Older Articles and Teachings
Queenstown
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BUDDHIST
With: Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche
Location: Public talk, Queenstwon Dharma House, 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Dates: 6.30 pm Friday 13th. November
Course Description: A chance to discover what Buddhism really teaches. Find out what lies beyond the golden idols and the lamaÕs robes!
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
TRUE PATHS TO A MEANINGFUL LIFE
With: Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche
Location: Public talk, Queenstwon Dharma House, 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Dates: 1.30 - 4.30 pm Saturday and Sunday 14th, 15th, 21st & 22nd November
Course Description: We experience a world of astonishing variety and complexity - inconceivable numbers of sights, sounds, feelings, ideas and inclinations interact with each other. In a search for meaning and purpose, it is easy to be confused or lost yet the search remains constant within each one of us.
What makes for a meaningful life?
In four classes over two weekends, Rinpoche will lead an honest and down to earth exploration of this deep question.
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche, is a friendly and understanding teacher of Tibetan Buddhism. Thoroughly trained and deeply committed to a life of compassionate action, Rinpoche enjoys engaging with people of all persuasions, whether religious or secular. All are welcome to bring their doubts and hopes, their intelligence and wisdom.
Cost: The classes are offered on a dona- tion basis so that money is not a barrier to receiving teachings. It is left to each person attending the course to consider the value of the teaching for themselves contrasted with their ability to pay.
An Introduction to the Buddhist System of Medicine
With: Jigme Tsarong
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Dates: 7.30pm Sunday 18th 2009
Course Description: "Shakyamuni's Total Pacification of Disease.
This medical teaching was given by the Buddha at Vulture's Peak near the present town of Rajagir in the Indian State of Bihar. The teaching, like the other Jakata Tales (about the Buddha's previous lives) tells of the time when the Buddha appeared in the form of a compassionate young man who requests his father to teach him the science of medicine so that he can heal the suffering countrymen and women.
Jigme says "The importance of this teaching:
1. It is humankind's oldest record of the establishment of a rational and scientific system of medicine in the east.
2. Contrary to what is written down in human medical history, this teaching proves that the scientific approach to medical knowledge was firmly established in the Indus Valley centuries (perhaps more than 500 yrs) before Hippocrates of Cos.
3. It reveals that the Buddha was a student of medicine and that he learnt medicine from a group of ascetic healers whose medical lineage can be traced to about 3-4 centuries before the Buddha.
There is much more to tell."
Jigme has spent a great deal of time researching this subject and will shortly will be publishing a book on the subject. He has lived most of his life in Kalimpong, India, having imitially gone there from Tibet for schooling. His visits home in the school holidays were on horseback and the journey took so long that most of the holiday was taken up with travelling. He is widely respected as an expert on Bhuddist Medicine and Himalayan herbal medicine. He spent 14 years at the Dalai Lama's behest developing medical centres in India. There are some 40 of them today.
His rother is a Kagyu lineage holder (the 37th) and has some forty Buddhist Centres in India and more outside India. Members of Chime's Centre ("Coorain" - Western Australia) have travelled from time to to time to one of his centres in India to live for a period in the tradition of ani's and monks.
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
What is Meditation? What is not Meditation? Why Meditate? How to Meditate? Where to Meditate?
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Dates: February – 7:30pm, Wednesday 25th & Thursday 26th, 2009
Course Description: Lama Mark will give teachings to point out the “View”, “Meditation” and “Conduct”, the natural meditative state, relaxing the mind and getting to the essential question. What is meditation and what is not meditation? Find out how not to go astray in meditation and Dharma practice, how to go right to the “heart of the matter.” Why practicing mindfulness alone does not liberate, and what other mental and physical factors are required for experiencing and developing confidence in this naturally compassionate and awake mode.
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
Classical Buddhist teachings on Healing, Death, Dying and Rebirth
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Dates: 9:30am & 7:30pm: Saturday and Sunday, February 28 and March 1st & 7:30pm March 3, 4, 5.
Course Description: Lama Mark will start with two classes on the basis and development of Buddhist Tantra, the nature of Empowerment and its unique methods of meditative practice. After the Empowerment of Medicine Buddha Lama Mark will teach two classes on mental and physical healing followed by two classes on classical Tantric instructions on dying, death and rebirth.
