With joy, we would like to announce that in response to a sangha member’s request, Rinpoche will bestow a weekly series of teachings on the Four Activities. These teachings will be held immediately following Solka, Sür, and Feast practices led by Rinpoche, beginning at 5:00 PM.
The fee for each of these teachings is $20, and some scholarships are available upon request. We will screen share the texts during the sessions, and the teachings will be available for viewing for one month after the completion of this series.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if you require financial assistance.
The schedule for these teachings is as follows:
5:00pm, Saturday, May 31: Riwo Sang Chöd & Tröma Sang
5:00pm, Saturday, June 7: Solka/Protectors
5:00pm, Sunday, June 15: Chutor & Sür
Coming to Elk or Cerro Gordo
If you would like to join us in person, instead of registering through our website, please email contact@lotusdharmagarden.org by the Friday before the teaching to give us time to set up for you. The nightly fee to stay in Elk is $25, beyond that there will be no cost to attend the teachings, though people are welcome to make offerings if they feel inspired to do so.
We will also be streaming the teachings to Rinpoche’s center in Cerro Gordo, and encourage all to take advantage of this opportunity to experience the wonderful blessings that come from practicing with Sangha in Rinpoche’s mandala!
The nightly fee to stay in Cerro Gordo is 200 pesos, beyond that there will be no cost to attend the teachings, though people are welcome to make offerings if they feel inspired to do so. Please write through WhatsApp to +52 56 4960 9300 by the Friday before the teachings if you are planning to come.
Ordering Texts
If you would like to order a text, please fill out this form https://forms.gle/AdgB7XsdEw8xjevq9. Each text is $25, and once we have heard from you, we will be in touch about the cost of shipping and how to send your payment. As of now, we are only shipping texts within the US.
The Four Activities
The path of accumulation in Vajrayana Buddhism is centered around the need for purification and the accumulation of merit and wisdom. This foundational stage is crucial as practitioners seek to overcome obscurations and non-virtuous actions, ultimately aiming for liberation and enlightenment.
To progress on this path, practitioners engage in various methods to purify negative karma and cultivate positive qualities. This includes purifying obscurations by employing practices that counteract negative actions and thoughts, often involving confession, making amends, and sincere repentance. Additionally, accumulating merit and wisdom is achieved through the performance of virtuous deeds and engaging in study and meditation, which are essential for spiritual growth.
The Four Activities in Vajrayana provide practical means to achieve these goals swiftly, allowing practitioners to integrate their spiritual practice throughout the day. Each activity serves a specific purpose.
The Sang Offerings performed in the morning are made to purify the environment and oneself, creating a conducive space for practice throughout the day. This practice expresses gratitude and generates merit from the outset.
Next, the Chutor Offerings are performed at noon to nourish the life force and maintain a connection with enlightened beings. This activity acknowledges the interdependence of all beings and reinforces the practitioner’s commitment to compassion.
The Solka/Protectors and Sür practice in the afternoon involves offerings to protectors and deities, invoking their assistance and support for the practice. It serves as an act of devotion and reliance on the spiritual community.
Finally, the Chöd/Feast Offerings are conducted in the evening. These practices involve offering food and resources to all sentient beings, transcending personal boundaries and fostering a sense of compassion and generosity.
Engaging in the Four Activities enables beginners to weave their spiritual practice into daily life, transforming ordinary actions into opportunities for purification and merit accumulation. By embracing these meditations, practitioners can establish a strong foundation on their journey toward enlightenment, utilizing the skillful means provided by the Vajrayana tradition.
