Living & Dying Consciously

The Bardo refers to intermediate states of experience. There are many transitory phases that we go through while living and dying. Every gap, every transition is an opportunity for transformation, if at all we know how to consciously make use of them. By knowing how to live consciously with inner peace and compassion for self and others, we can begin to understand the Bardo states. There are Bardo states of dreaming and meditation. We also go through Bardo states during death. We could be of help to others during the process of their death if we know what they undergo. At our own inevitable departure from this life, there is an opportunity to encounter our own true nature (the Buddha-nature, the Clear Light) and to attain the ultimate enlightenment. Thus we learn to face both life and death with courage and inner peace. All are invited to attend this Public Talk, and learn about the Vajrayana approach towards facing life and death.

Vajrasattva Empowerment (skt: abhisheka / tib: wang)

Vajrasattva (dorje-sempa) practice and realization is one of the foundational steps in the path of 'the Great Perfection Teachings' known as Dzogchen (Mahasandhi-yoga) and is the basis of Guhyagarbha (gsang ba'i snying po) Tantra also known as the Vajrasatva Mayajala Tantra. Vajrasattva is Buddha of primordial purity and is the condensed essence of the 100 peaceful and wrathful appearances that arise in the Bardo. This empowerment (or alternatively the Shitro 100-deity empowerment) is a pre-requisite to receive the detailed teachings on the Bardo. Vajrasattva practice is an essential element in the daily practice set of a Vajrayana practitioner as it helps in purifying all sorts of negativities and bad karma. The Vajrasattva empowerment would be conferred based on the cycle of terma (treasure) teachings known as Namcho - the Buddha in the Palm of the Hand. This is also one of the foundational practices in the Namcho Ngondro. The participants should commit to recite at least the short mantra of Vajrasattva (OM VAJRASATVA HUM) for a minimum repetition of 7 counts every day for lifetime.

The Bardo Thodrol (usually known in English as The Tibetan Book of the Dead) can be understood at two levels - first, as an advanced practice for trained meditators, and second, as a support for beings experiencing the Bardo without specific meditative training, experience or empowerment. The Bardo Thodrol is a text based on oral teachings by Padmasambhava and recorded in written form around 760 AD. Bardo Thodrol literally means "The Great Liberation through Hearing in the Intermediate State". This text describes, and is intended to guide one through, the experiences during the interval between death and the next rebirth.The Bardo state is recognized as an opportunity for change; a starting point of transformation. It is understood as a gap between familiar boundaries through which beings can glimpse the absolute true nature of reality. By fully recognizing this ultimate nature, the deceased is capable of breaking the afflictive cycle of rebirth (Samsara) and achieving final liberation - the enlightenment for the sake of all sentient Beings. We usually tend to avoid thinking about or dealing with the fact of death. The refusal to acknowledge the eventuality of death and impermanence is a fundamental cause for the confusion and ignorance that prevents spiritual progress. Spiritual growth is achieved not by avoiding ‘unpleasant’ facts, but by facing and accepting them during the natural eventuality - with calmness, wisdom and compassion. (The prerequisite to attend the Bardo teachings is the preceding Vajrasattva empowerment or alternatively the Shitro 100-deity empowerment.)

About the Teacher

Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche (Khenpo Guru) is a distinguished lama of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and one of the three Khenchens (great abbots) overseeing the education at Ngagyur Nyingma Institute of Namdroling Monastery in Bylakkuppe. He is a great scholar and practitioner authorized by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche to give personal instructions to disciples. He received recognition from His Holiness Dalai Lama for his Buddhist Scholarship during his studies at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Saranath. He received all the major lineage transmissions of the Nyingma tradition from HH Dudjom Rinpoche, HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and HH Penor Rinpoche. Khenchen Rinpoche speaks good English and had been teaching extensively in America and Asian countries. He is affectionately known among his disciples as ˜Khenpo Guru".

DHARMA SUBHASHITA (Thubten Lekshey Ling) www.dharmasubhashita.org is an Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Meditation & Study Centre at Bangalore founded under the spiritual guidance of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. We conduct meditation classes and spiritual discourses that are open for all. Inspired by the advices of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, we participate in revitalizing the rich intellectual tradition of the ancient Nalanda University through building awareness in philosophy with a non-sectarian view. Regular classes at the centre in Bangalore are taught by experienced teachers from Namdroling, the reputed Buddhist monastic institution at Bylakkuppe, Karnataka. Occasionally, we also have special teaching programs by Buddhist masters across traditions. Dharma Subhashita follows Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy upholding the non-sectarian values of the Ri-me' movement. With regard to spiritual practice, Dharma Subhashita emphasizes the "Great Perfection" (Dzogchen / Mahasandhi-yoga) teachings of the Nyingma tradition.

If you go:

October 3rd: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
at Britto Hall, ASHIRVAD, St. Marks Road
Public Talk on
Living and Dying Consciously (Introductory talk to the Bardo Teaching)
Admission: OPEN for All. Need to confirm participation in advance.

October 4th: 10:00am to 11:30am
at Britto Hall, ASHIRVAD, St. Marks Road
Empowerment of
Vajrasattva (dorje sempa) - the Buddha of Primordial Purity
Admission: OPEN for All. Need to confirm participation in advance.

October 4th & 5th: 10:00am to 5:00pm (after Vajrasattva empowerment)
at Britto Hall, ASHIRVAD, St. Marks Road
2-day teaching on
The Bardo Thodrol (popularly known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead)
Admission: Should attend the Vajrasattva empowerment
(or Shitro 100-deity empowerment) as a prerequisite.
Need to confirm participation in advance.

Participation needs to be confirmed in advance by email to info@dharmasubhashita.org or by phone (98802-96930)