Land of Medicine Buddha is a Tibetan Buddhist Center offering teachings, classes, workshops and retreats on Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice. Within Tibetan Buddhism we practice in the Gelugpa tradition following His Holiness the Dalai Lama and we are affiliated with the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition).
We regularly offer classes & study programs, meditation sessions, guided retreats, practice programs, pujas, festivals, host visiting Tibetan Buddhist Lamas and hold other special events. The classes are open to the public. Some courses are held weekly, some are weekend retreats and some are one time lectures. The Medicine Buddha Puja and sitting meditation are practiced regularly. Whatever your spiritual need is you are likely to find answers here.
Land of Medicine Buddha is a Tibetan Buddhist Center. Based on the principles taught by our spiritual guides, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, we aspire to offer the complete teachings on how to develop the mind to its fullest potential.
This is achieved by learning how to develop a good heart, to live our life with a deep respect for others and ourselves, abandoning actions which harm oneself and others, observing the practice of karma, and providing education in compassion and wisdom. Living life in this way brings real peace and happiness to oneself and others. It is a real contribution to world peace. We also seek to provide the tools for those wishing to attain liberation and enlightenment. To this end, we offer a wide spectrum of programs for students of all levels of experience and interest.
Land of Medicine Buddha offers a wide spectrum of classes to suit all levels of interest. We offer classes on both Buddhist philosophy and practice. Our courses are designed with the motivation to offer some understanding of our present life situation, how to live our life in a meaningful and satisfying way, and ways of practice and study to prepare for a happy future lives and ultimately, liberation and enlightenment.
Our uniqueness lies in the openness and breath of presenting the Dharma, and the detail and depth of instruction. We provide opportunities for the practice of accumulation of merit and purification, and offer experiential lam rim teachings. An overview of our classes is as follows:
General / Introductory:
These are for anyone who is interested in Buddhism. They introduce the essence of Buddhist ideas, how they are applicable to this 21st century and how Buddhist principles can be useful in our daily lives.
Meditation:
Teaches the fundamentals of Buddhist meditation, and gives you the tools you need to both begin a daily meditation practice and to deal with problems and difficulties once you have started to meditate. Suitable for both beginning and ongoing students.
Discovering Buddhism:
Designed for new and continuing students to provide a basic foundation for the Buddhist Mahayana Path.
Beyond Introductory:
For students who wish to progress beyond introductory level courses. Includes Basic Program classes.
Annual Thankga Festival Days:
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has encouraged as part of the Vast Visions for FPMT to support, create and display large thangkas, and to host thangka festival days where many people can gather to enjoy the beauty and power of the holy artwork, and participate in making offerings and other virtuous activities.
At Land of Medicine Buddha, we hold two such events annually. We warmly invite you to join us in the celebration of Medicine Buddha and Ksitigarbha Festival Days! It is traditional for thankgas to be used in ceremonial procession in Tibet. Some huge thangkas, as large as two or more storeys high, were brought out for display once a year on a special occasion combined with a festival.
"May the precious mind of loving kindness, compassion and Bodhicitta be generated in the minds of all beings immediately. May all the FPMT projects pacify war, famine, sickness, quarreling, fighting, and harm from the four elements, thereby may all beings always enjoy perfect peace, happiness and prosperity." - Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Medicine Buddha Puja:
Medicine Buddha is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings. Prayers to Medicine Buddha are especially powerful because of the extensive prayers they took to benefit sentient beings. They strongly prayed for the temporal and ultimate happiness of all sentient beings; they vowed that their prayers would be actualized during these times.
Chittamani Tara Puja (
Usually performed on the 8th of the Tibetan Calendar):
Tara (the Liberator) is a Buddha in female form who represents in particular all enlightened beings' skilful activities. Contemplating Tara brings quick results in whatever we want and need – the ultimate happiness of enlightenment, (known as the Mother of all Buddhas, she awakens and helps fulfill our potential to attain enlightenment) ; and also helps bring temporal benefits of this life relating to work, business, family, relationships etc. Through Tara practice, you can obtain any happiness in this life that you wish. You are welcome to bring offerings of flowers and fruits.
