January 21, 2010

Milarepa Center

1344 U.S. Route 5 South
Barnet, Vermont  05821
(802) 633-4136

www.milarepacenter.org
milarepa@milarepacenter.org

Affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT)

Greetings from Milarepa Center!

Jeff strung Christmas lights at the house to celebrate Lama Tsong Khapa Day as it is a light offering festival that falls every year on the first night of Hanukah so it seems that many spiritual traditions enjoy lighting up the darkest time of the year in the northern hemisphere. We certainly did as you can see the snow coming down over our illuminated house.

 Canada and met with one of the fathers

 there to discuss meditation techniques.

 We are in the midst of trying to schedule

 a one-week Tara retreat with Geshe-la

 this June.

Our New Year's Vajrasattva retreat was another hit as this year we were treated to music from Mark Turner, a professional jazz saxophone player who, with Larry Howe on guitar, played Auld Lang Syne among other favorites. New Year's revelers were once again subjected to wearing party hats and blowing festive horns on the last night's activities. The final day's Dorje Khadro fire puja mesmerized the group as we created little scorpions of negativities that we cast into the fire (see photo, below left). Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves while doing a heap of purification. Our guest cook, Charlene Dobbins, spoiled us with the most delicious fare.

Our manager, Jeff Garnette, has now started his one month retreat while wildlife has been abundant these days as deer and wild turkeys traverse the property. We have a host of other activities coming down the lane to you so please consider joining us as our driveway is well plowed.

We thank all of you for your kind help over this past year and will send out our next email with more specific acknowledgments and information.

Stay tuned: Kalachakra Initiation with Ven. Choden Rinpoche this July!

Don't miss it.

I so hope to see you soon.   With huge love and best wishes for a wonderful year ahead, Amy Miller, Director

Please read on for information on the following:

• Mind, Meditation and Making Life Meaningful: Teachings at the Montpelier Library
• Awakening to Enlightenment: Ski/Meditation Package and Weekend on Karma and Emptiness
• The Foundation of Tibetan Buddhist Practice with Geshe Thubten Sherab
• Guest Cook needed for February 5-7 weekend
• Practice Days

 
Awakening to  Enlightenment: Ski/Meditation Package and
Weekend on Karma and Emptiness with Venerable Amy Miller

February 5-7, 2010

A truly unique way to enjoy winter activities at a greatly reduced cost than the ski areas.

Combine meditation with your skiing or sledding experience.       
 
Why not wake up and join a morning meditation, then head out to a day of skiing, snowshoeing or sledding at Milarepa . . . or at a local ski resort (we are just 30 minutes from Burke Mountain Ski Area and less than 90 minutes to Stowe and Killington), then return to our cozy environment for an evening meal followed by meditation and a Buddhist video.
 
We have two tremendous sledding hills and nearly 300 acres to explore with snowshoes and cross-country skis.  A highly beneficial way to enjoy your winter recreation!

Or if you don't feel like getting outside, feel free to join our full weekend program on Karma and Emptiness led by Amy Miller.
 
Suggested donation on a sliding scale of $100-$225 per person includes all meals and shared accommodation.  Private cabins also available.  No one turned away for lack of funds. Pre-registration required by calling (802) 633-4136 or by e-mailing us at milarepa@milarepacenter.org.

Ski/Meditation Weekend (Karma and Emptiness)
led by Ven. Amy Miller; Feb. 5-7, 2010

Friday:
6:00pm               Arrival, Registration and Dinner
7:15pm               Welcome and Orientation
7:30-9:00pm       Introduction and Meditation

Saturday:                   
7:00-8:00am       Meditation
8:00-9:00am       Breakfast

(For those going out for winter activities, we'll pack you a hearty lunch. If staying indoors, the following sessions will be offered.)
9:30-11:00am           Session
11:00-11:30am         Break
11:30am-12:30pm    Session
12:30-2:00pm           Lunch and break
2:00-3:00pm             Q&A and discussion
3:30-4:30pm             Session
4:30-5:00pm             Break
5:00-6:00pm             Session
6:00-7:00pm             Dinner
7:00-8:30pm             Short video and/or Meditation

Sunday:                       
7:00-8:00am             Meditation
8:00am                     Closing Brunch and Clean-up
9:30am                     Departure or enjoy more of our outdoors!                              
 

February 26-28, 2010

"The Foundation of Tibetan
Buddhist Practice" with
Geshe Thubten Sherab

   

The path to enlightenment includes three principal aspects: Renunciation, the determination to be free from cyclic existence and attain liberation; Bodhicitta; the loving, compassionate aspiration to become a Buddha in order to benefit all beings most effectively; and Emptiness, the wisdom that understands the actual way that we and all phenomena exist.
 
Join this insightful program and learn the fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhist practice. Geshe Sherab lived for several years in the U.S. and teaches in English. He lends a delightful and open style to his programs and presents the teachings in a very accessible down-to-earth manner.
 
Geshe Thubten Sherab was born in the Manang region of western Nepal and entered Kopan Monastery outside Kathmandu at the age of 9.  When he was 22, Geshe-la moved to Sera Je Monastery in south India for further study and the completion of his Geshe (Ph.D.) degree.  He studied an additional year at Gyumé Tantric College and in 2001, accepted the assignment of teaching in Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico.

Now in his early forties, Geshe-la just completed a 4-year position as headmaster at Kopan Monastery and oversaw the entire education program there.
 
Suggested donation: sliding scale $100-$225 per person includes all meals and shared accommodation. No one turned away for lack of funds. Private cabins also available. Pre-registration required by calling (802) 633-4136 or by e-mailing us at
milarepa@milarepacenter.org.


The Three Principal Aspects of the Path
with Geshe Thubten Sherab;  Feb. 26-28, 2010

Friday:
6:00pm            Registration and Dinner
7:15pm            Orientation
7:30-9:00pm    Introductory Session

Saturday:
7:00-8:00am          Meditation
8:00am                  Breakfast
9:00am-12:00pm  Session with short break
12:00-2:00pm        Lunch and break
2:00-5:00pm          Session with short break
6:00-7:00pm          Dinner
7:00-8:30pm          Session

Sunday:
7:00-8:00am          Meditation
8:00am                   Breakfast
9:00am-12:00pm   Session with short break
12:00pm                 Lunch and clean-up
 
 

Guest Cook Needed
for February 5-7 Weekend

If you have interest to help out Milarepa Center in this way,
we are seeking a guest cook for our Ski/Meditation Weekend.

If you're not available for the entire weekend, consider
helping just  for lunch and dinner on Saturday, February 6.

You will have assistance and the numbers will not be large.
We are happy to do the shopping and assist you in many ways.

 Please call Amy at (802) 633-4136 if you think you might
have some time.

Thank you!

Practice Days

These practices are enormously helpful to create a flourishing Dharma Center and community as well as to create the causes that help your own practice to grow. Please bring offerings to share.

 
Saturday, January 23 --  Tara Puja, 1pm
Monday, January 25 --  Lama Chopa Puja, 6:30pm
Saturday, January 30 --  Medicine Buddha Puja, 1pm
Monday, February 8 --  Milarepa Tsog, 6:30pm
 

www.milarepacenter.org

(802) 633-4136