Dear Sangha,
Our first Dzogchen retreat in Brazil has recently concluded. Eighteen people participated in the first-year and four in the second-year programs. Teachings took place in the large room that serves as the shrine room until the temple is built on the land here in Tres Coroas. Nearby a construction crew worked to complete the gonpa's kitchen, another pounded rock to surface our road (which has deteriorated into deep, well-churned mud after a month of daily rainstorms), and a third drilled for water, more difficult to find under the land's surface than on it. The retreatants dug holes for prayer flag poles, sewed the flags, and planted flowering trees.
All the activity reminded me of the early retreats in Oregon, when we built the Guru Rinpoche statue. Once again, by the blessing of the Dzogchen practice and by the intention of our efforts, we are initiating the transformation of ordinary land into a sacred site, certainly one of South America's first in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
I recently had the very good fortune to make pilgrimage to two holy places in Nepal: Parping, where Guru Padmasambhava attained realization of Vajrakilaya, and Maratika, where he attained the siddhis of longevity and deathlessness. At Parping, I arrived unannounced at the monastery of Tulku Sang-ngag just as a conch blew to summon the monks from a break. I was ushered in and seated on a throne just in time for the tsog section of an elaborate Vajrakilaya ceremony. As the chanting began, all ordinary perception suddenly ceased in my mind and the whole environment transformed into the splendid mandala of the deity. This seemed to me an auspicious sign that certain obstacles to my activity had been overcome.
I journeyed to the caves at Maratika with Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoche, who flew from France specifically to make this pilgrimage. Many years ago I had undertaken the same pilgrimage and everything went wrong, making it impossible for me not to believe predictions of a relatively short life. This time, accompanied by my dharma brothers and a number of students, the pilgrimage had a momentum and a power of blessing that was as irreversible as a wave on the ocean. When we arrived at the caves, H.E. Trulshik Rinpoche, the most revered dharma companion of the late H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, performed a longevity ceremony and dedicated it to us. During the days that followed, our group offered its own prayers and ceremonies, generating a profound sense of joy and wellbeing. We also consecrated longevity pills and nectar. Before I left Nepal I visited Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. The news of his passing into Parinirvana, only a few weeks later, deeply saddens me. There is, of course, no real coming or going, no real separation, but the illusion is very powerful. My heart feels orphaned and longs for the kindness of this great father guru, for his nurturing wisdom and unsurpassed human qualities.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the summer drubchens and Dzogchen retreat, and during my travels around the United States in July. Whatever you are doing, do not waste the opportunity of your precious human rebirth.
Chagdud Tulku
Dear Sangha,
Our first Dzogchen retreat in Brazil has recently concluded. Eighteen people participated in the first-year and four in the second-year programs. Teachings took place in the large room that serves as the shrine room until the temple is built on the land here in Tres Coroas. Nearby a construction crew worked to complete the gonpa's kitchen, another pounded rock to surface our road (which has deteriorated into deep, well-churned mud after a month of daily rainstorms), and a third drilled for water, more difficult to find under the land's surface than on it. The retreatants dug holes for prayer flag poles, sewed the flags, and planted flowering trees.
All the activity reminded me of the early retreats in Oregon, when we built the Guru Rinpoche statue. Once again, by the blessing of the Dzogchen practice and by the intention of our efforts, we are initiating the transformation of ordinary land into a sacred site, certainly one of South America's first in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
I recently had the very good fortune to make pilgrimage to two holy places in Nepal: Parping, where Guru Padmasambhava attained realization of Vajrakilaya, and Maratika, where he attained the siddhis of longevity and deathlessness. At Parping, I arrived unannounced at the monastery of Tulku Sang-ngag just as a conch blew to summon the monks from a break. I was ushered in and seated on a throne just in time for the tsog section of an elaborate Vajrakilaya ceremony. As the chanting began, all ordinary perception suddenly ceased in my mind and the whole environment transformed into the splendid mandala of the deity. This seemed to me an auspicious sign that certain obstacles to my activity had been overcome.
