White Zambhala Initiation and Commentary on the Practice
with Choden Rinpoche
March 10, 2010
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Category: Course
Level: Intermediate-advanced
Level of Silence: No silence
Partial Attendance: Not allowed
• Receive the initiation and permission to perform Zambhala practice.
• Learn how to do the practice.
• Attract abundance for your financial stability and spiritual practice.
• Expand your practice of generosity
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Course Overview
The Zambhala practice consists of water offering, visualizations and mantra recitations. It is a common practice in Tibetan Buddhism to attract financial stability for your life in general and for your spiritual practice in particular.
Zambhala is the Tibetan wealth-giving Buddha. Its legend goes back to the time of Lama Atisha in the eleventh century. It is said that one day Lama Atisha saw an old man dying of starvation. Moved by his suffering, the lama wanted to cut his own flesh to offer the old man, who shook his head, saying, “How can I eat a monk’s flesh?” Then the lama lay down, feeling helpless and sad, wondering what he could do. Suddenly a 1,000 arm Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, manifested and said to Atisha, “I will manifest as Zambhala, the Buddha of Wealth, to help others by eliminating their poverty, making it possible for them to practice the Dharma.”
Since this time, five wealth Zambhalas have evolved (yellow, white and three black ones), each with his own mantra and practices. They can help to eliminate poverty and attract financial stability to enable you to practice the spiritual path. The white Zambhala sits on a turquoise dragon and his left hand holds a mongoose.
Prerequisites and Commitments
Students must have previously received full initiation of any of the Highest Yoga Tantras, such as Yamantaka, Guhyasamaja, Heruka Chakrasamvara or Kalachakra. Please provide this information to the Office when you register.
There won’t be any particular commitments after receiving the Zambhala initiation.
Teacher Biography
Born in 1933 in Eastern Tibet, Choden Rinpoche was recognized at age three as an important incarnate lama, and ordained by Pabongka Rinpoche at the age of six. He entered Sera Je Monastery when he was fifteen, where he mastered all the philosophical teachings required for the highest monastic title of Geshe Lharampa. Choden Rinpoche was one of the two Sera Je lamas selected to debate with His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama during His Holiness' examination for the geshe degree.
When the Communist Chinese invaded Tibet in 1959, Choden Rinpoche was arrested and jailed for several months. After his release, Rinpoche went into solitary retreat for 19 years. He never left his tiny, dark room in Lhasa for twenty years. In 1985 he was allowed to leave Tibet for India. Since then he has taught thousands of students at Sera Je monastery in South India, and in Dharma centers around the world.
Choden Rinpoche is regarded as one of the great masters of the day, and is particularly famed for his pure moral conduct. He has taught worldwide, and at the FPMT Centers at Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s request. His great insight into the Dharma and his peerless and compassionate conduct have inspired many students in the West to follow in his example to take ordination vows.
Schedule
| 10th March |
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5:30-6:30pm |
Registration |
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7:00 - 9:00pm |
Initiation |
Fees
The commuter fee is a sliding scale of $25 to $45 for the initiation. Overnight stays will only be offered if necessary. Please contact the office to arrange an overnight stay.
"When there are enough funds, it is easier for the mind to practice the unselfish way of thinking and to develop an attitude of generosity to others."
—Lillian Too in The Buddha Book
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Cancellation
Policy
A position for Course
Manager Scholarship might still be available for this
course. Click here for more
information.
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