Articles by Trashi Gomang Buddhist Centre

What’s Coming Up at Trashi Gomang.

Ven. Tenzin’s meditation class continues as usual every Thursday evening at 7.30pm.

November
Wednesday 23rd: 7.30pm Geshela continues to teach The Graduated Path.

Sunday 27th: 5pm Dorje Khadro Fire Puja practice with Geshela.

Wednesday 30th: 7.30pm Geshela continues to teach The Graduated Path.

December
Friday December 2nd – 4th. Geshela is teaching in Wellington. Please see Trashi Ge Phel Ling’s programme.
http://www.tgpl.org.nz/ our sister site in Wellington.

Wednesday 7th: 7.30pm Geshela continues to teach The Graduated Path explaining the practice of Concentration.

Saturday 10: 12.30 midday there will be an end of year shared lunch at Mary and Dale’s at 25, Otitori Bay Road, Titirangi. All welcome please bring a plate and please RSVP to Mary – e~mail at m.lane-dodd@vodafone.co.nz so that numbers can be estimated.
7.30 pm Medicine Buddha puja at Trashi Gomang.

Sunday 11th: 5pm Vajrasattva practice – led by Geshela this is a powerful purification practice.

Wednesday 14rd: 7.30pm Geshela completes teaching The Graduated Path.

Sunday 18th: 11a.m Animal Liberation at a Titirangi Beach – contact Celia for final details – celia.ceremony@xtra.co.nz. We are also hoping to make a large animal food donation to the SPCA to help over the Xmas period where they always have to care for many animals. Leave any contributions in the shrine room at the Centre – dried food and tinned food only.

Tuesday 20th: 7.30 pm Tsog celebrating the great teacher and meditator Je Tzong Khapa – “Gaden Nam Cheu”. Also our last formal event for the year – join Geshela for this evening event.

Geshe Dhonam will start a new series of teachings towards the end of Feburary 2012.

Khensur L Tenpa Rinpoche is expected to visit in March or April 2012. Rinpoche is the Throne holder of Drepung Monastery (our parent organisation and where Geshe Dhonam studied) and he last visited in New Zealand 2009. He will teach in Auckland and Wellington.

In the meantime, the teaching schedule has been updated.

Khensur L Tenpa Rinpoche's visit 2009

Sunday 13th February at 5pm with a Tsog offering. Please come and start the year with this offering to the teachers of the lineage.

Wednesday 16th February the evening class starts at 7.30pm. Geshela is explaining our training in the practices of generosity and so forth-the Essential Path of the Bodhisattva (The Awakening Warrior).

The rest of the programme is listed below:

February:

Sunday 13th: 5pm- Tsog offering.
Wednesday 16th: 7.30pm- Geshe Dhonam explains The Awakening Path.
Thursday 17th: 7.30- Ven. Tenzin’s Meditation Class.
Friday 18th: 7.30pm-Medicine Buddha practice-for all who are unwell.
Sunday 20th: 5pm-Vajra Sattva meditation.
Wednesday 23rd: 7.30pm- Geshe Dhonam explains The Awakening Path.
Thursday 24th: 7.30- Ven. Tenzin’s Meditation Class.
Sunday 27th: 5pm-Tsog Offering-A very powerful accumulation of merit which we all need on our path to enlightenment.

March:
Wednesday 2nd: 7.30pm- Geshe Dhonam explains The Awakening Path.
Thursday 3rd: 7.30- Ven. Tenzin’s Meditation Class.
Saturday 5th: Tibetan New Year-11am Incense Puja followed by a shared lunch. Start the New Year with Geshe Dhonam.
Wednesday 10th: 7.30pm- Geshe Dhonam explains The Awakening Path.
Thursday 11th: 7.30- Ven. Tenzin’s Meditation Class.
Sunday 13th: 5pm-Tara Puja-Embodiment of the enlightened activity of all the Buddhas, Tara is swift acting wisdom and compassion.
Tuesday 15th: 7.30pm Tsog Offering.
Wednesday 16th: 7.30pm- Geshe Dhonam explains The Awakening Path.
Thursday 17th: 7.30- Ven. Tenzin’s Meditation Class.
Saturday 19th: Wheel Turning Day which celebrates the Buddha’s qualities as the Day of Miracles-5pm Tsog offering.
Wednesday 23rd: 7.30pm- Geshe Dhonam explains The Awakening Path.
Thursday 24th: 7.30- Ven. Tenzin’s Meditation Class.
Sunday 27th: 5pm-Dorje Khadro Fire Puja.
Tuesday 29th: 7.30pm Tsog Offering.
Wednesday 30th: 7.30pm- Geshe Dhonam explains The Awakening Path.
Thursday 31st: 7.30- Ven. Tenzin’s Meditation Class.

