Awakening Compassion: The Bodhisattva Vows
with Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi
October 9-12


It has become common for students to take tantric empowerments or initiations and receive the bodhisattva vows without having a complete understanding of them. In this long weekend retreat, Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi will review the role of bodhicitta and the bodhisattva vows in the path to enlightenment, explain in detail the eighteen root and forty-six secondary bodhisattva vows, and will also include an explanation of the four factors needed to break bodhisattva root vows, how bodhisattva vows are lost, how to keep your bodhisattva vows, how to restore your bodhisattva vows, and the benefits of keeping bodhisattva vows.
A bodhisattva is a being who has generated the wish to become enlightened in order to bring all living beings to enlightenment. According to the Mahayana, every being has the potential for full enlightenment. After generating bodhicitta, the bodhisattva engages in the practices of the six perfections in order to accumulate the merit and wisdom needed to become a fully enlightened being. The bodhisattva vows are the means by which this accumulation of merit and wisdom is accelerated and completed skillfully, and provide guidelines for the behavior of aspiring bodhisattvas, thus enabling them to practice the Mahayana path.
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi is a seasoned practitioner who will share her experiences about the joys of having and keeping the bodhisattva vows. Her very interactive and down-to-earth style of teaching allows students to resolve their doubts and find a practical way to put in practice the teachings in any circumstance.
PREREQUISITES
This course is suitable for intermediate level students, who have had an introduction to the lamrim (Stages of the Path) (e.g., through FPMT’s Discovering Buddhism course, one of our Kopan West retreats, etc.). It is not necessary to have taken or be planning to take the Bodhisattva vows in the future – the only requirement is an understanding of and respect for the Bodhisattva ideal, and for the noble intention of bodhicitta. However, this class is an excellent review for those who have taken bodhisattva vows, and an introduction for those who plan to take these vows in the future.
Partial attendance is not allowed.
CLICK HERE FOR A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi's spiritual path was meandering and haphazard, and included several dead ends, until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She became a student not only of His Holiness, but also of Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the year she spent studying at Tushita Retreat Center in Dharamsala and Kopan Monastery. In late 1991, she was asked by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to come back to the US to become the co-director of Vajrapani Institute in California. In 1995, she began working at FPMT International Office, first as co-director and then later as center services coordinator. In early 2000, she began a long, solitary retreat that lasted 6½ years. Tenzin Chogkyi decided to become ordained in the third year of her long retreat, and then left retreat for a quick trip to India in 2004 for novice ordination with His Holiness. When she emerged from retreat in the summer of 2006, she moved to Land of Medicine Buddha, where she taught both at LMB and the local community center in Santa Cruz, in addition to teaching in prisons, facilitating a support group for women with chronic illness, and providing spiritual support to hospice patients. In the summer of 2008 she embarked on the “homeless life” and has been teaching at various centers worldwide.
| Awakening Compassion |
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| October 9-12 |
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| Nights: |
3 |
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| Fees (inclusive of accommodation, meals, retreat fees) |
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Regular Rate |
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Non-Member |
Member |
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10% |
| Camping |
$315.00 |
$283.50 |
| Main Dormitory |
$330.00 |
$297.00 |
| Semi Private Dormitory* |
$345.00 |
$310.50 |
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| Private Room (single) |
$450.00 |
$405.00 |
| Private Room (double) |
$405.00 |
$364.50 |
| Cabin (single) |
$510.00 |
$459.00 |
| Most Secret |
$600.00 |
$540.00 |
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| Scholarship application deadline: |
September 9th |
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* Ordained monks/nuns stay in the Semi-Private Dorm. Lay people may register for this housing option, with the understanding that they may need to switch to the Main Dorm option if an ordained person registers.
Click
here for details regarding financial aid
Click
Here for Course and Registration General Info
Cancellation
Policy
A position for Course Manager Scholarship may still be available for this course. Click here for more
information about the Course Manager position.
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