Venerable Drigung Ontul Rinpoche Drigung Dzogchen Treasure Teachings October 1st - 7th, 2003 Holley Hall Bristol, Vermont
	Wednesday, October 1st, 7pm Public Talk in Burlington, VT The Four Thoughts That Turn The Mind Towards Spiritual Practice Thursday, October 2, Afternoon Session 1-3pm Bardo Teachings from the Lamp Illuminating the Path to Liberation The Lamp Illuminating the Path to Liberation is a prayer by Tsele Natsog Rangdrol which introduces one to the intermediate state or Bardo at the time of death . Pith practice instructions are given on how to attain liberation at the moment of death or in the Bardo. This prayer has been translated by the Drigung Dzogchen Translation Project (DDTP)for these teachings. Evening Session 6:30-9pm Orgyan Kalden Drendze Empowerment: Initiation into the Activity Ritual of Guru Rinpoche, Guide to the Fortunate This empowerment and practice was revealed by the great Drigung treasure revealer Lho Jedrung Orgyen Nuden Dorje. This treasure was revealed to be an effective practice for times of disease, sickness, famine , poverty and war , when the teachings of the Dharma would be in danger of destruction. In this practice, one is empowered by the Guru Rinpoche manifestations of the ten directions, and then engages in the healing, increasing, and wrathful activities of the Guru Rinpoche. This practice helps alleviate temporal obstacles to spiritual practice, and creates the conditions whereby ultimate realization can be obtained. In his previous incarnation Ontul Rinpoche was the older brother and primary disciple of Nuden Dorje. To receive this empowerment from Ont|l Rinpoche is a great blessing. The sadhana for this practice has been translated by the DDTP. Friday, October 3rd - Sunday, October 5th The Extensive Empowerment of the Yangzab Shitro: The Hundred Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the Bardo The Yangzab Shitro, was revealed by the great Terton Drigung Rinchen Phuntsok . The extensive empowerment of the Yangzab Shitro is rarely given, and Vermont will be the only place where the extensive empowerment will be given on Ontul Rinpoches US tour. This empowerment is a blessing and transmission of the "one hundred peaceful and wrathful deities" of the Bardo. It is the basis for the Three Roots Practice (Guru, Yidam, and Dakini), and is the foundation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Shitro, which translates as the Peaceful and Wrathful Bardo Deities , is considered part of the inner tantra. The Shithro empowerment is an initiation into the 100 Peaceful and Wrathful symbolic deities that personify each practitioner's skandhas (aggregates of form, perception, feeling, mental volitions and consciousness) and the great elements (wind, fire, water and earth). At the moment of death, the elements dissolve and their nature arises as after-death visions. The Bardo instructions provide us with a body of techniques and practices by which we can recoginize mind's true nature and achieve liberation. The benefits of receiving the empowerment, practicing it and reciting the mantra are many. One will recognize the stages of the Bardo as they occur, will not fall into lower existences, will attain liberation from cyclic existence and will eventually attain Buddhahood. Friday, October 3rd, 6:30pm -9pm Preliminary Yangzab Shitro Empowerment Shitro (Tagon) Preliminary Consecration and Purification of Participants for the Actual Empowerment of the Shitro Mandala of the 100 Deities. Saturday, October 4th(session times TBA) Main Yangzab Shitro Empowerment Sunday, October 5th, Guru Rinpoche Day(session times TBA) Yangzab Shitro Empowerment Conclusion and Orgyan Kalden Drendze Guru Rinpoche Tsok Monday, October 6th and 7th, 1-3pm and 6:30 - 9pm Yangzab Teachings on the Practice of the Three Roots (Lama, Yidam, Dakini) The three roots of practice in the Vajrayana are the Lama, Yidam, and Dakini . The lama confers empowering blessings, the Yidam bestows siddhi(power and realization) and the Dakini dispels obstacles performs the Buddha activity. In the Yangzab the Three Roots are Guru Rinpoche, Hayagriva, and Vajravarahi. Rinpoche will give practice instructions on the extensive Sadhana of the Three Roots. These teachings are limited to those who have received the Yangzab Shitro empowerment or have received the Torwang of the