There has been a request from the Office of Tibet for Buddhist centres to make prayers for His Holiness – specifically Shakyamuni Buddha Mantra and Praise to Pelden Lhamo. Therefore, up to Sunday the 21st November at 4PM, these practices will be recited and the totals recited will be sent to the Office; this will be instead of the advertised programme. Thank you for coming.

Edit – please contact the centre to find out which teachings will be affected.

What’s Coming Up at Trashi Gomang?

Monday 1st November 7.30pm Tsog.

Wednesday 6th November 7:30pm Path to Bliss.-The essential parts of practice which develop our mind further every time we listen.

Thursday 4th November 7:30pm Meditation with Venerable Tenzin.

Sunday 7th November 4pm Q&A discussion class with Geshe Dhonam.

Wednesday 10th November 7:30pm Path to Bliss.

Thursday 11th November 7:30pm Meditation with Ven. Tenzin.

Sunday 14th November 4:00pm Tara Puja.

Tuesday 16th November 7.30pm Tsog.

Wednesday 17th November 7:30pm Path to Bliss.

Thursday 18th November 7:30pm Meditation with Venerable Tenzin.

Sunday 21st November 4:00pm Medicine Buddha Puja..

Wednesday 24th November 7:30pm Path to Bliss.

Thursday 25th November 7:30pm Meditation with Venerable Tenzin.

Sunday 28th November 11am Animal Liberation – This practice follows the advice of the Buddha that results ripen in accordance with the causes created. Therefore by liberating animals whose life is in danger, we create causes that overcome illness and bring long life.

This year we will do it on Sunday November 28, gathering at Trashi Gomang at 11.30 for recitations followed by a shared lunch and then everyone will go out to liberate the animals together. People either bring the animals that they wish to liberate or donate to the Centre specifically to buy animals. Please bring a plate for the shared lunch.

Tuesday 30th November 7.30pm Tsog- Lama Tzong Khapa’s Anniversary Day.

Wednesday 1st December 7.30pm Path to Bliss.

Thursday 2nd December 7.30pm Ven. Tenzin Meditation Class.

Friday 3rd to 5th December Geshela is teaching in Wellington.

Saturday 30th. October 11.00am to 3.00pm – Trashi Gomang garden – Working bee.

Through the kindness of others – students and supporters – we have a new fence.

Please come and spend some time to beautify our gardens to match.

Any plants you wish to donate greatly appreciated.

As we have a limited supply of garden tools at TG bringing you own would also be much appreciated. Any plants you wish to donate will be gratefully received.

Wayne would like to design and maintain the garden in a way that everyone can find enjoyment there.

To do this he needs interested people. Anyone interested in being involved in this project please talk to Wayne.

Thank you.

Teachings (working bee below).

Wednesday 6th October 7:30pm Path to Bliss.-The essential parts of practice which develop our mind further every time we listen.

Thursday 7th October 7-7:30pm Meditation with Venerable Tenzin.

Sunday 10th October 1:30-3:30pm Animal blessing-bring your pets to be blessed by Geshela and circumambulate the Centre

Sunday 10th October 4:00pm Question and Answer session.

Wednesday 13th October 7:30pm Path to Bliss.

Thursday 14th October 7:30pm Meditation with Ven. Tenzin.

Friday 15th October 7:30pm Tara Puja-invoke the enlightened activities of the Buddhas

Sunday 17th October 4:00pm Tsog offering.

Wednesday 20th October 7:30pm Path to Bliss.

Thursday 21st October 7:30pm Meditation with Venerable Tenzin.

Friday 22nd October 7:30pm Medicine Buddha Puja-make prayers for all those who are ill.

Sunday 24th October 4:00pm Vajrasattva Purification Practice.

Wednesday 27th October 7:30pm Path to Bliss.

Thursday 28th October 7:30pm Meditation with Venerable Tenzin.

Friday 29th October 7:30pm Wheel Turning Day-The Buddha’s Descent From Tushita-Tsog offering.

Sunday 31st October 4pm Dorje Khadro fire Puja.

Teaching Schedule for July 2010 at Trashi Gomang.

Sunday 4th July 4:00pm Prayers for HH Dalai Lama’s long life.

Tuesday 6th July 7:30pm Tsog offering. Also the actual day celebrating HH Dalai Lama’s birthday so it is a good day to offer tsog to the merit field.

Wednesday 7th July 7:30pm Penetrative Insight. Geshela will begin with an over view on this essential cultivation of Wisdom and then it will continue each Wednesday. The teaching is based on the Medium Lam Rim by Je Rinpoche.

Thursday 8th July 7:30pm Meditation with Ven. Tenzin.

