Dechen Rang Dharma Center - Home Page

2007 2008 2009 2010

December 2008	Guru Rinpoche Tsog Offering Time : Dec 6 Saturday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Teaching - Introduction to Dewachen practice More than two hundred years ago, Jigme Thrinley Odzer (one of the four major disciples of the great Dzogchen master, Jigme Lingpa) had prophesized that, those who have made connection with H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche will surely take rebirth in the Pureland of Amitabha. Rinpoche once said, “The real connection was never made with monetary offering, but committing to practice my teachings”. Rinpoche hoped that all disciples would be aspired to take rebirth in the Pureland of Amitabha by accomplishing either 1 million recitations of Amitabha’s holy name or 6 millions recitation of “Namo Amitabha”. Tantric Buddhism introduces ways that lead practitioners to attain Buddhahood in this very lifetime, some of which takes only decades of practice. Amitabha Pureland practice along would suffice to reach the same level of realization. If one practices with full dedication, then he/she would surely be reborn in Dewachen – Pureland of Amitabha. Individuals who take rebirth in Dewachen would first be conceived in the lotus bulb and instantly born at the presence of Buddha Amitabha. The minute they were born in Dewachen, they already reach the 1st-level Bodhisattva. All beings who take rebirth in Dewachen are Bodhisattvas equal to or higher than the 1st level. Surely, Dzogchen practices lead a practitioner to speedy attainment, given the perfect conditions that he/she is of superior faculty who is under the guidance of a fully realized guru, and the fact that the guru is able to bestow empowerments and pith instructions. There is not as many conditions required for the Pureland practice. In fact, Pureland practice has been widely taught and recognized as a crucial teaching because it’s more adoptable to practitioners who are less dedicated and/or with ordinary faculty. To take rebirth in Dewachen, one has to complete the four causes: 1. Clear visualization of the Pureland of Amitabha; 2. Accumulation of positive virtue or merits; 3. Generation of Bodhicitta; and 4. Aspiration to dedicate merits to all beings for their rebirth in Dewachen. According to sutric teachings, there are incalculable numbers and types of purelands, most of which are so pure that no ordinary being can ever take rebirth there. Dewachen is remarkably unique because ordinary beings including those who are not yet free from dualistic mentality can also be reborn in Dewachen. Therefore it is a practice of a skillful means for beings like us today to aim for what’s most workable and attainable, unless we can ensure ourselves through diligent practice to attain and become a 1st or higher level Bodhisattva destined to other purelands. Starting November 15, 2008, Larong Five-Science Monastery has begun their annual Dewachen practice which lasts for eight days of group practice. Joined practitioners are expected to complete 300,000 recitations of Amitabha mantra (Om Amidewa Ayiside Hung Hri) or one million recitations of Amitabha holy name. This is an important tradition held every year amongst followers of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche’s lineage. Time : Dec 14 Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : Dec 20 Saturday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Life Release Time : Dec 21 Sunday, 10am Time : Canceled due to pollution of ocean Berkeley Marina
	Christmas Holiday Time : Dec 28 Sunday, 2pm ~ 5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center

November 2008	Teaching - Introducation of Nyingmapa Lineage Time : Nov 9 Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : Nov 21 Friday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Life Release Time : Nov 23 Sunday, 10am Berkeley Marina
	Teaching - The relationship between Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism Time : Nov 23 Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center

October 2008	No activities in center this month due to moving
	Life Release Time : Oct 19 Sunday, 10am Berkeley Marina

September 2008	Guru Rinpoche Tsog Offering No Guru Rinpoche Tsog this month due to center moving
	Dakini Day Tsog Offering No Guru Rinpoche Tsog this month due to center moving
	Teaching - Amitabha Practice -- Recitation of Amitabha's Holy Name Time : Sep 14, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Life Release Time : Sep 28 Sunday, 10am Berkeley Marina
	Teaching - Green Tara Mandala and Avalokiteshvara Fire Puja Time : Sep 28, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center

August 2008	Teaching - White Lotus: An Explanation of the Sevenline Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer is the most sacred and important prayer in the Nyingma tradition. This short prayer contains the outer, inner, and innermost teachings of the esoteric trainings of Buddhism. By practicing The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer according to any one of these trainings, the result of that particular training will be attained. “White Lotus: An Explanation of the Seven-line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava” is a commentary on The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer, entitled Padma Karpo (The White Lotus), written by Mipham Namgyal (1846-1912), a celebrated scholar of the Nyingma Buddhist tradition of Tibet. Time : August 10, Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva: Beseeching Fortune Time : Aug 24 Sunday, 10am Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Green Tara Manadala and Avalokiteshvara Fire Puja (Please bring flowers, seven-branch offering bowls to offer water and candles) Time : Aug 24 Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : Aug 25 Monday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Life Release Time : Aug 17 Sunday, 10am Berkeley Marina

July 2008	Anniversary of Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche -- Offerings and Prayers to the Glorious Lama called: The Guiding Ship of the Jewels of the Two Purposes. It has been a Nyingmapa's tradition to practice on the day of the All-Knowing Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche's parinirvana. H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche emphasized the importance of such practice and made it an annual event in Sertha Larong Monastery. Lama Drimed has also advised to follow the tradition and designate this day of the year for this profound sadhana. According to the tradition, practitioners are to offer as many cancles as possible to light up both inside and outside of the shrine room, and pray to one's own lama to beseech supreme accomplishment. Lama Drimed encourages all to attend this important practice Time : July 2 Wednesday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Guru Rinpoche Tsog Offering Time : July 11 Friday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Teaching - White Lotus: An Explanation of the Sevenline Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer is the most sacred and important prayer in the Nyingma tradition. This short prayer contains the outer, inner, and innermost teachings of the esoteric trainings of Buddhism. By practicing The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer according to any one of these trainings, the result of that particular training will be attained. “White Lotus: An Explanation of the Seven-line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava” is a commentary on The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer, entitled Padma Karpo (The White Lotus), written by Mipham Namgyal (1846-1912), a celebrated scholar of the Nyingma Buddhist tradition of Tibet. Time : July 13, 27 Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Life Release Time : July 20 Sunday, 10am Berkeley Marina
	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : July 26 Saturday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center

June 2008	Teaching - White Lotus: An Explanation of the Sevenline Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer is the most sacred and important prayer in the Nyingma tradition. This short prayer contains the outer, inner, and innermost teachings of the esoteric trainings of Buddhism. By practicing The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer according to any one of these trainings, the result of that particular training will be attained. “White Lotus: An Explanation of the Seven-line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava” is a commentary on The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer, entitled Padma Karpo (The White Lotus), written by Mipham Namgyal (1846-1912), a celebrated scholar of the Nyingma Buddhist tradition of Tibet. Time : June 8 Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Ritual Trainning - Chodpon & Wongzad training course Time : June 8 Sunday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Guru Rinpoche Tsog Offering Time : June 12 Thursday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Sunday Vajrasattva Practice Time : June 14 Saturday and 15 Sunday, 10am~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Life Release Time : June 15 Sunday, 10am Berkeley Marina
	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : June 27 Friday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center

May 2008	Teaching - White Lotus: An Explanation of the Sevenline Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer is the most sacred and important prayer in the Nyingma tradition. This short prayer contains the outer, inner, and innermost teachings of the esoteric trainings of Buddhism. By practicing The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer according to any one of these trainings, the result of that particular training will be attained. “White Lotus: An Explanation of the Seven-line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava” is a commentary on The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer, entitled Padma Karpo (The White Lotus), written by Mipham Namgyal (1846-1912), a celebrated scholar of the Nyingma Buddhist tradition of Tibet. Time : May 11 and May 25 Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Ritual Trainning - Chodpon & Wongzad training course Time : May 11 Sunday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Guru Rinpoche Tsog Offering Time : May 13 Tuesday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Life Release Time : May 22 Sunday, 10am Berkeley Marina
	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : May 29 Thursday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center

