Monthly Sunday ‘tsog khorlo, followed by Crafternoon session & The Damtsig Chu-zhi

10.30am - Tsog Khorlo

2pm - Craft session

4.40pm-6.00pm -The Damtsig Chu-zhi - the fourteen root vows of Vajrayana

Tsok literally means “community”. The ritual expresses the sacred bond among members of the sangha. The generosity of this bond is then extended to everyone and everything, everywhere. Within tsok, we view ourselves, each other, and all beings as Buddhas. We view all things as infinitely sacred—even those that are conventionally impure or disgusting. This vision is the essential practice of inner tantra—made especially explicit in tsok.

The details of tsok vary from lineage to lineage. Typically it includes singing, dancing, a feast, the reading of a liturgy (ritual text), mantra recitation, the creation of a physical and visualized mandala, and offerings.

The Aro tsok is our lineage’s most elaborate ritual. It includes all the elements listed above. The liturgy is based on the three kayas: the modes of existence of Buddhas. The dharmakaya is the mode of enlightened potential. The sambhogakaya is the mode of visionary energy. The nirmanakaya is the mode of flesh and blood, physical existence. The Aro tsok liturgy is a poetically inspiring explanation of ways we can “live the view” and manifest the three kayas in reality.

Lunch will form part of the practice, and there is then the option to stay on for the afternoon and address those many outstanding craft and sewing projects. An opportunity to make shawls, file bells, sew cases, make drum handles, tails etc… no shortage of projects here if you have none of your own.

These sessions are open to all of those who are working towards gö kar chang lo ordination. We shall look at each of the vows in turn, starting with an introduction,

"The Lama is the only person in your life who cannot be manipulated. The Lama is the invasion of unpredictability you allow into your life, to enable you to cut through the convolutions of interminable psychological and emotional processes." "Vajra commitment nearly always reflects what is possible within a society. As far as we are personally concerned – those who request us to perform the rôle of vajra master need have no fear of unkindness, immorality, illegality, or unethical behaviour of any kind. The only thing we have to fear from any Lama is that our dualism will be destroyed." — Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen

3pm to 6pm on these days:

6th March

3rd April

1st May

5th June

3rd July

7th August

4th September

2nd October

6th November

4th December