| The following article is from the Spring, 1988 issue of the Snow Lion Newsletter and is for historical reference only. You can see this in context of the original newsletter here. |
His Holiness is well known both as a meditation master and for his tireless efforts to recreate a monastic situation capable of ensuring the continuation of the Nyingmapa lineage. His monastery, Palyul Mandroling, founded in 1962 in southern India, now houses 400 monks.
This is His Holiness' second visit to the United States. During his visit in 1985, His Holiness gave the complete Cho Migyur Dorje empowerments at Tashi Choling in Ashland, Oregon. Tashi Choling, the retreat center of Pacific Yeshe Nyingpo, is a 65-acre site consecrated by H. H. Dudjum Rinpoche in 1980 as an auspicious environment for practice and retreat. The center will again welcome His Holiness, who will offer the complete Kama transmission there during a 3-week period beginning June 5th. A rich aspect of the transmission will be the performance of four lama dances. They will include Blessing of the Earth, Offering Dance, Offering of the Golden Drink, and Dakini Dance for peace.
His Holiness was, until fairly recently, the sole holder of the complete Kama lineage, which represents the direct utterance teachings of the Buddha. Not long ago he transmitted portions of the Kama lineage to H. H. Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche, who now holds the complete lineage. The Palyul lineage, in addition to holding the Nam Cho Great Perfection revelation of Terton Migyur Dorje, also contains the Non-Dual Great Seal Mahamudra-Great Perfection Ati Yoga lineage, which represents the combined lineage transmission of the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages.
In addition to the Kama transmission, His Holiness will also give five days of Nam Cho Lung during his visit to Tashi Choling. His Holiness' visit to Tashi Choling came about through the invitation of Venerable Dhomang Gyatrul Rinpoche. Gyatrul Rinpoche is spiritual representative for H.H. DudjomRinpoche'sYeshe Nyingpo centers on the West Coast . In Tibet, Gyatrul Rinpoche's Dhomang Monastery was part of the extensive Palyul monastic system.
On August 8th, His Holiness will arrive in the Washington, D.C. area, under the sponsorship of Knnzang Odsal Palyul Changchub Choeling in Pbolesville, Maryland. KOPCC is His Holiness' seat in the West. For over two months, His Holiness will offer the Rinchen Terzod empowerments for the first time in the West. The empowerments will begin August 12 and last until October 23rd. The Rinchen Terzod is an extensive collection of termas of hidden-treasure teachings by Guru Padmasambhava and his consort Yeshe Tsogyal. Several lama dances will be performed as part of the transmission. These include Dance of the Wrathful Deities, The Blessing Dance for Accomplishment, and the Offering of the Golden Drink.
The resident lama at KOPCC is the American-born Tulku Ahkon Norbu Lhamo (Catherine Burroughs), who was recognized by His Holiness in 1987 as the incarnation of Genyen-ma Ahkon Lhamo, sister of Vidyadhara Kunzang Sherab.
His Holiness' visit will also include Hayagriva, Vajrapani, and Garuda Teachings from the non-dual tradition of Mahamudra and Maha Ati and a performance of the Lama Wrathful Dance in mid-June sponsored by the Bay Area Yeshe Nyingpo, as well as a visit to the Ontario, Canada area. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and party will travel to Canada to give empowerments and to bless the land and center of the Urgyam Osel Cho Zong which is located in a rural wooded area on the Black River. Details of the schedule of the visit, which will last 7 days, can be obtained by writing to Urgyam Osel Cho Zong, P.O. Box 68, RR 3, Madok, Ontario, Canada K0K 2K0 or calling Scott Rankin at (613)4782568.
Coinciding with the visit of His Holiness, Snow Lion is publishing A GARLAND OF IMMORTAL WISHFULFILLING TREES which presents a comprehensive explanation of the extraordinary Palyul tradition. It contains the lives of the lineage holders and is filled with beautiful color plates. It is available from Snow Lion for $15.95.
This spring an auspicious building program has been launched at KOPCC. Under the guidence of H.H. Penor Rinpoche, the center has begun a series of nine stupas. A 35 foot enlightment stupa is now under construction scheduled for completion this August. It will be consecrated by Penor Rinpoche while giving the empowerments of the Rinchen Terzod.
The purpose of this chorten is to subdue and pacify those negative influences and energies which can cause great difficulties. This is especially needed in the Washington D.C. area where so many decisions are made which impact the world. However, this stupa is only the beginning of a larger project. At the same time that this particular stupa is dedicated, land for a series of all eight types of chortens will be consecrated by Penor Rinpoche. This series of stupas along with a meditation shrine room is being dedicated to world peace and the establishment of the dharma.
Each stupa being approximately 40 feet tall will take quite a large effort on the part of many volunteers to complete. Time is essential, especially in completing the initial stupa. Those who would like to contribute to the building of these stupas either through financial contributions, labor, materials, or the offering of articles to be placed inside should contact KOPCC. Items from all countries such as soil, plants, water rocks, fabrics, national costumes, manufactured items, etc. are needed to fill the stupa.
For further information about His Holiness' teachings, fee, accomodations and registration, please contact Terry Lewyn, Tashi Choling, Yeshe Nyingo, Box 124, Ashland, OR 97520 (503)482-3421; KOPCC, 18400 River Road, Poolesville, MD 20837 (301)428-8116; or Naiyuine Ding at Bay Area Yeshe Nyingpo (415)524-2418.
