The Association du Centre d’Études de Chanteloube (A.C.E.C.) is Songtsen’s department dedicated to the practice and study of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in February 1980, it continues to provide facilities for students from Europe and all over the world to discover the Buddhist teachings.
Every year, Chanteloube organizes seminars that take place in Dordogne, France, as well as in various other places. The programmes generally focus on combined study and practice, meditation and the application of Buddhist teachings in everyday life.
On special days of the Tibetan calendar, students gather to practice meditation and to perform sadhanas and tsok (feast offering). Tsok offering is generally practiced on the 10th (Guru Rinpoche’s day) and on the 25th (the day of the dakinis) of each Tibetan month, as well as on special anniversary days. Find out more about community practice as well as special practice days throughout the year.
Since its creation in 1980, one of the centre’s important tasks has been the organization of the traditional long retreats (three years and six months). The three-year retreats aim to create a protective environment allowing students to concentrate on the essential aspects of Buddhist practise, namely, study, reflection and meditation, expounded according to the teachings of different traditions, in particular, the Nyingma tradition.
The organization was inspired by Kangyur Rinpoche and was officially formed in 1980, under the spiritual leadership of H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, who are considered to have been two of the greatest recent representatives of the Nyingmapa school (the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism). Since then, Chanteloube has benefited from a great number of visits by eminent teachers.
Chanteloube's Dharma resources offers resources for students, dharma practitioners, and anyone interested in learning more about Tibetan Buddhism. The dharma practice section includes some traditional mantras and Tibetan prayers. We've also provided tools such as online calendars and information on how to use them.
The study resources section also includes online videos of teachings and short documentaries about Tibetan Buddhism, a list of recommended books, and links to other online resources.
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