The Five Seals of Dharma – Cultivating Profound Compassion and Blazing Wisdom

An Invitation from Island Dharma – Nanaimo, B.C. – Bethlehem Retreat Centre

There are five key understandings of Buddha Dharma. They are like “seals – proclamations of completeness in understanding the ground of all our experience. The seals are the heart of all Buddhist study, practice, meditation and contemplation. If we keep deeply listening, studying, contemplating, meditating and we keep clearing up doubts and diversions, these five essential points will keep deepening and blossoming as realizations. We will deepen our experiential understanding of how we unfold in awakening. These five key understandings mirror the unfolding enlightenment mind and will bring forth profound compassion and a blazing wisdom clarity; uncovering bodhicitta for all.Lama Mark Webber, through Dharma discourse, pith instructions, transmissions and meditation will give us many points of guidance, clear up confusion and show us what is most essential for freeing up our and others’ minds from stress, emotional entanglements and mental pain. Those in full retreat will be able to have check-ins with the Lama.

Registration DetailsThis will be a mixed residential and non-residential retreat. In an effort to cover retreat costs incurred by Island Dharma (including Lama Mark’s accommodation, travel and food as well as supplies and any printing costs) there is registration fee of $100.00. In addition, there are several options for accommodation & meals or you may attend as a commuter (you will sleep at home) with or without meals. See the Bethlehem Centre registration page for associated costs for each option (the listed price for each retreat option includes the $100 Island Dharma fee)  Please note these costs do not include Dana for the teacher.No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please contact islanddharmaretreats@gmail.com if you would benefit from support for your retreat fees.

Island Dharma is pleased to announce we will be providing an online option for students who are unable to attend this retreat in person. The online classes registration will be available after December 1^st – stay tuned for those details and link. Registration is being handled by Bethlehem Centre 

Schedule Sunday January 25 –Evening class 7:30 pmMonday January 26 through Wednesday January 28 – Classes at 9:30 am and 7:30 pm  

Register Here

Dana for the Teacher Lama Webber offering the Dharma here on Vancouver Island is a rare and auspicious opportunity to receive teachings and explorations about the Path of Awakening. As is traditional, the teachings of Buddha Dharma are offered freely – Lama Webber receives no fee. However, there is an opportunity for students to show their gratitude for the teachings and to help support the teacher. Dana (generosity & donations for the teacher) will be gratefully accepted (cash/cheque/e-transfer). As a guideline, a minimum of $25 per class is suggested.

Teacher Biography
Lama Mark Webber (Lama Yongdu Chokyi Gyaltsen) has been studying, meditating, and teaching Buddha-dharma for almost fifty years. For thirty years his main root teacher was the great Ven. Dorje Namgyal Rinpoche who taught all three cycles of the Buddha’s teachings, including Abhidhamma, Vipassana in the lineage of Mahāsi Sayādaw, generation and completion stage practices of the Tantrayana and Mahamudra/Dzogchen of many lineages, especially of the Karma Kagyu and Sakya. Under the guidance and transmissions of the late Drikung Lho Ontul Rinpoche and requests of H.E. Lho Karma Ratna Rinpoche, Lama Webber has been teaching principally the richness of the Drikung Mahamudra, Drikung Dzogchen Yangzab and Orgyen Nuden Dorje Dzogchen traditions, transmissions of pith texts of Padmasmabhava, Je Gampopa, Jamgön Ju Mipham, Dza Patrul Rinpoche and Shantideva’s Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra a transmission from Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche.
 
He has a deep and long-term interest in the sciences and collaborates in marine biology research and the arts which he integrates with the teaching of Buddhism. Lama Webber is a founding board director of the national ecological research institute IMERSS (imerss.org)
 
Lama Webber’s compassionate activities demonstrate a profound commitment to freeing beings from innumerable suffering states. His emphasis with practitioners and students is on uncovering pure Dharma to reveal its extraordinary benefits and share the great joy of its deep study, meditative practices and integration into all aspects of our lives.