Palyul Ling International

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1 2007 Newsletter and Appeal Palyul Ling International Centers for Buddhist Study and Practice in the Vajrayana Tibetan Buddhist tradition under the Guidance of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche and Khenpo Tenzin Norgey Issue 1 November 15, 2007 Photo: Mannie Garcia His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu ("Penor") Rinpoche is the eleventh throne-holder of Palyul Monastery. His Holiness is an emanation of Vajrapani as well as an incarnation of the 8th century Indian scholar, Vimalamitra. His Holiness studied in Tibet under strict monastic precepts, a way of life that ensures that the authentic teachings are passed on directly from teacher to student. Despite many difficulties, His Holiness succeeded in founding the Namdroling Monastery in India, which is now home to over four thousand monks and nuns. He has established centers throughout the world in such places as England, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. Throughout the Buddhist community, he is highly respected for his knowledge and accomplishments, as well as for the integrity and strength with which he upholds the teachings of the Buddha. Photo: Mannie Garcia October 15, 2007 Dear Friends, We are writing to you from the Palyul Ling Retreat Center, the main seat in the United States of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, located in rural upstate New York. It is late Fall. Our retreatant friends from the Tenth Annual Summer Retreat are long packed and returned to their homes, but the echo of their prayers and practices still sweeten the air. The breeze has turned cold, the sky deep blue, and the leaves are wearing their Fall colors of deep red, maroon and saffron. We can t help but think the trees themselves adopt the vows of the ordained just for a season, imbued with the blessings of our recently completed retreat and inspired by the proximity of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, who spent the months after retreat recuperating in his summer home here, surrounded by his attentive group of monk attendants.

2 PAGE 2 PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 1 This morning while helping Dorje Lopon Lama Sochuk, the year-round resident lama, add pine fronds to the billowing smoke of the Sang offering piled high on the fireplace outside the temple, we were reminded of His Holinesses teachings about the importance of the support of a Dharma center. The peaceful and tranquil environment, the smoke gently puffing to the clear sky, and Lama Sochuk s kindly Woh ya, telling us we d piled on enough pine for the moment, was redolent with the possibility that such a peace could arise even in ourselves. 1997: The Search for Land His Holiness Penor Rinpoche commenced the search for land on which to build a retreat center in the U.S. after well-attended teaching tours in 1995, 1996, and His goal was to quickly establish a center where American practitioners would be able to follow the same retreat series as offered at Namdroling Monastery in India during the first months of the Tibetan year and be able to receive teachings from Tibetan masters with the qualifications to bestow them. He chose 280 acres in rural upstate New York, in an area that is not too close to the distractions of modern cities, yet at an equally convenient driving distance from Canada, the Midwest, and major Northeastern U.S. cities. In addition to land, the property consisted of an abandoned dairy farm with a decaying set of barns and crumbling yellow farmhouse that could be used as a residence.

3 PAGE 3 PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 1 raise the funds required to build the temple with its beautiful wide wrap-around porch. Simple rooms to house those not hardy enough to manage living in tents were built, now known as the East Dorm. At the conclusion of the 1999 summer retreat, His Holiness gathered with a few of the remaining students from the year s retreat, apologized that the garden 1998: No Delay Determined to start students eager for the teachings on the path without any delay, His Holiness pushed his monk staff and a handful of volunteers to their limits in order to hold a retreat the first year. Tents were cast for a shrine, kitchen and living quarters; two mobile homes were rented, one for dorms and the other for use as a bathhouse. A small group of Photos on this and preceding page by Wib Middleton thirty-five students gathered for the one-month retreat that year to receive the Foundation Teachings (Ngondro) and commentaries directly from His Holiness, with translation from Khenchen Tsewang Gyasto. 1999: Constructions Begins Construction began in earnest the following year in 1999, when Palyul Ling was able to around the temple was not yet planted, and asked How would you like this temple decorated? It became clear in that moment this retreat center is, in fact, His Holinesses offering to all practitioners and students. He promised the temple would be hung with paintings and thankgas and today it is!