I journeyed to the caves at Maratika with Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoche, who flew from France specifically to make this pilgrimage. Many years ago I had undertaken the same pilgrimage and everything went wrong, making it impossible for me not to believe predictions of a relatively short life. This time, accompanied by my dharma brothers and a number of students, the pilgrimage had a momentum and a power of blessing that was as irreversible as a wave on the ocean. When we arrived at the caves, H.E. Trulshik Rinpoche, the most revered dharma companion of the late H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, performed a longevity ceremony and dedicated it to us. During the days that followed, our group offered its own prayers and ceremonies, generating a profound sense of joy and wellbeing. We also consecrated longevity pills and nectar. Before I left Nepal I visited Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. The news of his passing into Parinirvana, only a few weeks later, deeply saddens me. There is, of course, no real coming or going, no real separation, but the illusion is very powerful. My heart feels orphaned and longs for the kindness of this great father guru, for his nurturing wisdom and unsurpassed human qualities.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the summer drubchens and Dzogchen retreat, and during my travels around the United States in July. Whatever you are doing, do not waste the opportunity of your precious human rebirth.
Chagdud Tulku
Dear Sangha,
Our first Dzogchen retreat in Brazil has recently concluded. Eighteen people participated in the first-year and four in the second-year programs. Teachings took place in the large room that serves as the shrine room until the temple is built on the land here in Tres Coroas. Nearby a construction crew worked to complete the gonpa's kitchen, another pounded rock to surface our road (which has deteriorated into deep, well-churned mud after a month of daily rainstorms), and a third drilled for water, more difficult to find under the land's surface than on it. The retreatants dug holes for prayer flag poles, sewed the flags, and planted flowering trees.
All the activity reminded me of the early retreats in Oregon, when we built the Guru Rinpoche statue. Once again, by the blessing of the Dzogchen practice and by the intention of our efforts, we are initiating the transformation of ordinary land into a sacred site, certainly one of South America's first in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
I recently had the very good fortune to make pilgrimage to two holy places in Nepal: Parping, where Guru Padmasambhava attained realization of Vajrakilaya, and Maratika, where he attained the siddhis of longevity and deathlessness. At Parping, I arrived unannounced at the monastery of Tulku Sang-ngag just as a conch blew to summon the monks from a break. I was ushered in and seated on a throne just in time for the tsog section of an elaborate Vajrakilaya ceremony. As the chanting began, all ordinary perception suddenly ceased in my mind and the whole environment transformed into the splendid mandala of the deity. This seemed to me an auspicious sign that certain obstacles to my activity had been overcome.
I journeyed to the caves at Maratika with Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoche, who flew from France specifically to make this pilgrimage. Many years ago I had undertaken the same pilgrimage and everything went wrong, making it impossible for me not to believe predictions of a relatively short life. This time, accompanied by my dharma brothers and a number of students, the pilgrimage had a momentum and a power of blessing that was as irreversible as a wave on the ocean. When we arrived at the caves, H.E. Trulshik Rinpoche, the most revered dharma companion of the late H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, performed a longevity ceremony and dedicated it to us. During the days that followed, our group offered its own prayers and ceremonies, generating a profound sense of joy and wellbeing. We also consecrated longevity pills and nectar. Before I left Nepal I visited Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. The news of his passing into Parinirvana, only a few weeks later, deeply saddens me. There is, of course, no real coming or going, no real separation, but the illusion is very powerful. My heart feels orphaned and longs for the kindness of this great father guru, for his nurturing wisdom and unsurpassed human qualities.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the summer drubchens and Dzogchen retreat, and during my travels around the United States in July. Whatever you are doing, do not waste the opportunity of your precious human rebirth.
Chagdud Tulku
Dear Sangha,
Our first Dzogchen retreat in Brazil has recently concluded. Eighteen people participated in the first-year and four in the second-year programs. Teachings took place in the large room that serves as the shrine room until the temple is built on the land here in Tres Coroas. Nearby a construction crew worked to complete the gonpa's kitchen, another pounded rock to surface our road (which has deteriorated into deep, well-churned mud after a month of daily rainstorms), and a third drilled for water, more difficult to find under the land's surface than on it. The retreatants dug holes for prayer flag poles, sewed the flags, and planted flowering trees.
