How to do Lama Cheopa practice with Geshe Soepa

Sat 26th January 14:00-17:30 & Sun 27January 10:30-12:00

Lama Cheopa (or Guru puja) is a meditation practice that involves
making extensive offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and in
particular to the spiritual guide. The practice can help generate great
energy and enthusiasm for the spiritual path. It is also a method for
developing and enhancing our relationship with spiritual friends and
teachers.

Suggested donation Sat: £15 & Sun £10;
Concessions              Sat: £10 & Sun £7.50

Tsog and Lama Choepa (Guru Puja)

Twice a month, based on the lunar calendar, we do the Lama Chopa tsog.
Lama means Guru; Chopa means offering; and tsog means gathering or
party. The dates are published in the Jamyang programme.

It starts at 7.00 inthe evening and lasts for under an hour and a half. We can each bring anoffering of some flowers or good quality food or non-alcoholic drink, which isplaced on the shrine. The food is distributed amongst the participants duringthe ceremony, and can be eaten then, and/or taken home afterwards.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche describes it as a ceremony of prayer, chanting, music,
meditation and a ritual feast, directly appealing to our senses and emotions.
Lama Chopa provides an opportunity for those practising tantra to restore
and reaffirm their vows and pledges. But everyone is welcome to attend this
ceremony of making extensive offerings, actual and imagined, to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and particularly the Lama, and of accumulating
the positive energy needed to progress along the spiritual path.

The Lama Chopa text was composed by the first Panchen Lama, Losang
Chokyi Gyaltsen (1570-1662). It is said to bring together all the essential
practices of Lam Rim (stages of the path), Lojong (mind training) and Highest Yoga Tantra. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, according to Geshe Tashi, describes Lama Chopa as one of the main Highest Yoga Tantra practices, but traditionally as a group practice, it can be practised by anyone.