April 2008	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : Mar 31 Monday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Teaching - White Lotus: An Explanation of the Sevenline Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer is the most sacred and important prayer in the Nyingma tradition. This short prayer contains the outer, inner, and innermost teachings of the esoteric trainings of Buddhism. By practicing The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer according to any one of these trainings, the result of that particular training will be attained. “White Lotus: An Explanation of the Seven-line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava” is a commentary on The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer, entitled Padma Karpo (The White Lotus), written by Mipham Namgyal (1846-1912), a celebrated scholar of the Nyingma Buddhist tradition of Tibet. Time : Apr 13 and Apr 27 Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Ritual Trainning - Chodpon & Wongzad training course Time : Apr 13 Sunday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Guru Rinpoche Tsog Offering Time : Apr 14 Monday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Life Release Time : Apr 27 Sunday, 10am Berkeley Marina
	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : Apr 29 Tuesday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center

March 2008	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : Mar 1 Saturday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Teaching - White Lotus Teaching on Mipham Rinpoche’s “White Lotus: An Explanation of the Seven-line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava” Time : Mar 9 and Mar 23 Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Ritual Trainning - Chodpon & Wongzad training course Time : Mar 9 Sunday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Guru Rinpoche Tsog Offering Time : Feb 15 Saturday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Life Release Time : Mar 23 Sunday, 10am Berkeley Marina
	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : Mar 31 Monday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center

February 2008	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : Jan 31 Thursday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Losar (Tibetan New Year) Practice of Mipham Rinpoche’s “Invoking Prosperity: The Hook that Draws in the Substances of the Gods” Time : Feb 7 Thursday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Teaching - White Lotus Teaching on Mipham Rinpoche’s “White Lotus: An Explanation of the Seven-line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava” Time : Feb 10 and Feb 24 Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Ritual Trainning - Chodpon & Wongzad training course Time : Feb 10 Sunday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Guru Rinpoche Tsog Offering Time : Feb 15 Friday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Life Release Time : Feb 24 Sunday, 10am Berkeley Marina

Janurary 2008	Dakini Day Tsog Offering Time : Jan 1 Tuesday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Teaching - The Essence of Heart Advice H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche visited Wu-Tai Shan in 1987. Along with him he took many of his followers to pilgrim the holy mountains, also with intention to receive karmically connected disciples in China . Rinpoche had stayed in the Summit of Bodhisattva ever since his arrival, yet one afternoon he suddenly decided to move to Good-Wealth Cave without prior notice. Soon after his arrival at the cave, seven children came out of nowhere, sat down at his feet, and listened to his Dharma teachings with deepest respect. The seven children then vanished without a trace. Rinpoche went into strict retreat for twenty one days afterward. On the day of April twenty-ninth, he clearly visualized Manjushri Buddha, the primordial wisdom manifestation of all the Buddhas of the three times, body in golden color, wearing a five-Buddha crown, one face and two arms, holding a scripture pecha in his left hand and raising the wisdom sword in his right, sitting in the vajra posture, fully adorned with Sambhogakaya garment, abiding in a peaceful manner. Rinpoche was greatly pleased by the experience and his faith grew even more fervent. He thus aspired to vow in the face of Manjushri: shall help all the sentient beings who are trapped in the suffering of samsara and save them from the chain-lock of karmic delusion, thereby begetting unsurpassable happiness and ultimate realization. It was during this time that this wisdom teaching -- The Essence of Heart Advice - arose from within Rinpoche's awareness, and he had then written down later to pass down as the pith instructions for his followers. Time : Jan 13 and Jan 27 Sunday, 2~5pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Ritual Trainning Time : Jan 13 Sunday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Guru Rinpoche Tsog Offering Time : Jan 16 Wednesday, 7~9pm Dechen Rang Dharma Center
	Life Release Time : Jan 27 Sunday, 10am Berkeley Marina