Online: 100,000 Songs of Milarepa

A DHARMAKAYA CENTER RETREAT

Milarepa, Tibet’s renowned and beloved enlightened master, was known for his ability to present complex teachings in a simple, approachable manner through song and poetry. Through his famous 100,000 songs he guided his followers along the Buddhist path. This program is a rare opportunity to study Milarepa’s teachings with Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche, who is considered to be an emanation of Milarepa. In this program Rinpoche uses eight of Milarepa’s songs as a framework for his teaching. To intensify our understanding, we sing the songs together; we also meditate on Milarepa’s messages. It is a unique, engaging, and powerful weekend.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Milarepa, known in Tibetan as the Lord of the Yogis, reached the highest attainable illumination. From this achievement he was able to teach untold numbers of people. His story is one of a great sinner who became a great saint. But his story is also the story of Tibetan Buddhist teachings, and a guide to those who search for personal liberation. It is the story of the quest for enlightenment in one lifetime. And his ability to render any lesson into spontaneous song is one of his great legacies.

In each of the four weekend sessions, Rinpoche will give teachings on two songs, and we will sing those songs together. As Rinpoche explains, singing these texts helps us really understand and internalize the teachings within them. Because Milarepa’s actual music was not passed down, we have created new contemporary music to accompany the teachings. We distribute this music and the words at registration to help you prepare and enable you to participate more fully.

You will gain a deeper appreciation both for Buddhist teaching and for Milarepa and his legacy of illumination through song.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
• Group singing
• Tibetan yoga practice
• Ganachakra Feast
• Small group discussion
• Chinese translation

OPEN TO ALL

There are no prerequisites for this program; it is appropriate for all.

PRE-READING

There is no requirement to study or read in advance of the program, but many people have asked for recommendations. Over the weekend, the texts and songs will be drawn from these two books:

100,000 Songs of Milarepa
Tsangnyon Heruka, translated by Christopher Stagg

The Life of Milarepa
Tsangnyon Heruka, translated by Lobsang P. Lhalungpa

We will supply the lyrics to the songs during the program.

SCHEDULE

(subject to change)

All times in the schedule below are provided in the Eastern Time Zone. For the first session global starting times are:

USA West: 4:00 PM, September 2
USA East: 7:00 PM, September 2
London: 12:00 AM, September 3
Berlin, Paris: 1:00 AM, September 3
New Delhi: 4:30 AM, September 3
Kathmandu: 4:45 AM, September 3
Bangkok: 6:00 AM, September 3
Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing: 7:00 AM, September 3

Friday, October 28

Saturday, October 29

Sunday, October 30