The public meditation course for 2013-14 was conducted at the time of KIBI’s academic course break for a period of ten days, from 24th December 2013 to 2nd January 2014. More than 140 participants from all over the world took part in the meditation course this year. The course ran smoothly and efficiently. People expressed their satisfaction and enjoyed the soothing experience of the meditation.
The 2013-14 PMC course was led by H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa and Ven. Dupsing Rinpoche and supported by H.E. Jamgong Kongtrul Rinpoche. The course was based upon the Three Trainings of Buddhist practice, i.e. morality, concentration and wisdom. The practice of Mahayana Sojong or Upavasatha was undertaken to help establish a conducive condition which prepares the ground for perfect enlightenment. The remaining practices consisted of calm-abiding meditation (shine/shamatha) and insight meditation (lhakthong /vipashyana).
Furthermore, the practice of loving kindness and compassion, which distinguishes a Mahayana practitioner has been added to the course, in order to foster bodhicitta through the practice of Avalokiteshvara.
This time the guided meditation sessions focused on the four preliminary practices of the Karma Kagyu lineage. Since this is the general base upon which all practices within the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajravana traditions rest, these foundations are known as the “four common preliminary practices”.
In the coming year, the course will continue with the other practices, such as the practice of taking refuge and developing Bodhicitta.