Details on content of the course, teacher and organisation (how to reach us etc.) Kalachakra Jonang Tradition His Eminence Chokyi Nangpa Rinpoche We are delighted to announce that his Eminence Chokyi Nangpa Rinpoche will give the Jonang Kalachakra Initiation in Ganden Chokhor as well as detailed instructions. He will personally work with the group for the entire week on the creation and structure of the Kalachakra tantra based on the sadhana and guided meditations. He is a great authority in this field and it is a unique opportunity to attend such lectures here in Switzerland. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has given this great initiation in places all over the world but without accompanying instructions for lack of time. For this reason, H.H. asked Rinpoche in Ladakh last summer to give these instructions in the West. The word Kalachakra means ‘Time cycles’ and the Kalachakra system represents three types of such cycles – outer, inner and alternative. The outer and inner cycles represent the type of time we are familiar with, whereas the alternative cycles consist of practices that lead to freedom from the other two cycles. The structures of the outer and inner cycles are analogue, similar to the parallels between macro- and microcosmos as discussed in Western philosophy. This means that the same laws that rule the universe also rule the atoms, the body and our life experiences. The practices of the alternative cycles also follow this structure, in order to avoid these forces effectively and overcome them (see Alexander Berzin Archive). His eminence will continue this course over a number of a years and always conclude in a manner that the practitioner can carry out the practice in its entirety. The most important experience for the participant however is the direct vicinity of the lama, the direct transmission of the great Kalachakra tantra. Translation from Tibetan – to German: Daniela Hartmann Possible to ask for English Translation The Jonang Tradition The Jonang tradition is the fourth of five main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is the original holder of the Dro-lineage of the Kalachakra tantra. It is the only lineage that also contains the completion stage of the six yogas of the Kalachakra. H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama promotes the revival of the Jonang tradition. He gifted a monastery in Shimla to the Jonang tradition so that the profound teaching of the Kalachakra tantra and the realisation of its experience can continue to be transmitted. The historical Buddha Shakyamuni transmitted the Kalachakra tantra to King Suchandra of the mystical land of Shambala. Later, various masters took it with them to Tibet where it was preserved in the two main lineages, the Rwa and the Dro lineages. His Eminence Choekyi Nangpa Rinpoche H.E. Choekyi Nangpa Rinpoche was born in Tibet in 1970. In 1986, Choekyi Nangpa Rinpoche was recognized by H.E. Lama Yonten Pal Sangpo as the reincarnation of Tselminpa Sonam Sangpo (the reincarnation of Ngeton Bhakula) who was one of the great disciples of Kunkhyen Jonangpa Chenpo Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (1292-1361). Since 1993, Tulku Choekyi Nangpa Rinpoche has been in exile in India. Subsequently Rinpoche studied the five major Buddhist texts in Ganden Monastic University in South India. On many occasions Rinpoche received teachings and empowerments from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, especially the Kalachakra and Jonang Kunga Drolchok's (1507-1566) Hundred and eight Instructions. In 1998 His Holiness the Dalai Lama appointed His Eminence Choekyi Nangpa Rinpoche as the Abbot of the Jonang monastery in Shimla, India. Rinpoche is a highly realized and respected practitioner and has the degree of Dorje Lopon - holder of the Vajra. In the Jonang school this is the highest title given to the tantric practitioner. His Holiness the Dalai Lama considers Rinpoche as the authentic Guru of the Jonang School. In 2014, Rinpoche was appointed as Jonang Gyaltsab Rinpoche (main representative of Jonang lineage in exile) which was highly appreciated and also supported by a letter from H.H. the Dalai Lama. Tulku Choekyi Nangpa Rinpoche holds all the lineages of the Jonang tradition amongst them the living transmission of the Wheel of Time (Kalachakra), which is a special characteristic of the Jonangpa School which traces its lineage origin back to Buddha. In Tibet this school exists since 11th century. Rinpoche was appointed to pass on the teachings of this lineage by His Eminence Dorje Chang Ngawang Yonten Pal Sangpo, Rinpoche's root lama. Rinpoche is currently looking after the monks of the Jonang monastery and teaches them in the Jonang tradition. Rinpoche also teaches Kalachakra six-fold vajra yoga to students in the Kalachakra Meditation Center. Rinpoche is regularly invited to teach in India, Taiwan, Europe and Southamerica as well. H.H. the Dalai Lama has repeatedly called to establish the Jonang Kalachakra tradition. If you have further questions please ask Dr. Sabine Alt [email protected] Course information Friday, 7th August 2015 Arrival: 4 – 6 pm Dinner: 6 pm Start Teaching 7:45 pm Saturday/ 8th August 2015 Initiation 9.30 am – 5 pm Sunday 9th August 2015 Initiation 9.30 - 4pm Friday, 14th August 2015 End: 17 pm How to get here by train (from Zürich 1h 40min) There are hourly connections from Zürich main train station to Chur. From Chur main station take the bus to Churwalden. Get off at the bus stop “Funershus”. Just after the bus stop to the right is a small road leading uphill past a farmhouse, through the meadows and then through the woods in the direction of Pradaschier to the Ganden Chökhor Center (formerly Pension Waldhotel). The walk is circa 20 minutes. We recommend light walking shoes/ sport shoes. Return: If you wish to be driven to or from the bus stop or you would like to have your luggage transported, please contact us beforehand or mention it when you register with us. Costs per person/ride CHF 3.–. How to get here by car (from Zürich 1h 30min) Motorway Zürich – Chur / Exit Lenzerheide, Direction Lenzerheide. At the entrance to the village Churwalden (opposite the big church) you will find on the side towards the mountain ca. 10 parking spaces. There are further parking spaces on the valley side by the meat drying facility approx. 100 meters after the church. A little road, tarmacked for the first 200 meters, then a natural road, leads from the parking space uphill to Pradaschier and the Ganden Chökhor center (formerly Pension Waldhotel). The walk is approx. 20 minutes. We recommend light walking shoes/sport shoes. The road is narrow and in winter you can only drive on it with the proper equipment (e.g. snow chains). There are a few parking spaces in Ganden Chökhor which must be reserved in advance. However, you can drive up your luggage and then park your car in the village. Please note: In order to drive up to the center you will need to have a special driving permit from the local village authorities (daily rate: CHF 10.–, yearly rate: CHF 60.–). There is a limited number of parking spaces at the house: daily rate CHF 8.– Parking spaces in the village: daily rate CHF 5.– RECOMMENDATION FOR THE RETREAT Comfortable clothing and slippers. A meditation shawl (optional) is available in the centre shop. For courses and retreats: Mala, vajra and bell, possibly one’s own seat cushion (seat cushions and blankets are provided in the temple) For further information please go to: ganden.ch /Contact/Information We are looking forward to welcoming you soon at Meditation Center Ganden Chökhor. We wish you a safe journey and a pleasant retreat in our house. The Ganden Team Mediationszentrum Ganden Chökhor Pradaschier 20 CH -7075 Churwalden [email protected] www.ganden.ch Mobile: 0041 76 533 53 57 or House: 0041 81 356 22 80 .