Palyul Changchub Choling

 

 

 We are a branch of Palyul Ling International, a Buddhist organization dedicated to practicing the Buddhist path to enlightenment as taught through the Palyul lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. To be more specific, we study and practice together under the guidance of our teacher Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche who usually visits us at least once a year to give teachings and encouragement. We are located in Gulf Breeze, just outside Pensacola, Florida.  

 

Your place in our group

Ideally, you would take refuge from Khenchen and participate in practices offered by the center in preparation for attending the Palyul Retreat Center near Binghamton, New York. There, you will receive instruction from Tibetan lamas who are masters in the various stages of the path to enlightenment. However, some people prefer to come only for the dharma study sessions on Wednesday nights (which include short yantra yoga and meditation sessions) or our monthly meditation intensives. The following list suggests steps–not necessarily in the sequence stated– which will lead you into full involvement in all our activities.

 

1. Attending the Wednesday night dharma study sessions 

2. Studying the fundamentals of Buddhism through independent reading 

3. Receiving and studying the lojong (training the mind) cards

4. Taking Refuge (formally becoming a Buddhist) during one of Khen Rinpoche’s visits or from another qualified teacher

5. Receiving the transmissions from Khen Rinpoche necessary to practice ngondro (the preliminary

    practices)

6. Receiving empowerments and transmissions which enable you to participate in formal Vajrayana  

    practices

7. Taking lessons on Santideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life through the Namdroling cyber-shedra (click on the link in the blogroll for more information)

8. Participating in the summer retreats.

 

As mentioned earlier, an important part of your development is the education you give yourself by reading and studying books about Buddhism. A good place to begin is with an introduction to Buddhism such as Walpole Rahula’s What the Buddha Taught followed by an introduction to Tibetan Buddhism such asSogyal Rinpoche’s Tibetan Book of Living and Dying and a more detailed explanation of Vajrayana Buddhism in Thinley Norbu’s A Small Golden Key.  Also, ask questions; chances are one of us has wondered or is wondering about the same thing.  

 

 Our address is 14 Live Oak Street, Unit D, Gulf Breeze, FL. Contact us by telephone at (850)934-3409 or through e-mail at florida@palyul.org.