Learn to Chant and Meditate
In the same tradition as the greatest Tibetan Yogis of the ancient times
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Chanting practices are open to all. Show up as often as you like, and you will learn as much as you put your mind to. Performing these practices is described as immeasurable benefit, so vast is the merit accumulated from benefiting every being in existence. Chanting is the best foundation for meditation, as it is said that one thousand minutes of chanting is needed in preparation for one minute of true meditation. A small donation is suggested for each practice, though nobody will ever be turned away for lack of funds.
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The Tibetan Path to Enlightenment
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Although Buddhism, or better Buddha Dharma, certainly is beyond any kind of historical or conceptual accounting that one might give, it nonetheless can be beneficial, in our world and in our time, to provide a preliminary orientation to those who would know something of it and perhaps would even follow in its way. To provide such an orientation, it is customary to begin in India some 2500 years ago with Shakyamuni Buddha. And this is how it should be, for he is our Buddha—the one through whom we know of Dharma, and practice in its name.
Historically, the Indian subcontinent of Buddha's time can be characterized as a world in transformation. This was a world that brought significant numbers to engage the ultimate questions of the nature of enlightenment and liberation from the endless wanderings and sufferings of samsara as unenlightened existence. This number included the Buddha Shakyamuni. On the basis of his striving and awakening to the true nature at stake in these issues, Shakyamuni began his teaching—his turning of the wheel of the Dharma—for the benefit of all sentient beings to lead them to the liberation of ultimate enlightenment. It is said that the Buddha turned the wheel of the Dharma three times. In each of these turnings, he teaches to specific types of sentient beings according to their needs, inclinations, and capacities, offering in each case a view into the ultimate nature with a corresponding way of practice and code of conduct. In the first turning, he taught the way of personal liberation, achieved through meditation—the way of the Shravakayana, found today in the Teravaddin School. In the second turning of the wheel, Buddha taught the way of the Bodhisattva—the path of universal love and great compassion that works for the benefit of all sentient beings, and generally seeks to postpone liberation until all other sentient beings are first enlightened. Finally, with the third turning of the wheel, Buddha taught the profound and rapid path of the Tantras. This is the Vajrayana, Mantrayana, or Tantra Bodhisattvayana, through which path one can quickly attain |
Buddhahood—thereby all the more profoundly benefitting sentient beings. Each of the four great lineages of Tibet and Bhutan—the Kagyu, Nyingma, Shakya, and Gelug—practice this profound path. This path includes, among other practices, deity visualization and mantra repetition.
All Drukpa Mila Centers, established by Karma Rinpoche, are associated with the Drukpa Kagyu lineage of Bhutan. As such, our fundamental form of practice is tantric, which is to say that ritual provides a primary focus for what we do. While all traditions of Buddhism can be said to have, in one sense or another, a ritual orientation, this is particularly true in all tantric or Vajrayana centers of practice. It is essential then that we, as such practitioners, have the appropriate ritual supports for our practices, or sadhanas. To this end, and to help benefit others who walk the Vajrayana path, we make available for purchase quality ritual implements such as thangkas, offering bowls, pechas, malas, statues, incense, prayer flags, bhumpas, ghantas, dorjes, and damarus. Please keep in mind these items are to aid your own altruistic efforts to the enlightenment of all beings, not in themselves nor through their purchase a direct means to Buddhahood. It is important to emphasize—for the sake of the merely curious—that these are sacred ritual implements, and as such, need to be treated with the utmost respect and care. A thangka, for instance, as a formalized painting of a deity, is not simply an artistic ornament for one's home or place of work. It is a profound support for one's practice, and when properly empowered or consecrated, it is the deity. At very least, the thangka provides an anchor point for the emanation of the deity's living radiation. This radiance, much like the practice itself, helps awaken the enlightened potential of the deity's qualities within one's own mind-stream. A statue or a thangka is the Buddha's body as Nirmanakaya manifestation. Ultimately, it is your own enlightened state—enlightened mind itself. For those purchasing a statue, please be aware that arrangements can be made to have your statue filled with the appropriate mantras and precious substances, which is an essential step in its consecration. |
Green Tara: Mother of the Buddhas
Green Tara is a fully enlightened Buddha in female form. She is known for granting the fulfillment of all wishes with her palm turned up and assured protection from all dangers with her palm outward. According to legend, two young girls lost in the woods were suddenly overcome by a demon. In panic, one ran while the other recited Tara's mantra. So powerful is Tara's mantra that, despite the girl only knowing two syllables, when the demon gazed upon her all it saw was a small paper with Tara's mantra inscribed upon it. Thus she was protected while the other girl was eaten.
Her practice is especially helpful for overcoming fears and obstacles. She is considered a manifestation of all enlightened activities. True to his Ningyma heritage, Karma Rinpoche also adds the practice of Kurukulle, also known as red Tara, is . Kurukulle is a powerful yidam of magnetizing activity. She also has tremendous power to protect from all evils.
Join Us Every Tuesday Night at 6:30 PM MST to Chant Tara's Practice and Meditate
Her practice is especially helpful for overcoming fears and obstacles. She is considered a manifestation of all enlightened activities. True to his Ningyma heritage, Karma Rinpoche also adds the practice of Kurukulle, also known as red Tara, is . Kurukulle is a powerful yidam of magnetizing activity. She also has tremendous power to protect from all evils.
Join Us Every Tuesday Night at 6:30 PM MST to Chant Tara's Practice and Meditate
Chenrezig: the Buddha of Compassion
Chenrezig, also known as Avalokiteshvara, is one of the most well known and beloved practices of Vajrayana Buddhism. Chenrezig is the Bodhisattva of compassion, essentially the manifestation of all compassionate activity. The practice of Chenrezig has the power to instantaneously benefit all beings in every universe and dimension of existence, furthermore developing our own compassionate qualities. His mantra is perhaps the most well known, OM MA NI PEMAY HUM. Reciting this mantra once while feeling the diety truly present before you has the power to purify all negative actions performed in ten thousand kalpas. (one kalpa is roughly 4.32 billion years)
Inserted into the Chenrezig practice is a Mahakala puja. Mahakala is one of the main Dharma protectors of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage. He is the guardian of Dharma and all auspicious activities. The practice of Mahakala is extremely powerful in aiding the success of all Dharma activities.
Join Us Every Wednesday Night at 6:30 PM MST to Chant Chenrezig's Practice and Meditate
Inserted into the Chenrezig practice is a Mahakala puja. Mahakala is one of the main Dharma protectors of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage. He is the guardian of Dharma and all auspicious activities. The practice of Mahakala is extremely powerful in aiding the success of all Dharma activities.
Join Us Every Wednesday Night at 6:30 PM MST to Chant Chenrezig's Practice and Meditate
