Dear Dharma Friends,
We are happy to announce that Venerable Khenchen Rinpoche will be giving 2 programs: Amitayu Empowerment and a talk on Bodhichitta. The programs will be on Sunday, October 6th beginning at 1:30 pm and will be held at Shakti Yoga & Living Arts in Maplewood, NJ (a 40 minute train ride from NYC).
PROGRAM:
Sunday, October 6
1:30-3:30 pm Amitayu Empowerment
5:00-7:00 pm Talk on Bodhichitta
Venerable Khenchen Trinley Paljor Rinpoche is one of the chief lineage holders of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Khenchen Rinpoche became a monk at an early age, underwent the traditional 3 year, 3 month, 3 day retreat three times by the age of thirty, and became a Druponla (retreat master) during his second full retreat. He received the various Kagyupa teachings from H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and other Rinpoches and received numerous Sakyapa and Nyingmapa teachings from H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Recent activities of Khenchen Rinpoche include the giving of important transmissions to holders of the Karma Kagyu lineage, including H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje. He is the resident teacher at the Dharmakaya Retreat Center.
AMITAYU meaning boundless life, is similar to Amitabha, meaning boundless light. These are the two most important conventional names applied to one of the main Buddhas of Mahayana Buddhism, emphasizing two of that Buddha’s many attributes. In the Greater Sukhavati Sutra, Buddha Shakyamuni says:
O Ananda, the length of the life of that Bhagavat Amitabha, the Tathagata, is immeasurable . . . Therefore that Tathagata is called Amitayu.
For Mahayana practitioners, Buddha Amitabha/Amitayu is considered the Buddha of the western pure land Sukhavati. Amitabha practice enables practitioners to attain to this pure land upon death. Amitayu practice functions to overcome obstacles that might curtail our full life.
BODHICHITTA is a Sanskrit word that may be translated as “awakening mind.” Bodhichitta is the great compassionate wish, and actions, to attain full enlightenment in order to relieve the suffering of all beings, seen and unseen, not just oneself.
COST AND REGISTRATION: The cost for each program is $20 or $35 for both. Khenchen Rinpoche’s program will be hosted by Dharmakaya and held at Shakti Yoga & Living Arts. Please register through Shakti Yoga & Living Arts.
DIRECTIONS: 1861 Springfield Ave., Maplewood, NJ 07040 • 973-763-2288 • shaktinj.com/directions.htm
Maplewood is a 40 minute train ride from Penn Station. The train leaves Penn Station at 12:11 pm and arrives in Maplewood at 12:51 pm. The train leaves Maplewood at 7:54 pm and arrives at Penn Station at 8:39 pm.
The Maplewood train station is about 1 mile from the studio. Rides will be available from the train station for the 12:51 pm arrival and 7:54 pm departure.
If you are only coming for one program there are other trains available. Please go to: njtransit.com
We are sorry but we can’t provide rides to and from the Maplewood train station for any times but those listed above.
For those who are new to attending an Empowerment:
There will be some explanation of Amitayu Buddha, instructions for practice, and the actual ceremonial “empowering” or “initiation” to practice. During the empowerment section, participants will come to the front and be blessed with some of the sacred objects.
Those who would like to may present a Khatak (silk scarf which are available for sale in the boutique for $4) or a monetary offering (free envelopes available) to Rinpoche. These offerings are completely optional. You may either give your offering when you come up for the initiation blessing or after the program is over.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact: retreatus@dharmakaya.org
If you have any questions about the venue or registration, please contact: info@shaktinj.com
We look forward to seeing you!
