Spring 2009

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

Issue 3

Dorje Dhen:
The last time you received our newsletter, we reported on the auspicious travels His Eminence Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche and members of the Sangha made in Asia in 2008, and before we had time to catch our breath, His Eminence was off again!

Towards the end of 2008, His Eminence, together with the Venerable Tsokchen Khenpo Jamphel Chzin (Abbot of Gongkar Chde Dorje Dhen) and six other senior monks from the monastery arrived in Singapore shortly after the annual Sakya Monlam in Nepal to conduct a series of teachings, initiations and pujas in a programme for Sakya Tenphel Ling. This included, for the first time in Singapore, the special initiation of Vajra Garuda according to the Dzongpa lineage, as well as the monasterys unique monthly ceremony to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) and the special weeklong Mahakala puja of the Dzongpa lineage, which involved the gradual creation and destruction by fire of an elaborate multi-coloured thread-frame ( see below). Many enthusiastic members attended these and the other Dharma events that took place in the centre, before His Eminence and entourage made their debut visit to Malaysia.

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His Eminence and the monks conducted a number of pujas in different locations in Malaysia. Throughout the trip, many people Showed great acts of generosity to the His Eminence and the Sangha in gratitude for the many teachings, pujas and blessings received. His Eminence also made many new friends - Dharma sisters and brothers interested in cultivating the heart of enlightenment. As His Eminence Remarked, One very good thing I find is to meet new people face to face; to make a connection upon which the Dharma connection can grow. When people find the teachings useful and then want to practice them, then the Dzongpa is really flourishing. Following the tour of Malaysia, the Sangha spent a few days in Singapore once again, where they participated in some of the centres events and bid their farewells before returning to India. Back in the monastery, the finishing touches have finally been made to the main shrine (not to be confused with the new temple, which hasnt begun yet). Consecrated statues of Ch je Sakya Pandita and Dorje Dhenpa Kunga Namgyal are in place, and the two new spaces created in the new arrangement should filled by the end of the year.

His Eminence bestows blessings (above); and left, Khenpo-la presides over sacred ceremonies and explanatory teachings.

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The theme of spiritual friendship is highlighted in March, with His Eminence Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche making His first visit to the West. At the invitation of the Vajra Kalyana Mitrata (the Vajra Spiritual Friendship), His Eminence, along with the Venerable Tsokchen Khenpo Jamphel Chzin, Abbot of Gongkar Chde monastery, and the Venerable Umze Jamphel Chdhar, the monasterys Ritual Master, will visit a number of venues across the south of England, bringing the light of Dharma with them. The Vajra Kalyana Mitrata is an informal circle of Dharma friends connected to Gelong Ngawang Khyentse ( a.k.a. Venerable Kassapo, pictured with His Eminence, left), many of whom are involved in activities promoting ecological responsibility and awareness of the plight of Tibet. Last year, Khyentse and his friends were involved in organising the visit to England of His Holiness the Dalai Lama who, in a private audience, offered a timely reflection on how work for Mother Earth and Tibet was not something to be considered separate from Dharma practice, but an essential part of it. Inspired by His Holinesss precious counsel, the Vajra Kalyana Mitrata, along with other initiatives, invited His Eminence Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche to bestow the initiation of Vajra Garuda according to the Dzongpa lineage. This rare and unique practice composed by the first Dorje Dhenpa, Kunga Namgyal, explicitly directs blessings to balance the elements in the environment, as well as bringing great blessings upon the practitioner. At the request of John and Diane Stanley in Ireland, who spoke at the seminar organised by Khyentse during His Holiness the Dalai Lamas programme in England called Dharma and Ecological Responsibility, His Holiness the Sakya Trizin composed a beautiful prayer of aspiration for healing the global ecological crisis, which has now been translated into English and will be recited throughout His Eminences tour in the U.K. Also this year, Losar (the Tibetan New Year) will not be celebrated by the Tibetan community as a mark of respect to the hundreds of Tibetans who have been killed or detained in Tibet since March last year. In respect of this, His Eminence has kindly offered to preside over prayers with the Tibetan community in Britain at the beginning of His visit, and will confer the White Tara initiation and puja in London for them too.

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His Eminence Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche in the UK, 7th - 22nd March 2009
His Eminence begins the official programme in Britain with the initiation of White Tara on Sunday 8th March in London. This will be followed in the afternoon by a White Tara puja in dedication to the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. When: 10.30 -12.30am (initiation), 2 - 5pm (puja) Where: Boston Arms Hall, 178 Junction Road, N19 5QQ (nearest Tube Station: Tufnell Park) A number of other vigils and events will take place in London with His Eminence between 7th and 10th March. E-mail vajra.kmtour@yahoo.co.uk or call ++44 (0) 7706 848 248 for all the details or log on to www.dzongpa.com/news
A private visit for the children and parents of the Dharma School in Brighton follows on 10th March a great opportunity for the students of the only Buddhist school in Europe to connect with His Eminences warmth, wisdom and humour!

