Library Image Deity Vajrasattva | Garchen Buddhist Institute
Permission Initiation (Jenang) of Solitary Vajrasattva
Vajrasattva tantric meditation-recitation practice is designed to help students purify the negative karma that leads to suffering and obstacles to their spiritual development. By receiving the jenang (permission initiation) of Vajrasattva, students are able to connect more closely with this deity and the hundred-syllable mantra recitation that is a key facet of his practice. By relying on the practice of Vajrasattva each day, it is explained that unwholesome karmas are prevented from multiplying, and by engaging in the practice with the four opponent powers, even significant negative karma can be completely purified.
When: Sunday, June 8th, 2025, 12:00 – 2:00 pm EDT
Where: Burlington Public Library, Central Branch, Centennial Hall, and online (see below).
In-person attendance is encouraged for the initiation when possible, and streaming online will be available for those who are not able to come in person.
2331 New St, Burlington, ON L7R 1J4, Canada
Please register ahead to attend the Vajrasattva Empowerment in person.
This will help us to be better prepared to welcome you to the initiation.
Note: The initiation will be streamed on Zoom only. It will not be streamed to Facebook or YouTube. The initiation will not be recorded.
Register ahead to watch online on Zoom.
Please find below how you can contribute to the success of this empowerment. There you will find opportunities to volunteer during the event (sign-up form coming), as well as a link (also coming…) to sponsor this Solitary Vajrasattva Initiation (Jenang).
Geshe Sonam has said that the empowerment is received by taking the Refuge and Bodhisattva vows and commitments. Geshe la is allowing participants to experience this ceremony as a blessing rather than as an empowerment, without Refuge and Bodhisattva vows or commitments if they wish, however, doing the Vajrasattva meditation practice is far more powerful after having received the empowerment. If you wish to take the empowerment, then, with that intention, repeat the vows out loud when instructed to do so during the initiation. If you wish to simply receive a blessing during this ceremony, maintain the intention to receive a blessing, and remain silent when asked to repeat the words of the commitments.
Geshe la requests that participants avoid meat, eggs, and the five pungent plants (onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives) the morning of the initiation. After receiving the initiation, these restrictions are relaxed.
On the Sunday following the initiation, Geshe Sonam will give a commentary explaining the essence of the Vajrasattva meditation-recitation and its visualizations. This will help students who wish to develop it as a daily practice. The commentary will be open to everyone, even those who have not previously received the initiation.
Resources:
Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche said the following about the benefits of Vajrasattva practice:
“Vajrasattva practice can purify all the heavy negative karmas of having avoided the holy Dharma, degeneration of lay precepts and ordination vows, and any other negative karma, or unrighteous action. It can also purify the mental pollution that comes from the negative karma of wrong livelihood. The Jor-chö commentary mentions five types of wrong livelihood that can pollute the mind and become a very heavy obstacle to realizations. All these heavy vices can be purified through Vajrasattva practice.
The root tantric text Theg-nyi gyü-pa by the great master Kunying [Kunga Nyingpo] then concludes, “When Vajrasattva becomes stabilized in the heart of a practitioner, that practitioner achieves all realizations, both common and sublime.”
https://www.lamayeshe.com/article/chapter/chapter-1-february-6
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
Calling All Aspiring Bodhisattvas – Volunteer Opportunities Now Available…
Join our Aspiring Bodhisattva Crew to create skies of virtue in joyful service, supporting the Vajrasattva Empowerment with Geshe Sonam, on Sunday, June 8th. Don’t miss this precious opportunity to be a crucial part of a deeply meaningful experience for yourself and others.
Volunteering is a profound way to practice generosity, accumulate vast merit, and support the spread of wisdom and compassion to countless beings. Without our volunteer crew, none of this would be possible. By offering your time and skills, you become an essential part of bringing this powerfully transformative event to life.
Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn’t work) to go to the signup sheet:
To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do.
Please help us to make this empowerment a success for everyone. Thanks so much!
Opportunity to Sponsor this Solitary Vajrasattva Initiation (Jenang) and Commentary
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.
You can use this sponsorship link or use the form below:
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