Welcome!
Milarepa Buddhist Center began in 2016. We work at the direction of His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, Khenchen Konchok Gyatshen Rinpoche and other esteemed lamas in the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. We are form is a place for the nurturing of inner peace, understanding, kindness, and compassion. Our aim is to provide a program of meditation and wisdom studies taught by qualified lay people, lamas and other Tibetan teachers.
The Milarepa Center provides instruction in meditation and philosophy in a way that is applicable to both non-Buddhists and Buddhists alike. The Center also serves as the focal point for forming spiritual community where we support one another in our practice and benefit the larger community as well.
Join us for classes, events, and weekly meditation.
WE HAVE MOVED!
We are happy to announce that we have found a beautiful new location that is much larger than our 1st Ave space. Our new location is: 2871 Heinz Road, Iowa City, 52240
OCTOBER, 2019 TWO SPECIAL EVENTS
Friday–Sunday
October 25-27
FALL RETREAT
WITH DRUPON RINCHEN DORJE:
Guru Rinpoche Empowerment and Dzogchen Teachings
Guru Rinpoche: a short biography
Guru Rinpoche (Precious Master) is also known as Padmasambhava (Skt.), or Padmākara. Tibetans consider him the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. For this reason, he is often referred to as the “second Buddha”. Guru Rinpoche was instrumental in bringing the Vajrayāna teachings to Tibet, arriving in the Iron Tiger year of 810 CE. In Tibet, he is famed for taming the local spirits by converting them to be protectors of the Dharma.
We often refer to Guru Rinpoche as Pemajungné (The Lotus Born) or Tsokyé Dorjé, ‘Lake Born Vajra’. He manifested from the heart of Amitabha Buddha. From that miraculous beginning, he appeared on the anthers of a lotus flower in the midst of Lake Dhanakosha in Oḍḍiyāna. The date was the year of the Earth Monkey, on the tenth day of the waxing moon, in the monkey month. As Guru Rinpoche was born, the ḍākinīs praised him. Their spontaneous invocation is now well -loved as the Vajra Guru Mantra.
SCHEDULE:
Friday, October 25
GURU RINPOCHE Empowerment
TIME: 7–9pm
ABOUT: On Friday evening Drupon will offer the empowerment for Guru Rinpoche yoga practice.
Saturday, October 26
Morning Session:
Teachings on Guru Rinpoche Meditation Practice
TIME: 9–noon
Lunch Break: noon–2
Afternoon Session:
Teachings on The Three Statements that Strike the Vital Point by Garab Dorje , I
TIME: 2-4pm
Evening:
Personal Interviews may be scheduled with Drupon.
TIME: 4:30-6 pm – at the Dharma Center | the schedule will be announced later
Sunday, October 27
Morning session:
Teachings on The Three Statements that Strike the Vital Point by Garab Dorje , II (continued)
TIME: 10–noon
(You are welcome to attend this teaching even if you missed Saturday afternoon.)
Lunch Break: noon-2pm
Afternoon Session:
Teachings on The Three Statements that Strike the Vital Point by Garab Dorje , III (continued)
TIME: 2-4pm
Evening:
Personal Interviews may be scheduled with Drupon.
TIME: 4:30-6 pm – at the Dharma Center | the schedule will be announced later
INFORMATION:
Location:
This retreat will be held at our Dharma Center:
2871 Heinz Road, Iowa City, IA
Options for Lunch:
A vegetarian lunch will be offered as part of this retreat for $7
or Bring your own food to the center.
or Go out for lunch – a list of local lunch places can be found here.
Seating:
We will have both cushions and chairs available.
Volunteer Opportunities:
There are volunteer opportunities still available for this lama visit. These include things like bringing flowers, serving tea for the lama, helping with meals for the lama and several other things. Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering: Our volunteer teams are listed here. Or you can email me at: sangha@milarepaiowa.org
Parking:
Please park on the road in front of the center.
