News from Khandroling Paper Cooperative

In 2016 Khandroling Paper Cooperative presented a  number of workshops and open studios related to papermaking and contemplative arts. To review these past programs in 2016, visit the Khandroling Paper Cooperative Blog. 2017 inaugurates the Year of the Lotus and Khandroling Paper Cooperative's participation in the 250th Anniversary of the town of Conway, MA on June 16, 17, 18, 2017

A link to an article on Khandroling paper Cooperative in the Greenfield Recorder. 

For over 30 years the Dzogchen Community in Conway, MA, which was founded by Tibetan scholar and master Teacher Chögyal Namkhai Norbu has continued to provide a container for his numerous activities in North America including the Shang Shung School of Tibetan Medicine, Asia and the International Dzogchen Community. Additional retreat facilities known as Khandroling are located in the nearby hill town of Buckland. 

Khandroling Paper Cooperative studios are found in the yellow schoolhouse formerly the Old Conway Grammar School, which has scheduled several events for the 250^th Anniversary of Conway, meeting with the Town Committee organizing the three-day event in October of 2016.  These events include:

1)  Making a thousand (1008) origami lotuses for a paper float by local residents at our monthly and weekly origami club to be handed out during the parade featuring our Tibetan inspired Khaita dancers. 

2) An exhibit on the theme of the Lotus as a symbol of perfection through our Buddhist affiliation in the historic former Conway Grammar School featuring our artist members and Master Tibetan calligraphers.

3) An alumni reunion breakfast in the old Conway Grammar school for past graduates of the grammar school including the graduates of the Shang Shung Institute School of Tibetan Medicine—Thus honoring the anniversary’s theme of past, present and future. 

4) The final project dedicated to the Town’s anniversary is the Conway Rags to Paper initiative for which we are seeking funding from HATCH, a local funding agency for the arts

The Khandroling Lotus Blossom project is an international endeavor to help restore the historic schoolhouse in Conway, MA site of so many Dzogchen retreats, the Shang Shung Tibetan Medicine School, and numerous community functions as the first North American Gar founded by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. Purchased in 1995, the building continues to provide a base for the Dzogchen Community's practice life, numerous SSI educational programs in Tibetan culture, and courses in Vajra Dance, Yantra Yoga and Khaita Dance. 

The Lotus is an important symbol through out all the Buddhist lineages. We will be exploring the many facets of this precious symbol of enlightened perfection and goodness which we all possess. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.

-DETAILS ABOUT THE ANNIVERSARY EVENTS-

MINDFULNESS OF ORIGAMI CLUB BEGINNING NOVEMBER 10, 2016 thru June 2017,
5-6:30 PM in the Library at 18 Schoolhouse Rd. Conway, MA 01341. Please join us for our Mindfulness of Origami Club with Brenda Lilly, to meet the second Thursday of every month in the Yellow Schoolhouse Library at Tsegyalgar East. This club is free.

Our newest Lotus Origami incarnation created by Brenda Lilly with the famous six-syllables of the Om Mani Pema Hum Hrih (Th jewel in the Lotus) mantra written on the six petals with the HRIH in the center.

Making Lotuses in the library, December, 2016

The building itself has special meaning to the town of Conway, MA as the first multi-class grammar school which was home to generations of children educated there. As a fitting gesture of goodwill , Khandroling Paper Cooperative on behalf of the Dzogchen Community will participate in the 250th Conway Town Anniversary Celebration to be held in 2017  with a Paper Lotus float and the distribution of thousands of handmade paper lotus blossoms. 

Brenda instructing Francine in the making of a small Lotus, Summer 2016

In dreams

they come with out-stretched hands

the color of malachite

giving, magnetizing

palms formed by leaf and wind,

torrential waters--

As they pass to me the lotus bud

grown up from mud

its stainless bloom

opening*

Rita Kaiser, Brenda Lilly and Nancy Paris, Summer Celebration on Khandroling, 2016

ART EXHIBIT - JUNE 2017 (BACKFOYER AND HALLS of the Yellow Schoolhouse) : Works related to the Theme of the Lotus and transformation (Title TBA) by KPC Artist members and workshop participants from the Rags to Paper Project (see below) including noted Tibetan calligraphers.

