Autumn The Newsletter of Lhokha Gongkar Chöde Dorje Dhen Tibetan Buddhist Monastery Seat of the Dzongpa Branch of the Glorious Sakya Tradition

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1 Issue 5 Dorje Dhen: The Newsletter of Lhokha Gongkar Chöde Dorje Dhen Tibetan Buddhist Monastery Seat of the Dzongpa Branch of the Glorious Sakya Tradition After the highly fruitful visit to the UK earlier this year, His Eminence Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche continued His travels to the West, landing in the United States of America for the first time in history on 20 th June, At the invitation of His close student, Deborah Hilton, His Eminence began his tour on the Big Island of Hawaii, accompanied by the Abbot of Gongkar Chöde, the Venerable Tsogchen Khenpo Jamphel Chözin. Deborah, who is a much-cherished friend and supporter of Rinpoche and His monastery in India, is also our indefatigably kind and generous webmaster, and what follows is her account of His Eminence s recent trip: This was quite an unprecedented trip for Rinpoche and Khenpo-la, as they did not travel with the usual support of their attendants and ritual master for over two and a half months. This, in effect, meant an emergence into American culture and customs with a more organic, on-the-spot approach to transmitting the Buddhadharma. With sensitivity to the difficult economic times, as in England earlier this year, all of His Eminence s teachings, initiations and ceremonies were by donations. The tour was made possible by sponsorship of two donors, the centers where programs were held graciously offering reduced rates for their use, and the heartfelt gifts of dana from those who came to His Eminence s programs. One of the objectives of the tour was for students of all levels to be able to deepen their understanding of the Buddhadharma and to help strengthen their practice. What can often happen in the United States is that wonderfully trained and precious Lamas come and give empowerments and teachings but leave within a day or two, rendering it almost impossible to integrate precious teachings. Rinpoche heard my heartfelt request and consented to concentrate His first visit to the United States to just a few places. This provided the rare opportunity for more in-depth teachings and explanations than is usually possible. The other tremendous benefit was that many people got to meet and spend substantial amounts of time with His Eminence and Khenpo-la to forge deep bonds of understanding and to be in their holy presence. The tour began at Nechung Dorje Drayang Ling, in Pahala on the Big Island of Hawaii. Wood Valley Temple (as it is commonly called) has been in existence for more than thirty years with virtually all Their Holinesses and many of the Rinpoches and high Lamas of all traditions having taught at this very special Temple in this isolated part of the Pacific Ocean. The collective Sangha of Hawaii opened their arms wide with a beautiful welcome picnic on a bright, sunny summer day. The Big Island is big in comparison to the other islands in the Hawaiian chain, but very rural and small in population. Therefore, it was a continuing delight as to how many 1

2 people somehow found their way to His Eminence s programs. The Temple grounds were an idyllic setting of quietude and beauty. The devotion of it s founders, Marya and Miguel Schwabe, was evident with the overseeing of all the details and nuances of hosting visiting Lamas. Marya is also a Tibetan translator par excellence, so we in attendance were treated to many fine translations of His Eminence and Khenpo-la s profound discourses. The resident monk, Venerable Lobzang Toldan, who was the previous attendant to Nechung Rinpoche, was a tremendous help with necessary Dharma preparations and steadfast companion to His Eminence and Khenpo-la, softening the cultural differences of Tibetan monastic life and American culture. He also made some fantastic noodles and momos! The Temple guesthouse became our home-base as we traveled back and forth to the mainland and the island of Oahu over the following two and a half months. In having this kind of arrangement, it was manageable for His Eminence and Khenpo-la to perform several special pujas with Venerable Lobzang for the Temple s prosperity, and also provided time for requested house blessings and personal interviews with His Eminence. It was very auspicious that the first program Rinpoche offered was the White Tara Puja for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on His Holiness s birthday, July 6 th, and for the benefit of all sentient beings. This was held at Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary, overlooking Kealakekua Bay. This center originally began as a Buddhist centre of Kalu Rinpoche and in the ensuing forty years has also hosted many, many spiritual giants of all traditions. The centre is now a place that honours all religions and spiritual traditions of the world. Barbara De Franco, founder and visionary, also treated everyone to a delightful homemade dinner on the center s five-acre property that overlooks the sparkling blue Pacific. A few days later, at Wood Valley Temple, His Eminence performed a peaceful form of the Varjapani Fire Puja, open to everyone, to remove obstacles and create positive circumstances for practicing the Dharma. Once again it was a glorious warm, clear day. However, during the Fire Puja, the wind began to blow from all directions, creating a vortex-like updraft over the fire and swaying the forest trees all around. A deep thundering sound was heard in the forest and then two Io, rare Hawaiian Hawks, could be heard calling to one another as they approached from the distance. They came into sight over the fire, calling their piercing cry, like a bell sounding in the silence. They circled higher and higher in a figure-of-eight around one another, much to the delight and surprise of those in attendance, and eventually disappeared high overhead. The wind stopped and a peaceful joy prevailed over everyone that day and set the tone for His Eminence s entire tour. At the weekend, His Eminence began the first of many teachings and empowerments. The initiation of White Tara, a special transmission held by His Eminence, was bestowed. At he end of the teaching, a spontaneous request was made by a new practioner moved by His Eminence s clarity, joy and overwhelming kindness to take Refuge with Him personally. Rinpoche consented, and on the spot, about twenty-five other people took Refuge too! It was a moving and beautiful conclusion to His Eminence s first official teaching in the U.S. and a prelude of what would be repeated over and over during the tour. His Eminence and Khenpo-la befriend a turtle on the beach (top), by a dormant volcano! (left), & presiding over the Fire Puja (above). 2

