Lama Tsultrim Gyaltsen is getting ready to embark on his second Chod teaching series at KTD next weekend. We spoke to the Retreat Master briefly about Chöd practice at KTD.
Lama Gyaltsen, w
hat is your connection with the profound practice of Chöd?
My connection with the practice is that we learned it in retreat, and I find it beneficial in both the short run and the long run. It is beneficial in the short run to deal with obstacles, and as a means of praying for others. Of course, in the long run it can lead the realization of mahamudra.
What brought you to teaching Chöd at KTD?
Giving instruction at KTD on performing Chöd is a way that I can make a contribution to KTD and our members. This is actually what motivated me to ask Rinpoche’s approval for giving these instructions. Chöd instruction suits me because I am more of a hands-on person than a teacher. For the Chod program at KTD we watch videos of the teachings that Rinpoche gave in the three-year retreat. I simply instruct on how to use the instruments and do the practice.
What is your aspiration for Chöd practice at KTD?
I would like to see Chöd done regularly at KTD, much like we do the Guru Rinpoche and Karma Pakshi Tsok — once we get enough people capable of doing it. There are three days each lunar month (the 9th, 19th and 29th days) that are especially good for Chöd practice. I would like to see it on one (or more) of those days each month.
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On Nov. 9-11 KTD will begin its second three-part series of teachings on the Chöd practice. We will have an unusual opportunity to learn the Chöd practice from Lama Tsultrim Gyaltsen, Retreat Master at Karme Ling.
In this first session, you will learn how to perform a short Chöd practice in preparation for learning a more elaborate version of the practice in Part 2.
Who qualifies for this first Chöd retreat, taught Nov. 9 – 11: Anyone who has taken refuge.
Chöd Part 1 – Introduces the practice.
Chöd Part 2 – Expanded instruction.
Chöd Part 3 – Chöd Part 3 is for those who have completed the Prostration and Vajrasattva portions of the Ngöndro and Chöd Parts 1 and 2, or by special permission.