Vajrasattva Purification Practice and Tsog (Usually performed on the 10th of the Tibetan Calendar):
A Short Vajrasattva Meditation: Purification with the Four Opponent Powers by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Heruka Vajrasattva Tsog Offering: A Banquet of the Greatly Blissful Circle of Pure Offerings - An Antidote to the Vajra Hells by Lama Yeshe
A Refreshing Shower for our Energetic Body
A powerful purification practice
The yoga method of Vajrasattva has the power to purify all negative energy, which is the main thing preventing you from actualizing the path. This impure energy creates both physical and mental hindrances, and also leaves certain imprints. Purification practice overcomes the hindrances of both negative energy and its imprints.
Wisdom overcomes Ignorance
The moment the sun rises, the darkness of the night vanishes automatically. Similarly, when the light of wisdom appears in your mind, the dark shadow of ignorance naturally disappears. Whenever you are depressed, anxious or afraid, your view of the world becomes more distorted than ever, and your wrong conceptions multiply. Whenever your confused, dissatisfied mind arises, you become foggy and unclear. Therefore it is highly beneficial to practice such a powerful tantric method such as Vajrasattva, which facilitates the growth of wisdom in your mind. - Lama Yeshe
The practice of purification is one of the most important solutions to our problem, and is one of the most effective method in helping us to gain higher realizations.
Lama Chopa (Guru Puja) and Tsog Offering (Performed on the 25th of the Tibetan Calendar):
A beautiful, profound practice (in Tibetan and English) where we make offerings to our Spiritual Masters and the Three Jewels, requesting them to grant us blessings and inspiration. We will also make tsog offering - a commitment for those practicing Mother Tantra, which restores vows and pledges. The offerings of fruit, food and drink, which have been blessed during the puja are distributed among the participants and can be consumed by anyone who has faith in the Three Jewels.
Importance of Lama Chopa
Lama Zopa Rinpoche says in Lama Chopa:
The purpose of life is to free all sentient beings from suffering and lead them to peerless happiness, enlightenment, the cessation of all obscurations. The happiness of all sentient beings is our responsibility. But in order to work perfectly for all sentient beings, first we ourselves must reach enlightenment, and in order to do this we need to actualise the steps of the path to enlightenment, starting with guru devotion. All of this is contained in the practice of Lama Chopa, the Guru Puja, by Panchen Losang Chokyi Gyaltsen.
* Purifying obstacles - Within the Guru Puja, there are many powerful means of purification.
* Creating merit - The guru is the most powerful object for creating merit.
* Guru Devotion - guru devotion is the cause of receiving blessings in your heart. The blessings you receive are the cause of your realisations of the path to enlightenment, due to which you are able to bring temporary and ultimate happiness, liberation and the peerless happiness of enlightenment.
* Stages of the Path - we recite the prayer of the steps of the path in order to leave an imprint on our mind of the entire path to enlightenment; and we meditate on the meaning in order to train the mind in the path. The imprint is the fundamental cause of the realisations of the path, and contemplating the meaning is the actual way of transforming the mind in the way of the path.
Shakyamuni Buddha Puja (Performed on Special Buddha Days):
* Day of Miracles / offerings (February/March -15th of the 1st Tibetan month)
* Saka Dawa - Lord Shakyamuni Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana
(May/June - 5th of the 4th Tibetan month)
* First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma (July - 4th of the 6th of Tibetan month)
* Descent from the Tushita Heaven (November - 22nd of the 9th Tibetan month)
A beautiful puja whereby we set up an extensive merit field of Buddha surrounded by bodhisattvas and pay homage by recollecting the Buddha's qualities, twelve deeds and his past lives performing the bodhisattva deeds, followed by a extensive offering and the rest of the seven limb practices. This puja is recited English.
Introduction to Shakyamuni Buddha Puja
I want to introduce the Guru Shakyamuni Puja, which I found very beneficial for the mind, and especially, I thought, for developing bodhicitta and entering into the Bodhisattva deeds - the extensive, hard Bodhisattva deeds. It gives great inspiration to sacrifice oneself for sentient beings equaling the sky. And also there are offering practices and frequent seven limb practices, which are repeated again and again and which purify obstacles and accumulate merits.
So I thought it would be very good for centres to do this practice as a group on the special Buddha days, either in the early mornings or whatever time is suitable. And, if possible, one can also do the practice by taking the eight Mahayana precepts - especially the lay people.
