in the cost.

Through Tara meditation practice one receives the blessings and protection of Tara, and all suffering and obstacles are pacified. Among Tara’s many forms, White Tara’s main activity is to bestow the blessing of long life. A long life enables one to progress on the path of Dharma and achieve the state of Buddhahood for the benefit of self and others. The practice of White Tara is brief, easy to accomplish, and carries a great blessing. Participants must have received the White Tara Empowerment.

Transportation for Venerable Lama Tsang TsingSeveral years ago, a kind and generous person donated a vehicle so that Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing could be driven

to his many appointments, commitments, and errands in a safe and timely manner. Donations were also made toward the “Auto Fund” that were used for car insurance, maintenance, and gas. These funds have now been depleted. Please consider making a small donation to the “Auto Fund” to ensure that the insurance payments are met, gas can be purchased, and maintenance performed, so that Lama-la’s transportation needs are met.

Donation checks may be made out to Kagyu Dakshang Chuling earmarked for “Auto Fund” and sent to:215 East 33rd Avenue, Eugene, OR 97405

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Reminders: •Asacourtesytoothers,ifyouoranyoneinyourhouseholdisillandcouldbecontagious,pleaseplan to join us for an event in the future when you are well.

•KDCisafragrance-freezone.Duetomanypeople’sallergies,pleaserefrainfromwearingscentedproducts or wearing clothing that may have lingering scents of scented products on them.

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Medicine Buddha EmpowermentSaturday, September 6, 2:00 p.m. Please arrive by 1:45 p.m., late entries will not be permitted.$25 general ($20 KDC members)It is also customary to make a donation to the empowering Lama. Medicine Buddha, often referred to as the “Healing Buddha,” has the ability to cure physical and mental illnesses, and to purify beings of their negativities, defilements, and obscurations. The Medicine Buddha Empowerment is considered to be the most powerful blessing for healing, dispelling sickness and suffering, and awakening the nature of mind. The Refuge Vow is required and will be offered prior to the Empowerment.

Medicine Buddha Teaching and Practice Sunday, September 7, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m., late entries will not be permitted.$30 general ($25 KDC members) Pecha (practice text) $10 The Medicine Buddha practice has the ability to heal both body and mind, and can be done for the benefit of oneself and for others. Traditionally, in Tibet, Medicine Buddha and its practice are very important to physicians and healers. The practice of Medicine Buddha is very powerful and is also easy to accomplish. Participants must have received the Empowerment.

Annual Mahamudra RetreatLama Sonam Dargye (Tony Albino)Friday, July 25 to Sunday, August 3

Lama Sonam (Tony Albino) will lead KDC’s annual Mahamudra Retreat, to be held at a private, country site near Eugene blessed by many High Lamas. All students able to make the practice commitment are welcome to receive the teachings, based on the Ninth Karmapa’s Ocean of Certainty, a key text in the Mahamudra tradition. Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche designed the retreat and its accompanying program of meditation practice to meet the needs of lay practitioners including newcomers. Vast and profound, Mahamudra is the pinnacle of the Kagyu Lineage, and embodies the deep meaning of all the sutras and the tantras; instructions in Mahamudra can only be obtained from a qualified Lama.

Lama Sonam Dargye completed the traditional three-year retreat in 1989 under the guidance of Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing. Due to his training and qualities, Lama Sonam has Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing’s complete confidence to lead the retreat. The retreat will include time for group and individual practice as well as group teachings with question-and-answer periods.

The daily schedule begins at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 8:00 p.m. and includes Chenrezig and Mahakala Pujas each afternoon. All participants are asked to commit to a year-long program of daily meditation practice to the best of their abilities. Friday afternoon, July 25, is arrival day and orientation. The schedule of teachings and practice begins Saturday morning and concludes Sunday, August 3.

The cost of the retreat is $400 ($300 for KDC members of six months or more) and includes three meals per day and instruction. Participants will be asked to assist the cook for a short period each day, but no one will thereby miss teachings or practice sessions. Accommodations will be in tents with an outdoor privy and a sheltered shower facility.

