Karma Pakshi Retreat

Short Retreat in Malaysia - 18-21 June 2004

Introduction and Benefit

The Karmapa is the embodiment of the abilities and wisdom of all the Buddhas that appear in a form of Guru to lead countless sentient beings to liberation. The name Karmapa symbolizes the activities of all Buddhas and Karmapa hold that responsibilities of all Buddhas to save all sentient beings from the sufferings. Karma Pakshi ( 1024 - 1283 ) was the first tulku ever to be recognized and second in line of the Karmapa. He attained mastery of the tantric teachings and was considered the embodiment of the highest expression of Mahamudra wisdom. His renown was such that he was invited to the imperial court of China, where he became the guru to the emperor Kublai Khan, who bestowed on him the Chinese title of Pakshi "highest spiritual leader".

The main body of the Sadhana was composed by Vidhyadhara Mingyur Doje in his pure vision of the Mandala of Karma Pakshi. While practising the protector Mahakala Bernagchen, Oceans of Mandala vividly appeared in the purest vision to him. From that vision, the central figure of the Mandala was Karma Pakshi, who then bestowed on him all the instructions and blessings of this Mandala's practice. In the Karma Pakshi Mandala of vast space, at the center is Mahasiddha Karma Pakshi, on top is Guru Rinpoche, behind is Rechung Dorje Drakpa, to the right is Hayagriva, on the left is Vajrayogini and in front is Mahakala Bernagchen.

Since then, the visionary method of Karma Pakshi practice becomes very important to Karma Kagyu as well as some lineages of the Nyingmapa. It is also taught in every retreat centres of Karma Kagyu and compulsory for retreat Lamas to complete this retreat before proceeding to the next practice. It is also a daily practice of all the Karma Kagyu Lamas as a form of Guru yoga together with the Yidam and Protector practices in one.

For the followers of the great Kagyu tradition, Mahamudra realization is very much dependant on the perfection of Guru devotion and the true devotion can be developed by the person who practises Guru yoga regularly and who knows that the Guru is the union and embodiment of all the enlightened ones. This method of practice will enable us to understand and eventually realize the ultimate state of Guru.

During this short retreat, Shangpa Rinpoche will give instruction on how effectively one can practise Guru yoga and procedure of the practice. There will be group practice and discussion to complete the understanding of this practice. At the end of this retreat, everyone will perform a Karma Pakshi Guru yoga along with great Tsog (feast ) offering and at the same time make a strong aspiration to accomplish the state of Guru within a life time.

Practising regularly the visionary Karma Pakshi Guru yoga, one will receive immeasurable blessings that eliminate all the outer and inner karmic forces and accumulate merits and wisdom to create every favorable causes of happiness and ultimately the realization of Great Mahamudra.

Images from the Retreat - 25 June 2004

We are happy to present these images from the Retreat, which we've just received ...

Report from the Retreat - 20 July 2004

A devotee attending the retreat has kindly sent us this report ...

The sounds of bells and drums drifts out of the conference room within a hilly resort area, set in the middle of Peninsula Malaysia. The sounds were of the Puja which began the day. Later on, Shangpa Rinpoche would give the Karma Pakshi initiation, oral transmission and empowerment to the disciples and attendees of the retreat. Thus it's the beginning of the 2 days Karma Pakshi Guru Yoga retreat.

With the blessing of Karmapa, compassionate Shangpa Rinpoche and lamas, this retreat was a very successful event. Held in a wonderfully peaceful environment, it was a perfect place for the devoted devotee to take themselves out of their busy daily routine and listen to the wonderful teachings and practice on the 2nd Karmapa.

This 2 days retreat was a condensed version of retreat, but it nevertheless was a great opportunity for us to receive such teachings and practice, so that we could as a result strengthen our karmic link with our guru and lineage. Each day was divided into 4 sessions, and made up of teachings, chanting and practice of meditation and visualization, Mahakala Puja and ending with Tsog offering. It was a very serious retreat, and we observed the noble silence during the sessions, and held the 5 precepts during the course of retreat. From the silence, we observed the seriousness of each practitioner, the lighting on the shrine, light flickering and fragrant incense smell climbing over the 2nd Karmapa Thangka, like we can almost sense the presence of Karma Pakshi himself.

As we all learnt from the introduction and the benefit of practicing Karma Pakshi Guru Yoga session, it's most wonderful that we are receiving such teachings which enable us to practice it daily. For most of us who do Deity practices or the Four Foundations practices, Karma Pakshi practice is a very powerful Guru Yoga practice that encompasses lineage Yidams and Protectors. I believe we must have very good karma in order to encounter this practice in this life, and to be able to start to practice it daily. Nevertheless, I must say, this is not an easy practice, with the complexity of its visualizations, and other factors. But for myself, it's the highlight of the retreat, trying to visualizing the various siddhas and deities, in colorful and peaceful scenes.

Besides practice, the retreat is also a time for friends to come back together, as the attendees are drawn from many different places, especially Kagyu centres in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kedah. Friends from a distance are taking the opportunity to talk about 'the good old times', and to exchange practice experiences. In between there were conversations with Shangpa Rinpoche, Lama Tenrub and Lama Khendup with some wonderful and funny stories and anecdotes. Not forgetting to mention the many hard working organizers from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur that made this retreat a success. They were the silent workers of the retreat that ensured the smooth proceeding and comfort of the retreat.

The retreat was a very wonderful and successful Dharma event, from which I hope many will bring back the practice seed that will further benefit other sentient beings by practicing daily. Even though it's a relatively short retreat which only lasted 2 days (without the traveling), it has brought many great benefits to us. I sincerely hope that good conditions prevail for everyone so they may attend longer retreat periods in the future. I pray for Rinpoche's good health that he will continue to propagate the teaching of the Dharma, and have many future opportunities to organize such retreats.

 

By Dawa Namgyal.
A disciple of Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche

Dawa Namgyal can be reached via email : Dawa Namgyal

 

Programme

Monday - 18.06.04
10.00 am	Report at KKBC
10.15 am	Bus Leave KKBC
3.00 pm	Arrival at Resort, Allocation of Rooms and Briefing
	Set up
	Rest
Saturday - 19.06.04
7.00 am	Breakfast
8.00 am	1st Session ( Oral Transmission / Teaching )
10.00 am	Break
10.30 am	2nd Session
12.30 pm	Lunch & Rest
2.30 pm	3rd Session
4.30 pm	Break
5.00 pm	Dinner / Rest / Self practice
8.00-10.00 pm	4th Session
Sunday - 20.06.04
7.00 am	Breakfast
8.00 am	5th Session
10.00 am	Break
10.30 am	6th Session
12.30 pm	Lunch & Rest
2.30 pm	7th Session
4.30 pm	Break
5.00 pm	Mahakala Puja
6.00 pm	Dinner / Rest / Self practice
8.00-10.00 pm	Karma Pakshi Tsog Offering
Monday - 21.06.04
7.00 am	Breakfast
8.00 am	Check out from resort / Free & Easy Tour (Genting)
2.00 pm	Leave Genting
9.00 pm	Arrive back in Singapore

Prayers, teachings and discussion were conducted and led by Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche.

Retreat jointly organized by: Karma Kagyu Centres in Singapore and Malaysia

Location of Retreat

Selesa Hill Homes and Golf Resort
Bukit Tinggi 28750 Bentung,
Pahang Darul Makmur.
Tel : 09-2330039/42
Fax : 09-2330066

Email : Shangpa Rinpoche

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