Our Foundation

In 1980, after living in the United States for a few months, Chagdud Rinpoche traveled to Ashland, Oregon to receive teachings and empowerments from His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche. At this event, students from Eugene, Oregon asked Dudjom Rinpoche if they could open a center of his in Eugene with Chagdud Rinpoche as the resident lama of the center. A few months after accepting the role of resident lama, Rinpoche moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon where he lived from 1981 to 1988.

After moving to Cottage Grove, Rinpoche and a group of dedicated students purchased a large but deteriorated house. The small rooms were converted to a shrine room which would go on to hold important events. Rinpoche named this center Dechen Ling (Place of Great Bliss).

In 1988, a vast and splendid tract of land was acquired in Northern California and Chagdud Rinpoche named it Rigdzin Ling, "the abode of the Awakened State Holders", which became the seat of the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation. The place was consecrated by great ceremonies, numerous offerings and aspiration prayers. In addition to providing public teachings and retreats, Rigzin Ling is home to Padma Publishing, and Tibetan Treasures. Padma Publishing is the editorial arm of the Foundation, which publishes sadanas (liturgies), translated books and a compilation of teachings that serve as meditation manuals. Tibetan Treasures, Chagdud Gonpa's store, distributes Padma Publishing books, other Dharma books and offers articles of practice.
‍
Chagdud Rinpoche's tireless programming of teachings resulted in the establishment of a dynamic network of Chagdud Gonpa practice centers and groups. The Foundation provides support by providing them with tax-free, non-profit religious organization status and by providing them with an organizational structure. Most importantly, the Dharma lineages offered by Rinpoche are maintained by practitioners from various centers, and through the instructions of Chagdud Gonpa and visiting lamas.

Currently the Foundation's spiritual activities are overseen by a group of eight lamas and senior practitioners known as the Spiritual Council. Tromge Jigme Rinpoche serves as the main initiation lama for Chagdud Gonpa and Lama Padma Gyatso as the main Lama of the Foundation. Chagdud Gonpa Lamas take turns serving as Rigdzin Ling resident teachers, guiding their meditation practices and sacred projects, while overseeing the resident staff and administrative activities they perform for the Foundation.