Here are the records of many significant Vajrayana events in Toronto between 1998 and 2002. As you can see, it is a great start, but very incomplete. We owe it to future practitioners and historians to complete this record for all Buddhist faith communities across Canada in years gone by. Your contribution of information is welcomed.
Initiations & Events in Toronto & Environs 1998
Vajrasattva Purification Retreat
Jhampa Shaneman
Gaden Chöling
May 8-10
Dream Yoga & Buddhist Astrology Teachings
Jhampa Shaneman
Gaden Chöling
May 12-14
Vajra Yogini Teachings
Jhampa Shaneman
Gaden Chöling
May 15
Vajra Yogini Retreat
Jhampa Shaneman
Gaden Chöling
May 16-17
Vajrasattva Initiation
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
June 5
Vajrasattva Retreat
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
June 6-7
Bodhisattva Precepts (Buddha’s Birthday)
Khenpo Sonam Tobgyal Rinpoche
Riwoche Temple
June 10
Four-Faced Mahakala Initiation
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
June 19
Chöd Teachings
Ven. Drikung Ontul Rinpoche, a senior reincarnate lama of the Drikung Kagyu
The Buddhist Association of Canada
June 19
Chöd Empowerment
Ven. Drikung Ontul Rinpoche, a senior reincarnate lama of the Drikung Kagyu
The Buddhist Association of Canada
June 20
Chöd Workshop
Ven. Drikung Ontul Rinpoche, a senior reincarnate lama of the Drikung Kagyu
The Buddhist Association of Canada
June 21
White Tara Initiation
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
June 21
Guru Rinpoche Empowerment
Khenpo Sonam Tobgyal Rinpoche
Tu An Pagoda, Ottawa
June 27
“Hands-on” demonstration of how to use dorje and bell, set up a shrine and make tormas
Riwoche Temple
Sept 26
Cittamani Tara Initiation, Retreat & Fire Puja
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Dharma Centre of Canada, Kinmount
Oct 3-16
Red Chenrezi Empowerment
Khenpo Sonam Tobgyal Rinpoche
Riwoche Temple
Oct 10
Buddhism in the news
Kung fu Buddhism in the spotlight
Toronto Star March 14
Sanctuary – Fu Sien Tong Temple
Toronto Life April ‘98
Initiations & Events in Toronto & Environs 1999
21 Taras Initiation
HH 9th Khalka Jetsun Dhampa, spiritual head of the Gelugpa lineage in Mongolia
Gaden Chöling
Jan 26-29
Chöd Initiation
HH 9th Khalka Jetsun Dhampa
Gaden Chöling
Jan 30
Kurukulla Initiation
HH 9th Khalka Jetsun Dhampa
Gaden Chöling
Jan 31
Sacred Buddhist Landscapes of India & Tibet talks: The Journey as a Buddhist Pilgrimage
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche & Dennis A. Winters
University of Toronto
Jan 22
Sacred Buddhist Landscapes of India
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche & Dennis A. Winters
University of Toronto
Feb 5
Sacred Buddhist Landscapes of Tibet
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche & Dennis A. Winters
University of Toronto
Feb 12
Yamantaka Empowerment
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
Nov 26-27
Vajrayogini Empowerment
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
Nov 28
Je Tsonghkapa Empowerment
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
Dec 2
Buddhism in the news
9 Tibetan migrants have TB, officers refuse to do interviews
Toronto Star Sept 8
Initiations & Events in Toronto & Environs 2000
Cittamani Tara Empowerment
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
Apr 7-9
Initiations & Events in Toronto & Environs 2001
Hayagriva Empowerment according to Clear Vision Lineage of Tagpu Dorje Chang
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
June 15
Life Celebration for Eileen Swinton
Buddhist community
Snow Lion Toronto
June 21
Six-Arm Black Mahakala Empowerment
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
Nov 9
Medicine Buddha Empowerment
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
Nov 10
Cittamani Tara Empowerment
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
Nov 23
Initiations & Events in Toronto & Environs 2002
Chöd Initiation according to Ganden Ear Whispered Lineage
Zasep Tulku Ronpoche
Gaden Chöling
May 10
Vajrayogini Initiation
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
May 11
Medicine Buddha Initiation
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
May 24
Bodhisattva Precepts (Buddha’s Birthday)
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Gaden Chöling
May 26
Kalarupa Puja
Geshe Rabga, Sera-me
Gaden Chöling
Mar 21
Welcome talk
Geshe Tenzin Lhawang, new immigrant to Canada from Gaden Shartse
