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Vajravega Wheel of Protection: Fierce Kalachakra Empowerment & Retreat
August 19 - August 25, 2024
Shar Khentrul Jamphel Lodrö Rinpoché
Robert A.F. Thurman
Learn the Most Powerful Spiritual Protection Practice Done before the Kalachakra EmpowermentVajravega, the wrathful form of Shri Kalachakra and the King of the Wrathful Deities, is the protector aspect in Kalachakra. There are many benefits to establishing a connection with Vajravega. The essence of Vajravega is that he represents the non-conceptual primordial wisdom that arises when the winds enter the central channel. This is the method by which the root ignorance of conceptuality is cut. It is also the basis or container where the precious six vajra yogas arise. When we establish a wheel of protection with Vajravega, we are symbolically stopping the arising of dualistic appearances and abiding within the non-conceptual wisdom. Vajravega is considered the King of Spiritual Protection, and his 60 retinues are incredibly powerful. Khentrul Rinpoche has never before agreed to bestow this practice on students before keeping it to a very limited number. This powerful practice forms a vajra-protective sphere containing Vajravega and 60 protectors. It is performed at the start of a Kalachakra empowerment ceremony to secure the space. It is also done in some of the extensive Kalachakra Sadhanas. Robert Thurman requested the Vajravega Jenang and other special practices on the mind Mandala. For this reason, Yeshe Wangmo requested Rinpoche grant this wheel of protection practice that is so special and rare. Khentrul Rinpoche agreed to give this specific practice especially due to Robert Thurman’s initial request for Vajravega. Who is Vajravega?https://youtu.be/KweyCnXLx5w?si=sUk5E_TORhK1xS4VFor those joining in person, there will be several in-person-only activities. Retreatants will be a part of creating the empowerment mandala and tormas of the retinues as well as a Kalachakra Royal Jinsek Fire Puja, among other exclusive offerings.It is very important and special for us to connect with this aspect of Kalachakra in our lifetime to benefit from the connection in the Bardo state after death. While we must do our best to create karmic propensities to realize our own sacred truth during this life, if we do not then in the Bardo state after death, we may be able to recognize Vajravega in the sea of wrathful Deities and be liberated. For this reason, we also have several smaller practices that can help increase our connection and familiarity with Vajra Vega.Mudra and ritual instruction classes will be led by Yeshe Wangmo.Included in the Retreat both Online and In-Person- Vajravega Jenang (wrathful Kalachakra) Blessing Empowerment- Oral Transmission and practice text of Praises of Vajravega- Oral Transmission and practice text of Short Practice of Vajravega- Oral Transmission and practice text of Vajravega’s Wheel of Protection Sadhana - Khentrul Rinpoche will give a short Commentary on the Wheel of Protection Sadhana - Teachings by Bob Thurman on underlying Kalachakra philosophy, future Shambhala predictions, role of Vajravega and retinue of Gods and Dharma Protectors, Dharma Protectors and the importance of their rituals - Lesson in how to make the torma and tea offering to Dharma Protectors- Specific Mudras related to Vajravega and the Wheel of Protection and the 12 Kalachakra Offerings according to Jonang - Instruction on how to perform the ritual with the mudras are lead by Yeshe WangmoIncluded In-person Retreat Only- The Kalachakra Royal Jinsek Fire Puja- Torma Making Class- Vajravega’s Retinue and Vajravega’s Torma- Sand Mandala ConstructionWHO CAN COMEIn-Person students must have already taken the Kalachakra Empowerment (wang) or plan to take it in the future. The participant must already believe that the Kalachakra tantra is an important practice they wish to continue with in this life. Khentrul Rinpoche is being generous in offering the in-person attendees the opportunity to attend this retreat even just with the intention to take it in the future, rather than insisting on prior initiation as is customaryOnline participants must have already taken the Kalachakra Wang before.OPTIONAL SUPPLIES TO BRING DamaruBell and DorjeSerkyem (Golden Tea Offering Set)SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTERSMenla is honored to host seven Tibetan nuns from the Jangchub Choeling Nunnery in India during this retreat. The nuns will be creating a new Tara sand mandala throughout the week in the Conference Center Main Hall, and they will give a cultural presentation as well as conduct a special Chod ceremony for us towards the end of the week. This is a very rare and special offering, and we encourage all participants to attend the nuns' presentations.HYBRID FORMATThis workshop will be online and in person. Oral transmissions and empowerment must be received in real-time (i.e. not via video replay). Recordings will be added to learn.dzokden.org after the retreat. Everyone enrolled in person or online will be able to access the course.This page is for in-person attendance registration. If you cannot attend in person and wish to join us virtually online, please visit our Teachable platform at Menla Online.ScheduleMonday, August 19
ABOUT THE TEACHERs
Shar Khentrul Jamphel Lodrö Rinpoché
Khentrul Rinpoché spent the first 20 years of his life herding yak and chanting mantras on the plateaus of Tibet. Inspired by the bodhisattvas, he left his family to study in various monasteries under the guidance of over twenty-five masters in all the Tibetan Buddhist tradition...
Robert A.F. Thurman
Robert Thurman is Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University as well as co-founder and President of Tibet House US and it's Menla Retreat & Spa. A world-wide lecturer on Tibetan Buddhism, activist for the plight of the Tibetan people, translator of Buddhis...
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