The Heruka Institute is a center for the study and practice of Vajrayana Buddhism in Seattle, founded by H.E. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche. Its mission is for the advancement of Vajrayana Buddhism and the promotion of a more compassionate and wise society.
How the Heruka Institute began
The Heruka Institute was formed by a group of Rinpoche’s students, drawn together by his teachings, and it continues to rely on his spiritual and scholarly guidance. It was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in May 2016, and is organized for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational purposes. It makes its IRS filings available on request.
Our purposes
Three, as the Heruka Institute states them:
- The advancement of Vajrayana Buddhism.
- The promotion of social welfare by increasing compassion and wisdom.
- The advancement of education or science in the field of Buddhism.
The third is easy to pass over, and it is the one that shapes much of what the Heruka Institute does day to day — the Tibetan language classes, the translation work that carries the teachings into six languages, and Rinpoche’s writing.
Teachings through the month
Teachings and practice run through the month, on weekdays and weekends, online and in person in Seattle. Online teachings are given in English with live Vietnamese, Chinese, and Spanish translation, so that practitioners in other countries and time zones can join. The Monthly Program lists every session.
What the Heruka Institute offers
Alongside the teachings, Rinpoche has for many years served the wider community in these ways:
- Vows and initiation — Buddhist refuge vows, bodhisattva vows, tantric initiations and empowerments, and transmissions of sadhana.
- Ceremonies — fire puja (jinsek), and the consecration of statues and thangkas.
- Blessings and prayers — house blessings, infant blessings, pujas for the sick, the dying, and the dead, and pujas for the growth of a business.
- Guidance — spiritual guidance, Mo (Tibetan divination), and Tibetan astrology.
- Speaking — on Vajrayana Buddhist topics, and on compassion, kindness, and tolerance for the greater community.
Anyone may ask. Contact the Heruka Institute to make a request.
Beyond Seattle
The Heruka Institute is based in Seattle, and its sangha is not. Rinpoche gives teachings and empowerments extensively across North America, and internationally, and the online teachings are joined from around the world. The Heruka Institute has dedicated sanghas in Boulder, Long Beach, San Jose, and Toronto, and communities across Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas City, Montana, and Texas. Here in Seattle, Rinpoche has led the annual Guru Rinpoche Bumtsok. There are additional sangha communities in Vietnam, China, Costa Rica, and Mexico. His books are published in Tibetan, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, and Spanish.
