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Losar: Lama Yeshe Celebration (in person and online)

Elaine Jackson

March 8, 2025

Please join Elaine Jackson and Vajrapani Community Members in person or online for a Losar celebration to commemorate the Tibetan New Year and the anniversary of Lama Yeshe’s passing into Parinirvana. This event will begin with a Vajrasattva Tsog followed by a slideshow and storytelling by community members. There will also be a community lunch for those attending in person.

 

Lama Thubten Yeshe (1935-1984) was a beloved Tibetan Buddhist master who played a vital role in bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West in the 1970s and 1980s. One of the first Tibetan lamas to teach in the West, he co-founded the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, creating a global network of centers that continue to inspire people of all backgrounds.

 

With a compassionate nature and delightful sense of humor, Lama Yeshe was known for his ability to present complex Buddhist philosophy in a clear and engaging way, making the teachings accessible to Western students. Lama Yeshe had a joyful and lively demeanor, making him highly approachable, and he inspired many Westerners to take up Buddhist practice. Lama made profound Buddhist teachings accessible and engaging.

 

Though he passed away in 1984, his legacy of wisdom and love lives on through his teachings, books, and the many centers he established, including our precious Vajrapani Institute. Lama’s holy body was cremated at Vajrapani Institute, and his cremation Stupa sits on Lama’s ridge for visitors to honor Lama’s profound contributions to his students and all sentient beings.

 

Online Only Registration Here 

 

Schedule of Events (bolded will be on Zoom and in person)

9:30 AM In-person attendees arrive

10:00 AM Vajrasattva Tsog

11:00 AM Lama Yeshe Stories and Slideshow

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Songs with George Galt 

12:30 Community Lunch

2:00 Departure

 

Kopan West Attendees

For those attending the Kopan West Retreat with Don Handrick also starting March 8th, you are welcome to come early to attend this beautiful celebration of Losar and Lama Yeshe. Check-in time will be 3-5 pm for the retreat but you are welcome to explore the Vajrapani grounds after lunch until this time. Registration is required to attend. 

 

What is Losar? 

Losar is the start of the Tibetan New Year and the first two weeks in particular commemorate the time when the Buddha, challenged by someone to a duel of mystical powers, uncharacteristically displayed his power by performing a number of miracles for the benefit of those present in danger of being misled by his challenger.  At the end of the two week period,  all those present had converted to the practices taught by the Buddha.

 

Any actions done during this two-week period, for better or worse are multiplied in their power.  It is a very powerful time to practice and increase our commitments to practice and study, to use this beneficial time to assist in our personal evolution towards enlightenment, for the benefit of all beings. All fifteen days are merit-multiplying days, when the merit of virtuous actions performed on these days is multiplied by 100 million, according to the vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic.

 

For the FPMT organization, Losar is a special time as it commemorates the anniversary of FPMT founder Lama Yeshe’s parinirvana at dawn of Losar in 1984. This Losar marks forty-one years since the passing away of Lama Yeshe. Here is a short Tibetan text translated and commented on by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Advice for the Anniversary of the Guru’s Passing Away. This text explains the importance of making offerings on the anniversary of the passing away of one’s guru and can be integrated into Losar practices.

 

 

About Vajrapani Institute

Vajrapani Institute for Wisdom Culture was one of the first Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centers in America.  Vajrapani aims to provide a friendly and conducive environment for people of all nationalities to learn, put into practice the teachings of the Buddha, and connect with other Dharma practitioners.  Located on 70 acres of secluded land within the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz mountains, Vajrapani Institute has been an immersive space for people of all backgrounds to find and deepen their spiritual practices, with the main goal of bridging the gap between the head and heart of the practice.

 

Teacher

Elaine Jackson
Elaine Jackson is a founding member of Vajrapani Institute and has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism since 1977. She has studied with many of the greatest Buddhist teachers of our time including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Thubten Yeshe, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche and many others too numerous to list. Elaine is known for the warmth and humor with which she teaches. In particular, she loves sharing the wealth of practical insights she has gained from her years of retreat and service within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Elaine served as Executive Director of Vajrapani Institute…
Learn more about Elaine Jackson