Tushita Meditation Centre - Courses


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  • Introductory Courses and Retreats
  • Pujas and Practices
  • Pre-Ordination Course info


    Introductory courses

    Tushita has gained an international reputation for its introductory courses, which are equally appropriate for beginners as well as those with some background knowledge.

    During the first five days, Buddhist thought and practice is explained from a modern perspective by experienced Western teachers. Qualified and respected Tibetan Lamas are also invited to teach as available. The final two days takes the form of a meditation retreat. It is designed to give participants the opportunity to familiarise themselves with and gain insight into the various subjects taught during the course.

    To create an atmosphere conducive for reflection and meditation, participants are asked to keep silence for the duration of the course.

  • More information
  • Feedback from the courses

    Course and Retreat Dates for 2001

    8- and 10-day residential courses:

    25th Sept - 5th October 10 Day Introduction to Buddhism course
    11th - 19th October 8 Day Introduction to Buddhism course
    24th Oct - 1st November 8 Day Introduction to Buddhism course
    20th - 30th November 10 Day Introduction to Buddhism course

    Dates are subject to change. Please check with Tushita Office before making your final travel arrangements.

    Retreats:

  • Green Tara Retreat
    Contact centre for 2002 dates!

    Tara represents the wisdom and compassion of all the enlightened beings in a female form.

    Meditating on Tara is a very powerful way to identify and connect with our own inner potential for wisdom and compassion. It also helps to eliminate obstacles to the spiritual path and to being able to work for others.

    This five-day retreat will consist of taking the eight mayahaya precepts, guided Lam Rim meditations, visualisation and meditation on Tara and mantra recitation.

  • Nyung Nay Fasting Retreat
    May/June 2002 (two weeks prior to Saka Dawa)

    This is a Vajrayana practice from the Kriya (action) class of tantra. It is a powerful, quick and effective method to purify a lot of negativities and at the same time collect a vast amount of merit.

    A Nyung Nay consists of seven sessions spread over three days. In each session we practice the sadhana which involves meditating on bodhcitta, visualisation, reciting prayers and mantras and performing prostrations. During the first day one has lunch but no food or drink is taken on the second day. We will have a series of eight of these Nyung Nays and people are welcome to attend the full retreat or part of it.

  • 3 Month Vajrasattva Retreat
    Monsoon 2002 (July - September)

    Short Courses

    Two or three-day non-residential courses, giving an overview of Buddhism or dealing with specific topics, are conducted in-between longer courses when available. Please call Tushita to confirm the dates.

    Videos On Buddhist Philosophy

    In-between courses, Tushita offers regular screenings of videos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Yeshe, which last about an hour. Following that, a discussion/question and answer is conducted by a senior student.


    Pujas and Practices

    Dates of the following pujas are according to the Tibetan Calendar, please call Tushita to find out the exact dates.

    Lama Chöpa (Tib 10th & 25th of each month)

    A practice consisting of making offerings to and requesting inspiration from the Spiritual Master, seen as the embodiment of the Three Jewels, visualised in the form of Lama Tsong Khapa surrounded by the merit field. Spiritual vows and commitments which might have degenerated are also restored through the practice of the tsog (feast offering) and we unite our minds with the holy mind of the Spiritual Master, who is considered the root and life-force of the spiritual path, to receive blessings to generate realisations on the path to enlightenment.

    Four Mandala Offerings to Cittamani Tara (8th of each month)

    Tara represents the quick wisdom and compassion of all the enlightened beings in a female form. Praying to Tara eliminates obstacles to the fulfilment of our wishes in general and in particular those of the spiritual path. Tara breathes life into our spiritual practice and sustains us with boundless energy to traverse the spiritual path.

    Unable to display image Medicine Buddha Puja (once a month)

    The Seven Medicine Buddhas made special prayers to benefit beings of degenerate ages, hence in the sutric tradition this is considered one of the most powerful practices, which possesses the greatest and quickest blessings. This practice purifies and heals on all levels - physical, mental, spiritual and environmental. This puja is particularly powerful at Tushita now, as we have the seven life-sized Medicine Buddhas in residence.


    Pre-Ordination Course

    Note: At this time, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not scheduled to conduct ordination during Losar 2002. Therefore Tushita does not plan to offer the Pre-Ordination Course in 2002. However, please keep in touch in case this changes.


    Last updated: 24th September 2001