With great pleasure we welcome Venerable Choden Rinpoche, one of the greatest lamas of our time, back to Kurukulla Center. "Mahamudra" is a Sanskrit word meaning "great seal" and refers to the nature of all phenomena. It also refers to the sophisticated Buddhist systems of meditation and practice to realize the nature of reality. The distinctive characteristic of these methods is to see this nature by focusing on mind itself and discovering the relationship between mind and reality. Rinpoche will be teaching from a text by the First Panchen Lama, Lozang-chokyi-gyeltsen, "A Root Text for the Precious Gelug-Kagyu Tradition of Mahamudra." Born in 1933 in eastern Tibet, Choden Rinpoche was recognized at age three as the reincarnation of the previous Choden Rinpoche, who had been a candidate for the Twelfth Dalai Lama. At eight he entered Rabten Monastery, and at fifteen he went to Sera Je Monastery near Lhasa. Choden Rinpoche was one of the two Sera Je lamas selected to debate with the Dalai Lama during His Holiness's geshe exams. Following the Communist Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1959, Choden Rinpoche stayed on in Tibet, going into solitary retreat for nineteen years. He never left his tiny, dark room in Lhasa from 1965 to 1985, pretending to be an invalid and thereby avoiding the ravages of the Cultural Revolution. All the while, without texts, ritual implements, or an altar, he meditated, profoundly deepening his realizations of Buddhism's core insights. In 1985 he was allowed to leave Tibet for India, where he has since taught thousands of students at Sera Je Monastery in South India. Regarded as one of the foremost experts on the Vinaya (the monastic discipline), Rinpoche has inspired many Tibetans and Westerners to ordain. In 2007, Rinpoche founded Ananda Dharma Center located in San Jose, California where he resides when he is not traveling and teaching.
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Aug 29, 2010 Listen or Download Aug 27, 2010 Listen or Download
With great pleasure we welcome Venerable Choden Rinpoche, one of the greatest lamas of our time, back to Kurukulla Center. The near completion of the Kalachakra stupa in the backyard of Kurukulla Center gives pause—what is its purpose and who can it benefit? This afternoon Rinpoche addresses this question and formally consecrates the stupa. Born in 1933 in eastern Tibet, Choden Rinpoche was recognized at age three as the reincarnation of the previous Choden Rinpoche, who had been a candidate for the Twelfth Dalai Lama. At eight he entered Rabten Monastery, and at fifteen he went to Sera Je Monastery near Lhasa. Choden Rinpoche was one of the two Sera Je lamas selected to debate with the Dalai Lama during His Holiness's geshe exams. Following the Communist Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1959, Choden Rinpoche stayed on in Tibet, going into solitary retreat for nineteen years. He never left his tiny, dark room in Lhasa from 1965 to 1985, pretending to be an invalid and thereby avoiding the ravages of the Cultural Revolution. All the while, without texts, ritual implements, or an altar, he meditated, profoundly deepening his realizations of Buddhism's core insights. In 1985 he was allowed to leave Tibet for India, where he has since taught thousands of students at Sera Je Monastery in South India. Regarded as one of the foremost experts on the Vinaya (the monastic discipline), Rinpoche has inspired many Tibetans and Westerners to ordain. In 2007, Rinpoche founded Ananda Dharma Center located in San Jose, California where he resides when he is not traveling and teaching.