Sunday 11th July 4:00pm Transforming the Heart – a Buddhist discussion class for new comers and old students alike.

Wednesday 14th July 7:30pm Penetrative Insight. This wisdom teaching is based on the Medium Lam Rim by Je Rinpoche.

Thursday 15th July 6:00pm Tsog Offering, celebrating the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma by Shakyamuni Buddha. A great day to celebrate together with this puja.
7:30pm Meditation with Ven. Tenzin.

Sunday 18th July 4:00pm Chenrezig Inseparable from the Spiritual Master, a practice led by Geshe Dhonam focusing on compassion.

Monday 19th July 7:30pm Tara puja – invoke the enlightened activities of the Buddhas.

Wednesday 21st July 7:30pm Penetrative Insight. This wisdom teaching is based on the Medium Lam Rim by Je Rinpoche.

Thursday 22nd July 7:30pm Meditation with Ven. Tenzin.

Sunday 25th July 4:00pm Medicine Buddha practice, a powerful practice in this era and we all know people who are ill who can benefit by this practice.

Wednesday 28th July 6:00pm Annual General Meeting.
7:30pm Anniversary of the passing of the Centre’s founder, KS Thapkhey Rinpoche. Tsog offering. Penetrative Insight.

Thursday 29th July 7:30pm Meditation with Ven. Tenzin.

Saturday 31st July 10:00am–>12:00pm, Feng Shui Workshop with Martine Darrou.
2:00pm–>4:00pm, Feng Shui Workshop with Martine Darrou.
Sunday 1st August 10:00am–>12:00pm, Feng Shui Workshop with Martine Darrou.
2:00pm–>4:00pm, Feng Shui Workshop with Martine Darrou.
4:00pm Transforming the Heart, a Buddhist discussion class for new comers and old students alike.

Advance Notice – Sat 8 January 2011 – Dying Well – a Buddhist Perspective. A one day workshop 10 – 4 p.m led by Celia Smith. Looking at approaching your own death, helping others at death time and the practicalities of death and funerals. Places limited to 25. Charge of $80 ( all funds support the centre) for the day – pre-course registration essential – email Celia – celia.ceremony@xtra.co.nz

Feng Shui Workshop

May 29 -30 Beginners Course
July 31 – 1 August Intermediate Course

Feng Shui is known as the ‘Art of Placement’ guiding the positioning of objects for wellbeing and health. It is an approach designed to bring people into harmony with the natural forces that surround them. Feng Shui literally translates as ‘wind and water’.

Workshop facilitator – Martine Darrou – resides in Dunedin and comes to Auckland to present this course.
Martine studied Feng Shui in the Tsi Lai Chinese temple in Los Angeles and also during her Chinese medicine training. She has been applying Feng Shui principles over the last 20 years and ran a practice in Dunedin.

Places are limited to 20 people.
As these are practical work shops please feel free to bring your own case studies and questions.

Venue
Trashi Gomang Buddhist Centre, 31 McIntyre Road Mangere Bridge

Beginners Course
May 29 – 30: 10 a.m – 12 midday & 2 – 4 p.m (both days)

Intermediate Course
July 31 – 10 – 12 & 2 – 4p.m
August 1 – 10 – 12 & 1 – 2 p.m.

Cost – $200 per course
Registration discount for both courses – $330

Course Fees to be deposited to
ANZ: Trashi Gomang Trust 01 0202 0139879 00
Please code it with – FSH and your name.
Registrations and queries to be emailed to darma1@me.com

Geshe Dhonam returns from America soon. Here is the upcoming program for Trashi Gomang.

Geshela’s return:
Thurs 10 June on flight QA0026 at 7.25 a.m. Any one who can be at Auckland airport to welcome him please come.

Sunday 13 – 10.30 a.m – Morning Tea at Trashi Gomang to welcome Geshela. Please note that this will be instead of our usual 4 p.m session.

Wednesday 16 – 7.30 p.m – Penetrative Insight. Geshela will begin with an over view on this essential cultivation of Wisdom and then it will continue each Wed. The teaching is based on the Medium Lam Rim by Je Rinpoche.

Thursday 17 – 7.30 Ven Tenzin’s meditation class.

Saturday 19th – 7.30 p.m Tara Puja

Sunday 20th – 4 p.m – Meditation with Geshela.

Monday 21: – 7.30 p.m Tsog offering.

Wed 23 – 7.30 p.m – Penetrative Insight. This wisdom teaching is based on the Medium Lam Rim by Je Rinpoche.

Thursday 17 – 7.30 Ven Tenzin’s meditation class.

Friday 25 – Sun 27 – Geshela is in Wellington teaching on the Four Noble Truths at Trashi Ge Phel Ling.

