Lama Chokyi Nyima and his wife, Katherine Pfaff, have moved to Cottage Grove and begun work on the translation of the Seven Treasures of Longchenpa. These profound texts elucidate the entire scope of Buddhist thought and are an unsurpassed expression of the vastness of the Dzogchen view.
Chokyi's initial involvement in Buddhism began fifteen years ago with a fascination for the Tibetan language. As he studied at Kalu Rinpoche's center in his home of Vancouver, he soon discovered his attraction for Tibetan Buddhism. In 1975 he became a novice monk and in late 1976 he took full ordination, which he held until 1983, when he decided to give back his vows. Chokyi participated in Kalu Rinpoche's three-year retreat near Dijon, France, emerging in 1980. Subsequently, he traveled internationally as Kalu Rinpoche's translator for two years, before returning to assume teaching and translation duties in Vancouver.
Chokyi met Kathrine in Vancouver when she enrolled in one of the Tibetan classes that he was teaching. "Once again, the Tibetan language comes through," he says with a smile. In 1985 they were married.
Chokyi Nyima first translated for Chagdud Rinpoche in the fall of 1984, during Rinpoche's visit to Vancouver. Chokyi remembers that "they were enormously impressive teachings," and that "everyone was very moved by his presence and by his talk."
Katherine noticed an affinity between the two right away. "I liked the way they worked together," she says, adding that "from that point on, I started prodding to get him down to Cottage Grove."
Chagdud Tulku has the highest regard for Chokyi's character and abilities, noting once with a wry smile that Chokyi has on occasion corrected Rinpoche's own Tibetan grammar. This appreciation has caused the modest translator some discomfort, as his duties have required him to convey Rinpoche's complimentary remarks about him, such as calling him, among other things, a "jewel."
Tsering Everest, Rinpoche's interpreter, had positive signs about Chokyi's coming to Cottage Grove, but Chagdud Tulku wasn't certain that Kalu Rinpoche would be willing to lend him such a fine scholar for so many years. As it happened, Kalu Rinpoche was delighted that Chokyi could be of so much help in Cottage Grove, and gave his approval without hesitation.
Chokyi expects the translation work to take at least three years, and adds that he is "really happy to be here." His work will be a major contribution in the transmission of the essence of the Buddha's teachings to the West.
By Cary Groner
Lama Chokyi Nyima and his wife, Katherine Pfaff, have moved to Cottage Grove and begun work on the translation of the Seven Treasures of Longchenpa. These profound texts elucidate the entire scope of Buddhist thought and are an unsurpassed expression of the vastness of the Dzogchen view.
Chokyi's initial involvement in Buddhism began fifteen years ago with a fascination for the Tibetan language. As he studied at Kalu Rinpoche's center in his home of Vancouver, he soon discovered his attraction for Tibetan Buddhism. In 1975 he became a novice monk and in late 1976 he took full ordination, which he held until 1983, when he decided to give back his vows. Chokyi participated in Kalu Rinpoche's three-year retreat near Dijon, France, emerging in 1980. Subsequently, he traveled internationally as Kalu Rinpoche's translator for two years, before returning to assume teaching and translation duties in Vancouver.
Chokyi met Kathrine in Vancouver when she enrolled in one of the Tibetan classes that he was teaching. "Once again, the Tibetan language comes through," he says with a smile. In 1985 they were married.
Chokyi Nyima first translated for Chagdud Rinpoche in the fall of 1984, during Rinpoche's visit to Vancouver. Chokyi remembers that "they were enormously impressive teachings," and that "everyone was very moved by his presence and by his talk."
Katherine noticed an affinity between the two right away. "I liked the way they worked together," she says, adding that "from that point on, I started prodding to get him down to Cottage Grove."
Chagdud Tulku has the highest regard for Chokyi's character and abilities, noting once with a wry smile that Chokyi has on occasion corrected Rinpoche's own Tibetan grammar. This appreciation has caused the modest translator some discomfort, as his duties have required him to convey Rinpoche's complimentary remarks about him, such as calling him, among other things, a "jewel."
Tsering Everest, Rinpoche's interpreter, had positive signs about Chokyi's coming to Cottage Grove, but Chagdud Tulku wasn't certain that Kalu Rinpoche would be willing to lend him such a fine scholar for so many years. As it happened, Kalu Rinpoche was delighted that Chokyi could be of so much help in Cottage Grove, and gave his approval without hesitation.
Chokyi expects the translation work to take at least three years, and adds that he is "really happy to be here." His work will be a major contribution in the transmission of the essence of the Buddha's teachings to the West.
By Cary Groner
Lama Chokyi Nyima and his wife, Katherine Pfaff, have moved to Cottage Grove and begun work on the translation of the Seven Treasures of Longchenpa. These profound texts elucidate the entire scope of Buddhist thought and are an unsurpassed expression of the vastness of the Dzogchen view.
Chokyi's initial involvement in Buddhism began fifteen years ago with a fascination for the Tibetan language. As he studied at Kalu Rinpoche's center in his home of Vancouver, he soon discovered his attraction for Tibetan Buddhism. In 1975 he became a novice monk and in late 1976 he took full ordination, which he held until 1983, when he decided to give back his vows. Chokyi participated in Kalu Rinpoche's three-year retreat near Dijon, France, emerging in 1980. Subsequently, he traveled internationally as Kalu Rinpoche's translator for two years, before returning to assume teaching and translation duties in Vancouver.
Chokyi met Kathrine in Vancouver when she enrolled in one of the Tibetan classes that he was teaching. "Once again, the Tibetan language comes through," he says with a smile. In 1985 they were married.
