2015 Phowa Course in Bodhgaya

Mahabodhi Statue

Shakyamuni Statue at the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodhgaya

The Twenty-First Annual Phowa Course in Bodhgaya will be held 8-17 January 2015.  Ayang Rinpoche gives his 10-day Phowa Course annually at the holy place of Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment, Bodhgaya. The course is free to participants. Rinpoche encourages everyone to attend the entire course, and to stay through the last day for the Tsok Offering Prayers.

Please make your hotel and travel arrangements early as Bodhgaya will be unusually full of pilgrims in January. For your reference, please see the 2014 Daily Schedule Bodhgaya Phowa Course. We will post the 2015 daily schedule as soon as it becomes available.

Rinpoche gives the Introduction to the True Nature of Mind teachings following the Phowa Course in alternate years. The next teachings will be in 2015.

Bodhgaya logistics and travel information and Bodhgaya Phowa Course site map

Rinpoche invites everyone, whether or not they can make a pilgrimage to Bodhgaya this year, to make an auspicious connection by sponsoring the Phowa Course. The teachings are free to participants, so sponsorship is essential to pay for all the arrangements, including venue and sound equipment rental, tea service, text and photo printing, travel and accommodations for Rinpoche and his attendants, etc. Please share the merit of your generosity in one of the following ways:

(1) Send a check in USD to Amitabha Foundation, 11 South Goodman Street, Rochester, New York 14607 USA (donations are tax deductible in the US);

(2) Wire your donation directly to the Drikung Charitable Society (not tax deductible);

(3) Pay by credit card or Paypal using the button below (donations are tax deductible in the US).


Phowa Sponsorship




We Need to Raise $5,000 for Tibet in June

Our Global Giving Challenge to Raise $5,000 for Safe Childbirth in Tibet

We are using Global Giving, an international fundraising platform for nonprofit organizations, to raise money for our clinic and safe childbirth program in Tibet. We need your help to be listed as a permanent partner with Global Giving—we have to raise $5,000 from 40 donors before June 30, 2014. Click here to read about our project and to help! Your donation and support through your social media network benefits the Tibetan nomads in Ayang Rinpoche’s birthplace area immediately, and also gives us access to corporate sponsorship and grants, and a broader base of donors for our public health work. Make a donation in someone’s name and they will receive a card acknowledging your gift–a perfect Father’s Day gift, birthday or graduation present!

Vajrasattva Empowerment & Teachings in Taipei and Hong Kong

Vajrasattva 5 families

Vajrasattva 5 families

Taipei, Taiwan 

April 25 – May 10, 2014  

Download the Taipei Vajrasattva retreat schedule as a PDF. For more information click here.

 

Outer, Inner, Secret and Innermost Secret Vajrasattva Teachings, Empowerment and Practice Retreat

Achi protector Empowerment and teaching

Blessing ceremony

Phowa group practice

 

Hong Kong  

May 13-17, 2014

Sponsored by Peace of Mind Mercy Foundation.  Call 9726 8469 (via whatsapp).

Download the Vajrasattva Teaching daily schedule Hong Kong as a PDF. For more information click here.

Outer, Inner, Secret and Innermost Secret Vajrasattva Teachings, Empowerment and Practice Retreat

 

Volunteer teachers and health professionals needed in Bylakuppe

Puja in Bylakuppe

Ayang Rinpoche is looking for one or more volunteers to work at his monastery in Bylakuppe, South India. True Lhamo writes that they would like to find some retired teachers in mathematics, English, and computers who may be willing to teach the monks. Teaching other subjects, such as science and social studies, would be an added bonus.

The monastery also needs a nurse or doctor. The Two Camp Hospital first aid man retired, and they have not had anyone for many months. Ani Samten, who lives in the monastery guesthouse and is teaching English and hygiene to the monks, has been helping treat Class 4 monks for ringworm, but so much more is needed.  The monastery would save much money on medicine if the monks had better hygiene, and a nurse or doctor would know about the medications that are needed for other conditions.

It would be very helpful if volunteers could stay for a full year. The monastery can provide food and lodging.

Please send a resumé with your qualifications to True Lhamo at amitabhafoundation@yahoo.co.in. If you are interested, you may want to read Ani Samten’s account, which describes why she came to work at Rinpoche’s monastery 3 years ago, and why she is happy to stay on. She will be glad to communicate with anyone interested in volunteering. Please contact True Lhamo and she will put you in touch with Ani Samten.