From Thursday, 21. December 2023 -  01:15pm
To Thursday, 28. December 2023 - 11:30am

Atisha Dipankara Srijnana

PLEASE NOTE: The dates for this course is subject to change and is dependent upon whether or not His Holiness the Dalai Lama may be teaching during these dates. If this is so, then the course will be rescheduled for early January, 2024. Any changes will be announced via our website and socials.

Geshe Tenzin Zopa will teach on this seminal text, a commentary on Maitreya’s Ornament for Clear Realisation, composed by the great Indian pandit and yogi, Atisha Dipamkara Srijnana (982 – 1054). 

Lama Atisha was responsible for the second dissemination of Buddhism in Tibet in the 11th century, formative for the Kadampa and subsequently the Gelugpa traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. He extracted the essence of all 84,000 teachings of the Buddha and organised them into clear steps, known as the lamrim, or stages of the path to enlightenment, which sets forth the entire Buddhist path within the framework of the three levels of motivation on the part of the practitioner. This text became the source of the lamrim tradition, incorporated within all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

This course will include pilgrimages to Mahabodhi Stupa, Vultures Peak and Nalanda

Geshe Tenzin Zopa  

Geshe Tenzin Zopa holds the honoured Geshe (Doctorate) degree from Sera Jey monastic university, South India. He was born in the remote Himalayan region of Tsum valley in Nepal and was ordained at the age of 9 in Kopan monastery by the late Great Mahasiddha Geshe Lama Konchog. He received novice ordination from Geshe Lundrup Rinpoche and full ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Geshe la was under the direct tutelage of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lundrup Rigsel, Geshe Lama Konchog and eminent gurus including those from Sera Jey monastic university, H.E. the 104th Ganden Tri Rinpoche Losang Tenzin, the 70th abbot of Sera Jey, Khensur Losang Tsering Rinpoche and the 76th abbot of Sera Jey, Logoan Tulku Tenzin Jampa Choesang Rinpoche. 

Geshe la possesses vast scriptural knowledge, holds many rare transmissions and initiations lineages, has completed many retreats, has extensive teaching experience and is skilled in rituals and astrology. He is the principal and focal point of the award winning documentary film ‘Unmistaken Child’ which chronicles the search for the reincarnation of his teacher, Geshe Lama Konchog. He is currently taking responsibility of overseeing the overall wellbeing of Tulku Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche, the reincarnation of Geshe Lama Konchog. 

Geshe la has frequently taken part as a speaker at numerous Buddhist interfaith and peace dialogue conferences for many years. He has taught at Oxford University in the UK under a ‘Visitorship for Traditional Scholars’ in the Tibetan and Himalayan studies program. 

He has been actively teaching in FPMT centres since 2000 as a visiting and resident teacher and is now a touring teacher for FPMT. Geshe la is also currently on the board of directors for The Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDWC).

 

Schedule

Thurs, Dec 21
1:15 pm onwards	Check-in
5:00 pm	Introduction to the Retreat by Spiritual Programme Coordinator (SPC)
6:00 pm	Supper
Fri, Dec 22 to Tues, Dec 26
6:45 am	Morning Practice
7:30 am	Breakfast
9:00 am	Teachings with Geshe Zopa
10:15 am	Tea break
10:45 am	Teachings with Geshe Zopa
12:00 noon	Lunch
2:00 pm	Teachings with Geshe Zopa
3:30 pm	Tea break
4:00 pm	Teachings with Geshe Zopa
6:00 pm	Supper
7:00	Evening Meditation
Wed, Dec 27	Pilgrimage to Vultures Peak and Nalanda
Thurs, Dec 28
6:45 am	Morning meditation
7:30 am	Breakfast
8:30 am	Room check-out before the last teachings
9:00 am	Teaching with Geshe Zopa
10:15 am	Break
10:30 am	Teaching with Geshe Zopa
12:00 noon	Big Lunch
2:00 pm	Tour of Root Institute and introduction to the charitable projects – Maitreya school, Shakyamuni Buddha Clinic and the Stupa Garden.