4 PAGE 4 PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 1 Photo: Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche the myriad distractions of our hectic daily lives, we should remember this sense of urgency, that now is the time for us to engage in study and practice. As His Holiness has not only taught, but shown us, we need to pursue our chance to practice with that same sense of urgency and purpose as His Holiness : Dining Facility and Guest House In the year 2000, a new dorm was built and kitchen with a large dining room and plenty of covered outdoor seating. The dining facility also included a bathing facilities for retreatants living in tents. His Holinesses residence was constructed as was a guest house to serve as a residence for Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso and other visiting lamas. 2004: New land, New Construction In 2004, the original 280 acre tract of land was expanded by the purchase of an additional 200 acres from the adjacent farm on Hollow Road. In 2006, after being forced to turn away students who hoped to live onsite, construction on a new, two-story dorm commenced. His Holiness also had a new residence built as an offering to His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the future lineage-holder of Palyul who currently lives in Eastern Tibet overseeing the reconstructed Palyul Monastery there. His Holiness has expanded the retreat center with a sense of urgency and purpose. And his one purpose is to create an environment suitable for Western students to easily learn and practice the teachings of the Buddha. While we immerse ourselves in Photo: Mannie Garcia

5 PAGE 5 PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 1 has manifested for us. Through the vast vision and generosity of His Holiness, we in America have the opportunity to receive such precious teachings so close to home. Effortlessness Since His Holiness has made the manifestation of the center seem so easy and effortless, it is difficult to realize just how much effort and work he has put into creating this environment. Challenges for the Year This year was particularly challenging as the Kalachakra event drew many more hundreds of practitioners to visit the center. This required us to build more accommodations and infrastructure so we could serve this increased population at the center. Health While we are remembering the kindness of our teacher, we thought we'd like to mention, as some of you have asked, His Holiness has indeed been experiencing some health problems this year. We wanted to let you all know he had an opportunity to recuperate well at the center in upstate New York prior to departing for Asia, and to thank you all for your well wishes and prayers! The long-term presence of His Holiness has brought many blessings to Palyul Ling. His Holiness put a tremendous effort into the programs this year as his health was not as strong as it is normally. He persevered despite these health issues and was able to grant us the Kalachakra Empowerments, powerful practices and prayers for peace in the world. He was also able to teach often at the summer retreat, requesting His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche to assist in giving the empowerments and teachings when needed. Kalachakra The Kalachakra empowerment took place in June. In addition to the several hundred full-time attendees of the ceremony, several busloads organized by the Bhutanese, Sherpa and Tibetan communities made the four-hour drive from New York City each day during the main empowerment weekend. A tent was pitched by the parking lot to accommodate meals for everyone who joined the program.

6 PAGE 6 PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 1 The Kalachakra Sand Mandala A beautiful Sand Mandala was poured by monks from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche s household (Zimkhang), lead by Lama Rapjee Wangchuk, who has been trained at Palyul Monastery, in Kham in Tibet in Sand Mandala techniques. Scraping long, thin metal funnels, tendrils of colored grains of sand were painstakingly laid on a 5 x 5 wooden board, following a pattern dictated by the scriptures (pecha) describing its appearance. During the Kalachakra retreat, Khenpo Tenzin Norgey explained the Mandala in great detail, utilizing diagrams on his laptop displayed on a widescreen monitor. long dirt temple driveway, took a right down Hollow Road and a left onto the smaller side road that leads past lush and leafy trees to a small bridge spanning the creek. Once they reached the creek s banks, they poured the rainbow-colored sand into the rain-swollen waters, letting the colored swirls of sand drift away and dissolve in At the conclusion of the empowerments on Sunday, July 1, Khenpo Tenzin Norgey conducted the dissolution ceremony. Ceremonial daggers, called Phurbas, thrust into triangular clay bases were placed around the Mandala. The monks gathered with him around the perimeter, and gently sweeping with white-bristled brushes, they swept the beautiful and complex design into a vase, symbolizing the impermanence of all phenomena. As the setting sun turned the sky to rosy golden hues, the monks and practitioners formed a long procession. Lifting banners and parasols high, accompanied by a traditional Tibetan horn (Gyaling), they walked down the the gently lapping current. The procession made its way back to the temple as one last busload full of Tibetans, Sherpa and Bhutanese, on its way back to New York City, slowly rolled by, all of its inhabitants waving goodbye with wide grins, joyful from the great blessings they d received, bursting into happy songs. Even the driver himself, a Palestinian immigrant named Mohammed, could not help but feel deeply touched by the energy of love and joy. As his bus rolled slowly down Hollow Road, he sounded the vehicle s deep and friendly horn in a final farewell. Photos this page: Wib Middleton

