Tashi Deleg! I write you from Nepal where we are supervising the final installations and preparing to consecrate Katok Ritrö, the new retreat center dedicated to the lineages held at Katok Gonpa, Tibet. The center fulfills one of my greatest aspirations in this lifetime, and whatever arises next in the uncertain play of phenomena I have the happiness of knowing that the sublime teachings of the Katok lineage will be practiced and preserved in this place.
The land was purchased in my name by my son, Tulku Jigme Tromge. Initially I was rather displeased, because land in Nepal is quite expensive, but Tulku Jigme assured me that he would buy it himself if I couldn’t use it. As soon as I saw it, I saw the wisdom of his choice. The land has a splendid view across the valley of Pharping, where two caves sacred to Guru Padmasambhava and many monasteries are located. For retreat purposes it is quieter than Pharping and more isolated. The retreat buildings, which were designed long-distance from Brazil with the help of architect Beatrice da Silva, are attractive and have been very well-constructed by Mandala House, a firm directed by Sönam Rapten, a distant relative of mine.
Statues, including Chenrezig, Tara, and Guru Rinpoche, have been purchased for the center, as well as books, including a set of the Kangyur, the Rinchen Terdzöd, and the Nyingma Gyüdbum.
The retreat master will be Getze Tulku, the “Getze Chhog- trul, Lord of Refuge” mentioned in the colophon of the Dragshul Wangpo protector practice many of you perform nightly. In bygone centuries, sixteen great emanations appeared to propagate the dharma in India and Tibet. Of these, he was the sixteenth. In this lifetime, he was recognized by His Holiness the Karmapa and by several of the highest lamas of Katok Gonpa, Tibet. He has received superb training. When I consulted H.H. Moktza Rinpoche, Katok’s head lama, he recommended Getze Tulku, and on my behalf, made the request that he head the retreat center. I could not have rejoiced more when Getze Tulku agreed and showed genuine enthusiasm for the project.
All of this said, I want to add that I personally like Getze Tulku. He is straightforward, energetic, trustworthy, and shares my commitment to training excellent practitioners in the unsurpassed transmissions of the Katok lineages. He has the skill to carry this undertaking forward in what may be difficult times in Nepal, given recent political events.
I feel that everyone who has contributed to this center so far will receive tremendous blessings and fine interdependence for their own practices, especially retreat practices. I hope, for the same reasons, that some of you will choose to support the Katok Ritrö in the future.
At this time of extreme turbulence in world events, the need for us to find inner peace through spiritual development is clear. I urge each of you to join in group prayer and meditation, and to make time each day to practice individually. Retreat to the refuge of your own buddha nature and aspire that all beings find such refuge. Dedicate your virtue to them.
Especially, I urge you to remember that all of these beings, even the most heartless of terrorists, have at some point been your own mother. Refrain from rejoicing at the apparent victories of your own side, because if you do, you will share in the delusion and anger that leads to terrorism and war, and their karmic results. In 1959, while fleeing Tibet, I was hiding in a cave with my root guru Khenpo Dorje, and I happened to read a text in which Guru Rinpoche predicted that in future, more degenerate times, many vajra masters would go to hell. Perplexed, I asked Khenpo Dorje how this could come about, and he retorted, “What can lamas and vajra masters expect, when even now they rejoice in the wounding and killing of the Chinese by our military?”
For us, as practitioners holding bodhisattva and Vajrayana vows, we must maintain impartial compassion for all victims, aggressors, terrorists, soldiers, and politicians alike. It is almost impossible to participate in the endeavors of war without reaping severe karma. Gesar of Ling, an emanation of Guru Rinpoche and a bodhisattva warrior, made a retreat for thirteen years after his battles were won in order to purify his and others’ karma. What general would see a necessity for that today?
Finally, I want to offer you the words of another lama, a friend of mine whose life and death were chaotic, but whose inner realization remained unwavering. He said, “Whether you practice dharma or you don’t practice dharma, difficulties will arise. But only by practicing dharma will you find lasting happiness.” Please practice deeply, for your own sake and for that of all beings.