Calligraphy created by Tashi Mannox on Khnadroling Paper

CONWAY GRAMMAR SCHOOL AND SHANG SHUNG INSTITUTE SCHOOL OF TIBETAN MEDICINE - Alumni Breakfast hosted by KPC on June 16, 2017 -
sponsored by Khandroling Paper Members - More TBA bridging together the main theme of the 250th Anniversary consisting of Past, Present, and Future. 

CONWAY RAGS TO PAPER PROJECT - We are seeking funding from a HATCH grant for this unique project to make paper derived from Conway residents’ 100% recycled cotton rags collected from drop off sites in town FROM JANUARY-MAY, 2017.

Cutting the rag into postage size pieces for processing in the "Critter"

The hand-made paper will be the base for writing stories and poems significant to the personal transformative experiences of participants of all ages in relation to the town of Conway, whether of place, historical, personal, or mythic. This event will take place in two workshop segments led by the lead artists consisting of:

Making pulp from cut-up rags in the "Critter" our Hollander Beater

RAGS TO PAPER WORKSHOPS:

  1) April 29, 2016 An Introduction to the Art of Handmade Paper with lead artist Madeline Liebling who will direct individuals into creating dynamic sheets of paper for their literary works from the Conway Rags.

Making that first piece of paper-- a magical experience

2) May 1, 2017  Literary Workshop with Jacqueline Gens who will introduce writing exercises to stimulate original writing in a variety of forms onto the previously made paper either via, calligraphy, stamping or digital transfer.

A Poetrymind writing group taught by Jacqueline Gens

Artist members of the cooperative will then assemble in Open Studios, the completed works on scrolls, in accordion books and mounted paper mural to exhibit during the three-day celebration in the yellow schoolhouse and/or another venue in town currently being researched (TBA) during June 16, 17, 18, 2017.  Writers may elect to read their works as part of this exhibit during the three-day event.

This project seeks to bring together the transformative power of place, materials and personal evolution over time through the medium of papermaking and storytelling within the context of an important cultural event. Our presence in the historic yellow schoolhouse at the top of the hill will bridge together past, present and future educational and artistic aspirations for those involved in the making and in the viewing of our final works.

We invite local residents to participate in this collectively transformative event. 

For further information contact Jacqueline at jacqueline.gens@gmail.com

The famous six syllable mantra Om Mani Pema Hum Hrih executed in Tashi's 2014 workshop at Tsegyalgar

Other featured programs for 2017 in development include: 

• Return of world famous Tibetan calligrapher Tashi Mannox in collaboration with Shang Shung Institute for the weekend of May 6-7, 2017.

• Children's programs in origami and mask-making

• Open Studios in beginning and advanced papermaking, printmaking, and origami meet weekly ( Sundays and Tuesdays). Please call to confirm: 413-522-1125

• Annual three day paper fest on Khandroling 

• Participation in local fairs and art shows

Best Wishes and Happy New Year!!!

*Poem by Glen Eddy and Jacqueline Gens, 2008

Year-End Greetings from Shang Shung Institute

Enrico Dell'Angelo of Shang Shung Institute dies Today December 26, 2016

Enrico Dell'Angelo and his partner Isabel Wagner in Bhutan, 2014

Enrico was among the first students of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. He was an early director of The International Shang Shung Institute founded in Italy in 1989 by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, and inaugurated in 1990 by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. At the time of his death he was the Director of the newly formed Shang Shung Foundation. 

In recent years Enrico was a leading member of the International Dzogchen Community (IDC) and a member of the International Gakyil on Red. A testimonial of his many years service to the Community may be forthcoming. 

