We came from all over to be with our lama, many of us on a road trip through desert country that we had never seen before. We had been forewarned of the rustic conditions that awaited us: wilderness campsites, no shower facilities, electricity by generator only, and water provided by an ancient windmill pump yielding two to three tablespoons per revolution. What we discovered instead was a luscious spring desert in full bloom.
One of the residents of Iron Knot Ranch noted that, while H.E. Chagdud Rinpoche’s U.S. schedule was filled with auspicious ceremonies, profound teachings, and empowerments, his week at the ranch was simply described as “Work on the statue.” Lama Shenpen and her students had prepared myriad meritorious opportunities for those of us who had come to work with Rinpoche. A cabin that had been recently built as Rinpoche’s quarters next to the Guru Rinpoche statue quickly became his art studio. A spacious kitchen was up and functioning for the growing sangha and visitors. And sand, gravel, and Portland cement were gathered and set up for the pending concrete work.
As soon as Rinpoche arrived, he hiked up the construction ramp to the statue and assessed the scope of the job. By week’s Rinpoche Back at the Ranch end, the statue had been completely resculpted in many places, and new ornaments were cast and cemented to the throne. In the same week, a second crew raised from scratch a new shop/interim dormitory and a shower-house, creating the interdependence for future pilgrimages to the ranch.
One of the last things Rinpoche did at Iron Knot was to mark the corners and consecrate the site of a lha khang (meditation temple) right next to the Guru Rinpoche statue. Rinpoche was very specific about the dimensions of the temple, surprisingly large given the remoteness of Iron Knot, but not so surprising when one considers how Rinpoche has developed his centers up to now. A phrase from the movie Field of Dreams comes to mind: “If you build it, they will come.”
Next year Rinpoche may return to consecrate the building if it is finished, and a number of us already plan to make another trek to the ranch. Rinpoche’s enlightened intention to benefit beings, coupled with the devotion and energy of his students makes anything and everything possible. May Iron Knot Ranch and all Buddhist retreat centers experience the fruition of the authentic practice of guru yoga.
By Michael McLaughlin
We came from all over to be with our lama, many of us on a road trip through desert country that we had never seen before. We had been forewarned of the rustic conditions that awaited us: wilderness campsites, no shower facilities, electricity by generator only, and water provided by an ancient windmill pump yielding two to three tablespoons per revolution. What we discovered instead was a luscious spring desert in full bloom.
One of the residents of Iron Knot Ranch noted that, while H.E. Chagdud Rinpoche’s U.S. schedule was filled with auspicious ceremonies, profound teachings, and empowerments, his week at the ranch was simply described as “Work on the statue.” Lama Shenpen and her students had prepared myriad meritorious opportunities for those of us who had come to work with Rinpoche. A cabin that had been recently built as Rinpoche’s quarters next to the Guru Rinpoche statue quickly became his art studio. A spacious kitchen was up and functioning for the growing sangha and visitors. And sand, gravel, and Portland cement were gathered and set up for the pending concrete work.
As soon as Rinpoche arrived, he hiked up the construction ramp to the statue and assessed the scope of the job. By week’s Rinpoche Back at the Ranch end, the statue had been completely resculpted in many places, and new ornaments were cast and cemented to the throne. In the same week, a second crew raised from scratch a new shop/interim dormitory and a shower-house, creating the interdependence for future pilgrimages to the ranch.
One of the last things Rinpoche did at Iron Knot was to mark the corners and consecrate the site of a lha khang (meditation temple) right next to the Guru Rinpoche statue. Rinpoche was very specific about the dimensions of the temple, surprisingly large given the remoteness of Iron Knot, but not so surprising when one considers how Rinpoche has developed his centers up to now. A phrase from the movie Field of Dreams comes to mind: “If you build it, they will come.”
Next year Rinpoche may return to consecrate the building if it is finished, and a number of us already plan to make another trek to the ranch. Rinpoche’s enlightened intention to benefit beings, coupled with the devotion and energy of his students makes anything and everything possible. May Iron Knot Ranch and all Buddhist retreat centers experience the fruition of the authentic practice of guru yoga.
By Michael McLaughlin
We came from all over to be with our lama, many of us on a road trip through desert country that we had never seen before. We had been forewarned of the rustic conditions that awaited us: wilderness campsites, no shower facilities, electricity by generator only, and water provided by an ancient windmill pump yielding two to three tablespoons per revolution. What we discovered instead was a luscious spring desert in full bloom.
One of the residents of Iron Knot Ranch noted that, while H.E. Chagdud Rinpoche’s U.S. schedule was filled with auspicious ceremonies, profound teachings, and empowerments, his week at the ranch was simply described as “Work on the statue.” Lama Shenpen and her students had prepared myriad meritorious opportunities for those of us who had come to work with Rinpoche. A cabin that had been recently built as Rinpoche’s quarters next to the Guru Rinpoche statue quickly became his art studio. A spacious kitchen was up and functioning for the growing sangha and visitors. And sand, gravel, and Portland cement were gathered and set up for the pending concrete work.
