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 books on Buddhism and learning to meditate around 6 years ago. I started 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 with further developing the routine of a daily meditation practice and meeting other spiritual seekers. In 2022, I had the good fortune 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 | |introbuddhism=I first began reading books on Buddhism and learning to meditate around 6 years ago. I started 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 with further developing the routine of a daily meditation practice and meeting other spiritual seekers. In 2022, I had the good fortune 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 so powerful about way meditation was taught there; the atmosphere just felt different. Learning tonglen there was somehow a huge relief; to find out that there are such compassionate practices and ways to train your mind I found really mind blowing. 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 group 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. I think that being given the gift of Vajrayana teaching and practice is beyond all reckoning, it's like being given a new 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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As far as my personal life goes, I am 34 years old, single and childless. I did not go to post secondary school and have mostly spent my life trying to balance working whatever jobs I could get (from house painter/construction labor to dishwasher, barback, office helper and everything in between) with a passion for songwriting and music recording. In this sense, I am in a good position (if not financially) to do this kind of retreat because I don't have much responsibility at the moment. My family and friends are supportive of my intention, which has been a great blessing and my dharma friends from the Palyul sangha here and in the States have been incredibly helpful and kind in offering spiritual and financial support. In conclusion, I may not be an ideal candidate, but I strongly feel that I would make good use of this amazing opportunity and would be deeply grateful for the support of Tsadra in helping me to do so.Thank you! | As far as my personal life goes, I am 34 years old, single and childless. I did not go to post secondary school and have mostly spent my life trying to balance working whatever jobs I could get (from house painter/construction labor to dishwasher, barback, office helper and everything in between) with a passion for songwriting and music recording. In this sense, I am in a good position (if not financially) to do this kind of retreat because I don't have much responsibility at the moment. My family and friends are supportive of my intention, which has been a great blessing and my dharma friends from the Palyul sangha here and in the States have been incredibly helpful and kind in offering spiritual and financial support. In conclusion, I may not be an ideal candidate, but I strongly feel that I would make good use of this amazing opportunity and would be deeply grateful for the support of Tsadra in helping me to do so.Thank you! | ||
}} | }} | ||
Revision as of 13:21, 16 March 2026
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