My wish is that when one does this practice one performs the offerings as extensively as possible. This is important because it all becomes the cause of success - to be able to practise, to spread the Dharma and to have all the necessary conditions.
Whatever merit is created on the special Buddha days multiplies. The four special days of our unequaled founder Guru Shakyamuni Buddha are as follows: From the first day of the Tibetan first month until the fifteenth is the great special time of Buddha showing miracle power - such as subduing the Six Founder [mu.tegs.pa or “anti-Buddhists”] and showing miracles with the holy body in different ways on different days. Also, different devas, such as Indra and so forth, and human beings, such as King Sal.gyal, made offerings on these different days, and so forth.
In the Tibetan fourth month, the seventh day is the special day of birth [lit. “coming out”] and the fifteenth is that of conception. Around dawn on the fifteenth is the time of enlightenment. That day is also the special day of passing from sorrow.
In the Tibetan sixth month, the fourth day is the turning of the Dharma wheel. In the ninth month, on the fifteenth Buddha accepted to descend from Tushita, and the twenty-second is the actual descent.
It is mentioned in the Vinaya, in the Treasure Store of Quotation and Logic:
On these four great days, whatever great merit is accumulated increases ten million times. On the days of the solar and lunar eclipse the negative karma or merit again multiples: on the solar eclipse it becomes 100,000 times ten million [Buddha’s day is 10,000 so on special days this is further multiplied], on the lunar eclipse 70,000,000. During these great times and eclipse days whatever merit is accumulated becomes far greater.
If one accumulates merit by depending on these powerful objects, then it is so easy, and with small hardships one is able to collect great merit. This is the highest method.
Therefore, I want to ask people especially to take the eight Mahayana precepts, which is such an easy thing to do - just 24 hours and inconceivable merit with each precept. Then, to take the Bodhisattva vows, do the practice of rejoicefulness, bodhicitta meditation, prostration, Nyung-ne’s and other practices. Accumulate merit with the highest, most powerful objects - the Guru and the Buddhas - whatever one can do.
The Importance of the Guru Shakyamuni Puja
It is necessary to understand the importance of the Guru Shakyamuni Puja as well as of any practices that purify the obstacles and accumulate the necessary conditions, the merits - such as the seven limb practice and mandala offering and the practice of requesting the Merit Field - and that are done in order to receive blessings and for the mind to enter in the Graduated Path.
Lama Tzong Khapa, the Dharma King of the Three Realms, advised that:
“When one listens to the teachings, if one cannot comprehend the words: when one reflects, if one cannot understand the meaning; when one meditates, if one cannot generate the realization; when one's mental capacity is so extremely small - depend on the power of the Merit Field.”
Practising the seven limbs, purifying obscurations and accumulating merit, mixed with one's own heart, this is the method that one who has the race of the Mahayana, ripens the race - this is the quick way, the special means of eliminating the obstacles to the path. For this reason, the king Indrabhuti who became enlightened in one lifetime said in answer to the question "What should one do in order to achieve enlightenment?" “One should practise the Dharma-deeds seven limb."
The importance of the seven limbs is like that of the seven parts of a horse carriage - all seven are needed for it to function in carrying the person to the place they desire. Similarly, without the seven limbs, there is no way for the practice to carry oneself to enlightenment.
The first bhumi Bodhisattva manifests one hundred holy bodies and offers the seven limb practice to the Buddhas. Even the tenth bhumi Bodhisattva offers prostrations and so forth - the seven limb practice - to the Buddhas equaling the inexpressible number of atoms. So thinking that "I who can meditate do not need this seven practice" even just thinking this way yourself or leading others to think in this way, talking like this without being able to see even just the least important point of the path - this is leading oneself and others on the wrong path.
Even the tenth bhumi Bodhisattva does this great, powerful accumulation of merit with numberless holy bodies. So if we, who only have one weak body, with this body, in this short lifetime which is just a moment, don't do even the small amount of purification and accumulation of merit that we can do, then it is extremely foolish.
It is said by Lama Tzong Khapa in the Great Lam-rim:
“From the holy Merit Field one receives all the collections of good for this life and future lives, and it is here that one can plant the seed of all happiness and goodness unceasingly in all the four times. May I be able to cultivate this Field of Merit with the spade of devotion!" As it is mentioned in the sutra like this, if this does not get done, then it is an extremely great loss.
