30.01.-05.02.19 Great Mahakala Puja and Losar Festivities
Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje
Course schedule:
Begins: Wednesday 30th January at 4:30 PM
Ends: Tuesday 05th February after lunch
Course fee:
240 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
Losar is the Tibetan New Year, a time of auspicious beginnings.
Traditionally this holiday is preceded with a four-day celebration of the longer version of the Mahakala puja. Through the purifying and pacifying powers of the chief Dharma Protector of the Kagyu order, we clear away the negativities of the past year and pray for good luck and the removal of any obstacles in the new.
Mahakala is the wrathful form of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion; he provides support for the auspicious development of dharma activities, dharma centers and dharma practitioners everywhere. A short version of the Mahakala puja is one of the daily practices in the Halscheid Retreat Center.
The long Mahakala practice phase starts on Wednesday Jan. 30th at 4.30 pm and ends on Sunday Feb. 3d with the burning of the tuntor and a traditional oracle soup in the evening.
We begin celebrating Losar on the 04th at 10 AM with a fire offering puja for the happiness and peace of all sentient beings in the world. We close the evening with a meditation on Avalokiteshvara.
We finish the festivities on Tuesday Feb. 05th with butter tea and saffron rice and then a delicious Losar lunch, enjoying each other’s smiles and best wishes for a happy and joyous Earth-Pig year 2146.
22-24.02.19 Teachings on the 6 Yogas of Naropa – Part 2
Course Instructors:
Lama Kunga
Course Schedule:
Begins: Friday February 22nd at 7 PM
Ends: Sunday February 24th after lunch
Course Fee:
150 euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
The Six Yogas or Six Dharmas of Naropa (Naro Chödruk) originate from the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa (956-1040), who was one of the forefathers of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The Six Yogas practices comprise Inner Heat (Tummo), Illusory Body (Gyulü), Clear Light (Ösal), Dream Yoga (Milam), Transference of Consciousness (Phowa) and Intermediate State (Bardo).
15-17.03.19 Teachings on the 6 Yogas of Naropa – Part 3
Course Instructors:
Lama Kunga
Course Schedule:
Begins: Friday March 15th at 7 PM
Ends: Sunday March 17th after lunch
Course Fee:
150 euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
The Six Yogas or Six Dharmas of Naropa (Naro Chödruk) originate from the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa (956-1040), who was one of the forefathers of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The Six Yogas practices comprise Inner Heat (Tummo), Illusory Body (Gyulü), Clear Light (Ösal), Dream Yoga (Milam), Transference of Consciousness (Phowa) and Intermediate State (Bardo).
18-22.04.19 Easter Retreat Konchog Chidu – Guru Rinpoche Practice
Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje
Course schedule:
Starts: Thursday April 18th, 2019 at 7 PM
Ends: Monday April 22, 2019 after lunch
Course fee:
200 Euro [includes all meals and accommodation]
The Guru Rinpoche Practice „Konchog Chidu“ („The Essence of the Three Jewels„), is a Terma text (treasure text) discovered by the great Terton (treasure finder) Rigdzin Jatson Nyingpo. It has extraordinary power to remove any kind of hindrance.
The special blessing of this sadhana is described in the „Prayer which Radiates the Light of Blessing„, a prayer of devotion to Guru Rinpoche:
„… However – in this degenerate time (these teachings) are a jewel that is poised on the head of a poisonous snake. If I, in these unclear and dark times, make a heartfelt promise with strong longing that stirs the depths of the vajra samaya of the deities of the Three Jewels and the Three Roots, then the extraordinary power of the Lamas – the Holders of the Three Kinds of Transmission, the Yidams and the multitude of the Dakinis, and the ocean of Dharma protectors, as well as through the power of the unchangeable, the truth, the nature and independence of phenomena – will allow the richness of the essential teachings to shine brightly, as the sun and moon bring light into the darkness, and bring to an end the darkening of unjustified attacks. May their victory secure this tradition of deep truth!
The excellent tradition, transmitted by Orgyen Rinpoche and the wisdom holders, has power over the three worlds and subdues the three kinds of existence. It is universally victorious and transgresses all appearances of phenomena. May it spread everywhere!“
10-12.05.19 Teachings on the 6 Yogas of Naropa – Part 4
Course Instructors:
Lama Kunga
Course Schedule:
Begins: Friday May 10th at 7 PM
Ends: Sunday May 12th after lunch
Course Fee:
150 euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
The Six Yogas or Six Dharmas of Naropa (Naro Chödruk) originate from the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa (956-1040), who was one of the forefathers of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The Six Yogas practices comprise Inner Heat (Tummo), Illusory Body (Gyulü), Clear Light (Ösal), Dream Yoga (Milam), Transference of Consciousness (Phowa) and Intermediate State (Bardo).
29.05.-02.06.19 Khorwa Dongtruk (Red Chenrezig) Retreat with Bardo Puja
Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga
Course schedule:
Starts: Wednesday, May 29th, at 7 PM
Ends: Sunday, June 2nd, after lunch
Course fee:
200 Euro [includes all meals and accommodation]
The bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara [Chenrezig] is the supreme embodiment of the caring compassion of all the Buddhas, an impartial compassion that embraces the entire immeasurable multitude of all sentient beings.
The red, standing form of Avalokiteshvara is known as Khorwa Dong Trug: “He who stirs samsara from its depths.” The meditation practice associated with this deity is known to be especially powerful, and includes a bardo section, helping to lead the consciousness of the deceased to the pure land of Buddha Amitabha.
As part of this special ritual, at the end of the retreat a list with the names of all deceased will be burned. If you send us the names of recently departed friends, relatives or pets, we will include them on the Amitabha list.
14-16.06.19 Teachings on Khorlo Demchog
Course Instructors:
Lama Kunga
Course Schedule:
Begins: Friday May 10th at 7 PM
Ends: Sunday May 12th after lunch
Course Fee:
150 euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
Khorlo Demchok (Skrt. Chakrasamvara or „Wheel of Supreme Bliss“) is regarded as the most important Yidam or meditational deity of Vajrayana Buddhism. In his two-armed form he is in union with his Wisdom Consort Vajravarahi: their embrace symbolizing the union of wisdom and skillful means.