How To Series: Navigating Center Etiquette

with Ven. Angie Muir

Thursday, May 18
7:00pm–9:00pm

When we first begin attending Tibetan Buddhist teachings it can often be a little overwhelming trying to navigate the basic etiquette at the center and with teachers. Practices like making prostrations as we enter the temple, reciting motivational prayers and dedications, offering mandalas and katas (white scarves) to the teachers are all designed to prepare and purify our mind so we receive the maximum benefit from our time at the center.

Please join Ven. Angie for a simple explanation and demonstration of how to do these practices as well as having the opportunity to hear an explanation of their benefits and get your questions answered!

Lama Zopa Rinpoche giving blessing to children after the long life puja, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 19, 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Venerable Angie Muir, a Tibetan Buddhist Nun from Scotland, has been ordained for 18 years. During this time she has studied and practiced in the East — India and Nepal — and the West, Scotland and the USA. She has also been centrally involved in serving, teaching and leading meditations at these places. She currently resides in California, serving at Lama Zopa Rinpoche's private residence.

Everyone is welcome!

This is a free event. Donations are appreciated.

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Prostration Mantra

OM NAMO MANJUSHRIYE / NAMAH SUSHRIYE / NAMA UTTAMA SHRIYE SVAHA
(3x)

Refuge and Bodhichitta Prayer

SANG GYÄ CHHÖ DANG TSHOG KYI CHHOG NAM LA
I go for refuge until I am enlightened
JANG CHHUB BAR DU DAG NI KYAB SU CHHI
To the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Supreme Assembly.
DAG GI JIN SOG GYI PÄ SÖ NAM GYI
By my practice of giving and other perfections,
DRO LA PHÄN CHHIR SANG GYÄ DRUB PAR SHOG
May I become a buddha to benefit all sentient beings.
(3x)

Short Mandala Offering

SA ZHI PÖ KYI JUG SHING ME TOG TRAM
This ground, anointed with perfume, strewn with flowers,
RI RAB LING ZHI NYI DÄ GYÄN PA DI
Adorned with Mount Meru, four continents, the sun and the moon:
SANG GYÄ ZHING DU MIG TE ÜL WA YI
I imagine this as a buddha-field and offer it.
DRO KÜN NAM DAG ZHING LA CHÖ PAR SHOG
May all living beings enjoy this pure land!

IDAM GURU RATNA MANDALAKAM NIRYATAYAMI

Dedication Prayers

GE WA DI YI NYUR DU DAG
Due to the merits of these virtuous actions,
LA MA SANG GYÄ DRUB GYUR NÄ
May I quickly attain the state of a Guru-Buddha
DRO WA CHIG KYANG MA LÜ PA
And lead all living beings, without exception,
DE YI SA LA GÖ PAR SHOG
Into that enlightened state.

JANG CHHUB SEM CHHOG RIN PO CHHE
May the supreme jewel bodhichitta
MA KYE PA NAM KYE GYUR CHIG
That has not arisen, arise and grow;
KYE WA NYAM PA ME PA YANG
And may that which has arisen not diminish
GONG NÄ GONG DU PHEL WAR SHOG
But increase more and more.

Long Life Prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama

GANG RI RA WÄ KOR WÄI ZHING KHAM DIR
In the land encircled by snow mountains
PHÄN DANG DE WA MA LÜ JUNG WÄI NÄ
You are the source of all happiness and good;
CHÄN RÄ ZIG WANG TÄN DZIN GYA TSHO YI
All-powerful Chenrezig, Tenzin Gyatso,
ZHAB PÄ SI THÄI BAR DU TÄN GYUR CHIG
Please remain until samsara ends.

Long Life Prayer for Lama Zopa Rinpoche

THUB TSHÜL CHHANG ZHING JAM GÖN GYÄL WÄI TÄN
You who uphold the Subduer’s moral way, who serve as the bountiful bearer-of-all,
DZIN KYONG PEL WÄ KÜN ZÖ DOG POR DZÄ
Sustaining, preserving, and spreading Manjunath’s victorious doctrine;
CHHOG SUM KUR WÄI LEG MÖN THU DRUB PA
Who masterfully accomplish magnificent prayers honoring the Three Jewels:
DAG SOG DÜL JÄI GÖN DU ZHAB TÄN SHOG
Savior of myself and others, your disciples, please, please live long!