Amitabha Foundation Vancouver

Parinirvana of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche

2012-01-03T19:56:00.000-08:00

His Holiness Kyabje Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, eldest son of former head of the Nyingma lineage His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, passed into parinirvana December 26, 2011.

Ayang Rinpoche has sent an open condolence letter to Thinley Norbu Rinpoche’s family, disciples and sangha, which is available here. He requests that his own students practice Vajrasattva, according to the wishes of Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, until January 16, 2012, in order to receive Dungse Rinpoche’s blessings at this time.

Annual 24 hour Vajrasattva Practice

2012-01-03T19:53:00.001-08:00

We will again practice Vajrasattva for 24 hours starting on the last day of the Chinese Luna year which is 22nd January at 8 pm and continue till 8 pm 23rd January 2012.

This is to purify our negative karma for the past year and to prepare ourselves for the New Year.

During this short retreat, recitation of Vajrasattva 100 syllable long mantra will be done outloud for two hours and rest for two hours. No solid food is allowed during the retreat. However one is allowed to drink water, juice or milk.

Other than mantra sound, we will observe no verbal communication.

Not everyone is able to attend the full 24 hours, so we welcome people to drop in and participate at their leisure.

Origin

2011-12-17T05:13:00.001-08:00

Ayang Rinpoche was born into a nomadic family in eastern Tibet. A delegation of high lamas, including the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje and Yongzin Jabra Rinpoche, concluded that he was the wisdom incarnation of Terton Rigzin Choegyal Dorje.

Perhaps no Tibetan lama is more identified with the transmission of Phowa to the West than His Eminence Ayang Rinpoche.

Ayang Rinpoche is a Drikung Kagyu lama who holds both Nyingma and Drikung lineage. He continues the unbroken line of succession of the Drikung Phowa lamas from the Supreme Guru Dorje Chang to the present time. He has done extensive retreat on Phowa practice and is widely recognized as a Phowa master. He was one of the first Drikung lamas to leave Tibet.

Though he was discovered by this delegation of high lamas to be the reincarnation of Terton Rigzin Choegyal Dorje, Ayang Rinpoche wanted to find out more of his past life activities. Fortunately Terton Choegyal Dorje wrote his biography during his life and Ayang Rinpoche was able to obtain a copy of this book where he started his research into the life and activities of his previous incarnation.

In this biography, Choegyal Dorje (Ayang Rinpoche) mentioned that he was the disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha 2500 years ago. His exploits were recorded in the Exalted Sublime Golden Light Sutra in Chinese is the .

At that time he was already a Bodhisattva. This bodhisattva was named Zippi Dok (Tib) in Sanskrit, Ruchiraketu and in Chinese .

According to the Golden Light Sutra, Bodhisattva Ruchiraketu was at Vulture Peak together with congregation and he enquired about the reason for the short life span of Buddha Shakyamuni. He also recounted to Buddha Shakyamuni his dream of a golden drum and when he struck it, the sounds were that of ultimate confession and purification of past negative karma. One can download this Supreme sutra from the following site:

http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/teachings/sutras/golden-light-sutra/download.html

This sutra had been translated in English, Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Mongolian, Nepali, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Tibetan.

In Choegyal Dorje’s biography, he mentioned that he was one of Guru Padmasambhava’s twenty-five main disciples named Langdro Lotsawa. During this life he translated the Dharma from Sanskrit to Tibetan.

In another life Choegyal Dorje was the disciple of Milarepa named Repa Shiwa O, one of Milarepa’s eight great heart sons. Short description of his history can be found on this site: http://www.dzogchenmonastery.org/repa_shiwa_o.html

Ayang Rinpoche said he naturally has devotion towards Guru Rinpoche and Milarepa and trusts the decision of his root master 16th Karmapa, but how can he be certain that he is really the reincarnation of the great Terton Choegyal Dorje?

In Choegyal Dorje’s biography contained two sentences. Half of each of the sentence was written in Tibetan but the other half was in another language, After much research, Ayang Rinpoche was able to ascertain that the second half of each sentence was written in Dakini language. So Terton Choegyal Dorje wrote his biography during his life time, embedded within it were two sentences, which seemingly made no sense in the whole context of this biography.

Ayang Rinpoche then searched for someone who has knowledge of Dakini langrage. He heard that Kamtrul Rinpoche who resides in Dharamsala has knowledge of this language. So Ayang Rinpoche went to Dharamsala to consult with Kamtrul Rinpoche. When he found Kamtrul Rinpoche, who was quite old at the time and his eye sight was fading, however he could read the two sentences and confirmed that they were written in Tibetan and Dakini languages.

