Armidale Community Buddhist Centre

A non- profit community organisation

Rowbottoms Road, Rocky River

67785038 or Dianne (02) 6772 6674

Email: release@exemail.com.au

Tradition: Gaden for the West – Interpreting and Integrating Gelug Tibetan Buddhism Spiritual Director: Zasep Tulku Rinpoche

The mud brick meditation hall or Gompa with its specially constructed stained glass windows and polished wooden floors, seats 40 and has a beautiful energy from the numerous retreats conducted by Zasep Rinpoche, approximately every two years since its construction. Our half day sits are suitable for beginners and you can come and sit for a short while or for longer. All events are by donation and are held at Vajra Ling unless stated otherwise.

Come and enjoy a gentle ½ day of sitting and walking meditation in this beautiful setting blessed by the many retreats and teachings given by eminent teachers. There will also be contemplation to open the heart and still the mind followed by a short discussion. Bring lunch to share if you wish.

Suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators.

Here is the Retreat and teaching schedule for Zasep Tulku Rinpoche’s visit to Uralla in 2008 at Vajra Ling, Rocky River unless stated otherwise

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th January

10am-5pm – Calm Abiding with Special insight Practice – $50 per day
“When you see reality, no illusions can confuse you;
when you develop stability, things cannot shake it or take it away.”

Only by combining the heightened state of concentration known as calm abiding with special insight into the nature of reality can liberation from cyclic existence be attained. Calm abiding forms the basis for special insight. The great Indian master Atisha also points out that for Bodhisattvas the attainment of a calmly abiding mind is essential in order to develop the different kinds of extra-sensory perception that allow them to work more efficiently for living beings.

Tuesday January 29th

Public talk on Mindfulness meditation for ” Healing Trauma and Spiritual Awakening” CWA Hall, Rusden Street, Armidale – 7pm for 7.30pm $10 donation

Thursday January 31st – Children’s Blessing

Friday February 1st – 7pm -9.30pm

Long Life White Heruka Initiation – commitments – Bodhisattva, Tantric Vows and daily recitation of White Heruka mantra $25

This is an Annutarayoga (Highest Yoga) Tantra initiation. Bodhisattva and tantric vows, as well as a daily mantra commitment, will be given according to tradition.

There was a series of teachings given to Lama Tsongkhapa from his direct communication with Manjushri, these teachings are called the Kadam Emanation Scripture. The initiation and its special instructions for practice are the very essence of those teachings that Je Tsongkhapa and Lama Umapa received from the Wisdom Buddha, Manjushri. It contains many secret instructions that were only handed down orally from Guru to disciple. Yanchen Drupai Dorje composed this sadhana from the oral instructions he received from Ngulchu Dharmabhadra. This is the most profound method for prolonging life, dispelling obstacles and increasing one’s merit that Manjushri himself had to offer.

Saturday 2nd and Sunday3rd February 10am – 5pm

Very Special teaching and practice on Bodhicitta and great Compassion – $50 per day

“There are many different philosophies, but what is of basic importance is compassion, love for others, concern for others’ suffering, and reduction of selfishness.” HH Dalai Lama

• Please note spaces are limited please book ahead and reserve your place

• For more details or to book in contact Maxine Ross 02 6778 5038 or Pedro 6771 3016 or email me at release@exemail.com.au

On Wednesday mornings in the Town Centre at 7.15am I will be conducting the long Green Tara Puja each week. I will be dedicating the benefit of this puja for Dianne’s mother, Dorothy Thomson. This is a public puja and everyone is welcomed to participate. Bring along your dharmarus and bells and conch shells if you have them. Otherwise just bring along yourself. It starts tomorrow, Wednesday 9^th January 2008.

Thank you very much.

Emilia

“May we be able to see everywhere, even on a mote of dust, countless Buddhas of the past, present and future, limitless pure lands, and endless eons.”

LAMA RIGZIN – ARMIDALE 14th – 16th December

Lama Rigzin was a Buddhist monk for 25 years from the age of 8 yrs old. He has been formally trained in Sakya monasteries in India and Nepal under many eminent teachers including HH Sakya Trizin.

He has been teaching and translating in Australia for the last 7 years and now lives with his wife, Ruth in Sydney, where he is highly valued and appreciated, by the Tibetan Community, and others as a spiritual guide. Lama Rigzin is a warm and accessible teacher.

Public talk – Becoming a Courageous Being

Rejoicing in the precious human life that one has and the opportunity for goodness.
Purifying unskilful habits. Holding a positive attitude. Being mindful.
Lama Rigzin will go through these topics step by step.

Friday – 14th December 2007 at Armidale Community Buddhist Centre
Start 7pm for 7.30pm
Suggested Donation: $5.00

Guarding Alertness

“Likewise it is not possible for me
To restrain the external course of things
But should I restrain this mind of mine
What would be the need to restrain all else”

Saturday – 15th December 2007 at Vajra Ling, Rocky River
9.30am – 4.00pm
Suggested Donation $50.00

This is a commentary based on the Fifth chapter from the classic Buddhist text, A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life by Acharya Shantideva. We will be studying and contemplating this chapter which highlights the importance of guarding alertness to reach the desired state of Buddhahood to benefit each and every sentient being.

Lama Rigzin has been working steadily through this text each time he visits Armidale.

Vajrasattva Practice and Teachings

Vajrasattva is used for cleansing negative karma and purifying the mental continuum.

Sunday – 16th December 2007 at Vajra Ling, Rocky River
9.30am – 3.30pm
Suggested Donation $40.00

A requirement to do this practice is to have received the empowerment of Vajrasattva.

For more information contact Pedro 6771 3016 or email release@exemail.com.au

Lama Rigzin was a Buddhist monk for 25 years from the age of 8 yrs old. He has been formally trained in Sakya monasteries in India and Nepal under many eminent teachers including HH Sakya Trizin.

He has been teaching and translating in Australia for the last 7 years and now lives with his wife, Ruth in Sydney, where he is highly valued and appreciated, by the Tibetan Community, and others as a spiritual guide. Lama Rigzin is a warm and accessible teacher.

Public talk

Friday – 21st September 2007 at Armidale Community Buddhist Centre
Start 7pm for 7.30pm
Topic: Transformative Foundations for a Meaningful Life
Suggested Donation: $5.00

Mindfulness

Sunday – 23rd September 2007 at Vajraling, Rocky River
10am -4pm
Suggested Donation: $30.00

This is a commentary based on the Fourth chapter from the classic Buddhist text, A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life by Acharya Shantideva.
Lama Rigzin has been working steadily through this text each time he visits Armidale.

For more information contact Dianne Dianne.Thompson@dadhc.nsw.gov.au (02) 67726674
or Maxine maxineross1@bigpond.com.au (02) 67785038