Wed 30 – 7.30 p.m – Penetrative Insight. This wisdom teaching is based on the Medium Lam Rim by Je Rinpoche.

It is once more May, which means we approach the most significant day to Buddhists, known to Tibetans as Saga Dawa, and to other traditions as:

“Buddha Purnima” or “Buddha Jayanti” in India, Bangladesh and Nepal
“Hanamatsuri” in Japan,
“Seokka Tanshin-il” in Korean,
Mandarin: “Fódàn”, Cantonese: “Fātdàahn” in Chinese-speaking communities,
“Phật Đản” in Vietnamese,
“Saga Dawa” (sa ga zla ba) in Tibetan,
“Visak Bochéa” in Khmer,
“Visakah Puja” (or Visakha Bucha) in Thai,
“Waisak” in Indonesia,
Vesak (“Wesak”) in Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

All these refer to the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Siddhattha Gotama. The two weeks leading up to the full moon on May 27th are powerful days for practice so we hope that
everyone can make the most of it!

Geshe-la flies to USA on Saturday May 8th on flight QF0025 departing at 1.30 p.m. He will see family members and take teachings from HH the Dalai Lama in the USA and return June Thursday 10th arriving at 7.25 a.m on flight QF0026. There are no Wednesday and Sunday classes during his absence. On his return the Wednesday (16th of June) class will begin an explanation on developing Penetrative Insight based on the Medium Lam Rim by Je Tzong Khapa.

Sunday the 4th at 4 p.m – Transforming the Heart – Buddhism for everyone, and especially those new to the teachings.

Wednesday the 7th at 7.30 p.m – Calm Abiding teaching continues. Teaching is based on Je Rinpoche’s Medium Lam Rim. English translation available in A Wallace’s book ‘A Balanced Mind”. An explanation which helps us develop better daily meditation skills.

Thursday the 8th at 6 p.m – Tsog – one of our tantric commitments . Purify and accumulate merit relying on the most powerful field of the lineage teachers.
Followed by:
8 p.m Ven Tenzin’s meditation class.

Sunday the 11th at 4 p.m – Vajra Sattva practice – with Geshe Dhonam. Develop familiarity with one of the most powerful purification practices. An essential part of our regular spiritual practice.

Wednesday the 14th at 7.30 p.m – Calm Abiding teaching continues.

Thursday the 15th at 7.30 p.m – Ven Tenzin’s meditation class.

Friday the 16th to Sunday the 18th – Geshela is in Wellington. For details visit www.tgpl.org.nz

Wednesday the 21st at 7.30 pm – Calm Abiding teaching continues.

Thursday the 22nd at 6.30 p.m – Tara Puja – invoking the enlightened activities of the Buddhas
Followed by
7.30 p.m Ven Tenzin’s meditation class.

Friday the 23rd at 7.30 p.m – Tsog – one of our tantric commitments . Purify and accumulate merit relying on the most powerful field of the lineage teachers.

Sunday the 25th at 4 pm – Guru Yoga practice – Chenrezig Inseparable with HH Dalai Lama. A practice for increasing compassion, accumulation of merit and places imprints of the complete path on our mindstream.

Wednesday the 28th at 7.30 p.m – Calm Abiding teaching continues.

Thursday the 29th at 7.30 p.m – Ven Tenzin’s meditation class.

News:

Geshe Dhonam to USA.
Geshe-la is planning to take teachings from His Holiness in USA and visit his family from early May to early June. The ticket plus insurance etc will be about $3000. We have sponsor ship for $1000 so far – any other assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Celebrant.
Celia is continuing with her activities as a marriage and funeral celebrant. Contact her on celia.ceremony@xtra.co.nz

Beginning on Wednesday, March the 3rd, Geshe Dhonam will teach on Calm Abiding and Penetrative Insight.

The teaching comes from the Medium Lam Rim text by Je Tzong Khapa. The english translation of the Calm Abiding text is the focus of the book A Balanced Mind by A Wallace and the Penetrative Insight chapter is in Final Wisdom by Jeffrey Hopkins. While we will have some photocopies of the chapters available at the classes, those who are interested in these topics, will find the books useful long term. They are available from Amazon UK or Wisdom Publications among other retailers.

February Teaching Schedule
Please contact the centre if you have any questions.

