We ask that people who will be attending the White Tara empowerment in person at the Burlington Public Library register ahead of time so that we may be better prepared to welcome you for this special event.
Calling All Aspiring Bodhisattvas – Offer Joyful Service by Volunteering
Join our Aspiring Bodhisattva Crew to create skies of virtue in joyful service, supporting the White Tara Long Life Empowerment with Geshe Sonam, this Sunday, December 8th. Don’t miss this precious opportunity to be a crucial part of a deeply meaningful experience for yourself and others. You can sign up to become part of Our Precious Team here.
When: Sunday, December 8th, 2024
Initiation: 12:00 – 2:00 pm EST (Ending time is approximate)
Social: 2:15 – 3:30 pm EST (in-person only)
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
Register ahead to attend the White Tara Empowerment in person
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.
Permission Initiation (Tsewang) of White Tara
This ceremony may be taken as an initiation with refuge and bodhisattva vows, or simply as a blessing.
White Tara is one of the many forms of the awakening activity of all the Buddhas in feminine form – the protector from all fears. White Tara meditation practice helps us develop our potential to manifest our wisdom, and for having a long, healthy and prosperous life.
Geshe Sonam has said that the empowerment is received with taking 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. Doing the White Tara meditation practice is far more powerful after receiving an 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.
This initiation is being held, in part, as preparation for our annual New Year’s Retreat (December 29-31st) which will be based on the White Tara practice for long life and good health.
Social Gathering
We welcome you to join Geshe Sonam, Khedrup la, and our Lama Yeshe Ling community after the initiation is completed.
As the season changes and autumn leaves finish their dance of impermanence, let us come together to nurture our practice and strengthen our community.
Resources:
You can learn more about Tara practice and the meaning of Tara’s mantra in this teaching by Lama Zopa Rinpoche 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
Calling All Aspiring Bodhisattvas – We need your help!
Join our Aspiring Bodhisattva Crew to create skies of virtue in joyful service, supporting the White Tara Long Life Empowerment with Geshe Sonam, this Sunday, December 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.
Sign up to become part of Our Precious Team here.
Please help us to make this empowerment a success for everyone. Thanks so much!
Opportunity to Sponsor this White Tara Initiation
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.
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