3 The following week, His Eminence and Khenpo-la travelled to mainland America to visit family who had not been seen in many years. Rinpoche in Oakland, California, and Khenpo-la onto Boston, Massachusetts. From Oakland, our small entourage travelled to Fairbanks, Alaska, with the kind and generous support of Neville Jacobs, the founder of the Alaska Buddhist Center. We were also met by Rigdzin Tinghye from Sakya Monastey in Seattle, who was to be His Eminence s and Khenpo-la s translator during their stay in Alaska and later in Seattle. Not only did Rigdzin translate, he also cooked breakfast and kept everyone laughing with his stories and songs. Even though it was midnight when we arrived in Fairbanks, members of the Alaska Sangha met Rinpoche and Khenpo-la at the airport to give a very wonderful Tibetan-Alaskan greeting! It was a heartening way to begin His Eminence s teaching tour in the Land of the Midnight Sun. It never did get dark! His Eminence spied a moose in the back yard of the Four Winds Foundation, our home for ten days, at 1am, and there was enough light to take photographs of the moose munching his way through the trees! The Four Winds Foundation is owned by Debra Chesnut, a renowned Shaman. This lovely center also allowed for our accommodation on-site, with the Sangha members bringing us fully cooked lunch and dinners everyday, co-coordinated by Kay Wilson - no small feat! Several outings into the surrounding Alaskan countryside were arranged by the extremely kind and considerate ABC members. During the ten-day stay in Fairbanks, His Eminence had a very full schedule. As He began the White Mahakala initiation and explanation, a gentle light rain began to fall and then a loud single thunderclap signalled the beginning of His Eminence s transmission, and simultaneously the rain completely stopped. 3

4 Cultivating Community for the Dharma to Thrive The next day, Khenpo-la gave a very interesting and informative explanation of the Five Dhyani Buddhas with a lively question and answer period. In the following days, His Eminence taught The Letter of Instruction to the Yogi of Kongpo, Nyida Zanpo, bestowed the White Tara initiation and a two-day teaching on the practice, once again followed by students spontaneously requesting Refuge from His Eminence. With Neville s superb organisational skills, Rinpoche also gave a public talk at the Unitarian Church and a Senior Citizens home. There was also time to conduct several house and business blessings in between teachings and empowerments. This involvement of family, friends and community contributed to the feeling of really being part of this wonderful, friendly northern community. At the request of many new friends and students, His Eminence has promised to come back again soon to this thriving and robust Dharma community. We felt like were leaving family behind when we left. From the majesty and peacefulness of Alaska to the bustling metropolitan city of Seattle, we traveled once again by air. The Sangha and board members of Sakya Monastery were waiting for His Eminence as He arrived at the Alaska Air terminal. Once again, the feeling of friendship and Sangha made everyone immediately at home. All the board members took a special interest and took turns chauffeuring us around, providing fine meals, sightseeing tours and generally taking excellent care of us all. His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Rinpoche, Head Lama of Sakya Phuntsog Phodrang, and Her Eminence Dagyum Kusho, who have been ceaselessly kind to His Eminence Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche and Gongkar Choede Monastery over the years, graciously invited His Eminence and Khenpo-la to their home for an informal visit and lunch the next day. His Eminence and Khenpo-la were greatly moved by the kindness and blessings that were bestowed by His Holiness. And Dagyum Kusho-la s loving and gentle presence at His Eminence s teachings at the Monastery and other functions will always be cherished in our hearts. 4