In the dharma,
Chagdud Tulku
Tashi Deleg! I write you from Nepal where we are supervising the final installations and preparing to consecrate Katok Ritrö, the new retreat center dedicated to the lineages held at Katok Gonpa, Tibet. The center fulfills one of my greatest aspirations in this lifetime, and whatever arises next in the uncertain play of phenomena I have the happiness of knowing that the sublime teachings of the Katok lineage will be practiced and preserved in this place.
The land was purchased in my name by my son, Tulku Jigme Tromge. Initially I was rather displeased, because land in Nepal is quite expensive, but Tulku Jigme assured me that he would buy it himself if I couldn’t use it. As soon as I saw it, I saw the wisdom of his choice. The land has a splendid view across the valley of Pharping, where two caves sacred to Guru Padmasambhava and many monasteries are located. For retreat purposes it is quieter than Pharping and more isolated. The retreat buildings, which were designed long-distance from Brazil with the help of architect Beatrice da Silva, are attractive and have been very well-constructed by Mandala House, a firm directed by Sönam Rapten, a distant relative of mine.
Statues, including Chenrezig, Tara, and Guru Rinpoche, have been purchased for the center, as well as books, including a set of the Kangyur, the Rinchen Terdzöd, and the Nyingma Gyüdbum.
The retreat master will be Getze Tulku, the “Getze Chhog- trul, Lord of Refuge” mentioned in the colophon of the Dragshul Wangpo protector practice many of you perform nightly. In bygone centuries, sixteen great emanations appeared to propagate the dharma in India and Tibet. Of these, he was the sixteenth. In this lifetime, he was recognized by His Holiness the Karmapa and by several of the highest lamas of Katok Gonpa, Tibet. He has received superb training. When I consulted H.H. Moktza Rinpoche, Katok’s head lama, he recommended Getze Tulku, and on my behalf, made the request that he head the retreat center. I could not have rejoiced more when Getze Tulku agreed and showed genuine enthusiasm for the project.
All of this said, I want to add that I personally like Getze Tulku. He is straightforward, energetic, trustworthy, and shares my commitment to training excellent practitioners in the unsurpassed transmissions of the Katok lineages. He has the skill to carry this undertaking forward in what may be difficult times in Nepal, given recent political events.
I feel that everyone who has contributed to this center so far will receive tremendous blessings and fine interdependence for their own practices, especially retreat practices. I hope, for the same reasons, that some of you will choose to support the Katok Ritrö in the future.
At this time of extreme turbulence in world events, the need for us to find inner peace through spiritual development is clear. I urge each of you to join in group prayer and meditation, and to make time each day to practice individually. Retreat to the refuge of your own buddha nature and aspire that all beings find such refuge. Dedicate your virtue to them.
Especially, I urge you to remember that all of these beings, even the most heartless of terrorists, have at some point been your own mother. Refrain from rejoicing at the apparent victories of your own side, because if you do, you will share in the delusion and anger that leads to terrorism and war, and their karmic results. In 1959, while fleeing Tibet, I was hiding in a cave with my root guru Khenpo Dorje, and I happened to read a text in which Guru Rinpoche predicted that in future, more degenerate times, many vajra masters would go to hell. Perplexed, I asked Khenpo Dorje how this could come about, and he retorted, “What can lamas and vajra masters expect, when even now they rejoice in the wounding and killing of the Chinese by our military?”
For us, as practitioners holding bodhisattva and Vajrayana vows, we must maintain impartial compassion for all victims, aggressors, terrorists, soldiers, and politicians alike. It is almost impossible to participate in the endeavors of war without reaping severe karma. Gesar of Ling, an emanation of Guru Rinpoche and a bodhisattva warrior, made a retreat for thirteen years after his battles were won in order to purify his and others’ karma. What general would see a necessity for that today?
Finally, I want to offer you the words of another lama, a friend of mine whose life and death were chaotic, but whose inner realization remained unwavering. He said, “Whether you practice dharma or you don’t practice dharma, difficulties will arise. But only by practicing dharma will you find lasting happiness.” Please practice deeply, for your own sake and for that of all beings.
