Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Jigme Rinpoche at Khadro Ling In late October, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche taught the ninth chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva) at Khadro Ling. The teachings were attended by 250 students, who were riveted by Rinpoche’s clear explanations and by his brilliant, illuminating mind. Many people at the event experienced a tremendous surge of faith and confidence in the dharma.
Khyentse Rinpoche selected four Bhutanese artists, along with the head artist’s talented wife, to create the artwork for the palace of Padmasambhava’s pure realm, known as Zangdok Palri. They have now completed magnificent statues of the four kings who guard the four entrances to the building. A new website for the palace will soon be up. Many individuals and sanghas are sponsoring the creation of specific statues with the aspiration to generate interdependence with the special qualities of the awareness holder or deity depicted.
This has been a dramatic year at Khadro Ling, with the fatal motorcycle accident of one of our three-year retreatants, the birth of Brazil’s first Bhutanese baby, an unsuccessful robbery by eight intruders, the construction of the lovely flared roofs of Zangdok Palri, and progress on many publishing projects, including the Portuguese translation of Buddhahood Without Meditation. Now a number of senior students will enter strict retreat, and the dramas will be allowed to find their own dreamlike dissolution.
We look forward to the January Dzogchen retreat led by Jigme Rinpoche, which will again involve the sadhana practice of the Rigdzin Düpa and the transmission of the Longchen Nyingtik cycle.
In August Chagdud Khadro, Lama Chemed, and Lama Oser were invited to the Odsal Ling country retreat center (Refugio) to join Lama Tsering and Lama Norbu in the weeklong consecration ceremonies for Chagdud Rinpoche’s relic stupa. The consecration was the culmination of many months of effort on the part of the sangha, who assembled and lovingly prepared all the mantra rolls, sacred items, and precious substances. In addition to Chagdud Rinpoche’s relics and the relic pills of many great masters of our lineage, a mandala of extraordinary offerings was consecrated and carefully arranged inside the stupa. The eight-foot-high stupa was designed so that it can be moved into the temple when the building is completed, and it will become the focal point of the shrine room. Construction of the temple has now begun. Peace vases were recently set into the forty-foot-deep foundation pillars of the temple, and we anticipate that the basic structure will be finished by April 2005. Jigme Rinpoche and Chagdud Khadro have both been very generous, offering their time and effort to the pujas needed for the preparation of the stupa and temple site.
In addition to these projects, Lama Tsering and Lama Norbu have kept up busy teaching schedules, with Lama Tsering touring northern Brazil soon after returning from a six-week U.S. tour.
Saving Lives
During 2004, Dordje Ling in Curitiba worked on a project in conjunction with the centers in Garopaba, Florianopolis, and Matinhos to save 100,000 lives. This project will continue into the new year. Anyone who wishes to contribute by making a monetary donation or by saving lives can contact us at <dordjeling@onda.com. br>. These centers are also engaged in a fund-raising campaign to sponsor the Padmasambhava statue in the Zangdok Palri palace being constructed at Khadro Ling.
Rigjed Ling in Florianopolis has undergone a major renovation, with traditional Buddhist artwork being painted on the walls of the new shrine room. Children’s activities are being offered on a monthly basis, and a donated television was raffled to raise funds for Jigme Rinpoche’s Padmasambhava Peace Institute.
Parinirvana
In the early morning of the anniversary of Chagdud Rinpoche’s parinirvana, the sangha of Khadro Ling gathered and lit more than 2,000 butter lamps. With the long rows of golden flames, the granite tiers of the shrine looked like a great, luminous ocean liner sailing into a sea of darkness. On the top tier, overseeing the ceremony, were the three statues—Guru Rinpoche, Tara, and Dzambala—that Rinpoche had sculpted in his living room. We chanted the Lamp Aspiration Prayer from Padgyal Lingpa’s Red Vajrasattva sadhana, first accompanied by a tape of Lama Drimed’s retreatants, Ingrid, and Pema Tenzin, then finally on our own.
______
During the month of September, Rigdzin Ling had the great fortune to host Khentrul Rinpoche and about 75 guests for shedra. Khentrul Rinpoche gave teachings on Ösel Nyingpo, Mipam Rinpoche’s overview of the Guhyagarbha tantra. Lama Chökyi Nyima translated, and Paloma Lopez and Oliver Boldizar helped out by teaching Tibetan language classes.
In November Dzatrul Rinpoche (an old friend of Chagdud Rinpoche’s) taught for two days on the six bardos. The sangha was greatly inspired by his erudition and joyful enthusiasm.
The sangha has begun making preparations for the stupa that will house some of Chagdud Rinpoche’s relics. Lama Padma Dorje organized the construction of the copper stupa in Nepal, which is now at Rigdzin Ling waiting to be filled and consecrated. The surface will be covered with gold leaf and ornamented with precious gems. The central channel, made of cedar, was carved by Lama Padma Dorje. Mantras were placed in the hollow core of the channel and then it was sealed. Taylor Dybvig carved a stupa on the top end of the channel and a vajra at the bottom. Taylor also carved a beautiful throne for the stupa (modeled after the throne for the stupa containing the relics of H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche) using a fine wood known as “blood wood.”
Michael McLaughlin has expanded the Tara House shrine room, creating an alcove directly opposite the front doors that will house the stupa. The alcove will have a marble floor (with room for circumambulation), high shelves for texts, and a shrine.
______
At T’hondup Ling, we have done our best to keep pace with the dharma activities of our precious Lama Chodak Gyatso Nubpa, who never rests in his efforts to benefit beings. Lama Gyatso conducts the release of live fish at least two times a month. This year more than one million baitfish destined for the hooks of fishermen have been released into their natural environment in Marina del Rey.
We are very fortunate to have Lama Ludrub and Lama Rabjoer to assist Lama Gyatso and lead events when Lama Gyatso is away. Lama Ludrub, a fully ordained monk with years of ceremonial training and an extensive knowledge of statue consecration, comes from Thupten Chöling, H.H. Trulshik Rinpoche’s monastery in Nepal. He spent thirteen years in solitary retreat in the foothills of Mt. Everest. With the assistance of these two lamas, we are able to offer statue consecration on an ongoing basis. (Please contact the center for more information.)
Lama Thogme, another ordained monk from Thupten Chöling and a master at creating sand mandalas, also stayed with us for several months this year. In April the three lamas created a Shi-tro sand mandala in Hollywood that was open to the public for viewing.
In March the eminent Tibetan physician Dr. Tsering Chösang came for several months, seeing patients, tending to herbs in the center garden, participating in practice, and offering teachings. In April we were honored to welcome Chagdud Khadro for teachings in Los Angeles and a p’howa retreat at Ari Bhod in Tehachapi. And in May Terton Kunzang Dechen Lingpa gave teachings on the meaning of Zangdok Palri, Guru Rinpoche’s Copper-Colored Mountain, at the Los Angeles center.
In June Lama Gyatso left for a month long pilgrimage to Tibet, his first visit to his native land in 45 years. He and several students practiced and offered tsok in many caves, temples, and holy sites blessed by Guru Rinpoche, Longchenpa, Jigme Lingpa, Pa Dampa Sangyé, Milarepa, and other great masters. The group spent several nights in the cave where Longchenpa wrote the Seven Treasuries, a place of indescribable blessings. Lama Gyatso also visited his monastery in western Tibet, which has been largely rebuilt and houses twelve monks. While they were there, Lama Gyatso and the sangha sponsored much-needed new robes for all the monks. There were many bittersweet moments throughout the trip, as relatives and friends tearfully greeted Lama Gyatso after being apart from him for so many years. The pilgrims who traveled with him had the good fortune to meet and make dharma connections with some of the more renowned Nyingma lineage holders in Tibet.
Shortly after his return to Los Angeles in July, Lama Gyatso led the annual ngondro retreat at Ari Bhod. In September we sponsored the tenth annual Tröma drubchod, led by the Venerable Dzatrul Rinpoche. Also in September His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche visited T’hondup Ling and Ari Bhod, offering an empowerment and a teaching on the nature of mind. Khamtrul Rinpoche also conducted a live release and tsok practice.
In October we held our second annual Yeshe Tsogyal retreat at Ari Bhod, honoring our commitment to H.E. Namkha Drimed Rinpoche to conduct this retreat every year. For His Eminence’s health, we also sponsored a live release and tsok. In November we did two days of Red Vajrasattva practice and a fish release for the anniversary of Chagdud Rinpoche’s parinirvana. And in December Lama Gyatso conducted a Heart Sutra retreat and an Orgyen Dzambhala retreat. Anyone wishing to be informed by email of T’hondup Ling events can send an e-mail to <thondup_ling@juno.com>.
______
The Amrita sangha began the Tibetan new year with its annual Chenrezig nyung-nay fasting retreat. The nyung-nay is part of the larger Kusum Gongdu practice that is the basis of our Chenrezig drubchen. We also wrapped and enshrined the texts of the Kangyur, the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which are part of the Jewel of Dharma project. This project, which now includes 600 Tibetan dharma texts, was initiated by Lama Padma, who collected these texts during his travels in Asia. It is his aspiration that they be used for study and teaching and as a practice support for the Seattle area sangha. Also on Losar, we released more than 1,100 worms.
