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The Open Path: a Center for Eastern and Western Studies
is pleased to announce the return of Dharma teacher
Lama Sonam Senge
The Open Path is dedicated to bringing the teachings of the
Senior Students of the late
Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche
to Boise.
Teachings so beautifully preserved, are given through their own unique style in the Namgyal tradition.
In carrying on the Namgyal tradition each teacher continues to share Rinpoches' gift for the "Art of transmitting the Dharma."
We are fortunate to partake in, and receive with gratitude these precious teachings.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
for the
2008
Dharma Teachings
with
The Venerable Lama Sonam Senge
In Boise
THE LAST 2 WEEKS OF NOVEMBER
( check back for time, location, and fees )
Evening Classes:
“Change Your Brain Change Your Life”
Lama Senge will discuss the breakthrough research
of Dr. Daniel G. Amen who has shown that heightened
or depressed functioning in certain areas of the brain
correlates to specific behaviors, such as anxiety,
obsession, and violence.
Knowing these disorders are real – not just psychological – challenges long held beliefs
about good and evil, free will, and personality.
This new science is also relavent to spiritual health: our feelings of
connection with, or separation from other sentient beings
is directly related to the health of our brain.
And as the way our brain works effects the way we think, so the way
we think effects the way our brains work.
Morning Classes:
“The Four Extraordinary Foundation Practices”
Refuge and Prostrations, Purification, Mandala Offering, and Guru Yoga: These practices are common to all the schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
This is a rare and precious opportunity to be instructed by a Lama who knows the profound meaning of this teaching and who also knows how to communicate that realization to others.
These classes will be an excellent introduction for new students as well as an occasion for advanced students to deepen their understanding.
Lama Senge co-founded the Open Path in 1976 and has been teaching Buddha-Dharma for over 30 years.
His principle teacher was the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche.
Lama Senge is an artist and author of Virtue as the Path. He currently resides on a small island north of Victoria BC.
For more information go to:
www.theopenpath.org
PRECEPTS IN POSITIVE EXPRESSION
taken from the writings of the book
Daily Puja
Written by Tarchin Hearn
this booklet is a collection of reflections or mini-contemplations inspired or taken directly from the Buddhist tradition.
This e- book is generously available for free download on the
Wangapeka website
Permission to post, given by author and teacher
of Dharma
Tarchin Hearn
To live well it is not enough to spend one's time avoiding
negative patterns. We also need to be actively engaged in
bringing positive states and qualities into being. Over the years,
I have had many dialogues with people about a positive
expression of the precepts. These five are the fruition of those
dialogues and much contemplation. The process is not complete.
Perhaps it can never be complete. Even so, many are finding
these five to be a useful guideline.
THE FIVE TRAINING PRECEPTS
These five precepts are respected and upheld by all the schools
of Buddhism. Notice they are called 'training' precepts. These
are not commandments but challenges to live with awareness.
They touch on all the facets of our daily life and both provoke and
deserve a tremendous amount of contemplation.
1. I will train myself to support and appreciate the
life of all living beings.
I will live with a sensitive and responsible awareness
for the whole ecology of life.
2. I will train myself to dwell more and more in the
mind of spontaneous generosity.
Daily I will give material support, emotional support,
and an example to others of awakening in action.
3. I will train myself to use the senses to further
awakening, explore Dharma, and to come to know the
world more profoundly and more compassionately.
4. I will train myself to communicate in a skilful and
compassionate manner.
5. I will train myself to be ever more directly aware of
how nutriment affects the mind and body.
I will eat and drink and nurture myself and others,
in a way that supports awakening.
In general the purpose of living by these precepts is twofold; to
create a life that is peaceful and healthy, and to support wholesome
growth and discovery both in ourselves and others. Although it
is suggested they are to provoke question, it is also skilful to try
to live by them! In other words when in doubt as to what to do,
follow the precepts.
More information about Tarchin Hearn and his work is available at
www.wangapeka.org
Lama Sonam Senge
will be giving teaching in
November -2008
In 1976 Lama Sonam Senge co-founded
the Open Path
a Center for Eastern and Western Studies
in Idaho
Lama Senge was given ordination by the Venerable Sayadaw Utilla Wunta of Burma, and ordained in the way of the elders in the Theravadin tradition. Lama Senge was then later to receive ordination in the Karma Kargyu tradition, from His Holiness the 16th Karmapa.
In 1981 Lama Senge gathered a group of dharma students from Boise to take a pilgrimage to India. During this travel Lama Senge met with Kyabje Sakya Trizin and His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche.
The group visited Purawala where His Eminence Sakya Trizen inaugurated a new temple and gave the Lam-Dre teachings to a large group of Tibetans and Westerners. This visit in Purawala gave Lama Senge and the group a precious opportunity to pay respects and receive teaching. His Eminence Chogye Rinpoche was very happy to see a group of the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche’s students; and upon Lama Senge's request granted the bestowal of the Demchog initiation to the Boise group and a very small number of Tibetans.
His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche of the Sakya tradition, gave his blessings for Lama Sonam Senge to begin giving Tibetan Wongkurs and Empowerments. At this time he requested Lama Senge to bestow the Kriya, Carya and Yoga Tantra initiations.
Afterwards, and on leaving Purawala, the Boise students traveled as a group to the mountains of Ceylon where they were led in a month long retreat by Lama Senge.
From 1984 to 1987, Lama Senge led eight students in a three year Ngondro Foundation retreat in Costa Rica. After this Lama Senge became the senior instructor in Buddhist Studies at the Dharma Centre of Canada's Kinmount Academy and Seminary, founded by the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche.
During this time Lama Senge received all of the Anuttara Yoga crown level empowerments while under the spiritual guidance of the late Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche. He was responsible for doing the mandalas and assisting Rinpoche with these Initiations.
In 1990 once again, Lama Senge led a group of Dharma students in a tour of India meeting many teachers; including an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. At that time he also met with Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche the 3rd, the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Shamarpa Rinpoche and Kenting Tai Situpa Rinpoche.
Lama Sonam Senge is an author and artist. He lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia where he teaches and practises the Dharma.
We look forward to Lama Sonam Senges' excellent instruction.
The OPEN PATH
A Center for Eastern and Western Studies
welcomes you to join us for classes and evening meditation
at the
Namgyal Residence
915 West Hays Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
Tuesday Evening - Vajra Yogini Puja - 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Thursday Evening -Book Study and Discussion - 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
The book we are working with is'The Path of Victory' by Namgyal Rinpoche
SUNDAY MORNING
Meditation on the Breath 8:30 am - 8:55 am
directly followed by
Chenrezig Puja 9:00 am - 10:00 am
LOCATION:
Komyozan Dojo
1922 North 21st Street
Boise
(Please park on 22nd Street next to Elm Grove Park)
Bring a cushion to sit on and wear WARM comfortable clothing
TEXT WITH PRAYERS PROVIDED FOR CHENREZIG ARISING YOGA PRACTISE
clwdesigns.com