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Aug 28, 2010 Listen or Download
With great pleasure we welcome Venerable Choden Rinpoche, one of the greatest lamas of our time, back to Kurukulla Center. "Om Mani Padme Hum." These six syllables are recited daily by many Buddhist practitioners. Although the mantra is concise, the meaning is said to be comprehensive. Tonight we hear Rinpoche’s explanation. Born in 1933 in eastern Tibet, Choden Rinpoche was recognized at age three as the reincarnation of the previous Choden Rinpoche, who had been a candidate for the Twelfth Dalai Lama. At eight he entered Rabten Monastery, and at fifteen he went to Sera Je Monastery near Lhasa. Choden Rinpoche was one of the two Sera Je lamas selected to debate with the Dalai Lama during His Holiness's geshe exams. Following the Communist Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1959, Choden Rinpoche stayed on in Tibet, going into solitary retreat for nineteen years. He never left his tiny, dark room in Lhasa from 1965 to 1985, pretending to be an invalid and thereby avoiding the ravages of the Cultural Revolution. All the while, without texts, ritual implements, or an altar, he meditated, profoundly deepening his realizations of Buddhism's core insights. In 1985 he was allowed to leave Tibet for India, where he has since taught thousands of students at Sera Je Monastery in South India. Regarded as one of the foremost experts on the Vinaya (the monastic discipline), Rinpoche has inspired many Tibetans and Westerners to ordain. In 2007, Rinpoche founded Ananda Dharma Center located in San Jose, California where he resides when he is not traveling and teaching.
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Aug 26, 2010 Listen or Download
Special Visit Fall 2004
Kurukulla Center is honored to welcome Venerable Choden Rinpoche
for a series of teachings in November 2004. Rinpoche will teach on Atisha's
A Lamp for the Path and give a Yamantaka and Kurukulla Empowerment.
November 7, 2004
November 8, 2004 (Note: Beginning 30 minutes of audio of translator on 11/8/04 recording is poor.)
November 10, 2004
November 12, 2004
November 13, 2004
Special Visit Fall 2005
Lines of Experience
The Lines of Experience, a Lamrim prayer written in 25 verses by Lama
Tsongkhapa, one of the most eminent scholar and practitioners in Buddhist
history, is introduced and discussed by Ven. Choden Rinpoche, himself
an eminent scholar-practitioner. This very personal prayer speaks of
the practices Je Tsongkhapa followed and the view he cultivated to
become closer to liberation. This is an excellent introduction to the
path to enlightenment texts for newer students and an excellent opportunity
for more experienced students to review the points of the path.
Oral Transmission of Two Dharma Treatises: The Ornament
of Clear Realizations and Seventy Topics
Tonight Venerable Choden Rinpoche continues the respected Buddhist tradition
of formally passing on the teachings from teacher to disciple. Rinpoche
recites the texts in Tibetan and in so doing secures the survival of
the lineage from the time of Shakyamuni Buddha up to the present. For
much of this year, Geshe Tsulga has been teaching these texts so we are
very fortunate to receive the blessing of the lineage from this great
guru and lineage holder. Prior to imparting the oral transmission, Rinpoche
will give an explanatory talk.
Oral Transmission of Two Puja Texts: The Guru Puja & Medicine
Buddha Puja
We regularly perform these two pujas at Kurukulla Center. By receiving
these transmissions, our practice of them will be great enhanced. The
oral transmissions will be prefaced by an explanatory talk.
Special Visit Spring 2007
Seven Point Mind Training
Kadampa Geshe Chekawa's Seven-Point Mind Training is the main Tibetan
source for the genre of teachings generally known as
"mind training." Although all the Buddha's teachings were meant
for training the mind, the connotation of mind training is the development
of bodhicitta, the determination to reach enlightenment for the sake
of all sentient beings.
Rinpoche will give commentary on this great mind transformation or "lo.jong" text which can be found here.
Based on two famous lines from Nagarjuna's Precious Garland, "May the negativity and suffering of others ripen on me and may all my virtue and happiness ripen on them," these teachings give clear practical instruction in overcoming self-cherishing - the main hindrance to enlightenment - and transforming problems into happiness.
April 13, 2007 - Seven-Point Mind Training
April 14, 2007 - Seven-Point Mind Training
April 15, 2007 - Praise To Shakyamuni Buddha
April 17, 2007 - LamRim Prayer
April 18, 2007 - LamRim Prayer
April 20, 2007 - LamRim Prayer
April 22, 2007 - Namgyalma Long Life Empowerment