In the spring, Chagdud Khadro gave Guru Rinpoche, Vajrakilaya, and Amitabha empowerments and p’howa teachings. Tulku Jigme Rinpoche bestowed Manjushri and Tröma empowerments, and later visited Chokdrup Ling— Land of Sublime Accomplishment—240 acres of retreat land in southwestern Colorado that Lama Padma and his wife, Susan, acquired in the late 1990s and where they spend a portion of each year.
Lama Padma, Susan, and four Amrita sangha members traveled to Tibet with Jigme Rinpoche this summer. Lama Padma made the journey primarily to meet Dechen Tromge Rinpoche, the incarnation of Tromge Khakyod Wangpo, the terton who revealed the Tromge Kusum Gongdu cycle. Dechen Rinpoche gave the empowerments and scriptural transmissions for the entire cycle at Tromge Gonpa in eastern Tibet, and expressed his happiness that the Chenrezig practice is flourishing in the West. He entrusted Lama Padma with the responsibility of holding this cycle of the Great Compassionate One. We felt that because of our connection with the practice, our bond with Tromge Gonpa is extremely strong.
The fall began with a visit by Lama Tsering, who gave a public talk and a Red Tara empowerment to initiate our annual Red Tara retreat. Jigme Rinpoche returned to lead two evenings of ngondro practice and to practice with the sangha at the Washington State Reformatory. Lama Padma has been working with prisoners there on a regular basis since 1998.
In October, during a weekend of Chenrezig practice and teaching led by Lama Padma, we again released more than 1,100 worms. Also in the fall, Khenpo Lodro Thaye Rinpoche taught the Seven Line Prayer and conducted a Shower of Blessings tsok offering.
Other recent sangha activities included a six-week meditation class by Lama Padma, as well as six tsok practices per month and an open Monday evening practice. Three babies were born into the sangha this summer and fall: Maya, Ryder, and Sophia. And now, as winter sets in, we begin preparations for our third Chenrezig drubchen, which will take place April 9–17, 2005.
______
In October we hosted Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche for teachings and the consecration of our newly completed Stupa of Reconciliation, which is located on the grounds of our center in Spokane. Khentrul Rinpoche, together with Lama Inge, Lama Yontan, and the sangha of Padma Ling, performed the consecration ceremony. Khentrul Rinpoche also offered teachings on Madhyamika (the Middle Way) during his weekend visit.
Padma Ling has opened its doors as an urban retreat center. Although we have been at our present location, functioning as a practice and meditation center for fifteen years, we have not until now had any retreat facilities. In addition to our main shrine room, we have a meditation room for retreatants and three bed-and-breakfast rooms. The new stupa, located in the backyard, provides an ideal focus for outdoor practice. For practitioners whose physical problems prevent them from doing prostrations, circumambulating a stupa is the best alternative. (For copies of the Buddha’s teaching on the benefits of circumambulating a stupa, contact Padma Ling.)
It is widely believed that one can do retreat only in the country, because the environment is quiet. But with planes flying overhead, traffic, chainsaws, and the sounds of animals, it can be far from peaceful. Another difficulty of doing retreat in the country is the challenge of acquiring provisions. Padma Ling is just three blocks from an organic food store, with other grocery stores, medical care, and pharmacies nearby.
A resident lama is usually available for counsel and advice on practice. Retreat rooms are available at daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Inquiries should be directed to Lama Inge Zangmo at Padma Ling.
______
As winter settles in on the southern end of the Willamette Valley and the rains become more regular, our sangha reflects back on a busy year. We were blessed by visits from Chagdud Khadro, Lama Tsering, Jigme Tromge Rinpoche, Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche, and Lama Jamie, who offered a variety of teachings, empowerments, and transmissions and gave us the precious opportunity to practice with them.
In the fall, Lama Jigme Lode led a two-day cham (ritual dance) intensive that was attended by many of the Rigdzin Ling dancers. It seemed natural for this to happen at Dechhen Ling, where Lama Sonam—who initially instructed Chagdud Gonpa dancers—sat for some years. We are most appreciative of Lama Jigme’s generosity, expertise, and patience and aspire to host similar workshops in the future.
In addition to daily Red Tara practice and monthly Tara, Shower of Blessings, Tröma, and Essence of Siddhi tsoks, we hold weekly Akshobhya and sitting meditation practices. Sunday morning puja is followed by either a teaching or question-and-answer session with Lama Dorje or Lama Trinley. A Tibetan language study group has started to meet regularly as well.
______
This summer at Yeshe Ling, Jigme Rinpoche conducted a wonderful Tröma retreat, and in the autumn, Lama Tsering led a lovely dream yoga retreat. Both events were well attended and revitalized the connection between the sangha and our precious lamas.
The new Guru Rinpoche statue is a magnificent addition to Yeshe Ling. Its presence is palpable, and gazing at Guru Rinpoche’s face is a very moving experience. Thanks to many generous offerings, we have nearly enough funds to complete the statue. Glenn Sandvoss is working on the last bit of cement sculpting and is applying the cement plaques to the base of the throne. Jigme Rinpoche will come soon to perform ceremonies for filling parts of the statue with mantras and sacred substances. Then in the springtime, when warm, dry weather returns, Glenn and others will paint the Guru.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Jigme Rinpoche at Khadro Ling In late October, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche taught the ninth chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva) at Khadro Ling. The teachings were attended by 250 students, who were riveted by Rinpoche’s clear explanations and by his brilliant, illuminating mind. Many people at the event experienced a tremendous surge of faith and confidence in the dharma.
Khyentse Rinpoche selected four Bhutanese artists, along with the head artist’s talented wife, to create the artwork for the palace of Padmasambhava’s pure realm, known as Zangdok Palri. They have now completed magnificent statues of the four kings who guard the four entrances to the building. A new website for the palace will soon be up. Many individuals and sanghas are sponsoring the creation of specific statues with the aspiration to generate interdependence with the special qualities of the awareness holder or deity depicted.
This has been a dramatic year at Khadro Ling, with the fatal motorcycle accident of one of our three-year retreatants, the birth of Brazil’s first Bhutanese baby, an unsuccessful robbery by eight intruders, the construction of the lovely flared roofs of Zangdok Palri, and progress on many publishing projects, including the Portuguese translation of Buddhahood Without Meditation. Now a number of senior students will enter strict retreat, and the dramas will be allowed to find their own dreamlike dissolution.
We look forward to the January Dzogchen retreat led by Jigme Rinpoche, which will again involve the sadhana practice of the Rigdzin Düpa and the transmission of the Longchen Nyingtik cycle.
In August Chagdud Khadro, Lama Chemed, and Lama Oser were invited to the Odsal Ling country retreat center (Refugio) to join Lama Tsering and Lama Norbu in the weeklong consecration ceremonies for Chagdud Rinpoche’s relic stupa. The consecration was the culmination of many months of effort on the part of the sangha, who assembled and lovingly prepared all the mantra rolls, sacred items, and precious substances. In addition to Chagdud Rinpoche’s relics and the relic pills of many great masters of our lineage, a mandala of extraordinary offerings was consecrated and carefully arranged inside the stupa. The eight-foot-high stupa was designed so that it can be moved into the temple when the building is completed, and it will become the focal point of the shrine room. Construction of the temple has now begun. Peace vases were recently set into the forty-foot-deep foundation pillars of the temple, and we anticipate that the basic structure will be finished by April 2005. Jigme Rinpoche and Chagdud Khadro have both been very generous, offering their time and effort to the pujas needed for the preparation of the stupa and temple site.
In addition to these projects, Lama Tsering and Lama Norbu have kept up busy teaching schedules, with Lama Tsering touring northern Brazil soon after returning from a six-week U.S. tour.
Saving Lives
During 2004, Dordje Ling in Curitiba worked on a project in conjunction with the centers in Garopaba, Florianopolis, and Matinhos to save 100,000 lives. This project will continue into the new year. Anyone who wishes to contribute by making a monetary donation or by saving lives can contact us at <dordjeling@onda.com. br>. These centers are also engaged in a fund-raising campaign to sponsor the Padmasambhava statue in the Zangdok Palri palace being constructed at Khadro Ling.
Rigjed Ling in Florianopolis has undergone a major renovation, with traditional Buddhist artwork being painted on the walls of the new shrine room. Children’s activities are being offered on a monthly basis, and a donated television was raffled to raise funds for Jigme Rinpoche’s Padmasambhava Peace Institute.
Parinirvana
In the early morning of the anniversary of Chagdud Rinpoche’s parinirvana, the sangha of Khadro Ling gathered and lit more than 2,000 butter lamps. With the long rows of golden flames, the granite tiers of the shrine looked like a great, luminous ocean liner sailing into a sea of darkness. On the top tier, overseeing the ceremony, were the three statues—Guru Rinpoche, Tara, and Dzambala—that Rinpoche had sculpted in his living room. We chanted the Lamp Aspiration Prayer from Padgyal Lingpa’s Red Vajrasattva sadhana, first accompanied by a tape of Lama Drimed’s retreatants, Ingrid, and Pema Tenzin, then finally on our own.