Bodhisattva Way of Life, Chapter 8
7.30pm Wednesday 3 February

Chenrezig Inseparable from HHDL recitation
4.00pm Sunday 7 February

Lama Choepa/Guru Yoga Tsog
7.30pm Monday 8 February

Bodhisattva Way of Life, Chapter 8
7.30pm Wednesday 10 February

Tibetan New Year Losar Celebration at Trashi Gomang
Prayers followed by shared lunch
10.30 Sunday 14 February

Calm Abiding and Wisdom
7.30pm Wednesday 17 February

Dorje Khadro Fire Puja
4.00pm Sunday 21 February

Tara Puja
7.30pm Monday 22 February

Lama Choepa/Guru Yoga Tsog: Special Tsog Day
7.30pm Wednesday 24 February

DAY OF MIRACLES WHEEL TURNING DAY
Lama Choepa/Guru Yoga Tsog
7.30pm Sunday 28 February

Beginning of Teachings for 2010

Wednesday 20th January 7:30pm
Continuing Chapter 8 of the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life – the practice of equalising and exchanging self and others. When this chapter is complete, it will be followed by a teaching on calm abiding and penetrative insight.

Thursday 21st January 8:00pm
Meditation with Ven. Tenzin.

Saturday 23rd January 7:30pm
Tara Puja: Invoking the enlightened activity of the Buddha’s.

Sunday 24th January 4.00pm
Vajrasattva practice.

Monday 25th January 7:30pm
Tsog, an accumulation of merit before the field of merit.

Wednesday 27th January 7:30pm
Continuing Chapter 8 of the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life – the practice of equalising and exchanging self and others. When this chapter is complete, it will be followed by a teaching on calm abiding and penetrative insight.

Thursday 28th January 8:00pm
Meditation with Ven. Tenzin.

Saturday 30th January 10.00am –> 2.00pm
Working Bee, please come and enjoy an hour or two in the garden with us.

Sun 31 January
Geshela is away.

Sunday 7 Feburary 4 p.m
Guru yoga – Chenrezig inseparable from the Dalai Lama.

Monday 8 Feburary 7.30 p.m
Tsog.

Sunday 14 Feburary
Tibetan New Year.

Sunday 21 Feburary 4 p.m
Dorje Khadro Fire puja.

Monday 22 Feburary 7.30.p.m
Tara puja.

Wednesday 24 Feburary
Tsog. As this falls during the waxing of the moon leading up to the Wheel Turning day, this is a very powerful time to do this practice.

Sunday 28 Feburary 7.30 p.m
Tsog for The Day of Miracles Wheel Turning Day. This is a very powerful day to gather merit and purify by doing this practice.

Geshela is teaching in Wellington Feb 26 – Feb 28 – returning late afternoon (before tsog).

Collection of food to give to the SPCA – last year we collected food to donate to the SPCA before the Day of Miracles, and we are also gathering it this year. Your contributions are deeply appreciated.

WORKING BEE

Hello everyone,
Trashi Gomang Centre is having another ‘working bee’ to tidy up for Losar (Tibetan New Year)
If you would like to, please come and enjoy an hour or two in the garden with us.
It helps us if you bring your own garden implements.
Delicious refreshments will be provided!

Saturday 30th January
10am to 2pm
31 McIntyre Rd
Mangere Bridge

Khensur Tegchog Rinpoche’s Visit.

Rinpoche will be arriving at Auckland airport on Wednesday December 2nd at 11.10am. Everyone is invited to welcome him to New Zealand. He will then stay with Anne Ackerman for the first days until after the visit of His Holiness Dalai Lama.

He will be formally welcomed at Trashi Gomang on Monday 7th – time to be announced.
Trashi Gomang Teachings – Mind Training
Tues. 8 and Wed 9 nights 7.30 p.m
Sat 12 and Sun 13 – 10 -12 a.m & 2 – 4 p.m.
There will be a Chinese translator at the teachings.

Rinpoche will go to DCI following teaching at Trashi Gomang.

As always we rely on your generous support for this visit of a great teacher.

The assistant is called Penpa Tsering 56 years old and was attending Rinpoche in Italy.
Rinpoche will be departing on January 12th from Auckland International Airport at 23.45pm.

Geshe Dhonam is in Australia for the visit of His Holiness and will return to the Centre on the night of Thursday the 3rd of December. He will be staying in central Auckland as a guest of the Trust with other Tibetan sangha over the weekend of His Holiness’s visit. We would like to express our appreciation to the Trust for this opportunity for him to enjoy the company of other sangha.

There will be a picnic with Khensur Rinpoche, Geshe Lhawang and Geshe Dhonam on Sunday 25 Oct, 1 p.m. at Trashi Gomang Buddhist Centre.

If you would like to arrange a meeting with any of our teachers, please refer to the schedule at the centre so everyone stays on the same page.

