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I am committed to serving humanity and working to protect the climate condition. Since I became refugee and now settled in India, I have taken full advantage of India’s freedom and religious harmony. I want to assure you that for the rest of my life I will be fully committed to reviving ancient Indian knowledge. I really appreciate the Indian concept of secular values, not dependent on religion, such as honesty, Karuna (compassion) and Ahimsa (non-violence). So, my dear friends, on my birthday, this is my gift. Please keep it in mind. I myself am committed to non-violence and compassion until my death. This is my offering to my friends. I hope my friends will also keep non-violence and compassion for the rest of your lives. All my human brothers and sisters should keep these two things- non-violence and compassion, until your death.”

Lhabab Düchen, also known as Buddha’s Descent from Tushita, is one of the four great holy days of the Tibetan calendar. As a Buddha Multiplying Day, karmic results of actions on this day are multiplied one hundred million times. 

This amazing result is sourced by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to the Vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic.

This day is considered to be very auspicious for practice. To celebrate the occasion we will have a special program at Tashi Gatsel Ling Buddhist Center on November 19, 2019. 

9:00 am – 12 pm – Reading the Golden Light Sutra, with a tea break at 10:30 am.  

Reciting any part of the Buddha’s speech is considered to be extremely virtuous, enabling the reader to accumulate vast stores of merit through expressing the Dharma taught by one who achieved the sorrow-less state of enlightenment. Those with an interest in reciting the Mahayana sutras taught by the Buddha can take part in sutra reading sessions, which is so very beneficial for purification and accumulation practices, especially on merit-multiplying days such as Lhabab Duchen. Reciting the sacred words of the Buddha from the Golden Light Sutra or the Sanghata Sutra together with a group often brings a sense of peace and quiet accomplishment to the reader.

12pm-2pm – Break for lunch

2pm-4pm – Conclude reading Golden Light Sutra 

This sutra makes beings supremely serene, utterly alleviates sorrow and afflictive emotions, utterly removes all forms of harm and utterly overcomes hundreds of thousands of afflictions.
– Golden Light Sutra

6:30pm-8pm – Sakyamuni Buddha Puja, led by Venerable Tenzin Dasel. 

Please join us for a beautiful meditation and practice, and bring something to offer on the altar (flowers, fruits, nuts, chocolate are good items) 

Anyone is welcome to drop in for any session! No registration needed and by donation.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama hosted a teaching at his residence in Dharamsala, India for the International Network of Engaged Buddhists.

There’s nothing like summer in Maine. But if we can count on one thing that’s CHANGE. As we are getting ready to welcome a new season and our daily activities become more predictable, this is a great time to incorporate the group discussions we are all used to here at Tashi Gatsel Ling.

Please join us in meditation and book discussion beginning October 6th. We are kicking off a new schedule: we will be meeting biweekly on the first and third Sunday of the month for meditation and group discussion (10:00 am to 10:45 am), followed by our book group (11:00 am to 12:00 pm). Feel free to join both, or one or the other.

For the book group, we are picking things up from Khen Rinpoche’s book A Peaceful Mind, Chapter 5. Each chapter is an independent lesson, so if you didn’t get the chance to read the previous ones, know you can still attend as we will only be discussing the chapter at hand. A reminder you can get this book at TGL for a $20 donation.

Medicine Buddha Puja will happen per usual each month during full moon, please check full schedule and more details here.

We also have a brief visual update with some photos from our founding and lead teachers, check it our here.

We’ll take any questions at 207.650.5035 or tglmaine@gmail.com.

December 18-20, 2019 | Paradise Island, Bahamas

Venerable Tenzin Dasel will lead the program “A Call to Awakening: Being the Lotus” in the Bahamas this winter. Consider joining this precious opportunity to deepen your practice.

In this program, you will explore the teaching of the Heart Sutra of Lord Buddha using the mantra of the Prajnaparamita, the Mother of All Buddhas, and contemplate the wisdom of the teachings at the heart of the Dharma.