There will be open webcast 

of Shitro practice for Enrico Dell’Angelo 

with Rinpoche from Dzamling Gar

on Wednesday 28th Decemeber at 3:00pm (Tenerife time GMT +0:00). 10am EST

Here: http://webcast.dzogchen.net/

PLEASE FEEL TO POST YOUR RECOLLECTIONS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION

A Message from Jeremy on the Future of Tsegyalgar East

Before it got cold, I went searching for the 15+ trees in pots that Nary had. He built a couple platforms in the basement of the Schoolhouse to store them for the winter to protect them, and he did last winter. So a few of us searched for them one day, only found maybe 3 potted plants. He must have planted them all right before he checked out he he.........

Join us in the great dance of collaboration giving what you can whether energy, your practice, the green stuff or your positive thoughts for the well-being of all. 

A Season's Message from the Tsegyalar East Gakyil

Dear Vajra Brothers and Sisters,

Warm greetings from Tsegyalgar East. We are writing to share an update on end of year happenings and plans for next year.

End of year donations are welcome and very much appreciated. All donations are tax deductible. There are many causes that you can offer to that will greatly help to support Rinpoche’s Vision for our Dzogchen Community and Tsegyalgar East. Some examples include:

· Helping with the development of Dzamling Gar Gompa and our Gar’s House there
· Retreat Cabin development and repairs on Khandroling
· A newly developed fund to support our Community’s Authorized Teachers
· Donating to the planning funds for our 2nd Annual Tsegyalgar East Summer Celebration on Khandroling next year.

You can click here to visit the donation page and select your cause.

Here are some brief updates to share:

· Membership is very important to our Teacher and Community. We’ve made some changes to our 2017 Tsegyalgar East Membership options to accommodate everybody. This includes a new Ordinary Reduced membership tier that is available for people in low income situations, Veterans, and other special cases. Sign-up for 2017 membership will be available on January 1st.

· The grant application for $175,000 to cover the cost of replacing the Schoolhouse roof and constructing an accessibility ramp is nearly finalized and will be submitted soon to the town of Conway, MA for funds they make available as a result of the Community Preservation Act, a special fund to be used for historic preservation. A special thanks for our Vajra Brother Ed Matheny for all his hard work in leading and developing the application.

· The Tsegyalgar East House at Dzamling Gar is coming along beautifully. A special thanks for Kyu Kyuno for helping to furnish and coordinate the final touches on our incredible gift from Rinpoche. It is almost booked for upcoming retreats. If you plan to visit and reside at Dzamling Gar, please read about the view and what it means to reside in Dzamling Gar.

· Earlier this month (December 8-11), a new Museum of Asian Art and Culture opened in Merigar West. Our Vajra Brother Ed Hayes thoughtfully traveled to the event, gave a brief overview presentation about Tsegyalgar East, and presented Rinpoche with a beautiful gift, a ring with Rinpoche’s name engraved in it, on behalf of our Gar.

· If you are interested in learning more about the detailed work of the Gakyil, we invite you to download meeting minutes and read about the many happenings at Tsegyalgar East. Gakyil meeting minutes are available here.

The 2017 Tsegyalgar East Program of courses and retreat offerings is not yet finalized. Here is a tentative incomplete schedule for events we’ve confirmed thus far for 2017:

· January 9-February 27th: 8 week Yantra Yoga Monday evening class, 5-6:30pm

· January 28-May 20th: Yantra Yoga, Pranayama and Yantras of one of the Five Series beginning with the First Series and moving sequentially through the series (5 Saturdays: 
January 28, February 11, March 18, April 29, May 20)

· January 11th-ongoing: Yantra Yoga, 2nd Wednesday of each month, 4:30-6:30pm

· February 25-26th: Purification of 6 Lokas Practice Weekend

· March 12th: Worldwide Transmission of Guru Garab Dorje

· March 25-26th: Irregular Dance of the 3 Vajras Practice Weekend

· April 21-23rd: The Vajra Dance that Benefits Beings Course

· May 26-29th: Vajra Dance of the Song of the Vajra Course Part 1

· June 17-20th: Vajra Dance of the Song of the Vajra Course Part 2

· July 1-4th: Vajra Dance of the Song of the Vajra Course Part 3

· July 17- 23 2nd Annual Tsegyalgar East Summer Celebration

· July 24-August 6th: International Yantra Yoga Teacher Laura Evangelisti teaching at Tsegyalgar East (details will be announced soon)

· August 7-21st: International Vajra Dance Teaching Prima Maya teaching at Tsegyalgar East (details will be announced soon)

More programs are planned, including for fall 2017. Details will be announced as soon as we have them.

