22 – 29 October | Led by Mahamati, Jnanavaca, Prajnanita + team
On 24 October 1957, Bhante received the Manjughosha Stuti Sadhana from Jamyang Khyentse Rimpoche and along with the Green Tara Sadhana received earlier from Chatral Sangye Dorje he describes this as his main spiritual practice for many years (Adhisthana Writings: Green Tara and the Fourth Laksana).
The sadhana text says that whoever wishes to practise it “should previously have duly received the Bestowal of Science for this from a guru in the succession”. Bhante explained that what is translated here as ‘bestowal of science’ (vidya) is like spiritual science, and what is being required to practise the sadhana is not a Tantric initiation but “a proper explanation of the real meaning of the practice”. We received this proper explanation from him on a seminar on 22–24 October 1977.
This retreat marks both anniversaries.
We encourage you to come on this retreat whether or not you are already familiar with the Manjughosha Stuti Sadhana, because many aspects of sadhana are explicit in this sadhana text which are implicit in all sadhanas, so if this sadhana is not yours, as well as being introduced to a sadhana of great significance for our tradition, the “proper explanation” that we will be passing on from Bhante will definitely support and enhance the practice of all sadhanas.
This will be the sixth such sadhana retreat that Mahamati has led, this time joined by Jnanavaca – both of them have practised the sadhana for many years. Also on the team is Prajnanita, whose main practice is Prajnaparamita.
On the anniversary day of Bhante’s receiving the sadhana, we will be joined by Subhuti, also a Manjughosha Sadhana practitioner, who, along with Mahamati, was on the seminar in 1977.