About the Collection of Bari Lotsawa Initiations
Khenpo Kalsang Gyaltsen is delighted to announce that His Holiness the 43rd Sakya Trizin, Gyana Vajra Rinpoche has accepted the temple’s repeated requests to bestow a very important collection of initiations known as Drupthap Gyatsa or Bari Gyatsa, which could be translated in English as the Collection of Bari Lotsawa Initiations. This very ancient and special collection of initiations is rarely given, even in India and Nepal.
The Collection will be preceded by the major empowerment of the Lords of the Three Families (Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, and Vajrapani).
Bari Lotsawa (1040-1111) was the second Sakya Trizin and the teacher of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo. Earlier in his life, he studied in Nepal and India and compiled these 100 sadhanas from nearly 1000 teachings he received from Ratnākaragupta and Amoghavajra, who were two of the greatest masters of the time. He chose the finest, most profound, and essential practices, compiled and translated them into a collection with very clear individual sadhanas for each deity. From Bari Lotsawa, the collection was transmitted to Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, and has come down to the present day in an unbroken lineage of transmission through the Khon family. The collection is preserved in the Tengyur (bstan ‘gyur) under the title Collection of Bari Lotsawa Initiations or Bari Gyatsa (ba ri brgya rtsa). The Collection of Bari Lotsawa Initiations is primarily composed of kiriya tantra practices, but also includes deities from the charya, yoga, and anuyoga tantras. It contains all the short sadhanas of the Sakya, Kagyu, and Gelug traditions. It is considered to be the authentic source of every sadhana transmitted from India to Tibet in the New Tantra or Sarmapa tradition, which includes the Sakya, Kagyu, Kadam, Jonang, and Shagba Kagyu schools. Some Nyingma sadhanas are also included such as Guru Padmasambava.
The word “hundred” is a generalized round number. In fact, the collection contains the sadhanas for 79 different deities. The sadhanas are short and easy to practice. They provide the practitioner with the blessings and the tools to achieve the common attainments: pacifying negativity, increasing wealth, merit and life; beseeching the gods, subjugating humans, and spirits; and destroying negative forces. They also bring the blessings and methods to accomplish the uncommon attainments: higher rebirth, engagement in the holy life, and eventually the achievement of buddhahood.
Receiving the collection of initiations is a truly great blessing which protects from all manner of difficulties and brings all manner of blessings. After receiving the Collection, it is not necessary to practice all or even any of the sadhanas immediately. Like a well-stocked medicine cabinet, the Collection provides practitioners with a variety of spiritual medicines to be used whenever they are needed to allay the various sufferings of samsara and accomplish their spiritual aspirations.
Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 1 | 10 am-noon | Registration for gold, silver, publication, retreat cabin sponsors, and members |
| 3 pm | Rigsum Gonpo Major Empowerment Preliminary Day (in-person only) | |
| Sun, Nov 2 | 2 pm | Rigsum Gonpo Major Empowerment Main Day (in-person only) |
| Mon, Nov 3 | No program | |
| Tues, Nov 4 | 10 am | Special founder’s day observance of the lives of Khon Konchog Gyalpo, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, and Bari Lotsawa |
| 2 pm | Bari Initiations begin (in-person only) | |
| Wed, Nov 5 – Sat, Nov 8 |
9 am | Bari Initiations continue (in-person only) |
| 2 pm | Bari Initiations continue (in-person only) | |
| Sun, Nov 9 | 9 am | Bari Initiations continue (in-person only) |
| 2 pm | Bari Initiations conclude with Tsog Offering (in-person only) | |
| 7 pm | Appreciation Dinner for His Holiness and Sponsors (in-person only) | |
| Mon, Nov 10 | Rinpoche Departs |
November 4 (Tuesday – Khon Konchog Gyalpo, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo & Bari Lotsawa Anniversaries
10:00 am Special founder’s day observance as advised by Rinpoche
2:00 pm Bari Gyatsa initiations begin – in person only
- Vajra Seat Buddha
- Manjushri Stable Wheel
- Two Types of Manjushri Arapatsana
- Manjuvajra with Three Faces and Six Arms
- Manjuvajra with Five Deities
- Manjushri Lord of Speech
- Manjushri Joyful King
November 5 – Wednesday
9:00 am Bari Gyatsa Initiations Continue
- Manjushri Appearing in the Vidhyadhara Sutra