7 PAGE 7 PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 1 Summer Retreat 2007 Our bliss did not end with the Kalachakra retreat, but continued through the practice and summer retreats. His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, who is the next lineage holder of the Nam Cho and throneholder of Palyul monastery as well as a Heart Son Photo: Bill Speckart of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, joined the retreat this year, flying in from Tibet at Holinesses request. Everyone was struck by the humility and strength with which this When we touch our foreheads to young master conducted his respon- the earth, we take refuge in all the ground and feel the energy of that is sacred and we express sibilities at the retreat. Upon enter- physical body. By murmuring a our commitment to our Good Hearts through the door of the refuge prayer, the commitment is ing the temple, he expressed through the door of did not immediately take his seat the spiritual practices received in speech. Finally, by maintaining an awareness and reverence for the temple, we express our on the Dharma commitment internally through the door of our minds. Chair. This was because he did not want to be in a position in which Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche, one of his teachers from Shedra, and other khenpos would prostrate to him. Rather, he stood on the seat, waiting for Khenchen to complete the three prostrations, and then prostrated and took his seat. At that point, the gathered Photo: Mannie Garcia sangha of monks and retreatants could carry through their prostrations, containing all of the precious teachers in their practice. Later in the retreat, we were blessed with the presence of the other Heart Sons of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche: His Eminence Khentul Gyangkhang Rinpoche and His Eminence Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche. Khentul Gyangkhang Rinpoche shoulders responsibilities for carrying through the ceremonies at Namdroling Monastery as well as managing the Buddhist College (Shedra). Meanwhile Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche takes care of the main monk population with its elementary school (Lopdra) and high school (Dratsang). His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche manages the rebuilt monastery in Palyul Tibet with its large population of monks and nuns, new Shedra and library.

8 PAGE 8 PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 1 Weekend Retreats Photo: Mannie Garcia We felt very fortunate that these three Heart Sons were able to take time out of their busy schedules to come to America and share in our retreat. The 2007 summer retreat also was blessed with visits by some of the most knowledgeable khenpos (or Buddhist professors) in the Palyul tradition. Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche continued to carry through the translations of the teachings and lead the Ngondro retreat teachings. Khenpo Tenzin Norgey also translated and assisted with commentaries on the inner heat practice (Tsa Lung Tummo). Khenpo Tanisitup, new to our retreat, gave commentaries on the higher classes, including the teachings of the Great Perfection (Dzogchen). We were also fortunate to receive a brief visit from Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche, a senior Khenpo from Namdroling Monastery, whom we hope will be able to join us at our upstate retreat center again in the future for a teaching program. Jetsumna Akhon Lhammo, the first Western female tulku, paid a visit to the retreat center twice this year. We also held two short weekend retreats. Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche taught The Guide to the Bodhisattva s Way of Life, a text by Santideva, in April. The retreat was attended by a small group of hardy retreatants who wrapped themselves in thick blankets and bore the icy cold of the upstate retreat center in this frigid time of year. Khenpo Tenzin Norgey lead a Nyungne retreat over Memorial Day weekend. The retreat was carried out in the Tsa Lung hut as the main temple was under renovation in preparation for the Kalachakra empowerments. Public Programs During the retreat, the center offered a very wellattended public talk by Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche. This talk was web cast and attended by over 70 online participants as well. We You can find also held a recordings of series of live web broadcasts of the casts at the t e a c h i n g many of the web program dur- official site for i n g t h e weekends of Palyul Ling: With very little publicity these broad- broadcast.htm. casts were attended by an audience that included some students who were unable to attend retreat this year and some who have not been able to attend for many years!

9 PAGE 9 PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 1 Yearly Costs New Construction This year the center expanded its capacity with the construction of a 34-room two-story dorm which can accommodate up to 80 people. The building includes a two-floor library, gift shop, and office as well as larger rooms for families wishing to stay together. The new dorm will enable us to plan retreats during our colder seasons. Some topics will include The Way of the Life of the Bodhisattva, Nyungne fasting and purification, as well as possibly Tsa Lung/Tummo. To accommodate visiting teachers such as His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche and high lamas and teachers, a seven-bedroom and eightbath guest residence was constructed with sitting room, kitchen and dining areas. In order to satisfy the water needs for the large dorm, a new pump house was built as well as a large leach field. Another leach field is also required for a new bath house for the tent camping area which was expanded to total one hundred tents. Thanks to the generous donations we've received in the past three years of fundraising, we were able to raise down payments for some of the new buildings and to cover some of our operating expenses. Here is an outline of our yearly expenses: $6,000 Building Maintenance $5,000 Car Gasoline $18,000 Electricity $1,500 Field Care $6,000 Food $24,000 Heating Fuel and Cooking Gas $3,500 Machinery Maintenance $9,500 Phone $9,500 Printing and Postage $600 Trash Removal $2,000 Septic System Maintenance $500 Water System Maintenance $7,500 Car insurance for six cars $93,600 TOTAL These costs do not include retreat expenses, but are a simple calculation of what it costs to keep the center running year-round. Needless to say, our retreat costs are even higher! Speaking of the water system, this year we had some specific costs relating with our septic system. During retreat we had to pump out our septic system at a cost of about $25,000. On the other hand, because of the efforts of our resident monk staff and including the help from March through June of a group of volunteer ex-monks who traveled to the center from New York City on weekends, the center was able to save at least $500,000 on contractor and labor costs, possibly more. Still, the total cost of our projects nears $2 million.

