20260307173933-Zachary-Burgess-Submission: Difference between revisions
From Tsadra Foundation Advanced Contemplative Scholarships
20260307173933-Zachary-Burgess-Submission
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|otherlanguage2=English | |otherlanguage2=English | ||
|otherlanguage2Prof=Native command | |otherlanguage2Prof=Native command | ||
|introbuddhism=I first began reading | |introbuddhism=I first began reading books on Buddhism about 6 years ago, starting with texts like the Dhammapada and some Theravadan sutras, Zen Mind, Beginners Mind, Robert Thurman's Essential Tibetan Buddhism and a bit later a couple of books by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. A little over 5 years ago I went to a couple of meditation classes at a New Kadampa centre and then attended a meditation course at a local yoga centre. These classes were helpful both in beginning to develop the routine of a daily meditation practice and meeting other spiritual seekers. In 2022, I was fortunate to attend a few months of a shamatha class at the Toronto Karma Kagyu centre taught by a couple of senior western students. This class had a big effect on me, as although I had been drawn to the the Buddhadharma for some years, there was something particularly powerful about way meditation was taught there; the compassionate atmosphere just felt different. A little over 3 years ago I began to frequent the Palyul Pema Mani Centre here in Toronto. Our resident teacher is Tulku Dawa Rinpoche and, in my time, we have also been very lucky to have had visits from esteemed Lamas such as Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso and Khenpo Kunzang Dechen. Tulku Dawa regularly gives both formal teachings and personal guidance, grants empowerments, leads us in regular practices (tsog, Guru yoga green Tara etc) and leads yearly retreats for Phowa and Nyugne. For the past three summers, I've attended 1 month long retreats at the Palyul retreat centre in upstate NY under the tutelage of Gyang Khang Tulku Rinpoche (empowerments, heart teachings and vows), Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso (heart teachings and vows), Luphug Tulku (Ngondro) and Khenpo Tenzin Norgay (Tsa lung and Khorde Rushen) with the additional indispensable guidance of class Lamas, Lama Pasang (Ngondro), Lopbon Rabjee (tsa lung) and Lama Tsultrim (Khorde Rushen.) All of these wonderful Rinpoches, Khenpos and Lamas were trained at Namdrolling monastery under the guidance of renowned Dzogchen master Kyabje Pema Norbu Rinpoche. Without any doubt, coming into contact with Palyul and being able to practice in this lineage has been the best thing to happen to me in this life. | ||
|refugehistory=In July of 2023 I took refuge with Gyang Khang Tulku Rinpoche. | |refugehistory=In July of 2023 I took refuge with Gyang Khang Tulku Rinpoche. | ||
|formalvows=Yes | |formalvows=Yes | ||
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|ngondro5begin=2025-04-01 | |ngondro5begin=2025-04-01 | ||
|ngondro5end=2025-06-30 | |ngondro5end=2025-06-30 | ||
|ngondronotes=Although I'm not sure I did a very good job with these practices, | |ngondronotes=Although I'm not sure I did a very good job with these practices, I can honestly say that doing Ngondro has been a life changing experience. As I gradually went through the accumulations, I slowly gained a more deeply felt confidence in the truth and validity of the teachings, their great relevance to my life, and perhaps some tiny sense of the vast implications of path of dharma for all beings. On the other hand, I went through various inner and outer challenges during this time and often felt quite muddled. I am looking forward to the opportunity to come at these practices fresh in the 3 year retreat. Completed 400,000 Vajrasattva accumulations, as per the advice of one of my teachers. | ||
|previousretreatscomplete=Yes | |previousretreatscomplete=Yes | ||
|previousretreatsdetails=For the past three summers I have attended month long retreats at the Palyul retreat centre in upstate NY for Ngondro(2023), Tsa Lung (2024) and Khorde Rushen (2025.) | |previousretreatsdetails=For the past three summers I have attended month long retreats at the Palyul retreat centre in upstate NY for Ngondro(2023), Tsa Lung (2024) and Khorde Rushen (2025.) | ||
|ynadvstudiesprogs=Yes | |ynadvstudiesprogs=Yes | ||
|advstudiesprogsdetails=I'm not sure if this counts, but since last September, I've been taking self paced courses on Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's Vajrayana online platform and have completed courses on the view of the 4 sutra schools, Jamgon Kongtrul's text Creation and Completion and the Bodhicaryavatara. These courses have been a great resource, clarifying and illuminating many tricky points and deepening my appreciation of the Dharma with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's uniquely accessible, clear and profound explanations and a rich array of supplementary course materials. | |advstudiesprogsdetails=I'm not sure if this counts, but since last September, I've been taking self paced courses on Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's Vajrayana online platform and have completed courses on the view of the 4 sutra schools, Jamgon Kongtrul's text Creation and Completion and the Bodhicaryavatara. These courses have been a great resource, clarifying and illuminating many tricky points and deepening my appreciation of the Dharma with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's uniquely accessible, clear and profound explanations and a rich array of supplementary course materials. | ||
|ynofferedservices= | |ynofferedservices=Yes | ||
|offeredservicesdetails=Not formally, only helping out as a regular at the Palyul centre and during retreats in general ways, such as cleaning, serving tea, offering a song at a celebration for Yangsi Penor Rinpoche's birthday | |offeredservicesdetails=Not formally, so again unsure if this counts, only by helping out as a regular at the Palyul centre and during retreats in general ways, such as cleaning, serving tea etc, offering a song at a celebration for Yangsi Penor Rinpoche's birthday in Toronto and to the Sangha during my first month long retreat at upstate NY. | ||
|retreatduration=3 years | |retreatduration=3 years | ||
|StartFunding=2027-01-01 | |StartFunding=2027-01-01 | ||
Revision as of 13:04, 12 March 2026
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