Path of Purification & Transmission of the Drikung Dzogchen Vajrasattva Practice

Please join us for a rich weekend of teachings from Lama Mark Webber on the crucial topic of the Path of Purification: understanding the ingredients and practices of the ancient Buddhist Path of Liberation and Awakening. These teachings are open to all.

Dates: Nov. 1 -3, 2019

Location: Bethelehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo, B.C. (non-Residential retreat)

Friday evening, November 1, 7:30 pm – Teachings on the Path of Purification. 
Although our innate condition of mind is utterly awake and free of emotional turmoil, to make this discovery and instead of relying on a chance encounter with God or Buddha-nature, we need to purify out afflictive states and views. These states and views seriously get in the way—especially when we are plagued by doubt! These afflictive states hinder us in study, contemplation and meditation. Lama Mark kindly provides a classic framework to help us understand how to purify these states – by sharing the teachings of ethics, meditation and wisdom meditations, as well as the view, meditation and conduct.

Saturday morning and evening, November 2, 9:00 am & 7:30 pm – the Path of Purification: teachings and meditations.
The morning and evening sessions will further expand and clarify Friday evening’s talk. In addition, Lama Mark will introduce the Three Cycles of the Buddha’s teaching: Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana, and how they purify, manifest and work in the various meditations. He will also give instructions on Bodhicitta and the Hollow Body practice. 
Please note – during the afternoon students will be given ample time to practice meditation and explore various practices.

Sunday morning November 3, 9 am to 12:00 pm — Transmission and blessing for the Drikung Kagyu Dzogchen Vajrasattva Practice.
The transmission and instructions for the Vajrasattva meditation from the Drikung Yangzab Dzogchen lineage. This is a profound method of purification and meditation to free frozen and hidden habit patterns and reveal one’s stainless innate nature.

Dzogchen (dzogs pa chen po)—Great Completion—refers to both the path of recognizing mind’s innate pristine wisdom and the full realization of Buddha-nature. This meditative practice of Padmasambhava (8th century) was revealed by the great Tertön Gyalwang Rinchen Phuntsog in the 16th century. Lama Mark will also give a reading transmission of the Drikung Yangzab Dzogchen outer and inner Preliminary practices.

This will be a non-residential retreat. Please will arrive by 7 pm on Friday, November 1st for an evening of teaching that begins at 7:30 pm. On Saturday there are two classes and a mid-afternoon meditation and practice session. Sunday morning, from 9 until noon is reading transmissions and instructions. Lunch and dinner are provided on Saturday for those who wish to partake.

Contact: Cheryl Blakke Martin at islanddharmaretreats@gmail.com with questions or to register

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Lama Mark (Lama Yongdu Chokyi Gyaltsen) has been studying and teaching Buddha-dharma for over forty years. For thirty years his main root teacher was the great Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche who taught all three cycles of the Buddha’s teachings, including Abhidhamma, Vipassana in the lineage of Mahāsi Sayādaw, generation and completion stage practices of the Tantrayana and Mahamudra/Dzogchen of many lineages, especially of the Karma Kagyu and Sakya. More recently under the guidance and request of Drikung Lho Ontul Rinpoche, Lama Mark has been teaching principally the richness of the Drikung Mahamudra and Drikung Yangzab Dzogchen traditions.

Lama Mark has a deep and long term interest and collaboration in a number of scientific fields and the arts which he integrates with the teaching of Buddhism. His compassionate activities demonstrate a profound commitment to freeing beings from innumerable suffering states. Lama Mark’s emphasis with practitioners and students is on uncovering pure Dharma to reveal its extraordinary benefits and share the great joy of its deep study, meditative practices and integration into all aspects of our lives.

For more information about Island Dharma, please see
www.islanddharma.com

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Logistics
What to Bring/Wear?
▪ Yoga mat or blanket 
▪ Cushion or meditation bench 
▪ Chairs will be available to those who need them 
▪ Wear modest, comfortable clothing 
▪ Covered water bottle 
▪ Tea and coffee will be available at the centre 
▪ Pen and Notebook 
▪ Cheques or Cash for Dana offering

Registration Fee
In an effort to cover retreat costs (including facility rental for the duration of the mini-retreat, lunch and dinner on Saturday, study supplies, and Lama Mark’s accommodation, travel and food) there is a registration fee of
$105. 00 including full hot lunch and dinner on Saturday
or
$75.00 without meals (in which case bring your own meals and snacks).

Please note, no-one will be turned away due to lack of funds 
(For those who may be traveling to the weekend, you can likely arrange to stay overnight at Bethlehem centre for an additional cost. Please contact the centre directly to inquire. (250) 754-3254)

Dana for the Teacher
Lama Mark offering the Dharma here on Vancouver Island is a rare and auspicious opportunity to receive teachings and explorations about the Path of Awakening. As is traditional, the teachings of Buddha Dharma are offered freely – Lama Mark receives no fee. However, there is an opportunity for students to show their gratitude for the teachings and to help support the teacher. Dana (generosity for the teacher) will be gratefully accepted (cash/cheque).

Location
Bethlehem Retreat Centre
2371 Arbot Road 
Nanaimo B.C. V9R 6S9 
(250) 754-3254

Register now
As space for this non-residential weekend retreat is limited, please register in advance by emailing Cheryl Blakke Martin at 
islanddharmaretreats@gmail.com