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Chanting the Rain of Wisdom—The Songs of Realization of the Kagyu Masters
March 11, 2023, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
For over 1,000 years, masters of the Kagyu lineage have expressed their realization in spontaneous songs sung to instruct and inspire contemporary and future disciples. A selection of these songs is gathered in a compendium called The Kagyu Gurtso—An Ocean of Songs of the Kagyu. This collection was translated into English and published as The Rain of Wisdom. We will again recite these songs this year and add to them some expressions of realization by some of the awakened women of the past.
These songs are traditionally recited on a variety of occasions, including the full moon day of the first lunar month. This day, known as the Day of Miracles, is one of the four main Buddhist holidays in the Tibetan tradition. It marks the culmination of Buddha Shakyamuni displaying various miracles over the first fifteen days of a new year. It is also the anniversary of Marpa the Translator, the first Tibetan forefather of the Kagyu, and is just one day after the anniversary of his principal disciple, the great lord of yogis, Milarepa. This year the full moon falls on Tuesday, March 7, but we will gather on Saturday, March 11th for our celebration.
We are again pleased that some of our dharma brothers and sisters from the Shambhala community will be joining us—they were the first to observe this practice in English. We are planning for the event to be in-person at KCC, but one can also participate via Zoom. Please check back for updates as the date approaches.
Chanting these expressions of realization allows us to bathe in a stream of wisdom that can offer glimpses into the sphere of enlightened mind—the expressive play of our own buddha nature when freed of adventitious veils. The day is admittedly long, but it is good and even important to undergo some difficultly for the sake of accumulating merit. Many have found this to be a memorable and moving experience; please join us for as much of the day as you are able.
The text containing the songs—as well as the introductory and concluding prayers—will be displayed on the Zoom screen. However, for those of you who would prefer to read from a physical book, KCC has about a dozen copies of Rain of Wisdom for sale at $30, a 25% discount from the $40 retail price. If you wish, you can reserve a copy to purchase when you register.
Lama Eric: “The day is admittedly long, but it is good and even important to undergo some difficultly for the sake of accumulating merit. I have never heard anyone express regret around this experience.”
Approximate Timings:
8:00-9:40
10:00-11:40
12:00-1:00
1:00-2:00 Lunch Break
2:00-3:40
4:00-6:00
Cost
From $0 to $40 ($30 suggested donation)