10 PAGE 10 PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 1 Ongoing Expenses An ongoing expense for the center is the financial support for Khenpo Tenzin Norgey, Dorje Lopon Lama Sochuk, Lama Tsewang Norbu and Lama Kunzang. Khenpo Tenzin Norgey offers teaching programs to the local area, while maintaining the center in New York City. Dorje Lopon Lama Sochuk is responsible for maintaining the shrine and daily practice in the temple, while Lama Tsewang manages the work streams of construction and maintenance of the center year round. Lama Kunsang is our all-around center worker, handling everything from forest clearing, to carpentry, and garbage removal. At the instruction of His Holiness, these building projects were undertaken for our retreat center. An outline of the rough costs is in the following chart. Construction Expense: $460,000 High Lama's New Residence $1,300,000 South Dorm and Practice Center $75,000 Tent Bath House $30,000 New Water Pump $25,000 Tent Bath House leach field $100,000 South Dorm leach field $1,990,000 TOTAL The new construction was built with a loan of 70% leaving a balance of $1,393,000 that will need to be paid off within 30 years. Italics indicate projects not yet completed.` We Need Your Help As you can see, the current US projects are very expensive. In fact, we are now starting to experience a shortage of funds and need an urgent financial infusion in order to make our monthly payments. The funds we collect for our yearly one-month retreat help, but do not cover all of the expenses faced by our center. We want to ask you for your help in continuing His Holinesses vision. As you are planning gifts for the year-end, we want to request that you remember the hard work and dedication of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and donate as generously to Palyul Ling as you are able. Why not choose an auspicious number such as 108, 1008, or other number you consider meaningful as a tax-deductible donation?

11 PAGE 11 PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 1 Here is how you can help: Join the Financial Mandala Petal We are asking you to consider making a year-end gift of any amount to help support the work of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and Palyul Ling in the United States. Projects your donation will help support include the completion of projects in progress upstate, including the leach field for the new bath facilities. Our target donation is $100, but of course, donations in any amount are gratefully appreciated. We are also asking for monthly subscribers to our Palyul Pay Pal Mandala. This money would be automatically deducted from your checking account or credit card (however you set up your Pay Pal account). You can also pledge and send in your check yourself. At the end of the year we will send a donation receipt for the total amount of your tax-deductible donations. Don't forget about checking with your employer for a matching donation program. Act Now We would like to complete the collection of gifts by the end of this year, in time to offer for the long life of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche during Tibetan New Year. Our goal is to raise a substantial contribution by the close of 2007 and more by February 1, 2008 (a few days before the Tibetan New Year). That means we need you to act now. Please fill in coupon below and mail it to the center today. Yes - I d like to participate. I d like to participate in the annual campaign and am enclosing the amount checked below as my donation: My address is correct on the reverse side of this card. Please update my address as follows: $25 $50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 Other I am enclosing as my donation. Check enclosed (make payable to Palyul Ling ) I will use the center s online PayPal Account (longlife@palyul.org) or will visit: Please add me to your list to receive announcements of programs and other news from Palyul Ling I am unable to contribute now, but please add me to your mailing list. I will check with my employer about matching opportunities. Mail to: Palyul Ling International 359 Hollow Road McDonough, NY o f Palyul Ling International, a New York State Religious Corporation, is an association of churches registered and inherently tax-exempt under U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501(c) (3).

12 PAGE 12 PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE 1 Walking in the field between the Dzogchen huts and the new guest house, the crickets sing and the long grass is combed by a light breeze. The cloudless sky makes us feel so at peace we might become attached, not want to walk on further, wistful at the possibility of extending this moment forever. But the fact the moment must pass makes the experience of it all the more precious, inviting us to let it drift away on the soft wind and dissolve in the rustle of the leaves, becoming an offering of bliss for all beings. PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL 359 Hollow Road McDonough, NY Phone: Fax: PayPal: longlife@palyul.org LABEL HERE 2007 Newsletter