Making Changes Work will then be the theme for a talk on Dharma in everyday life given by His Eminence at the Bodhi Garden Buddhist centre on Wednesday 11th March in Brighton, including an opportunity for questions and answers. When: 7 - 9pm Where: 7a Ship Street Gardens, Brighton BN1 1AJ E-mail info@bodhigarden.org or call ++44 (0) 7792 981 029 for all the details or log on to www.dzongpa.com/news From Fri 13th - Sun 15th March, a full and varied programme has been arranged in Hampshire, with teachings on The Heart of Buddhism for Today (Sat 12th & Sun 15th, 1.30 - 4pm), along with three Initiations with explanatory teachings and Q&A. Fri 13th, 10 - 12am: Parnashavari initiation the Goddess embodying the healing power of all the Buddhas associated with repelling sickness and disease, and empowering healing energy for the body and mind. Introductory Teachings follow from 7 9pm. Sat 14th, 10 - 12am: Vasudhara initiation the Goddess embodying the enriching energy of all the Buddhas associated with generating spiritual and temporal wealth, particularly auspicious in these uncertain economic times. Teachings follow from 1.30 - 4pm. Sun 15th, 10 - 12am: Marici initiation the Goddess embodying the activity of all the Buddhas associated with banishing the darkness of all obstacles to happiness, security, well-being and wisdom. Teachings follow from 1.30 - 4pm. Where: New Milton Memorial Centre, Whitefield Road, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 6DE E-mail vajra.kmtour@yahoo.co.uk or call ++44 (0) 7706 848 248 for all the details or log on to www.dzongpa.com/news

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From Fri 20th - Sun 22nd March, a Weekend Vajrayana Retreat with His Eminence is being held in Somerset. This is a very rare and precious opportunity to receive profound teachings from an authentic Tibetan Buddhist Lama that direct the mind to Enlightenment and promote spiritual strength and understanding for the benefit of ourselves and others. It is also a great opportunity to take some time out for some quiet meditation practice, as well as to develop supportive spiritual friendship ( kalyana-mitrata) among like-minded people who want to make the inner and outer world a beautiful place. Fri 20th, 10 - 11.30am & Sat 21st March, 09.30 - 11.00am : The Letter of Instructions to the Yogi of Kongpo, Nyida Zangpo: An Introduction to Tantra Over the first two morning sessions, His Eminence will give teachings based on The Letter of Instructions to the Yogi of Kyongpo, Nyida Zangpo by the first Dorje Dhenpa, Kunga Namgyal (1432-1496). The author was a great Tantric Master, acclaimed as one of the Six Ornaments of the Sakya tradition, founding abbot of the great Gongkar Chde monastery and the Dzongpa lineage of the Sakya tradition. Of his numerous profound teachings, this concise text is a particularly lucid manual of timeless advice for those embarking on the Vajrayana path. It has never been taught in the West before. On the same day from 2 - 4.00pm: Vajra Garuda initiation the wisdom, compassion and power of all the Buddhas manifest as a magical bird who has power to subjugate all dark energies and spirits associated with magnetising the energy and blessings to attain the power, compassion and wisdom of a Buddha. He balances the energies of the elements (earth, air, water, fire and space) within ourselves and in our environment, and subdues harmful and interfering energies that affect our health, well-being and environment. The particular initiation of the multi-coloured Vajra Garuda being conferred is an initiation of the Anuttara Yoga Tantra classification deriving from the Kalacakra Tantra and one of the special mandalas of the 1st Dorje Dhenpa, Kunga Namgyal. This is the very first time for this initiation to be given in the West. As such, the initiations and teachings will be open to limited numbers for those who have entered the Vajrayana path, and prior booking is necessary to ensure a place. Sat. 21st March 4 - 6.00pm: The Transmission for Serkyem. In Vajrayana Buddhism, the blessings of Dharma Protectors are invoked to protect practitioners from obstacles. Of these, Mahakala, in various forms, is the chief Dharma Protector in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. His Eminence will kindly bestow the oral transmission for those who have entered the Vajrayana path for the Serkyem offering ritual to the Dharma Protectors, focusing on Brahmanrupa Mahakala. This will enable one to conduct the practice to ward off obstacles and bring protective blessings to ones home, family, person and Sun. 22nd March 10 - 11.30am: activities. Explanatory Teachings for the Practice of Vajra Garuda and Serkyem. For those who attended the Vajra Garuda and Serkyem transmissions, the last morning of the retreat will be teachings on how to undertake these practices, together with some meditation together on these two practices. There will also be time for Q&A. Sun. 22nd March 2 - 4.00pm: Kalyana-mitrata: Lovely Association for all those who participated in all or part of this weekend, this will be a time for private audiences with His Eminence to discuss their practice, to practice quietly in the space available, or to discuss the practice among friends before concluding the retreat and taking the blessings and momentum of a very special time into our everyday lives. Where: Chard, Somerset (full address upon booking) E-mail vajra.kmtour@yahoo.co.uk or call ++44 (0) 7706 848 248 for all the details or log on to www.dzongpa.com/news 5

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Aside from sharing the Dharma overseas in 2009, His Eminence and the entire Dzongpa Sangha also have the great honour to look forward to of organising the annual Sakya Mnlam, which will take place towards the end of the year. This year is an extra special one, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness the Sakya Trizin, our Root Guru. Further information will be posted on our website nearer the time. We hope that plans for the pilgrimage to the holy sites in India with His Eminence and members of the Sangha will be available soon too. For the more immediate future, keep your eyes on the website, as new should be posted there very soon with the complete itinerary for His Eminences first teaching tour of the U.S.A., including Hawaii, scheduled for early summer 2009. www.dzongpa.com

Through the blessings of the undeceiving Triple Gem, And the power and strength of our pure aspiration, Exalted and illustrious Guru, Dorje Dhenpa, May your wishes be fulfilled and your transcendental activities flourish!
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