- Anangavajra Manjugosha Appearing in the Vajrapanjara Tantra
- Dharmadhatu Lord of Speech
- Arya Manjushri Namasangita
- Arya Manju Vajra Siddhika Vira
- Manjushri Wisdom Wheel
- Six-Faced Yamari
2:00 pm Bari Gyatsa Initiations Continue
- Black Yamari
- Three-Faced Yamari
- Vajradharma
- Lion’s Roar
- Halahala
- Avalokiteshvara Kasarpani
- Six Syllables with Three Deities
November 6 – Thursday
9:00 am Bari Initiations Continue
- Avalokiteshvara Mounted Upon Hari Hari Hari
- Lotus Lord of Dance
- Wrathful Lokeshvara Explained in the Stages of Mayajala Tantra
- Magnetizing Tara
- White Tara with Three Deities
- Sandalwood Forest Tara
- White Tara Bestower of Life
2:00 pm Bari Initiations Continue
- Red Maritsi from Odiana
- Yellow Maritsi Explained in the Togpani Tantra
- White Maritsi Explained in the Togpani Tantra
- Sorrowless Maritsi
- Stages of Maritsi from Odiyana
- Imploring Goddess
- Sri Jambala
November 7 – Friday
9:00 am Bari initiations continue
- Black Jambala
- Continuous Wealth
- Frowning Goddess
- Protector Maitreya
- Perfection of Wisdom from the Panjara Tantra
- Perfection of Wisdom from the Four-Throne and Samputa Tantras
- Yellow Perfection of Wisdom
2:00 pm Bari initiations continue
- Blue Unwavering One
- Wrathful King Hungkara
- Arya Parnashavari
- Vajra Sarasvati from the Krishna Shatru Tantra
- Wrathful King Terminator of Obstructors
- Ekajati
- Goddess Dispeller of Poison
November 8 – Saturday
9:00 am Bari Gyatsa initiations continue
- Goddess Kurukuli
- Kurukuli from the Togpani Tantra
- Goddess Kurukuli from the Tara Abhidhana Tantra
- Goddess Kurukuli from Odiyana
- Avalokiteshvara Magnetizer of the Three Realms
- Sri Jambala with Retinue from the Purnabhadra Tantra
- Chinese Stage Tara
2:00 pm Bari Gyatsa initiations continue
- Vajra Tara from the Panjara Tantra
- Red Yamari
- Unisha Vijaya
- Great Follower of Each
- Great Peacock
- Complete Eliminator of Great Thousands
- Accepter According to Great Secret Mantra
November 9 – Sunday
9:00 am Bari Gyatsa initiations continue
- Great Cool Grove
- Great Repelling Goddess
- Arm Ornament of the Tip of the Victory Banner
- Goddess Unconquerable by Others
- Vajra Fragrance
- Great Black One
- Vajra Chain
2:00 pm Bari Gyatsa initiations conclude with Tsog Offering
- Greatly Powerful One
- White Umbrella Goddess
- Horse’s Throat
- Hevajra
- Goddess of Selflessness
- Adamantine Sow
- Tara Demonstrator of White Deeds
- TSOG OFFERING OF GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION
7:30 pm Appreciation Dinner for His Holiness and Sponsors
November 10 – Monday Rinpoche Departs
Key Information
PRE-REQUISITES
There is no prerequisite for receiving the Collection of Bari Lotsawa Initiations. These empowerments may be received as a blessing.
COMMITMENTS
There is no specific sadhana commitment after receiving the Lords of the Three Families empowerment and receiving the various initiations in the Collection of Bari Lotsawa Initiations. They may be received as a blessing and practiced when the need or occasion arises.
Following the empowerments, the temple welcomes students to remain to do retreat in the retreat cabins on any of the sadhanas they have received from Rinpoche, or to do retreat on other Sakyapa practices.
For more information on undertaking retreat, click here. Or contact Chodrungma Kunga at 301-906-3378, email: sakya@sakyatemple.org
The temple is offering the teachings free of charge. Sponsors are gratefully appreciated and make it possible for the temple to offer the teachings to everyone. See below for sponsorship opportunities.
An undertaking of this size and cost is only possible with the generosity of devoted Dharma sponsors. All those with fortunate means and motivation are invited to share in the great merit of hosting these profound teachings. In addition to the virtuous karma of being a patron of the Dharma, sponsoring this profound teaching cycle is a very special way to strengthen one’s connection to these profound teachings.
Gold Patron – $5,000
Silver Patron – $2,500
Patrons’ generosity covers the considerable costs of hosting the teachings. In appreciation for patrons’ kindness in making the teachings possible for all, patrons receive special priority patron seating in the assembly, onsite parking passes, gifts of appreciation, and recognition. Patron seating is provided for the patron and one family member. Two people may join together to become a patron. All patrons are recognized as members of Tsechen Kunchab Ling for one year and are invited to attend the appreciation dinner on the evening of November 9th.
