SALT LAKE CITY — A local Tibetan Buddhist organization, Katog Jana Ling, has announced a rare visit from His Holiness Katog Getse Rinpoche for some unique teaching Saturday and Sunday.
The teachings will take place at the Episcopal Church Center of Utah at 75 S. 200 East from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days.
Rinpoche will begin Saturday's teaching workshops with a healing ceremony for alleviating all physical and mental ailments, as well as empowering students to heal others.
The ceremony is referred to as Medicine Buddha Empowerment and is a unique opportunity for those who work in the healing professions. For the remainder of the weekend, Rinpoche will discuss "The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva," a classic text by 14th-century Buddhist monk, Ngulchu Thogme. The brief text contains all key points of Buddhism, from cultivating kindhearted intention or bodhichitta, to using logic, reasoning, and meditation to develop spiritual practice.
Born in Golog, Tibet, Rinpoche has studied and meditated under many great masters. He has maintained the lifestyle of an ascetic, meaning one free from worldly concerns and activities. He does not keep a place of residence but chooses to wander, traveling in Nepal, Bhutan, India, and many other countries.
Rinpoche shares a close relationship with the Dalai Lama and currently travels the world over, engaging in beneficial activities.
Rinpoche comes from the Nyingma lineage in Tibet and is one of five major reincarnate masters called "the Five Golden Throne Holders" who oversee the main monastery in Tibet. Of these masters, Rinpoche has been recognized as the fourth incarnation of the great pandita scholar, pure upholder of vows, and accomplished siddha, Wangchug Getse Mahapandita.
A suggested donation is $100 for the whole event, or $30 for Medicine Buddha empowerment, $25 for Saturday afternoon and $50 for Sunday. But no one will be turned away.
Ling will host the event.
This local sangha, or community of Buddhist practitioners, is under the direction of Khentrul Lodro Thayé Rinpoche, who teaches biannually in Salt Lake City, is the abbot of Mardo Tashi Choling monastery in Tibet and for the past eight years has taught extensively in the United States.
For more information, visit katogjanaling.org.