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
Movie Yoga & Insight Meditation: Going to the Movies to Realize Emptiness and Illusion
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Dates: Saturday March 7th and Sunday March 8th (times to be announced; dependant on movies showing and times playing– 2 movies & 4 classes)
Course Description:Movies unified with awareness provide a swift method to understand and glimpse the nature of illusion, mental creation and Emptiness; a practice of Penetrative Insight meditation. Lama Mark will give an introduction and orientation into this unusual Yoga, and then we will go to the cinema to practice and make discoveries. Two very different movies (at a cinema) and four classes introducing the nature of Emptiness and Insight!
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
Introduction to Meditation - A two day mini retreat.
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Dates: Saturday March 14th & Sunday March 15th.
Classes & a non-residential retreat
Saturday 9am to 9pm, Sunday 9am to 5pm
Course Description:A unique, calm and supportive approach to being in a meditation retreat. During this retreat there will be an emphasis on getting to know the nature and interrelationships of breath; mindfulness-awareness, lucidity, kindness, and energy cycles in your mind-body. Lama Mark will show how direct and straightforward is meditation and that the kind and aware mind is always there; although just a ‘bit’ hidden away for a time!
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
Empowerment and Teachings of Vajra Yogini
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Dates: Saturday 7:30pm and Sunday 10:00am, March 21st and March 22nd (requires previous practice and permission)
Course Description:Vajra Yogini Empowerment and teachings. A Saturday evening Empowerment followed by a Sunday morning of teachings on this profound transmission and yoga.
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
Empowerment and Teachings of Hevajra
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Dates: Sunday, 9:30am, April 5th, 2009. (requires previous practice and permission) Further teachings to be announced.
Course Description: Lama Mark will bestow the authorization Empowerment of Hevajra and afterwards give pith instructions on this deep and ancient meditative transmission.
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
Makarora
A Retreat on Mindfulness of Breath and Hua-Yen
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: Makarora, South Island, New Zealand
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
Dates: April 11 - May 2, 2009
This retreat led by Lama Mark Webber will start with step by step teachings and individual guidance on the Buddha’s classic method of Mindfulness of Breath (Anapanasati). Both the Tranquility and Insight aspects of this remarkable meditation will be presented and explained. After approximately 10 days, Lama Mark will give teachings and meditations from the Hua-yen school of Buddhism. These are profound and vast meditations on relativity, interdependence and impermanence, the Four Realms of reality, the Ten Mysterious Gates and so forth--inconceivably deep, challenging and stretching.
The two texts for this retreat are: The Anapanasati Sutta (Mindfulness of Breathing) – copies available online, however an excellent translation may be found on p. 941, The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, a new translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, translated by Bikkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi, Wisdom Publications, Boston, 1995. And, Entry into the Inconceivable, An Introduction to Hua-yen Buddhism, translations and introduction by Thomas Cleary, University of Hawaii Press, 1983.
Wellington
The Essence of Meditation: the
practice of awareness and
compassion
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: Emmaus Retreat & Spirituality Centre
78 Hobson Street, Thorndon, Wellington
(next door to the Australian Embassy)
Date:
- Thurs 7th May and Fri 8th May – (7.15 pm) teachings and meditations
- Sat 9th May and Sun 10th May (9 am – 8.30 pm) – 2 days urban retreat
- Tuesday 12th May - (7.15 pm) - Vajrasattva Wongkur and pith teachings
- Wednesday Morning May 13th (9:30 am – 10:30 am) - Vajrasattva meditation instructions
- Wednesday Evening May 13th – (7.15 pm), Question & Answer Session with Lama Mark
Contact: Sunil Nathvani - sunilawakes@yahoo.co.nz or 021 231 6322
Cost: $160 for the full programme or $25 per evening and $55 per full weekend day.
Note: The teachings are offered freely, if you cannot pay the above, please contact Sunil to discuss. All are welcome and will be supported if needed.
Please also bring Dana (donation) or Koha for Lama Mark’s teaching.
Please give as generously as you are able and help support his teaching. The
course price does not include dana/koha.
This is a non-profit retreat.
A Two Day Urban Retreat (9am – 8.30 pm): Sat 9th May and Sun 10th May – (Please bring your own lunch/dinner and cushion/stool).
Topic: The Essence of Meditation: the practice of awareness and
compassion through contact with breath
With guidance from Lama Mark we will explore and discover connections between breath, mind and body. By mindfully following the various qualities and patterns of energy in the body and mind we keep loosening and brightening, into natural aliveness, joy and interest. Then we discover the inner principles of meditation and compassion.
