Saga Dawa Duchen, June 9, 2017
Come Help Celebrate Buddha's Enlightenment Day
Join us for a special event commemorating Saga Dawa Duchen. This month is Saga Dawa, the fourth lunar month and the holiest time of the Tibetan Buddhist Year. This precious time culminates in the observation of Buddha Shakyamuni's enlightenment and parinirvana on the 15th Lunar Day, known as Saga Dawa Duchen.
In the Western calendar, Saga Dawa Duchen occurs on Friday, June 9, 2017. On this auspicious day, the power of positive and negative intentions and actions increases one billion (1,000,000,000) times or more. With this in mind, Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche and the Dzogchen Shri Singha Foundation would like to invite all Sangha for a special gathering and offering ceremony to commemorate Buddha Shakyamuni's Enlightenment and Parinirvana.
This ceremony will be a precious time for Sangha to get together and engage in virtuous Dharma activities, especially making offerings. Everyone is welcome to attend.
About the Teacher
American-born Venerable Archarya Lama Orgyen Zangpo (Kunzang Lama) has studied and practiced Buddhism since the age of seventeen. His journey began with a thorough investigation of the Japanese Soto Zen meditation tradition over the course of several years.
In 2003, Orgyen Zangpo had the good fortune to meet his root teacher, Great Perfection of Wisdom Lineage holder Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche. Since that time he has devoted his practice to the vast and profound teachings of the Dzogchen Lineage.
He has received extensive Dharma teacher training as a student and as retreat director during numerous Buddhist retreats and extended Dzogchen Lineage Internships. Orgyen Zangpo has also served as the guiding Dharma tutor of the Dzogchen Dharma Center of Eugene, Oregon. He is authorized by Khenpo Choga Rinpoche as a Dharma Teacher of The Buddha Path and has taught the fundamental principles of Buddhism in the United States and Asia.
Orgyen Zangpo is recognized for his clear and direct teaching style with an emphasis on making the Dharma accessible and practical for modern students. His compassion and kindness shine through every moment of his teaching. He has dedicated his life to preserving and propagating the authentic teachings of the Buddha for the benefit of all beings.
About the Lineage
A vibrant and dynamic teacher, Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche is a 33rd-generation lineage holder of the Buddhist wisdom lineage of Dzogchen, a lama of Dzogchen Monastery, and professor of the Dzogchen Shri Singha University. Rinpoche has more than seven years of solitary cave meditation experience in the high Tibetan holy mountains and embodies the qualities of a realized practitioner and yogi. He is a published author of numerous Tibetan and English books, including The Buddha Path, a practice book that encompasses all of Buddha's teachings, and which is now available in English, Chinese, Russian, and German. It is soon to be released in Nepali, Japanese, and Spanish.
More about Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche
Saga Dawa Duchen Schedule (Tentative)
The auspicious activities and teachings will be led by Venerable Archarya Lama Kunzang.
Thursday, June 8, 2017
4:00 pm Sangha can arrive by this time
6:30 pm Dinner
8:00 pm Concluding Practice
Friday, June 9, 2017
7:00 am Morning Practice in the Shrine
All Sangha who want to participate in Saga Dawa must be in the Shrine by this time.
8:00 am Breakfast and cleanup
9:00 am Learning Practice, Teaching, and Virtuous Vows
1:00 pm Lunch and cleanup
2:00 pm Volunteer work or relaxation
4:00 pm Teaching and Practice
7:00 pm Concluding Ceremony
Please note: because of the virtuous vows Sangha will take, dinner will not be served to participants.
Please plan to arrive at the Dzogchen Retreat Center no later than 6:45 am on June 9. You are welcome to stay the night on June 8 and June 9. You may leave after the conclusion on June 9 or spend the night.
Virtuous Vows
To celebrate this special holy day, all participants will take the following virtuous vows. The teaching will include an explanation of this vow.
From now until dawn tomorrow, I vow:
- I will not kill.
- I will not lie.
- I will not steal.
- I will use no high bed or luxurious seat.
- I will engage in no sexual activity.
- I will eat no food after mid-day.
- I will engage in no singing or listening to singing.
- I will use no decorations or make-up on my body.
Event Pricing
The $100 fee includes the Dzogchen Retreat Center room and board for one day and two nights, as well as a donation that will be included as a Sangha offering.
If you participate in the Spring Retreat and stay through Saga Dawa, the cost will be $20 per night for the interim nights (Sunday, June 4 through Thursday, June 8). This is discounted from the regular $30 per night.
If you want to spend additional nights after Saga Dawa to volunteer at the Dzogchen Retreat Center, please let the Director know.
If your application is approved, you will be given directions for payment.
Offerings
Everyone is highly encouraged to bring additional offerings and to make their own virtuous aspirations at this time. Flowers may be offered as well. We encourage potted flowers as a choice over cut flowers.
How to Apply
Because space is limited, we may have to decline some applicants, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The application period will close on May 26, 2017. Once you apply, we will contact you to confirm your registration.
Please carefully review the Event Details, Conditions and Policies before registering. Everyone is welcome to apply by clicking here.
Contact
Mary Orton, Director
DzogchenBend@gmail.com
702-210-9642
Rodney Yoder, Assistant Director
dzogchenretreatcenter@gmail.com
619-817-8255
