One of the
most qualified Tibetan Buddhist vajrayana teachers living in the West,
Venerable Serje
Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden, will bestow the profound Yamantaka and Vajrayogini
initiations on the weekend of 18-19 September 2010.
The Yamantaka and
Vajrayogini initiations are held each year in September, followed by Vajrayogini
and Yamanataka retreats in alternate years.
In 2010 the
initiations will be immediately followed by a two week Yamantaka
retreat from Monday 20 September until Sunday 3 October. Geshe Loden will also present the essence
of the Six Yogas of Naropa.
Now 87, Geshe
Loden has an extraordinary depth of qualifications and experience in the practices
of Tibetan Buddhism after more than 40 years of intensive study and meditation in
Tibet and India. Geshe-la is also one
of the few living masters to have completed their training in Tibet. He teaches
in English and has a particular ability to explain these profound teachings to Western
students.
The initiations
and live-in retreat will be held in the traditional Tibetan temple at the Tibetan
Buddhist Society’s Peaceful Land of Joy meditation centre in Melbourne, Australia.
A unique retreat experience
The Peaceful Land of Joy is set in beautiful rural surroundings just outside Melbourne. It is an ideal place for meditation, Dharma study and practice.
The centre’s traditional Tibetan holy temple, blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2002, is a clear and peaceful space, with an exquisite 18 foot
Buddha statue, and adorned with traditional thangkas and Tibetan ornamentation. Between meditation sessions, students can relax in the 10 acre gardens,
including flourishing roses, exotic trees and a tranquil lake. Retreats at the Peaceful Land of Joy are a uniquely enjoyable and beneficial experience.
and Illusory Body.
The
Yamantaka retreat
will conclude with a fire puja, an extraordinary purification practice.
A two week Vajrayogini retreat is planned
for September/October 2011 based on the Vajrayogini commentary,
Ocean of Indivisibile Method and Wisdom.
The teacher
Geshe Loden
achieved the Geshe Lharam degree from Sera Jey Monastic University in India, graduating
at the highest level and equal first. Geshe-la also has a Master’s qualification
in vajrayana Buddhism from Gyumay Tantric College and a Master’s degree from Varanasi
Sanskrit College.
Arriving in Australia in 1976, Geshe-la founded the Tibetan
Buddhist Society in 1980. Since then
he has established five centres, written eight internationally acclaimed Dharma
books, overseen construction of the Melbourne centre’s traditional Tibetan temple,
has guided construction of a similar temple in Perth and given teachings and advice
to thousands of students.
Prerequisites
Highest yoga tantra initiations carry
personal commitments. Those wishing to take initiation for the first time should
have some experience and understanding of the mahayana path to enlightenment (lam.rim)
teachings and a sincere commitment to practise. Those taking the Vajrayogini initiation
must have previously taken another highest yoga tantra initiation, like Yamantaka,
or similar. Those attending the Yamantaka
retreat must receive, or have previously received Yamantaka initiation. For more
information please contact the centre by email
(contact@tushita.org)
or phone Melbourne +61 3 9333 1770. Please see the Contacts page for more details.