Publication Sponsor – $1,000
Publication Sponsors cover the cost of preparing, printing, and distributing the prayers, sadhanas, and other publications distributed during the teachings. Publication Sponsors are recognized during the teachings and acknowledged as the publications are distributed to the assembly. They also receive special priority seating in the assembly, and gifts of appreciation. All Publication Sponsors are recognized as members of Tsechen Kunchab Ling for one year and are invited to attend the appreciation dinner on the evening of November 9th.
After receiving Dharma teachings, it is very important to put them into practice through meditation and retreat. Retreat is fundamental to the accomplishment of realization.
In addition, those who wish to sponsor empowerments, meals for the sangha, tea, and flowers, may inquire onsite at the registration desk after you arrive.
This lovely evening on November 9 at 7:00 pm with His Holiness the 43rd Sakya Trizin and the monastic sangha will include remarks by His Holiness, a special dinner, and gifts of appreciation. The event is an offering of deepest gratitude to His Holiness for the week of profound empowerments and teachings that he has bestowed upon us, and also a sincere appreciation for the Gold and Silver Patrons, Publications Sponsors, and Retreat Cabin Construction Sponsors that have made the event and ensuing meditation retreat possible.
Membership Opportunities
We welcome you as a member of Tsechen Kunchab Ling, the seat of the Sakya Dolma Phodrang in the Americas. As a temple member, you are an official part of His Holiness the Sakya Trichen’s temple Dharma family. Your membership offering makes the daily activities of the temple possible and supports the efforts of Khenpo Kalsang Gyaltsen and the resident sangha as they strive to carry out His Holiness’ intentions for the growth of the Dharma in the West. Old members are treasured and new members are welcome.
In addition, members receive the benefit of priority seating during large temple events. To qualify for membership priority seating, you must either: have already been a member for one full year, or choose the “Membership – Collection of Bari Lotsawa Initiations 2025 Program – 1 year” membership option.
The temple welcomes those who wish to accumulate merit by offering service to the temple and sangha during their stay. Volunteers may help in various ways, including parking, cleaning, and resetting the shrine room each afternoon. A regular commitment of an hour a day is requested from those who wish to become official volunteers from November 1 through November 9. Please note the jobs with which you would like to help on your registration form
A large number of people are expected to attend His Holiness’ teachings in Walden. As space in Tsechen Kunchab Ling’s shrine room is limited, seating in the shrine room will be prioritized for monks and nuns, gold and silver patrons, publication sponsors, retreat sponsors, and temple members.
- Bring your vajra and bell.
- Bring your own masks.
- No pets are allowed on the temple property.
- Recommendation that everyone wears a mask indoors at all times.
- Ventilation fans turned to the maximum in the shrine hall.
- Drinks and snacks served as part of traditional tea offerings will be distributed in sealed containers so that those who wish to do so can consume them later outside the building in an outdoor or private place.
Because young children find it difficult to sit quietly for several hours to listen to teachings, children 10 years and under will be seated in a foyer of the temple, where they can see and hear the teachings. While in the children’s foyer, one parent must accompany their child/children at all times to ensure their behavior and safety. No temple supervision is provided.
Please make your own arrangements. There are many restaurants nearby.
Please arrange your own housing. A list of local options is available on our website . A forum for students looking to share housing and transportation is available–please see below for more information. We regret that there are no accommodations available at the temple, and camping on the temple grounds is not allowed during the teachings and empowerments.
If you would like to coordinate housing arrangements with other students, this forum is available to use. To use the forum:
- Click on the Google groups button:
- Sign into your Google (i.e. Gmail) account, or create one if you don’t already have one
- Click on the discussion category “Accommodation: Looking for roommate(s)”
- Create a new topic with your request or respond to one of the existing ones to find a roommate
Please arrange your own transportation. A car may be necessary for travel in the temple area as there is no local public transportation. Please keep in mind that there is limited parking lot space on site, so ride sharing is highly encouraged. If you would like to coordinate rides with other students, the Google Group linked to below is available as a resource.
- Click on the Google groups button:
- Sign into your Google (i.e. Gmail) account, or create one if you don’t already have one
- Click on the discussion category “Transportation: Looking for car ride”
- Create a new topic with your request or respond to one of the existing ones to find a roommate
Some parking is available onsite. An overflow parking lot is also available nearby. At the request of the local police and our neighbors, please do not park on the streets.
The teachings will be simultaneously translated into Mandarin. Please bring an FM radio and earphones.