Calligraphing the Heart Sutra, Taught by Lopön Helen Berliner

The practice known as “copying the Heart Sutra” is traditionally revered as a way, or path, to actually becoming the wisdom embodied in the words. Like music, the meaning of the Heart Sutra is universal and readily accessible to anyone willing to listen. Its essence—implied in the words of Zen Master Hakuin, “Forget yourself and become the universe”—is the Buddha’s realization of the universal nature of everything “just as it is.” This is the awake nature of oneself and others. Beyond intellectual understanding, it is expressed in the Heart Sutra as a recitation or mantra that evokes the quintessence of Buddhadharma. Writing out the words of the sutra joins body and mind, heart and hand in that insight. Resting in this meditation is the point.

When: Friday evening, May 5–Sunday, May 7, late afternoon
Tuition: $140 / $150 beginning May 1
$15 materials fee in addition to tuition.

SCHEDULE
Friday: Participants may attend Lopön Helen’s Friday evening talk (7:00-9:00pm) at no extra charge.
Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Sunday: 9:30am – 4:30pm
There will be a 90 min. lunch break each day.

This contemplative practice weekend is open to all, with or without any prior experience of meditation or calligraphy. It will include sitting meditation, instruction on the Heart Sutra and sutra copying, and calligraphy practice using paper, pens, and “spontaneous” materials. All supplies will be provided (please note the materials fee in addition to tuition).

Lopön Helen Berliner studied with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche for 17 years and since 1994 has been a student of HE Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche.   She has degrees in Fine Arts, Psychology, and Buddhist Studies and is author of Enlightened by Design as well as editor of many dharma books.