Content and topics of the Ma Gyud teachings 2012 in Graz

First, Lama Sangye Monlam will refresh the Ma Gyud sadhana (Lama, Yidam and Khandro practice), that we learned to recite last year. The text will be available in Tibetan, in phonetic transliteration and in english translation. As last year, we will recite the Ma Gyud sadhana every day.

Then Lama Sangye will complete the Thar Lam chapter of Ma Gyud with instructions on the mandala offering, both by constructing a physical mandala and symbolically with the mandala mudra.

Like every large cycle of Tantra or Dzogchen, the Ma Gyud has a chapter on the relationship between Lama and student, and a kind of checklist for the necessary qualities of Lama and student. Accordingly, Lama Sangye will discuss the question how to test the qualifications of a Lama (it's not easy, especially where inner qualities are concerned, as Lamas are not transparent) and which qualities the Lama must demand of his students.

The main part of the teachings will concern "searching for the mind", a technique for dissolving preconceived ideas about identity and existence, and ways to enter into "natural state", the meditative state that is the common base of tantra and dzogchen - the prerequisite for the path of tantra as well as for the path of dzogchen. It is an extremely delicate matter to talk about a non-conceptual state. At the same time, an experienced Lama like Lama Sangye Monlam can give practical, down to earth hints how to acheive this state. At the Ma Gyud teachings in Graz, we are in the lucky position to have a superb interpreter, Peter Alan Roberts, who is capable of getting the fine points across.

Rituals: After the morning teaching we will do Chutor (water offering), and after the afternoon teaching Surchod (burnt food offering) in the garden, and after evening meditation, Chöd (body offering). Texts of the rituals will be available, both in Tibetan and in phonetics. This is a good opportunity to learn and practice three of the "four generosities".

Tentative Schedule:
7-8am meditation
9:30-11:30 teaching
11:30-12 Chutor
2:30-4:30pm teaching
4:30pm Surchod
7-8pm meditation
8-8:15pm Chod
Time for questions and discussions every day when we go out for lunch together, and opportunity for individual consultations with Lama Sangye every day after Surchod.

Begin: The "official" begin time is June 30, 2012, 9:30am but you can already join us on June 29 for decorating the room and for evening meditation or on June 30 7am for morning meditation.
Friday June 29 tentative schedule
2:00-4:30pm decorating the room (help very much appreciated).
4:30pm Surchod
7:00-8:15pm meditation and Chod
Saturday June 30 tentative schedule
7-8am Meditation
8:00-9:30am registration
9:30am begin of teachings

End: The official end is July 6, 3pm.
July 6 tenative afternoon schedule
2-3pm Tsok
3pm Saying goodbye to the Lama, "official" end.
3:30-5:30pm dismantling decorations (help very much appreciated)