______
During the month of September, Rigdzin Ling had the great fortune to host Khentrul Rinpoche and about 75 guests for shedra. Khentrul Rinpoche gave teachings on Ösel Nyingpo, Mipam Rinpoche’s overview of the Guhyagarbha tantra. Lama Chökyi Nyima translated, and Paloma Lopez and Oliver Boldizar helped out by teaching Tibetan language classes.
In November Dzatrul Rinpoche (an old friend of Chagdud Rinpoche’s) taught for two days on the six bardos. The sangha was greatly inspired by his erudition and joyful enthusiasm.
The sangha has begun making preparations for the stupa that will house some of Chagdud Rinpoche’s relics. Lama Padma Dorje organized the construction of the copper stupa in Nepal, which is now at Rigdzin Ling waiting to be filled and consecrated. The surface will be covered with gold leaf and ornamented with precious gems. The central channel, made of cedar, was carved by Lama Padma Dorje. Mantras were placed in the hollow core of the channel and then it was sealed. Taylor Dybvig carved a stupa on the top end of the channel and a vajra at the bottom. Taylor also carved a beautiful throne for the stupa (modeled after the throne for the stupa containing the relics of H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche) using a fine wood known as “blood wood.”
Michael McLaughlin has expanded the Tara House shrine room, creating an alcove directly opposite the front doors that will house the stupa. The alcove will have a marble floor (with room for circumambulation), high shelves for texts, and a shrine.
______
At T’hondup Ling, we have done our best to keep pace with the dharma activities of our precious Lama Chodak Gyatso Nubpa, who never rests in his efforts to benefit beings. Lama Gyatso conducts the release of live fish at least two times a month. This year more than one million baitfish destined for the hooks of fishermen have been released into their natural environment in Marina del Rey.
We are very fortunate to have Lama Ludrub and Lama Rabjoer to assist Lama Gyatso and lead events when Lama Gyatso is away. Lama Ludrub, a fully ordained monk with years of ceremonial training and an extensive knowledge of statue consecration, comes from Thupten Chöling, H.H. Trulshik Rinpoche’s monastery in Nepal. He spent thirteen years in solitary retreat in the foothills of Mt. Everest. With the assistance of these two lamas, we are able to offer statue consecration on an ongoing basis. (Please contact the center for more information.)
Lama Thogme, another ordained monk from Thupten Chöling and a master at creating sand mandalas, also stayed with us for several months this year. In April the three lamas created a Shi-tro sand mandala in Hollywood that was open to the public for viewing.
In March the eminent Tibetan physician Dr. Tsering Chösang came for several months, seeing patients, tending to herbs in the center garden, participating in practice, and offering teachings. In April we were honored to welcome Chagdud Khadro for teachings in Los Angeles and a p’howa retreat at Ari Bhod in Tehachapi. And in May Terton Kunzang Dechen Lingpa gave teachings on the meaning of Zangdok Palri, Guru Rinpoche’s Copper-Colored Mountain, at the Los Angeles center.
In June Lama Gyatso left for a month long pilgrimage to Tibet, his first visit to his native land in 45 years. He and several students practiced and offered tsok in many caves, temples, and holy sites blessed by Guru Rinpoche, Longchenpa, Jigme Lingpa, Pa Dampa Sangyé, Milarepa, and other great masters. The group spent several nights in the cave where Longchenpa wrote the Seven Treasuries, a place of indescribable blessings. Lama Gyatso also visited his monastery in western Tibet, which has been largely rebuilt and houses twelve monks. While they were there, Lama Gyatso and the sangha sponsored much-needed new robes for all the monks. There were many bittersweet moments throughout the trip, as relatives and friends tearfully greeted Lama Gyatso after being apart from him for so many years. The pilgrims who traveled with him had the good fortune to meet and make dharma connections with some of the more renowned Nyingma lineage holders in Tibet.
Shortly after his return to Los Angeles in July, Lama Gyatso led the annual ngondro retreat at Ari Bhod. In September we sponsored the tenth annual Tröma drubchod, led by the Venerable Dzatrul Rinpoche. Also in September His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche visited T’hondup Ling and Ari Bhod, offering an empowerment and a teaching on the nature of mind. Khamtrul Rinpoche also conducted a live release and tsok practice.
In October we held our second annual Yeshe Tsogyal retreat at Ari Bhod, honoring our commitment to H.E. Namkha Drimed Rinpoche to conduct this retreat every year. For His Eminence’s health, we also sponsored a live release and tsok. In November we did two days of Red Vajrasattva practice and a fish release for the anniversary of Chagdud Rinpoche’s parinirvana. And in December Lama Gyatso conducted a Heart Sutra retreat and an Orgyen Dzambhala retreat. Anyone wishing to be informed by email of T’hondup Ling events can send an e-mail to <thondup_ling@juno.com>.
______
The Amrita sangha began the Tibetan new year with its annual Chenrezig nyung-nay fasting retreat. The nyung-nay is part of the larger Kusum Gongdu practice that is the basis of our Chenrezig drubchen. We also wrapped and enshrined the texts of the Kangyur, the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which are part of the Jewel of Dharma project. This project, which now includes 600 Tibetan dharma texts, was initiated by Lama Padma, who collected these texts during his travels in Asia. It is his aspiration that they be used for study and teaching and as a practice support for the Seattle area sangha. Also on Losar, we released more than 1,100 worms.
In the spring, Chagdud Khadro gave Guru Rinpoche, Vajrakilaya, and Amitabha empowerments and p’howa teachings. Tulku Jigme Rinpoche bestowed Manjushri and Tröma empowerments, and later visited Chokdrup Ling— Land of Sublime Accomplishment—240 acres of retreat land in southwestern Colorado that Lama Padma and his wife, Susan, acquired in the late 1990s and where they spend a portion of each year.
Lama Padma, Susan, and four Amrita sangha members traveled to Tibet with Jigme Rinpoche this summer. Lama Padma made the journey primarily to meet Dechen Tromge Rinpoche, the incarnation of Tromge Khakyod Wangpo, the terton who revealed the Tromge Kusum Gongdu cycle. Dechen Rinpoche gave the empowerments and scriptural transmissions for the entire cycle at Tromge Gonpa in eastern Tibet, and expressed his happiness that the Chenrezig practice is flourishing in the West. He entrusted Lama Padma with the responsibility of holding this cycle of the Great Compassionate One. We felt that because of our connection with the practice, our bond with Tromge Gonpa is extremely strong.
The fall began with a visit by Lama Tsering, who gave a public talk and a Red Tara empowerment to initiate our annual Red Tara retreat. Jigme Rinpoche returned to lead two evenings of ngondro practice and to practice with the sangha at the Washington State Reformatory. Lama Padma has been working with prisoners there on a regular basis since 1998.
In October, during a weekend of Chenrezig practice and teaching led by Lama Padma, we again released more than 1,100 worms. Also in the fall, Khenpo Lodro Thaye Rinpoche taught the Seven Line Prayer and conducted a Shower of Blessings tsok offering.
Other recent sangha activities included a six-week meditation class by Lama Padma, as well as six tsok practices per month and an open Monday evening practice. Three babies were born into the sangha this summer and fall: Maya, Ryder, and Sophia. And now, as winter sets in, we begin preparations for our third Chenrezig drubchen, which will take place April 9–17, 2005.
______
In October we hosted Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche for teachings and the consecration of our newly completed Stupa of Reconciliation, which is located on the grounds of our center in Spokane. Khentrul Rinpoche, together with Lama Inge, Lama Yontan, and the sangha of Padma Ling, performed the consecration ceremony. Khentrul Rinpoche also offered teachings on Madhyamika (the Middle Way) during his weekend visit.
Padma Ling has opened its doors as an urban retreat center. Although we have been at our present location, functioning as a practice and meditation center for fifteen years, we have not until now had any retreat facilities. In addition to our main shrine room, we have a meditation room for retreatants and three bed-and-breakfast rooms. The new stupa, located in the backyard, provides an ideal focus for outdoor practice. For practitioners whose physical problems prevent them from doing prostrations, circumambulating a stupa is the best alternative. (For copies of the Buddha’s teaching on the benefits of circumambulating a stupa, contact Padma Ling.)
It is widely believed that one can do retreat only in the country, because the environment is quiet. But with planes flying overhead, traffic, chainsaws, and the sounds of animals, it can be far from peaceful. Another difficulty of doing retreat in the country is the challenge of acquiring provisions. Padma Ling is just three blocks from an organic food store, with other grocery stores, medical care, and pharmacies nearby.
A resident lama is usually available for counsel and advice on practice. Retreat rooms are available at daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Inquiries should be directed to Lama Inge Zangmo at Padma Ling.
