Chenrezig - Buddha of Compassion - Meditation Retreat on the Buddha's Birthday

Geshe Kalsang Rapgyal 

Saturday, May 21, 10:30am to 5:00pm

We invite you to this special Buddha of Compassion meditation retreat marking the birthday and day of enlightenment of Buddha Shakyamuni (Saka Dawa).

Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) is the Bodhisattva of Compassion.  A bodhisattva is an enlightened being who has decided to delay becoming a fully enlightened Buddha and who lives in a compassionate spirit life for the sake of all beings. With a mantra, Om mani padme hum! (Hail the jewel in the lotus), the bodhisattva tirelessly attempts to deliver all beings from suffering. Chenrezig appears in many different forms to assist suffering beings.

Tibetans believe that Chenrezig, as a disciple of the Buddha, made a vow of compassion to free the Tibetan peoples from their violent ways.  He is the patron of Tibet. The Tibetan people claim descent from Chenrezig.  He has been identified with the Tibetan emperor Songtsen Gampo (617-698 C.E.) and with the successive lineage of Dalai Lamas. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the current incarnation of Chenrezig.

Compassion is the most important religious practice. For Tibetan Buddhists, compassion is sensitivity to the sufferings of others and attempt to relieve suffering. It is the realization that we (human beings, animals, and the earth itself) are all interconnected. Love and compassion are the true signs revealing the presence of Chenrezig. The Buddha is an example of compassion, for he taught human beings the way to freedom.

Join us for this opportunity to deepen your practice when Geshe Kalsang Rapgyal offers this special retreat at DGCEC.  There will be four teaching/practice sessions with breaks between.

Registration required

SPECIAL SAKA DAWA COST: $25

This fee provides a delicious lunch as well as helping us support the expenses of our center 

Partial scholarships are available.  To make your request, please email DrepungGomangCompassion@gmail.com.