About Donations:
Making teachings available from visiting teachers involves expenses for our young community. These include transportation costs, translator fee, and publicity. Most importantly, as a community we will make an offering to the lama at the end of his visit. Your donation will make the communal offering possible. At the same time, your donations are the beginning of building something for future generations in Iowa City –a vibrant community that is able to offer a full range of opportunities for both practice and study in Buddhism. No one turned away due to lack of funds.
Questions: sangha@milarepaiowa.org
or 937-244-1961
REGISTRATION
4 REGISTRATION OPTIONS:
1. NON-MEMBERS
Friday evening empowerment: $30
Saturday teachings: $35
Sunday teachings: $35
REGISTER HERE
2. MEMBERS
Friday evening empowerment: $22
Saturday teachings: $25
Sunday teachings: $25
REGISTER HERE
3. STUDENTS
Friday evening empowerment: $20
Saturday teachings: $22
Sunday teachings: $22
REGISTER HERE
4. SCHOLARSHIPS & WORK STUDY
Scholarships and work-study options are readily available by contacting Ellen Marie
at sangha@milarepaiowa.org or text: 937-244-1961.
Drupon Rinchen Dorje Biography:
Drupon Dorje enrolled in the Drikung Kagyu Institute in 1993, and has received instruction in philosophy, Gongchig, Theckchen Tenying, Dhagpo Thargyan, and Uttaratantra from Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen and other profound teachers of the lineage. In 1995 Drupon Dorje received full ordination vows from His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, and in the same year accomplished the ngondro practices to mahamudra and the grand mantra recitation of Chakrasamvara. In 1996, he received initiation into the Profound Path of the Six Yogas of Naropa. Drupon. Rinchen Dorje Rinpoche has completed two (2) three-year
retreat courses, one at Almora and one at Lapchi, the holy retreat place of the great yogi, Milarepa.
Drupon Rinchen Dorje entered Tana Monastery in 1984, receiving his vows as a novice monk from Tulku Nyendrak Gyaltsen Rinpoche. While helping with the reconstruction of the monastery, he received teachings on the Fivefold Path of Mahamudra and Kunsang Lama’s Words of Profound Instruction, Dzogchen’s Great Completion Parting from Samsara and Nirvana, Pointing Out the Nature of Mind, and other teachings from Tulku Nyendrak Gyaltsen Rinpoche. In 2005, he received the five-deities Hevajra according to Marpa’s tradition of empowerment, transmission and instructions from His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, and in 2006 he completed the grand mantra recitation of glorious Hevajra’s fire puja. He was awarded the title, Drupon, meaning “Retreat Master.” Drupon Rinchen Dorje currently is the resident lama for Chicago Ratna Shri and the three-year retreat master at the Garchen Buddhist Institute in Chino Valley, Arizona.
Tuesday & Wednesday
October 29 & 30
LHARAMPA GESHE NGAWANG NORBU
Teachings on Three Principal Aspects of the Path by Je Tsongkhapa
SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, October 29
Teachings on Three Principal Aspects of the Path
by Je Tsongkhapa
Time: 6:30–8:30 pm
Place Milarepa Buddhist Center: 2871 Heinz Road, Iowa City
Suggested Donation: $5-25 sliding scale
Wednesday, October 30
Teachings on Three Principal Aspects of the Path
by Je Tsongkhapa (cont.)
Time: 6:30–8:30 pm
Place Milarepa Buddhist Center: 2871 Heinz Road, Iowa City
Suggested Donation: $5-25 sliding scale
INFORMATION:
Location:
These teachings will be held at our Dharma Center:
2871 Heinz Road, Iowa City, IA
Seating:
We will have both cushions and chairs available.
Volunteer Opportunities:
There are volunteer opportunities still available for this lama visit. These include things like bringing flowers, serving tea for the lama, helping with meals for the lama and several other things. Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering: sangha@milarepaiowa.org
Parking:
Please park on the road in front of the center.