Warm wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season and New Year.
Love,Tsegyalgar East Gakyil

Sason's Greetings 2016 from Tsegyalgar East

The Coming of Light*

Even this late it happens:
the coming of love, the coming of light. 
You wake and the candles are lit as if by themselves, 
stars gather, dreams pour into your pillows, 
sending up warm bouquets of air.
Even this late the bones of the body shine 
and tomorrow’s dust flares into breath.

..Open your inner eye and observe yourself. Stop searching for a lamp outside of you 
to illuminate yourself inside. Kindle your inner light. 
Then the teaching will live in you, and you - in the teaching.... -Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 

Reprinted from "Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State" (Part 1.1)

SEASON’S GREETINGS and Love to all From Tsegyalgar East

***

[Photo credit: Dharamsala candle by  Rosemary Rawcliff]

*Poem by Mark Strand Reprinted from the Academy of American Poets website www.poets.org

Ram's Horn, A Winter Letter: 21 December from Margaret Jasinski

To be in touch with our own humanity is a simple celebration of life.We are alive every the day of our lives.But we are easily distracted and looking in many directions; as a result contact with being alive is not easy.

And we want something very much. We are very hungry, and though this hunger is deep within in us we are at a loss to name it. So we provide secret names and turn it into a myriad of substitutes: each one holds our hunger for a while and we are sated until the hunger seizes upon us again.

We must have food. As human beings we cannot get along without it. The staff of life is bread, as the saying goes, yet once we have taken bread our hunger does not disappear. Because is it not only hunger. We feed upon more than bread, we demand much more: if hunger were as simple as bread, then I would become a lady and bake loaves.

We are hungry for contact which means that our aliveness can be alive, sprung into existence by touch in many forms. We are fed by the nourishment of humanity each to each. As such we create holding, an invisible nexus from which to enact and maintain. We provide holding for others and ourselves: it is an exchange of giving and receiving.

Holding enmeshes into itself, producing a subtle environment so we do not disappear, so we do not take our hunger to the streets, so it is not preyed upon by strangers, so it is not displaced by intoxicants or yummy foods to gobble, so it not twisted into the many forms of escape like dullness, obsession, aversion, resistance, games of inferiority and superiority, big and small. So it is not hated, or derided or turned into a pet or enslaved or put into the service of appearance or stuck in a pantheon.

Hunger has more than one hundred and eight variations. It spans into every cell of the body as it inhabits our minds unceasingly. I am hungry and therefore I know something of the human condition. How I am conditioned to respond to hunger is another matter, and here the story of hunger turns inside, it comes from within itself like the the very first curl of a ram’s horn making a spiral of its own volition. The potentiality of this horn is enfolded into the intelligence of aliveness from before birth; this potentiality is hidden at birth: he is a darling baby, a lamb, and while he is this outwardly, nature works from the inside, starting the course of the spiral which grows all by itself.( though in recent years this ubiquitous biological phenomena has a mathematical name, Fibonacci). This name marks the spiral of aliveness which began in the folds of nature, in the mystery of birth. Birth gives rise to becoming. Life feeds upon that from which it is made: this is how it functions. On this earth we are born, it is our nature, our nativity. All beings are born- to be on contact with humanity. To be in contact with humanity liberates human hunger and its conditioning. So that life is life, what we are made of, enfolded with the unknown.


Coming from Cape Breton,Nova Scotia, Margaret has experienced many happy moments with a pencil in hand. She penciled two novels for children and more essays than "you can shake a stick at," as they say on the island. She has been a dedicated student of Rinpoche for six years.