Finances Update:
Geshela’s Capital Support.
$400 was donated from students this year and our sponsor has matched this so $800 has gone to Geshela’s capital fund. Our sponsor will continue to match funds donated every six months so please make the most of a most generous offer.
Mortgage.
Our mortgage comes up for review in January 2010. If we can pay off further principle, it will decrease the running costs of the centre and make it more financially stable. If you would like to help with this please mark donations specifically for the mortgage or donate to the centre account noted as for the mortgage.
Additional Support Request.
While we have sponsors making the visit of Khensur Lobsang Tenpa and Geshe Lhawang possible, the Centre has kept rooms free in order to be able to offer accommodation to our guests. This will run into December with the visit of Khensur Tegchog and attendant. This means the rental which supports the centre monthly is lower than usual, so please help us cover all our costs and mortgage over these months to the end of the year.
Thank you for all your help.

Khensur Losang Tenpa will visit from October 14 to November 20

Khensur Losang Tenpa holds the highest position at Drepung Monastery as the Drepung Throne Holder. He acts as abbot for both colleges of Drepung and is renowned for his great qualities of both knowledge and kindness. He is a teacher of Geshe Dhonam, our resident teacher.
The teachings will run over each weekend, beginning Oct 16.

Public Teachings

– No reservations required, donations gratefully accepted.

Lines of Experience – a text by Je Tsong Khapa outlining the essence of the path.
October 16 (Friday night) 7.30 – 9 p.m
October 17 (Saturday) 10 a.m – 12 p.m, break, 2 – 4 p.m
October 18 (Sunday) 10 a.m – 12 p.m

Heart Sutra
October 24 (Saturday) 10 a.m – 12 p.m, break, 2 – 4 pm
October 25 (Sunday) 10 a.m – 12 p.m

Gaden Lha Gyema – the Guru Yoga of Je Rinpoche (I think this is related to: http://www.lamacaroline.org/100deities.htm)
October 26 (Monday) 10 a.m – 12 p.m.

October 29 – Nov. 1 – Teachings in Wellington

Initiations

– All these initiations require Refuge and the taking of the Bodhisattva vows.

Green Tara
November 6 (Friday) 7.30 p.m until finished.

Chenrezig – The Buddha of Compassion.
November 7 (Saturday) 2 p.m until finished.

Amitayus – Long life Initiation
November 8 (Sunday) 2 p.m until finished.

Yamantaka initiation – Yamantaka initiation involves the taking the Tantric Vows and the recitation of two daily practices. Please talk to an ordained member of the Sanga prior to committing to this serious undertaking.
November 14 – 15 (Saturday and Sunday) 2 p.m until finished. As this is the last teaching there will be a tsog after the Sunday session.

SPECIAL TEACHINGS COMING TO TRASHI GOMANG

Geshe Dhonam will be teaching the Perfection Vehicle Paths and Grounds on Wednesdays starting 3 June and continuing through 17 June.  This is an excellent opportunity for everyone to get an overview and imprints of the Bodhisattva’s path to enlightenment.

For the Wednesdays starting June 24 through July, Geshe Dhonam has also kindly agreed to teach the Tantric Vehicle Paths and Grounds which is limited to students with highest Yoga Tantra initiation.

Geshe Dhonam suggests anyone interested in the Tantric Paths and Grounds should come to the Perfection Vehicle Paths and Grounds as a perquisite, and he also suggests reading the text ahead of time:  “Paths and Grounds of Guhyasamaja According to Arya Nagarjuna” by Master Yangchen Gawai Lodoe Translated by Tenzin Dorjee and Jeremy Russell, from Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, 1995.  Indraprustha Press, New Delhi.

We will see if we can order copies from Delhi.  Anyone interested should contact Elizabeth ASAP on e31hannah@hotmail.com or 636 9810.  We’re not sure of the cost yet.

Capital Sum to support Geshela – donations matched dollar for dollar.

Last year we were fortunate to have a sponsor who donated $9900 to keep as a capital sum to support Geshe Dhonam – only the interest will be used from this. This year the sponsor is inviting other people to contribute to this capital sum and has offered to match donations dollar for dollar. The Centre is starting this by putting $160 towards this sum which will be matched by $160 from the sponsor. Any one who would like to join in can deposit to the Trashi Gomang Trust 00 account – ANZ 01 0202 0139879 00 or send in a cheque – but either way please let us know that the donation is to be added to this capital sum. Thank you.

Geshela is now officially a “Permanent Resident” of New Zealand! This is a fantastic for Geshela, a great accomplishment for those involved helping and lends further security to our centre. Special thanks to Keith Locke, the Green M.P. who supported our application! Many thanks to Ven. Tenzin Chosang, Mariejke, Annie, Celia and Timothy for their extensive help. And great thanks to everyone who wrote letters of support, came to meetings, picked up and dropped off documents and carried all the pieces that kept the process on track. Geshela, your black gumboots are in the post!

Lam Rim Retreat at Mahamudra – Canceled.

Update March 09: The retreat has been canceled due to not enough sign ups. We hope to schedule another one at a later date.