This first sentence:

First half in Tibetan:

Tse Tsing Ma = Next life

Second half in Dakini Language

Ga Yu Ta Ji = Gayu is the birth place or Gaba

Ta is horse

Kamtrul Rinpoche told Ayang Rinpoche the first half sentence is quite clear stating that Terton Choegyal Dorje is predicting his next rebirth. The second half said Gayu, Ayang Rinpoche mentioned that he was born in a place called Gaba. Then Kamtrul Rinpoche enquires whether there is any thing or place near Gaba with the sound Ta. Ayang Rinpoche said there is nothing with Ta around that place but he was born in the year of the horse. Which in Tibetan is Ta. So Kamtrul Rinpoche confirmed that the first sentence said Choegyal Dorje next rebirth will be in a place called Gaba in the year of the horse.

The second sentence:

First half in Tibetan

Lam Samo = Profound path of Phowa

Second half in Dakini Language

Powin Da din jing = with great success

At that point Kamtrul Rinpoche said that, it appears the two sentences are about Ayang Rinpoche. Predicting his birth and his subsequent Dharma activities.

With these two sentences written during the lifetime of Terton Choegyal Dorje in two different languages, he predicted his next reincarnation and his future activities. Thus confirming Ayang Rinpoche without a doubt is the reincarnation of Choeje Dorje.

Through his biography starting with the birth of Buddhism 2500 years ago with Buddha Shakyamuni as the great Bodhisattva Ruchiraketu. However at that time he was already a Bodhisattva, which means he had already been engaged in Buddhist activities for incalculable number of lifetimes.

We are so very fortunate to be able to learn from such a great Bodhisattva as Ayang Rinpoche and should treasure every sentence that he teaches and every moment that we are able to be with him.

Buddha Amitabha 10 Level Practices

2011-09-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Buddha Amitabha 10 Levels teachings come from the Namchoe tradition, using Tibetan texts from the 17th century treasure revealer Mingyur Dorje. These teachings encompass the complete path of Buddhist meditation practice, including calm abiding (shamata), the development stage of visualizing oneself as a deity surrounded by the Pure Land of Amitabha, the completion stage of resting in the true nature of mind (rigpa), and the union of development and completion stages together. Included are teachings on Dream Yoga and Clear Light Yoga, both components of the Six Yogas of Naropa.

Making supplication to Buddha Amitabha is tremendously beneficial because the blessing and activities of Amitabha are incomparable to any other enlightened beings. Suggested Donation: $300

October 8 – 12, 2011
Amitabha Foundation, Vancouver
4025 Triumph Street, Burnaby
V5C 1Z1

To register please email or call Patti at 604 307 6038
Please Register early for this precious teaching.

New photos updated from Penang

2011-09-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

http://amitabhafoundationvancouver.yolasite.com/penang-phowa-course.php

Bubbha Amitabha 10 Level practice 2011

2011-07-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

Starting on October 8 – 12, 2011 in Vancouver.
To see detail informations please Click here.

Rochester Vajrasattva registration open

2011-05-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

Please click here to see the infomation of Rochester Vajrasattva registration.

The Fall teaching schedule for His Eminence Ayang Rinpoche

2011-05-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

Aug 14-18	Sydney, Australia Vajrasattva Outer, Inner, Secret, Innermost Secret
Aug 21	Sydney, Australia Introduction to True Nature of Mind
Aug 24-Sep 4	Panang, Malaysia Phowa Course
Sep 22-25	Rochester , New York, USA Vajrasattva Outer, Inner, Secret, Innermost Secret
Sep 27-Oct 5	Toronto, Canada Phowa Course
Oct 8-12	Vancouver, Canada Buddha Amitabha 10 Levels
Oct 15-18	Olympia, Washington, USA Vajrasattva Outer, Inner, Secret, Innermost Secret
Oct 20-24	Los Angeles, California, USA Buddha Amitabha 10 Levels
Oct 25-27	Los Angeles, California, USA Introduction to True Nature of Mind
Oct 30-Nov 7	Mexico City, Mexico Phowa Course
Nov 11-19	Houston, Texas, USA Phowa Course
Nov 25-27	Maui, Hawaii, USA Introduction to Phowa and Bardo; Amitabha Empowerment

Ayang Rinpoche's letter to Japan

2011-04-19T01:55:00.000-07:00

Click on view bigger

Bodhgaya Phowa 2012 in Bodhgaya

2011-04-19T01:50:00.000-07:00

The Annual Bodhgaya Phowa course which is from January 14 to 23' 2012

Nine methods of bringing the mind to rest

2011-04-08T23:30:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

We have upload an e-book on our website called "Nine methods of bringing the mind to rest". Please ckeck that out on our Lecture section. or click here directly to read.

