Vajrapani Institute
P.O. Box 2130
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(800) 531-4001

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Six Armed Mahakala Initiation and Explanation of the Practice with Choden Rinpoche
March 13 and 14, 2010

Choden Rinpoche

Category: Course
Level:
Intermediate-advanced

Level of Silence:
No silence
Partial Attendance:
Not recommended

1) Receive the initiation and permission to do the practice of Mahakala.
2) Learn how to do the practice.
3) Complement your Highest Yoga Tantra practice with this protector practice.
4) Protect your spiritual path through Mahakala practice.

Course Overview
Tibetan Buddhists consider Six-Armed Mahakala to be a fierce and powerful emanation of Avalokitesvara or Chenrezig, the Buddha of compassion. He is adorned with the following symbolic attributes:

  1. The Six Arms signify the successful completion of the six perfections (shad-paramita), which are practiced and brought to perfection by bodhisattvas during the course of their training.
  2. Various implements in each hand
  3. A 5-skull crown on his head

Six-Armed Mahakala came from Khyungpo Naljor, the founder of the Shangpa Kagyu, and spread to all the lineages--Sakya, Nyingma, and Geluk, as well as various Kagyu lineages.

Mahakala is also one of the protectors related with the Heruka Body Mandala Practice. This initiation is ideal for those who have taken the Heruka Body Mandala initiation and for those who fulfill the prerequisites.

Prerequisites and Commitments
Students must have taken refuge prior to the initiation. There won’t be any commitments.

Teacher Biography
Born in 1933 in Eastern Tibet, Choden Rinpoche was recognized at age three as an important incarnate lama, and ordained by Pabongka Rinpoche at the age of six. He entered Sera Je Monastery when he was fifteen, where he mastered all the philosophical teachings required for the highest monastic title of Geshe Lharampa. Choden Rinpoche was one of the two Sera Je lamas selected to debate with His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama during His Holiness' examination for the geshe degree.

When the Communist Chinese invaded Tibet in 1959, Choden Rinpoche was arrested and jailed for several months. After his release, Rinpoche went into solitary retreat for 19 years. He never left his tiny, dark room in Lhasa for twenty years. In 1985 he was allowed to leave Tibet for India. Since then he has taught thousands of students at Sera Je monastery in South India, and in Dharma centers around the world.

Choden Rinpoche is regarded as one of the great masters of the day, and is particularly famed for his pure moral conduct. He has taught worldwide, and at the FPMT Centers at Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s request. His great insight into the Dharma and his peerless and compassionate conduct have inspired many students in the West to follow in his example to take ordination vows.

Schedule

March 13  
Registration 3pm-5pm
Dinner 6pm
Initiation with Choden Rinpoche 7pm-9:30pm
   
March 14  
Commentary by Choden Rinpoche 9am-11:30am
Opportunity to Offer Katas 11:30am- 12pm
Lunch 12pm

Fees

  Non-Member Member
    10%
Camping $160.00 $144.00
Main Dormitory $165.00 $148.50
Semi Private Dormitory $170.00 $153.00
     
Private Room (single) $225.00 $202.50
Private Room (double) $210.00 $189.00
Cabin (single) $245.00 $220.50
     
Scholarship Fund $100  
Application deadline Feb 13th   

The commuter fee is a sliding scale of $25 to $45 per session (initiation and commentary). Meals can be arranged with the office for an additional fee.


"I did my first retreat on Mahakala when I was 9 years old."

—Choden Rinpoche at Ananda Center in 2008


Click here for details regarding financial aid

Click Here for Course and Registration General Info

Cancellation Policy 

A position for Course Manager Scholarship might still be available for this course. Click here for more information.