______
As winter settles in on the southern end of the Willamette Valley and the rains become more regular, our sangha reflects back on a busy year. We were blessed by visits from Chagdud Khadro, Lama Tsering, Jigme Tromge Rinpoche, Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche, and Lama Jamie, who offered a variety of teachings, empowerments, and transmissions and gave us the precious opportunity to practice with them.
In the fall, Lama Jigme Lode led a two-day cham (ritual dance) intensive that was attended by many of the Rigdzin Ling dancers. It seemed natural for this to happen at Dechhen Ling, where Lama Sonam—who initially instructed Chagdud Gonpa dancers—sat for some years. We are most appreciative of Lama Jigme’s generosity, expertise, and patience and aspire to host similar workshops in the future.
In addition to daily Red Tara practice and monthly Tara, Shower of Blessings, Tröma, and Essence of Siddhi tsoks, we hold weekly Akshobhya and sitting meditation practices. Sunday morning puja is followed by either a teaching or question-and-answer session with Lama Dorje or Lama Trinley. A Tibetan language study group has started to meet regularly as well.
______
This summer at Yeshe Ling, Jigme Rinpoche conducted a wonderful Tröma retreat, and in the autumn, Lama Tsering led a lovely dream yoga retreat. Both events were well attended and revitalized the connection between the sangha and our precious lamas.
The new Guru Rinpoche statue is a magnificent addition to Yeshe Ling. Its presence is palpable, and gazing at Guru Rinpoche’s face is a very moving experience. Thanks to many generous offerings, we have nearly enough funds to complete the statue. Glenn Sandvoss is working on the last bit of cement sculpting and is applying the cement plaques to the base of the throne. Jigme Rinpoche will come soon to perform ceremonies for filling parts of the statue with mantras and sacred substances. Then in the springtime, when warm, dry weather returns, Glenn and others will paint the Guru.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Jigme Rinpoche at Khadro Ling In late October, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche taught the ninth chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva) at Khadro Ling. The teachings were attended by 250 students, who were riveted by Rinpoche’s clear explanations and by his brilliant, illuminating mind. Many people at the event experienced a tremendous surge of faith and confidence in the dharma.
Khyentse Rinpoche selected four Bhutanese artists, along with the head artist’s talented wife, to create the artwork for the palace of Padmasambhava’s pure realm, known as Zangdok Palri. They have now completed magnificent statues of the four kings who guard the four entrances to the building. A new website for the palace will soon be up. Many individuals and sanghas are sponsoring the creation of specific statues with the aspiration to generate interdependence with the special qualities of the awareness holder or deity depicted.
This has been a dramatic year at Khadro Ling, with the fatal motorcycle accident of one of our three-year retreatants, the birth of Brazil’s first Bhutanese baby, an unsuccessful robbery by eight intruders, the construction of the lovely flared roofs of Zangdok Palri, and progress on many publishing projects, including the Portuguese translation of Buddhahood Without Meditation. Now a number of senior students will enter strict retreat, and the dramas will be allowed to find their own dreamlike dissolution.
We look forward to the January Dzogchen retreat led by Jigme Rinpoche, which will again involve the sadhana practice of the Rigdzin Düpa and the transmission of the Longchen Nyingtik cycle.
In August Chagdud Khadro, Lama Chemed, and Lama Oser were invited to the Odsal Ling country retreat center (Refugio) to join Lama Tsering and Lama Norbu in the weeklong consecration ceremonies for Chagdud Rinpoche’s relic stupa. The consecration was the culmination of many months of effort on the part of the sangha, who assembled and lovingly prepared all the mantra rolls, sacred items, and precious substances. In addition to Chagdud Rinpoche’s relics and the relic pills of many great masters of our lineage, a mandala of extraordinary offerings was consecrated and carefully arranged inside the stupa. The eight-foot-high stupa was designed so that it can be moved into the temple when the building is completed, and it will become the focal point of the shrine room. Construction of the temple has now begun. Peace vases were recently set into the forty-foot-deep foundation pillars of the temple, and we anticipate that the basic structure will be finished by April 2005. Jigme Rinpoche and Chagdud Khadro have both been very generous, offering their time and effort to the pujas needed for the preparation of the stupa and temple site.
In addition to these projects, Lama Tsering and Lama Norbu have kept up busy teaching schedules, with Lama Tsering touring northern Brazil soon after returning from a six-week U.S. tour.
Saving Lives
During 2004, Dordje Ling in Curitiba worked on a project in conjunction with the centers in Garopaba, Florianopolis, and Matinhos to save 100,000 lives. This project will continue into the new year. Anyone who wishes to contribute by making a monetary donation or by saving lives can contact us at <dordjeling@onda.com. br>. These centers are also engaged in a fund-raising campaign to sponsor the Padmasambhava statue in the Zangdok Palri palace being constructed at Khadro Ling.
Rigjed Ling in Florianopolis has undergone a major renovation, with traditional Buddhist artwork being painted on the walls of the new shrine room. Children’s activities are being offered on a monthly basis, and a donated television was raffled to raise funds for Jigme Rinpoche’s Padmasambhava Peace Institute.
Parinirvana
In the early morning of the anniversary of Chagdud Rinpoche’s parinirvana, the sangha of Khadro Ling gathered and lit more than 2,000 butter lamps. With the long rows of golden flames, the granite tiers of the shrine looked like a great, luminous ocean liner sailing into a sea of darkness. On the top tier, overseeing the ceremony, were the three statues—Guru Rinpoche, Tara, and Dzambala—that Rinpoche had sculpted in his living room. We chanted the Lamp Aspiration Prayer from Padgyal Lingpa’s Red Vajrasattva sadhana, first accompanied by a tape of Lama Drimed’s retreatants, Ingrid, and Pema Tenzin, then finally on our own.
______
During the month of September, Rigdzin Ling had the great fortune to host Khentrul Rinpoche and about 75 guests for shedra. Khentrul Rinpoche gave teachings on Ösel Nyingpo, Mipam Rinpoche’s overview of the Guhyagarbha tantra. Lama Chökyi Nyima translated, and Paloma Lopez and Oliver Boldizar helped out by teaching Tibetan language classes.
In November Dzatrul Rinpoche (an old friend of Chagdud Rinpoche’s) taught for two days on the six bardos. The sangha was greatly inspired by his erudition and joyful enthusiasm.
The sangha has begun making preparations for the stupa that will house some of Chagdud Rinpoche’s relics. Lama Padma Dorje organized the construction of the copper stupa in Nepal, which is now at Rigdzin Ling waiting to be filled and consecrated. The surface will be covered with gold leaf and ornamented with precious gems. The central channel, made of cedar, was carved by Lama Padma Dorje. Mantras were placed in the hollow core of the channel and then it was sealed. Taylor Dybvig carved a stupa on the top end of the channel and a vajra at the bottom. Taylor also carved a beautiful throne for the stupa (modeled after the throne for the stupa containing the relics of H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche) using a fine wood known as “blood wood.”
Michael McLaughlin has expanded the Tara House shrine room, creating an alcove directly opposite the front doors that will house the stupa. The alcove will have a marble floor (with room for circumambulation), high shelves for texts, and a shrine.
______
At T’hondup Ling, we have done our best to keep pace with the dharma activities of our precious Lama Chodak Gyatso Nubpa, who never rests in his efforts to benefit beings. Lama Gyatso conducts the release of live fish at least two times a month. This year more than one million baitfish destined for the hooks of fishermen have been released into their natural environment in Marina del Rey.
We are very fortunate to have Lama Ludrub and Lama Rabjoer to assist Lama Gyatso and lead events when Lama Gyatso is away. Lama Ludrub, a fully ordained monk with years of ceremonial training and an extensive knowledge of statue consecration, comes from Thupten Chöling, H.H. Trulshik Rinpoche’s monastery in Nepal. He spent thirteen years in solitary retreat in the foothills of Mt. Everest. With the assistance of these two lamas, we are able to offer statue consecration on an ongoing basis. (Please contact the center for more information.)
Lama Thogme, another ordained monk from Thupten Chöling and a master at creating sand mandalas, also stayed with us for several months this year. In April the three lamas created a Shi-tro sand mandala in Hollywood that was open to the public for viewing.
In March the eminent Tibetan physician Dr. Tsering Chösang came for several months, seeing patients, tending to herbs in the center garden, participating in practice, and offering teachings. In April we were honored to welcome Chagdud Khadro for teachings in Los Angeles and a p’howa retreat at Ari Bhod in Tehachapi. And in May Terton Kunzang Dechen Lingpa gave teachings on the meaning of Zangdok Palri, Guru Rinpoche’s Copper-Colored Mountain, at the Los Angeles center.
