Each term we intend to include a course presented by a local or visiting Academic to provide a thorough explanation on aspects of Buddhist philosophy and related disciplines.
| Course & Teacher |
Details |
Outline |
Weekend Lu Jong Indo-Tibetan Yoga and Meditation Course
Felicity Lodro |
Date: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2009
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Blackheath, Blue Mountains. |
Lu Jong is the Tibetan Buddhist term for physical training. This unique course combines traditional Hatha Yoga Asanas (physical postures) and Pranayama (breathing exercises) with Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga and Relaxation techniques). Traditional Kum Nye practices including self massage, physical and breathing exercises, visualisation techniques and meditations. Aspects of Kum Nye particularly the visualisation techniques are incorporated into each session. The course is designed to assist in the development of meditative concentration. These practices are also designed to energise the body and relax the mind. The yoga exercises are quite gentle. The course is suitable for new and experienced yoga students and meditators alike. |
One Day Lu Jong Indo-Tibetan Yoga and Meditation Course
Felicity Lodro
|
Date: Saturday 12 December 2009
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Harris Park (Parramatta) |
The one day course will concentrate on how to relax the mind to enhance ones meditative experience. As well as gentle yoga exercises, breathing and relaxation techniques, visualisation exercises will be introduced to assist in stabilizing the mind. These different techniques are designed to create a calm and spacious inner environment to aid meditative concentration and bring tranquility to the mind. |
| Shower of Blessing Puja and Tsog |
Date: Sunday 13th December 2009
Time: 3pm to 5pm
|
General explanation of the Puja will be given before chanting begins. Texts are provided. Please bring an offering of food or flowers for the feast. All welcome, no prior knowledge or experience of Puja practice is required. |
Magic Dance - The
Essential Teachings of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche.
Acharya Samuel Bercholz with Sara Hamsa Bercholz |
Introductory talk
Date: Friday 29th 2010
Time: 8pm 9.30pm |
Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, one of the greatest Nyingma masters of our time, is a living example of enlightened mind and activity. This course is based on Rinpoche's teachings, both from his oral transmissions and his books, especially A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar, and Magic Dance. This material gives us a glimpse of the Dzogchen view on living in an enlightened manner, as well as the basics of practice including meditation and visualization, mantra, and dance. In this way, the path to complete enlightenment is clearly paved. The afternoon session on Sunday will culminate with practice of The Shower of Blessings puja.
Suggested Reading: A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar, and Magic Dance, both by Thinley Norbu Rinpoche. |
Weekend Course with Acharya Samuel Bercholz
Acharya Samuel Bercholz
|
Date: Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January 2010
Time: 10 am to 4pm |
Under 35’s Program – Making Friends with the Mind
Teachers: Rasa Pandji and Felicity Lodro |
Date: Saturday 6th February 2010
Times: 10am to 12 noon, 2pm to 4pm |
Felicity will discuss some traditional meditation techniques such as contemplations to help develop compassion and, visualisation
and breathing exercises to relax, stabilize and expand the mind. Rasa will explain the Puru Sothama - series of gentle movements to stimulate Chi energy for balance and
well-being. |
Morning LuJong:
Indo-Tibetan Yoga and Meditation classes
Felicity Lodro |
Dates: Tuesdays 8, 15 and 22 February 2010
Times 10.30am to 12 noon
|
In this three week course Felicity will
look at Body Mind integration through the use of Yoga, Breathing and Meditation
techniques. This course is suitable for beginners and experienced students
alike. Please wear loose or stretchy clothing. |
| Manly Monks and Lustful Ladies: Gender roles in Indian Buddhism
Dr John Powers |
Dates: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th February 2010
Times: 10.30 to 12 noon, 2.00pm to 3.30 pm
both days |
This seminar will examine the major
masculine types of Indian Buddhism and the close link between physical
development and morality. We will also explore how the Buddha was described as
both a sexual "stallion" who satisfied
thousands of women, a mighty warrior who defeated countless rivals, and a
serene ascetic who overcame all passion and became awakened. This topic is
relevant for people today, since every society develops normative gender roles,
and then people attempt to live them without being aware of their contingent
and often contested nature. By contrasting Indian Buddhist models of ideal
masculinity and femininity, it is hoped that participants will gain greater
insight into how people today attempt to live their bodies in accordance with
often contradictory norms.
The course is based on John’s recent
publication. In recent decades a number of important studies of gender in
Buddhism have been published, but to date no one has examined how masculinity
is presented in Indian Buddhist literature. Dr John Powers' book “A Bull of A
Man: Images of Masculinity, Sex, and the Body” (Cambridge: Harvard University
Press, 2009) is the first book to highlight Indian Buddhist understandings of
ideal manhood. It focuses on how the Buddha was the "ultimate man" with
a uniquely perfect body that demonstrated his exalted spiritual
qualities. |
Weekend LuJong:
Indo-Tibetan Yoga and Meditation Course
Felicity Lodro |
Date: Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st February 2010
Times: 10.00am to 4.00pm each day
Venue: Blackheath, Blue Mountains
|
Lu Jong is the
Tibetan Buddhist term for physical training. This unique course combines
traditional Hatha Yoga Asanas (physical postures) and Pranayama(breathing exercises) with Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga and Relaxation techniques).
