Tara Practice (Aug): Treasury of Two Siddhis led by Geshe Gelek (in person only)

A TREASURY OF TWO SIDDHIS - An Extensive Tara Practice to the Twenty One Emanations of Tara

Saturday, August 19, from 9:00 am until about 12:00 pm (ET) ~ in person only at Kadampa Center ~ Tara liberates from cyclic existence, from all fears, and from all sickness.  Mother Tara is the embodiment of compassion in action.  With her 21 emanations, she is capable of helping in every circumstance. Geshe Gelek will lead us in this beautiful practice in which we will invite all the 21 Taras to a special altar set-up in the center of the gompa that we can circumambulate (see below for how to help set it up), and engage with each of the 21 Taras in turn, making prostrations and offerings, visualizing and meditating on each of their distinctive qualities.

OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE MORE DEEPLY WITH THE TREASURY OF TWO SIDDHIS TARA PRACTICE

A Treasury of Two Siddhis typically only takes place once a year at Kadampa Center.  Setting up the altar and making offerings is part of this extensive Tara practice and, by doing so, you form a deeper connection to Tara, generate merit, and are of benefit to all sentient beings.  You are invited and encouraged to participate in any of the following opportunities.  No experience is necessary.

1. Participate in setting up the Tara altar:  On Friday, August 18, beginning at 10:00am, join us in creating and setting up the special altar for the 21 Taras in the center of the gompa.

2. Bring offerings of flowers and/or food:  On Saturday, August 19, plan to arrive by 8:30am to add your offerings of flowers (vases are available at the Center) and/or food (note: For this particular practice, please avoid foods containing egg, meat, onion or garlic; fruit, individually wrapped snack items, or candy are good options) to the Tara altar.

3. Make offerings to sangha members:  Provide notes of thanks and/or financial offerings (any amount is fine) in envelopes to Kadampa Center's monks and nuns.

4. Sponsor this Tara practice:  Sponsoring dharma practices benefits Kadampa Center, its teachers and students, and is an incredible opportunity for one to practice generosity, build merit, and create the causes to meet dharma teachings and teachers in the future.  Please consider becoming a sponsor for this practice.  Here's how:

• Make your $108 sponsorship donation HERE.

• Offer your dedication HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND AND HEARTFELT GENEROSITY!

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TREASURY OF TWO SIDDHIS TARA PRACTICE

Written by Panchen Lobsang Chökyi Gyaltsen at Tashi Lunpo Monastery in Tibet, the Treasury of Two Siddhis practice deepens our connection to each of the 21 Taras by visualizing her being present with us, contemplating the specific enlightened activity of each Tara, and engaging in the Seven Limbs of practice: prostration, offering, purification, rejoicing, entreating Tara to remain, requesting Tara to teach, and dedication.  This Tara practice consists of reciting sadhanas and mantras for each of the 21 emanations of Tara.  Sadhanas are tantric meditations through which a practitioner aims to achieve union or identity with a divine being such as Mother Tara through visualizations and prayers.  Students of all levels will enjoy this beautiful practice which will be conducted in English.

Khensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Delek (Geshe Gelek and Geshe Sangpo's teacher and former Abbot of Sera Je Monastery in India) said when he visited Kadampa Center in 2011 that our center has a special connection to Tara, therefore doing Tara practice is incredibly beneficial for our community, for increasing harmony in working together, and for the continued success of Kadampa Center.