In June Lama Gyatso left for a month long pilgrimage to Tibet, his first visit to his native land in 45 years. He and several students practiced and offered tsok in many caves, temples, and holy sites blessed by Guru Rinpoche, Longchenpa, Jigme Lingpa, Pa Dampa Sangyé, Milarepa, and other great masters. The group spent several nights in the cave where Longchenpa wrote the Seven Treasuries, a place of indescribable blessings. Lama Gyatso also visited his monastery in western Tibet, which has been largely rebuilt and houses twelve monks. While they were there, Lama Gyatso and the sangha sponsored much-needed new robes for all the monks. There were many bittersweet moments throughout the trip, as relatives and friends tearfully greeted Lama Gyatso after being apart from him for so many years. The pilgrims who traveled with him had the good fortune to meet and make dharma connections with some of the more renowned Nyingma lineage holders in Tibet.
Shortly after his return to Los Angeles in July, Lama Gyatso led the annual ngondro retreat at Ari Bhod. In September we sponsored the tenth annual Tröma drubchod, led by the Venerable Dzatrul Rinpoche. Also in September His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche visited T’hondup Ling and Ari Bhod, offering an empowerment and a teaching on the nature of mind. Khamtrul Rinpoche also conducted a live release and tsok practice.
In October we held our second annual Yeshe Tsogyal retreat at Ari Bhod, honoring our commitment to H.E. Namkha Drimed Rinpoche to conduct this retreat every year. For His Eminence’s health, we also sponsored a live release and tsok. In November we did two days of Red Vajrasattva practice and a fish release for the anniversary of Chagdud Rinpoche’s parinirvana. And in December Lama Gyatso conducted a Heart Sutra retreat and an Orgyen Dzambhala retreat. Anyone wishing to be informed by email of T’hondup Ling events can send an e-mail to <thondup_ling@juno.com>.
______
The Amrita sangha began the Tibetan new year with its annual Chenrezig nyung-nay fasting retreat. The nyung-nay is part of the larger Kusum Gongdu practice that is the basis of our Chenrezig drubchen. We also wrapped and enshrined the texts of the Kangyur, the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which are part of the Jewel of Dharma project. This project, which now includes 600 Tibetan dharma texts, was initiated by Lama Padma, who collected these texts during his travels in Asia. It is his aspiration that they be used for study and teaching and as a practice support for the Seattle area sangha. Also on Losar, we released more than 1,100 worms.
In the spring, Chagdud Khadro gave Guru Rinpoche, Vajrakilaya, and Amitabha empowerments and p’howa teachings. Tulku Jigme Rinpoche bestowed Manjushri and Tröma empowerments, and later visited Chokdrup Ling— Land of Sublime Accomplishment—240 acres of retreat land in southwestern Colorado that Lama Padma and his wife, Susan, acquired in the late 1990s and where they spend a portion of each year.
Lama Padma, Susan, and four Amrita sangha members traveled to Tibet with Jigme Rinpoche this summer. Lama Padma made the journey primarily to meet Dechen Tromge Rinpoche, the incarnation of Tromge Khakyod Wangpo, the terton who revealed the Tromge Kusum Gongdu cycle. Dechen Rinpoche gave the empowerments and scriptural transmissions for the entire cycle at Tromge Gonpa in eastern Tibet, and expressed his happiness that the Chenrezig practice is flourishing in the West. He entrusted Lama Padma with the responsibility of holding this cycle of the Great Compassionate One. We felt that because of our connection with the practice, our bond with Tromge Gonpa is extremely strong.
The fall began with a visit by Lama Tsering, who gave a public talk and a Red Tara empowerment to initiate our annual Red Tara retreat. Jigme Rinpoche returned to lead two evenings of ngondro practice and to practice with the sangha at the Washington State Reformatory. Lama Padma has been working with prisoners there on a regular basis since 1998.
In October, during a weekend of Chenrezig practice and teaching led by Lama Padma, we again released more than 1,100 worms. Also in the fall, Khenpo Lodro Thaye Rinpoche taught the Seven Line Prayer and conducted a Shower of Blessings tsok offering.
Other recent sangha activities included a six-week meditation class by Lama Padma, as well as six tsok practices per month and an open Monday evening practice. Three babies were born into the sangha this summer and fall: Maya, Ryder, and Sophia. And now, as winter sets in, we begin preparations for our third Chenrezig drubchen, which will take place April 9–17, 2005.
______
In October we hosted Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche for teachings and the consecration of our newly completed Stupa of Reconciliation, which is located on the grounds of our center in Spokane. Khentrul Rinpoche, together with Lama Inge, Lama Yontan, and the sangha of Padma Ling, performed the consecration ceremony. Khentrul Rinpoche also offered teachings on Madhyamika (the Middle Way) during his weekend visit.
Padma Ling has opened its doors as an urban retreat center. Although we have been at our present location, functioning as a practice and meditation center for fifteen years, we have not until now had any retreat facilities. In addition to our main shrine room, we have a meditation room for retreatants and three bed-and-breakfast rooms. The new stupa, located in the backyard, provides an ideal focus for outdoor practice. For practitioners whose physical problems prevent them from doing prostrations, circumambulating a stupa is the best alternative. (For copies of the Buddha’s teaching on the benefits of circumambulating a stupa, contact Padma Ling.)
It is widely believed that one can do retreat only in the country, because the environment is quiet. But with planes flying overhead, traffic, chainsaws, and the sounds of animals, it can be far from peaceful. Another difficulty of doing retreat in the country is the challenge of acquiring provisions. Padma Ling is just three blocks from an organic food store, with other grocery stores, medical care, and pharmacies nearby.
A resident lama is usually available for counsel and advice on practice. Retreat rooms are available at daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Inquiries should be directed to Lama Inge Zangmo at Padma Ling.
______
As winter settles in on the southern end of the Willamette Valley and the rains become more regular, our sangha reflects back on a busy year. We were blessed by visits from Chagdud Khadro, Lama Tsering, Jigme Tromge Rinpoche, Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche, and Lama Jamie, who offered a variety of teachings, empowerments, and transmissions and gave us the precious opportunity to practice with them.
In the fall, Lama Jigme Lode led a two-day cham (ritual dance) intensive that was attended by many of the Rigdzin Ling dancers. It seemed natural for this to happen at Dechhen Ling, where Lama Sonam—who initially instructed Chagdud Gonpa dancers—sat for some years. We are most appreciative of Lama Jigme’s generosity, expertise, and patience and aspire to host similar workshops in the future.
In addition to daily Red Tara practice and monthly Tara, Shower of Blessings, Tröma, and Essence of Siddhi tsoks, we hold weekly Akshobhya and sitting meditation practices. Sunday morning puja is followed by either a teaching or question-and-answer session with Lama Dorje or Lama Trinley. A Tibetan language study group has started to meet regularly as well.
______
This summer at Yeshe Ling, Jigme Rinpoche conducted a wonderful Tröma retreat, and in the autumn, Lama Tsering led a lovely dream yoga retreat. Both events were well attended and revitalized the connection between the sangha and our precious lamas.
The new Guru Rinpoche statue is a magnificent addition to Yeshe Ling. Its presence is palpable, and gazing at Guru Rinpoche’s face is a very moving experience. Thanks to many generous offerings, we have nearly enough funds to complete the statue. Glenn Sandvoss is working on the last bit of cement sculpting and is applying the cement plaques to the base of the throne. Jigme Rinpoche will come soon to perform ceremonies for filling parts of the statue with mantras and sacred substances. Then in the springtime, when warm, dry weather returns, Glenn and others will paint the Guru.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Jigme Rinpoche at Khadro Ling In late October, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche taught the ninth chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva) at Khadro Ling. The teachings were attended by 250 students, who were riveted by Rinpoche’s clear explanations and by his brilliant, illuminating mind. Many people at the event experienced a tremendous surge of faith and confidence in the dharma.
Khyentse Rinpoche selected four Bhutanese artists, along with the head artist’s talented wife, to create the artwork for the palace of Padmasambhava’s pure realm, known as Zangdok Palri. They have now completed magnificent statues of the four kings who guard the four entrances to the building. A new website for the palace will soon be up. Many individuals and sanghas are sponsoring the creation of specific statues with the aspiration to generate interdependence with the special qualities of the awareness holder or deity depicted.
This has been a dramatic year at Khadro Ling, with the fatal motorcycle accident of one of our three-year retreatants, the birth of Brazil’s first Bhutanese baby, an unsuccessful robbery by eight intruders, the construction of the lovely flared roofs of Zangdok Palri, and progress on many publishing projects, including the Portuguese translation of Buddhahood Without Meditation. Now a number of senior students will enter strict retreat, and the dramas will be allowed to find their own dreamlike dissolution.
We look forward to the January Dzogchen retreat led by Jigme Rinpoche, which will again involve the sadhana practice of the Rigdzin Düpa and the transmission of the Longchen Nyingtik cycle.