Learn how the daily practices of mantra, meditation and noble silence support the practices of body, speech, and mind to awaken altruistic lovingkindness for the benefit of all Mother beings.

Please find all the details of this event on the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas website by accessing this link.

February Losar 2020, Organized by the Panchen Lama Tashi Lhunpo Project

Tashi Gatsel Ling is happy to promote this event happening next year in India.

Join the Panchen Lama Tashi Lhunpo Project for a unique immersion experience at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery India, one of the largest Learning Centers of Tibetan Buddhism in India, and participate in Losar 2020, an incredible celebration of the Tibetan New Year!

This is a unique opportunity to live within a Tibetan monastery and make a meaningful contribution to the lives of over 400 scholarly monks. By attending this retreat you will be supporting a global cause that is far-reaching for the benefit of all sentient beings. You will experience true generosity of spirit during the many activities including your meal offering for the monks and an individual book offering to the new library.

By no means an ordinary monastery, Tashi Lhunpo Monastery India is steeped in historical significance. The original Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet was founded by His Holiness the 1st Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gedun Drupe in 1447, and became the largest, most vibrant teaching monastery in Shigatse, Tibet at that time.

“Namla Nyi-ma Dawa, Sa la Gyawa-Panchen.” Thus goes the age-old Tibetan saying that is well known and recited often in all 3 provinces of Tibet. It means, “Just as the Sun and the Moon in the Sky, thus Gyawa-Panchen on Earth,” alluding to the great and consequential relationship between the two Lamas, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness the Panchen Lama, who have shared a special bond, strengthened by their shared desire to ensure the wellbeing of the Tibetan people and the continued preservation of the Buddha Dharma.

From this historical perspective, you could imagine the richness of the history, culture and art of ancient Tibetan Buddhist practices which you will learn first-hand from the Lamas and resident monks. This sojourn could be a life-changing spiritual awakening for you.

During this 7-day retreat, you will experience life in a Tibetan monastery and learn about Tibetan Buddhist history, culture and art taught by high Tibetan Lamas in a serene monastic setting.

● Get to know day-to-day monastic life

● Wake up to the glorious chanting sounds of the monks

● Learn how to meditate guided by Lamas

● Enjoy delicious meals with monks of all ages and learn how to make Tibetan momos!

● Do walking meditation on the beautiful grounds of the Monastery

● Learn Buddhist philosophy from high Tibetan scholar Lamas

● Visit other Tibetan monasteries and the Golden Temple, and understand their significance

● In culmination of this special retreat, witness a true Tibetan New Year celebration called Losar

Itinerary

Note: We will do our best to adhere to the itinerary but we request your understanding and flexibility if we deem it necessary to make required changes. Thank you!

Day 1: Tuesday, February 18

Upon arrival at Bangalore Airport, we drive by car for approximately 2.5 hours to Mysore

Check into Hotel/Settle in

Dinner

Day 2: Wednesday, February 19

Breakfast

Visit Mysore Palace

Lunch

Drive 2.5 hours to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe

Welcome Tea: Meet Abbot Khen Rinpoche and Retired Abbot Khenzur Rinpoche and Administrative Staff

Check into Monastery accommodations

Tour of the Monastery grounds

Dinner

Review the Schedule for the following 6 days

Day 3: Thursday, February 20

Join the Break-of-Day Chanting in the Old Prayer Hall (6am), optional

Breakfast

Tour of the Prayer Hall

Teaching: History of the Monastery

Lunch

Tour of the new Library and book offering

Teaching: Continuation of the History of the Monastery

Dinner

Word of The Dharma/ Meditation/Tea /Reflections

Day 4: Friday, February 21

Join the Break-of-Day Chanting in the Old Prayer Hall (6am), optional

Breakfast

Teaching: Calm Abiding Meditation / Meditation on Love and Compassion by Abbot Khen Rinpoche

Lunch

Visit the Golden Temple and nearby monasteries: Sera Jey Monastery, Sera Mey Monastery, Kargu Monastery and Sakya Monastery