Teaching will include instructions on how to meditate on these topics:

Accommodation for four days is additional according to your needs:
$60.00 tenting
$80.00 for dorm
$120.00 for shared twin
$160.00 for single room (only 2 available)

Last Saturdays lunch was a successful gathering and sharing of food and story’s, about the year nearly passed. As ever, the food was wonderfully spicy and the people serving at Little India, were courteous and helpful. Some thank yous; The Buddha for showing The Path, Geshela for teaching it and Celia for translating. Thank you to all in the cabinet and to all who through practising the teachings, illuminate and animate them. May our practise deepen and widen in 2009.

The tentative start date for teachings in 2009, is Sunday 11th of January.

Hoping you all have a fun and safe New Years.

Medicine Buddha Puja, this Monday 15th of December at 7.30pm, with Geshela.

Trashi Gomang Lunch

Saturday 13 December

Little India Resturant

To mark the end of the year there will be a Trashi Gomang lunch with Geshe Dhonam and Ven Tenzin, along with Celia and many other Trashi Gomang people.  It will start at 11.30am and it’s at Little India (501, New North Rd, Kindsland) where the food will be vegetarian and delicious. So that we know how much food to order, please email Trashi Gomang with “Lunch” in the subject line.

Dr Barry Clark is holding public workshops on Tibetan Medicine with an introduction on Friday the 5th of December and full day workshops on Saturday and Sunday. For more details visit:

www.drbarryclark.com

Tenzin Chosang is back from retreat (Welcome back, Tenzin!), and so meditation sessions are back on the schedule.

Every Thursday starting at 8.00 pm

Great for beginners and those wanting a regular guided meditation.

Tenzin Chosang

The Sacred Words of Manjushri – one of the eight great lam rim commentaries, The Sacred Words of Manjushri uses the poem composed within the text which contains the condensed meaning. It is a very vivid and engaging poem – deeply inspiring to practice as well as containing the entire Lam Rim meaning. Wednesday 29th October, starting 7:30pm.

Elizabeth is caring for her very ill Father in America.  Our thoughts go out to Elizabeth and her family. Meditation classes are expected to resume later. We’ll keep you posted here on the site and in the Trashi Gomang newsletter.

Completed!  Thanks to everyone who came!  Thanks to the organisers: Eric and Olwen!

Hi Everyone!

Trashi Gomang Buddhist Centre is having a

Working Bee

Saturday the 18th of October

10am – 2pm

All you need is your gardening gear

Refreshments served

Please help us spruce the old place up!

Peter Jilks, a PhD student of Australian National University, is now studying with Geshe Dhonam at Trashi Gomang. He will outline his research, The Doctrine of Irreversibility on the Buddhist Path to Enlightenment, in a talk on Tuesday the 30th of September.

There are three main aspects to the investigation:

• theories underlying notions of spiritual progress
• the idea that the goal is certain once a certain stage of progress is reached
• whether a practitioner’s progress can be gauged by means of certain observable signs

He will draw from a wide range of Buddhist literature, including Sanskrit and Tibetan commentaries on the important fifth century text, Abhisamaya-alaṃkāra (Ornament of Clear Realisations), as well as various works on metaphysics and epistemology, theories of how we know what we know. The talk will be held at Trashi Gomang Buddhist Centre, everyone is welcome.

The Doctrine of Irreversibility on the Buddhist Path to Enlightenment by Peter Jilks

Held at Trashi Gomang Buddhist Centre

Tuesday 30 September, from 7pm

Beginning on Monday the 29th of September, Elizabeth Hannah will be conducting an eight week program of meditation sessions. Elizabeth is experienced in meditation and brings a wealth of personal knowledge to these classes.

Meditation Classes at Trashi Gomang Buddhist Centre
7pm to 8pm
$10 per session

Celia Smith, Trashi Gomang’s translator, has studied under and translated for Buddhist teachers such as Khensur Thapkhey Rinpoche, Geshe Dhonam, Khensur Tegchog and Geshe Yonten Gyatso among others.

In “Nuggets of Gold – Words from Contemporary Buddhist Masters” Celia will be conveying advice and teachings to us that she received from her Buddhist Teachers, certain key elements of Buddhist thought and facets relevant to our modern lives.

A contribution of $10 is requested as a donation which can be receipted for a tax rebate as a donation to a charitable trust.

The talk will take place at Trashi Gomang Buddhist Centre on the 4th of September.

If you have questions please contact Celia directly at celia.ceremony@lycos.com or contact Trashi Gomang.

