Archive for the ‘Prayers and Practice’ Category

One Month Annual Retreat at Namdroling Starts: Liberation is in the Palm of Your Hand

Saturday, March 17th, 2012

Our annual retreat started on the 18th of Bumgyur Dawa, which is the first month of the Tibetan calendar, or 11 March 2012. Thus the retreat begins two days after Drupchen, according to a tradition initiated by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche.

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This year, there are a total of 412 participants at the various retreat levels. Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche leads our Dzogchen class, with 88 participants, including monks and local lay practitioners. Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche is leading the Tsa Lung, or “inner heat yoga,” retreat. There are 104 monks attending at this level. In a separate class, 32 nuns are receiving the Tsa Lung teachings. And, finally, Khenpo Jigme Kalsang Rinpoche is leading the Ngondro, or “foundation preliminaries,” retreat with 188 participants.

Similar to our retreat format in the United States, the retreats at Namdroling last thirty days. So this year’s retreats will end on the 18th of the second Tibetan month, or Monday, 9 April 2012. At the retreats in India, all teachings are given in Tibetan, since this program is geared toward resident monks and nuns, as well as lay practitioners living in the local area. So, while visitors are always welcome to join our retreats in India, they must also keep in mind that arrangements for all incidentals, including translations, meals and accommodations, are their own responsibility.

In the majority of cases, it is much easier for prospective participants to attend the retreats conducted at our center located in the United States, which takes place every year from 10 July to 10 August in McDonough, New York. This one-month retreat program provides the students with translations, meals and comfortable dormitory accommodations. And, in addition to the teachings, structured practice sessions for each of the retreat levels are conducted in airy cabins located on the secluded fields of the retreat center.

For more information about our Liberation is in the Palm of Your Hand retreat in the United States, please visit http://retreat.palyul.org

Schedule and Swift Rebirth Prayer for Himalayan Region: Kyabjé Dungsé Thinley Norbu Rinpoche

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

As provided to HE Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche by the office of Dungsé Garab Rinpoche we are posting this Adobe Acrobat version of the schedule (in English) for Kyabjé Dungsé Thinley Norbu Rinpoche’s Kudung (Holy Body) in Bhutan. This document includes the Swift Rebirth Prayer for Kyabjé Dungsé Rinpoche. While the schedule is in English and the Swift Rebirth is translated, there is a large portion of this document which has not been translated. This just to provide the information so those in the Himalayan area can plan their travel to receive the blessings from the Kudung.

Schedule for Bhutan: Kundung of Kyabjé Dungsé Thinley Norbu Rinpoche

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Information Regarding the Parinirvana of HH Dungsé Thinley Norbu Rinpoche

Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche and HH Penor Rinpoche

HH Penor Rinpoche (left) joyfully greets HH Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche (right). These two masters visited each other frequently when residing in their US Centers. Dorje Lopon Lama Sochuk is behind HH Penor Rinpcohe, and Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche is center.

All of the Palyul tulkus, khenpos, lamas, monks, nuns and students are deeply saddened by the news of the parinirvana of the great master of the Nyingma School, Kyabjé Dungsé Thinley Norbu Rinpoche. Kyabjé Dungsé Rinpoche entered into his final meditation (Thugdam) on the 26th of December, 2011 where he abided for seven days.  Dungsé Garab Rinpoche informed His Eminence Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche that Kyabjé Dungsé Rinpoche wanted all his devotees to accumulate the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche and/or Vajra Guru mantra as much as possible during this time.

The Sangha Community of Namdroling Monastery will perform a grand Mindroling tradition Vajrasattva Guru Yoga in front of the Maha Bodhi Stupa at Bodhgaya at the time of Nyingma Monlam Chenmo to receive Kyabjé Dungsé Rinpoche’s blessings.  Many monks and nuns have already departed for Bodh Gaya and are carrying through practice there.

We are attaching a Swift Return Prayer written by Kyabjé Dungsé Rinpoche’s son, Dungsé Garab Rinpoche (PDF):

Prayer for Swift Rebirth of Kyabjé Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche by His Eminence Tulku Garab Rinpoche

Kyabjé Dungsé Thinley Norbu Rinpoche was the holder of the Dudjom Tersar lineage.  He was a prominent modern teacher in the Nyingma lineage, the eldest son of the great teacher Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, the Second His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche. He was the father of Dungsé Garab Rinpoche, Dungsé Jampal Rinpoche, and Dungsé Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.  Khyentse Rinpoche has posted regarding his father’s passing to Thugdam here on Facebook.

Kyabjé Dungsé Rinpoche was the incarnation of Tulku Trimé Özer, who was one of seven sons of the First Dudjom Lingpa. He was considered to be an emanation of Longchenpa. In his youth in Tibet he studied for nine years at Mindroling Monastery. His main centers are in the northern Catskills of upstate New York and in California.  He wrote many books published by Shambhala, which are possible to find here. Kyabjé Dungsé Rinpoche and our late Kyabjé Penor Rinpoche had great respect and devotion for each other.  These two masters visited each other’s centers in New York State on many occasions over the years.

Those who wish to pay their respects to the Kudung of Kyabjé Dungsé Rinpoche as provided to Namdroling Monastery (UPDATED 7th January 2012):

From 15 Jan:  Grant audience to the public for blessing in Delhi upstate New York

Feb. 1st: Kudung Rinpoche arriving in Paro, Bhutan

Feb. 1st-Feb. 4th: in Paro

Feb. 5th: Paro to Rangjung

Feb. 5th-Feb. 9th:  in Rangjung at Ranjung Yosercholing Monastery

Feb. 10: Rangjung to Bartsham

Feb. 10-Feb. 12: Bartsham

Feb. 13: Bartsham to Yonphula

Feb. 13-14: Yonphula

Feb. 15: Yunpula to Paro

Feb 15 to March 2nd: in Paro

March 3rd: Cremation Ceremony in Lango, Paro

It is with heartfelt devotion and prayers that we await the swift return of our dear departed masters.  May all beings benefit from the blessings of their wisdom minds!