The Power of Aspiration Prayers in Challenging Times
Phakyab Rinpoche & Lama Karma Chötso
Thursday, March 31, 2011: 7:30 - 9:00 PM

The Sacred Space, 100 NE 25th Street, Miami, FL 33137
www.thesacredspacemiami.com

While aspiration can refer to the act of breathing, it also is a strong desire to achieve something great. The Buddha and many bodhisattvas wrote Aspiration Prayers for us to recite because they knew that the repetition of them would be an effective support for reaching our goals. For example, an Aspiration Prayer for enlightenment and freedom from suffering is an unmistaken and unselfish prayer. Simply reciting these prayers can benefit all sentient beings.

Phakyab Rinpoche, (pronounced “Puk Jub Rin Poh Chey”), is a high ranking Lama and a highly renowned practitioner in the Gelugpa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Born in Kham, Tibet in 1966 and ordained at the age of thirteen, Rinpoche began his monastic training at Ashi Monastery in Eastern Tibet before transferring to Sera Mey Monastery in southern India, where he trained under the tutelage of Ven. Khenpo Lobsang Jamyang and Ven. Khensur Geshe Tinle Topgye. In 1994, while studying for his Geshe degree (the highest rank in Tibetan Buddhist scholarship) Rinpoche was recognized by the Dalai Lama as the eighth reincarnation of the Phakyab Rinpoche – a venerated Buddhist teacher. In 2009, he received his Geshe degree at Sera Monastery. Rinpoche is a powerful example of the potential we all have to cultivate the life of the Bodhisattva or spiritual hero. He is a steadfast advocate of non-violent conflict resolution and he brings humility, cheer and boundless compassion to his teachings.

Lama Karma Chötso began her practice of Tibetan Buddhism in 1982 when she met Kyabje Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche. She was fortunate enough to take teachings and empowerments not only from Kalu Rinpoche but also from His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and the Very Ven. Lama Norlha Rinpoche, all three of whom remain her closest teachers. Lama Karma Chötso was ordained as a novice Buddhist nun by Kalu Rinpoche in 1986 prior to entering the traditional three-year, three-month retreat at Kagyu Thubten Chöling Monastery in upstate New York. She traveled to India and Sikkim twice on pilgrimage, and into Tibet with Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche in 1993, where she first met the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. In 1996, Lama Norlha Rinpoche instructed her to stay in Florida and begin a center for the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism. Lama Karma Chötso formed the Lama Residence in El Portal in 2003, and also teaches in centers she started in the Florida Keys and South Miami.

Sponsored by the Helen Graham Park Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to promoting dialogue between the modern science and the ancient wisdom traditions of the world. The Helen Graham Park Foundation, 305-751-8765, www.illuminations.org And the Kagyu Shedrup Choling, A Tibetan Buddhist Center, 305-751-7402, www.kagyu-sfla.org

For Information: Contact Barbara at: 916-718-4909 or 305-751-8765 or visit
www.illuminations.org
Donation of $10.00

**For your comfort please bring a cushion to sit on**