The most important thing in a Dharma mandala is that the central principle should be what is called Bodhicitta, the awakened heart, which is wisdom and compassion in union. And what you want to send out, as it were, through the gates of the mandala is what is associated with love, compassion, wisdom – and the energy and power that you wish to associate with that. And you want to go out and you want to touch and to reach other people.
From Rigdzin Shikpo’s talk on The Mandala Principle in the Dzogchen Tradition
We are excited to present another showing of Cinema Shikpo. On Friday, February 3rd, at 5:00 pm UK time, we will stream the video recording of Rigdzin Shikpo’s 2016 Heart of Buddha teaching on The Mandala Principle in the Dzogchen Tradition. For more information, see the event page here: https://www.longchenfoundation.org/event/cinema-shikpo-feb-2023/ and here is the Zoom link to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89322145627. If you plan to attend this teaching, please consider supporting the work of Longchen Foundation by making a voluntary donation of £10 or so to General Fund – Longchen Foundation donation page.
The Practice of the Sadhana of the Embodiment of All the Siddhas This Sunday February 5th
Each full moon the members of the Longchen Foundation gather to practice the Sadhana of the Embodiment of All the Siddhas, also known as the Sadhana of Mahamudra. This Sadhana is a very special practice that was revealed by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche who was the root guru of Rigdzin Shikpo, the lineage holder of the Longchen Foundation. We will come together to practice the Sadhana at 7:00 pm UK time.
Longchenpa Day on February 11th
Longchenpa Day is the annual celebration of the life and inspiration of the supreme teacher Longchen Rabjam, from whom the Longchen Foundation takes its name. Longchen Rabjam was the 14th century Tibetan Buddhist master who unified and clarified all the teachings of Ati, considered to be the highest of all Buddhist teachings. On this day, the members of the Longchen Foundation come together to receive teachings from Rigdzin Shikpo and to celebrate with a feast offering.
Mandala Gathering on February 12th
The following day, anyone who is part of a team, all the stream leaders, anyone with a role within the Longchen Mandala or anyone who is inspired to help with planning and organizing events is invited to attend the Spring Mandala Gathering. Rigdzin Shikpo will give us a brief teaching and we will discuss the programmes for the forthcoming year that need to be organized. For more information, contact events@longchenfoundation.org.
Lion’s Roar Gate 2 on March 11th-12th
We are very happy to continue the Lion’s Roar cycle of training with Gate 2 which will be taught by Kathy Nairne on March 11th to the 12th. The Lion’s Roar programme introduces students to Maha Ati which is the highest of all the Buddhist teachings. While the Lion’s Roar Foundation Weekend (Gate 1) gives students an introduction to the fundamental view of awareness as well as an overview of the Lion’s Roar training, the remaining gates continue to explore the meaning of this view in increasing depth.
This event is open to anyone who has previously attended the Lion’s Roar Foundation Weekend. For everyone who would like to revisit the wonderful teachings of this Gate, refresher rates are available. For more information and to register, see the Eventbrite page here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-lions-roar-gate-2-weekend-online-tickets-528283599467.
Longchen Open Continues This Thursday
Longchen Open is dedicated to teaching the fundamental practice of the Longchen Foundation, commonly referred to as formless meditation. We could call this a beginners’ practice, but it is only for beginners in the sense that we start with it. In fact this is a practice we never abandon. When we reach the highest level, which might have a high-flown name like the Great Perfection, we will find ourselves doing the same meditation.
Anyone looking to make or deepen a connection to the Longchen Foundation and the practice of formless meditation can attend this online open meditation group. This group meets on Zoom on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 8pm UK time.
The hour starts with a Longchen instructor giving simple instruction on formless meditation, followed by roughly 20 to 30 minutes of formless meditation practice. The final 15 or 20 minutes are an opportunity for open discussion about meditation or other practice topics. This group is ideal both for those who are new to the practice of formless meditation and also for those wishing to reconnect to this foundational practice.
If you would like to attend, or have any questions, please email pof@longchenfoundation.org to receive the Zoom link. We will use the same Zoom link for each session, so once you have it you won’t need to ask again.