Retreat in Plouray from 28th December 2008 to 2nd January 2009
Last Updated on Thursday, 10 December 2009 10:21 Saturday, 27 December 2008 15:15
Retreat in Plouray from 28th December 2008 to 2nd January 2009
The first day of retreat in Plouray has taken place today. His Holiness has started His teaching on the 37 practices of the Bodhisattvas by insisting on the importance of appreciation. We have then concluded with a Tcheu Sangye Tsewa practice in the evening.
How happy we all are to be in the presence of His Holiness and to meet the Sangha in this holy place that is Plouray !
How happy we all are to be in the presence of His Holiness and to meet the Sangha in this holy place that is Plouray !
On the second day of the retreat, under a shining sun and a true Christmas weather, His Holiness taught us the three wisdoms of listening, contemplating wisdom and meditation. We need to build a sense of appreciation. « Life needs to be appreciated and then the three wisdoms come as a result. »
In the afternoon, His Holiness gave us the Chenrezig empowerment and many lucky people received the refuge vows. His Holiness reminded us to use our refuge names among us instead of our common names. He also encouraged us to smile sincerely, be warm and thoughtful from our heart.
In the afternoon, His Holiness gave us the Chenrezig empowerment and many lucky people received the refuge vows. His Holiness reminded us to use our refuge names among us instead of our common names. He also encouraged us to smile sincerely, be warm and thoughtful from our heart.
31 December 2008
Today, His Holiness went on teaching about the 37 practices of the Bodhisattvas by telling us about the development of tolerance and patience. In the afternoon, He gave the ley vows to a great number of people and explained that ley practitionners follow the Mahayana-symbolized by the red stripe on the zen- and the Vajrayana- symbolized by the white stripe.
This evening, we had the great joy to celebrate the new year in the company of His Holiness. The celebrations began with a lamp offering and circumambulations around the Stupa and prayer wheel. In His great love, His Holiness turned the prayer wheel and requested the Sangha to place their lamps around it and do circumambulations. We all recited the King of Prayers followed by a teaching given by His Holiness on the steps of the beautifully lit Stupa. He filled our hearts with warmth when he reminded us that thanks to live internet broadcast, vajra brothers and sisters from all over the world were connected with us-some of whom were most surely enjoying sunny weather. The temperature was very low (-6°) but as His Holiness reminded us, conditions are not so important if the mind is happy.
We performed a Vajrayogini tsok in joy and harmony before wishing each other a happy new year 2009. His Holiness concluded the evening by wishing us all the best for our practise in order to improve our life and be happy. Happy new year to all of you !!!
You can read His Holiness's new year message on His website :www.drukpa.org/
Today, His Holiness went on teaching about the 37 practices of the Bodhisattvas by telling us about the development of tolerance and patience. In the afternoon, He gave the ley vows to a great number of people and explained that ley practitionners follow the Mahayana-symbolized by the red stripe on the zen- and the Vajrayana- symbolized by the white stripe.
This evening, we had the great joy to celebrate the new year in the company of His Holiness. The celebrations began with a lamp offering and circumambulations around the Stupa and prayer wheel. In His great love, His Holiness turned the prayer wheel and requested the Sangha to place their lamps around it and do circumambulations. We all recited the King of Prayers followed by a teaching given by His Holiness on the steps of the beautifully lit Stupa. He filled our hearts with warmth when he reminded us that thanks to live internet broadcast, vajra brothers and sisters from all over the world were connected with us-some of whom were most surely enjoying sunny weather. The temperature was very low (-6°) but as His Holiness reminded us, conditions are not so important if the mind is happy.
We performed a Vajrayogini tsok in joy and harmony before wishing each other a happy new year 2009. His Holiness concluded the evening by wishing us all the best for our practise in order to improve our life and be happy. Happy new year to all of you !!!
You can read His Holiness's new year message on His website :www.drukpa.org/
1st January 2009 :
His Holiness taught about the part of the 37 practices of the Bodhisattvas dealing with the 6 perfections or Paramitas, from generosity to the perfection of transcending wisdom or Prajnaparamita.
In the evening, after the practice of Tcheu Sangye Tsewa, Droubpön Nawang gave us the following advice: devotion mustn’t go too high up otherwise there is danger. There must be continuity. He also said that His Holiness was very happy whenever He came to Plouray and that if our devotion was stable, His Holiness would continue to visit us twice a year.
2 January 2009
At 9 am, in the presence of His Holiness, Droubpön Nawang drew the lottery in aid of Drukpa Humanitaire and beautiful prizes were given to the happy winners.
The Drukpa Humanitaire team told us about the different ongoing projects such as the Water Project which has already made possible the building of a water tank on Mount Amithaba supplying 6 litres of water per person per day. Drukpa Humanitaire still needs some financial support because they would like to supply 20 litres per person per day which is a minimum to survive with.
Moreover, the team still needs around 85,000 € to finish the clinic.
Many thanks to Drukpa Humanitaire for their work but also for enabling us to participate in the vast altruistic activity of His Holiness by practicing generosity.
As His Holiness concluded, we are here to serve others through different activities such as planting trees. Planting trees is an important activity as trees are a form of life; they bring oxygen and prevent deforestation which causes floods leading to suffering.
Everything is interdependent and each altruistic action counts. We help beings who will help 100 beings who will help 1000 beings…
As for monks and nuns, they are « seeds of happiness » because through their spiritual practice, understanding of the practice and their example, they are able to help others. After the Mandala offering and a group picture in front of the prayer wheel, His Holiness left for London around 4.30pm. We are all filled with the Master’s warm Love and motivated to put His advice into practice, which is that after a retreat we should practice with even more diligence.
His Holiness’s words of wisdom are vividly floating in our hearts as the precious fragrance of rare sandalwood: « Life is all about appreciation » and « we are here to serve others ».
Project for the reconstruction of Drubpon Ngawang's family temple in Bhutan
The earthquake that shook Bhutan in September 2009 has nearly destroyed Chungkhar temple entirely. As it is a family estate, it cannot benefit from any governmental support. Thus, Drubpon Ngawang launched the project for its rebuilding. The works should stretch to 3 years time. To read more about it : : www.chungkhar.org
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