Holiday Potluck and Khaita Party on December 27, 2016

Holiday Potluck and Khaita Party

4:00-7:30pm, Tuesday, December 27th at the Schoolhouse Gonpa

RSVP or coordinate dishes with Caroline at phredhot @ yahoo . com

Lama Tsultrim on Drüpon Lama Karma and the Lineage of Tertön Pegyal Lingpa

The following writing by Lama Tsultrim Allione is the second in a series of original articles in relation to Tara Mandala's forthcoming and historic Chod Conference next summer. The conference will host an impressive roster of scholars and practitioners presenting the many lineages emanating from Machig Labdron and Padampa Sangye. For further information and early registration, visit their website.

First International Chöd-Zhije Conference: 

The Lineage of Machig Labdrön & Padampa Sangye

July 12 - 16, 2017

Lama Tsultrim writes: 

In January, 2016 I traveled to Silaguri, India to a Drubchen (ten day intensive ceremony) with Sangngag Rinpoche at his new monastery. During the Drubchen the tulku of the late Bhutanese terton Pegyal Lingpa was to be enthroned. The tulku was twenty-six years old. Although recognized at an early age, he had disappeared and only recently had been rediscovered—a beautiful young man with a M.A. in Biotechnology…… but that's another story.

Tertön Pegyal Lingpa 

This photo of the Tertön Pegyal shows him at a young age, wearing the hair bound up into a topknot with a silvery reliquiary container containing his treasures written in dakini script. According to HH Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdral Yeshe Dorje the Great Tertön Pegyal Lingpa (gter ston pad rgyal gling pa, 1924 -1988) was born 1924, the wood-rat year of the 15th Rabjung Tibetan cycle, in Golok Serta, of Eastern Tibet or Dhokham among the clan of Chok tsang of Mukpo clan. His father was Pema Jigmed and his mother Sherab Tshomo under auspicious signs. He was recognized as an incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava and Nupchen Sangye Yeshe. Pegyal Lingpa was trained in Tibet.

It was prophesied by Padmasambhava: "The final birth of Great Nubchen, the master of the treasure, will appear with the name of lotus, for the glory of sentient beings." So at the time of the rapid occurrence of the five degenerations, Nubchen, according to the prophecy, compassionately emanated as the great treasure discoverer Tertön Padgyal Lingpa, who was blessed by the origin of his emanation, which is Nubchen himself in body, speech and mind, making him inseparable. Moreover, he also received the pure vision from Guru Padmasambhava and many other wisdom deities, who prophesied that Pegyal Lingpa will discover the treasured doctrines from various natural locations such as underground, lakes, and the sky, benefiting countless disciples resulting in their liberation by his sublime action in the process. Although Pegyal Lingpa was trained in Tibet he had to leave Tibet with the Tibetan diaspora and lived for some time in Pemakö, India, and later, he settled and lived mainly in Bhutan, where most of his students gathered around him. Actually, he lived a very simple and poor life of a yogic practitioner or naldjorpa with neither having any personal possessions nor great following. In Bhutan he lived a simple and secluded life as a Chöd practitioner (chödpa) and Tummo practitioner or repa.

I met Drüpon Lama Karma at this Drubchen in January of 2016, when I noticed two yogis were being held in high esteem. Since we were eating in the same tent, I had occasion to talk to them. I also noticed during the Drubchen that as everyone was chanting, doing mudras and so on, Drüpon Lama Karma and the other yogi just stared into space unmoving for hours on end. As I spoke to Drüpon Lama Karma, I realized he was a Dzogchen yogi who had done many years of retreat.

I discovered he had been the scribe for the termas of Pegyal Lingpa, writing them down as he revealed the dagnang, pure vision treasures. I also discovered Drüpon Lama Karma was also a Chöd master through his root teacher, Lama Naljhorpa, the principle student of Pegyal Lingpa, an expert in the Rinchen Trengwa from the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje. Over the days of the Drubchen Drüpon Lama Karma and I talked more and more. Eventually I felt such a connection with him that I invited him to come to Tara Mandala. We expect he will arrive in late spring. He will teach Chöd at the First International Chöd-Zhije Conference to be held at Tara Mandala in July, 2017, as well as attending the White Dakini Drubchen in August. In September, 2017 Drüpon Lama Karma is scheduled to teach on Chöd from the Rinchen Trengwa at Tara Mandala (see taramandala.org for details. It's a great blessing that Drüpon Lama Karma will be with us, true yogis of his qualities training and realization are very precious and rare.