Traditional Kum Nye practices including self massage,
physical and breathing exercises, visualisation techniques and meditations.
Aspects of Kum Nye particularly the visualisationtechniques are incorporated into each session. The course is designed to assist
in the development of meditative concentration. These practices are also
designed to energise the body and relax the mind. The
yoga exercises are quite gentle. The course is suitable for new and experienced
yoga students and meditators alike. Please ear loose or stretchy clothing.
Bring a yoga mat if possible and lunch to
share. |
Milerapa and Tsog |
Date: Saturday 27th February 2010
Time: 3.00pm
|
Milerapa, an historical figure recognised as one of Tibet’s great Yogis and one of the main lineage forefathers of the Kagyu tradition in
Tibetan Buddhism. General explanation of the Puja will be given before chanting begins. Texts are provided. All welcome, no prior
knowledge or experience of Puja practice is required.
Please bring an offering of food or flowers for the feast. |
Half Day LuJong:
Indo-Tibetan Yoga and Meditation Course
Felicity Lodro |
Date: Sunday 28th February 2010
Time: 2.00pm – 5.00pm
|
This half day course will focus on techniques to enhance ones
meditative experience. As well as gentle yoga exercises, breathing techniques
and visualisation exercises will be introduced to assist in stabilizing the
mind. These different techniques are designed to create a calm and spacious
inner environment to aid meditative concentration and bring tranquility to the
mind. Please wear loose or
stretchy clothing.
Please have only a
light lunch completed at least one hour before the course begins. |
Focusing
on Pranayama for Integration
Felicity Lodro |
Date: Saturday 6th March 2010
Time: 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Venue: Blackheath,
Blue Mountains
|
Since ancient times breathing techniques
have been used to promote health and well-being. Both the Indian and Tibetan
breathing systems help purify the body, settle the mind and, balance and
centralize the body’s energies. These complimentary disciplines will be explained,
discussed and practiced in this half day course. This course is particularly
helpful for people with some yoga, pranayama and or
meditation experience. However beginners are also welcome. Please wear loose or
stretchy clothing.
Please bring a Yoga mat if possible. Please
eat lightly and finish lunch at least one hour before the course. |
Sunday Study Group – Mindfulness
Living
Facilitators: Ani Dechen and Felicity Lodro |
Dates: Sunday 7th and 14th March 2010
Time: 2.00pm to 5.00pm
|
Study Group will begin with a brief
meditation then audio tape talks by Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche will be played, followed
by brief guided discussion. Over four talks Rinpoche explains how Mindfulness
practice is beneficial both in terms of ones psychological states and ones
physical well being. The teachings
were given fairly recently in Auckland, New Zealand.
If you are
unable to attend the Study Groups the DVD’s are available from Yeshe Nyima for $60. |
Weekend LuJong:
Indo-Tibetan Yoga and Meditation Course
Teacher: Felicity Lodro |
Venue: Blackheath, Blue Mountains
Date: Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st March 2010
Times: 10.00am to 4.00pm each day
|
Lu Jong is the
Tibetan Buddhist term for physical training. This unique course combines traditional
Hatha Yoga Asanas (physical postures) and Pranayama (breathing exercises) with Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga and Relaxation techniques). Traditional Kum Nye practices including self massage, physical and breathing exercises,
visualisation techniques and meditations. Aspects of Nye particularly the visualisation techniques are incorporated into each
session. The course is designed to assist in the development of meditative
concentration. These practices are also designed to energise the body and relax the mind. The yoga exercises are quite gentle. The course is
suitable for new and experienced yoga students and meditators alike. Please ear
loose or stretchy clothing.
Bring a yoga mat if possible and lunch to
share. |
Buddha Puja andTsog |
Date: Saturday 27th March 2010
Time: 3.00pm
Venue: Harris Park (Parramatta)
|
“The Treasure of
Blessings of the Ritual of Buddha” by Je Mipham is a wonderful opportunity to give praise to The Buddha. The traditional prayers
have been translated by Nyingma Master,Thinley Norbu Rinpoche. A general
explanation of the Puja will be given before chanting
begins. Texts are provided. All welcome, no prior knowledge or experience of Puja practice is required. Please bring an offering of food
or flowers for the feast. |
Special Events
Over 2010 and 2011 the Spiritual Director
of Yeshe Nyima, Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche will begin a series of 7 weekend courses covering in detail the Mahamudra text, “Ocean of Certainty” written by Karmapa Wangchuk Dorji. |
Dates and Venue details will be
available soon. |
Here is a brief except from a recent Mahamudra talk given by Rinpoche:“Our own
natural state has not been vitiated or polluted by the biases of nirvanic purity and attributes, or the samsaric defects and
its pollutants”… “to realise that natural state of
being that is not partial to either samsaric experiences or nirvanic experiences, that does not tilt to one side or the other… To
understand that we have to think in terms of primordial purity…. Primordial purity is something that one has to realise. In order to realise
primordial purity we need wisdom. We need a special kind of wisdom…” |
