Wednesday Group Practice, Chotrul Duchen and Lunar Eclipse

Hi Dharmatists,

Wednesday evening's practice will be an unusual and auspicious one. It will be Chotrul Duchen, the first full moon and special Buddha Day of this new Earth Mouse year. Also there will be a full eclipse of the moon visible in Chicago at 9:26 PM. The weather report currently predicts partly cloudy skies overnight on Wednesday so maybe we'll luck out and get to see it. But even if we don't, we should all feel it, particularly you Powa practitioners.

Chotrul Duchen: During the first two weeks of the New Year, it is believed that the Buddha displayed a miracle each day to increase the merit and devotion of future disciples. The 15th day is the Day of Miracles. During these days practice is strongly advised.

LamaZopa form FPMT says a Duchen multiplies the karmic results by 100, 000,000 times and the moon eclipse multiplies it by 7,000,000 times. You do the math!

Following is a link to NASA's moon eclipse site (?!?!) for the astronomical details:

http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html


Please come for our regularly scheduled group practice with Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche:

Wednesday February 20th, any time after about 6:30 for informal discussion and tea, practice around 7:30 and hopefully a viewing of the lunar eclipse:

Chicago Ratna Shri Sangha
5337 West Cullom Street
Chicago IL 60641

Don't let it be said we don't know how to have fun!

Tashi delek,
Bill Pope