“Ever wonder why we really meditate? Essentially, penetrating beyond the calm mind lies the wondrous natural universe, as it is. This transcendent state is non-other than what is naturally present—suchness—and that is extraordinary! As the universe is fundamentally open, immediate, spontaneous and alive, so too are you! How could it be otherwise? This natural state needs no gold leaf or fancy lights to make it any better than it is. Yet, to experience this directness and openness, which is always present in each one of us, requires a combination of deep relaxation, love and crisp awareness that is not normally apparent due to a very busy story making consciousness. When the story making ceases, the mind relaxes and it discovers an amazing universe, inner and outer. And one’s being undergoes profound physiological and psychological changes. Eventually the interest to question, discover, be generous and compassionate is effortless and utterly spontaneous. Only one’s fear and anxiety of being in love and wonder with how things actually are stands in the way. This natural mind of openness, is non-other than meditation!” Lama Mark
Vajrasattva Empowerment and pith
teachings:
Location: Emmaus Retreat & Spirituality Centre
78 Hobson Street, Thorndon, Wellington
(next door to the Australian Embassy)
Date: Tuesday May 12th, 7:15 pm &
Wednesday morning May 13, 9:30 am – 10:30 am:
Vajrasattva meditation instructions
A foundational initiation in the Buddhist Tantric
tradition. Open to all. The meditation of Vajrasattva
(Adamantine Being) helps to deeply purify mental
and physical obstructions. It opens subtle energy
channels and strengthens our commitment to quickly
becoming a fully compassionate and wise human
being.
ANCIENT ARTS FOR MODERN MINDS
With: Lama Tarchin Hearn
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Date: 7.30pm, 29 November – 9 December
Course Description: Buddha Dharma in the context of contemporary science, art and music.
The classes at 7.30 pm every evening through to the 9th are procceding as advertised.
On Sunday is the third in the three teachings and contemplations around fascinating DVD's. If you have missed either or both of the others, this is still well worth attending.
On Monday and Tuesday he proposes to look at Dharma through music and science and asks that everyone attending who can play (at any level) a musical instrument , bring that instrument with them. Those that don't play any a musical instrument should bring themselves - they will get to accompany with the instrument of .... themselves!
On Saturday and Sunday the 8th and 9th the teaching will start at 4.00 pm, again with investigtions through music and science with a potluck meal at 6.00 pm (all invited) followed by a class at 7.30pm.
Feel free to attend when you can.
Inquiries to: 0064 3 441 8008 and 0064 3 442 5761
Sword of Liberation - cutting the roots of anger
With: Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
Dates:
Friday 29th August - 7.30 pm
Saturday 30th August - 10.00 am and 2.00 pm
Sunday 31st August - 10.00 am and 2.00 pm
Instant communication, rapid transit and dial-up-
20-minute-delivery-or-a-free-pizza; it's easy to
get impatient when things don't happen when we expect them to. Impatience is the first step to one of society's biggest problems–anger. Anger
destroys our happiness and the happiness of those
around us. It wrecks relationships on all levels and
results in guilt and remorse.
The way to counteract anger is to develop
patience. In ve classes over the weekend, Amnyi
Trulchung Rinpoche will help us discover, through
observation and analysis of our own experience,
the compelling reasons why we should develop
patience, then, step by step, learn how to develop
it and lay the foundations of a happy life.