In the dharma,
Chagdud Tulku
Tashi Deleg! I write you from Nepal where we are supervising the final installations and preparing to consecrate Katok Ritrö, the new retreat center dedicated to the lineages held at Katok Gonpa, Tibet. The center fulfills one of my greatest aspirations in this lifetime, and whatever arises next in the uncertain play of phenomena I have the happiness of knowing that the sublime teachings of the Katok lineage will be practiced and preserved in this place.
The land was purchased in my name by my son, Tulku Jigme Tromge. Initially I was rather displeased, because land in Nepal is quite expensive, but Tulku Jigme assured me that he would buy it himself if I couldn’t use it. As soon as I saw it, I saw the wisdom of his choice. The land has a splendid view across the valley of Pharping, where two caves sacred to Guru Padmasambhava and many monasteries are located. For retreat purposes it is quieter than Pharping and more isolated. The retreat buildings, which were designed long-distance from Brazil with the help of architect Beatrice da Silva, are attractive and have been very well-constructed by Mandala House, a firm directed by Sönam Rapten, a distant relative of mine.
Statues, including Chenrezig, Tara, and Guru Rinpoche, have been purchased for the center, as well as books, including a set of the Kangyur, the Rinchen Terdzöd, and the Nyingma Gyüdbum.
The retreat master will be Getze Tulku, the “Getze Chhog- trul, Lord of Refuge” mentioned in the colophon of the Dragshul Wangpo protector practice many of you perform nightly. In bygone centuries, sixteen great emanations appeared to propagate the dharma in India and Tibet. Of these, he was the sixteenth. In this lifetime, he was recognized by His Holiness the Karmapa and by several of the highest lamas of Katok Gonpa, Tibet. He has received superb training. When I consulted H.H. Moktza Rinpoche, Katok’s head lama, he recommended Getze Tulku, and on my behalf, made the request that he head the retreat center. I could not have rejoiced more when Getze Tulku agreed and showed genuine enthusiasm for the project.
All of this said, I want to add that I personally like Getze Tulku. He is straightforward, energetic, trustworthy, and shares my commitment to training excellent practitioners in the unsurpassed transmissions of the Katok lineages. He has the skill to carry this undertaking forward in what may be difficult times in Nepal, given recent political events.
I feel that everyone who has contributed to this center so far will receive tremendous blessings and fine interdependence for their own practices, especially retreat practices. I hope, for the same reasons, that some of you will choose to support the Katok Ritrö in the future.
At this time of extreme turbulence in world events, the need for us to find inner peace through spiritual development is clear. I urge each of you to join in group prayer and meditation, and to make time each day to practice individually. Retreat to the refuge of your own buddha nature and aspire that all beings find such refuge. Dedicate your virtue to them.
Especially, I urge you to remember that all of these beings, even the most heartless of terrorists, have at some point been your own mother. Refrain from rejoicing at the apparent victories of your own side, because if you do, you will share in the delusion and anger that leads to terrorism and war, and their karmic results. In 1959, while fleeing Tibet, I was hiding in a cave with my root guru Khenpo Dorje, and I happened to read a text in which Guru Rinpoche predicted that in future, more degenerate times, many vajra masters would go to hell. Perplexed, I asked Khenpo Dorje how this could come about, and he retorted, “What can lamas and vajra masters expect, when even now they rejoice in the wounding and killing of the Chinese by our military?”
For us, as practitioners holding bodhisattva and Vajrayana vows, we must maintain impartial compassion for all victims, aggressors, terrorists, soldiers, and politicians alike. It is almost impossible to participate in the endeavors of war without reaping severe karma. Gesar of Ling, an emanation of Guru Rinpoche and a bodhisattva warrior, made a retreat for thirteen years after his battles were won in order to purify his and others’ karma. What general would see a necessity for that today?
Finally, I want to offer you the words of another lama, a friend of mine whose life and death were chaotic, but whose inner realization remained unwavering. He said, “Whether you practice dharma or you don’t practice dharma, difficulties will arise. But only by practicing dharma will you find lasting happiness.” Please practice deeply, for your own sake and for that of all beings.