Important: these talks have been postponed. For further information please contact Dale and Mary at dodd@ihug.co.nz

Trashi Gomang is privileged to be hosting An Introduction to Jungian Dreamwork. Jung, along with Freud, founded modern depth style psychotherapy, at the turn of the last century. Many terms coined by Jung, such as complex, introversion, extroversion, archetype, collective unconscious and persona, have found their way into everyday vocabulary. For those interested in deepening their understanding and application of some of these concepts….

An Introduction to Jungian Dreamwork

In discussion with Dale Dodd PhD Jungian Analyst and Mary Lane-Dodd PhD Jungian Psychotherapist.

This will be held over four months, on August 23rd, September 27th, October 18th, November 22nd, from 10.30am to 12.00 noon. The cost per session is $30 to be paid to Trashi Gomang on the day. The venue is Trashi Gomang, 31 McIntyre Rd, Mangere Bridge, Auckland.

Please note that there are only a limited number of places for these sessions. Register your interest by contacting emailing Trashi Gomang.

Here are some pictures taken at Trashi Gomang.

Click on the picture for a larger version.

The bigger versions may take some time to load.

The stupa was consecrated on the 24th of February with 16 ordained sangha in attendance. Among the other people present were Stan Semenhof, the Mayor of Whangarei and Professor Patu Hohepa representing Ngapuhi as well as members of other Buddhist centres and residents of Whangarei. The stupa is the culmination of extensive and dedicated hard work by the Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling members with the wider community’s help and generosity. Co-director of the centre, Paul Currie, declared the stupa open to the public for everybody to visit. Venerable Thupten Tulku Rinpoche and Geshe Sonam Rinchen each gave short teachings outlining the purpose of the stupa, what it represents and how it ties in to Buddhist teachings and practice.

Here are some photos taken at the opening. Clicking on the thumbnail pictures will take you to a larger version which may take some time to load for those without a fast internet connection. Click the ‘back’ button on your browser to return to this page. The photos are Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling’s; to reproduce them please contact Paul Currie at Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling.

For more information on the Stupa and to see photos of it being built you can visit the Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling Buddhist Centre by clicking on this link.

Geshe Yonten Gyatso has spent his life studying and practising the teachings of an unbroken lineage of Buddhist masters right back to Shakyamuni Buddha.

Geshe Yonten Gyatso was captured and imprisoned while trying to escape from Tibet in 1959 and spent three years in jail under extremely harsh and inhumane conditions. Eventually he was able to return to Labrang Monastery and was later chosen by the Panchen Lama to be the resident teacher at his monastery. In 1985 Khensur Thapkhey Rinpoche (the founder of Trashi Gomang) went to see him on behalf of Drepung Gomang (the monastery with which Trashi Gomang is associated) to go to India to teach and eventually the Panchen Lama granted him permission to do so. Since then Geshe Yonten Gyatso has been teaching at Gomang Monastery and is now one of the most revered teachers, renowned for his knowledge of both sutra and tantra.

Through Geshe Dhonam’s request and the support of sponsors who have paid for the flights, we are extremely fortunate that Geshe Yonten Gyatso is able to visit New Zealand for a third time. There is no charge to attend any of his teachings but donations towards the other costs of the trip will be very helpful.

Geshe Yonten Gyatso will be giving teachings in Auckland at Trashi Gomang Buddhist Centre; the teaching schedule is here.

Geshe Yonten Gyatso will also be teaching in Wellington at Trashi Ge Phel Ling Buddhist Centre. Brief details are on the schedule page. For further information, see Trashi Ge Phel Ling’s website here for more information.

(Earlier Picture of Geshe Yonten Gyatso)

Welcome back to a new year of teachings and activity at Trashi Gomang Buddhist Centre!

On Wednesdays at 7:30pm, Geshe Dhonam is currently teaching the tenets of the various Buddhist schools of thought and on Sundays at 4pm he answers questions on any Buddhist topic. Anybody is welcome to these teachings. All are also welcome to meditation class on Thursday nights at 8pm run by the resident Western monk, Tenzin Chosang. The class is suitable for all levels of practitioner and involves placement, analytical and visualisation meditations. Tenzin Chosang also runs meditation classes at 8:30am on Sundays in St Matthews in the City on the corner of Wellesley and Hobson Streets in Auckland’s Central City. All are also welcome to those classes which follow a similar format to the Thursday classes. Both Geshe Dhonam and Tenzin Chosang are available for personal advice or guidance.

July 2008 Update: Geshe Dhonam has finished teaching on tenets, for the current teaching topics please see Weekly Events.

Also: Tenzin is away for part of 2008 on retreat, he will be back in November and meditation classes will restart then.

We wish everyone a warm-hearted “Tashi Delek” for Losar, the Tibetan New Year. May you all have wealth, health and an abundance of happiness in the coming year and very quickly travel the path to enlightenment.