Shambhala Day – Weds 25th

Shambhala Day, Wed. February 25th

SHAMBHALA DAY marks the beginning of the Tibetan New Year, and represents one of the most important traditions of Shambhala Buddhism. Based on the traditional New Year’s celebration of Losar, the day is calculated astrologically according to the Tibetan lunar calendar, and changes every year to coincide with the annual lunar cycles.
Shambhala Day is a time for us to express the wealth and richness of our spiritual and cultural heritage through feasting, conviviality, elegance and pomp.
Elixir of Life Sadhana and Shambhala Day Brunch
10:00 – 11:00 am at the Monterey Place Meditation Hall (directions below)
11:30 at the Tai Pan Hotel (directions below)
We’ll start off in the morning with a lhasang, smoke offering (purification) ceremony, as we enter the meditation hall.  Then, we’ll practice the Elixir of Life Sadhana, which encourages appreciation through contemplation (of the Four Reminders), and a blessing for an auspicious beginning to the new year.  Following the practice (at the meditation hall in the Monterey Place), we’ll proceed to the Tai Pan hotel, where everyone is invited to a brunch.  The Tai Pan Buffet lunch is 206 Baht per person.  It is tradition to “dress up” (in nice clothes) for the New Year occasion.
Sadhana Of Mahamudra Feast

***********

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm (19:00 – 21:30) at the Monterey Place Meditation Hall
Shambhala Day always falls on the day following the new moon– it is customary to practice the Sadhana of Mahamudra at this time.

The Sadhana of Mahamudra is one of the supreme meditation practice liturgies (sadhanas) of modern Tibetan Buddhism.  It is an evocative poem, song of realization, and profound meditation.  The great master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, when shown this sadhana, called it “The perfect practice.”  It is a unique blend of two great meditative traditions of Tibet, the Kagyu and Nyingma, and represents the highest teachings of those two schools, combining the Kagyu mahamudra tradition of Karma Pakshi with the Nyingma ati tradition of Dorje Trolo.  The Sadhana of Mahamudra was discovered as terma (hidden treasure) by Trungpa Rinpoche in 1968 while on retreat in Bhutan.  Trungpa Rinpoche held nothing back when he composed this seminal text.  It is an extraordinary gift to our community — one of the most advanced practices we have — yet one that was written for any level of experience.  A beginner can do this practice, and experience the vision and genius of its author.  It was written specifically for this challenging time.  It is said that in the darkest of times the most powerful of meditations come to light.  This is one such meditation; a unique upaya (“skillful means”) that speaks directly to overcoming the three lords of materialism of our current age.
On this occassion of Shambhala Day (Losar) we will conclude the sadhana with a traditional feast (tsok) offering practice.  Anyone is welcome to join.  Please bring a dish to share, and register on the website please; http://bangkok.shambhala.info.  Donations for food and drinks are welcome. You may also bring a poem to read, song to sing, or any other inspirational “offering”.

*********

Tai Pan Hotel is on Sukhumvit 23, not far from the Asoke BTS and Underground lines. Click for larger image:

Monterey Place Condominium Building
On the 7th Floor
398 Soi Phai Sing To, Rama 4 Rd.,
Khlong Toei, Bangkok

Directions:

Take the subway to the Queen Sirikit Station, exit #4 to Soi Phai Sing To. You’ll see the building, “Monterey Place“, on the right as you’re coming up the escalator out of the subway.

Turn left to get to the soi, and follow the road around to the left, then right, to the front entrance of the building. Take the elevator to the 7th floor, exit to the left. The meditation room is next to the exercise equipment.
A limited amount of secure parking is available on site. These parking spaces must be reserved in advance via telephone or e-mail.

Contact

Phone: 086-788-7408 (Jamie) or 02-663-8477 (Andy)

 Below is an ariel snap shot, and diagram with directions to Monteray Place. Click for larger image: