Vajrayana Foundation

Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche, an animated and commited Great Perfection meditation teacher, will return to Pema Osel Ling this year to teach on the Bardo (intermediate states).

Lama Tharchin Rinpoche highly recommends his students to make a connection with Rinpoche, saying, “It is my heart wish that you come and make a connection with Khen Rinpoche (Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche) as he is truly special. Our lord of refuge Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche has said that this khenpo is unlike any other – really genuine. Not only is his knowledge vast, but he brought this into his experience, so that when he teaches he talks from his heart, which brings authentic penetration.”  

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Pre-Retreat Recommended Texts


Bardo Teachings

The Bardo teachings found in the “Bardo Thodrol” are commonly translated from Tibetan into English as “The Tibetan Book of The Dead.” However, this title is somewhat limited in that these precious teachings from the terma tradition of Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava also encompass methods of training for achieving liberation beyond just the experience of death.  A more complete title might be “Liberation Through Hearing While In Between Two States.” More specifically, the bardo teachings provide very practical guidance that prepares individuals to gain liberation during the six categories of “transitional states” or “in between states” commonly referred to as “bardo experiences.”  The bardo teachings provide extremely profound training that enables individuals to approach these six “transitional states” as opportunities to recognize the nature of mind in order to gain full and complete liberation.

The first of these six categories of transitional states is called “The Living Bardo.” The instructions found in this section illustrate the various experiences that occur while an individual is alive in their current body.  The section of teachings found within “The Living Bardo” provides a detailed description of how to achieve ultimate success in one’s dharma practice during this life by recognizing and gaining stability in the nature of mind until complete realization is achieved.  There are a number of different techniques that are described in ‘The Living Bardo” which enables practitioners to realize this ultimate goal.

The next Bardo is the “Bardo of Dreaming.” This section enables practitioners to recognize that the dream experience is an opportunity to achieve liberation. This section also teaches us how our ordinary waking life naturally supports our ability to gain liberation during the dream experience.  The ability to recognize one’s own thoughts, emotions and belief systems as simply “mental events” during the day naturally informs our dream experience by allowing us to recognize our dreams as also simply being “mental events” and not solid reality, which in turn allows one to transform one’s dream experiences and ultimately recognize the nature of mind while engaged in dreaming.

“The Bardo of Meditation” provides a number of techniques and instructions for working with our minds during both formal meditation practice as well as post-meditation practice. These techniques provide us with the support necessary to experience our world beyond the limitations of our mental events in order to recognize the nature of mind and ultimately gain full and complete liberation.  

“The Bardo of Dying” provides us with techniques that enable the practitioner to either gain full liberation or at the very least recognize the nature of their minds at the moment of death.  This section specifically trains people in how to directly work with their minds on their death-beds so that they do not become caught up in their thoughts and emotions at the moment of death, which directly interferes with their ability to achieve liberation.  “The Bardo of Dying” trains practitioners in how to die with confidence- without fear and regret while ultimately achieving liberation at the moment of death.

“The Nature of Reality Bardo” section provides effective guidance and advice on how to recognize the nature of mind in the “after death experience” in case practitioners were not able to gain liberation at the moment of death.  This section also includes advice and specific details that prepare individuals for what they may encounter during the after death experience. 

“The Bardo of Becoming.”  If one isn’t able to recognize and maintain the nature of mind during “The Nature of Reality Bardo” they automatically transition into what is called “The Bardo of Becoming.” This section further prepares one for the after death experience. The experiences found in “The Bardo of Becoming” have a very strong impact on one’s next life.  As a result this section provides practitioners with specific instructions on how to work directly with their minds during the after death experience: such as when encountering various lights as well as moments of extreme fear and confusion.  This section also highlights the specific types of experiences that one should focus on as well as avoid during the after death experience in order to create the most supportive circumstances for gaining full and complete liberation or the best possible rebirth.

It is important to understand that the teachings on the “Six Transitional States” come directly from the heart of Guru Rinpoche’s infallible wisdom mind.  As a result of Padmasambhava’s true compassion and sincere wish to benefit all beings we have the great fortune to encounter these precious instructions on how to prepare for the six different transition states.  Through Guru Rinpoche’s kindness we have the ability to recognize these six transitional states as being opportunities to realize the nature of mind as well as achieve full and complete liberation. As a result these teachings should valued in the highest regard for their extremely unique ability to provide very practical advice and guidance for achieving enlightenment throughout our regular life, at the moment of death, as well as during the various after death experiences. 

The Bardo Teachings also help us recognize that our current actions have an extremely significant impact on our future. This cycle of teachings are also extremely beneficial in their ability to provide training in how to essentially achieve liberation in all possible circumstances throughout our lives.  It is for these reasons that “The Bardo Teachings” are celebrated as providing the most profound instructions and guidance within all of vajrayana buddhism.


Pricing

Entire Retreat (includes I night lodging, 4 meals and all sessions)
Member            $120
Non-Member      $137

Individual Pricing
Per Session    M $18    NM $20
Per meal        M $7      NM $8       
Per night        M $20    NM $25   

No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please enquire about payment plans by emailing the office.

Daily Teaching Schedule

10:30 - 12:30 PM
2:30 - 4:30 PM   

Pre-Retreat Recommended Texts
--- Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche will not be teaching from a specific text but recommends the following:

Mind Beyond Death, Dzogchen Ponlop
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Sogyal Rinpoche
Peaceful Death, Joyful Rebirth, Tulku Thondup


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