About Donations:
Making teachings available from visiting teachers involves expenses for our community. These include transportation costs, translator fee, and publicity. Most importantly, as a community we will make an offering to the lama at the end of his visit. Your donation will make the communal offering possible. At the same time, your donations are the beginning of building something for future generations in Iowa City –a vibrant community that is able to offer a full range of opportunities for both practice and study in Buddhism. No one turned away due to lack of funds.
Questions: sangha@milarepaiowa.org
or 937-244-1961
REGISTRATION
4 REGISTRATION OPTIONS:
1. NON-MEMBERS
Tuesday Evening Teachings: $10
Wednesday Evening Teachings: $10
REGISTER HERE
2. MEMBERS
Tuesday Evening Teachings: $7
Wednesday Evening Teachings: $7
REGISTER HERE
3. STUDENTS
Tuesday Evening Teachings: $5
Wednesday Evening Teachings: $5
REGISTER HERE
4. SCHOLARSHIPS & WORK STUDY
Scholarships and work-study options are readily available by contacting Ellen Marie
at sangha@milarepaiowa.org or text: 937-244-1961.
Lharampa Geshe Ngawang Norbu Biography:
Geshe Norbu was born in 1964 in the Kham region in Eastern Tibet, in Tsok County. Geshe-la was ordained at age 18. He left Tibet in 1983 and entered Sera Jey Monastery in Southern India. Geshe-la was one of the best in his class and was awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree in 2003, the highest degree of learning in Buddhist Studies. His nickname at Sera was Chandrakirti, due to his wisdom becoming very sharp and penetrative while debating on the key points of Buddhist philosophy. He was asked to teach at Sera Jey before he completed his Geshe degree, due to his illuminated wisdom. After finishing his education, he was invited by Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup Rigsel, Abbot of Kopan, to teach at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Geshe-la is very learned and keeps pure morality. One of Kyabje Choden Rinpoche’s main disciples, Geshe Norbu is very humble and down to earth.
Fall, 2019 MEDITATION SESSIONS
NEW! This fall we are excited to announce that we will offer a second practice session on Saturday mornings. We will be doing Medicine Buddha on Saturday mornings until the Winter Solstice. Saturday morning practices are suitable for both beginners and more experienced practitioners.
Saturdays
beginning at 9am
Guided Meditation: Om Ah Hung
This practice will introduce you to a Tibetan Buddhist guided meditation – using the mantra Om Ah Hung – that can be used by anyone to achieve compassion and lovingkindness. Everyone is welcome regardless of your level of experience with meditation.
time: 9-9:30am | fee: none, drop in
Dharma Discussion
During the Dharma Discussion we will read and discuss a short excerpt from a book of Garchen Rinpoche’s quotes. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. If you are new to Tibetan Buddhism or have never done Medicine Buddha meditation –we can discuss the practice during this time.
Orientation: 9:30-9:55am | fee: none, drop-in
Medicine Buddha Meditation
At 10am we practice Medicine Buddha meditation in order to heal the mind and body so that we may embody compassion and wisdom. Texts are provided and everyone is welcome regardless of your level of experience with meditation.
Time: 10-10:45 | fee: none, drop-in
Sundays
beginning at 10am
Guided Meditation: Om Ah Hung
This practice will introduce you to a Tibetan Buddhist guided meditation – using the mantra Om Ah Hung – that can be used by anyone to achieve compassion and lovingkindness. Everyone is welcome regardless of your level of experience with meditation.
time: 10-10:30am | fee: none, drop in
Dharma Discussion
During the Dharma Discussion we will read and discuss a short excerpt from a book of Garchen Rinpoche’s quotes. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. If you are new to Tibetan Buddhism or have never done Green Tara meditation – we can discuss the practice during this time.
Orientation: 10:30-10:55am | fee: none, drop-in
Green Tara Meditation
At 11am we practice the Green Tara meditation in order to cultivate loving kindness, compassion and mindfulness. Texts are provided and everyone is welcome regardless of your level of experience with meditation.
Time: 11-11:45 | fee: none, drop-in