A Brief Biography of the Venerable Drüpon Lama Karma

Drüpon Lama Karma 

Throughout Bhutan Drüpon is renowned as an exemplary retreat master and has been the most influential lama to maintain the tradition of Terton Pegyal Lingpa. This is in large part a result of having directly served for many years as Pegyal Lingpa’s scribe and attendant. In 1988, Drüpon bestowed the oral transmission of Pegyal Lingpa’s Kusum Gongdü to many tulkus, lamas and devotees, while the empowerments were offered by the Terton Pegyal Lingpa himself. Since Pegyal Lingpa’s parinirvana, Drüpon continues to serve his root master’s lineage by disseminating his teachings. Today, Drüpon’s students include many Bhutanese tulkus, khenpos, lamas, and lay practitioners, who are primarily practicing the tradition of the Kusum Gongdü. He continues to serve as retreat master for one of Pegyal Lingpa’s main centers, Pema Yangdzong Monastery, located in Paro, Bhutan.

Venerable Drüpon Lama Karma was born in Chakyi Demig of the Tashi Yangtse region in eastern Bhutan near Pemaling, a sacred hidden site of Padmasambhava, on the fifteenth day of the first month of the water snake year (1953) to his parents, Lama Sonam Wangchuk and Drenga. Also known as Drub-la Karma Yeshe Tharchin, his formal education began at the age of six when his father taught him to read and write Tibetan. The youth was then enrolled in school where he studied for four years. When he was thirteen years old, Drüpon served as one of the scribes for the massive project of preparing a version of the Buddhist Canon (Kangyur) in golden ink script. The project, which was commissioned by the third king of Bhutan, took place at Trashi Choedzong located in Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan.

At the behest of his father as head lama, Drüpon joined Long-Nying Chöling Monastery. In accord with tradition, he began the fivefold 100,000 accumulations of the preliminary practices of the Longchen Nyingtik tradition. These practices commenced with a period of special mind training contemplations. He also trained in the various aspects of the ritual tradition within the Longchen Nyingtik. At the age of twenty-six, Drüpon was introduced to his root teacher, a great yogi of Mahamudra and Dzogchen, Lama Naljorpa, from whom he received the vows of a lay practitioner (genyen). He was bestowed a new name, Gyalse Lodrö Thaye Gyurme. During this period, he received the detailed empowerments, instructions, and oral transmission of the Chöd liturgy called Rinchen Threngwa. Drüpon was then guided through a very strict retreat, training in the chöd practice of Dhen-thog Chigma. He also trained in Tulzhug Ronyom, remaining in the state of the yogic conduct of equal taste for long periods.

Then, over a period of three months, Drüpon completed the requisite mantra accumulations of the Khorwa Dongthrug. Drüpon also received the empowerments, oral-transmission, and instructions related to Dechen Zhingdrub, which he trained in for three months within a retreat setting. In addition to these practices, he was also taught both theoretical and practical Vajrayana Buddhist teachings, including the Words of my Perfect Teacher (Kunzang Lamai Zhal lung), Shantideva’s Way of the Bodhisattva, Ascertaining the Three Vows, the Thirty-seven Practices of a Bodhisattva, the Profound Instructions on the View of the Middle Way, the Four Oral Instructions on Freedom from Attachment (from the Sakya tradition), the Virtuous Practice Related to the View, Patrul Rinpoche’s Meditation and Conduct in the Beginning, Middle, and End, the Oral Instructions for the Practice of Mountain Retreat by Dudjom Rinpoche, the Three Words that Strike the Vital Point, Gangama Instructions: Tilopa's Mahamudra Upadesha on The Great View of Mahamudra, and the exalted practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa, starting from the preliminary practices up to the practices of yogic exercises (trulkhor) and the transference of consciousness (phowa). Drüpon received and trained in the Mastery of the Exemplary Conduct of the Six Levels of Even Taste (Ro-nyom kordrug) and in the calm abiding instructions for remaining in the nine stages of meditative concentration. He studied A History of the Nyingma School by Dudjom Rinpoche, Karma Lingpa’s Bardo Tödrol, and the 100,000 Sacred Songs of Milarepa.

