Geshe Jampa Gelek in Romania

When and Where?

At the end of this month, from June 27 to June 29, we have the great honor of welcoming the venerable Geshe Jampa Gelek for a new visit. He will offer a series of teachings and empowerments, graciously and generously given through his immense kindness, at the Mosoaia White Tara Center near Pitesti, Romania.

Each year, Geshe Jampa Gelek honors our country with his presence, providing teachings, vows, and empowerments. We feel incredibly fortunate to attend these sessions and to be in his presence. Geshe Jampa Gelek is one of the two resident teachers at Lama Tsongkhapa Institute in Pomaia, Italy. Born in 1966 in Tibet, he completed his studies with high honors at Sera Je Monastic University in India. Currently, he teaches one of the highly complex topics of the Mahayana study program, the “Ornament for Clear Realization,” at the Lama Tsongkhapa Institute.

During his visit, Geshe Jampa Gelek will give an introductory teaching on one of the main Buddhist concepts—Karma. This public lecture will be held at Casa Cartii in Pitesti, providing an invaluable opportunity for attendees to gain insight into this fundamental aspect of Buddhist philosophy.

What is an empowerment and why is it important?

In Tibetan Buddhism, empowerment, or “wang” in Tibetan, holds immense significance as it involves the transmission of spiritual energy and blessings from a teacher to a disciple. This ritual ensures the continuity and purity of the tradition by passing down the blessings and teachings of the lineage from one generation to the next, thereby linking the disciple to an unbroken chain of realized masters. Additionally, empowerment serves as an authorization for disciples to undertake advanced practices, indicating their readiness and permission to engage in them

An empowerment is designed to bestow spiritual power and initiate transformation within the disciple. The ritual includes visualizations, recitations, and symbolic gestures that plant the seeds of enlightenment and awaken the inherent potential of the mind, for we all have it. It also connects the disciple with specific deities or enlightened beings, which is essential for the practice of deity yoga, where practitioners visualize themselves as these deities to cultivate their enlightened qualities.

The process of empowerment typically includes elements of purification, which help remove obstacles and negative karma, thereby preparing the disciple’s mind to receive higher teachings and realizations. Furthermore, receiving empowerment signifies a commitment to the path and the specific practices and vows associated with it. This establishes a sacred bond between the teacher and the student, highlighting their mutual responsibility to uphold the integrity of the teachings.

What empowerments will be conferred?

The Romanian Sangha will receive two empowerments: Avalokiteshvara Empowerment, and Manjushri empowerment.

A few words about each of them.

The Avalokiteshvara empowerment is a profoundly significant ritual that connects practitioners with Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. This empowerment is crucial as it helps practitioners cultivate and enhance their own capacity for compassion, a central tenet in Mahayana Buddhism where developing bodhicitta, the compassionate wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, is of high importance.

Receiving this empowerment also bestows the blessings and protection of Avalokiteshvara upon the recipient. Such divine protection aids in overcoming obstacles on the spiritual path and supports the practitioner in their daily life and practice. The ritual itself facilitates spiritual transformation, where visualizations, mantras, and meditative practices are employed to plant the seeds of Avalokiteshvara’s enlightened qualities within the practitioner’s mind-stream.

Moreover, participating in the empowerment has a purifying effect, cleansing negative karma and mental defilements. The compassionate energy of Avalokiteshvara is believed to have healing properties, benefiting both physical and mental well-being. The empowerment also grants the practitioner permission to engage in specific meditative and ritual practices related to Avalokiteshvara, such as the recitation of his mantra, “Om Mani Padme Hum.”

The ceremony ensures the transmission of teachings and blessings from the teacher to the student, maintaining the purity and continuity of the lineage, and establishing a sacred bond between the disciple and the lineage of teachers who have transmitted these teachings through the ages.

The Avalokiteshvara empowerment is a transformative experience that significantly impacts a practitioner’s spiritual journey. It offers a deep connection to the qualities of compassion, provides spiritual blessings and protection, and supports specific practices aimed at developing an enlightened mind.

When it comes to the second empowerment, that of Manjushri, the ritual bestows blessings and protection from Manjushri upon the recipient. These divine blessings are believed to aid in overcoming obstacles and obscurations on the spiritual path, providing support and guidance in both spiritual practice and daily life.

Spiritually, the empowerment initiates a process of transformation. It involves visualizations, recitations, and symbolic actions that plant the seeds of Manjushri’s enlightened qualities within the disciple’s mindstream. This helps to awaken the innate potential for wisdom and clarity within the practitioner.

Additionally, participating in the empowerment serves a purifying function. It is believed to cleanse negative karma and mental defilements, helping to clear the mind of ignorance and confusion. The wisdom energy of Manjushri is also considered to have healing properties, promoting mental clarity and cognitive sharpness.

The empowerment also grants the practitioner permission to engage in specific meditative and ritual practices associated with Manjushri.

The event is co-organized by White Tara Center in Mosoaia and The Garden of Maitreya Research Center in Bucharest. Alexandra Grigorescu and Veronica Anghelescu will be your hosts.