Venerable Drikung Ontul Rinpoche
October 1st - 7th, 2003
Holley Hall
Bristol, Vermont
Drikung Dzogchen Treasure Teachings

Oct 1st - Foundation Teachings on Entering the Spiritual Path

Oct 2nd - Bardo Teachings to Prepare for the Moment of Death & Guru Rinpoche Activity Ritual Empowerment and Transmission

Oct. 3rd - 5th - Yangzab Shitro Empowerment of the Three Roots and the Hundred Peaceful and Wrathful Deities

Oct 6th - 7th - Yangzab Three Roots Practice Instructions and Practice Session with Tsok

Wednesday, October 1st, 7pm
Public Talk in Burlington, VT (Location TBA)
The Four Thoughts That Turn The Mind Towards Spiritual Practice




Thursday, October 2, Afternoon Session 1:30-4pm
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 Drikung Dzogchen Translation Project (DDTP)for these teachings. (Location for teachings from Oct 2-7th is Holley Hall, Bristol, VT)

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 Drikung 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 Ontul Rinpoche is a great blessing. The sadhana for this practice has been translated by the DDTP.


Friday, October 3rd - Sunday, October 5th
Yangzab Shitro Empowerment

The Extensive Empowerment of the YangzabThree Roots and the Hundred Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the Bardo

The Yangzab Shitro, was revealed by the great Terton Drikung 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.

Yangzab Shitro Schedule:

Friday, Oct. 3rd - 6:30 - 9pm - Preliminary Purification and Empowerment

Saturday. Oct 4th and Sunday, Oct. 5th - Main Yangzab Shitro Empowerment (Session Times TBA)

Monday, October 6th and 7th, 1:30-4pm and 6:30 - 9pm
Yangzab Teachings on the Practice of the Three Roots (Guru Rinpoche/Yeshe Tsogyal, Hayagriva, and Vajravarahi)

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. (p

Three Roots Teaching Schedule:

Monday, Oct. 6th - 1:30 - 4pm and 6:30 - 9pm - Three Roots Practice Instructions

Tuesday, Oct. 7th - 1:30 - 4pm - Three Roots Practice Instructions

6:30 - 9pm - Three Roots Practice session with Tsok and Kata offerings


The Teacher

Ven. Drikung Ontul Rinpoche is a master of both the Drikung Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. The 5th Drikung Kyabgon H. H. Chetsang Rinpoche recognized Ontul 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 Drikung 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 Drikung 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. Ontul 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 Drikung Dzogchen treasure teachings. Rinpoche is known for his warm humor , wisdom, and vast bodhicitta, . Ontul Rinpoche is also the founder of the Drikung 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, Ontul Rinpoche also founded the Drikung Dzogchen Translation Project (DDTP), which is currently translating the treasure teachings of the Drikung 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.

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

Or send Registration made out to DDCV to:

DDCV

PO Box 252

Bristol, VT 05443


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

Community Housing

To help make thes teachings more affordable for those traveling from a distance, we have housing 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 Drikung Dzogchen Community Vermont



Drikung Monkey Year Teachings
February, 25 - March 6, 2004
Lumbini, Nepal


We are in the process of organizing a group flight and for the rare and precious Drikung Monkey Year Teachings which will take place in Lumbini, Nepal, which is the birth place of the historical Buddha. These empowerments and teachings are special to the Drikung Kagyu lineage and are traditionally given only once every 12 years. These teachings are taking place through the inspiration of H.H. 37. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, and the blessing of many high lamas of the Drikung Kagyu Tradition such as H.E. Drubwang Rinpoche, H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, and H.E. Ayang Rinpoche.

The Monkey Year Teachings will begin with the consecration of a Stupa and Center for Buddhist Studies that is nearing completion which has been constructed under the spiritual guidance of Venerable Drubpon Sonam Jorphel Rinpoche. This Stupa and complex is being built based on the writings of Rigdzin Choskyi Dragpa (1595-16590, who was one of the most important Drikung Kagyu scholars, as well as the first Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang Rinpoche.

Several thousand people from Nepal and abroad are expected to come for the Monkey Year Teachings, including realized teachers of the Drigung Kagyu tradition, as well as other traditions, monks and nuns, Nepalese Buddhists, and Dharma students from all over the world.