Moreover, Drüpon received the preliminary practices, three roots, and instructions related to the recitation manual of the Konchog Chidü tradition and the preliminary practices, three roots, and chöd practice called Laughter of the Dakinis from the Longchen Nyingtig tradition. Subsequently, he completed a seven-month retreat of Rigdzin Düpa, the inner guru sadhana of the Longchen Nyingtig. Following this, Drüpon received the empowerments, oral transmission, and instructions related to the Four Feast Kusali Chöd, dream interpretation, Dispelling Darkness in the Ten Directions, Longchenpa’s commentary on the Guhyagarbha Tantra, Shabkar’s Flight of the Garuda, the Commentary on the Vajra Verses of the Natural State, the Profound Pith Instructions of Dorje Phakmo, and instructions on the channels, energies, and yogic exercises.

Subsequently, Drüpon began a long period of retreat at Deleg Namkha Kyung Dzong in Pemaling, a sacred site of Guru Rinpoche. This retreat was presided over by his root guru, Lama Naljorpa Rinpoche, who sealed off his retreat room. Lama Naljorpa taught him extensively on the nature of mind. These teachings included the instruction and practices for examining the source, abiding, and movement of the mind. He was also taught and practiced the teachings of Yeshe Lama and the Lotus Essence Root Tantra from the Kusum Gongdü tradition.

Following these teachings. Drüpon entered another six month retreat focusing on the Seven Line Prayer Sadhana. Thereafter, he spent many months in retreat focused solely on practicing Treg-chö and Tögal. Drüpon received teachings on consort practices such as Zo-Gag Ned-kyi Tembu. In addition, he was taught the Fivefold Mahamudra of Gyalwa Drikungpa, the Mahamudra preliminary practices, Dudjom Rinpoche’s Song of the Noble Goal, the postures and the gazes of the three kayas, as well as other teachings.

Following this period, Drüpon spent many years with Terton Pegyal Lingpa Rinpoche until he passed away in 1988. Drupon Lama Karma was the scribe who recorded the entirety of Pegyal Lingpa’s four volume Kusum Gongdü treasure cycle. This was written directly from the word lineage of the yellow scrolls at Sengye Dzong (site of Pegyal Lingpa’s three-year retreat). Drüpon received all the empowerments and transmissions of the Kusum Gongdü, with Red Vajrasattava arising as his special practice. He also received pith instructions on the nature of mind, the chöd empowerment called Opening the Gate to Space, the empowerment and practice of Sidog Raksha Tötreng, a Vajrakilaya practice from Chogyur Lingpa, the empowerment of Apam Terton’s sadhana related to the Seven Line Prayer, the bodhisattva vows, various Konchog Chidü transmissions, Karma Lingpa’s Vajra Guru Mantra Commentary, the Seven Chapter Prayer to Guru Rinpoche, the Practice of the Universal Panacea, and instructions on the filling and consecration of statues and other sacred supports. Due to the vast extent of teachings received, Drüpon became the 
preeminent expert in Bhutan on Pegyal Lingpa.

Drüpon received many teachings from many exemplary lamas. From H.H. Dodrubchen Rinpoche, Drüpon received the six volume Jatson Nyingpo Terma, the empowerments and oral transmissions of Rinchen Terdzö, Nyingtig Yabzhi, and the Seven Chapter Prayer to Guru Rinpoche. From H.H. Penor Rinpoche, he received the treasure cycles of Gesar and the empowerment of the Rinchen Terdzo and Nyingthik Yabzhi. From H.H. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, Drüpon received the Rinchen Terdzod. From Jadral Jangchub Dorje, he received the Dudjom Tröma oral transmission and Apam Terton’s Seven Line Prayer Sadhana.