THE FOUNDATION OF BUDDHIST MEDITATION - THE PRACTICE OF LOVING KINDNESS
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
Dates: Wednesday 20th - Friday 22nd February 2008, 7.30pm start
Course Description: "At the heart of all Buddhist meditation is the practice of Loving-kindness. Without a good foundation in loving-kindness many obstacles will occur to unfolding the union of wisdom and compassion. There is so much frustration, anger, rage and jealousy in all of us; these states of mind and body must be quenched, tamed and dissolved into a loving, open heart of clear mind. To love, we feel we must hold on, deeply grasp to ideas, objects, people and places--this is not so--the more we empty out all grasping and delusions, the more love for all life pours into us. The less sticky we are, the greater the love. As loving-kindness develops and insight grows, we discover that love, the absence of fear, grows into a profound trust in the universe. We then want to engage with all life, explore, discover, share, and assist--be compassionate with clear and wise minds; the most natural thing to do. Let's explore and learn how to do this!" Lama Mark
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
HOW TO MERGE DEITY (YIDAM) YOGA PRACTICE WITH WISDOM: TEACHINGS FROM THE NYINGMA TRADITION
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Dates: Sun 24th – Wed 27th February 2008, 7.30pm start
Course Description: "For those engaged in the Vajrayana tradition of Buddhism, Deity (Yidam) Yoga practice is essential. These meditations bring about mental and physiological strength, ripen talents and richness, clear away difficult obstacles and help bring about profound compassion and wisdom. There will be discourse, practice and commentary to help practitioners gain a vast view of the importance and joy of Yidam meditation and mantra yoga and how to deeply integrate it with the mind's inner potential. So many unnecessary misunderstandings and frustrations are present around these Yogas, especially the practice and view of mantra yoga, visualization, different modes of practice and the essential dissolution stage. The structure, purpose and inner nature of these meditations will be clarified. In addition, the training and explorations that must be accomplished, the signs of discovery, and how insight meditations such as Mahamudra and Dzogchen are seamlessly integrated into these Yogas will be shown. Without integrating these yogas with the View of Emptiness, one may as well plant seeds in barren ground or watch images in a mirror without ever investigating the nature of the mirror. Lama Mark
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
THE WESTERN MYSTICAL PATH: TEACHINGS FROM ST JOHN OF THE CROSS, A BOLD ILLUMINATION OF THE MEDITATIVE PATH
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: 12 Lake Street, Queenstown
Dates: Wed 5th - Sunday 9th March 2008 & Fri 14th – Tue 18th March, 7.30pm start
Course Description: Lama Mark Webber will be teaching on the topic of the Western Mystical path, a subject he is currently teaching and exploring during the three-month San Ginesio retreat. Readings and commentary from St. John of the Cross's manual of meditation called the Ascent of Mt. Carmel will form the core of this weekend of teaching and meditation. St. John of the Cross is a famous 16th century mystic and one of Spain's greatest poets. He was also a brilliant systematizer of the entire spiritual path, especially his division of the path into three Dark Nights; of the senses, of faith and of God, corresponding to the lights of evening, midnight and dawn. The equivalences, to be revealed in these classes between St. John of the Cross's teachings and the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions are unmistakable, illuminating and beautiful to behold. Lama Mark will also discuss some differences in cultural attitudes and history between Buddhism and its meditation systems and the path of the Western Mystic; including how we integrate our rich Western tradition of enquiry and scientific method. By exploring the teachings of a great Christian Mystic, meditative practitioners no matter what path they follow may see how universal and essential is the nature of liberation.
Contact: Alan at qtndharmahouse@yahoo.com
Makarora
BUDDHIST MEDITATIONS ON REALIZING THE NATURALLY AWAKE STATE
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: Makaroa Homestead - http://www.makarora.com
Date: 3 weeks, April 19 to May, 10 2008
Course Description: The subject of the retreat is "Buddhist Meditations on Realizing The Naturally Awake State". We will issue an announcement when we are receiving deposits. As those who attended previous retreats will attest - it is not to be missed. This is early notice for in particular, those who will need to accrue annual leave.
Click here for more details...
Christchurch
THE NATURE OF FAMILIAR MATERIALS: A PRACTICAL LAB COURSE
With: Lama Mark Webber and Rafael Hoekstra
Location: Chemistry Department, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
Date: April 7-15, 2008
Course Description: This is a fun introductory chemistry course for non-scientists, specifically designed for practitioners of Dharma.
Click here for more details...
Please contact Rafael Hoekstra to express your interest.
Wellington
DEEP SENSING AND SEEING WITH THE HEART - AN EXPLORATION OF THE HEART SUTRA
With: Lama Mark Webber
Location: Home of Compassion, Island Bay, Wellington
Date: Febuary 15 - 17
Course Description: Lama Mark will be teaching from the Heart Sutra during this non-residential retreat. The Heart Sutra is one of the great Buddhist classics on the nature of wisdom. It is a pithy and poetic meditation text, it is deep and moving. With mindful attention to the experiences of our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind we begin to experience a vaster, fascinating and compassionate universe. The Tantric empowerment and meditation of Prajnaparamita, who embodies the teaching of the Heart Sutra will be bestowed during this course.
Contact: Ruth Pink - pinkruth@clear.net.nz
Auckland
Why Meditate? The essence practice of unifying awareness and compassion.
