Phowa Retreat
with
Khen Rinpoche Pema Choephel,
Lopon Dawa and Lama Dawa
31 January – 1 February 2009
Amitabha Buddha
Amitabha (Tib. Öpagme) is a Buddha of Boundless Light. He offers great support and bestows blessings for those passing from this life, or for those who have died.
After achieving Enlightenment, Amitabha Buddha realized his main aim of helping all levels of people, whether of low, medium or high capacity, to reach his Realm of Great Bliss (Tib. Dewachen). Dewachen is the Pure land of Amitabha Buddha, regarded as a Buddhist Paradise.
Phowa Practice
Phowa is one of the most profound practices of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. Successful Phowa practice can help the dying transform their consciousness into wisdom. The practice of Phowa offers people the chance to die peacefully and consciously. It is a very beneficial support for people who are dying, and also for animals, birds, insects, and other sentient beings.
Many Buddhist traditions have meditation practices leading to Enlightenment. Through the practice of Phowa, one can achieve Enlightenment without meditation.
Phowa practice instruction was given for the first time by the great Indian master Padmasambhava, regarded as a Second Buddha, and who was the main founder of Buddhism in Tibet. He received the practice directly from Amitabha Buddha.
Benefits of Phowa Practice
Phowa practice dispels the darkness of the mind. It is a strong method to eliminate fears, guilty feelings and confusion, and which brings confidence and certainty for the future. Preparing for the process of death with the Phowa practice, helps us to live more meaningful and peaceful lives.
If you have a good realization of the Phowa, and reach Dewachen, you will accumulate wisdom, compassion and power to help to your relatives, friends and all sentient beings, including loved ones who have already died.
Who can Practice Phowa
Phowa is a very profound practice, and everyone can receive its benefits, even people who have accumulated lots of non-virtuous acts. Phowa is strongly recommended for people who are very busy with their family and jobs, and cannot follow a regular spiritual practice. It does not matter what religious or cultural background one has; everyone can practice Phowa.
Proper Attitude
Before starting the Phowa retreat, it is important for everyone to cultivate a proper attitude to benefit both ourselves and our mother sentient beings. We do this practice with the aspiration to help ourselves, our relatives, and friends, and all sentient beings, including people who have died, and beings from non-human realms.
The following additional practice will be performed during the Phowa retreat.
Sang Offering
Riwo Sangchoe (“Smoke Offering”) according to Terton Lhatsun Namkha Jigme’s treasure teaching
From the beginning-less time, we have accumulated a lot of bad karma and karmic debts because of which we face unavoidable problems in life. If we want to accomplish whatever we wish, we need to cleanse our bad karma and karmic debts. Though there are many methods to purify our karma, smoke offering is one of the best ways to do so.
Lamp Offering
The lamp signifies wisdom. Without the lamp of wisdom, we wander in the darkness of ignorance that leads us into delusion and suffering. Offering lamp to the Buddhas and bodhisattvas help us generate the light of wisdom within us and dispel the darkness of confusion bringing peace, happiness and contentment.
Chenrezig Chang Chog Puja
Chenrezig Chang Chog Puja is performed for the benefit of all ancestors or deceased loved ones. The merits accumulated are transferred to the people who have died for their purification and liberation.
Dedication
During the Phowa retreat, the participants can pray and dedicate the merit they generate towards the well-being of all sentient beings. Special prayers will be made for global problems such as the ecology of the planet, violence between people, and the economic crisis, amongst others.
Schedule
Saturday, 31 Januray 2009
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Sang Offering and Lamp Offering
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Amitabha Empowerment
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM Break
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM Teachings and preparation for Phowa Practice
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM Break
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM Phowa Practice
3:30 PM to 4:00 PM Break
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Chenrezig Chang Chog Puja
Suggested Donation for the Phowa Retreat: £ 15
Suggested Donation for the Amitabha Empowerment: £ 10
Sunday, 01 February 2009
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Sang offering and Lamp offering
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Teachings and preparation for Phowa Practice
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM Break
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM Phowa Practice
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM Break
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM Phowa Practice
3:30 PM to 4:00 PM Break
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Chenrezig Chang Chog Puja
Suggested Donation for the Phowa Retreat: £ 15