In August Chagdud Khadro, Lama Chemed, and Lama Oser were invited to the Odsal Ling country retreat center (Refugio) to join Lama Tsering and Lama Norbu in the weeklong consecration ceremonies for Chagdud Rinpoche’s relic stupa. The consecration was the culmination of many months of effort on the part of the sangha, who assembled and lovingly prepared all the mantra rolls, sacred items, and precious substances. In addition to Chagdud Rinpoche’s relics and the relic pills of many great masters of our lineage, a mandala of extraordinary offerings was consecrated and carefully arranged inside the stupa. The eight-foot-high stupa was designed so that it can be moved into the temple when the building is completed, and it will become the focal point of the shrine room. Construction of the temple has now begun. Peace vases were recently set into the forty-foot-deep foundation pillars of the temple, and we anticipate that the basic structure will be finished by April 2005. Jigme Rinpoche and Chagdud Khadro have both been very generous, offering their time and effort to the pujas needed for the preparation of the stupa and temple site.
In addition to these projects, Lama Tsering and Lama Norbu have kept up busy teaching schedules, with Lama Tsering touring northern Brazil soon after returning from a six-week U.S. tour.
Saving Lives
During 2004, Dordje Ling in Curitiba worked on a project in conjunction with the centers in Garopaba, Florianopolis, and Matinhos to save 100,000 lives. This project will continue into the new year. Anyone who wishes to contribute by making a monetary donation or by saving lives can contact us at <dordjeling@onda.com. br>. These centers are also engaged in a fund-raising campaign to sponsor the Padmasambhava statue in the Zangdok Palri palace being constructed at Khadro Ling.
Rigjed Ling in Florianopolis has undergone a major renovation, with traditional Buddhist artwork being painted on the walls of the new shrine room. Children’s activities are being offered on a monthly basis, and a donated television was raffled to raise funds for Jigme Rinpoche’s Padmasambhava Peace Institute.
Parinirvana
In the early morning of the anniversary of Chagdud Rinpoche’s parinirvana, the sangha of Khadro Ling gathered and lit more than 2,000 butter lamps. With the long rows of golden flames, the granite tiers of the shrine looked like a great, luminous ocean liner sailing into a sea of darkness. On the top tier, overseeing the ceremony, were the three statues—Guru Rinpoche, Tara, and Dzambala—that Rinpoche had sculpted in his living room. We chanted the Lamp Aspiration Prayer from Padgyal Lingpa’s Red Vajrasattva sadhana, first accompanied by a tape of Lama Drimed’s retreatants, Ingrid, and Pema Tenzin, then finally on our own.
______
During the month of September, Rigdzin Ling had the great fortune to host Khentrul Rinpoche and about 75 guests for shedra. Khentrul Rinpoche gave teachings on Ösel Nyingpo, Mipam Rinpoche’s overview of the Guhyagarbha tantra. Lama Chökyi Nyima translated, and Paloma Lopez and Oliver Boldizar helped out by teaching Tibetan language classes.
In November Dzatrul Rinpoche (an old friend of Chagdud Rinpoche’s) taught for two days on the six bardos. The sangha was greatly inspired by his erudition and joyful enthusiasm.
The sangha has begun making preparations for the stupa that will house some of Chagdud Rinpoche’s relics. Lama Padma Dorje organized the construction of the copper stupa in Nepal, which is now at Rigdzin Ling waiting to be filled and consecrated. The surface will be covered with gold leaf and ornamented with precious gems. The central channel, made of cedar, was carved by Lama Padma Dorje. Mantras were placed in the hollow core of the channel and then it was sealed. Taylor Dybvig carved a stupa on the top end of the channel and a vajra at the bottom. Taylor also carved a beautiful throne for the stupa (modeled after the throne for the stupa containing the relics of H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche) using a fine wood known as “blood wood.”
Michael McLaughlin has expanded the Tara House shrine room, creating an alcove directly opposite the front doors that will house the stupa. The alcove will have a marble floor (with room for circumambulation), high shelves for texts, and a shrine.
______
At T’hondup Ling, we have done our best to keep pace with the dharma activities of our precious Lama Chodak Gyatso Nubpa, who never rests in his efforts to benefit beings. Lama Gyatso conducts the release of live fish at least two times a month. This year more than one million baitfish destined for the hooks of fishermen have been released into their natural environment in Marina del Rey.
We are very fortunate to have Lama Ludrub and Lama Rabjoer to assist Lama Gyatso and lead events when Lama Gyatso is away. Lama Ludrub, a fully ordained monk with years of ceremonial training and an extensive knowledge of statue consecration, comes from Thupten Chöling, H.H. Trulshik Rinpoche’s monastery in Nepal. He spent thirteen years in solitary retreat in the foothills of Mt. Everest. With the assistance of these two lamas, we are able to offer statue consecration on an ongoing basis. (Please contact the center for more information.)
Lama Thogme, another ordained monk from Thupten Chöling and a master at creating sand mandalas, also stayed with us for several months this year. In April the three lamas created a Shi-tro sand mandala in Hollywood that was open to the public for viewing.
In March the eminent Tibetan physician Dr. Tsering Chösang came for several months, seeing patients, tending to herbs in the center garden, participating in practice, and offering teachings. In April we were honored to welcome Chagdud Khadro for teachings in Los Angeles and a p’howa retreat at Ari Bhod in Tehachapi. And in May Terton Kunzang Dechen Lingpa gave teachings on the meaning of Zangdok Palri, Guru Rinpoche’s Copper-Colored Mountain, at the Los Angeles center.
In June Lama Gyatso left for a month long pilgrimage to Tibet, his first visit to his native land in 45 years. He and several students practiced and offered tsok in many caves, temples, and holy sites blessed by Guru Rinpoche, Longchenpa, Jigme Lingpa, Pa Dampa Sangyé, Milarepa, and other great masters. The group spent several nights in the cave where Longchenpa wrote the Seven Treasuries, a place of indescribable blessings. Lama Gyatso also visited his monastery in western Tibet, which has been largely rebuilt and houses twelve monks. While they were there, Lama Gyatso and the sangha sponsored much-needed new robes for all the monks. There were many bittersweet moments throughout the trip, as relatives and friends tearfully greeted Lama Gyatso after being apart from him for so many years. The pilgrims who traveled with him had the good fortune to meet and make dharma connections with some of the more renowned Nyingma lineage holders in Tibet.
Shortly after his return to Los Angeles in July, Lama Gyatso led the annual ngondro retreat at Ari Bhod. In September we sponsored the tenth annual Tröma drubchod, led by the Venerable Dzatrul Rinpoche. Also in September His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche visited T’hondup Ling and Ari Bhod, offering an empowerment and a teaching on the nature of mind. Khamtrul Rinpoche also conducted a live release and tsok practice.
In October we held our second annual Yeshe Tsogyal retreat at Ari Bhod, honoring our commitment to H.E. Namkha Drimed Rinpoche to conduct this retreat every year. For His Eminence’s health, we also sponsored a live release and tsok. In November we did two days of Red Vajrasattva practice and a fish release for the anniversary of Chagdud Rinpoche’s parinirvana. And in December Lama Gyatso conducted a Heart Sutra retreat and an Orgyen Dzambhala retreat. Anyone wishing to be informed by email of T’hondup Ling events can send an e-mail to <thondup_ling@juno.com>.
______
The Amrita sangha began the Tibetan new year with its annual Chenrezig nyung-nay fasting retreat. The nyung-nay is part of the larger Kusum Gongdu practice that is the basis of our Chenrezig drubchen. We also wrapped and enshrined the texts of the Kangyur, the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which are part of the Jewel of Dharma project. This project, which now includes 600 Tibetan dharma texts, was initiated by Lama Padma, who collected these texts during his travels in Asia. It is his aspiration that they be used for study and teaching and as a practice support for the Seattle area sangha. Also on Losar, we released more than 1,100 worms.
In the spring, Chagdud Khadro gave Guru Rinpoche, Vajrakilaya, and Amitabha empowerments and p’howa teachings. Tulku Jigme Rinpoche bestowed Manjushri and Tröma empowerments, and later visited Chokdrup Ling— Land of Sublime Accomplishment—240 acres of retreat land in southwestern Colorado that Lama Padma and his wife, Susan, acquired in the late 1990s and where they spend a portion of each year.
Lama Padma, Susan, and four Amrita sangha members traveled to Tibet with Jigme Rinpoche this summer. Lama Padma made the journey primarily to meet Dechen Tromge Rinpoche, the incarnation of Tromge Khakyod Wangpo, the terton who revealed the Tromge Kusum Gongdu cycle. Dechen Rinpoche gave the empowerments and scriptural transmissions for the entire cycle at Tromge Gonpa in eastern Tibet, and expressed his happiness that the Chenrezig practice is flourishing in the West. He entrusted Lama Padma with the responsibility of holding this cycle of the Great Compassionate One. We felt that because of our connection with the practice, our bond with Tromge Gonpa is extremely strong.
The fall began with a visit by Lama Tsering, who gave a public talk and a Red Tara empowerment to initiate our annual Red Tara retreat. Jigme Rinpoche returned to lead two evenings of ngondro practice and to practice with the sangha at the Washington State Reformatory. Lama Padma has been working with prisoners there on a regular basis since 1998.
In October, during a weekend of Chenrezig practice and teaching led by Lama Padma, we again released more than 1,100 worms. Also in the fall, Khenpo Lodro Thaye Rinpoche taught the Seven Line Prayer and conducted a Shower of Blessings tsok offering.
