"Taking this image of the human form the Bodhicitta transmutes it into the priceless image of the Jewel of the Conqueror. Grasp tightly this highly potent elixir, known as the Bodhicitta, which must be thoroughly worked."
At the beginning of March Satyaraja led a new retreat at Padmaloka, titled 'Essential Meditation'. The aim was to provide people with a foundational toolkit of principles and practical guidance to help them take full ownership of their meditation practice and therefore develop it to the next level.
The retreat covered all areas of working in meditation from posture, balanced effort and working on the hindrances, to access concentration, the dhyanas and insight.
A new talk from Padmavajra, given today, 24th March.
On the thirtieth anniversary of death of Urgyen Sangharakshita's teacher - Dhardo Rimpoche, Padmavajra commemorates Rinpoche's life, work and example and how his message might inspire us in these fearful times.
The talk was given in the Padmaloka shrine room to the Padmaloka community on a day devoted to honouring Dhardo Rimpoche.
Click here to watch it: https://bit.ly/TheLightofTara
Padmavajra gives a talk on how to Go for Refuge in times of adversity, even in a time of fear.
Given the situation of the world today, with threat of sickness and great uncertainty, how do we practise as Buddhists? How do we continue to deepen our practice of loving kindness, of awareness? What is the real response to the situation we find ourselves in today?
Click here to watch the video: http://bit.ly/GFRinTimesofFear
The Ordination Team and Management Team met this morning to discuss Padmaloka's response to the Coronavirus situation and how that will affect the running of retreats over the next few months.
Given the UK Prime Minister's recent briefing on the situation we have decided to cancel all upcoming retreats until the end of June, and we will review the situation after that and update you further.
Bookings are now closed for the 'Spring Ordination Training Weekend - The Bitendential Value of Being' as the event is now fully booked, there is a waiting list if you would like to be added to it, email info@padmaloka.org.uk to do so.
Book now for the 'Autumn Ordination Training Weekend - Establishing the Dharmacharya':
https://padmaloka.org.uk/retreats/2020/autumn-ordination-training-weeken...
Both explore in depth Bhante Sangharakshitas classic talk from 1967 'Mind: Reactive and Creative', and its implications in our lives as practising Buddhists.
Padmavajra outlines the task of the Bodhisattva Warrior who through his creativity creates entire worlds which are conducive to the practice of Buddhism.
Padmavajra: http://bit.ly/FearlessCreativity
Bodhinaga looks at the image of the Tibetan Wheel of life and uses personal examples to draw out how to move from reactivity to a creative state.
A guide to posture in meditation by our very own Dharmachari Surata, who is a lifelong practitioner of yoga, as well as meditator.
He gives tips on how to sit cross legged, astride and in a chair.
Find the full video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnVsCFbWCEY&feature=youtu.be
There are a new set of tiles which have been cut, printed and ready for painting.
The Padmaloka shrine room is completely unique, it is a room dedicated to the realisation of the Buddha's Enlightenment, and on every wall there is an image which can draw one towards that great goal of the spiritual, even human, life. This is an opportunity to be part of the Padmaloka shrine room project by paining a Buddha tile which will be put upon the wall, forming an array of Buddhas across the room.
See the following link for how to get involved with the project:
Earlier in January we hosted the Bodhisattva Ideal retreat here at Padmaloka, where Padmavajra gave a inspirational new talk on the theme titled: 'The Loveliest Bodhisattvas'.
In this talk Padmavajra explores the Altruistic dimension of Going for Refuge - The Bodhisattva Ideal - through Bhante's poem 'The Guardian Wall'.
He particularly explores the line in the poem: 'The loveliest Bodhisattvas are the anonymous' and what this means for somebody aspiring to practice the great ideal of the Bodhisattva.
