News - 2007
November 25 2007: Zen Teaching by Jiku San
Jiku San (Patricio Goycoolea), head of El Zendo, a Zen center in Santiago Chile and long-time friend of Ratnashri, gave a beautiful Zen teaching in Bishalnagar on Sunday November 25th, at 5pm. He described how Ratnashri introduced him to Zen practice 20 years ago when he was visiting Kathmandu, and that was exactly what he had been searching for. He then explained posture techniques and details of Zazen, and conducted a Zazen sitting exercise.
November 24 2007: Tara Puja
On the advice of Karma Thinley Rinpoche, a sangha Tara Puja was held in Anupama and Ramesh Dahal's house in Baneshwor. The 12 hour puja started at 7am, and at least 10 sangha members were sitting at the puja at any given time. The entire sangha participated and it was a powerful expercience.
October 2 - 9 2007: Lamdre
His Holiness Dagchen Rinpoche gave the entire Lamdre empowerment (Chokse) at Tharlam Gumba (Boudha). The Lamdre started on October 2nd and included teachings on the Three Visions, the Hevajra Cause and Path wangs, teachings on the Triple Tantra, and various other wangs. see pictures
October 9 2007: The monks of Tharlam Gumba get a check up!
Byoma Kusuma organized a free medical check up for the monks of Tharlam gumba. The monks under 18years of age will now get monthly visits from volunteer doctors organized by Guru Ama, and they will be provided free medical checkups at a medical facility when needed.
September 12 2007: HH Sakya Trizin Rinpoche's Birthday
HH Sakya Trizin Rinpoche's Birthday was celebrated at Mustang Monastery in Swoyambu. Guru Ama led our Sangha members in the Mandala offering, long-life prayer, and Mangalashtak. Guru Ama also gave a speech, talking about the personal experience she had of HH Sakya Trizin Rinpoche's great compassion. see pictures
September 8 2007: Tri-Ayu Wang and Kusali Tsog
Shabdrung Rinpoche bestowed the Tri-ayu empowerment. This is a long life empowerment and includes Amitayus, Ushnishavijaya, and White Tara, and it was given just in time for the Teej festival in which the Sangha plans to do long-life practice for all.
Shabdrung Rinpoche also bestowed the Kusali Tsog to Sangha members who had previously received the Vajrayogini wang upto the Eleven Yog.
September 1 2007: Mahakal Wang
His Eminence Luding Kenchen Rinpoche out of great compassion bestowed the Panjarnath Mahakal wang to those Sangha members who had received the Hevajra empowerment. see pictures
Mahayogi Shridhar Rana Rinpoche's Auspicious 59th Birthday
With three days of pujas leading up to it, Ratnashri's 59th birthday was celebrated on the new moon day of August 12, 2007. Several Sakya Gurus came to Bishalnagar to celebrate along with the Sangha members.
Guru Purnima
On 29 July, 2007, the full moon day of Guru Purnima, Sangha members came to pay their respects to Guru Ratnashri and offered him khatas, flowers, fruits, and sweets in expressions of devotion and gratitude.
Reiki Initiation
Many Sangha members received the First Initiation by renowned Reiki Master Vishwavara at the Holistic Healing and Training Center in Baluatar, Kathmandu on July 14, 2007.
Second Upashodan Organised at Bishalnagar
As directed by Guru Ratnashri, the second Uposadha ceremony was held at Bishalnagar on 23 June, 2007. Led by Narayan P. Rijal, the programme started at 4:30 in the morning.
The practice of Uposadha was started by Sakyamuni Buddha for the happiness, peace, and prosperity of the householder practitioners. The ceremony is still organised in all the countries where Buddhism prospered, observing their local tradition.
Twenty Four Hours Puja Ceremony
At 5 am on 18 May 2007, Byoma Kusuma Sangha members gathered at Bishalnagar to start twenty four hours puja ceremony. Blessed by Guru Ratnashree, the ceremony was organised to pray to lessen the impact of the forecasted earthquake. Fearing many lives may succumb, Venerable Karma Thinley Rimpoche had prepared a practise. It contained mantras, prayers, and dharanis. Lotsawa Punya Parajuli had translated the practise into Nepali.
Marshland Flowers: Ratnashriâs series of articles published weekly in News Front.
The articles clarify prevailing misconceptions on Buddhism and help general readers understand authentic Buddhism. The articles first appeared on 16-22 April 2007 issue. News Front is a weekly newspaper that comes out every Monday. Please click here to read the articles published till date.
Hevajra Empowerment in Bishalnagar
Guru Ratnashri and Byoma Kusuma Buddhadharma Sangha hosted Guru Ludhing Khen Rinpoche, as he bestowed the Cause and Path Hevajra empowerment on Sangha members. The first three-day Anuttara Tantra empowerment to be held in Bishalnagar took place from 21 to 23 April 2007, and was held in strict secrecy. More than one hundred Sangha members participated in the empowerment.
White Jambala Initiation
On March 31, 2007, Tharchhe Rinpoche, head of Norpa sub-sect of Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, blessed the Byoma Kusum Sangha members with the White Jambala initiation. The afternoon programme was attended by about a hundred Sangha members.
The White Jambala practice began with Atisha, an Indian Guru of the 11th century. One day, Atisha had encountered a dying man. When he realised the person was dying of hunger, Atisha was struck by compassion. He offered his flesh as food for him. The dying man didnât accept saying he was a vegetarian. Atisha burst out crying, as he realized he couldnât help the man. At that exact moment, Avalokiteshwor suddenly appeared in the sky and asked Atisha the reason behind his sadness. As Atisha explained, two drops of tears trickled down from Avalokiteshwor's eyes. One drop turned into Green Tara, while the other turned into White Jambala. The former is intended to remove obstacles and ill health, while the latter is for warding off poverty for the cause of dharma.
The proceedings came to an end around three pm. It was followed by explanation of the White Jambala sadhana by Narayan P. Rijal.
23 January 2007
The Himalayan Times covered His Eminence Chogye Trichin Rimpoche's passing away to the pure realm.