5 His Eminence taught The Letter of Instructions over two evenings at the Sakya Monastery to a very attentive lay and ordained Sangha. The care and attention to detail were evident everywhere: in the exquisitely transformed church, to the Happy Trails To You song that was sung by the whole Sangha holding hands before Rinpoche and Khenpo-la departed for the Big Island of Hawaii. Once again, it was truly wonderful to see the Buddhadharma flourishing in the West. With a day s rest upon arriving back to Wood Valley Temple, Khenpo-la gave a fantastic and clear explanation of The Heart Sutra. The next day, His Eminence gave the correct practice by those who have entered the causal Mahayana Buddhist path that His Eminence was conveying. The next stop was Honolulu on the neighboring island of Oahu, where Rinpoche and Khenpo-la both gave a public talk at Kapi olani Community College on Diamond Head Road, a part of the University of Hawaii. The co-coordinator of the event, Elaina Malm, did such a good a job in promoting His Eminence s visit that the space was overflowing, all seats filled and some having to sit in the aisles! It was truly heartening to see college students, professors and interested local people come to hear, What is meditation? as taught by an eminently recognised high Lama of Tibetan Buddhism. Elaina had never personally met His Eminence before His coming to Honolulu, but she was inspired to support and work very hard to make this event happen. After the evening, there was much discussion and restricted initiation to Vajrayana practitioners of the multi-colored Varja Garuda that is special to his lineage. Two days later, the White Mahakala initiation and explanation, which supports the well-being and prosperity of Tantric practitioners, was given by His Eminence. Even though this was in the middle of the week, it was well attended and His Eminence continued to attract new people who were interested in the Buddhadharma. Two days after that, Marya and Miguel requested that Rinpoche and Khenpo-la, along with Venerable Lobzang, conduct a Mahakala Puja specifically for the temple. This lasted most of the day and ended with a Tsok attended by a few fortunate people who were also staying at the temple. Keeping up with the pace, His Eminence and company went for a lovely visit to the home of Barbara Lee in Pahala for a house blessing and dinner. Attending the blessing were three local Japanese Hawaiian Buddhists, all between 80 and 93 years old! It was a most delightful exchange between two different Buddhist traditions. Several days latter, His Eminence gave teachings over four sessions based on The Letter of Instructions. This teaching was skillfully translated by Marya, which was paramount to understand the precise points about Tantra, the resultant Mahayana, and its 5

