Rare Tibetan Buddhism Empowerment in Santa Barbara

His Holiness Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa – the reincarnation of HH Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, the supreme head of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism – is coming to town this week for a special presentation. His Holiness will give an empowerment and transmission of the Dechen Namrol Rigdzin Düpa known as The Display of Great Exaltation, a treasure of his previous two incarnations, Dudjom Rinpoche and Dudjom Lingpa. The sadhana is widely practiced in Pemaköd but has not previously been given in the United States. So, the event that takes place from 6 to 9 pm on Monday, June 25, at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is a rare opportunity to receive this empowerment from the source of the Dudjom lineage blessings and to connect with a powerful and authentic great master.

The event is sponsored by Odiyana Institute, under the guidance of Tulku Orgyen P’huntsok Rinpoche, the Santa Barbara organization where people come to learn the Buddhist teachings of wisdom and compassion. The Dudjom Tersar is the vehicle that is most emphasized on this journey and includes ritual, study, and meditation practices. Admission to HH Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa’s presentation is by donation. To register and donate online, visit www.odiyanainstitute.org, or call (805) 776-8018. The Hilton is located at 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd. (By his Holiness’s request, please do not share this event by social media. You may forward this email, but please do not post or share on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media site.)

BodhiPath and Beyond

Elsewhere in the local Buddhist community, the seekers who joined Bodhi Path Buddhist Center of Santa Barbara resident teacher Dawa Tarchin Phillips on the 30-day, around-the-world pilgrimage to the “7 chakras of our planet” have returned to town. Phillips led the teaching June 14 but has since returned to the road to attend the Bodhi Path Annual Gathering in Virginia. On Thursday, June 21, at 7 pm, the “pilgrims” will share their experiences, adventures, and the lessons they learned on the trip, while next Thursday, June 28, sangha members will lead four distinct 20-minute meditation sessions to help others apply Dawa’s and recent visitor Khaydroup’s teachings on meditation. Admission by donation. The center is located at 102 W Mission St. Call 284-2704 or visit www.bodhipath.org/sb.

In addition to its regular schedule, Mahakankala Buddhist Center is offering a Long Protector Puja from 5:30 to 9 pm on Friday, June 29, at its 508 Brinkerhoff Avenue location. The extensive sadhana – ritual prayers for spiritual attainments – is called Kangso in Tibetan, which means “fulfilling and restoring ritual.” The ritual is usually performed once a month in dharma centers and is used for fulfilling the heart commitment to practice Lamrim, Lojong, and Mahamudra, for restoring any degenerate or broken commitments, and to rely on the Dharma protector Dorje Shugden, regarding him as inseparable from our Spiritual Guide and Buddha. All chanted prayers are free, and everyone is welcome to attend. Prayer booklets in English are provided for use during the puja. Call 563-6000 or visit www.meditationinsantabarbara.org.

Virtual Empathy Arrives

Santa Barbara’s Nonviolent or Compassionate Communication Practice Group has been meeting in person twice a month for the better part of a year to discuss and employ the work of Marshall Rosenberg – who was a regular visitor to SBCC’s Adult Ed program during his lifetime – about learning to communicate using language that honors and values everyone’s needs. But now, those gatherings will be split between actual and virtual meetings, one in person and the other conducted online as a webinar practice. In either format, the work is about replacing habits of shame, blame, and domination with a process of empathy, compassion, and honesty, with the aim of experiencing the pleasure of contributing to one another’s well-being.

As always, the format includes a check-in; “empathy exchange;” a teaching piece, Q&A, game, or exercise; and extra time for individual empathy practice. All are welcome, including friends, partners, and family, and are open to all levels of experience. Suggested donation is $15 to $20 for the facilitators, Lesley Weinstock and Catherine Cooley, but the donations are anonymous, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. The new webinar practice group gets underway at 6 pm on Monday, June 25, with advance registration at zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__eLzP3kHScC11ykG1QaJ1Q. Contact Weinstock at (805) 212-0052 or lesleyweinstock@yahoo.com and Cooley at (805) 252-6406 or catherine.d.cooley@gmail.com.

Happenings at the Healing Hub

Ragan and Alex Thomson‘s next event, a Bring-a-Friend Potluck gathering at 6 pm on Wednesday, June 27, actually takes place back at their Montecito sanctuary at 1954 East Valley Road rather than the recently opened Hub in La Cumbre Plaza. The event is an opportunity to meet others in the community to come together in conscious enjoyment, loving connection, and celebration of summer. Bring a dish to share if you wish, and any friends who might be interested in learning more about the transformational work taking place at the Hub, including the ongoing seminars from Dale Halaway, whose next weekend seminar slated for September 21-23 is titled “Being Called to Change”. Call (805) 699-5308 or visit https://healinghubsantabarbara.com.