ABOUT THE VAJRA KILAYA BLESSING
In GRASS VALLEY July 2nd 2:30pm at Saint Josephs Cultural Center
The Venerable Nechung Kuten, Thupten Ngodrup, Medium of the Chief State Oracle of Tibet will bestow a Vajrakilaya Blessing, which arises from his personal meditation, awareness, and a special Kilaya treasure.
Vajrakilaya is a deity of the Highest Yoga Tantra, symbolic of the Activity of all Enlightened Beings. It is considered to be one of the most powerful practices to overcome delusion, negativity and obstacles. Outwardly, Vajrakilaya has a wrathful appearance, but inwardly, emanates great compassion for all beings. In another level of tantra, Vajrakilaya manifests as the Bodhisattva Vajrapani.
Many great Tibetan masters of all the lineages, especially Nyingma and Sakya, have engaged in this quintessential practice to accomplish full enlightenment throughout the ages. The continuous transmission of this Tantra comes from these great lamas in an unbroken lineage until the present day.
In Buddhism, there are various traditions of practice and emphasis on specific aspects of the philosophy. There is Hinayana, which focuses on individual liberation, while Mahayana is based on altruistic thought and action, reliant on aspiration and actual engagement, which results in Buddhahood for the benefit of others.
Within the Mahayana, there are the categories of Sutra or the Perfections, and Secret Mantra or Tantra, also known as Vajrayana. Tibetan Buddhism is very complete; it includes Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
Secret Mantra encompasses four levels - Kriya, Charya, Yoga, and Highest Tantra Yoga. The word mantra means, "mind protection" (man, mind and tra, protect). This indicates that the practice of mantra protects the mind from ordinary appearances. By cultivating a pure view of the external world, as well as of one's physical, verbal and mental facilities, the aspirant can transform ordinary appearances and activities into exalted ones; not only in meditation, but in all aspects of daily life.
This Vajrakilaya blessing, complemented by positive thoughts and deeds, creates favorable conditions to remove difficulties and increases merit and wisdom for ultimate realization.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE EVENT
Nechung Kuten will offer a public talk on "World Peace Through Inner Peace." Nechung Kuten is a Tibetan Buddhist monk, Abbot of the historic Nechung Monastery in exile and an internationally acclaimed speaker noted for addressing topics on World Peace, the Environment and Global Warming. Recognized for his remarkable healing abilities, Nechung Kuten has worked tirelessly on behalf of the sick, the aged and the dying.
Following the talk, Nechung Kuten will then offer each individual member of the audience an opportunity to receive a rare and special blessing. This is a rare occasion to receive a multi-dimensional blessing from Nechung Kuten, who will confer this powerful ceremony using two rare and ancient ritual implements: the Phurba (ritual knife) used by Padmasambhava, the Indian mystic responsible for the spread of Buddhism in Tibet in the eight century and a sanctified statue of Atisha an 11th century saint who reformed Buddhism in Tibet. It is believed by Buddhists that being blessed by Nechung Kuten and these powerful Dharma icons has the potential to transmit a high degree of protection, healing and energy to those receiving the blessing with an open heart and clear mind.
Like many ancient civilizations of the world, the phenomenon of oracles remains an important part of the Tibetan way of life. Tibetans rely on oracles for various reasons. The purpose of the oracles is not just to foretell the future. They are called upon as protectors and often used as healers. However, their primary function is to protect the Buddha Dharma (the Buddha's teachings of kindness and compassion) and its practitioners. In the Tibetan tradition, the word oracle is used for a spirit which enters those men and women who act as mediums between the natural and the spiritual realms. The mediums are therefore, known as Kuten, which literally means, "the physical basis."
Nechung Kuten, aka the Ven. Thupten Ngodup was born on July 13, 1958 in Pari, Tibet. As a child he was artistically gifted, and had great compassion for others. In 1966, he and his family escaped Tibet to Dharamsala, India. At the age of 12, he took ordination as a monk at Nechung Monastery. Nechung monastery is an institution that has been closely affiliated with the Tibetan Government and the succession of Dalai Lamas for centuries and was just beginning to get reestablished (following the onset of the Tibetan diaspora). Thupten Ngodup was one of the first wave of new monks. Due to his qualities and artistic abilities, he quickly rose to the position of the Chief Ritual Assistant to the Nechung Protector while in trance.
After the passing of Lobzang Jigme, the previous Medium in April 1984, there was a gap of three years when there was no presence of a Medium for the Nechung Oracle. The Nechung monks and the Tibetan community requested for the rapid appearance of a new Kuten in daily prayers. In 1987, the Venerable Thupten Ngodup entered into his first spontaneous trance, during Drepung Monastery's annual offering ceremony to the Protector at Nechung Monastery in Dharamsala. He displayed signs that he may indeed by the next Nechung Kuten.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama advised that he conduct an extended retreat and engage in special meditations and rituals and ripen and stabilize his abilities. On September 4, 1987, he was fully recognized to be the Medium of Nechung the Tibetan Oracle. The Nechung Kuten is an important figure for the Tibetan people and Tibetan Buddhism, and holds a position of great responsibility in the Tibetan government in exile.
"This community's long-term and unwavering commitment to Tibet, her people and the wisdom teachings of non-violence and compassion is the cause for Nechung Kuten, medium of the protector of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile to return for one afternoon during his incredibly demanding schedule while on a short visit to the U.S." says Melanie Sullivan of Tibetech.org which sponsors and manages the Nechung Buddhist Center's web and internet projects. To learn more on the history of the Nechung Oracle and the Nechung Buddhist Center, please visit www.nechung.com
Tibetan carpets, ritual items, Tibetan bowls and refugee made handicrafts are available for purchase at the event. Ritual statues consecrated by Nechung Kuten are also available to sponsors of the Nechung Buddhist Center. Please check the web for details on the statues. All funds raised go directly to the Nechung Buddhist Center. No member of Tibetech.org, SFOT or any sponsoring partner receives remuneration. This is a volunteer driven event.