Chokyi Nyima first translated for Chagdud Rinpoche in the fall of 1984, during Rinpoche's visit to Vancouver. Chokyi remembers that "they were enormously impressive teachings," and that "everyone was very moved by his presence and by his talk."
Katherine noticed an affinity between the two right away. "I liked the way they worked together," she says, adding that "from that point on, I started prodding to get him down to Cottage Grove."
Chagdud Tulku has the highest regard for Chokyi's character and abilities, noting once with a wry smile that Chokyi has on occasion corrected Rinpoche's own Tibetan grammar. This appreciation has caused the modest translator some discomfort, as his duties have required him to convey Rinpoche's complimentary remarks about him, such as calling him, among other things, a "jewel."
Tsering Everest, Rinpoche's interpreter, had positive signs about Chokyi's coming to Cottage Grove, but Chagdud Tulku wasn't certain that Kalu Rinpoche would be willing to lend him such a fine scholar for so many years. As it happened, Kalu Rinpoche was delighted that Chokyi could be of so much help in Cottage Grove, and gave his approval without hesitation.
Chokyi expects the translation work to take at least three years, and adds that he is "really happy to be here." His work will be a major contribution in the transmission of the essence of the Buddha's teachings to the West.
By Cary Groner
Lama Chokyi Nyima and his wife, Katherine Pfaff, have moved to Cottage Grove and begun work on the translation of the Seven Treasures of Longchenpa. These profound texts elucidate the entire scope of Buddhist thought and are an unsurpassed expression of the vastness of the Dzogchen view.
Chokyi's initial involvement in Buddhism began fifteen years ago with a fascination for the Tibetan language. As he studied at Kalu Rinpoche's center in his home of Vancouver, he soon discovered his attraction for Tibetan Buddhism. In 1975 he became a novice monk and in late 1976 he took full ordination, which he held until 1983, when he decided to give back his vows. Chokyi participated in Kalu Rinpoche's three-year retreat near Dijon, France, emerging in 1980. Subsequently, he traveled internationally as Kalu Rinpoche's translator for two years, before returning to assume teaching and translation duties in Vancouver.
Chokyi met Kathrine in Vancouver when she enrolled in one of the Tibetan classes that he was teaching. "Once again, the Tibetan language comes through," he says with a smile. In 1985 they were married.
Chokyi Nyima first translated for Chagdud Rinpoche in the fall of 1984, during Rinpoche's visit to Vancouver. Chokyi remembers that "they were enormously impressive teachings," and that "everyone was very moved by his presence and by his talk."
Katherine noticed an affinity between the two right away. "I liked the way they worked together," she says, adding that "from that point on, I started prodding to get him down to Cottage Grove."
Chagdud Tulku has the highest regard for Chokyi's character and abilities, noting once with a wry smile that Chokyi has on occasion corrected Rinpoche's own Tibetan grammar. This appreciation has caused the modest translator some discomfort, as his duties have required him to convey Rinpoche's complimentary remarks about him, such as calling him, among other things, a "jewel."
Tsering Everest, Rinpoche's interpreter, had positive signs about Chokyi's coming to Cottage Grove, but Chagdud Tulku wasn't certain that Kalu Rinpoche would be willing to lend him such a fine scholar for so many years. As it happened, Kalu Rinpoche was delighted that Chokyi could be of so much help in Cottage Grove, and gave his approval without hesitation.
Chokyi expects the translation work to take at least three years, and adds that he is "really happy to be here." His work will be a major contribution in the transmission of the essence of the Buddha's teachings to the West.
By Cary Groner
Lama Chokyi Nyima and his wife, Katherine Pfaff, have moved to Cottage Grove and begun work on the translation of the Seven Treasures of Longchenpa. These profound texts elucidate the entire scope of Buddhist thought and are an unsurpassed expression of the vastness of the Dzogchen view.
Chokyi's initial involvement in Buddhism began fifteen years ago with a fascination for the Tibetan language. As he studied at Kalu Rinpoche's center in his home of Vancouver, he soon discovered his attraction for Tibetan Buddhism. In 1975 he became a novice monk and in late 1976 he took full ordination, which he held until 1983, when he decided to give back his vows. Chokyi participated in Kalu Rinpoche's three-year retreat near Dijon, France, emerging in 1980. Subsequently, he traveled internationally as Kalu Rinpoche's translator for two years, before returning to assume teaching and translation duties in Vancouver.
Chokyi met Kathrine in Vancouver when she enrolled in one of the Tibetan classes that he was teaching. "Once again, the Tibetan language comes through," he says with a smile. In 1985 they were married.
Chokyi Nyima first translated for Chagdud Rinpoche in the fall of 1984, during Rinpoche's visit to Vancouver. Chokyi remembers that "they were enormously impressive teachings," and that "everyone was very moved by his presence and by his talk."
Katherine noticed an affinity between the two right away. "I liked the way they worked together," she says, adding that "from that point on, I started prodding to get him down to Cottage Grove."
Chagdud Tulku has the highest regard for Chokyi's character and abilities, noting once with a wry smile that Chokyi has on occasion corrected Rinpoche's own Tibetan grammar. This appreciation has caused the modest translator some discomfort, as his duties have required him to convey Rinpoche's complimentary remarks about him, such as calling him, among other things, a "jewel."
Tsering Everest, Rinpoche's interpreter, had positive signs about Chokyi's coming to Cottage Grove, but Chagdud Tulku wasn't certain that Kalu Rinpoche would be willing to lend him such a fine scholar for so many years. As it happened, Kalu Rinpoche was delighted that Chokyi could be of so much help in Cottage Grove, and gave his approval without hesitation.
Chokyi expects the translation work to take at least three years, and adds that he is "really happy to be here." His work will be a major contribution in the transmission of the essence of the Buddha's teachings to the West.
By Cary Groner
