Palyul Changchub Dargyeling Dallas

Tibetan Buddhist Meditation and Study in the Nyingma Tradition

HH Penor Rinpoche Practice Advice Ven Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche Bio

Home Page Verses from "A Guide to a Bodhisattva’s Way of Life"

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Info For Attendees at our Practices

and New Members

May all beings attain happiness and the sources of happiness;
May they be free from suffering and the causes of suffering;
May they never lose the great tranquility devoid of suffering;
May they dwell in deep equanimity, free from passion, aggression, and ignorance.

As a place intended for hearing teachings, as well as for prayer and meditation,

we must insist that the Shrine Room be kept a peaceful space at all times.

While attending PCD Dallas, all participants are expected to observe the

pratimokha, bodhisattva, and vajrayana precepts with regard to interactions with sangha members and others.

Shrine Room Etiquette

As a place intended for hearing teachings, as well as for prayer and meditation,

we ask that the Shrine Room be kept a peaceful space at all times.

Many who are new to Buddhism are unaware of proper etiquette in the shrine room,

so here are some details to keep in mind.

Etiquette is an expression of respect and gratitude for one's own Buddha Nature,

which is embodied by one's teacher and is reflected in the Shrine Room environment.

It can also be a source of merit because, by not disturbing one's fellow practitioners, one is actually aiding their practice.

While attending PCD Dallas, all participants are expected to observe the

pratimokha, bodhisattva, and vajrayana precepts with regard to interactions

with sangha members and others.

In other words: Be Mindful, Respectful and extend Loving-Kindness to yourself and all others.

Please consider the following points of etiquette:

· Palyul teachers are monastics (monks or nuns).

At teachings and empowerments, dress conservatively out of respect for our teachers.

Jeans and t-shirts are fine! But please, no shorts, tank tops, mid-rise tops, see-through tops, etc.

· Please remove your shoes before entering the shrine room.

· Cell phones, pagers and other electrical devices should be turned off or silenced.

· It is best to practice calm-abiding meditation (shamatha) and sit quietly

while waiting for teachings or empowerments to begin.

· It is customary to stand and bow, holding your hands in prayer position,

until the lama/teacher is seated.

· Please do not point the soles of your feet towards the altar or the lama/teacher.

· Any dharma materials, containing teachings or prayers of the Buddha,

should be treated with respect.

· Please do not place any dharma materials directly on the floor or allow others to step on/over them.

· In general, please be respectful to the shrine room, the lama/teacher,

and those attending the meditation and/or teachings.

· If you have questions, please ask. We are all here to increase our understanding of Buddhism.

Palyul Changchub Dargyeling Dallas is part of a group of US centers for meditation/study in the

Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma tradition founded by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, and under the

direction of Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche. Our goal is to make the teachings of Buddha

particularly in the Palyul Nyingma tradition available to all who wish to follow them.

PCD Dallas regularly hosts teaching visits from eminent lamas of the Palyul tradition.

Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche is the Spiritual Director of PCD Dallas,

and visits Dallas to teach at least once a year to teach and give empowerments.

We are also now blessed with full-time US presence of Khenpo Tenzin Norgey Rinpoche.

Starting in 2004, Khenpo Norgey Rinpoche will be regularly teaching in Dallas.

He is resident at Palyul Ling Retreat Center in upstate NY and is founder and main teacher for the

Palyul Cyber Shedra. Khenpo Norgey Rinpoche’s bio at www.palyul.org

PCD Dallas understands that there are many, many differing schools of thought within (and outside of)

Tibetan Buddhism. To minimize confusion for students, we follow the traditional teachings of the

Palyul lineage. These consist of the Foundational Practices (Ngondro) followed by other

Nam Cho dzogchen teachings, as outlined in the Summer Retreat section of the main website,

www.palyul.org

PCD Dallas respectfully requests that students of other teachers and traditions not post or

distribute PR flyers etc at our PCD Dallas meditation meetings. While we fully support diversity

in all its forms, as one of the US Palyul Changchub Dargyeling centers, we are dedicated to supporting

the efforts of our lineage head, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. PCD Dallas supports and hosts

only teachers supervised and approved by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Further, His Holiness has

requested that all Palyul centers follow a ‘no politics’ rule. Therefore, we must ask that no politically

oriented flyers be distributed at PCD Dallas, including ‘free Tibet’ materials.

PCD Dallas teaching, study and meditation programs are set by Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche.

PCD Dallas follows the direction of Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche regarding meditation/study

programs offered, and programs are changed only with Khenpo Rinpoche’s personal direction.

All practice and spiritual questions can be addressed directly with Khenpo Rinpoche during his

teaching visits to PCD Dallas. All serious students are invited to ask for a personal interview

to discuss personal practice issues, during Khenpo Rinpoche’s teaching visits.

Bodhisattva (Spiritual Warrior) Actions

We must insist that all attendees restrain themselves from outbursts of anger or

other forms of hostile emotional display within the shrine room. To provide respectful

interaction for all members, any individual who cannot maintain emotional equilibrium

while at practice in the shrine room will be asked to leave.

Anyone experiencing uncontrollable hostile emotion is expected to demonstrate

spiritual maturity and Right Action by immediately, gently and politely –

excusing themselves from the group (without creating a ‘scene’).

Ideally, any person experiencing emotional distress would move a quiet area and take

several, slow deep breaths, say mantra and visualize Guru Rinpoche (or Tara),

and calm themselves. Such ‘in your face’ situations are perfect opportunities for practice!

Self-observation and self-discovery within an atmosphere of trust, compassion and

unconditional love – is the basis of Ngondro Foundational Practice.

Within Ngondro, generating and developing unconditional love and Compassion

(Bodhichitta) for oneself is the beginning practice.

With Right Effort and an open heart, this profound and precious Bodhichitta

can then be extended to all sentient beings!

Be gentle with yourself. Beings cannot extend unconditional Compassion to others –

while they have only hostility and disrespect for themselves!

However, inflicting personal emotional turmoil and chaos on the group –

and the resulting disturbance of the peace of the shrine room – absolutely will not be allowed.

We understand that the profound practices of Tibetan Buddhism (as with all true spiritual practices) will,

if practiced correctly, diligently and with good heart – produce enormous positive personal transformation.

All true spiritual work from any tradition includes deep personal introspection and work on ego.

In that sense, the practice can be very challenging, is not at all easy (!) and can lead to

occasional feelings of emotional turmoil. The sangha is here is support this vital spiritual

work with compassion, empathy and fellowship. However, this should not be

understood to mean that disrespectful actions and/or any behaviors are acceptable.

PCD Dallas is not a therapy group and also not a psychological support or ‘encounter’ group.

Information from PCD Dallas (or any member or teacher affiliated with PCD Dallas) is not

intended to diagnose or treat any medical or psychological illness. If you have

medical/psychological concerns you are advised to contact a licensed medical

professional. Any who feel the need for psychological counseling are advised to seek

help immediately. Spiritual instruction at PCD Dallas is not a substitute for medical

and/or psychological care. Any information and/or spiritual instruction offered at PCD Dallas

is not offered for the purposes of substituting, replacing, or contra-indicating sound

medical advice or medical and/or psychological care. Please consult your licensed

medical physician/psychological professional for questions and concerns.

And please use common sense. Be gentle with yourself!

May the Profound and Precious Bodhichitta, where it has arisen,

continue to develop and be ever-increasing!

May All Beings Benefit!