Yangzab Three Roots. The Sadhana for this practice has been translated by the DDTP. (power and October 7th, Afternoon Session, 1 - 3pm Three Roots Practice Instructions Conclusion Evening Session, 6:30 - 9pm Three Roots Practice Session with Tsok and Kata Offerings The Teacher Ven. Drigung Ont|l Rinpoche is a master of both the Drigung Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. The 5th Drigung Kyabgon H. H. Chetsang Rinpoche recognized Ont|l Rinpoche to be the emanation of Drog Ban Khiu Chung Lotsawa, one of the twenty-five main disciples of Guru Padmasambhava. In a previous incarnation, Rinpoche was the older brother and primary disciple of the great Drigung terton Orgyen Nuden Dorje, thus receiving the name "Ontul", meaning "older brother". In 1959 Rinpoche fled the Chinese Communist occupation of Tibet to India. In India the Drigung Khandro Nini Rinpoche cared for and taught Ontul Rinpoche as well as introducing Rinpoche to his root lama, Ven. Khenpo Thubten, a great Nyingmapa teacher, from whom Rinpoche received extensive instruction on the Longchen Nyingthig. Rinpoche also received Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachings from H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, 3rd Kalu Rinpoche, Yogi Khyunga Rinpoche and others. Ont|l Rinpoche received the Yangzab treasure teachings from H.E. Chvje Togden Rinpoche, the 8th Garchen Rinpoche, and Khenpo Konchog Ngedon. With the blessing of H.H. Drigung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, Ont|l Rinpoche travels the world transmitting the Drigung Dzogchen treasure teachings. Rinpoche is known for his warm humor , wisdom, and vast bodhicitta, . Ont|l Rinpoche is also the founder of the Drigung Dzogchen Community (DDC), and at present there are DDC's in Asia, Europe, and North America. The first North American DDC was founded in November, 2001, in Lincoln, Vermont. At that time, Ont|l Rinpoche also founded the Drigung Dzogchen Translation Project (DDTP), which is currently translating the treasure teachings of the Drigung Kagyu Lineage. For more information on Ven. Ontul Rinpoches biography; http://www.kagyu-medialab.org/wogmin/introduction.html#biography Registration Suggested donation for all teachings is $250 or $30 per individual session. $150 for those only attending the Shitro empowerment. Scholarships and work study will be available to help make these teachings accessible for all. No one will be turned away for financial reasons. To register call 802-453-3431/ email ddcv@gmavt.net Updates and Information on DDCV Teachings www.ddcv.com Register Online at www.kagyu-medialab.org/ddcvermont/yangzab/ontul2003_reg.html Housing These teachings will be taking place during the peak of Autumn, which is the most beautiful time to be in VT, so accomodations fill quickly. We have made arrangements with the following Bed and Breakfasts, which are located in Bristol, and are within walking distance of the teachings. The Crystal Palace B&B Toll free at 1-888-674-4131 or 802-453-4131. The Bristol Coach House B&B 802) 453-2236 phhighley@gmavt.net Firefly B&B (nearby in Lincoln, VT) (802) 453-2223 email: info@fireflybb.com Marie-Louise (Issy) Link, Innkeeper The website for other local B&Bs and Hotels is www.midvermont.com To help make thes teachings more affordable for those traveling from a distance, we have rooms available in local community members homes for $15 per night. If you are interested in this housing please contact us ASAP as this housing will fill quickly. 802-453-3431 or ddcv@gmavt.net Travel &Local Area Info For Driving direction please see www.mapquest.com. Type in 1 Main Street, Bristol, VT for directions to the teachings site. For retreatants flying in to Vermont the nearest airport is in Burlington, which is one hour away. The nearest train terminal is in Essex/ Burlington, which are also one hour away. The nearest bus terminal is in Middlebury, 30 minutes away. We will arrange transportation from the airport as well as bus and train terminals to your housing/ the teaching location as there is no public transport system in this area of rural Vermont. Walking distance from the teaching location are several cafes, restaurants, a major grocery store, health food store and a park for picnic meals. May all beings benefit. Sponsored by Drigung Dzogchen Community Vermont