Dinner

Word of the Dharma / Meditation / Tea / Reflections 4

Day 5: Saturday, February 22 Cham Day Dance and Burning of the Torma

Breakfast

Cham Day Festivities

Lunch with Tibetan community

Cham Day Festivities

Cham Dinner Celebration with Abbot and former Abbot

Word of the Dharma / Meditation / Tea / Reflections

Day 6: Sunday, February 23

Join the Break-of-Day Chanting in the Old Prayer Hall (6am), optional

Breakfast

Teaching: White Tara Long Life Initiation by Abbot Ken Rinpoche

Cooking class: Learn how to make Tibetan momos

Lunch

Walking Meditation

Teaching: Eight point Mind Training by Abbot Ken Rinpoche

Dinner

Word of the Dharma / Meditation /Tea /Reflections

Day 7: Monday, February 24 Losar Festivities

Breakfast

Morning prayer on rooftop of Old Prayer Hall

Lighting of the lamps at the Butter Lamp House

Lunch with Abbot and former Abbot

Teaching: The Significance of Losar

Farewell Dinner with Abbot and former Abbot and Monastery Staff

Word of the Dharma/ Meditation and Tea/Reflections

Day 8: Tuesday, February 25

Farewell Breakfast/Departure to Bangalore Airport 5

Losar

Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is the most important festival in the Tibetan culture. It lasts for 15 days and is filled with traditions that date back hundreds of years. Festivities at the Monastery include traditional dances and ceremonies, offerings to deities, and chanting. These activities are attended by villagers and the entire community. Special meals are prepared. The abbot officiates the Gu-Thor ceremony, praying for peace for all sentient beings as the year comes to an end. Cham dance is a meditative dance performed by senior monks and ends with the burning of the effigy to clean and purify all negativities with Buddhas and deities’ boundless blessings of love and compassion.

Accommodations and Meals

All accommodations and meals are included in the price.

With the exception of a one-night stay in Mysore, all accommodations will be in the Monastery. The guest rooms in the Monastery have appointments that are modest and comfortable; most are double occupancy with a private bath. Please indicate in your registration form if you are traveling with someone whom you would like to room with.

Meals will be specially prepared by the monks and will be vegetarian. In some instances, local chefs may be invited to prepare meals for the participants. Meals during the Losar Festivities will be enjoyed with the 6 local village communities as well as with the resident monks. You will witness the wonderful organizational talents of this monastic community and enjoy Losar, an amazing highlight of the year.

Price

$4,200/participant join by July 15, 2019; $4,900 if a private room is requested & available

$4,500/participant if joining after July 15, 2019 deadline; $5,200 if a private room is requested & available

Price above does not include international airfare. Price is inclusive of one night hotel stay in Mysore, entrance ticket to Mysore Palace, 6 nights stay in the Monastery, all meals, domestic transportation, and a special meal offering to all the monks.

PLEASE NOTE: The global purpose of this retreat is to help preserve the great Tibetan Buddhist culture by supporting the spiritual and scholastic center of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery India. It is in this effort that we are able to spread the blessings and merits of this cause to all communities of the world. The funds we raise from this retreat are solely in support of this cause. You are allowed to deduct $3,500 of your donation or to the fullest extent of the law. This is a beautiful way to circulate great spiritual energy all around.

Congratulations on your decision to become part of this noble effort worldwide! Please take the first step to complete the Registration Form and submit your deposit before July 15, 2019.

(See instructions for registration on the next page.)

Deadlines to Remember

July 15, 2019 Complete Registration Form and send the non-refundable deposit of $1,000

August 15, 2019 Submit Protected Area Permit (PAP) (more info will be provided)

October 1, 2019 Submit 2nd and final payment of $3,200

More detailed information about trip preparation will be provided after registration is finalized.