From Tulku Rigdzin Pema, Drüpon received the oral transmission of Mipham Rinpoche’s collected works. From Mindroling Gyalse Tulku Rinpoche, he received the Choying Dzod, Paltrul Rinpoche’s Meditation and Conduct in the Beginning, Middle, and End, and the Konchog Chidü long life practices. From Dagpo Rinpoche, Drüpon received Yeshe Lama. From Rabjam Rinpoche, he received Nyag’s Vajrakilaya.

From Yangthang RInpoche, Drüpon received the empowerments of the Kagye Desheg Düpa and from Gonjang RInpoche, the accompanying oral transmission. From Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, he received Longchenpa’s Seven Treasures.

From Gochen Tulku Sangngag Rinpoche, Drüpon received the empowerments and oral transmissions of the treasure cycles of both Tsasum Lingpa and Pegyal Lingpa, the chöd empowerment called Opening the Gate to Space, the chöd cycle of Rinchen Threngwa, teachings on Sampa Lhundrubma, Dzogchen Khordhe Rangdrol, Lotus Essence Root Tantra, Enlightened Intent of Equality of Samantabadra, the Lion's Roar for Cutting Through Errors and Deviation, instructions on Generation Stage, and so forth. From H.H Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche, Drüpon received the Rinchen Terdzod empowerments.
In addition, from H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, he received long life empowerments. From the Sixteenth and the Seventeenth Karmapas, Drüpon received the Ornament of Precious Liberation and long life empowerments. From Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, he received the preliminary practices.

From H.E. Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, Drüpon received long life empowerments and instruction on the refuge vows. From Tsultrim Zangpo, he received the Avalokiteshvara sadhana of Ngari Drubchen. From Mani Lama, Drüpon received Avalokiteshvara empowerments, the Mani Zang-dharma, and other teachings. From Dokya Chokyi Nyima, he received long life empowerments. From Lopön Ugyen, he received the Mindfulness: The Mirror of the Mind. From Tsampa Konchog, Drüpon received instruction on the Laughter of the Dakinis and dedication prayers.

To briefly summarize his life of spiritual practice, Drüpon was extensively trained and rigorously engaged in very strict retreats for many years under the guidance of his root teacher, Terton Pegyal Lingpa Rinpoche, and the prophesized Dharma holder, Lama Naljorpa Rinpoche. Among the many strict meditation retreats, to highlight a few of his retreats, Drüpon spent eight months at Long-Nying Choling Monastery, three years at Tashi Yangtse Charnel Ground, two years at the snow peak of Pema Ling (the sacred site of Guru Rinpoche), two years at Sengye Dzong, six years at Phurpaling, and three years as a retreat Master at Paro Pema Yangdzong retreat center. On an annual basis, in addition to teaching and presiding over various drubchens and drubchods in Pegyal Lingpa-affiliated monasteries in Bhutan, Drüpon regularly engages in three month strict retreats.

In conclusion, based on experience garnered over the past six decades, Ven. Drüpon Drüpon Lama Karma has been of invaluable benefit to the many committed Buddhist practitioners in retreat. May the lifespan of the glorious Guru remain firm! May happiness arise for all beings equal to the extent of space! May all beings, through having accumulated merit and purified obscurations, be swiftly established on the stage of the Buddhahood!

Tibetan Healing Chöd at Tara Mandala With Drüpon Lama Karma (following the historic conference)--July 18 - 23, 2017

The Chöd tradition includes numerous healing rituals and practices to cure illnesses, promote good health, remove obstructions and clear karmic patterns. In this unique retreat, Lama Karma will teach three such practices: 1. Changbu Gyatsa, the “100 handprint” torma ritual; 2. Jungzhi Zerba, a stand-alone sadhana involving torma offerings to the elemental Dakinis (such as Tara, the goddess of air); and Döntsog Guma, a longer sadhana in which feasts are offered to the nine classes of demons/obstructors.
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Tara Mandala will host a two week pilgrimage to Bhutan October 22-November 7, 2017 where participants will meet in person Drüpon Lama Karma. For further information, go here.