With great delight, we look forward to welcoming our most precious Spiritual Director and Guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, back to Amitabha Buddhist Centre and to having the company of our members, students and friends from near and far for a meaningful and event-packed programme.

Here's what's in store during Rinpoche's visit at ABC

13 September, Thursday, 7 pm

It has been 18 years since the idea of having a Chenresig statue on ABC's altar was planted by our precious guru, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Over the past few years, the Thousand-Arm Chenresig statue has been meticulously produced and installed by a team led by artists Denise and Peter Griffin, and the gold crown for the statue has also been cast. Join us in witnessing the final culmination - the crowning of Thousand-Arm Chenresig led by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Find out more about the development of the Thousand-Arm Chenresig statue by watching this series of video created by ABC's Venerable Tenzin Tsultrim.

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6

 

15 - 16 September, Saturday and Sunday, 3 pm
22 - 23 September, Saturday and Sunday, 3 pm
29 September, Saturday, 3 pm

Lama Zopa Rinpoche will be giving a commentary on the Lama Chöpa (Guru Puja) practice. There are pre-requisites and commitments required in order to receive this commentary. Those with an interest in receiving the commentary should read and understand the requirements explained below. Registration is compulsory.

A total of five days over three weekends has been scheduled for this commentary.

Prerequisites for Commentary

Those who wish to receive the Lama Chöpa commentary must fulfil all the following prerequisites:

• Have already received a great initiation of highest yoga tantra, such as Heruka Chakrasamvara, Guhyasamaja or Yamantaka.
• Have faith in and respect for the Guru.
• Have faith in Buddhist tantra.
• Not be a practitioner of Shugden / Dolgyal.
• Keep the lifetime practice commitments stated below.

Lifetime Practice Commitments

The lifetime commitments for receiving the commentary are:

• To do the Lama Chöpa every day, or if that is difficult, to do the Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga every day.
• To practice any other commitments that Lama Zopa Rinpoche may give during the commentary.

REGISTRATION FOR LAMA CHÖPA COMMENTARY

Registration is COMPULSORY for all who wish to receive the Lama Chöpa commentary.

For online registration, please visit this link. Alternatively, you may register in person by visiting and filling in the registration form at the Amitabha Buddhist Centre office. Registration will close on 1 September 18.

All applicants will receive an e-mail reply from ABC concerning the status of their registration.

19 September, Wednesday, 7.30 pm

In Mahayana thought transformation, also called "mind training," you use whatever problems you experience to generate the realizations along the path to enlightenment within your mind. Instead of disturbing you, problems can actually help you develop your mind and even further your progress on the path to enlightenment. Without practicing thought transformation, you will be unable to complete your Dharma practice, your inner mental development.

– Lama Zopa Rinpoche – From Transforming Problems into Happiness

Lama Zopa Rinpoche will be giving a teaching on Mind Training (Tib: lojong) over two evenings, 19 and 26 September 2018. All members and students are invited to join us.

26 September, Wednesday, 7.30 pm

We are pleased to announce that Lama Zopa Rinpoche would be conferring the Amitabha Obtaining the Pure Land Initiation.

Who Can Attend:
All are welcome to attend.

Commitment
The life time daily practice commitment for all attendants is to recite the following verse followed by one mala of the Amitabha mantra (“Om Ami Dewa Hrih”)

“I prostrate to the Tatagatha Infinite Light Buddha

I prostrate to the saviour Amitabha Om Ami Dewa Hrih.

May I be born in the Pure Land of Sukhavati.”

Please note that on the day of the initiation, one should keep to a vegetarian diet as well as avoid the consumption of black foods such as eggs, onions, garlic and radish.

We have compiled a list of guidelines on "Introduction to Lama Zopa Rinpoche's Teachings".

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has taught the Dharma for over 40 years across the globe to thousands of people and is highly appreciated for his special and unique qualities. Here is helpful advice for new students, or who are receiving teachings from Rinpoche for the first time, on how to receive the most benefit from attending his teachings:

• When Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaches, it is out of the purest motivation to offer the highest benefit to the students, by patiently taking all the time and effort necessary to give the great gift of the Dharma. Therefore, Rinpoche is known to not follow the conventions of teaching according to the text at hand, nor to heed the constraints of the clock. Rather, Rinpoche often teaches to suit the karmic propensities of his audience and goes to great lengths to ensure that what is most beneficial is taught. With this in mind, it is best to be free of any expectations while listening to the teachings.


• Although Rinpoche teaches in English, those new to Rinpoche’s teachings may have initial difficulties in understanding his speech. To ensure that Rinpoche is well understood, the teachings will be simultaneously transcribed in English and broadcast onto several television screens for easy viewing.


• Rinpoche's teachings and initiations usually run into late hours, and even until the next morning. Whenever possible, plan your schedule in advance with the objective of being physically and mentally present at all teaching sessions.


• Be prepared to be flexible with any changes that may occur in the programme if and when Rinpoche deems necessary. As a fully qualified teacher, Rinpoche may sometimes modify the teaching schedule at very short notice. Should there be unforeseen changes, it is helpful to remember the teachings on impermanence.


• Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings are open to the public. We further expect students from all over the world, both ordained and lay, to attend. We look forward to extending a warm welcome to all visitors, including our Dharma brothers and sisters in the FPMT family. New students may wish to seize the opportunity to get to know more about the FPMT community through our visitors, while our guests have a similar opportunity to learn more about Amitabha Buddhist Centre during their visit.


• As there will be several opportunities to greet and welcome Rinpoche throughout his visit, students who will be receiving teachings from Rinpoche for the very first time are encouraged to join in the reception and to offer the traditional khatag to Rinpoche to create an auspicious connection.

To receive news and updates from Amitabha Buddhist Centre, click on Subscribe to E-mail at the top right corner of your screen.