All the activity reminded me of the early retreats in Oregon, when we built the Guru Rinpoche statue. Once again, by the blessing of the Dzogchen practice and by the intention of our efforts, we are initiating the transformation of ordinary land into a sacred site, certainly one of South America's first in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
I recently had the very good fortune to make pilgrimage to two holy places in Nepal: Parping, where Guru Padmasambhava attained realization of Vajrakilaya, and Maratika, where he attained the siddhis of longevity and deathlessness. At Parping, I arrived unannounced at the monastery of Tulku Sang-ngag just as a conch blew to summon the monks from a break. I was ushered in and seated on a throne just in time for the tsog section of an elaborate Vajrakilaya ceremony. As the chanting began, all ordinary perception suddenly ceased in my mind and the whole environment transformed into the splendid mandala of the deity. This seemed to me an auspicious sign that certain obstacles to my activity had been overcome.
I journeyed to the caves at Maratika with Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoche, who flew from France specifically to make this pilgrimage. Many years ago I had undertaken the same pilgrimage and everything went wrong, making it impossible for me not to believe predictions of a relatively short life. This time, accompanied by my dharma brothers and a number of students, the pilgrimage had a momentum and a power of blessing that was as irreversible as a wave on the ocean. When we arrived at the caves, H.E. Trulshik Rinpoche, the most revered dharma companion of the late H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, performed a longevity ceremony and dedicated it to us. During the days that followed, our group offered its own prayers and ceremonies, generating a profound sense of joy and wellbeing. We also consecrated longevity pills and nectar. Before I left Nepal I visited Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. The news of his passing into Parinirvana, only a few weeks later, deeply saddens me. There is, of course, no real coming or going, no real separation, but the illusion is very powerful. My heart feels orphaned and longs for the kindness of this great father guru, for his nurturing wisdom and unsurpassed human qualities.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the summer drubchens and Dzogchen retreat, and during my travels around the United States in July. Whatever you are doing, do not waste the opportunity of your precious human rebirth.
Chagdud Tulku
Dear Sangha,
Our first Dzogchen retreat in Brazil has recently concluded. Eighteen people participated in the first-year and four in the second-year programs. Teachings took place in the large room that serves as the shrine room until the temple is built on the land here in Tres Coroas. Nearby a construction crew worked to complete the gonpa's kitchen, another pounded rock to surface our road (which has deteriorated into deep, well-churned mud after a month of daily rainstorms), and a third drilled for water, more difficult to find under the land's surface than on it. The retreatants dug holes for prayer flag poles, sewed the flags, and planted flowering trees.
All the activity reminded me of the early retreats in Oregon, when we built the Guru Rinpoche statue. Once again, by the blessing of the Dzogchen practice and by the intention of our efforts, we are initiating the transformation of ordinary land into a sacred site, certainly one of South America's first in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
I recently had the very good fortune to make pilgrimage to two holy places in Nepal: Parping, where Guru Padmasambhava attained realization of Vajrakilaya, and Maratika, where he attained the siddhis of longevity and deathlessness. At Parping, I arrived unannounced at the monastery of Tulku Sang-ngag just as a conch blew to summon the monks from a break. I was ushered in and seated on a throne just in time for the tsog section of an elaborate Vajrakilaya ceremony. As the chanting began, all ordinary perception suddenly ceased in my mind and the whole environment transformed into the splendid mandala of the deity. This seemed to me an auspicious sign that certain obstacles to my activity had been overcome.
I journeyed to the caves at Maratika with Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoche, who flew from France specifically to make this pilgrimage. Many years ago I had undertaken the same pilgrimage and everything went wrong, making it impossible for me not to believe predictions of a relatively short life. This time, accompanied by my dharma brothers and a number of students, the pilgrimage had a momentum and a power of blessing that was as irreversible as a wave on the ocean. When we arrived at the caves, H.E. Trulshik Rinpoche, the most revered dharma companion of the late H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, performed a longevity ceremony and dedicated it to us. During the days that followed, our group offered its own prayers and ceremonies, generating a profound sense of joy and wellbeing. We also consecrated longevity pills and nectar. Before I left Nepal I visited Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. The news of his passing into Parinirvana, only a few weeks later, deeply saddens me. There is, of course, no real coming or going, no real separation, but the illusion is very powerful. My heart feels orphaned and longs for the kindness of this great father guru, for his nurturing wisdom and unsurpassed human qualities.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the summer drubchens and Dzogchen retreat, and during my travels around the United States in July. Whatever you are doing, do not waste the opportunity of your precious human rebirth.
Chagdud Tulku
