Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Cultural Center

Dear Sangha Members and Friends,

We are delighted to announce our 8th Annual Mantra-Thon, a Vajra Guru Mantra accumulation retreat conducted in the context of the Rigdzin Dupa Drupchod.  Since we've just received empowerment of Rigdzin Dupa from H.H. Dudjom Yangsi Rinpoche, this practice is specially relevant for us to our Samaya commitment.    

This auspicious activity will begin on Friday September 14th, and will conclude on Sunday, September 16th.

During the Mantra-Thon, we hold the goal of completing 1 million Vajra Guru mantras during the three day period. A minimum of three practitioners shall remain present in the shrine room between practice sessions, continually reciting mantra. To sign up for mantra shifts in-between sessions, please contact us at: 3vajragurumantra@gmail.com.

Note: Due to our offsite location, we will NOT be holding a 24-hour mantra vigil this year. Shift signups are only needed from Noon to 3pm and from 5pm to 7pm.

Schedule

Friday, Sept 14th

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Teaching on Lojong/Mind training and beginning of Mantra recitation.

Saturday Sept 15th

9:30 AM - Noon - Drupchod Practice of Rigdzin Dupa Sadhana/Mantra Recitation

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Mantra recitation and Practice w/Tsok

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Teaching on Transforming Happiness and Suffering into the path of enlightenment, Mantra recitation.

Sunday Sept 16th

9:30 AM - Noon - Practice of Rigdzin Dupa Sadhana / Mantra recitation.

2:00 PM - 5:30 PM - Practice w/Tsok and Dedication ceremony.

Location:

Rancho Embarcadero (EMID)

224 Vereda Leyenda, Goleta, CA 93117

For information: Contact Aaron Joseph:jwlinthelotus@yahoo.com

Snacks and drinks will be available during and between practice sessions, available for everyone.

We have Tsok in the late afternoon on both Saturday and Sunday. You are also welcome to bring food or juice to contribute to these Tsoks and/or for the tea table.

As much as possible, please maintain an atmosphere of "Noble Silence" while on the grounds during the retreat.

Make sure to bring your mala. 

Even if you are unable to physically attend the retreat due to distance, we request and encourage you to participate in the retreat by accumulating the OM AH HUNG VAJRA GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUNG mantra at any time that is convenient for you. Our plan is to collectively complete 1 million Vajra Guru Mantras. To have your numbers included in the weekend total, please email them to Aaron Joseph at jwlinthelotus@yahoo.com NO LATER THAN NOON ON SUNDAY, September 16th.

Please, to avoid confusion in the calculations, email only once, when you have completed your recitations for the entire retreat. Type "VG Mantra Totals" in the subject line and in the body of the email type ONLY the following information:

1) Your full name*

2) Total # number of mantras you recited*

3) [optional] Name of beneficiary for dedication of merit, to be read aloud at dedication ceremony. More than one beneficiary is OK.

*If you are submitting mantras on behalf of yourself AND another participant, enter both names in 1) and combine your individual totals into a single total in 2).

The Mantra-Thon/Drupchod will conclude with a dedication ceremony in which the names of all participants, sponsors and special prayer recipients will be read aloud, and the number of mantras accumulated will be tallied and announced.