Our Programs

Offer ⁄ Need a Lift

Participant Information

Local Accomodations

DEUTSCHE SEITE

Elucidation of Mahamudra and The Heart Sutra

December 28, 2009 - January 6, 2010

Price: 75.- Euro per day includes all meals and lodging. If you book the entire 10-day Course, the fee is 630.- Euro (fee reduction available based upon special request)

This winter, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche has kindly agreed to visit Gomde during the holiday season and offer a concise seminar designed to guide participants through an in-depth study of the theory and practice of one of Vajrayana's most profound views — Mahamudra.

What is mahamudra? In Sanskrit, "maha" means 'great' and "mudra" means 'seal' or 'symbol.' Essentially, the actual experience of the Great Seal is based on advanced meditation practices that directly lead one to attainment of the realization of Suchness, the very nature of mind.

In his profound treatise, "Lamp of Mahamudra," Tsele Natsok Rangdrol, an important 17th century Tibetan master of the Nyingma and Kagyü lineages, sums the practice up, saying:
"Among all the different kinds of teachings is one that is most eminent, the shortest path, the ultimate meaning of the summit of all the vajra vehicles of the resultant Secret Mantra. Renowned like the sun and moon, Mahamudra is the supreme method that directly and easily reveals the natural face of mind in which the three kayas are spontaneously present. It is the highway journeyed by all the supreme siddhas and vidyadharas."

Rinpoche plans to, step by step, clearly elucidate the meaning of Mahamudra and outline practices that emphasize a direct approach to the experience of Emptiness. These are designed to carefully lay the foundation for the authentic experience of Mahamudra.

In addition, Rinpoche will introduce participants to one of the most beloved, popular and profound Mahayana Buddhist scriptures — “The Heart of Perfect Wisdom Sutra,” also widely known as simply “The Heart Sutra.”

Belonging to Mahayana’s Prajnaparamita literature, the Heart Sutra is only 16 English sentences in length. Therefore, it is the most succinct of the collected Perfection of Wisdom Sutras; nevertheless, the eloquent Heart Sutra embodies the entire message of the more elaborate Perfection of Wisdom scriptures, with nothing left out.

In the Heart Sutra, Lord Avalokiteœvara addresses Œariputra, one of Buddha Shakyamuni’s two chief disciples, saying: "Form is emptiness. Emptiness is form." Lord Avalokiteœvara then goes on to state that all the other skandhas are equally empty of an independent essence. In this way, he unfolds the need to cultivate transcendent wisdom to pierce the veils of delusion. This perfect wisdom is embodied in the mantra with which the sutra concludes.

During the morning sessions, Rinpoche will guide us through a specially chosen Mahamudra text while each afternoon, Khenpo Jampa Donden, will give a point-by-point commentary on the Heart Sutra.

Khenpo Jampa is a much esteemed faculty member at the Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute in Kathmandu where he teaches the assembly of international students full-time. We feel very fortunate that Khenpo accepted Rinpoche’s invitation to visit Gomde for the first time and offer the afternoon seminar of teachings. During his one-month holiday, Khenpo Jampa will visit a number of other venues in Europe to offer teachings.

Please note that this entire seminar can be booked as a “shedra class”. info@gomde.at