Revered Tibetan Buddhist Monks Coming to Santa Barbara

On August 4 and 5, a remarkable opportunity will take place at the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies. Two members from the Sakya Khon lineage — Her Eminence Jamyang Dagmo Sakya and His Eminence Asanga Sakya Rinpoche — will host traditional Tibetan Buddhist teachings with study group Tara Ling Santa Barbara.

The Sakya Kohn family is honored and respected in both the United States and Tibet. In the 1960s, they were the first Tibetan refugees to come to America and are founders of the Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, the United States’ oldest Dharma center and monastery.

This weekend in S.B., there will be a total of three teachings held: Long Life Blessings White Tara Empowerment, White Tara Teachings, and Transmission of Manjushri, Buddha of Wisdom, and Teachings on Refuge. Any and all are welcome, say organizers, although an open mind and heart is requested as well as a respect for the traditional practices. It is also requested that for the White Tara classes a vegetarian breakfast be eaten.

The three offered classes are said to provide many different contributions and truths to the open mind. Vidya Gauci, teacher and founder of Tara Ling Santa Barbara, states, “Such Dharma or truth is inspirational, nondogmatic, nonsectarian, loving, kind, and transformative; it is graciously offered with the pure motivation of simply being of benefit to all so that we may find some relief, guidance, and opportunities to learn, practice, and experience truth-given joy directly.”

Descriptions and details of the classes are as follows:

Sakya will host the Long Life Blessings White Tara Empowerment class, on Saturday, August 4, 10 a.m.-noon. The class will be easy to follow and feature discussions on topics such as spiritual insight, unconditional love, long life blessings, the enlightened body, speech, the mind, and traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices.

White Tara Teachings will be held by Sakya on Saturday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. and will include an explanation of White Tara and an opportunity to participate in authentic Sadhana practice. It is traditional to Buddhist Vajrayana deity practice and will allow for a question and answer opportunity at the end.

Rinpoche will hold the Transmission of Manjushri, Buddha of Wisdom, and Teachings on Refuge from 10 a.m.-noon on Sunday, August 5. This class has been passed down through the Sakya tradition for generations and will consist of lung of Manjushri male bodhisattva, a sacred speech, followed by Vairayana, a practice to fulfill aspiration of awakening Buddha nature, and then a teaching behind the significance and true definition of Refuge. It will conclude with a question and answer session with Sakya Damola.

There are suggested donation prices of $35 for the Empowerment class and $25 each for Teachings, both payable at door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. It is requested to please RSVP taralingsb@gmail.com to reserve a seat or for any other information.