For more information, please contact:

Joji Arellano-Santos – santos.joji@gmail.com 650.714.3660

Mary Dautricourt – mary@mediasoleil.com

Adrienne Moberly – adrienne.moberly@gmail.com

Cheri Silveira – cheri.silveira@gmail.com

Organization email – PLTLPInfo@gmail.com

Our website: – http://www.honorpanchenlama.org/events 7

Complete Registration by July 15, 2019: online and submit your deposit

November 9 – 11, 2019

Shamatha (calm abiding) meditation – is the practice of cultivating a focused, clear and calm mind. Developing a mindfulness practice is essential for those who wish to pacify the unruly, agitated states of mind that accompany modern living.

Join us this November at Tashi Gatsel Ling for a 3 day Shamatha-mindfulness weekend

Having the interest and wish to join a 3-day meditation retreat is a unique and precious opportunity. It is seldom that we have the time/wish/ability to step away from our very busy daily life and make time to turn inwardly, learn to observe our own mind and to center our awareness in a peaceful practice. Some experience in meditation is recommended for the most beneficial retreat.

Tashi Gatsel Ling and Ani Tenzin Dasel, the retreat leader, are aiming to provide participants with a peaceful, conducive environment to support their practice of mindfulness, meditation, silence and reflection during the course.  The principles of moral behavior – setting an ethical foundation to ground your practice of meditation – is essential, therefore we ask all those participating to respect these rules of conduct.  We also request participants to refrain from listening to music/playing music/ using the internet or cell phone while they are on retreat.

The Shamatha weekend will be held in SILENCE (outside the guided meditation and Q&A sessions). The silence is extremely important to course participants. Being in silence allows us to calm our minds and creates (over time) more spaciousness and peace in one’s mind. If it is your first time doing a silent retreat – embrace this experience, and use these rare 3 days of not talking to direct your attention and energy inwardly instead of outwardly.

• Space is limited to the first 10 people to register. The retreat is by donation to help Ani la cover travel costs to India. Please plan to attend the entire weekend. Partial attendance may be permitted.   Please email perley@maine.rr.com for reservation.
• Accommodations will be available in walking distance or short 10-minute drive to nearby yurts (cost will be the responsibility of participants, but a special rate will be offered).    
• Breakfast & lunch will be the responsibility of participants, there is a local option within a 5-minute drive or bring food. 

Day 1 (Saturday, Nov. 9)

10:00-12:00 1st session

12 – 1:30 lunch break on your own

1:30 – 2:30 2nd session

2:45 – 3:30 walking meditation

3:30 – 4:00 tea break

4:00 – 5:30 3rd session w/Q&A

5:30 – 6:30 simple dinner provided

6:30 – 7:00 evening meditation

Day 2 (Sunday, Nov.10)

7:00 – 8:00 breakfast on your own

8:00 – 9:30 1st session

9:30 – 10:00 tea break

10:00 – 11:30 2nd session

11:30 – 1:00 lunch break on your own

1:00 – 2:30 3rd session

2:45 – 3:30 walking meditation

3:30 – 4:00 tea break

4:00 – 5:30 4th session

5:30 – 6:30 simple dinner provided

6:30 – 7:00 evening meditation

Day 3 (Monday, Nov. 11)

7:00 – 8:00 breakfast on your own

8:00 – 9:30 1st session

9:30 – 10:00 tea break

10:00 – 11:30 2nd session

11:30 – 1:00 lunch break together at The Market at Pineland

1:15 – 2:30 last session and practice advice.

2:30 – 3:00 feedback/group photo

3:00-Freshly finished

Saka Dawa is the most important Tibetan Buddhist festival day which 
celebrates Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana.

Please feel very welcome to join us at Tashi Gatsel Ling on this special 
day from 6:30 – 8:00pm. Remember that on Saka Dawa karmic results are 
multiplied by one hundred million times!!

Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s recommended practices for this special day: 
https://fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/advice/sakadawa

After our Saka Dawa celebration, Tashi Gatsel Ling will take a summer 
break and will resume activities after Labor Day.