6 planning as to the next time Rinpoche comes back! Upon arriving back at the Nechung Temple, the Venerable Thubten Ngödrub, Medium of the Chief State Oracle of Tibet, also arrived at the same time. At the invitation of the Temple, His Eminence and Khenpo-la were requested to take part in a Fire Puja along with the Nechung monks. In the mists of a tropical downpour, the fire burned brightly throughout the two and a half hour ceremony. Not one person left for shelter, many becoming completely soaked! The next day, a Varjakilaya blessing and Guru Padmasambhava Tsok were performed by the Dzongpa and Nechung monks together. That night, Marya and Miguel cooked one of their famous dinners for all their distinguished guests and a few very fortunate friends. The summer s tour had drawn to an end and it was time to leave the sanctuary of this blessed Temple and friends. In the last few remaining days, His Eminence and Khenpo-la stayed in a cabin on two acres of land in the Kau forest at 3,200 feet. This small house will be the new retreat centre for His Eminence s activities here in the Hawaiian Islands. The overwhelming request that His Eminence return and the success of being here for a longer time for more in-depth teachings has taken root. His Eminence has listened and has responded to the repeated requests of His American students and friends to return to America as soon as possible to establish a branch of Gongkar Dorje Dhen and further the Buddhadharma in America. The astounding compassion of His Eminence to freely and tirelessly share the Buddha s teachings was self-evident by the tremendous success of His tour. As with all large endeavors, this tour and further plans would not have been possible without generous support in many forms. Many kind and committed Buddhists and interested persons gave freely of their time and skills to help make His Eminence s first visit enjoyable and profound. The teachings would not have been as accessible without the support and devotion of Gelong Ngawang Khyentse, who provided all the written translation into English for the texts and prayers. Khyentse-la was our monk-attendant from afar and was much appreciated! It is with deep gratitude and reverence that the merit of this tour be offered to all sentient beings. May giving and receiving benefit all beings! Recently, Roger Upright, who was very involved with facilitating the Somerset leg of His Eminence s UK tour earlier this year, was interviewed by BBC radio about His Eminence Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche and the Monastery in India, where Roger was heading for his first visit. The interview can be heard on-line at Here s what Roger had to say about his experience at the monastery: I recently had the good fortune to be invited to stay at the monastery of His Eminence Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche in Dheradun in Northern India for two weeks. I arrived in Delhi to have my senses bombarded by all the sounds and smells of this crazy, overcrowded city. I have never seen so many people all trying to get their car/scooter/cycle/rickshaw/motorbike all along a road at the same time at speeds that made you think you were going to die at any moment. This was a feeling that was to repeat itself many times during my visit to India as I travelled by bus and car. I must have shut my eyes and prayed to whatever gods there were out there (this isn't easy for a Buddhist who doesn't believe in God) to please save me from being crushed to death by the next oncoming vehicle. I was met at the airport by Ngawang Tenzin-la who took me to the Tibetan quarter of Delhi to spend my first night. He looked after me and made sure this slightly dazed Englishman didn't get completely lost on his first night. The next day, he got me onto a bus to Dehradun. This is an experience as anyone will know who has travelled in India. The bus was about thirty years old and looked as if it had hit just about everything in site it was so badly dented. It took eight hours to get upto Dehradun and I spent it in the company of a young Tibetan girl who was travelling to meet her teacher to have her exam papers marked. When I finally arrived in at Dehradun bus station, two monks were waiting patiently to take me the 45min. drive to the monastery in the pick-up truck. We finally left the main road and took a small winding graveled track down through a forest into the Tibetan owned farm land and at the end of the road: Gonkar Chöde monastery. My lovely room was next to Rinpoche-la and we spent many a happy hour eating meals and putting the world to rights. During the day, after puja, I would spend some time with the younger monks playing badmington or throwing a frisbee and sitting with them to practice their English. Being in the monastery is like having an invisible bubble over your world in which you move from one place 6

7 Tranquility & Friendship quietly to another in an atmosphere of tranquility and friendship, it was quite an amazing feeling. The highlight of my visit was an audience with His Holiness the Sakya Trizin. We spent about 20mins. sitting and talking with him. He asked me where I came from and how long I was staying, and said he was coming to England next year and would I be able to get to Bournemouth or Reading to see him? (You bet I will!) I won t list all the exciting things I did during my visit - it would take too many pages. It s enough to say that if you get the chance to go to spend time with Rinpoche-la, Khenpo-la the Abbot and all the other wonderful people there, take it. It will change your life. Tashi Delek - Roger Upright - Seaton, Devon, England. As the supreme protector guarding the northern regions, A place completely filled with an ocean of learning and accomplishment, Illuminating the Buddha s Dispensation in the Land of Snows: May the teachings and practices of the Sakya-pa radiate! As we explained in our last issue, this year it is the turn of the Dzong-pa branch of the Sakya lineage of Tibetan Buddhism to organise the annual Sakya Monlam in Lumbini, Nepal, which starts on 23rd November. We are especially honoured as this year a special ceremony will be added into the usual schedule to mark the Golden Jubilee of His Holiness the Sakya Trizin s fifty years as Supreme Head of the lineage. A joint committee has formed for this special day in the programme of events. There will be a ten-shug or Long Life Offering Ceremony for His Holiness the Sakya Trizin and also one for His Holiness Jigdral Dagchen Rinpoche. For more details, you can or call the Venerable Umze Jamphel Chödhar at the monastery (contact details are on the website: We look forward to seeing as many friends who can make it at this momentous event! Shortly after that, His Eminence and an entourage will travel almost directly from Lumbini in Nepal to Bihar in India to make a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya and the other sacred sites of the Buddha in India. Friends are welcome to join His Eminence for this very special and auspicious occasion. We cannot confirm dates and details until nearer the time, but all those interested can keep in touch by and we can provide them as soon as an itinerary is established. As His Eminence has not had time to visit Taiwan and other countries that he has been invited to, our next newsletter should have details of His forthcoming teaching schedule abroad. Sarva Mangalam! 7