Your Words or Action In Life

Event at Gyuto Vajrayana Center

Dear Friends,

CALENDAR
FEBRUARY

Friday Guru Puja (Tsog Offering)
Feb. 4 7 pm - 8 pm

Saturday Vajrasattva Practice
Feb. 5 9 am - 6 pm

Sunday Chasum and Guthuk
Feb. 6 7 pm - 9 pm

Wednesday Lunar Calendar New Year
Feb. 9 Losar (Tibetan New Year)

Friday International Buddhist Film Festival
Feb. 11 Gyuto monks will offer prayers in S.F. www.ibff.org

Sunday Prayer for Tsunami Victims
Feb. 13 10 am - 12 pm

Friday Guru Puja (Tsog Offering)
Feb. 18 6 pm - 7 pm

Friday Nyung-Nye (Fasting Retreat)
Feb. 18 7 pm - 8 pm

Saturday Nyung-Nye (Fasting Retreat)
Feb. 19 6 am - 6 pm

Sunday Nyung-Nye (Fasting Retreat)
Feb. 20 6 am - 6 pm

Monday Nyung-Nye (Fasting Rtreat)
Feb. 21 8 am - 11 am

Thursday Tara Puja (Full Moon)
Feb. 24 7 pm - 8 pm

Sunday Mahakala Puja
Feb. 27 9 am - 12 pm
Followed by a Pot Luck lunch with the monks

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Vajrasattva practice

The Vajrasattva practice is the most powerful purification practice in daily life. Vajrasattva is the deity that embodies the

purification powers of all the Buddhas. If one practices sincerely with the correct motivation, all the negativities we have accumulated in this and previous lives can be removed. We will be reciting the Vajrasattva mantra during this day-long practice, so please bring your mala. Everyone is welcome.

Chasum Puja & Guthuk

As we approach Losar (Tibetan New Year) the Gyuto monks will perform a puja called Chasum which removes the obstacles of the old year. During the puja we meditate and visualize that all the negativities of body, speech and mind are being removed by the prayers and upon completion we should imagine that no more evil influences remain in body and mind. We then rejoice and dedicate all our prayers for the benefit of all living beings.

Tibetans also traditionally celebrate Losar with a dumpling soup called Guthuk. The dumplings contain unique symbols that have a special meaning for the person who gets it. Everyone is invited to join the Gyuto monks for this (fun and nourishing!) Losar tradition.

Lunar Calendar New Year (Losar)

The Tibetan New Year, known as Losar, heralds a period of rituals and prayers to drive out the negativities of the past year and make way for the positive possibilities of the New Year. Traditionally, Tibetans celebrate their New Year for 15 days, first visiting their local monasteries and making offerings to the lamas, monks and nuns and by praying to Lord Buddha for good fortune in the year ahead for themselves and all beings. This will be the Tibetan Year of the Wood Bird.

Nyung-Nye Retreat

This is a very special purification practice for developing compassion. A Nyung-Nye retreat consists of taking the Eight Mahayana precepts, reciting praises and prayers to Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) and making offerings and prostrations. On the second day, participants abstain from eating and drinking and maintain silence. In this way, the body is purified by abiding in the retreat, the speech is purified through the recitation of mantra and prayers, and the mind is purified by compassionate motivation. One must have had received a Chenrezig empowerment to take part in this retreat.

Please register either by email: info@gyutocenter.org or call (408) 926-9430. There will be a $50 per person donation to cover the cost of hosting the retreat.

ONGOING PROGRAMS

Guru Puja (Tsog Offering)

Twice monthly, according to the lunar calendar, the important practice of Guru puja with Tsog offering is done. It is a commitment for those practicing Highest Yoga Tantra and restores vows and pledges. Everyone is welcome to attend this ritual of offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, reaffirming our vow to become enlightened so as to help all beings. You are welcome to bring fruit, cookies, flowers, candles, etc. to offer.

Medicine Buddha Puja

It is said that if we have a virtuous motivation, merely seeing an image or hearing the name of the Medicine Buddha can confer great benefit. The Gyuto monks will lead us in the Medicine Buddha puja to help those who are suffering from ill health or other personal difficulties. The Medicine Buddha practice is extremely powerful and beneficial for the sick and the dying, as well as for those who have already passed away. If you wish to dedicate this puja to your loved ones, please send us their names and photos by mail or email info@gyutocenter.org so that we can include them. Everyone is welcome.

Tara Puja

Tara embodies all the Buddhas’ enlightened actions of body, speech and mind. She is said to be the liberator, the one who releases from samsara and the causes of samsara. One special attribute that makes Tara particularly popular is the swiftness with which she responds to those who invoke her. By depending on Tara, we can clear away hindrances to all mundane and spiritual success. Everyone is welcome.

Mahakala Puja for Removing Obstacles

Every month according to the lunar calendar, the Gyuto monks perform a Mahakala puja dedicated to the Center’s members, friends and all sentient beings. It is said that when Avalokiteshvara realized that his peaceful methods did not effectively subdue all degenerate and suffering beings, he decided that a wrathful form would better accomplish his compassionate intentions. Everyone is welcome.

Beginning Tibetan Class

Gyuto Center will be hosting an informal beginning Tibetan class every Saturday in March at 2 PM - 3 PM. There is a suggested donation of $10 per class. Everyone is welcome.

GOODBYE TO THE CURRENT VENERABLE MONKS

I would like to take this opportunity to invite all the members to join a very special Mahakala Puja on February 27. At this time we will be welcoming our new resident monks who were requested by the Gyuto Monastery to replace our current resident monks. We will be saying goodbye to Ven. Jampa, Ven. Ngawang and Ven. Tsewang who have been serving the Center for over a year. I would like to thank all the venerable monks who have helped me offer spiritual services to the community and operate the Center. I also would like to thank all of the members who have been helping the monks and the Center.

Please join us and say goodbye to the venerable monks who are returning to India in March 2005.

Thank You!

Ven. Thupten Donyo

*********************************************************

May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes.
May all sentient beings be free from suffering and its causes.
May all sentient beings never be separated from sorrowless bliss.
May all sentient beings abide in equanimity free of bias, attachment and anger.

Gyuto Vajrayana Center
1439 Old Piedmont Rd.
San Jose, CA 95132
Tel: (408) 926 9430
Fax: (408) 272 1275
Email: gyutovc@aol.com
Website: http://www.gyutocenter.org

For all past events, please Click Here to read them.

*********************************************************

Note: All the above events are published are for information basis. It is not in any way related or affiliated with our website. If you are interested in attending or finding out more, please contact the above website or email to the above email address.