Chod Retreat with Lama Wangdu Rinpoche
Lama Wangdu Rinpoche initiates practitioners into the ancient Tibetan practice of Chod
August 7,8, & 9, 2009
Here’s a note from Betsy Bergstrom about the upcoming event with Lama Wangdu Rinpoche here at Still Meadow:
I am delighted to announce that Lama Wangdu Rinpoche, a renowned Buddhist Lama from Tibet, will be teaching the ancient practice of Chod. This dismemberment and offering practice is a powerful Tibetan tantric practice.
Chod means “cutting through”. Personal fears and our limited vision of the nature of reality is what become cut through. The
practice includes chanting of ancient texts, using drums, bells and trumpets, the visualization of personal dismemberment, merging with divine deities, and an ultimate compassionate offering of one’s own dismembered body to different classes of spirits, some fearsome and some sublime. It is an ultimate offering of true compassion and it changes the practitioner in amazing ways, as well as having the by-product of healing, depossession and space clearing.His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, acknowledged Lama Wangdu Rinpoche as an important Chod practitioner and teacher. His Holiness gave him the task of preserving this ancient practice. Wangdu Rinpoche’s Chod path and life had been as a “crazy wisdom practitioner” with the freedom to move around as spirit willed it previous to his meeting with the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama asked him to settle down and gave him a monastery in which to preserve the vast knowledge and teachings of Chod. He is able to give this practice to non-Buddhists and Buddhists who have not gone through the preliminary practices with the Dalai Lama’s express permission. His Holiness indicates that this is an important practice of great antiquity and that it has a great deal of meaning for our time and is to be open to the public who feels called to the practice.
In experiencing Chod, I saw immediate connections between this practice and the shamanic dismemberment practices. In practicing Chod, I experienced the powerful benefits of this practice for myself and for others.
Lama Wangdu Rinpoche will be conducting a powerful and beautiful Chod initiation and empowerment, which connect the participant to an important lineage dating back to the 12th century. He will give the teachings of the text and visualizations. With his guidance we will also learn the melody of the chant and the use of the bell, the larger Chod drum called damaru, use of the Kangllng or thighbone trumpet. Lama Wangdu will also teach the Chod Dance and give each participant a personal blessing. (Following this blessing it is customary to give Lama Wangdu and the translator a Dana or gift of money which brings you great merit. A large portion of the tuition fee goes to Lama Wangdu Rinpoche).
There will be a fluent English translator. Supportive shamanic journeys will be offered by Betsy Bergstrom in the evening to round out this experience. This is an amazing opportunity that will change you and bring many blessings into your life.Many blessings, Betsy Bergstrom
Please contact Betsy Bergstrom for more information
206-860-4142 or betsy@betsybergstrom.com
More details about this event after the jump
The Particulars:
Where: The retreat center is called Still Meadow near Clackamas, Oregon
It is one half hour from the Portland International Airport.
Shuttles to the Still Meadow Retreat Center are available from the airport.
When: August 7, 8 and 9, 2009 starting 10:00 am Friday and ending at 4:00 pm on Sunday.
There are different options for attending including full on site accommodations, offsite attendance and on site camping. The following includes the different packages available.
A welcome letter with information, instructions and items that are desirable to bring will be sent when registration is received.
Residential Packages for 2009 Chod including Tuition:
- Package 1: Arrive -Friday am, stay Friday night, lunch and dinner on Friday, stay Saturday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday, Sunday -breakfast and lunch $575.00
- Package 2: Arrive- and stay Thursday night, with dinner
stay Friday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday, stay Saturday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday
Sunday -breakfast and lunch $655.00 - Package 3: Arrive -Friday am, stay Friday night, lunch and dinner on Friday, stay Saturday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner, on Saturday, Sunday-breakfast and lunch, stay Sunday night and continental breakfast on Monday $645.00
- Package 4: Arrive- Thursday night, dinner included
stay Friday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday,
stay Saturday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday, stay Sunday night, breakfast and lunch with no dinner,
Monday- continental breakfast $715.00
Camping on site
- Package 5: Arrive Thursday night, camp Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, dinner included Thursday. All meals included on Friday and Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday $560.00
- Package 6: Arrive Friday, camp Friday and Saturday nights with all meals included starting with Friday breakfast and ending with Sunday lunch $525.00
- Package 7: Arrive and camp Thursday night, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, bring own food for other meals. $500.00
Non-residential Package….stay off-site
- Package 10: Stay off site
lunch- Friday, Saturday and Sunday $395.00 - Package 11: Stay off site, bring your own lunch $350.00
Tuition Scholarships available upon request
(No participants turned away for lack of funds)
