Monthly Practice and Study Group - Sadhana of Mahamudra
The Sadhana of Mahamudra, a liturgical practice composed by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1968, expresses the essence of the Vidyadhara’s dharma transmission to the West. Join us for an evening of group practice and study!
Led by Derek Kolleeny.
7 - 9 PM ET
Open to all. By donation.
Meets on the second Thursday of the month
Westchester Meditation Center is pleased to announce that we will be hosting group practice of the Sadhana of Mahamudra each month on Zoom. All are welcome to attend!
The Sadhana of Mahamudra is a liturgy—both teaching and practice—written in traditional style by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche half a century ago, not long after he began working with western students. It is inspired by Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche), an Indian teacher and yogi who was instrumental in bringing buddhadharma to Tibet. It is said that this practice text is a terma, a teaching Guru Rinpoche magically concealed for a future time when it might be needed, and was discovered by Chögyam Trungpa in our own times, when it is sorely needed indeed.
The Sadhana underscores the profound simplicity of the dharma as presented by both the Kagyu-Mahamudra and Nyingma-Dzogchen lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. It directly addresses the spiritual materialism, abuse of power, and degeneration of practice that compromised Buddhism in Tibet and threaten to do the same in the West. It helps practitioners steer a middle path between the extremes of empty intellectualism and blind devotion to protocol.
As the sadhana is traditional in style, its references and symbolism may seem exotic and possibly incomprehensible on first reading. As with all dharma teachings and practice, understanding develops through patience and contemplation. We encourage newcomers to simply experience how a Sadhana practice feels. The chant leader will give a brief explanation of the practice before it is begun and will also be available to answer any questions afterwards.
“It is hoped that this sadhana will be practiced by those who are prepared to see the living dharma within. The sadhana will help to purify the present degenerate state of philosophy and meditation practice. It will help to bring peace in the warfare waged by materialism.”
From The Sadhana of Mahamudra
Read more about the Sadhana of Mahamudra:
Mixing Energy with Space, by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
The Story of the Sadhana of Mahamudra by Carolyn Gimian.
