:: Phowa Retreat 2009 - Q & A

By His Eminence 4th Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche & HIs Holiness 7th Phakchok Rinpoche

from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, PO Box 1200, Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Excerpts held on Thursday June 4 2009 at Rangjung Yeshe Buddhist Society Penang, Midlands Centre

from December 2 to 6 2009, at the Copthorne Hotel, Tanjung Bunga, Penang, His Eminence will be teaching for the first time in a large public setting in Malaysia the special Phowa practice. Phowa in Tibetan or Transference of Consciousness Upon Death is one of the most renowned skillful method employed by Buddhist practitioners to be reborn in Amitabha's Western Pure Land of Great Bliss.

Concise introduction in simple question & answer format

Q. How can we go to Amitabha Buddha's Pure Land?

A. It is taught that four factors help facilitate our rebirth in Amitabha's Pure Land.  Firstly, we must have unstinting great compassion known as the heart of enlightenment (or Bodhicitta in Sanskrit) towards all sentient beings and one-pointed faith and devotion to Amitabha Buddha especially at the point of our death.  Secondly, while facing the westerly direction we must habitually make one-pointed aspiration prayer to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Great Bliss, especially when we are dying.  Thirdly, we need to recite the name of Amitabha Buddha while visualizing him in the space in front of us.  Finally, annually we should do at least one Amitabha Buddha retreat for at least a day, a long weekend, or a month, if possible.