Guru Rinpoche Mantra Accumulation

2011-04-08T23:22:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

The Annual Drubchoe at Ayang Rinpoche's monasteries in South India begins April 18. Rinpoche requests that all the Buddhist practitioners and monasteries in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and those associated with Amitabha Foundation world-wide, contribute to this practice and send us (NY@amitabhafoundation.us) their recitations of the Guru Rinpoche mantra to accumulate the 1 billion total. Some people have already begun to send in their mantra accumulations, but please wait to accumulate until the beginning of the Drubchoe. Mantras may be accumulated and sent in between April 18 and the end of the Drubchoe, approximately 10-15 days later.

This year the prayers are dedicated especially to the people of Japan and to all of humanity, that there may be world peace, that all beings may live in harmony, and that the environment of our mother the earth may be protected from destruction.

The Guru Rinpoche (Vajra Guru) mantra is OM AH HUNG BENZA GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUNG. Here is an explanation of the meaning of the mantra.

Listen to Ayang Rinpoche chant the Vajra Guru mantra.

To help support the 2011 Guru Rinpoche Drubchoe prayers:

24 hours Vajrasattva retreat

2011-01-14T04:15:00.001-08:00

Amitabha Foundation, Vancouver will be practicing the 24 hours Vajrasattva retreat again.

Date: 2nd February 2011

Time: 8:00 pm duration 24 hours

Venue: 4025 Triumph Street

Burnaby

Rules for the retreat

No verbal communication

No food intake

Liquid such as Water, Milk, Soy milk is allowed.

One is allowed rest period of two hours after every three hours of recitation.

Audible recitation of Vajrasattva 100 syllable long mantra during the retreat.

No registration required, just turn up and partake in this annual practice.

This will purify ours past year's negative karma so that we will start the new year afresh.

Naturally we should also include all sentient beings in our practice so that their negative karma and obscurations will also b e cleansed.

Looking at Mind

2011-01-06T00:43:00.001-08:00

For those interested in finding out the essence of your mind check out the file "Looking at Mind" under the Lecture of this web page.

Khenpo Tenzin Rinpoche teaching on January

2011-01-03T15:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Dharma Brothers and Sisters,

Khenpo Tenzin Rinpoche teaching Reborn Dewachen and Guru Rinpoche Long Life Empowerment on January 21st to January 23rd,2011, at Amitabha Foundation Vancouver.

Please click on this LINK.

True Nature Of Mind Practice

2010-12-23T21:29:00.001-08:00

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

When the innate nature is not known, we chase the tail of thoughts. In other words, whenever something pops up we are immediately caught up in that, without hesitating for even a second. Another thing comes up, and we chase after that, and the same with a third and a fourth. There is no break in between. This is due to the two big villains, the two types of ignorance.

The great demon of co emergent ignorance is simply forgetting our natural state. The other ignorance is conceptualizing ignorance. That happens when you forget your natural state and immediately start to for a thought of what is now experienced. These two nasty demons fool all sentient beings, but in fact, they don’t come from anywhere else than one’s own lack of knowing. Sentient beings are basically fooling themselves, continuously. It does not need to be like this. When our self-existing wakefulness becomes stable in itself as undistracted nonmeditation, the twofold ignorance no longer has any control over us. Until that happens, try remaining in natural awareness. Isn’t it true that after a moment the two ignorances arrive? Again recognize, and they vanish without a trace. This is how to get used to rigpa. This is the root of true meditation training.

In the moment of seeing that mind essence is no “thing” to see ----- in that very instant, you no longer need the duality of something seen and someone that sees. This natural unity is called nonmeditation, because it is not created.

In addition to nonmeditation we need to train in non-distraction. As we train in this, it gradually becomes easier and easier, and the moments of rigpa last longer and longer. The training remains exactly the same: undistracted nonmeditation. That is the whole purpose of recognizing mind essence. That is the whole idea of the pointing out instruction.