As soon as Rinpoche arrived, he hiked up the construction ramp to the statue and assessed the scope of the job. By week’s Rinpoche Back at the Ranch end, the statue had been completely resculpted in many places, and new ornaments were cast and cemented to the throne. In the same week, a second crew raised from scratch a new shop/interim dormitory and a shower-house, creating the interdependence for future pilgrimages to the ranch.
One of the last things Rinpoche did at Iron Knot was to mark the corners and consecrate the site of a lha khang (meditation temple) right next to the Guru Rinpoche statue. Rinpoche was very specific about the dimensions of the temple, surprisingly large given the remoteness of Iron Knot, but not so surprising when one considers how Rinpoche has developed his centers up to now. A phrase from the movie Field of Dreams comes to mind: “If you build it, they will come.”
Next year Rinpoche may return to consecrate the building if it is finished, and a number of us already plan to make another trek to the ranch. Rinpoche’s enlightened intention to benefit beings, coupled with the devotion and energy of his students makes anything and everything possible. May Iron Knot Ranch and all Buddhist retreat centers experience the fruition of the authentic practice of guru yoga.
By Michael McLaughlin
We came from all over to be with our lama, many of us on a road trip through desert country that we had never seen before. We had been forewarned of the rustic conditions that awaited us: wilderness campsites, no shower facilities, electricity by generator only, and water provided by an ancient windmill pump yielding two to three tablespoons per revolution. What we discovered instead was a luscious spring desert in full bloom.
One of the residents of Iron Knot Ranch noted that, while H.E. Chagdud Rinpoche’s U.S. schedule was filled with auspicious ceremonies, profound teachings, and empowerments, his week at the ranch was simply described as “Work on the statue.” Lama Shenpen and her students had prepared myriad meritorious opportunities for those of us who had come to work with Rinpoche. A cabin that had been recently built as Rinpoche’s quarters next to the Guru Rinpoche statue quickly became his art studio. A spacious kitchen was up and functioning for the growing sangha and visitors. And sand, gravel, and Portland cement were gathered and set up for the pending concrete work.
As soon as Rinpoche arrived, he hiked up the construction ramp to the statue and assessed the scope of the job. By week’s Rinpoche Back at the Ranch end, the statue had been completely resculpted in many places, and new ornaments were cast and cemented to the throne. In the same week, a second crew raised from scratch a new shop/interim dormitory and a shower-house, creating the interdependence for future pilgrimages to the ranch.
One of the last things Rinpoche did at Iron Knot was to mark the corners and consecrate the site of a lha khang (meditation temple) right next to the Guru Rinpoche statue. Rinpoche was very specific about the dimensions of the temple, surprisingly large given the remoteness of Iron Knot, but not so surprising when one considers how Rinpoche has developed his centers up to now. A phrase from the movie Field of Dreams comes to mind: “If you build it, they will come.”
Next year Rinpoche may return to consecrate the building if it is finished, and a number of us already plan to make another trek to the ranch. Rinpoche’s enlightened intention to benefit beings, coupled with the devotion and energy of his students makes anything and everything possible. May Iron Knot Ranch and all Buddhist retreat centers experience the fruition of the authentic practice of guru yoga.
By Michael McLaughlin
We came from all over to be with our lama, many of us on a road trip through desert country that we had never seen before. We had been forewarned of the rustic conditions that awaited us: wilderness campsites, no shower facilities, electricity by generator only, and water provided by an ancient windmill pump yielding two to three tablespoons per revolution. What we discovered instead was a luscious spring desert in full bloom.
One of the residents of Iron Knot Ranch noted that, while H.E. Chagdud Rinpoche’s U.S. schedule was filled with auspicious ceremonies, profound teachings, and empowerments, his week at the ranch was simply described as “Work on the statue.” Lama Shenpen and her students had prepared myriad meritorious opportunities for those of us who had come to work with Rinpoche. A cabin that had been recently built as Rinpoche’s quarters next to the Guru Rinpoche statue quickly became his art studio. A spacious kitchen was up and functioning for the growing sangha and visitors. And sand, gravel, and Portland cement were gathered and set up for the pending concrete work.
As soon as Rinpoche arrived, he hiked up the construction ramp to the statue and assessed the scope of the job. By week’s Rinpoche Back at the Ranch end, the statue had been completely resculpted in many places, and new ornaments were cast and cemented to the throne. In the same week, a second crew raised from scratch a new shop/interim dormitory and a shower-house, creating the interdependence for future pilgrimages to the ranch.
One of the last things Rinpoche did at Iron Knot was to mark the corners and consecrate the site of a lha khang (meditation temple) right next to the Guru Rinpoche statue. Rinpoche was very specific about the dimensions of the temple, surprisingly large given the remoteness of Iron Knot, but not so surprising when one considers how Rinpoche has developed his centers up to now. A phrase from the movie Field of Dreams comes to mind: “If you build it, they will come.”
Next year Rinpoche may return to consecrate the building if it is finished, and a number of us already plan to make another trek to the ranch. Rinpoche’s enlightened intention to benefit beings, coupled with the devotion and energy of his students makes anything and everything possible. May Iron Knot Ranch and all Buddhist retreat centers experience the fruition of the authentic practice of guru yoga.
By Michael McLaughlin