When help is badly needed because one is overwhelmed by thick karmic obscurations, if one makes requests to the special Field, accumulates merits and purifies obscurations, then quickly it works in the right way.
Lama Tzong Khapa asked Manjushri what method one should attempt in order to quickly generate the realizations. Manjushri advised to meditate with the recognition of the Guru as inseparable from the deity, to make requests and to attempt to accumulate merit and purify obscurations.
One should attempt the integration of the three: the closely-taken cause of the realization, the mind transforming the object, and the path. In this way, accumulating merit and purifying obscurations ripens the mind, and by making requests one receives blessings. If one attempts to meditate on the path without having done this, then it takes an extremely long time to generate realizations. But if the mind is ripened, then the realization comes very quickly and without depending on hardship - this happens so easily like bursting ripened pus or like the ripe fruit on a tree which naturally falls to the ground and can be enjoyed.
An extract from “Creating the Causes - Special Advice on the Guru Shakyamuni Puja from Lama Zopa Rinpoche”, Mandala, No.6, April 1990.
Healthy Mind:
Classes on Buddhism - Land of Medicine Buddha offers a wide spectrum of classes to suit all levels of interest. We offer classes on both Buddhist philosophy and practice. Our courses are designed with the motivation to offer some understanding of our present life situation, how to live our life in a meaningful and satisfying way, and ways of practice and study to prepare for a happy future lives and ultimately, liberation and enlightenment.
Medicine Buddha Puja - Making offering prayers to the Medicine Buddhas is called "encompassing all the Buddhas". This means that offering the seven-limb practice is the same as offering to numberless Buddhas, bringing numberless, inconceivable merit like the limitless sky!
Healing in the Redwoods - Woman Support group for those with chronic illness and cancer.
Healthy Body:
Massage - Relax and reinvigorate with a blissful massage from one of our certified massage therapists.
Yoga with Amey - Tuesdays from 5.15 – 6.30pm. Classes generally include yogic philosophy, breath exercises, flowing sun salutations, and static postures held for strength and flexibility. Students new to yoga are always welcome and will not be encouraged to push past their limits.
Qigong with Breige - Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese healing art that has been used for centuries to balance ones internal body energy and to promote good health. This method of internal energy work is a fantastic and easy practice that brings physical happiness, mental calm and a general since of well-being.
Elderhostel:
Land of Medicine Buddha is one of the sponsors of the Elderhostel. As a participating center, we offer unique courses that heal the body, mind and spirit. These include a variety of healing modalities such as qi-gong, aromatherapy, massage, acupressure, yoga, herbology, vegetarian cuisine, healthy food choices, meditation and Buddhist philosophy.
The Elderhostel Programs are specifically designed for people who share a love of learning. Hostellers come from different states, from every walk of life, every type of background to learn together, to exchange ideas. The programs are open to anyone who is age 55 or over. Couples or singles are welcome. The Elderhostel participants may bring accompanying friends, sons or daughters who are under 55 as well.
What participants say:
"I was amazed at the richness of the programs and the expertise of the Instructors."
"I loved it!!! Thank you for providing this program."
"Wonderful programs, teachers and responsive, sensitive leadership. It more than surpassed my wildest dreams."
"A pleasure and a blessing."
"I could not believe that I encountered something that would transform my life at 70 years of age."
"Our Instructor is an inspiring human being."
"It was a super vacation to start off my teaching again."
"The Instructor has a lovely manner and way of teaching."
"A thoroughly enjoyable and valuable experience which will benefit me throughout the rest of my life"
"This was a wonderful experience! It was so beneficial being in a place of love and caring."
"The location is beautiful! I liked the staff, speakers, the setting and course content. All good!"
"Qigong was my favorite course, but I loved all of it. It was well and sensitively taught and made me feel so good. I intend to continue this."
"I came in pain and discouraged about my health and left feeling pain-free and enthusiastic."
"I am glad that I live nearby and can commute to more programs."
"Thank you for organizing and coordinating a program that has brought more meaning in my life"
Please visit our most up-to-date website at www.landofmedicinebuddha.org
Our old site is at www.medicinebuddha.org
Also visit our stupa project site www.peacestupa.org |
