Avalokiteśvara (Chenrezig) Initiation & Commentary with Geshe Sonam

NOTE: DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST, THE TIME AND LOCATION OF SATURDAY’S INITIATION HAVE BEEN CHANGED

Initiation:

When: Initiation will now be on Saturday, August 12, 2023. 12:00 – 2:00 pm EDT. Ending time is approximate.

Where: Burlington Public Library, Central Branch, Centennial Hall, and online (see below).

In-person attendance is encouraged when possible and streaming online for those who are not able.

2331 New St, Burlington, ON L7R 1J4, Canada

• Commentary will be on Sunday, August 13, at 10:00 am ~ 12:30 pm EDT.
• There will be time after the commentary on Sunday for meeting our sangha.  Refreshments will be served at this time.
• An email will be sent out the day before to all registrants if there are any changes to timing because of the weather.

Commentary:

When: Sunday, August 13, at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT.

Where:  In person at Lama Yeshe Ling Centre, 1287 Coric Avenue, Burlington ON L7R 3S4 (encouraged for those nearby), and online for those who live elsewhere. This event will be held in our backyard, weather permitting. Please use the gate on the NE side of the house to enter the backyard (house side rather than garage side).

Out of consideration for our Sangha and everyone attending, please stay at home if you have any symptoms of COVID.

For recommended in-person participation, please register ahead of time so we know how many cushions, blessed substances, etc. to prepare. Please bring your own lawn chairs if needed (we will have a few).  A ground cover will be provided.

This initiation is in the Kriya Tantra class, so please maintain a vegetarian diet the day of the ceremony, and avoid the pungent plants (garlic, chives, onion, shallots, leeks) and eggs the morning before the initiation.

Please register in advance here to attend (in person)

Those who wish to attend in person are requested to register with the centre so we can make suitable preparations for the number of attendees.

Please register ahead to attend on Zoom. (online)

Note: The initiation will be streamed only on Zoom. It will not be streamed to Facebook or YouTube,

The commentary, however will also be streamed to Facebook and Youtube.

 

Chenrezig (Avalokiteśvara) Initiation

The deity Avalokiteśvara (Chenrezig in Tibetan) is the embodiment of the compassion of all Buddhas. Chenrezig is the patron deity of Tibet and the sound of his mantra OM MANI PADME HUM can be heard recited throughout the Himalayas.

An initiation (jenang) is a ritual through which the teacher connects students with the holy body, speech, and mind of the deity through a series of meditative visualizations and ceremonies. The initiation of Avalokiteśvara places a seed for the development of great compassion (the unwavering wish for beings to be free from suffering and the causes of suffering) in the minds of participants.

The initiation may be taken fully (which involves taking Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows) or as a blessing for those who would like to attend without taking the vows. All are welcome to participate in this auspicious and gentle ceremony in whatever capacity they feel able.

Resources:

Learn more about Avalokiteśvara’s mantra here. 

Teaching by Lama Yeshe: The Bodhisattva Vows

Which Vows Are Which? A Beginner’s Guide – Mandala Publications (fpmt.org)

More information on the root infractions (downfalls) can be found here: https://studybuddhism.com/en/advanced-studies/prayers-rituals/vows/root-bodhisattva-vows

Opportunity to Sponsor this Initiation and Commentary With Geshe Sonam

Now that we are holding the initiation in a rented space, our costs have gone up significantly for this weekend’s events. Please consider helping us if your are able, to make this weekend a success for everyone.

Sponsoring the teachings helps to make the teachings available to everyone. In this way, we are able to practice the generosity of giving of the Dharma and thereby create vast amounts of merit. Our programs are given freely, and we rely also on your generosity – this is the traditional and pure way of the Buddha Dharma. Offering support for the Dharma can be a limitlessly powerful act. This is the highest, most long-term form of generosity, which is to share with others the path to full awakening. Offering support deepens our connection to Dharma teachers and connects us as a community.

Remember to make an aspiration/dedication to accomplish your goals for yourself and others before making the offering. With clear intention, we can create causes to accomplish the welfare of both ourselves and all sentient beings, or of any heartfelt cause.