MODULE 2 The MaChik Tradition

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PURPOSE

To learn the practice and meaning of the Machik Chod sadhana (LuJin or Offering of the Body) and all the various components of this popular daily practice, renowned among Kagyu practitioners.
To learn the Ngondro or Preliminary Practice of Chod, from the Shuksep tradition of Ani Lochen Rinpoche.
To learn and understand the meaning of the 16 specialized Feasts of Chod
To deepen an understandings of how the principles of Chod occur in every moment of life.

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Great Saint Ani Lochen

CHOD NGONDRO

The Shuksep Ngondro is a comprehensive preliminary practice that includes all the usual components of the Four Ordinary and Four Extraordinary Preliminary Practices:

Refuge & Bodhicitta
The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind
Prostrations
Mandala Offering
Karmic Cleansing (relying on MaChik,not Vajrasattva)
Guru Yoga.

Ani Lochen Shuksep RinpocheÂ (ChoYing Zangmo) (1865-1951) was the most renowned female Chod practitioner of the 20th century. A great mahasiddha or enlightened master, she was considered to be the reincarnation of MaChik Labdron. Wandering as a yogini for decades, she eventually founded one of the largest and most influential nunneries in Tibet. Her lineage, emanating from Dharma Shri, continues to this day, with her disciples spread far and wide.

LUJIN

The daily Machik Chod practice is unique, because of its comprehensive approach and many sections

a complete refuge, extensive generation of altruistic compassion
a purification mantra section or “Drib Sel” section
Mandala of the Body offering
The framework for very extensive and varied white and red feasts, each with its own specific theme and meaning.
Chod tsok with an optional torma offering.

This is the basic Chod used in the Kagyu traditions, but since it is from the MaChik tradition, it is appropriate for any tradition or lineage. And while this is usually attributed to the 9th Karmapa, he was merely the editor. It derives from a much more extensive and older text found in the Treasury of Oral Instructions (Dam Ngak Dzo) collected by Jamgon Kongtrul the Great. This text, the Ruby Rosary, is itself part of an older tradition of Ranjung Dorje, and in fact reaching back to the years of MaChik. Thus it is an authentic and essential practice for all practitioners of all lineages and part of the modern Chodpas armamentarium of core practices.

The 16 CHOD FEASTS

Within the tradition of Chod are a core of 6 White Feasts and 10 Red Feasts, along with several adjunct or secondary feast methods. These can be, and are used as visualizations and meditations, for any Chod, wether long or short, or within any tradition. Grouped in pairs of Red and White feasts, or ordered according to one’s decision and intuition, they are part of the essential “toolkit” of Chod methodology. With colorful names like “Checker Board,” “Boats and Sails,” “Flags and Banners,” and “Crystal Skull Cup,” these are not just variations for entertainment or colorful imaginings. Their graphic and intense nature hides profound meanings. Each has subtle differences in its effects and the direction of its blessing force. Through practice, the student comes to experience these shifts and qualities, deepening their wisdom and skill in applying these techniques.

LONG LIFE PRACTICE

From the tradition of Dharma Shri, this brief, simple, yet very profound practice was transmitted through Ani Lochen on down to the present day, and translated and received by Lama Jinpa This Tsedrup or long-life practice, entitled The Wisdom Dakini’s Utterly Secret Accomplishment of the Life Force, relies on the form of MaChik in an open, Dzokchen or Mahamudra aspect, can be relied upon to gain the strength and longevity to accomplish our goals.

THE 8 CHARNEL GROUNDS

This terma ritual is a powerful preface or envelope for one’s practice. In a retreat situation, it is suggested that this be done daily, but in general it provides a protective sphere for our spiritual path. This revealed treasure of Pegyal Lingpa evokes the blessings of the enlightened forces of the four cardinal and four intermediate directions, which are synonymous with eight fields of consciousness. In standard drawings of a mandala, which is the dwelling place of the illuminated Deity, the charnel grounds form a protective ring or barrier. With a realm protector, naga, yogi, sacred chorten, directional protector, sacred lake, sacred fire and so on, negative forces cannot cross this fierce wilderness. It is a place of purification and of abandoning that which is false and corrupt. Thus this special evocation reinforces and protects our practices, just as the Sungkor, or vajra tent practice does.

TUITION

Module 2 tuition includes text with all practices and slides, single CD with all PDFs and MP3s of practices, and online transmissions at a cost of $275.
Extended DVD Set consists of 5 DVDs which includes video of all practices, teachings, etc, the whole weekend: $125. Can be played in your computer or any DVD player attached to your widescreen TV!