The retreat is limited to twelve persons. To reserve your place in the retreat, please send a $100 deposit payable to KDC by May 15. Deposits are non-refundable because advance purchases are made from the time your deposit is received. The retreat must be paid in full by July 15. For information please call Lama Sonam, (541) 747-8634, or Lama Ani Kunzang, (541) 485-3961, between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Become a Member of KDC Sangha members, friends, and visitors to KDC have often said how fortunate they feel to have such a nice Dharma Center to go to, and also to have such a highly qualified Master as Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing to provide us with Teachings, Empowerments, Pujas, and his experienced guidance. For all of you who experience the great benefit of the Dharma Center, whether it’s being able to gather together on a weekly basis in our Shrine Room for Pujas, or for special Teachings, Empowerments, and other events, please consider becoming a member of KDC if you are not already a member. Financial support of KDC Dharma Center on a regular basis ensures that KDC will be able to sustain itself, so that you will always have access to a blessed, physical building to go to for weekly Pujas, and so that a qualified Lama can remain in Eugene to provide you with the traditional Teachings, Empowerments, and Practices. Monthly membership starts at only $20 per individual. This is a real bargain for all the benefit you will receive, both relatively and ultimately. Dues, like any other donation to KDC, are tax deductible. Members of three months or more receive a discount at all Center events. Please make checks payable to KDC and mail to 215 East 33rd Avenue, Eugene, OR 97405. For further information, you may call Howard Epstein at (541) 746-6459.

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Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing holding statue

The Blessings and Purification of Empowermentsin the Vajrayana Tradition

An Empowerment introduces one to the Deity and authorizes one to do the practice of that Deity. In addition to this, an Empowerment possesses two other profound qualities. An Empowerment provides a special blessing that cannot be obtained elsewhere and is a supreme method of purification. Although there are many methods of purification in Vajrayana Buddhism, an Empowerment is the most powerful method of purification. For practitioners, this is extremely important, because in order to reach Buddhahood, it is necessary to purify our negativities and defilements. Therefore, understanding the important qualities of an Empowerment, people in Tibet and India traditionally take an Empowerment at every available opportunity.

At KDC we are extremely fortunate to have Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing in residence. He is a highly qualified and developed Lama who teaches and transmits the pure, authentic Dharma. Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing has received these Empowerments from an unbroken lineage of High Lamas and has maintained the lineage with pure, unbroken samaya. It is solely with our benefit in mind that Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing offers these Empowerments so that we may receive the blessings that are needed and the purification that is necessary to reach the supreme state of Buddhahood.

Green Tara Statue

RAFFLETo Benefit

KDC Building Fund

This consecrated Green Tara statue is being raffled to raise funds for the KDC Building Fund. This elegant, sacred figure is the perfect size for one’s personal shrine. Ellen Mark, a student of Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing from Kagyu Takten Puntsokling in Sebastopol, California, lovingly donated the statue to help KDC financially.

If you have been contemplating making a donation to KDC’s Building Fund, then this is the perfect opportunity for you. By purchasing a raffle ticket, you will not only have a chance to win this exquisite statue, but you will acquire merit by helping KDC reach our goal of owning the Center outright. In this way we will fulfill His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche’s wish that KDC will always remain in existence and will benefit many generations of beings by showing them the path to liberation and freedom from the endless cycle of samsara.

Raffle Tickets $10 Each Please purchase tickets from: Kathleen Epstein, KDC Building Fund 33482 Bloomberg Road Eugene, OR 97405 (541) 746-6459 [email protected]

The drawing for the statue will be on

Sunday, June 29, 2014during the White Tara teaching and practice. Ticket holders need not be present to win. If you live out of town, we can arrange to ship the statue to you, or hold it until your next visit to KDC.

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Please contact KDC as follows:

•Mail: 215East33rdAvenue,Eugene,OR97405•E-mail: [email protected]•Telephone: (541)485-3961or(541)683-1808 between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.•KDCBuildingFund:33482BloombergRoad Eugene, OR 97405 Tel. (541) 746-6459 •Website: http://www.kdc-eugene.orgAll events held at the KDC Center: 917 East 43rd Avenue.

GREEN TARA PUJA SATURDAY, 10:00–11:00 a.m. Arrive by 9:45 a.m. No late entries.(Empowerment required for attendance.)

MAHAKALA PUJA – SUNDAY, 5:30–6:00 p.m. Arrive by 5:15 p.m. No late entries.(Empowerment required for attendance.)

CHENREZIG PUJA – SUNDAY, 6:00–7:00 p.m. Arrive by 5:45 p.m. No late entries.Wait for Shrine Room door to open. All welcome.

KDC MEDITATION SCHEDULE917 East 43rd Avenue, Eugene, Oregon(Between West Amazon and Fox Hollow.)

To minimize the Center’s impact on our neighborhood, please park on West Amazon and walk up hill to KDC.

COMING SOON KDC E-NEWSLETTER

Given the rising cost of producing a newsletter for a Center such as KDC, in the near future we will be changing over to an e-newsletter format. If this is not a possibility for someone, a printed copy can be made available. The newsletter will also be viewable and printable on our website:

www.kdc-eugene.orgPlease send your e-mail address to:

[email protected] look for an upcoming link on our website.