Self Retreat

2010-10-25T22:15:00.000-07:00

If one wishes to go on retreat at your own home for a few days or even one day, this is a suggested schedule that you can follow. Try as much as possible not to talk to others, nor to engage in other activities. Naturally do not watch television or listen to radio. During the reading sessions, read only materials pertaining to Buddha Dharma. Try to limit one practice each day. Example if you are practicing Vajrasattva, then you should practice Vajrasattva in all the practice sessions during the day. You can substitute your 4:00 pm practice session with another True Nature of Mind practice.

Daily retreat schedule
4:30 Refuge
4:45 Guru Yoga
5:45 Breakfast
6:45 Practice
8:45 Reading session
10:00 True Nature of Mind Practice
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Practice
3:00 Reading session
4:00 Practice
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Reading session
8:00 Practice
10:00 Closing dedication prayer

Photos of Los Angeles Phowa Course Updated

2010-10-09T19:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.amitabhafoundationvancouver.com/news/la phowa.html

Center Practice Schedule Updated

2010-10-05T04:11:00.000-07:00

This coming Saturday on Oct 9, 2010 at 9:30 am will Amitabha Chok Offering instead of Profound Phowa practice. You can bring some food for offering if you wish. Thank you!!

Amitabha Chok on October will be Cancel

2010-09-30T23:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone!! The Amitabha Chok Offering on October 2nd will be Cancel. So no need to go to the center. Thank you ( ^_^!)

Phowa Graphics

2010-09-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

For those Vajra Brothers and Sisters who have taken the Phowa Course from Ayang Rinpoche. Here I have uploaded some Phowa Pictures for you to visualize in your practice. You can download them one by one or one zip file that includes all images. Please click on this link
http://www.amitabhafoundationvancouver.com/images/phowa/phowa_graphic.html

The Annual Phowa Course in Bodhgaya

2010-07-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

The XVII Annual Phowa Course in Bodhgaya will be held December 25, 2010 – January 3, 2010.
For further information please click here to the website.

PHOWA INFO & REGISTRATION FORM FOR VANCOUVER

2010-07-06T23:34:00.000-07:00

Click on the banner to see the file.

AYANG RINPOCHE schedule in U.S 2010

2010-06-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

Phowa Course in KIEV, UKRAINE

2010-06-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

For Ayang Rinpoche's Phowa Course information and registration form in Kiev, Ukraine Click here
for the schedule click here

Ayang Rinpoche flyer of Eugene Sept. 19-22, 2010

2010-06-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

SCHEDULE OF H.E AYANG RINPOCHE IN CANADA, USA AND MEXICO CITY FROM AUGUST 6 TO OCTOBER 17, 2010

2010-04-18T21:33:00.000-07:00

H. H. Ayang Rinpoche will bestow Phowa course, Vancouver, BC

2010-04-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

Ayang Rinpoche has agreed to bestow the precious Phowa teaching again in September of 2010 in Vancouver. It will be a full ten days of teachings, empowerments and practice.
We all know that death is the inevitable final event of our life. With this knowledge of Phowa, we will be able to transform this fearful and uncertain event into a glorious moment where we can take charge and achieve a better rebirth.
In the 8th century Buddha Amitabha transmitted Phowa practice, the transference of consciousness, to Padmasambhava. Since then, this practice had been passed from Guru to student uninterruptedly to present day. This “transference of consciousness” is the Tibetan Buddhist method for attaining a better rebirth, liberation or enlightenment at the moment of death or in the after-death Bardo. Phowa can appeal to those who, although ignorant of the vast traditions of Dharma, have a natural concern about their future death. Additionally, some of the signs of accomplishment of Phowa practice are physical and visible and often appear after only a short time of practice.
His Eminence K.C. Choeje Ayang Rinpoche was born into a nomadic family in eastern Tibet after numerous auspicious signs appeared. He was recognised to be a reincarnate Drikung Kagyu lama by a delegation of high lama including Ayang Drubchen Tenpal Nyinpa. Melong Drubchen, Traleg Kyamgon, Chabdra Rinpoche (the tutor Of H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon), and the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa. After finishing his studies and receiving many teachings he went on pilgrimage in Tibet to many of the holy places of Guru Rinpoche, doing a lengthy retreat at Phulung, where Guru Rinpoche practiced Phowa for a long time.

Date: 7th to 16th September, 2010
Suggested
Donation : $400, early registration $350 before 1st August
Venue: 4025 Triumph St.
Burnaby
Email: amitabhafoundation.vancouver@gmail.com
Enquiries: 604 726 5106