IMPORTANT UPDATE

CONCERNING THE

GUYAGHARBA RETREAT

The various organizers of the Guyagharba Retreat (to take place from Feb. 5 - March 12, 1999) very much regret to inform you of a change that may affect you. The empowerment required for the event, known as "The Magical Net of the Peaceful and Wrathful Wisdom Deities", that was previously planned to be offered at the onset of the retreat will not take place at Tashi Chöling on the previously publicized dates. Please note the new schedule.

Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche

and Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche will offer

the Empowerment of the Guyagharba Tantra ~ The Secret Essence ~ called

The Magical Net of the Peaceful and Wrathful Wisdom Deities

Fri., Jan. 8 at 7 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 9 & Sun., Jan 10 from 1:00 ~ 6:00 p.m.

(Times subject to change ~ the empowerment may run later than anticipated each day.)

at Orgyen Dorje Den

Gyatrul Rinpoche's Bay Area Center located in the

Ming Tong Herbs Building, 4th Floor

318 7th Street, Oakland, CA., near Webster Street in Oakland's Chinatown.

COST FOR THE ENTIRE EVENT: $80.00

Please pre-register ~ send payment to: Orgyen Dorje Den, 318 7th St. Oakland, CA 94607.

Please arrive 30 minutes early to register and be seated. One must attend every session.

The Guyagharba Tantra is the basic teaching from the main corpus of the Kama lineage as taught by Shakyamuni Buddha and is a very important source of the Nyingma Kama tradition. By receiving this initiation we make a direct connection with the blessings of Shakyamuni Buddha and are intro-duced to each of the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, a highly esteemed Khenpo in the Nyingma tradition, is one of the most qualified scholars and teachers of Tibetan Buddhism. He entered Gochen Monastery at the age of six, and at twelve entered Riwoche Monastery to begin training as a Khenpo. In 1960 he fled Tibet for India, where for over fifteen years he headed the Nyingma Dept. at the Central Institute of Higher Studies in Varanasi. He is the author of several books and is considered a master of Dzogchen. Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, a teacher, scholar, poet and recognized expert in ancient tantric literature, often serves as translator for Khenchen Rinpoche. He was enthroned by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche in 1978. Gyatrul Rinpoche is very pleased to have connected with these esteemed teachers once again and they will travel

to the bay area specifically to offer this empowerment at his request.

General Information: Oakland airport is convenient for arrival and departure.

There is street and paid parking adjacent to the center which is also accessible

by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit.) For specific information please contact

the Orgyen Dorje Den Information Phone Line at (510) 839-3136.

The Guyagharba
Essence of Luminosity

February 5 - March 12, 1999

There are many countless commentaries
on the root tantra of the Guyagharba,
written by the greatest Nyingma masters
who have come into this world,
including the Omniscient Longchenpa.

Venerable Khenpo Namdrol,
a senior monk under His Holiness Penor Rinpoche
will teach Mipham Rinpoche's commentary,
Osal Nyingpo - Essence of Luminosity,
from the perspective of Ati Yoga Dzogpa Chenpo,
covering the 11 topics of Tantra in great detail.

Khenpo Namdrol received all his transmissions directly from Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, and has been authorized by him to pass on these teachings. The practice of "Vajrasattva's Magical Net of the Peaceful and Wrathful Wisdom Deities" being performed daily will be available in Tibetan with English translation, including other prayers that accompany this transmission.

All teachings will be given in Tibetan and translated by Sangye Khandro. There will be teachings, practice, and study sessions daily.

This rare and auspicious opportunity will take place at Tashi Choling, Center for Buddhist Studies, 2001 Colestin Road, Ashland, Oregon. Please be there at 8:30 am on Feb. 5th to complete the registration.

The cost of this event is $600. The mandatory pre-registration deadline including a deposit of $100 is December 15, 1998.

The fees for the retreat are specifically used to support the cost of the event and include offerings for the Lamas and translator on behalf of Tashi Choling. It is traditional that personal offerings be made in addition.

For assistance with accommodations call Bea Rataj-Arestad (541) 482-4551. Make checks to Tashi Choling and send them to PO Box 64, Ashland, OR 97520. for further information call (541) 482-2399 or write to Tashi Choling. Dedicated fax # (541) 482-0117.

Guidelines for the Retreat

In order to participate it is mandatory to have received the Nyingma Kama Empowerment of "Vajrasattva's Magical Net of the Peaceful and Wrathful Wisdom Deities". This was included in the Nyingma Kama Empowerments given by H.H. Penor Rinpoche at Tashi Choling in 1988 and in Los Angeles in the summer of 1996.

There will be a full schedule. All participants MUST attend every TEACHING session between 9:30 and 12:30, and are advised to treat this opportunity as a retreat, attending all practice and study sessions as well.

Those wishing to attend are requested to have completed a ngondro practice. A preliminary interview will be required of those who have not done so, due to the intensive nature of the teachings.

Students who have not completed the ngondro practices and those new to Tashi Choling are asked to send a letter stating their request to attend and a recommendation from their personal teacher if possible. You will be contacted for an interview.

Accommodations

Places to stay in the Colestin Valley adjacent to the temple are very limited and will be offered at additional cost on a first come, first serve basis. Those wishing to find rooms in Ashland will need to drive a vehicle equipped with 4 wheel drive, studded tires and/or snow chains due to possible winter conditions. Carpooling is strongly encouraged, and extra time must be allotted for travel depending on unpredictable weather.

Food Service

At this time the Tashi Choling center is not equipped to provide food service. Those staying adjacent to the center must supply and prepare their own meals. Those in town will need to bring easily prepared items as we have very limited facilities.

Things you will need to bring

Due to varying weather conditions please be prepared by having mud boots or rubber boots & rain gear and/or raincoats & umbrellas as well as clothing for a cold climate & cushions for sitting in the temple. A shawl or blanket for sitting in the temple is also a good idea. Please bring a flashlight, too.

Practice texts and materials are available through Yeshe Melong. 66 Via Holon, #3, Greenbrae, CA 94904....... (415) 925-1730 and can be purchased at registration.

This event is sponsored by Yeshe Nyingpo, Yeshe Melong, Orgyen Dorje Den and Osal Nyingpo.