In the dharma,
Chagdud Tulku
Tashi Deleg! I write you from Nepal where we are supervising the final installations and preparing to consecrate Katok Ritrö, the new retreat center dedicated to the lineages held at Katok Gonpa, Tibet. The center fulfills one of my greatest aspirations in this lifetime, and whatever arises next in the uncertain play of phenomena I have the happiness of knowing that the sublime teachings of the Katok lineage will be practiced and preserved in this place.
The land was purchased in my name by my son, Tulku Jigme Tromge. Initially I was rather displeased, because land in Nepal is quite expensive, but Tulku Jigme assured me that he would buy it himself if I couldn’t use it. As soon as I saw it, I saw the wisdom of his choice. The land has a splendid view across the valley of Pharping, where two caves sacred to Guru Padmasambhava and many monasteries are located. For retreat purposes it is quieter than Pharping and more isolated. The retreat buildings, which were designed long-distance from Brazil with the help of architect Beatrice da Silva, are attractive and have been very well-constructed by Mandala House, a firm directed by Sönam Rapten, a distant relative of mine.
Statues, including Chenrezig, Tara, and Guru Rinpoche, have been purchased for the center, as well as books, including a set of the Kangyur, the Rinchen Terdzöd, and the Nyingma Gyüdbum.
The retreat master will be Getze Tulku, the “Getze Chhog- trul, Lord of Refuge” mentioned in the colophon of the Dragshul Wangpo protector practice many of you perform nightly. In bygone centuries, sixteen great emanations appeared to propagate the dharma in India and Tibet. Of these, he was the sixteenth. In this lifetime, he was recognized by His Holiness the Karmapa and by several of the highest lamas of Katok Gonpa, Tibet. He has received superb training. When I consulted H.H. Moktza Rinpoche, Katok’s head lama, he recommended Getze Tulku, and on my behalf, made the request that he head the retreat center. I could not have rejoiced more when Getze Tulku agreed and showed genuine enthusiasm for the project.
All of this said, I want to add that I personally like Getze Tulku. He is straightforward, energetic, trustworthy, and shares my commitment to training excellent practitioners in the unsurpassed transmissions of the Katok lineages. He has the skill to carry this undertaking forward in what may be difficult times in Nepal, given recent political events.
I feel that everyone who has contributed to this center so far will receive tremendous blessings and fine interdependence for their own practices, especially retreat practices. I hope, for the same reasons, that some of you will choose to support the Katok Ritrö in the future.
At this time of extreme turbulence in world events, the need for us to find inner peace through spiritual development is clear. I urge each of you to join in group prayer and meditation, and to make time each day to practice individually. Retreat to the refuge of your own buddha nature and aspire that all beings find such refuge. Dedicate your virtue to them.
Especially, I urge you to remember that all of these beings, even the most heartless of terrorists, have at some point been your own mother. Refrain from rejoicing at the apparent victories of your own side, because if you do, you will share in the delusion and anger that leads to terrorism and war, and their karmic results. In 1959, while fleeing Tibet, I was hiding in a cave with my root guru Khenpo Dorje, and I happened to read a text in which Guru Rinpoche predicted that in future, more degenerate times, many vajra masters would go to hell. Perplexed, I asked Khenpo Dorje how this could come about, and he retorted, “What can lamas and vajra masters expect, when even now they rejoice in the wounding and killing of the Chinese by our military?”
For us, as practitioners holding bodhisattva and Vajrayana vows, we must maintain impartial compassion for all victims, aggressors, terrorists, soldiers, and politicians alike. It is almost impossible to participate in the endeavors of war without reaping severe karma. Gesar of Ling, an emanation of Guru Rinpoche and a bodhisattva warrior, made a retreat for thirteen years after his battles were won in order to purify his and others’ karma. What general would see a necessity for that today?
Finally, I want to offer you the words of another lama, a friend of mine whose life and death were chaotic, but whose inner realization remained unwavering. He said, “Whether you practice dharma or you don’t practice dharma, difficulties will arise. But only by practicing dharma will you find lasting happiness.” Please practice deeply, for your own sake and for that of all beings.
