About the Practices:

Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche (the Precious Guru), is said to be the embodiment of the guru principle, the heart of Vajrayana Buddhism. By meditating on Guru Rinpoche, we engage in merging one’s own body, speech, and mind with the enlightened body, speech, and mind of the guru; blessing the path of recognising our own Buddha-nature.

Khadiravaṇītārā, in the words of our Guru, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche:

“Supplicating Tārā helps to dispel all obstacles that get in the way of making our practice fruitional. Tārā also clears away obstacles of all those with whom we have connections: our friends, our relatives, our partners and so on — anyone for whom we wish that they be free of illness, negative spirits, and other obstacles. […] When you supplicate Tārā, you will receive her blessing.”

Mahakala is the main Dharma Protector of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. By practising Mahakala we eliminate outer, inner, and secret obstacles in our Dharma practice and develop the capacity to benefit ourselves and others.

About the Teacher:

Lama Rabten’s dharma education started at a very young age and he spent his early years training at Rumtek Monastery, seat of Gyalwang Karmapa in Sikkim, India. In 2000 he completed three-year retreat at Pullahari Retreat Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal, under the guidance of Drupon Khenpo Lodro Namgyal, Bokar Rinpoche, Tenga Rinpoche, and Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. To serve the Nalandabodhi community, Lama Rabten came to Canada in 2002 under the invitation of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. Lama Rabten is now the resident teacher and spiritual director of Nalandabodhi Canada. He is fluent in several languages, including Tibetan, Mandarin, and English and he teaches and supports Nalandabodhi students throughout Canada.

Thank you all, Losar Tashi Delek, and we look forward to practicing together!

Sarva Mangalam!