Other recent sangha activities included a six-week meditation class by Lama Padma, as well as six tsok practices per month and an open Monday evening practice. Three babies were born into the sangha this summer and fall: Maya, Ryder, and Sophia. And now, as winter sets in, we begin preparations for our third Chenrezig drubchen, which will take place April 9–17, 2005.
______
In October we hosted Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche for teachings and the consecration of our newly completed Stupa of Reconciliation, which is located on the grounds of our center in Spokane. Khentrul Rinpoche, together with Lama Inge, Lama Yontan, and the sangha of Padma Ling, performed the consecration ceremony. Khentrul Rinpoche also offered teachings on Madhyamika (the Middle Way) during his weekend visit.
Padma Ling has opened its doors as an urban retreat center. Although we have been at our present location, functioning as a practice and meditation center for fifteen years, we have not until now had any retreat facilities. In addition to our main shrine room, we have a meditation room for retreatants and three bed-and-breakfast rooms. The new stupa, located in the backyard, provides an ideal focus for outdoor practice. For practitioners whose physical problems prevent them from doing prostrations, circumambulating a stupa is the best alternative. (For copies of the Buddha’s teaching on the benefits of circumambulating a stupa, contact Padma Ling.)
It is widely believed that one can do retreat only in the country, because the environment is quiet. But with planes flying overhead, traffic, chainsaws, and the sounds of animals, it can be far from peaceful. Another difficulty of doing retreat in the country is the challenge of acquiring provisions. Padma Ling is just three blocks from an organic food store, with other grocery stores, medical care, and pharmacies nearby.
A resident lama is usually available for counsel and advice on practice. Retreat rooms are available at daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Inquiries should be directed to Lama Inge Zangmo at Padma Ling.
______
As winter settles in on the southern end of the Willamette Valley and the rains become more regular, our sangha reflects back on a busy year. We were blessed by visits from Chagdud Khadro, Lama Tsering, Jigme Tromge Rinpoche, Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche, and Lama Jamie, who offered a variety of teachings, empowerments, and transmissions and gave us the precious opportunity to practice with them.
In the fall, Lama Jigme Lode led a two-day cham (ritual dance) intensive that was attended by many of the Rigdzin Ling dancers. It seemed natural for this to happen at Dechhen Ling, where Lama Sonam—who initially instructed Chagdud Gonpa dancers—sat for some years. We are most appreciative of Lama Jigme’s generosity, expertise, and patience and aspire to host similar workshops in the future.
In addition to daily Red Tara practice and monthly Tara, Shower of Blessings, Tröma, and Essence of Siddhi tsoks, we hold weekly Akshobhya and sitting meditation practices. Sunday morning puja is followed by either a teaching or question-and-answer session with Lama Dorje or Lama Trinley. A Tibetan language study group has started to meet regularly as well.
______
This summer at Yeshe Ling, Jigme Rinpoche conducted a wonderful Tröma retreat, and in the autumn, Lama Tsering led a lovely dream yoga retreat. Both events were well attended and revitalized the connection between the sangha and our precious lamas.
The new Guru Rinpoche statue is a magnificent addition to Yeshe Ling. Its presence is palpable, and gazing at Guru Rinpoche’s face is a very moving experience. Thanks to many generous offerings, we have nearly enough funds to complete the statue. Glenn Sandvoss is working on the last bit of cement sculpting and is applying the cement plaques to the base of the throne. Jigme Rinpoche will come soon to perform ceremonies for filling parts of the statue with mantras and sacred substances. Then in the springtime, when warm, dry weather returns, Glenn and others will paint the Guru.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Jigme Rinpoche at Khadro Ling In late October, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche taught the ninth chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva) at Khadro Ling. The teachings were attended by 250 students, who were riveted by Rinpoche’s clear explanations and by his brilliant, illuminating mind. Many people at the event experienced a tremendous surge of faith and confidence in the dharma.
Khyentse Rinpoche selected four Bhutanese artists, along with the head artist’s talented wife, to create the artwork for the palace of Padmasambhava’s pure realm, known as Zangdok Palri. They have now completed magnificent statues of the four kings who guard the four entrances to the building. A new website for the palace will soon be up. Many individuals and sanghas are sponsoring the creation of specific statues with the aspiration to generate interdependence with the special qualities of the awareness holder or deity depicted.
This has been a dramatic year at Khadro Ling, with the fatal motorcycle accident of one of our three-year retreatants, the birth of Brazil’s first Bhutanese baby, an unsuccessful robbery by eight intruders, the construction of the lovely flared roofs of Zangdok Palri, and progress on many publishing projects, including the Portuguese translation of Buddhahood Without Meditation. Now a number of senior students will enter strict retreat, and the dramas will be allowed to find their own dreamlike dissolution.
We look forward to the January Dzogchen retreat led by Jigme Rinpoche, which will again involve the sadhana practice of the Rigdzin Düpa and the transmission of the Longchen Nyingtik cycle.
In August Chagdud Khadro, Lama Chemed, and Lama Oser were invited to the Odsal Ling country retreat center (Refugio) to join Lama Tsering and Lama Norbu in the weeklong consecration ceremonies for Chagdud Rinpoche’s relic stupa. The consecration was the culmination of many months of effort on the part of the sangha, who assembled and lovingly prepared all the mantra rolls, sacred items, and precious substances. In addition to Chagdud Rinpoche’s relics and the relic pills of many great masters of our lineage, a mandala of extraordinary offerings was consecrated and carefully arranged inside the stupa. The eight-foot-high stupa was designed so that it can be moved into the temple when the building is completed, and it will become the focal point of the shrine room. Construction of the temple has now begun. Peace vases were recently set into the forty-foot-deep foundation pillars of the temple, and we anticipate that the basic structure will be finished by April 2005. Jigme Rinpoche and Chagdud Khadro have both been very generous, offering their time and effort to the pujas needed for the preparation of the stupa and temple site.
In addition to these projects, Lama Tsering and Lama Norbu have kept up busy teaching schedules, with Lama Tsering touring northern Brazil soon after returning from a six-week U.S. tour.
Saving Lives
During 2004, Dordje Ling in Curitiba worked on a project in conjunction with the centers in Garopaba, Florianopolis, and Matinhos to save 100,000 lives. This project will continue into the new year. Anyone who wishes to contribute by making a monetary donation or by saving lives can contact us at <dordjeling@onda.com. br>. These centers are also engaged in a fund-raising campaign to sponsor the Padmasambhava statue in the Zangdok Palri palace being constructed at Khadro Ling.
Rigjed Ling in Florianopolis has undergone a major renovation, with traditional Buddhist artwork being painted on the walls of the new shrine room. Children’s activities are being offered on a monthly basis, and a donated television was raffled to raise funds for Jigme Rinpoche’s Padmasambhava Peace Institute.
Parinirvana
In the early morning of the anniversary of Chagdud Rinpoche’s parinirvana, the sangha of Khadro Ling gathered and lit more than 2,000 butter lamps. With the long rows of golden flames, the granite tiers of the shrine looked like a great, luminous ocean liner sailing into a sea of darkness. On the top tier, overseeing the ceremony, were the three statues—Guru Rinpoche, Tara, and Dzambala—that Rinpoche had sculpted in his living room. We chanted the Lamp Aspiration Prayer from Padgyal Lingpa’s Red Vajrasattva sadhana, first accompanied by a tape of Lama Drimed’s retreatants, Ingrid, and Pema Tenzin, then finally on our own.
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During the month of September, Rigdzin Ling had the great fortune to host Khentrul Rinpoche and about 75 guests for shedra. Khentrul Rinpoche gave teachings on Ösel Nyingpo, Mipam Rinpoche’s overview of the Guhyagarbha tantra. Lama Chökyi Nyima translated, and Paloma Lopez and Oliver Boldizar helped out by teaching Tibetan language classes.
In November Dzatrul Rinpoche (an old friend of Chagdud Rinpoche’s) taught for two days on the six bardos. The sangha was greatly inspired by his erudition and joyful enthusiasm.
The sangha has begun making preparations for the stupa that will house some of Chagdud Rinpoche’s relics. Lama Padma Dorje organized the construction of the copper stupa in Nepal, which is now at Rigdzin Ling waiting to be filled and consecrated. The surface will be covered with gold leaf and ornamented with precious gems. The central channel, made of cedar, was carved by Lama Padma Dorje. Mantras were placed in the hollow core of the channel and then it was sealed. Taylor Dybvig carved a stupa on the top end of the channel and a vajra at the bottom. Taylor also carved a beautiful throne for the stupa (modeled after the throne for the stupa containing the relics of H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche) using a fine wood known as “blood wood.”
Michael McLaughlin has expanded the Tara House shrine room, creating an alcove directly opposite the front doors that will house the stupa. The alcove will have a marble floor (with room for circumambulation), high shelves for texts, and a shrine.