In the dharma,
Chagdud Tulku
Tashi Deleg! I write you from Nepal where we are supervising the final installations and preparing to consecrate Katok Ritrö, the new retreat center dedicated to the lineages held at Katok Gonpa, Tibet. The center fulfills one of my greatest aspirations in this lifetime, and whatever arises next in the uncertain play of phenomena I have the happiness of knowing that the sublime teachings of the Katok lineage will be practiced and preserved in this place.
The land was purchased in my name by my son, Tulku Jigme Tromge. Initially I was rather displeased, because land in Nepal is quite expensive, but Tulku Jigme assured me that he would buy it himself if I couldn’t use it. As soon as I saw it, I saw the wisdom of his choice. The land has a splendid view across the valley of Pharping, where two caves sacred to Guru Padmasambhava and many monasteries are located. For retreat purposes it is quieter than Pharping and more isolated. The retreat buildings, which were designed long-distance from Brazil with the help of architect Beatrice da Silva, are attractive and have been very well-constructed by Mandala House, a firm directed by Sönam Rapten, a distant relative of mine.
Statues, including Chenrezig, Tara, and Guru Rinpoche, have been purchased for the center, as well as books, including a set of the Kangyur, the Rinchen Terdzöd, and the Nyingma Gyüdbum.
The retreat master will be Getze Tulku, the “Getze Chhog- trul, Lord of Refuge” mentioned in the colophon of the Dragshul Wangpo protector practice many of you perform nightly. In bygone centuries, sixteen great emanations appeared to propagate the dharma in India and Tibet. Of these, he was the sixteenth. In this lifetime, he was recognized by His Holiness the Karmapa and by several of the highest lamas of Katok Gonpa, Tibet. He has received superb training. When I consulted H.H. Moktza Rinpoche, Katok’s head lama, he recommended Getze Tulku, and on my behalf, made the request that he head the retreat center. I could not have rejoiced more when Getze Tulku agreed and showed genuine enthusiasm for the project.
All of this said, I want to add that I personally like Getze Tulku. He is straightforward, energetic, trustworthy, and shares my commitment to training excellent practitioners in the unsurpassed transmissions of the Katok lineages. He has the skill to carry this undertaking forward in what may be difficult times in Nepal, given recent political events.
I feel that everyone who has contributed to this center so far will receive tremendous blessings and fine interdependence for their own practices, especially retreat practices. I hope, for the same reasons, that some of you will choose to support the Katok Ritrö in the future.
At this time of extreme turbulence in world events, the need for us to find inner peace through spiritual development is clear. I urge each of you to join in group prayer and meditation, and to make time each day to practice individually. Retreat to the refuge of your own buddha nature and aspire that all beings find such refuge. Dedicate your virtue to them.
Especially, I urge you to remember that all of these beings, even the most heartless of terrorists, have at some point been your own mother. Refrain from rejoicing at the apparent victories of your own side, because if you do, you will share in the delusion and anger that leads to terrorism and war, and their karmic results. In 1959, while fleeing Tibet, I was hiding in a cave with my root guru Khenpo Dorje, and I happened to read a text in which Guru Rinpoche predicted that in future, more degenerate times, many vajra masters would go to hell. Perplexed, I asked Khenpo Dorje how this could come about, and he retorted, “What can lamas and vajra masters expect, when even now they rejoice in the wounding and killing of the Chinese by our military?”
For us, as practitioners holding bodhisattva and Vajrayana vows, we must maintain impartial compassion for all victims, aggressors, terrorists, soldiers, and politicians alike. It is almost impossible to participate in the endeavors of war without reaping severe karma. Gesar of Ling, an emanation of Guru Rinpoche and a bodhisattva warrior, made a retreat for thirteen years after his battles were won in order to purify his and others’ karma. What general would see a necessity for that today?
Finally, I want to offer you the words of another lama, a friend of mine whose life and death were chaotic, but whose inner realization remained unwavering. He said, “Whether you practice dharma or you don’t practice dharma, difficulties will arise. But only by practicing dharma will you find lasting happiness.” Please practice deeply, for your own sake and for that of all beings.
In the dharma,
Chagdud Tulku
