Festival of
Sacred Space
August 22-26
Schedule
Wednesday, August 22nd
9am – Doors Open
Mandala Construction Begins
Mandala Construction Begins
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
6:30-8:30pm
Evening Program
Sacred Space: A Teaching on the Meaning and Purpose of Mandala
Lama Karma
Suggested Donation $20
This evening talk will feature a discussion on the symbolism and practice of mandalas in the Vajrayāna. A maṇḍala is an experiential representation of totality. They are classrooms of awareness that function as a path to realizing the sacred nature of both self and other, and they are also expressions of that nature, the compassionate manifestation of the activity of buddha nature. Join us for an experiential exploration of the maṇḍala principle to set the stage for the remaining days of the “Festival of Sacred Space.
Thursday, August 23th
9am-4pm
7:00pm
Evening Program
Mandala Construction continues
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Donations to support the monks and center are appreciated
Chanting Practice of Chenrezig
Bodhisattva of Compassion
Led by Lama Karma and Lama Sonam
Chenrezig is the central Buddha of the sand maṇḍala. Join us for a guided group practice to explore this unique sacred space.
Friday, August 24th
9am-5pm
Mandala Construction continues
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
7:00pm
Evening Program, Special Sound Meditation
Sound Mandala – SOLD OUT
with Karina Koloch
Cost: $30
Full Description and Registration: https://lotuslightcenter.org/2018/07/sound-mandala-meditation/
Space is Limited. RSVP REQUIRED
Saturday, August 25th
9am-4pm
11am-2pm
Mandala Construction
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Children’s Program
Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/2277927915762211/
6:00pm
Evening Program
MAIN EVENT: Chenrezig Empowerment—Khenpo Chöpal
Suggested Donation: $20
After an incredible amount of preparatory work by the Lamas, the sand maṇḍala will be ready to serve as an appropriate vessel for the blessings of Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The sand maṇḍala serves as a substantial support for the insubstantial presence of wisdom, and in this sacred transmission, Khenpo Chöpal will confer the blessing empowerment of the maṇḍala. The event is open to the public.
Space is Limited. RSVP REQUIRED
Sunday, August 26th
10am-12pm and 2-3:30pm
Group Program
10am-12pm
Sacred Activism Panel
Closing
Join us for the group practice of Chenrezig, cultivating the qualities of boundless wisdom and compassion.
In addition to the accumulation of the mantra, we will also do the interpersonal practice of the “Truth Maṇḍala” developed by Johanna Macy, which is a powerful way to honor our personal and collective pain, and to bring the resources of wisdom and compassion into the world.
https://workthatreconnects.org/truth-mandala/
TBD
The second period of practice will conclude with the dissolution of the maṇḍala in which the grains of sand are swept together, gathering the blessings of the practice and dissolving any fixation. The sands will then be carried to Ijams Nature Center to be placed into the Tennessee River, carrying the prayers and blessings out into the world for the benefit of all.
Meet the Lamas
The Venerable Khenpo Choephel is originally from Drigung Thil Monastery, the head-monastery of the Drikung Kagyu lineage. Before he left Drikung Thil for Nepal, Khenpo Rinpoche served as the chant-master of the monastery. In 2007, he was appointed “Khenpo” by Drikung Thil Monastery. Khenpo has been in the United States since 2007. He has served as one of the three spiritual directors at Tibetan Meditation Center in Frederick, Maryland before coming to Pittsburgh in November 2011. Khenpo is currently the spiritual director of Three Rivers Tibetan Cultural Center in Pittsburgh. Khenpo Choephel is giving a series of teachings and leading the retreats on the Fivefold Path of Mahamudra, which he considers as the most important profound practice and essence of all the dharma of Buddhism.
Venerable Lama Konchok Sonam is the Spiritual Director of the Drikung Meditation Center in Boston. Born in Lhasa, Tibet, Lama Sonam began his Buddhist training when young within the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. At the age of 18, Lama Sonam took full ordination and became a monk (Gelong). Lama Sonam then went on to complete a retreat on Ngondro (Common and Extraordinary Preliminaries) and the Five-Fold Path of Mahamudra under H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche and Gelong Yeshe.
On June 9, 2003, Lama Sonam arrived in Boston to be the Resident Lama at the Drikung Meditation Center. Lama Sonam has shown himself to be expert in both the theoretical and practical aspects of training the mind through meditation and Vajrayana methods for awakening our Buddha Nature.
Resources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOQHk24GDL0