Program & events

PROGRAM

		10.00 – 13.00	15.00 – 18.00	20.00 – 23.00
AMITHABA INITIATION	Tue 4.8.		Initiation into the Buddha of Limitless Light by 17th Karmapa	After the blessing, travelling teachers will lead a meditation on the Buddha of Limitless Light
PHOWA – CONSCIOUS DYING	Wed 5.8.	Lama Ole’s lecture on ”Death, the intermediate state, and rebirth“	Phowa session	Phowa session
	Thu 6.8.	Phowa session	Phowa session	Phowa session
	Fri 7.8.	Phowa session	Phowa session	Phowa session
	Sat 8.8.	Phowa session	Phowa session	Phowa session
	Sun 9.8.	Phowa session	Lecture on „How to die consciously and how to help others while dying“ by Lama Ole	20.00 – 21.00 Teachings by Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche 21.00 Beginning of 72 hours meditation
72HR MEDITATION	Mon 10.8.	72 hours Chenrezig meditation	72 hours Chenrezig meditation	20.00 – 21.00 Teachings by Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche 72 hours Chenrezig meditation
	Tue 11.8.	72 hours Chenrezig meditation	72 hours Chenrezig meditation	20.00 – 21.00 Teachings by Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche 72 hours Chenrezig meditation
	Wed 12.8.	72 hours Chenrezig meditation	72 hours Chenrezig meditation	21.00 End of 72 hour Chenrezig meditation 21.00 – 0.00 Centers presentation
	Thu 13.8.	Initiation into Loving Eyes by Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche	Ngöndro explanations by travelling teachers	Public lecture: ”Buddhism in the modern world“ by Lama Ole Nydahl in German
MAHAMUDRA COURSE	Fri 14.8.	Mahamudra course by Shamar Rinpoche	Mahamudra course by Shamar Rinpoche	Questions and answers by Lama Ole Nydahl
	Sat 15.8.	Mahamudra course by Shamar Rinpoche	Mahamudra course by Shamar Rinpoche	Questions and answers by Lama Ole Nydahl
	Sun 16.8.	Change: 3rd Karmapa initiation by Shamar Rinpoche

EVENTS

AUGUST 4TH - INITIATION INTO THE BUDDHA OF LIMITLESS LIGHT

H.H. the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje will open the EC summer course by giving an initiation into the Buddha of Limitless Light (Tib. Opagme, Skt. Amitabha), a very important step before one takes part in the practice of Conscious Dying (Tib. Phowa). After the blessing, travelling teachers will lead a meditation on the Buddha of Limitless Light.

AUGUST 5TH - AUGUST 9TH - CONSCIOUS DYING COURSE

The practice of Conscious Dying prepares us for the dying process for both ourselves and others, leading all to a state of great bliss. In the process of dying, this meditation will help us to enter the pure land of the Buddha of Limitless Light. During the five days of meditation, Lama Ole Nydahl will give teachings on death, the intermediate state (bardo), and rebirth. At the same time one becomes capable of actively helping others while they are passing away.

PREPARATION FOR THE COURSE

If you are coming to the Conscious Dying course for the first time, you need to prepare by meditating on the Buddha of Limitless Light while repeating the mantra OM AMI DEWA HRI. Please learn the meditation in your nearest Diamond Way Buddhist Centre and complete 100,000 mantras before the course. You are also required to remain for the entire Conscious Dying course (until Sunday evening). To do the Conscious Dying meditation, Buddhist refuge is necessary. Lama Ole Nydahl will give refuge at the beginning of the course.

AUGUST 9TH - AUGUST 12TH - 72 HOUR MEDITATION ON LOVING EYES - THE BUDDHA OF COMPASSION

For seventy-two hours we will meditate on Loving Eyes, the Buddha of Compassion (Tib. Chenrezig, Skt. Avalokitesvara), for the benefit of all beings. In this way our main motivation as Diamond Way practitioners - to be able to help all sentient beings - is strengthened. Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche will be present for most of the meditation. He is a master of this practice and has guided retreats on Loving Eyes in Kathmandu for over 25 years. The accumulation of mantras during the meditation will be supported by friends worldwide via streaming. To be able to meditate with the teachers of one’s lineage gives the possibility for deep exchange. It is a rare opportunity and is very helpful for one’s development. The meditation will start with an introduction from Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche from 20:00 - 21:00. Rinpoche will also be giving short teachings each evening during the seventy-two hour meditation, from 20:00 - 21:00.

AUGUST 13TH- INITIATION INTO LOVING EYES AND PUBLIC LECTURE

After three days of intensive meditation, Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche will seal the program by giving the initiation into Loving Eyes (Tib. Chenrezig, Skt Avaloketisvara), in the morning. In the afternoon, traveling teachers will give explanations on the Foundational Practices (Tib. Ngondro). Lama Ole Nydahl will also give a public lecture in German starting at 20:00.

AUGUST 14TH - AUGUST 16TH - MAHAMUDRA COURSE AND INITIATION BY SHAMAR RINPOCHE

This year Shamar Rinpoche will round off the international event by giving a two-day Mahamudra (Great Seal) course, commenting on the Great Seal text composed by the 3rd Karmapa followed by giving us a 3rd Karmapa initiation; this is the first time ever that this particular initiation has been given in Europe. The initiation will start on Sunday 16.8.’09 at 10 o’clock.