With: Lama Mark Webber
Date: May 15th-23rd Classes/residential retreat
Contact: Duncan Gray at djg1@xtra.co.nz
- May 15: An Introductory Talk on: The Essence of Meditation and Practice.
- May 16 and 17: A Weekend Retreat: Breathe Again!
- May 20: Dharma Class: Tantra: What is it?
- May 22: Dharma Class: Dream Yoga.
- May 23: Empowerment and Teachings on The White Umbrella Mother
An Introductory Talk on: The Essence of Meditation and Practice.
Location: Friday 15th May. Wellpark College (http://www.wellpark.co.nz/ ): 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Lama Mark will give teachings to point out the “View”, “Meditation” and “Conduct”, the natural meditative state, relaxing the mind and getting to the
essential question. What is meditation and what is not meditation? Find out
how not to go astray in meditation and Dharma practice, how to go right to
the “heart of the matter.” Why practicing mindfulness alone does not
liberate, and what other mental and physical factors are required for
experiencing and developing confidence in this naturally compassionate and
awake mode.
A Weekend Retreat: Breathe Again! Vitality of mind and body through awareness of breath.
Location: Saturday May 16th. Bella Rakha Retreat Centre (http://bellarakha.co.nz) 9.00am - 9.00pm (a combination of classes, group meditations, meals and personal time) Sunday May 17th. Bella Rakha Retreat Centre: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Without vitality of mind and body we slowly tighten, shrink, and become rigid and fearful. With deep awareness of breath, vitality and aliveness seep into every part of our bodies and feelings. Then by meditating on this natural aliveness we can uncover the natural and spontaneous openness of the mind. The retreat emphasis will be on developing the ability to sense vitality and it’s movements through a continuum of mindfulness in many postures and ways of being. Join Lama Mark in an extraordinary series of instructions and talks, and guided group meditations. (bring loose warm clothing and a yoga mat or thick blanket).
Three evenings of teaching on:
1) Tantra: What is it?
Location: Wednesday May 20th. Wellpark College (http://www.wellpark.co.nz/ ): 6.30 - 8.00pm
Teachings on Tantra: What it means, why it developed and how it developed. How Tantra works and why it is so important to Western practitioners of Dharma; Tantra and Compassion; the meaning and importance of transmission and Wongkur (Empowerment); Tantra and the removal of life obstacles.
2) Dream Yoga:
Location: Friday May 22nd. Wellpark College (http://www.wellpark.co.nz/ ): 6.30 - 8.00pm
Lama Mark will explore why we practice dream yoga, both in dreams and in waking life. In addition to an overview of this high yoga, Lama Mark will give instructions on its practice.
3) Empowerment and Teachings on The White Umbrella Mother, “The Great Subduing Mother” – Dog-pa-chen-mo.
Location: Saturday May 23rd. Bella Rakha Retreat Centre (http:// bellarakha.co.nz/index.html): 10.00 am - 12.00pm, afternoon teachings: 1:30 - 3:00pm
This extraordinary initiation into the “Great Mother”, or the Womb of Universal Nature opens the door way to vast compassion and wisdom. The Empowerment is open to all. Before and after the initiation Lama Mark will give teachings on the vastness of this meditation and how it can swiftly clear up difficulties. He will clarify related avenues of meditations from the Tantric tradition and Buddhist Cosmology with some highlights of astonishing wonders from cutting edge science.
MEDITATIONS ON OVERCOMING FEARS: EMPOWERMENT AND TEACHINGS ON THE MANDALA OF THE TWENTY-ONE TARAS
With: Lama Mark Webber
Classes/Residential retreat: February 8-10
Course Description: “The meditations of the Twenty-one Taras (female embodiments of wisdom and compassion) are a powerful entry gate into liberation from fears and anxieties and the building of great emotional and mental strength. By becoming each figure in the mandala, different types of obstacles are dissolved and strengths and talents open. This is a mandala of compassionate awake activity. Each figure is an aspect of the central green figure of Tara (Tara - “to cross over”). Around her are four different Taras representing the Four Buddha Activities of: peacefulness, unfoldment/increase, power, and fierce cutting through all obstacles. Then there are the remaining sixteen Taras that help remove deep seated fears and anxieties and bring about immense strength. In addition to explaining the rich and ancient tradition of Tara, this is an ideal time to share some modern psychological and physiological views about anxiety and fear, trauma and the remarkable plasticity and openness of our nervous system.” Lama Mark
Contact: Janet Eades - janete1@ihug.co.nz