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At T’hondup Ling, we have done our best to keep pace with the dharma activities of our precious Lama Chodak Gyatso Nubpa, who never rests in his efforts to benefit beings. Lama Gyatso conducts the release of live fish at least two times a month. This year more than one million baitfish destined for the hooks of fishermen have been released into their natural environment in Marina del Rey.
We are very fortunate to have Lama Ludrub and Lama Rabjoer to assist Lama Gyatso and lead events when Lama Gyatso is away. Lama Ludrub, a fully ordained monk with years of ceremonial training and an extensive knowledge of statue consecration, comes from Thupten Chöling, H.H. Trulshik Rinpoche’s monastery in Nepal. He spent thirteen years in solitary retreat in the foothills of Mt. Everest. With the assistance of these two lamas, we are able to offer statue consecration on an ongoing basis. (Please contact the center for more information.)
Lama Thogme, another ordained monk from Thupten Chöling and a master at creating sand mandalas, also stayed with us for several months this year. In April the three lamas created a Shi-tro sand mandala in Hollywood that was open to the public for viewing.
In March the eminent Tibetan physician Dr. Tsering Chösang came for several months, seeing patients, tending to herbs in the center garden, participating in practice, and offering teachings. In April we were honored to welcome Chagdud Khadro for teachings in Los Angeles and a p’howa retreat at Ari Bhod in Tehachapi. And in May Terton Kunzang Dechen Lingpa gave teachings on the meaning of Zangdok Palri, Guru Rinpoche’s Copper-Colored Mountain, at the Los Angeles center.
In June Lama Gyatso left for a month long pilgrimage to Tibet, his first visit to his native land in 45 years. He and several students practiced and offered tsok in many caves, temples, and holy sites blessed by Guru Rinpoche, Longchenpa, Jigme Lingpa, Pa Dampa Sangyé, Milarepa, and other great masters. The group spent several nights in the cave where Longchenpa wrote the Seven Treasuries, a place of indescribable blessings. Lama Gyatso also visited his monastery in western Tibet, which has been largely rebuilt and houses twelve monks. While they were there, Lama Gyatso and the sangha sponsored much-needed new robes for all the monks. There were many bittersweet moments throughout the trip, as relatives and friends tearfully greeted Lama Gyatso after being apart from him for so many years. The pilgrims who traveled with him had the good fortune to meet and make dharma connections with some of the more renowned Nyingma lineage holders in Tibet.
Shortly after his return to Los Angeles in July, Lama Gyatso led the annual ngondro retreat at Ari Bhod. In September we sponsored the tenth annual Tröma drubchod, led by the Venerable Dzatrul Rinpoche. Also in September His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche visited T’hondup Ling and Ari Bhod, offering an empowerment and a teaching on the nature of mind. Khamtrul Rinpoche also conducted a live release and tsok practice.
In October we held our second annual Yeshe Tsogyal retreat at Ari Bhod, honoring our commitment to H.E. Namkha Drimed Rinpoche to conduct this retreat every year. For His Eminence’s health, we also sponsored a live release and tsok. In November we did two days of Red Vajrasattva practice and a fish release for the anniversary of Chagdud Rinpoche’s parinirvana. And in December Lama Gyatso conducted a Heart Sutra retreat and an Orgyen Dzambhala retreat. Anyone wishing to be informed by email of T’hondup Ling events can send an e-mail to <thondup_ling@juno.com>.
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The Amrita sangha began the Tibetan new year with its annual Chenrezig nyung-nay fasting retreat. The nyung-nay is part of the larger Kusum Gongdu practice that is the basis of our Chenrezig drubchen. We also wrapped and enshrined the texts of the Kangyur, the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which are part of the Jewel of Dharma project. This project, which now includes 600 Tibetan dharma texts, was initiated by Lama Padma, who collected these texts during his travels in Asia. It is his aspiration that they be used for study and teaching and as a practice support for the Seattle area sangha. Also on Losar, we released more than 1,100 worms.
In the spring, Chagdud Khadro gave Guru Rinpoche, Vajrakilaya, and Amitabha empowerments and p’howa teachings. Tulku Jigme Rinpoche bestowed Manjushri and Tröma empowerments, and later visited Chokdrup Ling— Land of Sublime Accomplishment—240 acres of retreat land in southwestern Colorado that Lama Padma and his wife, Susan, acquired in the late 1990s and where they spend a portion of each year.
Lama Padma, Susan, and four Amrita sangha members traveled to Tibet with Jigme Rinpoche this summer. Lama Padma made the journey primarily to meet Dechen Tromge Rinpoche, the incarnation of Tromge Khakyod Wangpo, the terton who revealed the Tromge Kusum Gongdu cycle. Dechen Rinpoche gave the empowerments and scriptural transmissions for the entire cycle at Tromge Gonpa in eastern Tibet, and expressed his happiness that the Chenrezig practice is flourishing in the West. He entrusted Lama Padma with the responsibility of holding this cycle of the Great Compassionate One. We felt that because of our connection with the practice, our bond with Tromge Gonpa is extremely strong.
The fall began with a visit by Lama Tsering, who gave a public talk and a Red Tara empowerment to initiate our annual Red Tara retreat. Jigme Rinpoche returned to lead two evenings of ngondro practice and to practice with the sangha at the Washington State Reformatory. Lama Padma has been working with prisoners there on a regular basis since 1998.
In October, during a weekend of Chenrezig practice and teaching led by Lama Padma, we again released more than 1,100 worms. Also in the fall, Khenpo Lodro Thaye Rinpoche taught the Seven Line Prayer and conducted a Shower of Blessings tsok offering.
Other recent sangha activities included a six-week meditation class by Lama Padma, as well as six tsok practices per month and an open Monday evening practice. Three babies were born into the sangha this summer and fall: Maya, Ryder, and Sophia. And now, as winter sets in, we begin preparations for our third Chenrezig drubchen, which will take place April 9–17, 2005.
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In October we hosted Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche for teachings and the consecration of our newly completed Stupa of Reconciliation, which is located on the grounds of our center in Spokane. Khentrul Rinpoche, together with Lama Inge, Lama Yontan, and the sangha of Padma Ling, performed the consecration ceremony. Khentrul Rinpoche also offered teachings on Madhyamika (the Middle Way) during his weekend visit.
Padma Ling has opened its doors as an urban retreat center. Although we have been at our present location, functioning as a practice and meditation center for fifteen years, we have not until now had any retreat facilities. In addition to our main shrine room, we have a meditation room for retreatants and three bed-and-breakfast rooms. The new stupa, located in the backyard, provides an ideal focus for outdoor practice. For practitioners whose physical problems prevent them from doing prostrations, circumambulating a stupa is the best alternative. (For copies of the Buddha’s teaching on the benefits of circumambulating a stupa, contact Padma Ling.)
It is widely believed that one can do retreat only in the country, because the environment is quiet. But with planes flying overhead, traffic, chainsaws, and the sounds of animals, it can be far from peaceful. Another difficulty of doing retreat in the country is the challenge of acquiring provisions. Padma Ling is just three blocks from an organic food store, with other grocery stores, medical care, and pharmacies nearby.
A resident lama is usually available for counsel and advice on practice. Retreat rooms are available at daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Inquiries should be directed to Lama Inge Zangmo at Padma Ling.
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As winter settles in on the southern end of the Willamette Valley and the rains become more regular, our sangha reflects back on a busy year. We were blessed by visits from Chagdud Khadro, Lama Tsering, Jigme Tromge Rinpoche, Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche, and Lama Jamie, who offered a variety of teachings, empowerments, and transmissions and gave us the precious opportunity to practice with them.
In the fall, Lama Jigme Lode led a two-day cham (ritual dance) intensive that was attended by many of the Rigdzin Ling dancers. It seemed natural for this to happen at Dechhen Ling, where Lama Sonam—who initially instructed Chagdud Gonpa dancers—sat for some years. We are most appreciative of Lama Jigme’s generosity, expertise, and patience and aspire to host similar workshops in the future.
In addition to daily Red Tara practice and monthly Tara, Shower of Blessings, Tröma, and Essence of Siddhi tsoks, we hold weekly Akshobhya and sitting meditation practices. Sunday morning puja is followed by either a teaching or question-and-answer session with Lama Dorje or Lama Trinley. A Tibetan language study group has started to meet regularly as well.
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This summer at Yeshe Ling, Jigme Rinpoche conducted a wonderful Tröma retreat, and in the autumn, Lama Tsering led a lovely dream yoga retreat. Both events were well attended and revitalized the connection between the sangha and our precious lamas.
The new Guru Rinpoche statue is a magnificent addition to Yeshe Ling. Its presence is palpable, and gazing at Guru Rinpoche’s face is a very moving experience. Thanks to many generous offerings, we have nearly enough funds to complete the statue. Glenn Sandvoss is working on the last bit of cement sculpting and is applying the cement plaques to the base of the throne. Jigme Rinpoche will come soon to perform ceremonies for filling parts of the statue with mantras and sacred substances. Then in the springtime, when warm, dry weather returns, Glenn and others will paint the Guru.