The Great Drikung Phowa will also take place during the Monkey Year Teachings. The Drikung Kagyu Phowa known as “Planting the Stalk,” is probably one of the best-known practices of the Drikung Kagyu lineage. The once-every-12-years Drikung Phowa Chenmo (“Great Drikung Phowa”) which takes place in the Monkey Year of the Tibetan calendar is an event which historically in Tibet attracted tens of thousands of pilgrims which cut across regional and lineage differences – all gathered to receive the oral transmission of and instructions on the Drikung Phowa from the throne-holders of the Drikung Kagyu. The Drikung Phowa itself is a “treasure” (Tib. terma) discovered by the treasure-discoverer (Tib. terton) Nyida Sangye.

Drikung Monkey Year Schedule

February 25th-27th - Inauguration of Stupa by H.H. Drigung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche
February 28th - Medicine Buddha Empowerment
February 29th - 84 Mahasidda Empowerment
March 1st - Guru Rinpoche Empowerment
March 2nd - Tara Empowerment
March 4th - Bodhisattva Ordination
March 5th - Monk Ordination
March 6th - Drikung Phowa Chenmo
Group Flight and Pilgrimage to Major Holy Places of the Buddha

Currently we are in the process of arranging a group flight from North America to Nepal for these teachings. We will depart from NYC and fly to Katmandu, Nepal and from their travel by bus to Lumbini. We are also currently securing housing in Lumbini. We are also exploring the option of organizing a pilgrimage to the other major holy places of the Buddha at the close of the Monkey year teachings. This would include; Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment, Kusinara, where Buddha died, and Sarnath, where Buddha first taught. The length of the entire trip, including the Monkey Year teaching's as well as pilgrimage to the major holy places of the Buddha, would be one month. We expect space to fill up quickly both for the group flight as well as the housing in Lumbini so if you are interested in this trip you should respond ASAP and we will provide more details.

For more information:
Please contact David Arndt at
email DDCV@gmavt.net
or call 802-453-3431

The Starseed Center for Yoga, Meditation & Shamanism
356 Bloomfield Avenue,
Montclair, New Jersey USA 07042
Tel: (973) 783-1036 Facsimile: (973) 783-5028
E-mail: info@starseedyoga.com Web: www.starseedyoga.com

A truly rare opportunity will present itself at 7:30PM on October 16th, 2003 when the Venerable Drikung Ontul Rimpoche will perform the rite of Chod at the Starseed Yoga & Meditation Center in Montclair, New Jersey.

Ontul Rimpoche is one of the most widely-revered leaders of contemporary Tibetan Buddhism, and is abbot of several monasteries in Tibet and India and a respected Tantric yogi with acknowledged miraculous powers. His Eminence holds the lineages of both Kagyu Mahamudra as well as of the Nyingma Atiyoga. His principal monastery originated in the 19th century in eastern Tibet with the Drikung Terton Orgyen Nuden Dorje. To further the ongoing transmission of these Dharma treasures, Rimpoche established the Wogmin Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery in Rewalsar, India at Tsopema (Lotus Lake) and travels worldwide to support the Drikung Dzogchen Community of lay meditators. His Eminence, who first visited Starseed in January 2002, has graciously agreed to perform the esoteric healing ritual of Chod (with roots in ancient Central Asian shamanism). This special blessing is intended to pacify malevolent entities and forces, prevent and remedy environmental disturbances and to avert disease, ill-health and contagion.

Chod is a unique healing and teaching practice developed by an enlightened woman saint in Tibet and nurtured by wandering yogis for over a thousand years. Chod merges the elemental power of nature with the profound wisdom of tantric Buddhism. The result is a deep spiritual technique for healing and transformation. This ceremony was designed to loosen, pacify and liberate obstacles to personal well-being. Performed by His Eminence, it is comprised of uniquely haunting, melodic chant accompanied by the shamanic drum, the sacred bell and the thigh-bone trumpet. The ritual is conducted with participants lying down, in a relaxed and receptive state. There are no discourses to follow, no instructions to listen to and no techniques to learn. Just bring a pillow and a mat to enable you to rest comfortably. Healing Chod is suitable for all, young and old, and for any type or stage of physical or psychological challenge as well as for accelerating spiritual transformation.

Special note: for those who cannot attend in person, it is possible to bring a piece of (unwashed) clothing to place in the room for the prayer service to allow a blessing connection for the absent beneficiary.

Please contact Starseed by telephone at (973) 783-1036, facsimile at (973) 783-5028 or by e-mail at info@starseedyoga.com in order to reserve your place to participate in this rare and blessing-filled event.