20260307173933-Zachary-Burgess-Submission: Difference between revisions

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 |otherlanguage2=English
 |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, Beginner's 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 further developing the  routine of a daily meditation practice and meeting other spiritual seekers. In 2022, I had the good luck 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 time, there was something uniquely powerful about way meditation was taught there; it just felt different. Along with methods for shamatha, we were taught compassion practices like tonglen, which really blew me away and seemed to open things up in a new way. 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 from highly regarded teachers like Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso, Khenpo Kunzang Dechen and Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche. Tulku Dawa regularly gives both formal teachings and personal guidance, grants empowerments, leads us in regular group practice (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 indispensable guidance of class lamas, Lama Pasang (ngondro), Lopbon Rabjee (tsa lung) and Lama Tsultrim (khorde rushen.) All of these wonderful teachers 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 greatest fortune in my life. I think that the value in the gift of Vajrayana teaching and practice is beyond all reckoning, its like being given new life.
+|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, Beginner's 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 further developing the  routine of a daily meditation practice and meeting other spiritual seekers. In 2022, I had the good luck 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 time, there was something uniquely powerful about way meditation was taught there; it just felt different. Along with methods for shamatha, we were taught compassion practices like tonglen, which really blew me away and seemed to open things up in a new way. 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 from highly regarded teachers like Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso, Khenpo Kunzang Dechen and Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche. Tulku Dawa regularly gives both formal teachings and personal guidance, grants empowerments, leads us in regular group practice (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 indispensable guidance of class lamas, Lama Pasang (ngondro), Lopbon Rabjee (tsa lung) and Lama Tsultrim (khorde rushen.) All of these wonderful teachers 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 greatest fortune of my life. I think that the value in the gift of Vajrayana teaching and practice is beyond all reckoning, its like being given new life.
 |refugehistory=In July of 2023 I took refuge with Gyang Khang Tulku Rinpoche.
 |formalvows=Yes
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 |ngondro5begin=2025-04-01
 |ngondro5end=2025-06-30
-|ngondronotes=Although I'm not sure I did a very good job with these practices, I can honestly say that doing ngondro has changed my life. As I gradually went through the accumulations, I slowly gained a more deeply felt confidence in the truth and validity of the teachings in a way I had not previously known. On the other hand, I went through various inner and outer challenges during this time and often felt quite muddled. I sometimes also think it would have helped to have studied a little more beforehand. At any rate, I look forward to coming at these practices fresh in the 3 year retreat. Completed 400,000 Vajrasattva accumulations, as per the advice of one of my teachers.
+|ngondronotes=Although I'm not sure I did a very good job with these practices, I can honestly say that doing ngondro has changed my life. As I gradually went through the accumulations, I slowly gained a more deeply felt confidence in the truth and validity of the teachings in a way I had not previously known. Somehow, it seems like the preliminaries make it possible to have a glimpse of how dharma is not really something outside of you and truly does lead away from confusion. Even if maybe I've misunderstood all the teachings I've heard, this still gives me sense of joy and hope for all of us wandering in samsara and a kind of wonder and gratitude to my teachers who have given me this opportunity. On the other hand, I went through a lot of inner and outer challenges during this time and often felt super muddled. Seeing all of your habitual tendencies (and in my case) gross paranoia and reluctance to trust come to the surface is often very uncomfortable and was a frequent kind of thing I seemed to experience during this time. I sometimes also think it would have helped to have studied a little more beforehand. At any rate, I look forward to coming 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
 |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.)