Ganden Ngam Cho Celebration

7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 2, 1999

Ganden Ngam Cho is the anniversary of Je Tsongkhapa’s parinirvana. He was a 14th century scholar and yogi who established reforms in Tibetan Buddhism and founded the Gelug order. His parinirvana is celebrated with prayers and special light offerings.

The Venerable Geshe Lhundub Sopa and the Deer Park resident geshes will be leading a Lama Chopa ritual with tsog offering. Everyone is welcome to bring a small quantity of food for a tsog offering and a candle (with fire-safe holder) for a light offering. The puja will take about 2 hours.

Tara Retreat

Sunday, December 5, 1999

The Four Mandala Offering Ritual of Arya Tara will be recited two times in morning and afternoon sessions, led by the Venerable Geshe Lhundub Sopa and the Deer Park geshes. It involves recitations and prayers, and requires that participants maintain a vegetarian diet. It is a powerful means to purify negativities and generate merit. There are no special prerequisites for this retreat.

The Mahayana Precepts (24-hour vows) will be given at 5:30 a.m. sharp. The morning session of the Tara Ritual will begin at 9:00 a.m. A vegetarian lunch will be provided by Deer Park. The afternoon session will begin after lunch and will end by about 6:00 p.m.

Please preregister for the retreat by calling 608-835-5572 or signing up on the sign-up sheet in the vestibule of the temple. Contributions are welcome.

December/January Schedule Changes

There will be no regular Sunday teachings on December 5, but students are welcome to attend the first Tara Retreat session which begins at 9:00 a.m.

There will be no classes on December 25th, 26th, January 1st and 2nd.